Monday, February 3, 2014

Magic House

Kappa Claire bought the kids a Magic House gift certificate for Christmas. This is a perfect gift for them, and perfectly timed as well with the winter we've been 'weathering'. A few Saturdays ago, we went, just the four of us.
 
I didn't recall this entrance of glass balloons, but I think it's beautiful!

There's an area specifically for kids ages 1-5. Jackpot!

Sand tables are always a hit!

And Millie even got the hang of this toy. She's so smart.. I'm not biased, though.

Think these 2 look much alike? They were watching Owen build something.

When did he become such a big kid?!

And then Amelia found the 'Vet Office'. We spent 85% of our time in these 30 sq ft and she
could not have been more thrilled with her 'GOGs'!

She tried to pick up as many as she could. I'm sure the combo of these stuffed
dogs outweighed her tremendously!

A little help here mom?
 
Here she is shouting Gog (!!!!!). When Mike and I switched kids,
I could still hear her screaming GOG from the other room!

Meanwhile, Owen found himself at a car. Is anyone else shocked?
I love how intently he's changing this tire. Great for his fine motor skills, too =)

Checking out the detailing on this car...
 
Then on to building lego cars. He actually played here longer than I thought he would!

Probably because he could race the cars down the track! I'll be honest, the cars fell apart before they reached the bottom every time. He was patient and persistent though. I was proud of him!
 
Learning about magnets.

This picture captures one of those booths where a light flashes and the shadow of your silhouette remains. He thought this was tooooo cool.

Mike and I cracked up laughing at this Colorblindness Test. Guess which Wade passed?
 Owen had to tell Mike the numbers. ;)

Who is that good looking baby in the mirror?

Are you ready for some football?

We wore this little sweetsie out. She could hardly move toward the end,
and she just wanted to cuddle on my lap.

....which means I missed my opportunity for the great pic of them together. We were after all, creating perfect family memories, right?!
 
We really did have a total blast, though, and I would love to take the kids again before the winter is over...apparently this will be at least 6 weeks. Thanks, Punxsatawney Phil. The Magic House requires one adult for each child (my rule, not theirs), so I'll have to wait for a good weekend day so daddy can join again!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Springfield, MO

A few weekends ago (the only weekend without frigid temps and feet of snow), we took a little road trip down south to visit Mike's Aunt Bev & Uncle Bill (Mima Wade's bro & sis-n-law). We had the added bonus of company with cousins Roger & Jennifer and their son Andrew (11). It's a great set up down in Springfield. Bill & Bev live downstairs while Rog, Jen, & the kids live upstairs. Bill & Bev used to care for the whole house, but I think their knees are appreciating the downsize =)
 
Within 3 minutes of our arrival, Andrew brought down his cars, many, many cars.

...and a race track. We've got friends for life here!

Millie entertained herself for 30 minutes walking around in O's shoes!

And then she found a very comfy spot in Roger's lap, with a book, of course!

And then she found her way to Aunt Bev....with a book.
 
She and Uncle Bill just talked shoes. All the while, Owen and Andrew were
playing cars and more cars and more cars.

The Kinney clan is notorious for their good home cookin'. They did not disappoint this weekend. Bev & Bill made brisket, potatoes, corn, home made rolls, home made applesauce, and salad. Jennifer whipped up this beauty after work on Friday. It was a perfectly perfect cheesecake. We left Springfield with home made cinnamon rolls, applesauce, pickles, jelly, and bread. All home made. Our tummies were haaaaappppy!
 
Our hearts were happy too! We had a great time visiting, and we're so glad we live close enough to see our extended family more often!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

15 months: Laps

Our little 15mo old lovey weighs 21lb 9oz (25-50%) and 31.5 inches tall (75%). Her percentiles are the same as she's been her whole life. She seems to me like she's slowed a bit in the weight department despite the fact that she truly, genuinely eats 3 big meals and 2 snacks a day. The girl loves her food... and I think she's already turned in to a stress eater like her mama. It definitely is a 'calming influence' on her. Now if only I can delay the need for chocolate to be present in order to have the same calming effect....
 
One day late December I found her in her room, in her chair. Bib on. Blanket on. Paci in. Doll handy. Reading her (current) favorite book. I about melted and was even able to run and grab the camera she was so settled.
 
Maybe she's looking a little more Cooper these days?

On Dec  28th we got to visit Auntie Kim at her folks house in O'Fallon. Amelia cuddled right up on her lap. And that's this month's theme because she will find a lap, any lap, and back up on to it. I think a 'Beep Beep' should accompany her wherever she goes.

She'll also take some standing up cuddles... especially the daddy cuddles are the best.
 
Somehow without words she bargained for both bowls of popcorn.. hers and Owen's.

Snow day fun = rides in a laundry basket.

No new words, per say. Still 'GOG, GOG, GOG' (always shouted), Dada, Gock (sock).
She has added 'mmmmmmm' with bites of food she REALLY likes.
 
She's also signing more, all done, drink, and please. We are working on wait, but that one isn't catching for some reason ;)

Future hubby? This is Auntie Kim's nephew, Rigby (21mo).
 
It's not a lap, but she's cuddled in. The best part about her lap obsession is that she's
generally asking you to read a book to her, and she's getting better about sitting
through the whole thing. She's very interested in pointing to pictures and
having you tell her the name of the object.
 
I dressed her up on my birthday.
Love this gorgeous little girl in this gorgeous little dress!
 
She's increasingly in to imitation, even got a dirty Kleenex out of the trash to wipe her nose. =) Laundry folding is a favorite time for her as she has a plethora of towels to 'wipe' around the house. This week she started to imitate the finger in front of your lips when saying 'ssshhh', and she folds her hands together while we pray before dinner. I really need to get a picture of this act!
 
She also knows where her nose & hair are, often sticking her finger in or on O's nose (much to his chagrin).
 
Most activities need to be in her timing or her terms, and Mike and I are ready for the 'next stage' that includes words instead of whining. I know this wont change her desire for things her way, but maybe we'll be able to communicate a bit better! In the mean time, bring on those books, Millie! Let's learn some words ;)
 

Friday, January 17, 2014

happy #3

Owen's 3rd birthday was a BIG day in a long line of previous BIG days.
It's really hard to be 3 and to have so much fun so many days in a row.
I say that tongue-in-cheek, but it was a lot of stimulation after being a little short on sleep =)
 Poor kid. I would never wish for him to have his birthday 2 days after Christmas, but that's how we roll in this family, and I'd bet a lot of $ he'll have a kid born during this week, too!

We started the day with a family get together. Owen's present from us was a wheelbarrow. He l.o.v.e.s to push his cars around in Amelia's grocery cart and Amelia's baby doll stroller (both pink), so we figured we would get him something with a greater carrying capacity that can also be pushed around (and wasn't pink).

He had his favorite cheerleader to help him open gifts!

Planes Movie! This has come in very handy with all of the snow days we've had!

"If you give a mouse a cookie....."

He'll likely want a glass of milk and more presents to open!

He loaded up on Monster Truck Jam & a car stacking truck & even a LeapPad.
Now I have my iPad back =)
 
Jackpot. When asked about whether he wanted donuts or presents first, the answer was obviously presents. How could I even assume something different?

So while Owen discovered the wonders of his new loot, we got the girls settled in with donuts and fruit. I don't know that either of them had ever had a donut before, so as you can imagine, they sat still and enjoyed every morsel. Together. Adorbs.

She did a good job of eating her fruit, too =)

The donuts were a hit with these two big kids as well. I highly recommend a donut party. What's the difference between a donut and cake? Nothing. I had already resolved to let him have a big piece of something unhealthy. The difference with a donut party is it's the main course. But it's SO easy. Donuts, fruit salad, juice, coffee. Boom. Easy. I think we have a new tradition!

He finally got around to his donut... this kid really doesn't care about food. (I wish I didn't!). He was thrilled with the candle in his smiley face, cream filled donut.

I think he wished for more sugar.

His wish came true. He ate around the perimeter and was done!
(Note the Hot Wheels plate... as if his 3rd birthday party theme would be any thing else!)

We tried everything we could to get our matching beauties to look at the camera at the same, but to no avail. Millie loves her 'Gog gog gog!!!' outfit =)

Carson cracked us up with his party hat creativity.

And our little itsy found someone to read a book to her.

...and Owen played a little bit more. In this picture you'll notice 'Ralphie', Owen's tiger and very very special friend. Ralphie goes with us everywhere. He eats with us, cooks with us, cuddles with us....
 
Squirming away from Papa =) Affection has to be on her own terms (as do most things!)

She found another lap to sit in, too! Uncle Steven is usually pretty obliging!

About to party 'poop out'.

Birthday buddy, MiMa, got to put Owen down for his nap. He slept decently for his nap, but he lost any shred of sanity he had left after nap. He woke up just so spent that he couldn't decide to do anything, and he spent a lot of time crying on the floor. We were going to take him to see Frozen, but instead we stayed inside and played with new toys and then got McAllister's Mac N Cheese for dinner. He had a greeeaaaat day all in all = )
 
Here's what else is up with O:
 
  • He weighs 33lb & is 38.5 inches tall.
  • He loves to sing. All.of.the.time. Everywhere. He doesn't always have the lyrics down solidly, but he's pretty darn good with the tune.
  • He still loves to help make food more than he likes to eat the food (unless it's cookies). Mike got a popcorn maker for Christmas and O really enjoys watching it pop, but he often leaves his bowl on the counter.
  • He can communicate well. Whole phone conversations on the phone & his vocabulary is hundreds of words I'm sure.
  • Sleep: 7:30pm-6am and 60-90 minutes of nap in the afternoon.
  • He's a total chatterbox in the car, and he points out everything he sees. Colors, cars (including the make & model!), letters, hay, construction or farm vehicles, etc.
  • Red light, Green light is a recent favorite game. Probably because it involves a bit of chase/running (also a favorite!)
  • All of a sudden, his imagination & creation are blossoming. He loves to add 'parts' on to his cars with play doh. Often we add spoilers & blowers. He's getting a bit more in to creating things with legos as well.. turning his Mater lego car in to lots of different characters like dragons, etc. 
  • Temperament is pretty calm still (thanks be to God). I've heard that 3 can be more challenging than 2. We still have some work to do with listening, focus, & being nicer to Millie, but so far so good.
  • He's eating meat. Finally! Still pretty adverse to trying new foods or eating anything with spaghetti sauce, but we're working on it. 
We continue to be thrilled with his growth & development, and we can't believe he's already 3!
I feel like he was just born yesterday!


Monday, January 13, 2014

White Elephant

Christmas was not over yet... we still had one more event! Christmas evening after the kids were in bed, my folks and brothers came over for our annual white elephant gift exchange. I love this gift exchange, and I love having time with my 'immediate' family. Our time all together happens about 1-2 times a year, so I was going to do anything I could to make sure our white elephant game happened this year, too. Christmas Eve wasn't an option because Steven was working. Fortunately, they were willing to come over to our house so the kids could sleep!

Well.... Owen wasn't quite asleep so we let him get up and open moooore presents since
Uncle Steven didn't see him on Christmas Eve. O and uncle Steven
 are kindred car spirits. They both love them!

We got Owen back to bed and broke out the brandy. Mike made home made egg nog with a little spike of brandy. It was de-li-cious. Not light, but delicious. We, of course, drank them out of moose egg nog glasses. This fits our recurring 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' theme.

Note my dad's 'Eddie' hat, too! This is one of my favorite shots.
 

Here's the loot. Inside these packages are some great gifts and some terrible gifts.
One year some person gets stuck with picking all of the terrible gifts.

This year it was Steven. Let me introduce you to Polly, the world's perfect pet.

.....and the bubble butt. My parents picked this beauty up in Vegas!
 

Mike did get the Jelly of the Month club, though. He was thrilled =)
 
We contribute to this game in lieu of getting gifts for each other, and we all love to play! Our classiest contribution was a can of Hormel Chili accompanied by some Gas-X.
Well, I think this post successfully wraps up our wonderful Christmas celebration.
 
Now on to birthdays!