We ( the kids and I along with Abby and the girls) went to Wisconsin Dells again. We had a great time.
Mon: We left at 9 from home, stopped at chiropractor, pharmacy, and then on our way. No one printed off directions so we used my phone. Worked well! Stopped at pizza ranch in Monticello for lunch, the boys loved the desert pizza. Owen ate the skin of the fried chicken. He wouldn't touch the meat. Olivia really liked the dessert pizza too, but she ate other stuff too! We finished our trip to Wisconsin, we arrived about 5pm. got checked in, supper, hung out the rest of the night.
When we were unloading the van, Abby was inside with Owen, Ethan, Elliott and Olivia. I turned around from the van and on the sidewalk stands all but Ethan. Ethan was in the house saying oh no like he always does and Aunt was just repeating it, then she realized that 3 were missing. We got to them at the same time! This was the only mishap of the whole trip. They were just on the sidewalk between the cabin and the van.
Tues: We hung out in the cabin (cabinet as Duncan called it all the way there). Everyone went swimming, it was cold! But no one wanted to get out, they were having fun. Everyone went down the little slide and down the big slide too! We got out of the pool when the kids lips were blue. This was the only time that the "babies" went because the water was always cold. We came back and the girls gave the kids a bath while Abby and I got supper ready.
Wed: The kids and I went to Carr Valley Cheese Factory. Or so we thought. I put it in my phone and got directions. We didn't really know where it was, and not sure of the name either. I just knew it was about 30 miles. So off we go, we get there and it is just a store! We look around and Duncan got cheese in the shape of a tractor, green even! Back to the cabin with directions to the factory, maybe we will try again tomorrow!
Thurs: Paul Bunions for breakfast, yummy! Family style, the kids loved the donuts and pancakes. To the cheese factory, we could only watch through window and most of it was done for the day, but it was interesting. Duncan got a wedge of cheddar cheese and I got some pepper jack cheese, yummy! Back for lunch, which was cheese and chips, popcorn and water. Oh and cottage cheese. Me, Duncan, Sarah and Hannah went to candy bingo. It was a good time and we all won some candy!
Fri: We packed up and Sarah loaded the van! She did not like the way Uncle packed it on the way there! (Really I did it, she just figured he did!) We only stopped to get sandwiches to eat in van on the way home and a few bathroom breaks. All kids did well both ways in van. It was nice to get home.
Elliott wouldn't stay in his pack and play. So he slept with me all week. Duncan and Hannah shared a room, Duncan loved that! Elliott was up anywhere from 9:30 to 11:00 pm every night. Everyone except Owen climbed out of beds at least once. Ended up giving them books to read in bed, that helped, all but Elliott.
All ate well, they sat like big kids at the table. Aunt let them have ice tea, and all liked it, except Duncan. He would rather have water.
Abby and I made all the food ahead of time and put in bags so it was mostly ready to go! It worked awesome.
The cabin had a washer and dryer. Also 3 bedrooms, 3 baths,one with a jacuzzi. They delivered soaps, coffee, hot coco or whatever we needed. We had to wash towels/wash rags to use all week. We were also able to wash own clothes, it was nice. The washer/dryer, dishwasher were always going. With 10 people they were always full and going!
I am happy that Mr.Elliott got right back on his sleep schedule when we got home!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Pictures from Spring Break
Elliott and Ethan after swimming
Duncan with his tractor cheese, what it looks like inside the wax
Duncan on the slide
Duncan eating his ledge(wedge) of cheese
Olivia and Ethan hanging from the rail
All the kids
Sara and Olivia, Owen, Elliott(hanging), Taylor, Hannah and Ethan, and Duncan
The kids loved running up there!
Taylor and Duncan being Lions!
This was pretty late I believe
Duncan with his tractor cheese
Duncan and Hannah went for their last swim of the trip
Elliott really like hot coco, this was about 10 at night! Duncan loved it too!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
More Winter
I have been thinking alot lately about how truly blessed we are to have our 5 wonderful kids, and that I am able to stay home with them! Some days it seems very hard, but the fun, and adventure's out weighs all the hard days. The other day I was at the gym and someone ask me what was the most challenging, I couldn't think of any one thing, because we have our routine. Today while I was trying to get the kids to lay down and go to sleep I realized that there is a challenge everyday, but I just don't realize it at the time. Today it was nap time, some days baths, and other days trying to get Duncan to be nice to everyone. It all works out at then end of the day.
Duncan turned 5 on February 18th! It is amazing how fast he is growing up. We went to the zoo in the morning. Abby was off, and there was no school. It was a little chilly but we had a great time. There are just enough animals for the kids. There were not many people there either, so that was nice. After the zoo, it was off to El Azetca for some Mexican for lunch. All of the kids love chips and salsa. More the salsa!! Duncan's party was in the evening, Aunt and Uncle made him a Thomas the train cake, that is what he requested. It was yummy. I let him pick dinner, he wanted mac and cheese, banana., and chocolate milk. So that is what we had. We got him a new big boy bike with no training wheels, he also got elbow and knee pads and riding gloves for his bike. Also a new water bottle.
The little kids are into laying on each other at bed time. One of them will want to go to sleep and the other 3 will just pile right on top of them. They are also talking lots and lots. It is getting easier to understand what they are saying. I am very impressed with the progress they have made since starting speech. We are more aware and are making them talk more, and make sure they repeat what we say. That helps a whole bunch.
For Valentines day I wanted to get them rain boots, but couldn't find any. I decided on sunglasses, forgetting that Ethan and Owen have glasses to always wear. Not such a good choice. Oh well lesson learned.
It was nice today so after the kids were suppose to be taking a nap (no one went to sleep) we went for a walk to get the mail. I am so thankful that Duncan is a good helper, he never complains about having to hold hands with his brothers or sister. He does the best job he can! We made it to the post office and back home. The kids decided to play in the snow when we got here. No one had snow pants on. They played for about 45 minutes and then I made them come inside because they were getting cold. No one wanted to come in, that is always a fight, no matter how cold it is. Our kids are outside kids, thank goodness.
The kids have been wanting to sit on the potty, so I got out the potty chairs. They are not ready yet and neither are we, so the chairs will stay out and they can sit if they want. We are not going to start until they really show lots of interest. Although getting them to keep clothes on at nap time is hard. Even with tape on diapers, they get the diapers off. When we put pj's on backwards, Olivia unzips them for the boys, or she did Elliott's the other day!
The other day the kids had a visitor, a baby lamb. Taylor and a couple of her friends were going to the elementary school and they needed a diaper for the lamb. They brought it in the house and the kids thought it was pretty neat until it let out a very loud "bah"! They then watched out the window while they put the diaper on the lamb. Very exciting for the kids.
Duncan went for his 5 year check up/kindergarten physical today. He weighs 48 pounds and is 44 inches tall. He got his shots, boy was that fun. He screamed very loud. We went for ice cream after the doctor.
Something else the kids have gotten good at.... turning the thermostat up and down. They climb on the big bird chair and get what ever they want! I finally put the chair up because I got tired of picking stuff up and either freezing or feel like I am going to pass out because it is so hot in the house.
Duncan turned 5 on February 18th! It is amazing how fast he is growing up. We went to the zoo in the morning. Abby was off, and there was no school. It was a little chilly but we had a great time. There are just enough animals for the kids. There were not many people there either, so that was nice. After the zoo, it was off to El Azetca for some Mexican for lunch. All of the kids love chips and salsa. More the salsa!! Duncan's party was in the evening, Aunt and Uncle made him a Thomas the train cake, that is what he requested. It was yummy. I let him pick dinner, he wanted mac and cheese, banana., and chocolate milk. So that is what we had. We got him a new big boy bike with no training wheels, he also got elbow and knee pads and riding gloves for his bike. Also a new water bottle.
The little kids are into laying on each other at bed time. One of them will want to go to sleep and the other 3 will just pile right on top of them. They are also talking lots and lots. It is getting easier to understand what they are saying. I am very impressed with the progress they have made since starting speech. We are more aware and are making them talk more, and make sure they repeat what we say. That helps a whole bunch.
For Valentines day I wanted to get them rain boots, but couldn't find any. I decided on sunglasses, forgetting that Ethan and Owen have glasses to always wear. Not such a good choice. Oh well lesson learned.
It was nice today so after the kids were suppose to be taking a nap (no one went to sleep) we went for a walk to get the mail. I am so thankful that Duncan is a good helper, he never complains about having to hold hands with his brothers or sister. He does the best job he can! We made it to the post office and back home. The kids decided to play in the snow when we got here. No one had snow pants on. They played for about 45 minutes and then I made them come inside because they were getting cold. No one wanted to come in, that is always a fight, no matter how cold it is. Our kids are outside kids, thank goodness.
The kids have been wanting to sit on the potty, so I got out the potty chairs. They are not ready yet and neither are we, so the chairs will stay out and they can sit if they want. We are not going to start until they really show lots of interest. Although getting them to keep clothes on at nap time is hard. Even with tape on diapers, they get the diapers off. When we put pj's on backwards, Olivia unzips them for the boys, or she did Elliott's the other day!
The other day the kids had a visitor, a baby lamb. Taylor and a couple of her friends were going to the elementary school and they needed a diaper for the lamb. They brought it in the house and the kids thought it was pretty neat until it let out a very loud "bah"! They then watched out the window while they put the diaper on the lamb. Very exciting for the kids.
Duncan went for his 5 year check up/kindergarten physical today. He weighs 48 pounds and is 44 inches tall. He got his shots, boy was that fun. He screamed very loud. We went for ice cream after the doctor.
Something else the kids have gotten good at.... turning the thermostat up and down. They climb on the big bird chair and get what ever they want! I finally put the chair up because I got tired of picking stuff up and either freezing or feel like I am going to pass out because it is so hot in the house.
Pictures
Ethan
Duncan
Elliott
Owen
Olivia
Valentine's Day 2013
Duncan 4
Owen, Elliott,Olivia, and Ethan 2
Day at the Blank Park Zoo for Duncan's 5th Birthday
Duncan and Uncle with his Thomas Birthday cake
Duncan on this new big boy bike, no training wheels
The kids watching Taylor and her friends put a diaper on the lamb
The " visitor"
they all wanted to sit with Dad.
Duncan
Owen and Duncan
Olivia
All the boys being boys!
Elliott
Owen
Olivia was ready to come in before the boys
Duncan, Olivia, Ethan (red), Owen Blur, and Elliott
Sunday, February 3, 2013
2 year check up's
The little kids went for their 2 year check ups. It went well. Everyone is healthy, and ornery!
Elliott 28.4#, 35.5 inches, Head 19.5 inches. He is on the 85% for weight on the growth chart. Yea!!
Olivia 21.12 # 32.5 inches, Head 19 inches. She is still on the low side of growth chart for weight, 35%, she will get there.
Ethan 23.3 #, 34 inches, and Head 19 inches, 45% on growth chart for weight.
Owen 25.5 #, 34.5 inches, and Head 19 inches. He is on the 80% for weight.
Duncan goes at the end of the month for his 5 year check up, can't wait to see how he is doing.. Very well I am sure.
Owen, Elliott, Ethan and Olivia started speech a couple weeks ago. They have really started talking, but I am sure speech a couple times a month will help. They go to the preschool and Heather from AEA meets us there. They are always saying something! Must get it from Duncan, he is always talking too. He ask lots and lots of questions. Good, but sometimes I just want it to be quiet!!
Tracy and I went to Coralville for the winter waterfights. It was a good time. Tracy fought, I did not. I enjoyed the company but was glad to get home to the kids after being gone for a whole entire day. They stayed at aunt and uncles. They had a good time, and everything went well.
Tracy's conference in California went well. Everything went well at home too. Not disasters here. We were glad he was home. Olivia broke my glasses the first night he was gone, so Grandma babysat so I could get new frames. I worked one day and it was nice to get away for awhile!
All of the kids love smoothies. We have been having them a lot lately. The first time they drank them just out of a cup, it went well. The next time we used spoons because it was a little thick, way messy! Then we tried straws, huge mess, the little ones were flinging it all over each other and the table and walls! Needless to say, they went to the tub after this. So we will go back to drinking out of the cup! No utensils needed for smoothies.
Elliott 28.4#, 35.5 inches, Head 19.5 inches. He is on the 85% for weight on the growth chart. Yea!!
Olivia 21.12 # 32.5 inches, Head 19 inches. She is still on the low side of growth chart for weight, 35%, she will get there.
Ethan 23.3 #, 34 inches, and Head 19 inches, 45% on growth chart for weight.
Owen 25.5 #, 34.5 inches, and Head 19 inches. He is on the 80% for weight.
Duncan goes at the end of the month for his 5 year check up, can't wait to see how he is doing.. Very well I am sure.
Owen, Elliott, Ethan and Olivia started speech a couple weeks ago. They have really started talking, but I am sure speech a couple times a month will help. They go to the preschool and Heather from AEA meets us there. They are always saying something! Must get it from Duncan, he is always talking too. He ask lots and lots of questions. Good, but sometimes I just want it to be quiet!!
Tracy and I went to Coralville for the winter waterfights. It was a good time. Tracy fought, I did not. I enjoyed the company but was glad to get home to the kids after being gone for a whole entire day. They stayed at aunt and uncles. They had a good time, and everything went well.
Tracy's conference in California went well. Everything went well at home too. Not disasters here. We were glad he was home. Olivia broke my glasses the first night he was gone, so Grandma babysat so I could get new frames. I worked one day and it was nice to get away for awhile!
All of the kids love smoothies. We have been having them a lot lately. The first time they drank them just out of a cup, it went well. The next time we used spoons because it was a little thick, way messy! Then we tried straws, huge mess, the little ones were flinging it all over each other and the table and walls! Needless to say, they went to the tub after this. So we will go back to drinking out of the cup! No utensils needed for smoothies.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Last week after church we were going to Quick Trip so Tracy could get chew. We went through downtown Des Moines. Duncan was amazed by all the big buildings. He asked, are we in the city? Tracy told him yes we are. Duncan just kept saying over and over, thank you for bringing me to the city! He was so amazed, like he had never been out of Runnells before!
Tracy was in California this week (LA) for a conference. I stayed home with the kids, because that is just easier. It was a good week, everyone did a good job of getting along, including me! All the kids were good listeners too, that always helps. I worked one day, which helped break up the week! Grandma was on vacation this week to, so she helped out. I got new frames for my glasses since Olivia decided to break my other one's.
It was a beautiful day today for January. So we played outside for a couple of hours this morning. We went on a walk, got suckers from the postmaster at the post office, stickers from the sheriff, and all wound up by aunt and uncle. They stopped to visit in front of the post office. Then we came home and just played outside. The kids loved it. It has been awhile since they have been able to get toys out of the garage. Elliott is tall enough to reach the petal on the jeep without setting on the edge of the seat, all though all the kids can make it go now. Boy are we gonna be in trouble this summer! They took good naps today, 2 1/2 hours!! Fresh air does wonders for 2 year olds. Duncan crashed hard at bed time, fresh air does a 4 year old boy good too, even though he always says he is not tired.
Tracy was in California this week (LA) for a conference. I stayed home with the kids, because that is just easier. It was a good week, everyone did a good job of getting along, including me! All the kids were good listeners too, that always helps. I worked one day, which helped break up the week! Grandma was on vacation this week to, so she helped out. I got new frames for my glasses since Olivia decided to break my other one's.
It was a beautiful day today for January. So we played outside for a couple of hours this morning. We went on a walk, got suckers from the postmaster at the post office, stickers from the sheriff, and all wound up by aunt and uncle. They stopped to visit in front of the post office. Then we came home and just played outside. The kids loved it. It has been awhile since they have been able to get toys out of the garage. Elliott is tall enough to reach the petal on the jeep without setting on the edge of the seat, all though all the kids can make it go now. Boy are we gonna be in trouble this summer! They took good naps today, 2 1/2 hours!! Fresh air does wonders for 2 year olds. Duncan crashed hard at bed time, fresh air does a 4 year old boy good too, even though he always says he is not tired.
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