Thursday, June 30, 2011

Parker Days






I love the idea of setting Summer Goals. Last year we made a 'summer fun list' and really did have a blast. This summer it's been neat to use the 'fun' as incentive for the goals.

Trenton and Kali are working on reading goals and doing a great job. The first incentive was an all you can ride pass to our carnival here - Parker Days. Trenton and Kali worked hard to earn their passes and were sooo excited for the big day.

Trenton was a trooper of a big brother and went on the rides with Blake - even putting his arm around his little brother so he wouldn't be scared. I love it :).

Kali wanted to go on all the rides she was too little for and Trenton was content going on the rides Blake loved. We finally convinced Trenton to go on the swings that Kali was begging to go on (that she turned out to be too short for, luckily one attendant let her on anyway). Kali loved every minute of it and bawled her little eyes out when the next attendant wouldn't let her on.. Trenton had fun at first as it shows in the first picture, but then he said he got worried the chains would break so he spent the rest of the ride holding on for dear life with his eyes squeezed shut.

Carnival rides and funnel cakes - does it get any better than that when you're little?

Swimming Lessons




One summer activity I wanted to make sure we got in before the baby came was swimming lessons for all the kiddos. Pool time is the best during the summer and I wanted the kiddos to be as safe as possible while having a blast. The only mistake I made was scheduling Blake's class first, so when he was done he had to wait for his brother and sister to finish their lessons. And what is more tempting than a wide open pool with a zero entry spot to splash and play even after multiple lifeguard warnings :). I know we humored all the watching parents as I attempted to chase my little 'master of disaster' all over the pool in my lovely state. It also made me feel justified when another pregnant mom said she almost fainted every time she set foot in the pool because it was SO hot and muggy in there. Yes, it was a miserable sauna that I bid a fond farewell on the last day of lessons.

The kids loved it, and loved watching each other and cheering each other on. I love the picture of Blake giving Kali a thumbs up. They made some excellent progress.

Babies at our house




This spring we were lucky enough to have some sweet little robin babies hatched on our front porch. The kids loved watching the mommy robin get worms for the babies and listening to them chirp away as she hunted and fed them. The mommy robin didn't like us watching so much and would sit not too far from her nest angrily chirping away whenever we approached. The first picture is a good example of her all puffed up and warning us to stay away from her babies. We didn't watch them too much, but on occasion would climb up to see their progress.

One day we had friends visiting and thought it would be fun to see the robins. I told the kids we could look at them and before I had a chance to regulate the viewing, the kids (5 boys and Kali) were out the front door. Well, little did I know it was the day the robins would leave the nest. I heard the kids yelling excitedly and as I started to waddle (being 9 months preggo) outside I heard cars honking away. I hurried out the front door and sure enough all the kids were in the street; the young ones were chasing these poor baby robins and the older ones were trying to get the young ones out of the street. Not to mention there were 3 cars stopped for the whole fiasco.

I waddled out to the street concerned about 1- the 6 children in the middle of the street 2 - the 3 poor baby robins hopping around trying to work their little wings, absolutely defenseless against Blake and company who found more excitement and thrill the closer they jumped by these baby birds. An observant neighbor walking by said, "boy, you've got your hands full!" Thank you very much, yes.

I rounded up the little ones and the mommy robin was LIVID! She was chirping away like I'd never heard. I hurried my little ones back in and left her to round up her little ones, hoping she'd figure out how to get them out of the driveway and across the street back to where she was going to feed them.

I went out about an hour later and she had managed to get them to safety, where I snapped a picture of one of the babies in the tree. She started hollering at me again so I wished them the best and hurried back in.

We loved our spring babies!

Slip n Slide


Sunday, June 5, 2011

My Baby Sister - The Graduate!

 Anna Graduated - Class of 2011!!!

I was blessed to be able to fly (yes, fly!!! Contrary to much helpful advice I received,  the doctor assured me cabin pressure does nothing to speed up labor) to Anna's graduation last week.  Steve & I decided to see how I felt, and with the doctor's blessing I was able to meet up with the family for the celebration.  Once again, Steve made it possible, managing the kiddos and home while I worked Wed, flew Thurs, flew back Fri and worked Sat, Sun.  It's times like this I feel so blessed to have healthy pregnancies that enable me to be active (albeit slightly tired ;) ) with just a few weeks left.

I can't believe my baby girl is on to the college years!!

It was a great chance to reflect on how blessed I am to have her for a sister....how hard I prayed and fasted for her, how we all adored and parented her.  Watching her grow up as a precious little girl to an energy filled, loving, go-getter of a teenager, an incredible aunt to her nieces and nephews, and a dear friend to her siblings.  I love watching her life unfold, and know that the years ahead hold some very big "eternity decisions" for my girl.


She is one adored girl!!!