March 2013

Alaina dressed her sister up

Talia's become quite the "talker"  She loves Pizza & a movie night and says "Pizza movie, pizza movie!"

A Sparkle hat in memory of Grandma Bucky

Kids dancing to Madagascar 3 music

Kylan FINALLY lost teeth!  Yeah!  2 front bottom ones--and here are the big teeth coming in! :)

The bridge at Tenney Park

 

 

Kylan ice skating vidoe pt. 1

Playing in the bike racks

Spiderman and Wonderwoman

Seriously LOVE the hair and the halo behind.  I knew this boy was angelic!

After ice skating, Ky insisted on showing me his snow flop.  He said "It's so much fun!"  Watch the video and decide for yourself. :)

 

Babysitting a friend's baby

Our attempt at Angry Bird Cupcakes

With Angry Bird faces

Not too shabby--but that yellow one is missing an eye

Alaina swimming

Kylan doing the elementary back stroke

I actually found her sitting and watching tv like this. 

surprised by the camera

Pedicures

Cute toes

Enjoying her blue toes

Alaina's fancy hair

We were getting ready to go and I yelled "shoes on".  Talia then grabbed all her shoes and lined them up and proceeded to try to get them all on.

Space Alaina

Hello?  you don't see phones like this anymore and yet little kids still know what they are.

Water Table fun

Packer kids

Goofy faces

Have you ever seen anyone so happy to go down the slide?

MONKEYS!

Flamingo legs

Talia's flamingo leg

Which came first?

The tortoise

Easter

Talia's not giving anyone her eggs!

Alaina's hunt for Easter Eggs

Alaina's eggs

Kylan's hunt for Easter Eggs

Ky's stash

Grandma Debi with Talia & a Bucky hat

"Who are these people?"

With Aunt Lisa & Stephanie

Hats for Grandma Bucky

More attempts at nice Easter pics

Grandma Debi time

Alaina rocking

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Talia & Grandpa

Grandpa and Talia sing "Twinkle Twinkle"...and then G'pa puts his own spin on it.

Talia snuggling with cousin Devan

 

MARCH!  Wow!  It was a LONG month and so much to do!  We made a lot of our final preparations for our vacation (That blog will come the end of April.)  And there were a lot of school events. 

 

March started off a little rough.  Alaina got sick, but did make a miraculous recovery.  However we ended up having to cancel plans with family since we were unsure if anyone else was going to get sick.  Luckily--no one did.  We also had some blizzard like weather the first week which ended up making it difficult to get places.  Ky's school's math night was canceled due to the weather and I had some sad children on my hands.  Unfortunately it was rescheduled during our vacation so we did not get to go to it. 

 

We celebrated birthday time with Nana as well.  I forgot the camera--so I have no photos of that! :(  We had a nice a lunch at a new cafe in Milwaukee and then Nana watched the kids while Rob and I went on a date in the evening (an early Mothers/Father's Day gift from Nana).  Her and Jan also gave us tickets to the symphony.  It was a wonderful and PEACEFUL night.  We really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks mom!

 

Alaina and I also visited 4k at Ky's school this month.  I do think Alaina would gain a lot from the program.  She is ready to read (has all the basics down), but has little interest in trying to read.  She would rather be playing.  4K is definitely more of a play-based learning which would set her up to succeed, and it is also a good way to prepare her for a classroom atmosphere, something I am afraid she is not ready for.  She is enrolled for the afternoon session.  The more I think about it and the more I work with her at home, I do feel it will be very beneficial for her. At this time I plan to send her, however, I will keep her at home from time to time as I feel is necessary (something the teacher disagreed with me about.) 

 

We were supposed to have the second annual Fancy Nancy Party in March, however I got a really nasty cold/sinus infection that had me feeling pretty miserable for about 2 weeks.  So I ended up cancelling it and rescheduling it in April on Talia's birthday.  Can you believe my baby is turning 2?! 

The last week of March was Spring Break and we had a blast.  One day I got out the tent and the kids and I set it up and played in it for the rest of the day (in the house!)  We also went to the Rockford Children's Museum and then stopped at our good friend's Julie's house in the afternoon.  The kids had a great playdate (Ky can't stop talking about their Wii.  And he keeps singing a song that he only learned 3 lines of--over and over and over.)  We also egged the neighbor's yard which the kids really enjoyed.  We went to the $ store and bought some eggs and things to stuff the eggs with and then we made up a sign and put it on their door that said somthing like "You've been egged!  Search for 20 eggs in your yard and don't fret when you find one empty--this is a way for us to remember Jesus' empty tomb, so REJOICE!  He has risen indeed!"  So the kids and I stuffed the eggs and then snuck over to our neighbors and hid the eggs in their yard.  Kylan then rang the doorbell and we all ran home.  We had a BLAST  watching them run around searching for eggs!  :)  And they still don't know it was us who did it!  We also went to Bouncy Town and the zoo with our good friends Julie.  We loved the flamingos.  The kids were all trying to stand with one foot in the air like the flamingos.  They were a riot to watch. 

 

Here is a FB update that summed up Spring Break well-- "3 puking episodes, 2 bloody noses, and 1 broken toilet seat--qualifies as a very successful spring break in my book! No--really---a good time had by all and I am sad to send Ky back to school. He is turning into such a wonderful young man--he swept the garage because "Mom--it looked like it needed it!" Here are a couple of favorite quotes from the week. "Mom, you can't park in the wheelbarrow spots--those are for people with wheelbarrows!" (Kylan) "I don't like being your sister! I QUIT! I'm not going to be your sister ANYMORE!" (Alaina to Kylan) ahhhh...where does the time go?!"

 

Since we still aren't members of a church we did go to our "old faithful" church for Good Friday and Easter.  They were good services, but I do miss the closeness I would have felt attending a church we were members at.  We continue to try new churches and pray that God will open our eyes to the one he wants us at.

 

Easter Sunday we were up and at them early.  Why--becuase our kids like to get up early, unfortunately.  In fact, Ky woke up at 4 to barf and kept us up until 6:30 barfing and then promptly woke up at 7:30 asking for breakfast (yes he did).  Let me just say we were very concerned and he only had crackers for breakfast.  We did attend church (carefully), but kept him with us instead of letting him go to kid's church.  After that we returned home and ate a light lunch before letting the kids search for their Easter stuff.  From there we were off to Milwaukee for Easter dinner with Schnake's.  We were a bit late since we were still being cautious with Kylan.  It all worked out fine though.  The kids had a fun time playing with their aunts and uncles and cousins.  We had delicious food as usual and celebrated Rob's birthday, which was that upcoming week.  We left exhausted and happy! (Rob and I had some sleep to catch up on!) :) 

 

So on to pictures, March was a very cold month.  I took Ky and Alaina ice skating, and Ky turned out to be a natural for only his second time of skating.  He fell a lot--but due to good effort.  I was impressed.  Alaina didn't really want to skate the second time and sat in a snowhill asking "Are we done yet?"  over and over.  BLEH!  At least Ky had fun.

 

I totally forgot that I had signed up to bring baked goods to Ky's fun fair.  It worked out fine though.  I found this easy recipe for Angry Bird cupcakes, however the kids really wanted to decorate them.  So it was hard--but I relinquished control to them and they still came out looking pretty good.  The kids had a blast at the fun fair.  Rob volunteered to do the soccer game and he did a great job--the kids scored all sorts of goals on him! :) 

 

The big kids are both taking swimming and doing a great job.  Ky is in level 3 and is very close to passing to 4.  He is a very good swimmer, but his dives and strokes need work.  Alaina is in Shrimp 2.  Sometimes she will jump in the deep water, sometimes she won't.  She is confident to swim with a swim belt, but timid in actually getting in.  She has progressed a lot from last summer when she wouldn't even let go of the side of the pool. 

 

Well--I think that does it for now.  Stay tuned for April and our special VACATION blog!  :)

February 2013

 

Did you know that Feb 2nd was not only Grandma Debi's Birthday...

but also National....

Icecream for Breakfast Day!

 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6XuXw3R5v0

 Alaina's version of John Jacob Jingle Heimer Schmidt (i don't know why it won't post.)

 

Talia always sits in Aunt Julie's lap for stories....not so much mine...

Finally a lost tooth...we waited 6 years and 8 months for this occasion.

Madison Train Show with Grandpa

 And of course Uncle Ryan

 

 This video wasn't nearly as funny as we hoped it would be...

The kids fixed Wendy's hair...Isn't she beautiful!!!

Alaina ice skating for the first time

Yup...I think she likes it.

She didn't really need this. 

 Video of her with the aid

Video of her excited about fish and skating without the aid

piece of hair Alaina cut

Our snow lady

Talia eating the snow lady's mouth

Poor Snow Lady 

 Video of the kids eating the snow lady's mouth

 Seriously...the cutest video ever....Kids are singing together.

 

Honestly, I think this was the best February ever.  We had several nice snow storms which made for good playing outside because it was accompanied by nice weather. I also think that I am just anxious to have a good farming/gardening season so I am happy to see things back to normal.  Almost all of my frozen veggies are gone, so that's a little depressing.  I am about ready to get back to the gardening groove.

So Feb 2nd was a Saturday and we kept the "National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day" a surprise for the kids.  Boy were they happy!  And every bit was eaten.  It was also a nice break from Rob and my "no sugar" diet that we went on for January.  That diet sucked...we were just wanting to cleanse our body from all the Christmas crap we ate...instead we ended up eating other unhealthy stuff like chips and crackers and stuff...not so good.  Feb 2nd was an especially good day for the kiddos because Nana came and watched Ky play b'ball and then took the kids to Milwaukee for the weekend.  Julie then came Saturday night and watched Talia which meant Rob and I got to go out for dinner.  *Happy Dance* 

We went to Olive Garden for dinner--and really all I wanted was the salad.  mmmmm....It was a nice time for us to reconnect and it was a preview to our later February date of our annual chocolate and wine fest that we enjoy going to.  (We had already set up babysitting with Nana for that.)  And of course that date was a wonderful time too...good food, good drink and the BEST company! :) 

That following Monday I registered Alaina for 4K.  This was hard for me.  I still haven't decided if I am going to send her or not.  But the more I think about it and watch Alaina, the more I think it might be a good idea.  Ky got a lot more one on one with schoolwork than Alaina has--and while I have worked with  her, I have not done the creative lessons & units that I had done with Ky.  I have worked more with the reading, writing and math basics.  I have figured that I would do themed units next school year because Talia would be more receptive to that at an older age.  I also know that naptimes at our house are a struggle since Alaina does not take naps.  It becomes a "keep Alaina quiet" time.  Alaina is very theatrical and imaginative, so this can be hard. 

Anyway--I registered her for the afternoon session--thinking that would resolve naptime issues.  The teacher was very nice, however, I felt she was a bit pushy at telling me I needed to let go of my child and send her.  I am her mom, only I can make that decision.  And if she doesn't go, it will not hurt her.  Ky is doing fabulous at school and he did not attend a formal preschool.  Anyway--it will all work out, and I have lots of time to think about it. *think*think* think*...

Alaina began ballet again this month.  She loves it...though she may not admit it.  She is kind of funny where she will tell you she doesn't want to go and then when we get there she runs to class and doesn't look back.  She loves dancing and learning the new moves.  (And then she tries to teach me! :) ) 

Ky had his annual eye appointment this month.  We saw a new doc because his has moved onto bigger and better places.  The new doc was quite hurried with him, but he delivered only good news.  Ky's vision has strangely continued to improve.  He no longer needs to be seen by the eye doc, but can have his pediatrician check his vision annually.  It is VERY rare for this to happen in kids and he said he didn't know why Ky's vision has continued to improve.  I said "maybe prayer works afterall."  He didn't answer me (or even look at me).  Oh well--I guess we just continue to believe and thank God for the obvious healing that has taken place.  Ky still is mildly near-sighted with an astigmatism, but for now it is ALL GOOD!

That weekend Grandpa came with Uncle Ryan for the annual Madison Train Show.  They got to see Ky play basketball and Alaina swim.  We then had lunch at Manna Cafe (one of my favorites) and they headed off to the train show.  I went home with Talia and literally bummed while she slept (I don't get to do that often!) 

They all had fun at the train show.  Pictures are courtesy of Rob. The kids came back with train whistles (ugh!).  Luckily one of them was lost--phew! 

The next day we continued our church hunt--and I include this for all those church-goers out there.  If you attend a small church and you see new people--ESPECIALLY new people with kids.  Be friendly, don't stare, and help them get situated.  We got to this church early enough to get the kids to Sunday School--and while there were a few friendly smiles as we walked through the building.  No one helped to direct us on where the kids should go and then a teenager attempted to sell us something for his fundraiser...(you could almost see how eager he was for the "new" blood.)  Anyway--after an awkward service--we felt awkward since no one was helpful or especially welcoming (except one lady who brought our kids to us when Sunday school was over), we were happy to leave and we will not be attending that church again.  Talk about weird.  I don't think I have ever felt so "out of place" at a church service.

Wendy came over that night for dinner and the kids had a blast fixing her hair.  We love Wendy.  She has been such a great friend and support.  If you need someone to cheer you up--call Wendy.  She has been such a blessing to us.  Just her presence always changes my mood.  We had a great dinner and scheduled to meet up for "March Madness."  Gotta get working on my brackets soon!

On Monday, Alaina and I had a special date.  From one of our churches sermons in January, we were employing our new phrase "what can I do for you?" to help our family grow closer.  When I asked Alaina the week before she asked me to take her out for lunch.  So we scheduled a lunch date (of course Talia came along.)  I made a morning out of it by taking her to Animart to pet the animals and then to Saver's (50% off sale..couldn't pass that up and she gets to try on shoes) and then we were off to Dickey's--known for free ice cream and pickles. Unfortunately we got there at the lunch hour rush so things were a bit more hectic than I would have cared for.  I didn't realize they had a separate counter for sauces and so I ended up eating a plain chicken sandwich (I guess it WAS healthier...)  Alaina enjoyed herself and Talia--well she quieted down once I brought her an ice cream cone.  She has been getting into tantrum mode lately which just sucks.  Seriously, it grows old.  "OK, kid--get it out of your system.  I'm not giving in to you.  Finish your screaming and let's move on."  Of course if there is hitting and kicking involved I do enjoy picking her up and holding her away from me yelling "RUN TALIA RUN!"  --It's funny...really it is....but seriously, the third kid...it is just getting old at this point.

That's a lot for me--taking the girls to a restaurant on my own (not meeting any friends.)  I don't do it often, but I am glad I was able to fulfill a wish Alaina had.  I am definitely going to keep the "What can I do for you?" thing going...

Speaking of which, I realized that I don't play with Alaina a lot.  And well that is probably because she always wants to play princess, which really just is me changing her doll's clothes over and over...and my doll--well she doesn't even get to change clothes.  In fact she doesn't get to do much.  Anyway--Alaina is always asking me to play with her and I often put her off, just because I don't have fun with "princesses" and honestly I don't feel any closer to her afterwards--maybe she does if physical proximity has anything to do with it.  And let's be frank...I have my own agenda I need to complete. 

Anyway--my point of all this is that I have created the "Mommy Jar".  I had the kids come up with different ideas that they would like to do with me (things we do only at home and inside the house).  We put about 30 ideas in it (and princesses is NOT in there---I guess Alaina forgot--YEAH!)  The kids then pick one thing a day and we do it together.  This has worked out really well.  It makes sure that I actually take the time to play with them on their level and it is something different (once it is picked we remove it from the jar.)  The kids have really enjoyed the jar and even I look forward to it--after all I put some of my ideas in there too!  It has been REALLY working out nicely.  I do make exceptions to pulling from the mommy jar--for example on Sunday I took Ky & Laina ice skating for 2 hours.  We came back and they wanted to pick from the mommy jar--at that point I told them we already did a special activity--they can see if Daddy wants to do some thing--and we can pick again tomorrow.  Yeah for the mommy jar!

Okay--back on task...February...Kylan lost  his first and second tooth!  He has had one that has been loose on the bottom for almost a month and then out of the blue the one next to it came loose and fell out right away.  He was quite excited...and even more excited to get a $1 for it.  He asks about the tooth fairy and we usually change the subject or distract him.  He said he knows it is us.  We are just not confirming or denying it.  I don't think he really cares--he just thinks it is fun. 

The second tooth came out a week later--and that turned out to be a bloody mess.  We had been making jokes about pulling it.  Well, one night when Daddy was gone (of course) and I had already had a rough evening with the kids (of course), Kylan starts yelling to me from his bed that his tooth is almost out.  I went in his room and he was a bloody mess (on white sheets of course!)  I quickly shooed him to the bathroom.  He didn't realize he was bleeding he was just excited his tooth was falling out.  Once he saw the blood he started to panic, so I had to turn it into something funny. After we got all the blood cleaned up, I persuaded him to let me finish pulling it out.  It came out quite easily and I was relieved.  WHAT A MESS!  I don't remember tooth loss being such a gross thing!  Anyway--Ky was quite ecstatic. He is one of the last kids in his class to lose his first tooth.  (Heck--we know 4 year olds losing their teeth.)  And now he can join the others!

That week Ky's school had a winter dance.  The kids had a blast "dancing".  I signed up as a tattooist and gave kids lots of tattoos.  It was a good time.  The next day Ky had no school so we drove to the Rockford Children's Museum with Julie and her daughters.  The kids had a blast.  I love that place.  It is just so peaceful, big, clean, and NOT busy.  Julie's girls had a great time too.  In fact it was pretty late when we got back. 

That weekend I took Alaina ice skating for the first time.  She did really well...and considering I have only ice skated twice before, I did well too.  (Watch out Michelle Kwan--here I come!)  She had such a good time, it was hard to get her to leave.  She was fascinated with the idea that she was skating on top of fish and kept trying to look down to see if she could spot any.  If you watch one of her videos above you will hear her talking about the fish.  It's funny--because I actually wanted to go (my feet hurt), but she wanted to keep skating.  I am thinking maybe those ballet classes have helped her with her balance. :)

Oh...I almost forgot...I have a picture of Alaina's hair posted...yup she did it.  I knew it would happen eventually.  We know other kids who have cut their hair so I have had MANY talks with Alaina about NOT cutting her hair and how she could make it look really funny.  Well, one day I caught her snipping.  Luckily I caught her early and she only got one chunk--and it is in an area you don't notice.  We had another talk--but for some reason I don't think this will be the last time.  Ugh...let's hope it is...

That's all for February.  Until next month