Emma's First Haircut

Yes, Emma is 3 and I am just getting her hair cut. It probably has something to do with my hair always being short when I was younger that makes me want her to have long hair. Plus it's more fun to do! But it was getting quite long and unruly. Plus it was all different lengths. So Emma and I went and got our hair cut together. She made me go first so she could see how it works, although she spent more time spinning in the chair, playing my iPod and going to the bathroom (6 times) when she was waiting for me. She wasn't a big fan of the hair washing, but it was better than she was imagining - I think she thought there was a bath there!

It really turned out cute and she hammed it up for me. Afterward, we attempted to get our toes done, but the place said she was too young. So we played at the mall, shopped a little and then got her 3 year old pictures taken (pics to follow after they are downloaded). And after all that, we finished the day sharing a Blizzard at DQ and taking a ride on the merry go round.

Emma Turned 3!!

My baby girl has turned 3! I can't believe she is that old already. She has asked every day since then if she is still 3, as if she's going back to 2 1/2 soon. She did not get her backpack ready and ask when school starts like I predicted that she would. But she is excited to be 3.

Kris was out of town on Emma's actual birthday, so we celebrated with pizza and swimming at the gym. At 3, the kids can go into a bigger kid room where they have to be potty trained. This room was never a motivator for Ryan to use the potty, but it sure was for Emma. So I picked Ryan up from school and took them over to the gym. We were meeting friends at 4:30, so I let them play for a half hour (while I read a book!). She loved it and has asked to go back pretty much every day. We had cupcakes and swam. Everyone had a great time. Emma even kept her goggles on for over a half hour, thanks to Gracie's example. And Ryan went down the waterslide (again thanks to Gracie's example).

For her party, we rented JumpZone. It is a large place with a bunch of inflatables (I was going to write it's a big inflatable place, but then you'd think it was one thing!). The kids all had a great time. And I enjoyed not having to get anything ready or clean up after it!

For the weekend, my parents and Robin came in as well as Kris's brother Kevin and our neice Katelyn. We were able to fit everyone at our house happily and had enough eyes for everyone!

The weekend was also filled with running. Kevin and I ran the 10k at the Flying Pig on Saturday. We both hit our goals, mine being I ran it in under a 10 minute mile. Kris ran the first leg of the Marathon relay. He says he did ok but didn't make the pace he wanted because he was worried about this large hill at the end (which didn't end up being a big as he thought). He also said he felt funny because by the time he got bused back to the finish line some of the half marathoner were finished and here he comes on a bus! It did lead us both to thinking of doing a half marathon. I have always wanted to do the Detroit half because it goes thru the tunnel to Canada and back over the bridge (makes me know never to try to go to Canada that day). Unfortunately, I already have plans for this year. I have said I only want to do it once, so I'm not sure if we'll do it at next years Flying Pig.

Ryan was also invited to his first class birthday party this weekend. His school's practice is if you send out invites at school, the whole class has to be invited. I was probably as excited for it as he was. I have been to school so many times and have never met any parents of boys in his class. So this was a time to do it. I met several of his friends parents including Will, who Ryan really likes (Will has quads as younger siblings - what a family!). I also got to see Ryan outside of school but with his friends. He had a great time and he was very happy when the birthday boy chose his present to play with first!

Happy Easter!!

We always love Easter! The kids love the candy, I love having what ever I gave up for Lent and we are all thankful that Jesus died and rose for us!

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We spent yesterday prepping for Easter. It's easy to convince the kids to clean up the living room if I tell them the Easter Bunny can't hide eggs if it's all messy. So the kids cleaned up and we also dyed Easter eggs. This is one of my favorite parts of Easter. Although I hate when set up and clean up take longer than the actual event. We only did 9 eggs, so it was pretty fast. The kids had a great time and we made some great eggs. We've only egg fought a few so far, but Emma's is the winner so far beating the one I made, Nick's and one of Ryan's.

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The kids (almost) managed to stay upstairs until everyone was ready today. We came down and found baskets and eggs. Nick finally got into finding eggs, but preferred to put the toy milk and juice from the kitchen in his basket. Emma found 1 egg first with M&M's and was set. They had fun, but were mad that we didn't have time to sit and eat everything! We took a quick family picture, while still nicely dressed and off we went.

Today, we attended Kris's church for Easter service. They had a breakfast before hand (yay! No making or cleaning up breakfast for me). Then they had an egg hunt afterward. It was forced inside due to all the rain we've been having. I went with Emma and Nick; Ryan was done before they even got a few eggs! They all had a great time. I am so thankful that all my kids feel at home at Kris's church.

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Spring Break

The kids are in PA with Kris. From what I've been told they are making themselves at home at the farm. Kris found them with a bag of peanuts on the porch just swinging away. Kris has been moving furniture around and cleaning in preparation of the upcoming trips there for the whole family. They had a great time at Katie's birthday party and seeing the Imagination Movers (Ryan got to shake Rich's hand!).

While they are gone, Nick and I have had some great one on one time. He is loving being the center of my attention. We've been to the gym a lot and swam one day. He really thinks he is about 4 though, wants to go off and swim by himself. We saw the ENT last Saturday, who said he needed tubes. We were lucky enough to be able to schedule the surgery for yesterday. He was great, even though he hadn't eaten all day! I can already tell he's hearing better and he is making more babbling sounds.

Nick had his 15 month doctors appointment on Thursday. He did great, even though he had another double ear infection. His speech was the only thing they were worried about, which hopefully the tubes will help with. He's switched from 75th% on height and 50th% on weight to 50th% on height and 75th% on weight - which explains the belly he's developed!

We've played outside almost every day this week, thanks to the nice weather. Nick really likes bouncing the basketball. And when it rolls away he's right after it, until it gets to the grass. He does not like the grass, even with shoes on. Nor does he like the sand (I opened and cleaned out the sand box for him). We've been on a lot of walks this week and have really enjoyed playing together. We also got him some new shoes since the soft ones just weren't going to cut it outside anymore. He didn't like them, but has now gotten used to them.

Today, we went to the Easter egg hunt at our gym. Because it was on grass, Nick was a little confused and seemed more bothered by the grass than worried about getting eggs. He also got to see the Easter bunny, which he was not a fan of!

If Kris took pictures, I'll post them when he gets home tomorrow! I'm off to enjoy the last day with only one!

Up until now..

Since the sicknesses hit....

Nick still keeps getting sick (ear infections) and Ryan got a viral infection that attacked his hip joint. Ryan is doing ok - he was back walking within a day and Nick is seeing the ENT.

We haven't really had a lot going on. We've had some nice weather, which of course takes us outside! The kids were all shocked with short sleeves and kept trying to pull them down. We've had a few trips to the park and played outside our house. Ryan was excited to get his truck back out again. Here is a quick update on everyone:

Ryan - I have only one picture of Ryan since March. Actually I only had 5 pictures taken the whole month of March, so that shows how exciting we are. Ryan is doing great at school. His hand writing is really taking off. Ryan was named Student of the Week a few weeks ago, when he had a really good week of writing. Ryan loves playing school at home. He has an entire pretend class (all the kids from his class) - he gives them papers to do and tells then where to go - unfortunately, he really likes playing this after he goes to bed! So he'll be up for an hour or so talking to himself. Ryan is just starting to outgrow all his clothes - do they have to get bigger??

Emma - She's driving us crazy! I must hear 'but I want to, I want to' at least 10 times a day (as if that is going to make me change my mind). She's decided that naps aren't important until she is so tired she actually drops! Last week taking two naps - one in which she fell asleep within minutes of laying down (so not her). She loves movies and would watch tv all day. Although she seems to be pulling for attention, she doesn't seem to want too much of it when I can give it (Nick's naptime). She's lately been a bully to Nick, knocking him down and sitting on top of him. It all starts innocently with a hug but progresses quickly. His crying doesn't bother her! She is still loving puzzles and is very excited for her birthday in a few weeks. Maybe turning 3 will be better!

Nick - he's getting so big! He's finally started eating some fruits and veggies. He's still particular about them, but he's trying. He is walking really good now and needs some new shoes! He's pretty happy to walk around the house and play. He has started to listen to directions and loves to be my helper. He's had 6 ear infections since December and has an appointment with the ENT this week. He's finally sleeping through the night most nights and although Kris says to let him cry it out, I don't because usually he's up because his ears hurt!

That's all. This next week is Spring Break. Kris is taking Ryan and Emma to PA to visit his family. They get to go to Katie's 4th birthday party, Kelli's Easter egg hunt and see the Imagination Movers. They are very excited to go, but are already telling me that they'll miss me. I'm sure I'll miss them more. Nick and I are staying home - visiting the ENT and his pediatrician for his 15 month appointment and getting some spring cleaning done. It should be a good week all around!

Sickies

We just can't get past the sicknesses here. I got sick about 2 weeks ago along with Nick. I had bronchitis and a sinus infection and Nick had a double ear infection. Nick was at the doctors for 3 days in a row to get shots of antibiotics instead of take home medicine. We have battled these ear infections since Christmas. If this one doesn't clear up or we have another one we will be at the ENT for tubes. Not what I would prefer, but I don't want anything to hinder his speech. He isn't really talking, more grunting and sounds - so I'm not tempting things.

Emma threw up once, but was fine after that. Ryan got sick last Monday and then was fine, but then was sick again on Thursday and Friday. Just running a fever and throwing up once. He would alternate between fine and sick depending on the medicine in his system.

So because of all that, we haven't gone out much and I'm missing the gym. But I have new running shoes and we are headed out tonight. It's been pretty boring here. Thanks again to my mom who happened to come down to visit and ended up taking care of me and everyone else!!!