NEW RIDE

WEEKEND UPDATE

After a few weekends hunkering down on my own with the kiddos, this weekend was a nice change.  A was home until Saturday afternoon!

On Friday, we ghettoed it up and took the kids to Pizza Ranch.  To say that Baby J likes blueberry dessert pizza is an understatement!

Next, I took the Big Kids to Cinderella at the movie theater.  AA needed to wear her special outfit.  

Saturday we went to the local Children's Museum.  The Big Kids transformed themselves into cowboys and sat in a tractor cab.

There was a display of antiques … type writers, cassette players, rotary telephones … whoa I am getting old!

And today, we met our cousins at the MN Zoo!

I think we'll all sleep good tonight!

FIELD TRIP

I chaperoned JP's preschool field trip to the Library today.  What are we going to do at the library for three hours? I thought when I awoke this morning.  I soon realized that the point of the field trip was not so much the final destination of the Library, but the journey there and back.  

After reciting the rules and narrating the plans, Mrs. Schollmeier made sure everyone used the restroom before leaving the school grounds.  The twelve little preschoolers marched a few blocks to a nearby bus stop and waited over ten minutes for City Bus #9 to stroll along.  The kids were so excited.  We hopped on the bus (my first ride on City transportation!) and JP grabbed my hand and leaped for the back seat.  (Seriously, how do 4 and 5 year olds already know where the cool place is to sit?!).  We pointed out familiar sights (Hey, that's the building my Mom works!  Look at that Porsche! Whoa, there's McDonald's!) and finally reached our stop.  I'm pretty sure there is a stop closer to the library (like probably a stop at the front door) … but, again, the excitement for the kids was to walk from block to block, up and down escalators, elevators, subways and skyways, until we finally reached the familiar sight of the Library.

We spent about 45 minutes total inside.  JP immediately found a Super Hero book and wanted me to just sit and read while some of his classmates ran up and down the rows of books.  

When our time was up, we retraced our footsteps back to the bus stop, back to the bus, back to the school grounds.  And, the best part?  JP never let go of my hand.  

TENNIS

TRICKY

I'm not sure how or when it started.  But I have a little prankster on my hands.  Most nights when I'm getting ready for bed, I literally gasp or scream (and then laugh out loud) when I find a toy spider or snake curled in my pajama drawer, tucked under my pillow, looped on the toilet paper handle.  I honestly don't know when JP sneaks into my room to hide these creatures- or why he only does it on nights when A is away.  In return, I usually sneak into his room while he is fast asleep and hide the creature in his laid out clothes for the next day.  It's become quite the tradition, though we don't talk about it.  

Tonight, I found this one on the counter.  I've never seen this toy snake before … so I really did scream … I'll get him back for sure.

BUDS

These two are really the best of friends.  I wondered what was going on upstairs when I didn't hear noise for twenty minutes.  I overheard JP teaching AA how to read on his LeapPad.

SANDBOX

It's Spring!  The Sandbox is officially open!

SNACK

He can't quite say it, but Baby J definitely knows what "Snack" means … and after he tried Nutella today, I'm sure he'll run even faster to his high chair the next time he hears the word!

CONVERSATIONS

Landen: Well, it's about time we get together to celebrate our first birthdays.  And don't forget, buddy - I got you by ten whole days.

Baby J:  Yeah, you may be older, but I have way more teeth than you.  Oh, here come our moms … smile!

 Landen: Good call.  The sooner we sit here and smile nice, the sooner we'll get our cookie cake.

Baby J:  Wait, did you just say cake?!?!
Landen: Yes.  Just look at the camera.  And tell your sister to control her emotions!  Her cry is piercing right about now.  So much for the moment.

 Baby J: Hey.  Don't you be talkin' 'bout my sister.  She can be dramatic, but she's a keeper.

Baby J:  CAKE! Whoa. CAKE!
Landen:  Hands off!

Landen: Don't you just love these party hats my mom bought?
Baby J: Let me just count to see if we have enough for the Big Kids.

Landen:  You gotta try this. The frosting is delicious.

Baby J: Let me try.  Hmm.  Yes, I do like this.

Landen: I just can't get enough!

Baby J:  Happy Birthday, buddy!  You are definitely my favorite little friend.  I'm sure we'll have a million more pictures together.

Landen: Just stop talking and keep eating!  You never know when our moms will take this away from us!

OLDER

Sometimes I feel like I'm the Super Hero.  My kids don't really get it though.  Since A was gone all  weekend, I decided I needed to plan something special for my birthday.  Rather than spending my day relaxing with pedicures and massages (though this will come soon!), I took all three kids to the local toy store to stand in line and meet real Super Heroes.   JP and AA were totally convinced that this was the real Green Lantern and Batman.  (Really?  Green Lantern?)

We went with Brayden and Landen - not all of the kids were impressed.

After meeting the Super Heroes, AA begged to stay to meet Belle (Beauty and the Beast).  Except Belle wasn't going to arrive until 1:00.  So the kids and I went out to lunch (okay, it was only Subway, but still … ) and then came back to the toy store around 12:45 to get in line.  Turns out Belle wasn't going to arrive until 1:30.  So, yes, I kept three children (two already past nap time) in a toy store for FORTY FIVE minutes to meet Belle.

The kids actually did well.  And AA was completely starstruck.  It was worth the wait.

We came home, played outside for many hours and then went out to eat with Grandma K and Grandpa A.  The kids had a great day.  I didn't cook.  And the sun was shining.  I went to bed with the kids.  I guess this is how birthdays are meant to be. 

EASTER

 Happy Easter!