First Pumpkins of the Year

Dh was out of town fishing this weekend. On Sunday I decided to be brave and take the kids to a local apple orchard. I say brave because three kids to one adult in an open field/store area scares me. I had to put the little ones in a stroller, which I felt bad about. They didn't seem to mind though. I let them all pick out a pumpkin and we found some really good cookies:) The donut machine was broken so that was a little sad...fresh apple cider donuts sounded really good. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to hitting the other local pumpkin farms this month! I am also jealous of Addyson who went to our favorite one this past weekend!

Christmas Shopping?

Tell me, am I the only crazy woman Christmas shopping already? I like to start early and shop a little each week. Then, I'm not shopping for ten people December 15th! I feel like I spend a little at a time versus a huge chunk of money at one time.

R and I have worked on a list thanks to Fisher Price. Must they send that catalog in September! She had a wish list two weeks ago and she shows me daily. I had a good rummage/resale day today. I made almost $100 at the resale shop with my last delivery, this is after I did a little shopping myself. I decided to take that money and order the top 'want' item for R and Kg. R wants it and Kg will also really enjoy playing with it. Are combined gifts wrong? It is pricey, and girly, and something they both like playing with. Did I justify the combined gift?

I have also spent(in my head) my rummage sale money, that I won't get for another month or so. We are thinking of getting Kb a train table and a starter train for Christmas. Any suggestions?

Nieces and Nephews beware, you are next on my list so start working on some ideas...Christmas is only 89 days away!

Felt Food, Rummage Sale Set Up, Dinner With Grandma H

Wow, a busy day! I have loved the felt food since I first saw it a couple years ago. The prices scared me away(and the fact that my kids aren't overly gentle with their toys) so I hadn't purchased any yet. I decided to start a small collection for stocking stuffers this year. I made my first purchase from Beth. Beth has such adorable foods and aprons, check out her Etsy site!

I also finally finished pricing for the rummage sale, yeah!!! I had a lot to sell...please don't make me take any of it home. Sell, Sell, Sell!!!

Grandma H was nice enough to watch the little ones while I dropped my rummage sale items off. We then had dinner and played outside too. It was a really nice evening. The kids were so tired when we got home that they were asleep in no time.

Happy Birthday Uncle J

We forgot to call Uncle J Thursday to wish him a happy day, sorry(we were a day late)! Hope you enjoyed the day:)

Park Visit

Thursday is the one day of the week that we don't have any scheduled activities. R got up this morning and asked, "where do we have to go today"? That was when I realized we needed a morning of just fun. I took the kids to their favorite local park to play. It is small and knowone seems to use it, we have never seen anyone else there at least. The kids had a blast playing! I learned one lesson. When you go to the park in the morning take a towel. Slides and swings are still wet, and a reusable grocery bag doesn't dry them off well. We then came home to clean up and went to lunch at Wendy's with Grandma. The kids were so well behaved. For us that means knowone threw food on the ground, refused to eat, screamed or ran through the restaurant. They all walked in, ordered, sat down and ate lunch. So simple! I think we need to visit the park every Thursday!

We Love Our Babies

Just before naps(hence the pacifiers) I found my three playing with their babies. All three were feeding and holding them so nice. I think Tuesdays with Cousin H are teaching them something!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Happy Birthday Grandma! The actual day was yesterday and we had two days of 'celebrating'. Tuesday we made Grandma cupcakes and brought balloons over. I then left her with Kb and Kg while I took R to gymnastics. We had lunch together and then R stayed and spent the afternoon. Talk about a relaxing birthday:) Yesterday the entire family gathered for dinner, that Grandma made. We brought the cake and ice cream at least!

Couch To 5K

I have been walking for quite a while and I need to change things up. I decided to try this... www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Has anyone tried this or something similar? I am in week one and so far I really like it. My goal is to be a 'jogger' in nine weeks(and to feel/look less frumpy! The PodCast is so helpful and keeps me going... http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/files/category-7.html

Yeah, my favorite part is that I decided to start this when it is going to get cold outside...great timing for me...

Classroom Helper

Today I was the 'parent helper' in R's preschool class. It was nice to meet the kids she talks about and to get an inside view on her time spent in school. The teacher was great, she let me help out with a project versus just playing the entire time. It gave me flashbacks to my days of teaching and made me miss it a little. R said she loved having me at school and I told her I would volunteer once a month. Nice way to end the week!

Farmer's Market

We took a trip to the local farmer's market today. Grandma went with, she enjoys these visits as much as we do. We found some great vegetables, I can't get enough of the fresh beans. We also found some great perennials. I can't recall the name, similar to a black eyed susan with larger flowers? As we were walking we came across a man playing music. R stopped to listen and then started dancing. It was so precious, she was enjoying the music and just went with it! I promised the kids a treat and found a stand selling cookies. I was suprised to read the banner saying they were vegan cookies(just suprised that you could make cookies without dairy) that I didn't read the ingredients closely enough. Within minutes of giving Kb and Kg a cookie Kg started coughing and throwing up and we knew they had some type of nuts in them...walnuts. Kb was coughing, didn't get sick though. I definatley earned the worst mom of the day award today for that one. I know my little ones are intollerant(allergic?) to peanuts and we try to avoid all nuts since we haven't 'tested' them all yet. Well, we can now add walnuts to the list...sorry Kg and Kb. We made it up to them...grandma bought them cheese popcorn to make them feel better:) Another lesson learned. Lesson #2 of the day-don't forget the camera next week!

Thank You Cousin B

Cousin B saved all her Angelina Ballerina for R! She hasn't played with it for a couple years and had it stored in her closet just for R to get to the right age to enjoy it all. She gave her ALL the furniture, accessories, and dolls. R set it up in her room as her special toy that her brother and sister are not allowed to play with unless she gives them permission. The picture shows how she has it all set up in her reading corner...

Happy Birthday Cousin M and Shoe Shopping

We went north today to celebrate M's birthday. On the way up we stopped at Stride Rite to get some shoes. That store is crazy on Saturdays. Since we have only gone their once, during the week, this was shock to us. 45minutes waiting for a clerk to measure feet, try two pair on each child, and pick one pair for each. What a LONG hour! Kg is not very patient and let us know she was not happy(ie screaming). Can't complain to much, we did get a 10% twin discount so that was nice. After that we had lunch and continued north to the party! What a nice party and the kids had a great time playing with all their cousins. Since they are the youngest they get very spoiled and doted on. They were so tired that when we got home they all crawled in and have slept soundly since.
Update from last night too. Kg never woke until 8am. Kb was up at 5:30 since he lost his pacifier and went to sleep again until 7:30. Yeah!!

Bedtime Success

We spent tonight changing Kb's crib to a bed and letting all three kids play in the rooms to get used to the changes. We put Kg to bed, she said "ni night" and stayed in her bed. She didn't go to sleep right away, but layed quietly never getting out of bed. Kb wasn't so easy. He cried for a half hour. We went up every two minutes to tuck him in and calm him down. Finally he decided to crawl in bed and go to sleep. We are pleasantly suprised at how well they did...lets hope they stay in bed all night now!

One Day To Late!

We decided that tomorrow is moving from crib to bed day for Kb and Kg. A weekend sounded like the perfect time for the move. It isn't like we are in a huge hurry to move them. Kg has never tried climbing out of her crib and Kb has twice. Once from his to Kg's...fell on the floor. I was changing Kg's diaper and heard the thump, turned around and saw him on the floor. He wasn't happy at all and I didn't think he would try that for a while again. The second time(weeks later) he successfully climbed from his crib to hers. Kg flipped out that he was in her space and he hasn't tried it since. Tonight, the night before the big move was attempt #3. We put them to bed and within two minutes heard Kg calling, "Mommy" in a scared voice. We ran up to find Kb pulling out all the diapers and having a great time(note to self-move the diapers tomorrow). He successfully climbed out of his crib and scared his sister more than you can imagine in a matter of minutes. Did he sense the move coming tomorrow? Did he understand us when we told him this is his last night sleeping in a crib? I just hope he stays in the crib the rest of tonight...we will see. I also hope they like sleeping in beds and separate rooms, both for the first time ever, tomorrow. More will come on this tomorrow(lets hope for good and successful news)!!

Will It Last?

We are really enjoying this weather! I wish it would stay like this for another three months...we know that isn't really possible so we will enjoy it while it is here. Yesterday the kids were playing so nice together. No fighting over toys, throwing sand or tantrums. They all even came inside for dinner without any fits over leaving the outdoors! Here are a few pictures of our outside adventures...

Gymnastics and Little Nephew H

All three kids have started their fall gymnastics classes. R had a tough time last week listening and following directions. She did so much better this week! She was a pro on the bars and did cartwheels on the mats(putting hands on the elevated mat and throwing legs over). This is huge since she has spent the last two and a half years learning these skills. She has had a tough time getting her gross motor skills to catch up, she is getting there though! Kb and Kg are amazing. They can climb the ladder, jump on the trampoline and walk on the beam so smoothly. They did fantastic and had so much fun!

We went to visit Grandma today. She had little H today, what a cutie! Last time we saw him he was trying to craw, only going in a cirlcle or backwards though. Today Grandma set him down with some toys and walked across the room. H didn't care for this so he decided to crawl after her (so cute)! He is growing so fast. I had flashbacks to our three and their first moving moments. R never crawled, she scooted on her bottom at 12mths. Kb started crawling at 9mths. Kg started army crawling at 9mths. In no time H is going to get up and run...watch out H's mommy and daddy!!

First Day of School

This is the face of a girl excited to go to school today! R had a great first day and can't wait to go to school Friday!

Labor Day Weekend

Friday
We decided to take advantage of the long weekend and head north. We thought traveling north with three kids would be easier if we left at bedtime on Friday. In reality all three kids stayed awake and were overtired when we arrived at the camper. Not a good start to vacation.
Saturday
We went to the circus! So much fun and the kids loved it! All three even sat and watched the acts and shared a tub of popcorn. R had a camel ride and Kb and Kg went for donkey rides. Very fun except for the guy running the rides shared with me that he was 'extremely hung over from the end of year celebration the night before'. That explains why he was sweating so awful and looked like he might pass out any minute!
Sunday
The group of us(six families total) that were camping went to a local beach. We had so much fun! All the kids LOVED playing in the sand and water. We also had a nice spot in the shade for the little ones to hang out with moms and dads. We decided to head for home tonight to skip the traffic Monday.
Monday
We took the kids to a local county fair. All three enjoyed their visits with the cows, sheep and pigs. They would enjoy living on a farm if they could...someday perhaps.
All in all, a great weekend.

First Post

This is my first blog! I feel so old and behind the times since I am just learning how to do this...