Many of you know how special birthdays are to me! I love that my kid's birthday months are spread out perfectly between 6 months. Believe it or not, but it takes me that long to think of the ideas for the kids and the invitations. I slacked this year and sent the boys via e-mail, but the thought, research and creativity still took the same amount of time.
So, this year Isa is going to be 5! I can't believe that I have a child old enough to be 5. She'll start school next year. It's crazy. It seems like it was just yesterday. Am I even old enough to have a 5 year old?
She's been so into Princesses, dress up and pretend play, that I think we'll just do a general Princess Party this year. 1st year was dogs, 2nd was Sesame Street (which I have to say was my favorite game wise...I had Ernie's duck pond, Elmo's Coloring World, and we even bought her a "Dorothy". Well, let me rephrase that. Tried to buy her a "Dorothy." I sent Bill to get her a goldfish and he came back with a Beta! We ended up calling him Grover. Oh well) 3rd year was Ariel and this past year was Belle.
I have some good ideas brewing for this year. Hopefully it's just perfect!
Now, if I could only think of a good idea for 3 kids for Halloween. Last year they were Shrek, Fiona, and Puss n Boots! How do you top that?
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
August Updates
I have been really self-absorbed lately following my latest hobby, decorating. After realizing I only had 1 picture of my children from the entire month of July, I decided that it was time to get back to my old ways of taking pictures of my kids and having fun with them and stop being so preoccupied with "getting things done." The pictures below are from some of the things that we did.
Don't get me wrong, I do fun things with them almost every day, but I've been failing miserably at capturing moments on camera and really engaging in that meaningful play with them. I won't get too dramatic though because we've still had plenty of trips to the pool, Kings Island, playdates, parks, walks, etc...so it's not like I've completely kept them secluded during my preoccupation period.
Isa started soccer two weeks ago. She did so well this past week. She dribbled well, scored two goals and learned how to stop the ball with her foot. She was cracking me up whenever she would run too fast. I overheard her tell the coaches that she can't run because her stomach starts jumping. I guess that meant she couldn't catch her breath! Her first game is on the 23rd.
Both Braden and Isa start school in a few weeks. I'll need to make sure to get those moments on camera.
Carter just got over a double ear infection and a virus with blisters in his throat.
I'm down 3 lbs. this week on WW. Weigh in again tomorrow. My cousin, Angela, and I set a goal to lose 12 lbs. before our cousin, Jen's, wedding on Sept. 6. We started last week. So, as long as I keep exercising and staying within my point range, I'll lose that 3 lbs. per week. (Such a slacker....why does it take me a month before a wedding to get motivated?)
I don't know that I've mentioned this, but please keep Bill in your thoughts. He has a qualifying exam to pass and a paper due October 3rd. He must pass the qualifying exam to stay in the PhD program. The paper, if chosen to be published, would be something that he would present in Rome, Italy next May 2009. We'd both like to go if his paper is selected.
Met up with my old friend, Tina Cramer that I used to work with at Pete's Restaurant years ago and spent time with her and her kids today. She has two. Twins. Brooke and Brady. They're starting kindergarten this year! Geesh, time flies.
GG and Papa's anniversary is tomorrow. Happy Anniversary!
So many people are having babies here within the next few weeks: cousin Angie, friend Lisa, friend Monica, and friend Libby. Good luck to all of you!
Don't get me wrong, I do fun things with them almost every day, but I've been failing miserably at capturing moments on camera and really engaging in that meaningful play with them. I won't get too dramatic though because we've still had plenty of trips to the pool, Kings Island, playdates, parks, walks, etc...so it's not like I've completely kept them secluded during my preoccupation period.
Isa started soccer two weeks ago. She did so well this past week. She dribbled well, scored two goals and learned how to stop the ball with her foot. She was cracking me up whenever she would run too fast. I overheard her tell the coaches that she can't run because her stomach starts jumping. I guess that meant she couldn't catch her breath! Her first game is on the 23rd.
Both Braden and Isa start school in a few weeks. I'll need to make sure to get those moments on camera.
Carter just got over a double ear infection and a virus with blisters in his throat.
I'm down 3 lbs. this week on WW. Weigh in again tomorrow. My cousin, Angela, and I set a goal to lose 12 lbs. before our cousin, Jen's, wedding on Sept. 6. We started last week. So, as long as I keep exercising and staying within my point range, I'll lose that 3 lbs. per week. (Such a slacker....why does it take me a month before a wedding to get motivated?)
I don't know that I've mentioned this, but please keep Bill in your thoughts. He has a qualifying exam to pass and a paper due October 3rd. He must pass the qualifying exam to stay in the PhD program. The paper, if chosen to be published, would be something that he would present in Rome, Italy next May 2009. We'd both like to go if his paper is selected.
Met up with my old friend, Tina Cramer that I used to work with at Pete's Restaurant years ago and spent time with her and her kids today. She has two. Twins. Brooke and Brady. They're starting kindergarten this year! Geesh, time flies.
GG and Papa's anniversary is tomorrow. Happy Anniversary!
So many people are having babies here within the next few weeks: cousin Angie, friend Lisa, friend Monica, and friend Libby. Good luck to all of you!
August Pictures
Isa and her friend, Maura. When they both have their hair down, these two could be twins! Maura is Monica's daughter.
Carter driving the car
Isa at Recreations Outlet
A princess smelling her rose
Trying to convince Carter to marry her! (Braden wouldn't participate)
GG bought Isa a make up kit and had it delivered this week. She's played with it for a few hours every day in her room by herself. This is how she came downstairs a few days ago. She even knows how to do ponytails, so she styled her hair herself.
Finally getting him to sit still!
Funny faces at breakfast. Today, he said (while waiting to eat his waffles that I cooked him) "Wake up waffles. It's Buddy's turn!" Translation: Come on, waffles. I'm hungry. Hurry up and get over here. It's my turn to eat you.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Lots to catch up on
Isa got into the preschool right up the street. St. Mark's Lutheran Church. That's a blessing so that Mom doesn't have to drive all over creation transporting children to school each day. Her teacher sent her a letter and will be coming to visit her on Aug. 12 to get to know her and read a story with her. What a thoughtful woman! I always wanted to do that, but never got around to it as a teacher! She starts right after Labor Day.
Braden will start August 21. We started potty training again. He's doing pretty well, but still does pee on the floor at times.
Carter will still be at home with me.
I started officially working for Smarty Pants doing some advertising work. My boss is very flexible and is allowing me to work from home. www.smartycenter.com
Bill needs to start studying for his Qualifying exam for his PhD and also write this important paper before October 3rd. Pray that he both passes and gets that paper done. He already has one published paper, but this one (if accepted) would be presented in ROME, ITALY! Not only would it be another accomplishment, but we'd like for me to go as well!
On a sad note, my nephew was hit by a car last week. He's at home now, but he definitely was very lucky. He was effected from his neck up. Nothing was damaged on his lower body. He did have to have plastic surgery, but there has been no evidence of brain damage. A lot of swelling, cuts, stitches, staples and such, but he's alive and doing very well considering. Please pray for him.
Bill and I took care of my sister's other 4 children and that was a handful...7 kids under the age of 9! (2) 9 year old's, (2) 4 year olds, (1) 3 year old and (2) 1 year olds. There was not one minute of free time. We went from the time we woke up until 11-11:30 each night! The kids were really good and we were happy that my sister knew that she could just concentrate on my nephew's recovery.
Important dates in August:
August 10: Dad's birthday
August 13: Aunt Donn'a Birthday
August 16: Barb and Butch's Anniversary and Edie and Olivia's Birthdays
August 16: Jim's Birthday
Happy B-day and anniversary everyone!
Braden will start August 21. We started potty training again. He's doing pretty well, but still does pee on the floor at times.
Carter will still be at home with me.
I started officially working for Smarty Pants doing some advertising work. My boss is very flexible and is allowing me to work from home. www.smartycenter.com
Bill needs to start studying for his Qualifying exam for his PhD and also write this important paper before October 3rd. Pray that he both passes and gets that paper done. He already has one published paper, but this one (if accepted) would be presented in ROME, ITALY! Not only would it be another accomplishment, but we'd like for me to go as well!
On a sad note, my nephew was hit by a car last week. He's at home now, but he definitely was very lucky. He was effected from his neck up. Nothing was damaged on his lower body. He did have to have plastic surgery, but there has been no evidence of brain damage. A lot of swelling, cuts, stitches, staples and such, but he's alive and doing very well considering. Please pray for him.
Bill and I took care of my sister's other 4 children and that was a handful...7 kids under the age of 9! (2) 9 year old's, (2) 4 year olds, (1) 3 year old and (2) 1 year olds. There was not one minute of free time. We went from the time we woke up until 11-11:30 each night! The kids were really good and we were happy that my sister knew that she could just concentrate on my nephew's recovery.
Important dates in August:
August 10: Dad's birthday
August 13: Aunt Donn'a Birthday
August 16: Barb and Butch's Anniversary and Edie and Olivia's Birthdays
August 16: Jim's Birthday
Happy B-day and anniversary everyone!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Date Night
Bill and I finally hired a babysitter and went out on a date. It was sooo nice and much needed. The girl was really sweet, talkative, talented, experienced and came highly recommended, so I trusted her immediately.
We went to Applebees so that I could order off of the Weight Watcher's menu. (Yes, I'm back at that again. I'm convinced that I'll be in a size 6-8 dress for this wedding that we have coming up in Sept.)
We attempted to go to Miami Meadows to listen to Kansas at the Midsummer bash, but the sound system wasn't the best, so we left early.
We found ourselves at the movies watching Hancock with Will Smith. It was a good movie.
Thanks for a great night, honey!!
We went to Applebees so that I could order off of the Weight Watcher's menu. (Yes, I'm back at that again. I'm convinced that I'll be in a size 6-8 dress for this wedding that we have coming up in Sept.)
We attempted to go to Miami Meadows to listen to Kansas at the Midsummer bash, but the sound system wasn't the best, so we left early.
We found ourselves at the movies watching Hancock with Will Smith. It was a good movie.
Thanks for a great night, honey!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
July 2008 Updates
I posted a bunch of pictures from both the boys' birthday party, check them out. We had a great time and the party turned out so well. It was just perfect!
June went by like crazy! I had two online Master's courses to complete in about 4 weeks. They were both accelerated classes so that I could get done quickly. I would literally wake up every day, take care of the kids, work during their "rest time", go tutor, and then come home from 9 til midnight every night and finish school work. (Assignments were due daily by midnight.) GG helped out a lot on Monday's so that I could get some work done and I tried to work ahead. Here's hoping that I didn't damage my 4.0!!
Isa: She says the darndest (is that a word?) things. I swear she's a splitting image of me. She needs a lot of attention, loves to play school and teach others, and loves to be the BOSS and make up the rules to everything. She has a very nurturing side to her as well. She's going to make a great mother one day. She's loving, thoughtful and enjoys the care-taking role.
Braden: He's speaking more clearly every day. Check out the new picture with his buzz. It was a hair cut on a whim and won't happen again. Maybe we'll keep it a littler shorter than we usually do, but never this short again. He's still fascinated with trucks, cars, trains, and diggers. He's becoming a little more trying at the age of 3, but we can't complain! He was angelic from birth until now! We just painted his room this weekend. Hopefully, we'll get his big boy bed set up next weekend and I'll post some pictures.
Carter: He is just one big ham bone. Aw...I could just gnaw and love on him all day long. Look at the picture below and those fat rolls on his thighs! I really hope that he retains that dimple on the right side of his face. He still only says Mama and dada. He is clapping his hands now and reaches for what he wants. He's still attached to his dog and paci. We've finally broken him from the bottle though.
Bill: Bill's still plugging away at his PhD and working at FKI.
Edie and Olivia: Edie barks a lot less these days. Must be old age. Olivia, however, barks more! Olivia is a good tempered dog and will make a great companion for our kids as they grow older. She has a very sweet disposition and is very submissive. The kids can do anything to her and she doesn't care at all.
June went by like crazy! I had two online Master's courses to complete in about 4 weeks. They were both accelerated classes so that I could get done quickly. I would literally wake up every day, take care of the kids, work during their "rest time", go tutor, and then come home from 9 til midnight every night and finish school work. (Assignments were due daily by midnight.) GG helped out a lot on Monday's so that I could get some work done and I tried to work ahead. Here's hoping that I didn't damage my 4.0!!
Isa: She says the darndest (is that a word?) things. I swear she's a splitting image of me. She needs a lot of attention, loves to play school and teach others, and loves to be the BOSS and make up the rules to everything. She has a very nurturing side to her as well. She's going to make a great mother one day. She's loving, thoughtful and enjoys the care-taking role.
Braden: He's speaking more clearly every day. Check out the new picture with his buzz. It was a hair cut on a whim and won't happen again. Maybe we'll keep it a littler shorter than we usually do, but never this short again. He's still fascinated with trucks, cars, trains, and diggers. He's becoming a little more trying at the age of 3, but we can't complain! He was angelic from birth until now! We just painted his room this weekend. Hopefully, we'll get his big boy bed set up next weekend and I'll post some pictures.
Carter: He is just one big ham bone. Aw...I could just gnaw and love on him all day long. Look at the picture below and those fat rolls on his thighs! I really hope that he retains that dimple on the right side of his face. He still only says Mama and dada. He is clapping his hands now and reaches for what he wants. He's still attached to his dog and paci. We've finally broken him from the bottle though.
Bill: Bill's still plugging away at his PhD and working at FKI.
Edie and Olivia: Edie barks a lot less these days. Must be old age. Olivia, however, barks more! Olivia is a good tempered dog and will make a great companion for our kids as they grow older. She has a very sweet disposition and is very submissive. The kids can do anything to her and she doesn't care at all.
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