My Sailor

This little dancing diva, did so good that past weekend.  She danced to Shirley Temple's "Goodship Lollypop."  I was super proud of her, she knew her dances well.  It was fun to watch and she had quite the following with Neeners, Grandpa Garry, Popoes, Grandma Debby, Grandpa Steve, Aunt Lindsey and Carter there plus her family.

Jedi Knight Colin Turns 7

Coli wanted to have a bowling party this year for his birthday.   We ended up at FatCats because the kids could play games too.  Colin has been so excited about his birthday party for months!  It turned out super great with alot of his friends showing up.  The cake and party favors were Star Wars themed because he and his school buddies play Star Wars at recess.  It ended up being a fun little party, but keeping track of that many little boys.  Oiy!!

Rock Wall Climbing

Brian and I, have talked in the past that we want to try rock wall climbing with the kids.  Neither of us have ever done it, so we thought we might try it out as a family.  We did just that on President's Day.  The kids immediately loved it.  They had some much fun trying to the climb the walls and they couldn't wait for Bri and I to belay them.  Bri and I learned how to belay and everyone tried climbing.  I have to say that it makes me a little nervous and I have a hard time climbing to high.  I get really hot, and my palms sweat and it just freak out.  But I had a great time just like Colin, Audra and Brian did.  I look forward to going at it again in the future.

Traveling the World

Back in November, Bri came home from work and stated that he wanted to do more with our kids.  (Oh, dear! Was my thought.)  He said he wanted to teach them something two nights a week and he wasn't sure what or how, that was my job! (Great! More stress!)  Well, after a few days he stated he wanted to teach the kids about the different countries in the world one night a week and then work on writing another night of the week.  I told him he was going to have to share the burden of teaching.  One week I would teach the country info and that week he would teach the writing, with the next week flipping the responsibilities.
So, off on this adventure we started.  I told him I would teach the first country and I thought it should be the USA, so they have a basic knowledge.  Then I issued the kids "passports."  And we bought a nice big map of the world.  The kids really got excited about this.  Bri and I decided we would try to make food that was like the food in each country and teach the kids some neat facts.  Sometimes, if we are on top of the game we even plan an activity.  I have to say we actually have had a lot of fun with this.  The kids love the learning and ask "where are we going?"
So, this past week went went to Saudi Arabia.  I had a hard time coming up with an activity, but I wanted the kids to understand how important the Muslim religion is in the country.  So, I had each family member put similar head wear on, so that when the kids see people in the USA with this head wear they will accept them.   (PLEASE, do not take this as mockery or unkind, I am trying to teach my kiddos acceptance.)

Over all, this idea Bri had has been fabulous.  When the kids see or hear things that we have learned about they get excited.  One day, the hope is we will really be able to travel the world together.

Life's Bittersweet Moments...

Our little baby turned 4 months early this week.  It has been a time that I have been looking forward to for one selfish reason.  At 4 months the doctor gives permission for me to let the babies cry it out, so that they start sleeping through the night.  Elyse has been a difficult child as far as getting her to sleep both for naps and at night.  There have been nights I have been awake every 2 hours, and at first I was up on the 3 hour regardless of if she was hungry or not, because of her blood sugar issue at birth.
Yesterday, was her 4 month check up and the doctor said he was good with letting her figure out sleeping through the night, starting today.  So, when she woke up tonight, I went into her room and feed her.  I tried to soak that moment in, because even though I am excited to sleep through the night, I am a little sad too.  Elyse is our last baby and I won't have those sweet night moments again.  In all honesty, it has made me cry.  Tonight, I just ask, time be gentle please.  Don't go so fast, that life's little moments get away from me...

Life is Messy

As a mom, there are times the kids ask to do something, and I immediately say "no."  This reason is one that is simple, because I know whatever they want to do is going to be messy.  "Mom, can we paint?"  "Mom, can we cut?" (This one usually turns into confetti sized paper all over.)  And instead of letting them, I say no because I don't want the mess.  Well, last week Audra started asking if she could paint my toenails.  Well, I said no about 3 times over a span of a few days.  Well, she asked again (that little girl is persistent), this time I said "yes."  Knowing it was going to be messy.  So, she picked out 2 colors for me to pick from.  I picked and she got to work.  She painted and tried her best.  My toes ended up having a lot of purple paint on them, but that is ok, because I learned a BIG lesson.  Sometimes, life is messy but we need to make messes for fun, for learning, for life.  So, while I am not saying I will always say yes.  I am saying I am hoping to do better to let the kids make messes.
 

A Day at the Museum

This past weekend, Brian was feeling really bad.  In fact, he went to the doctor and was told that he had Bronchitis, a sinus infection, and a cracked rib.  So, I called Neeners and Grandpa to find out what they were doing for the day.  After so back and forth, the kids decided that going to the Museum of Natural History would be fun, especially since the museum was having a special bug event.
We ended up taking Carter Man too, since his mom was looking for a new home.  Which turned out to be great because, the kids love spending time with him.  The bugs were not as big of a hit as we were hoping, but we ended up spending over 3 hours at the museum.  I would dare say that they had a blast, especially at the end, when they played dress up.  It was a great way to spend the day.