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.  

The Children's Museum Storybook Ball

So I surprised Maddox Friday night with tickets to the Children's Museum Storybook Ball. We had an absolute BALL and my expectations for the evening were far surpassed.  The theme for the Ball was Alice in Wonderland and they had decorated the museum up with playing cards,  wooden trees,  rabbits,  tea party accessories, but I was also pleasantly surprised to see ALL the Disney princesses….. Belle, Snow White, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, and Aurora.   We entered the beautiful museum and they announced over the loud speaker that 'Princess Maddox' had arrived for the ball. We were then greeted by Aurora who took us too our table for the evening.  All the back rooms they use for dance lessons had been transformed into a beautiful ball setting with table decorations, beautiful lines, and lots of baskets with princess type themes for raffle. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with both adult and kiddo friendly food and then the dancers put on several little skits/dances. Maddox loved them all but probably liked Tinkerbell's dance, Cinderella and the Mice and the Alice and Wonderland dances the best. The dancers did such a good job. After the presentation we all went back out to the Great Hall of the museum where there was a DJ and disco lights and we all danced the night away.  All the princesses danced with the little girls and the museum was open as well so the kiddos could roam free to all the exhibits.  I was so overwhelmed with excitement and watching Maddox's face as she was loving being able to dance with all the princesses ( after a bit of a warm up period…she was a bit timid initially but warmed up in time)  She LOVED Aurora and especially Goldilocks who was just a pretty blonde haired girl who seemed really sweet, which is why I think Maddox latched on to her.  All the kids got to decorate a tea cup as a souvenir to take home.  The museum had hired Walgreen's to take pictures of each of us entering the ball ( which they had printed for us to take home) as well as they stayed on staff all evening and took pictures. They are compiling them on a website and have put together purchasing packages. I think they had just as fun 'working' as we did as participants.  I know the Walgreen's photo ladies and they are Grandma type people and were just LOVING all the little girls. Maddox and I had such a great time!!  I"m so glad we went.  The tickets sold out in 1 day as the space is limited to about 160 people I believe. The event is a fundraiser for the Children's Museum Dance Company which I have looked into getting Maddox in but none of the classes ever matched my work schedule…. hmmmm going to have to look into that again eh??  Enjoy the pics. Unfortunately it was pretty dark in the Great Room and I only had my iPhone so the pics aren't great. I"m looking forward to getting the link to the Walgreen's ones and I'll forward it on to you. 

We just happened to get this adorable dress from the girls across the street in the 'hand me down bag' they brought over on Sunday. The timing was so perfect!!  She looked adorable in it and it fit her perfectly. I only had to go find some black patten leather shoes. We curled her hair and she got to wear make up just like Mom. 

So Tinkerbell happens to be the daughter of the director of Our Savior 'Church School'.  So she came right up to Maddox and said 'I know you Maddox…you go to Our Savior' . I thought Maddox was going to pee her pants to have Tinkerbell know her name.  She told Maddox who she was but I don't think she ever made the connection. 

This is one of Maddox's good friends from church school. Her name is Rowan and we hear a fair amount about Rowan at home.  

Maddox dancing with Cinderella 

Maddox decorating her tea cup. 

Maddox and Aurora  aka Sleeping Beauty… I didn't know that was her name until like 2 months ago. 

Goldilocks and Maddox. 

Belle and Maddox

Surely I don't have to tell you who this is :) 

Once Maddox warmed up she was SOOO chatty with all the princesses but particularly Goldilocks ( as you could see Maddox was talking to her in the picture above ) and Aurora.  I love this picture.  You can tell Maddox is saying something truly important to Aurora and Aurora is just playing right along….very engaged. 

Our entrance onto the red carpet to the ball. 

So a couple of quick notes. We have officially booked our Disney trip, flight and hotel!! We are really going!!  I am so excited. I finally just called in an expert to help me get organized. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. She is a travel agent that came highly recommended and so far she is SOO great. Apparently there are a lot of travel agencies who book only Disney trips and literally give you the same prices as I would get if I just called Disney myself. They do so much business for Disney they are able to offer the same rates. She is this bubbly gal from Georgia who herself has been to Disney great than 25 times!! and has taken her 2 girls as well…great to be able to chat with a Mom. We talked on Monday for 1.5 hours on the phone!! I thought I had been talking for like 30. She gave me tons of insight which allowed Eric and I to make some good decisions and get the thing on the calendar. She will also make all our dinner reservations as well.  We can make those 180 days before our arrival and NOT a day before. There are several eateries that are fairly difficult to get reservations for so I"m hoping her expertise with the computer/phone/ and her ins with Disney will allow us to get the places we want. She'll tell us what parks to visit when and when to ride which rides based on the crowd factor. We can book our rides at 60 days out which she doesn't do so I"ll have to be ready for that…but I"m assuming that won't be quite as difficult as getting some of the special reservations we need. I"m so excited. I think I can multiply last night's ball by like 200 and that would be Disney!!

*Kennon is soooo terrible two's right now. I really think he spent the majority of the day today throwing a fit on the floor about something or another. But he does still throw us a cute saying here and there.  Right now he says 'mines'  instead of mine. So like he'll point to the Shamrock shake on the counter ( yes….got the kiddos one tonight after church..YUMMO!!)  and say 'is that mine's??'  Cute. I just can't correct him. 

*Maddox has another funny thing she has been saying.  If you tell her something really cool like 'Maddox we are going to a Storybook Ball tonight' she might say back 'Are you seriously?' she has been adding that 'LY' for quite some time and again I just don't want to correct her.  The other thing she is saying a lot lately is 'ya better believe it'    So yesterday on the way to the museum she spotted a herd of deer up on the hill.  So today she was telling Eric about them and he said 'really Maddox you saw a herd of deer' and she promptly and excited replied ' Yep, ya better believe it'.  Too cute!!  

Till next time…enjoy!!

Warm Weather Come Back…!!

I thought this picture was adorable.  The bright colors and two buddies headed out to shovel and play.  The snow was so deep KTK could barely walk when he got out by the swing set.

Nothing better than diggin' in the snow in 30 degree weather.

* So we enjoyed the great outdoors FINALLY last week. It was so nice out. I don't remember when I considered 30 degrees 'nice'  but we sure had fun playing outside!!   It is back to the freezer this week and next. Boo hiss!! C'mon Spring.

*Conversation between Eric and Kennon earlier this week
Eric-  "Kennon you are growing like a weed"
Kennon- "Nah….I'm growing like a tree Dad"

'See Mom!'  This was the day we got like 6 inches in about 2 to 3 hours

* About one week ago we turned the house upside down for over an hour at 8pm looking for Kennon's paci and blue bear  ( his beloved nighttime loves)  We NEVER found them. Literally, Eric and I looked under every crack and crevice in this house. They have yet to show up. I"m wondering if they went out in the trash accidentally.  Anyhow, we have been paci free for a week!! Way to go KTK. I did go to Target to buy another 'blue bear'. Although they didn't have any blue bears they only had brown giraffes!! So we have a new 'blue bear giraffe' as we call him.  Nap time is a bit rough still but he has slept clear through the last 3 nights I think!!  So excited.  Way to go Kennon.

The Red Wagon fared pretty well in the snow as long as people had their sidewalks cleared off. There was one house a few north of ours that hadn't cleaned their sidewalks.  It was sort of like a make shift boundary for him...perfect for a mom and dad busy shoveling. 

*Kennon has unfortunately started into the terrible 2's…..  Maddox was early into her terrible 2's…it seems Kennon is a bit late. He is a stubborn little dude.  We have learned to just ignore him and his flailing on the ground in the last couple of weeks and he eventually comes around.

We all built a HUGE 5 foot snowman the next afternoon...still warm out 32 degrees.

* Tuesday is my last official day of work.  I am super excited yet a bit scared about my new journey.  Work has actually commissioned me to stay on PRN ( on an as needed basis) to train new employees, primarily on the computer system not really patient care.  This will be a bit tough with no childcare but I"m going to try to make a go of it with various programs in the community and a new drop in daycare in the neighborhood that comes highly recommended. Training new employees is the IDEAL job for me so we'll see how it goes.

Maddox making a food color rainbow in the snow.  Next time I'll break out the spray bottles instead of just the dropper bottles.  This was the last warm day…..boo hiss...

* If you ask Maddox to draw or color she will most definitely color a rainbow. She loves her rainbows.

*Yesterday on the way home from Church School Maddox asked me if we could go to the park. I of course said 'NO it is too cold. We need Spring weather for that.'   She quickly asked 'well when are we going to have Spring weather?'  I said ( without thinking) 'when Old Man Winter gives in!'  She paused and then said 'who's Old Man Winter'. I wasn't quite sure to reply to that one so I went with God. I said we need to pray for Spring weather and that seemed to suit her :)  

Playing hide -n-seek with Dad

Kennon getting his River costume on

*Last Friday at Kindercare Kennon's room had Imagination Day. I had asked KTK earlier in the week what he wanted to be and he quickly said A RIVER??? I have no idea where he got this idea but I took it and ran with it. Eric and I were up late Thursday night cutting out these fish and turtles. I"d say he EMBRACED his costume and wore it the entire day. All the teachers thought it was a fabulous idea/costume and he won the prize!!  Kennon my imagination boy.

Pinning on the moss

Giving a hug to Pete the Cat

*Saturday Pete The Cat came to the library in costume and with lots of little craft stations. Kennon loved him right off. Maddox took a bit of warm up time but finally gave him a hug. We love Pete The Cat and he comes to the museum in March too!!

Maddox giving Pete a high five.  She later warmed up to him and gave him a hug...way to go Maddox

Kennon coloring on Pete's Red shoes

*Maddox doesn't know it yet but tomorrow night she and I have tickets to The Storybook Ball at the Family Museum.  It is apparently a big deal,  which sold out in less than a day, is suit and tie appropriate for the men and princess/ball room attire for the kids.   ( I have yet to decide what I'm going to wear) The theme this year is Alice in Wonderland.  So it is a sit down dinner and the Children's Museum dance company puts on skits, I believe, as well as the characters roam around and meet and greet the kids.  I"m not sure what to expect but I  am looking forward to some girl time with Maddox. Kennon and Eric will stay home and have pizza and beer :) or well juice boxes!!  This is the dress she is wearing. She likes the black shoes. I like the white but apparently the black are more comfortable so we'll go with those. Should be a fabulous time.

My beautiful princess Maddox