Let's Learn

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.
B.B. King

It's Here!!!

School Time

It is bittersweet.  Nice to finally have some time to maybe get things done around

the house while the pigpens are at school, but sad that they are growing up WAY too fast.

I was prepared today.

Ran this morning at 5:15 am

Had my shower done before any child woke up

All the kids clothes were layed out the night before

Started breakfast of chocolate chip waffles, peach smoothies

and fresh peaches

I was prepared

THEN somebody wanted something else for breakfast

somebody else didn't want to wear what they had layed out the night before

Lil Miss was not cooperating in NOT getting into everything this morning

It did not go "as planned"

but we survived the first day and it only gets easier.

As we were leaving that morning I did manage to snap a few pictures.

You have to have the First Day of School Picture, you just gotta. 

This little girl is headed to Kindergarten

I thought she would be the one to really cling to me and not want to go

but this morning she asked if she could go by herself and mommy stay at home. 

:-(

She is all grown up.  

This boy is ready for 1st Grade.

He is a pro.

One year of kindergarten under his belt and you can believe that he could teach the other kids.

He knows it all! 

Last year at kindergarten orientation he was the one who was crying and didn't want to leave me.

What a difference a year makes!

This girl is going to 2nd Grade.

She is turning into such a pretty young lady.

Watch out 2nd grade here she comes!!! 

She has changed so much since the first day of kindergarten 2 years ago.

Gigi has two older siblings to show her the ropes. 

We survived kindergarten orientation this morning without any tears. 

She was so proper and well mannered. 

I am a proud mommy.

The teacher asked a question and she was the first to raise her hand and answer.

Now the tears fall.

They are off and mommy is 3/4 of an empty nest.

It will be a little quieter around here.

What to do?? 

We are starting a Rock Band

I am trying to squeeze in as much as I can in last few days of the kids summer.

 The last trip to the park, the last trip to the Family Museum,

many trips to get ice cream treats, and bike rides galore.

The weather has been fantastic. 

It's been super comfortable outside and I find myself shooing the kids outside as soon

the clock reads 8 o'clock.

Mommy follows as soon as the dishes are clean and table cleaned off from breakfast--- ok that's a lie, I don't usually do the dish I just soak in a few minutes of quiet before going outside myself with Lil Miss.

I was in the creative spirit on Friday so silly me I got out the paint.

The two little girlies and I put some paint on canvas.

Gigi created some pretty colors by mixing one, two and three paints. 

I can't wait to hang the new artwork up! 

Lil Miss got distracted by her brother and sister doing their rip sticks around our paint area

and often ended up painting herself.

Good thing I used finger paints for her -- they came right out after a good bath. 

{Our Mess}

On Sunday we rested.

Seriously.

We had gone to church the night before, per Nate's request that he "get to sleep in one day"

so Sunday was pajama day.  Literally Mommy was in her pajamas until bath time.

It was a cloudy day and after cleaning the basement last week I had unearthed some

long lost equipment.

Our rock band set.

2 guitars, one drum set, and a microphone.

Back in the day (before kids) Nate and I would have friends over

and it never failed that the drums would be pulled out and people would start

playing Rock Band.

It hasn't been played in awhile.

The spiders had made a weave of cobwebs over the box. 

But after a little Endust and plugging the cords in we were in session.

We had our own little concert Sunday morning.

Our goal to become a singing family rock band is finally taking shape.

Okay maybe we need a little more practice. 

The kids enjoyed it as much as Nate and I. 

Bubba was getting a consistent 80-87% on the Bass each song. 

Lil Miss loved playing with the microphone which wasn't plugged in.

And all the kids took turns banging out some beats on the drums.

I hadn't laughed that loud in a long time. 

After having a lazy day on Sunday, mommy was determined to get out of her pajamas on Monday morning.  We drove to Iowa City to the Children's Museum to meet some friends.

{driving an airplane}

{mommy time} 

I had promised to take the kids on the carousel before we left the mall .... and I kept my promise.

Lil Miss was so amazed when the carousel started moving.

Then after the first rotation she wanted off.    I think this was the fastest carousel she had been on and she was scared.  But she stuck it out and I can tell you it was a long ride. 

Mommy was dizzy. 

We then said our good-byes and headed home.

We are saying good bye to summer. 

In less than 24 hours the kids will be off at school. 

Hopefully absorbing lots of knowledge in those brains of theirs.

They will get to see their friends and pack their lunch for school.

Which I can't understand why they are always SO excited to pack their lunch for school,

because when I make the same thing for lunch here at home they don't want it.

Ugh.... the joys of having kids.

I have lots on my agenda planned as soon as I drop the kids off on Wednesday.

Is that a bad thing?

So many things I planned on doing this summer that with 4 kids running around I didn't even attempt to do.

Good Bye Summer!

 Oh, I almost forgot to say the favorite part of our weekend. 

We have another biker in our midst.

Gigi after only 20 minutes can ride a bike with NO training wheels.

She had lots of cheerleaders shouting "You Can Do It!" on the sidelines.

We are still working on some of the more technical skills, but she has mastered the art of bike riding.

Bubba is always right there to help her get started.

We had a few scrapes and boo-boos... but I remember the other two being so much

harder and bloody. 

Having a new bike rider really gets you motivated to go outside because

she is constantly asking us to go out to take a bike ride. 

And speaking of that.... away we go....

Coutdown 5 Days!!

5 days until end of summer.

I know so many days this summer the kids stayed inside

because it was soooo hot outside.  But now the weather

is summer perfect!!

We took advantage of the perfect summer weather yesterday.

 We went to Centennial Park in Davenport. 

I had planned on going there all summer long, but excuse after excuse and we hadn't been there until

yesterday.

We packed a picnic lunch and bottles of water and headed to explore a new playground.

I think this makes the seventh different playground we have

explored... many more to go.

I text Nate this photo at work and he commented that this couldn't be at our house  because the lawn is green.  That's true.... our lawn is a dull tawny brown and feels like dry straw.  It's not comfortable to roll around in unless you lay in the small green patch under the crabapple.  But at the park they obviously water alot more often and have nice lush green grass that just calls to you to lay down.

The reason I wanted to visit this area was that they had a splash park.  It was cheap fun. 

Lil Miss who is usually not to happy about getting her face wet, was running through the water like a pro.  Big sis wanted to be in charge of keeping an eye out on Lil Miss so she toted her around to each and every sprinkler.   

This little girl was taunting me from inside the mist of water. 

Just come in mommy.... I didn't take the bait.   

 And to dry off before we got in the minivan (that I had just washed and vacuumed before heading to the park) we played at the playground.

I think I will have to come down here again because you can't beat the view of the Mississippi and a playground with equipment in the shape of a big steamship. 

This little girl climbed up one of those arched ladder things and got all the way to the top before wondering how to get down.  Seriously her climbing skills are a bit unnerving.  She was all smiles though and even gave me her "cheese" face. 

We are down one more day on our countdown to school..... more plans for today. 



Are you sleeping?

We are having sleep problems.

I have never been in this situation.

From 7 weeks, Lil Miss was sleeping through the night.

This sleep deprived momma was in heaven when her baby was sleeping 7-8 hours a night.

I still had bags under my eyes, but that was because I was still up all wee hours of the night trying

to catch up on the piles of laundry and dishes that were invading our home.

 Then our baby turns one and she is still a great sleeping baby.

She won't fall asleep in public places or in a crowded room but she took 2 naps

almost everyday and went to bed without any qualms at night.

 Then flash forward to present day.  Our baby isn't a baby anymore.  She is growing like a weed and 2 1/2 months from turning 2 and decides she doesn't want to sleep anymore. 

She baulks at naps during the day and then fights us tooth and nail to go to bed at night. 

What gives?

Last night Nate was at a work-thing and I was too exhausted to fight her, so I let her snuggle in my bed and she fell asleep with not to much of a fuss.  But am I starting something bad?  Wait don't answer that, I know I am.  But do I allow her to scream and cry in her bed while her big sister is trying to get sleep or put her in my bed. 

Ignore the fact that she is still sucking her thumb at 21 1/2 months. 

We are working on that too..... it isn't easy.

So for the first time I find myself struggling to get her to sleep. 

Advice anyone?  Is putting her to sleep in our bed such a bad idea?  Nate, you are not allowed to answer that because you are against any children in our bed at ANY time.

But, if I have to continue to put her to sleep will she get used to be put asleep that way and not go to bed herself, or will she eventually go back to bed herself in her own room. 

Let me remind you that we have a 5 year old who starts kindergarten next week in the same room who needs her beauty sleep.

Dilemma, Dilemma.



All good things must come to an end

Last weekend was our last mini vacation of the summer.  We have logged many miles this summer (not all in the camper) from Florida, to Tennessee, to Michigan, to weekends not to far from home.  Our first summer with the fifth wheel and I think it was a success.  We met up with Nate's brother Neil in Quincy, Michigan at Marble Lake.  The kids had a blast.  Boats, sand, and other kids to play with how much can they ask for?

Bubba being cautious of the sun.  It was cute until Daddy had to retrieve the hat from the lake as it fell in. 

Morning time in the camper.  This little girl wakes up with a smile and lots of energy.  Here she is checking out the other little girl in the mirror.  They were playing peek a boo.  She would put on her sunglasses and "disappear" then reappear.  Easy Entertainment!!

Uncle Neil had his hands full. 

He hadn't seen Lil Miss for a while and she has really grown since Easter. 

They all had fun! Lots of marshmallows, pudgey pies, and camping food.... heaven!

When we got home on Sunday we had house guests for a few days.  Grandma Judy and Aunt Kathy came to stay with us for a few days.  I think they were a little shocked at the mountain of laundry in my laundry room, but we tackled it and I can say it is cleaned and all put away.  I would have to guess we did probley 11 - 12 loads of laundry in the last couple of days.  Bubba's comforter had to go in the wash after a little incident involving Grandma Judy's foundation makeup and Lil Miss. 

Lil Miss needs to learn how to blend.

We now are going to enjoy our last 5 days of summer before school starts next Wednesday. 

What can we squeeze in the last wee hours of summer vacation???

Playing in Lake Michigan

Oh no it's another post about camping. 

But this time there was sand dunes, lake swimming, and

a really cool playground.

We camped with Nate's parents this past weekend.

We met almost halfway between their house and our house in Berrien Springs Michigan.

It was the first time the in-laws got a look at our home away from home.

Unfortunately on friday when we were going to head to the dunes it rained.

It was pleasant because the temperatures cooled off, but there goes mommy's plans out the window.

Grandma and Grandpa had spotted a playground the night before

and we went exploring.

It was one of the coolest playgrounds I have seen! 

And one of the biggest!!

There was something for everyone.

Lil Miss showed off her sweet balance beam skills.

The kids didn't even mind running around in the drizzle of rain that never stopped.

This is my favorite photo!!!

Grandpa and Lil Miss

Outside of the playground area was a nice big lawn and that led to the St Joseph's River. 

It was very scenic.

And what is a little camping without some geo-caching?

We didn't fare so good on the searches. 

Out of the 3 we looked for we only found one, but it was a good one.

Rosie found this dolphin among the treasures and I think it is the best treasure to date!!

It was even stolen by one of her sibling's for awhile.... must be pure gold! :-)

I was crossing my fingers that we would get reception at the campground so we could watch

the opening ceremonies.   I know it is pretty pathetic that we are sitting around the campfire

watching TV, but it is only every 4 years that we get to the olypics and the opening ceremonies are always good.  The kids got to learn about what the olympics is and somehow Nate got to talking about wars, so the is Rosie's new favorite topic as well. 

So we were cuddled around the campfire in our sweatshirts (yes it was chilly) watching Mr. Bean make us laugh.

On saturday the skies cleared up and we were finally able to pack up to go to the dunes and the beach.   The weather was hot, but at the beach there was a strong breeze and it was very pleasant. 

We diecided to work up a good sweat before we jumped into Lake Michigan, so a few of us climbed the big pile of sand.  Gigi was the first up the dune.

Grandpa helped coax the kids up.

I don't know about him but my calfs and shins still ache from climbing up.

{teamwork -- great to see that they can still be friends! }

{we made it!!  the top of the dune!!}

After carefully coming down the dune -- Pam, Bill and Nate all recalled the story of Neil running down the dune unable to stop and ALMOST breaking Pam's umbrella. 

So we carefully came down without breaking our necks.

The water was chilly.  Really nail bitingly cold.

The sand was perfect for sand castle building.

{Bathing Beauty}

{Sand, Sand, Everywhere!!}

The weekend went by so fast.  Before we knew it we were packing up and heading out. 

This is one way to keep Lil Miss out of trouble, put her in with the dogs.  Our own petting zoo.

We made it home Sunday, unpacked, put our pajamas on and stacked spots on the couch to watch the Olympics.  Rosie has become a big fan of gymnastics and guess what she wants to do now..... be in gymnastics.  I am sure gymnastic programs see a big jump in registration after the Olympics.  I will be looking for a place to put our Olympian.   What is your favorite part of the Summer Games?