Just hangin' out!

Andy took the kids to the park yesterday after church, so that I could do a little cleaning without any "little helpers." Here are a few shots of our monkey girl, Maggie!

She's ready!

Well it's done! And we are all still alive to talk (and blog) about it!

Maggie got her kindergarten shots today!

First let me start by telling you that my husbands wonderful big name company does NOT pay for well baby shots, so we have always gotten shots at the health dept. I spent $32 today for four shots that would have cost several hundred dollars at the doctors office. Getting shots at the health dept means, that you are out in the open for everyone to see and hear. There were lots of people today and I only heard a few babies cry. Nothing too bad, until it was our turn.

Andy took the morning off so that he could go along.(I think it was more for me than anything) We didn't tell Maggie until this morning that we were going. She tends to get worked up pretty easily and the less she worries the better we all are. She was pretty brave going in, there was a long line, and when her turn came, she screamed like they were cutting her head off. Andy held her tight and I tried to rub her face and keep her legs from kicking. I used to worry about what the nurses and other parents were thinking, but now I just let her scream bloody murder and get it over with. Four shots and four band aids later, she survived and we walked out. I'm sure all the parents behind us had to explain to their children that it's really not that bad.

We took Andy home to get his car and then he was off to work. Maggie called Grandma and Paca to see if they wanted to meet us for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Toast with gravy and bacon makes all things better. I told her that she would get to pick out something special since she was so brave (more like I was so brave) and she couldn't decide on any one thing at Cracker Barrel. So we went to good ol' Wal-mart. I had to get a few items anyway. We strolled up and down the toy isle for a good half hour before I finally told her she had to pick something and pick it quickly. She decided to she wanted to check out the "craft isle", where she finally picked a Crayola Color Wonder glitter paint set.

Maggie and her new paints!

Spending the afternoon watching movies...
She might be milkin' this a little too much, oh what the heck, it's not everyday that you have to get 4 shots!


My baby girl is all ready for Kindergarten!

Tonight is the night!

The last night of VBS.

Alleluia, Amen!

It has been a great week, but we are tired, ready to eat dinner at home (I can't believe I'm really saying that) and ready to be back to a somewhat normal routine.

I'm no expert...

but one thing that I have learned in my five short years as a parent is this:

When people say their child is in "the terrible twos" stage, it just means they haven't gotten to the "threatening threes" yet! And let me tell you, the two's are not bad. This is my warning to you, if you haven't gotten to the "threes" yet! Beware!

It has happened again. I thought I would have been more prepared since Maggie went through the same thing not too long ago. No such luck!

My favorite little three and a half year old guy is turning into a little person who is not using good listening ears, stomping his foot as he shouts "no!", is extra whining and I'm not liking it. Now I know this doesn't sound that bad, however it it very unlike Max to be like this. He is normally very easy going, just goes with the flow, doesn't make a big deal of too much, etc. He is easy.

But as I recall, this is when it starts. At about 3 1/2 ish for my people. It kinda just sneaks up on you and catches you off-guard. Then wham! - hits you like a ton of bricks. We have had to shut his bedroom door (which he doesn't like at all) while he throws his little fits, that could have started by a simple thing like him not wanting to wear underwear. Sorry, but you must wear underwear in our house. Or something like Maggie was on the couch where he wanted to sit. Give me a break! The attitude, temper, stomping, and whining have got to go. I'm hoping that in the four months until he turns four, we can get all of this crazy stuff out so I can get my easy going kid back.

Yes, I know "this too shall pass" and "its just a phase", but I wanted to send the warning out to those of you who haven't gotten to the threes yet! Be afraid, be very very afraid!

First night of VBS!

Last night was the first night for Vacation Bible School. The first night is always crazy and yet always wonderful! Last night we talked about being thankful, here are a few things I am thankful for:

• Seeing so many families come for dinner before VBS, that I was rushing my kids to eat so that others could sit down.

• Seeing those new families and praying that we can connect with them this week and share God's love with them.

• A great group of youth helpers - I couldn't have picked them better myself.

• An even better group of four year olds - including a little man who asks 20 million questions at each new activity we stop at.

• A husband who is willing to help out all week and even if he has to skip his nightly mountain bike ride.

• A favorite five year old daughter who did a great job in VBS, there wasn't any clinging to mom, there were no tears and no whining, at least that I know of.

• A favorite three year old little guy who also did great until the last 20 minutes. He was so tired and just wanted his mommy. Can't blame him, 8:30 at night is late for little people. (BTW - he didn't go to sleep till after 10:00 last night, praying for that to go a little better tonight)

• Last but not least, I am thankful for only 4 more days of VBS!

To sell or not to sell...

That is the question!

Max found these winter pajamas in the "eBay tub" to be sold. They are already too small for him, but he seems to think they still fit him. He decided to wear them over his clothes today.



Right now he is taking his clothes off and putting just the pajamas on, I guess we will be hangin out at home today!

Sometimes it's the simple things!

It has been an absolutely beautiful week here. The high has been in the upper 70's and lows in the mid-to-upper 50's. A beautiful week to enjoy the windows being open, the A/C NOT running, and an open sunroof.

Yes, the sunroof is fixed! It was pretty pricey (although Toyota did pay for the parts and we just had to pay for the labor - still a big chunk of change, but hey, every little bit helps right!) but worth every penny for me. The dealership gave me a cute little red car, which was kinda fun, but it sat low to the ground and there wasn't a lot of leg room for my little people. It's great to have my van back and to be able to sit up high and see the world around me. Mama is a happy girl again!

Summer and the sunroof, sometimes it's the simple things that bring us happiness!

Mature Maggie!

I have started to have one of our favorite babysitters over on Tuesday mornings to watch the kids while I run errands by myself. Isn't it amazing how much you can accomplish when you are alone. It is much easier now that my kids are bigger, but WOW, to run around town by myself is AWESOME. I can get so much more done in a shorter time period. So we are making this a weekly event, I get a sitter on Tuesday mornings, the kids have fun and I get some "Me" time (even if that "me" time is spent grocery shopping, it's all good.)

Today, I realized that in no time I will be able to leave the kiddos alone to take care of themselves. Mature Maggie could do it now (please don't call DCFS, I would never leave her alone, but I could totally trust her to do the right thing at the ripe old age of five.) She got dressed this morning and was excited to get outside to ride her big two-wheel bike. I was in the bathroom finishing getting ready, she started to go downstairs and came running back into the bathroom saying "Silly me, I almost forgot to brush my teeth, can you believe that mom?" She got her toothbrush out and brushed her teeth. Then she said," I'm going to head out to ride my bike. I'll stay close mom, oh wait, I need to put my craft stuff away before I go out, what was I thinking!"

Does she sound like she's 14 or what? What happen to my little girl?
Before long this girl will be babysitting others, riding her bike all over town without me, and hopefully making good decisions! I got a glimpse today of the years to come. There will be good and some bad too, but today, I'm going to enjoy these moments while she is only five and try to stop her from growing up too fast.

God at work!

Andy took the last few days off work to help lead our jr. high youth group in their mission trip. They started Sunday afternoon with some not so nice weather, they had to move from their tent location to the church to sleep because of a tornado watch. They had some rain on Monday, but nothing they couldn't handle. They did service projects and several random acts of kindness. God put people in their paths that needed help and the kids were able to witness so many people in need and how their efforts could help. They gave with their money, with their hands, but most of all with their hearts. God works in amazing ways and he was definitely at work with these girls (and Sam).

Andy went back to work yesterday, so the kids and I took his place for the final day of the mission trip. The "fun day". We went to a water park. The big kids had fun on all the "big kid" stuff (Andy missed out!) and my kiddos had a blast.

Here are just a few of the pictures from their trip!

Thank you Lord for keeping us safe and for using us to do your good work!
We praise you!

Stupid Sunroof!

Last summer when we bought our new, used van, I was so excited. It has many great features that my old van didn't have. My most favorite being the sunroof (moon roof). I've had a sunroof in the past, in my pre-husband, pre-kid days and loved it. I'm a windows open kinda girl. Now don't get me wrong, when it's really hot and humid, I've got to have the AC, but most of the time, I love having the windows open and the sunroof open too, getting all the fresh air I can.

So the sun roof is great...you can slide it all the way open for viewing a wonderful blue sky or just tilt it a little to get a little fresh air on a cool morning. It kinda makes me feel young and fun, even though I'm carrying a couple kids, dog and bags of groceries with me. It gives me a sense of driving a fun car instead of a van.

Anyway....getting to my point.
Last week as I was running a few errands, and as I opened the sunroof, I heard a very loud not normal noise. CLICK, CLICK, CLICK! I shut it immediately and called the dealership. Of course, they wanted me to bring it in for a "quick look". So the kids and I headed to the Toyota dealership and the stupid motor and cables need to be replaced. I was NOT happy! It is NOT a small job. Pricey parts and a lot of labor. A $1200 plus job...yuck!

Of course, I need the sunroof! It makes my world just a little happier. We ordered the parts, will have to get a rental the day they fix it and now, no extra summer fun stuff for us, cause mamas gotta have her sunroof.

Stupid Sunroof!

Biker Girl

My baby girl, yes the one who just turned five years old less than a month ago, is riding a bike without training wheels. Can you believe it? I thought you had to be a lot older to do this. I thought "Fun Daddy" would be up and down the sidewalk several times before she would let him let go. I thought she would be wearing elbow and knee pads. Oh My Gosh! The girl totally just got on and rode.

Warning!....I should no longer be allowed to video tape any major life events, due to my annoying voice and lack of coming up with anything else to say. I think I say "Oh my goodness" something like 18 times. Just wanted to give you a heads up!

Check her out:

My new baby!

Yes, I know it may sound strange. But I have a new love in my life. Are you ready to meet her???

Dyson Ball dc25!

She's lightweight, I can easily carry her up and down the stairs, she sucks up Charlie hair like a crazy woman and she is very easy to clean. I really love her!

Check out all the details here. I'm sure she has a sister just waiting for you to adopt!

Fun on the Farm!

As you know, we took a road trip this past weekend. We drove the 5 hours to see Andy's side of the family and attend a high school graduation party for our cousin Dylan. Let me just tell you, these people know how to have a party. Back in the day, my high school graduation party consisted of family, some cards with cash (those are the best ones when you are in high school) and some food. But this graduation party was like a freakin' wedding reception. Tons and tons of people, tons of food and tons of beer. But I guess, when you live in a small farming community and when everyone knows everyone....you have to have a big party. It was fun! Didn't know anyone, but it was fun.

The party was a great reason for us to make the trip up, seems like we have been trying to get up there for several months and something else has always come up. It was a pretty emotional trip. It was the first time we have been up there since Andy's mom passed away and this is her (Andy's mom) brother that we were staying with. There were a few moments that I really missed Joy not being there, but all in all, it was a good trip.

The kiddos had a blast! Of course they did, they were with "Fun Daddy!" They took their bike helmets so they could ride the 4-wheelers and motorcycles with dad. They had fun in the barn, went down to the river (the Mississippi), and just played outside the entire time. Here are a few shots of all of them at play.

Maggie & Max, not really driving

Going for a ride with Dad!

OMG - Look how close she is to the cows! Yes, they are REAL cows!

Cousins

She looks like she could really be driving that thing!

Stopping for cheese curds on the way home!

And yet another example:

This past weekend, we took a road trip up to the family farm in WI. Papa went along too and we all had a great time. On the way there, Andy made the kids their own little "tent" while they watched a movie in the van. Check it out:


The kids thought it was so cool, they watched their movies, Andy got some work done (Papa drove) and I got to read a magazine, it was nice. Way to go "Fun Daddy!"

More pics from the farm coming soon to a blog near you....