Wisconsin Celebrations

*So we are adjusting to our 'new normal' with me staying home.  We are working on adopting a good schedule including trips to the library, museum, YMCA as well as playing endless hours outdoors when the weather cooperates.  I have the kids signed up for swimming lessons and for spring soccer to start soon.  They still enjoy going to Church School on Mondays and Wednesdays.  We try to do some 'school' type activities the mornings they don't go to church school. Despite the germs and turnover at Kindercare it really was a great educational facility ( NAEYC accredited) and Maddox knows a TON already and seems to excel at Church School given  the knowledge that she has learned at Kindercare so I"m trying to keep that going at home. This morning we all worked on numbers.  I am starting to teach Maddox adding and subtracting and Kennon is learning his numbers by sight.  Yesterday it was all about letters…. the CK   OW   and   SH sounds as well as the silent E…. I never knew it but the English language is seriously confusing. Aunt Diane gave me a trick for her to learn her b's and d's as she keeps getting them mixed up.  We throw in some cutting here and there, reading books and there's always time for play dough which I think is educational too!   Today we went to library story time and tomorrow its the museum. The house seems eerily more peaceful with less stress…definitely in more disarray but I am learning to just go with it. The other odd thing that is happening….. we are going through  mountains of TP. With us all home and all of us using the paper stuff to get our bottom's clean we are going through it like gang busters. Time for a trip to Sam's  :)  

*Saturday morning the kids, Eric and I, went to our first official play.  It was in the newly renovated Bettendorf auditorium sponsored by the Bettendorf Library. The Play was Are You My Mother by Dr. Seuss.  It was really great put on by a traveling theatre company. The kids both really liked it and it was just the right length for toddlers, about 40 minutes.  A great FREE kid's activity in the Quad Cities. 

*After the play we loaded up for a trip up north to Wisconsin for Reid's first birthday.  It was a nice celebration complete with a lot of yummy food!! Aunt Brooke outdid herself on the lasagna.  Reid dove into his smash cake with a big grin and was covered in frosting in a matter of no time.  I love seeing the cousins interact or well RUN AROUND THE HOUSE with loads of energy. Since Reid is up and walking now he was able to join in the fun.   

* So it was Aunt Brooke's fabulous idea to get all the kids together for a picture. There is a small window in the year where the kids are stair steps down in their ages. Maddox 4, Carter 3, Kennon 2, and Reid 1.  What a brilliant observation. We managed to get this task done just before everyone loaded up to go home on Sunday. I love their facial expressions. Notice Reid's doesn't change much throughout..he just continues to hold that adorable grin!!! Love it Reid.

*Aunt Brooke had the boys in matching clothes for their baptism at church on Sunday.  She  managed to get that scheduled into Reid's birthday weekend so we could all be around to see the ceremony.  Eric and I really enjoyed their church as well as being able to see Tyler and Brooke pledge to raise their kids with Christian values. There were tons of children of all ages running around  the church and it seemed to have nice mix of traditional and contemporary.  I am most certain Grammy was watching from Heaven with the biggest grin on her face.  Sure did miss her that morning.  

This is probably the best shot we got….minus KTKs crazy smile…but heh…that's Kennon!!  He's my fun loving outgoing kiddo.  Maddox has her sort of shy smile on….again…. that's Maddox. I think this one really captured their personalities. 

*We discovered that both families have a favorite song right now.  It's the Happy Song ( I have no idea what the real name is) by Pharrell Williams ( and I"m certain I've butchered his name)!  Aunt Brooke played it repeatedly as the kids danced around before loading up for the trip home and for naps in the Knowles family. We had such a nice weekend.  Thank you Knowles family. 

Some Random Tidbits

*Maddox has now decided she is BIG enough to open the fridge and help herself to anything that she'd like. She is most proud of the fact that she can poor herself a glass of milk ( as long as the jug is less than 1/3 full).  And she's happy to help her brother get milk too, as his jug is only a 1/2 gallon and she can handle that pretty well. Now….alls we need to do is put out their cereal bowls the night before, put the TV on the cartoon channel  with the remote  accessible and maybe Eric and I can get an extra 30 to 60 minutes of sleep while they enjoy their breakfasts solo!!   Just kidding!! Although I have heard of quite a hand full of parents in the neighborhood doing this…although I think their kids were slightly older.  Hopefully something in our near future. 

*Kennon too thinks he can get anything he wants out of the fridge….although he struggles a bit more and has to have the step stool in place. He hasn't quite figured out that the stool needs to be back away from the fridge in order make room for the doors to swing open. I've watched from afar as he has tried to open the two big doors with his body up against the fridge…it is kinda hilarious!!  He is going to figure that out soon I"m sure…and afraid of.  

*The three of us went to the grocery store on Tuesday. I have not recently taken both kids to the store and actually it ended up being a rather pleasant trip…despite the fact that the bill was $208.00!!!  That is the most I've ever spent.  I have to be a bit more firm on my answer to 'Mom can we get this….Mom can we get this?'  I wasn't quite prepared for that, normally shopping solo in the last several years. 

*Most of you know this but just to log it on the blog. Kennon clogged up the upstairs toilet last week…primarily with TP ( another reason why we are going through so much).  I watched his eyes get bigger as the water came up the bowl and the contents didn't go down.  After it stopped running he proclaimed, rather happily,  'Mom the potty needs new batteries!'   Hah…too funny!!  I was able to get it unplugged with the plunger later in the day. 

*Yesterday I asked Maddox what she wanted to be when she grows up. First she said a dancer. Then she said a singer.  I think both are great choices for her given her current loves. I then asked Kennon and he said a refrigerator …..seriously? The kid has an imagination doesn't he!! 

*With the warm temps the last few days the snow has been a meltin'  Which means our yard has a lot of muddy spots…especially back by the berm. But that doesn't stop KTK.  He loves these water boots and splashing around.  ( yes..I know Grandpa Jim…he is likely putting foot print ruts in the yard…but you are only 2 once :)    You'll notice both of my children have no pants on. For like the last 3 months straight they have shucked their socks/pants for nap and post nap they never find their home again. I don't know what they are going to do in the summer when it is actually hot in here. Eric and I have been hanging out in the house in sweatshirts/hats and they are running around half dressed. 

*The band aid is covering a rather large war wound compliments of his big sister…. brotherly sisterly love…or something like that.  I have 2 very stubborn children. 

I"m sure Aunt Diane and Grandma Jean recognize these puzzles.  They are great and there are so many ways to use them to teach. The kids love them and and their mate the NUMBERS…!! Thank you so much.  

Yes…Maddox is watching the TV but it actually has on Jeopardy :)  and NOT cartoons.