Sun + Park = Fun

Before all this RAIN...we had a few great sunny days....here are a few pics from a couple play dates we had at the park.....I can't wait for summer so we can hit the beach!!

Your caught red handed Ben...sneaking some snacks :) What these aren't mine???

Mom he stole my snacks :)

These look better!!!

Here you can have one of mine.

Conner and Noah blowing and chasing bubbles!

Landon and Morgan

Landon playing with the wood chips...with his paci in his mouth he didn't even try to eat one :)

Loved this park....lots of room to run, roll and play!!!

Cole and Cadence rolling down the hill

Conner on his way down

Conner, Kennidee, and Cole on their way back up for another round :)

Bryson

Peek a Boo!!

Babble Babble

Morgan has been babbling for quite some time, she said mama and dada early on but really didn't try saying much of anything else, so I stared teaching her a few signs like help, more, drink and all done which she does daily so it is very helpful.

About a month ago I looked back at Conner's baby book because it seemed he started talking quite early, it's crazy how fast you forget things so I'm glad I wrote a lot down....and sure enough he was saying 20 words by 15 months. At first I thought, man she is behind...that shows how much you work with your first child and then comes number two and you don't have the time to teach them as much. I had to tell myself every kid developes differently but it's hard not to compare your own kids...so I started really trying to explain things she pointed at or showed interest in and sure enough my little munchkin surprised me at how fast she was eager to learn....in the past few weeks she has gone from saying 3 words (mama, daddy/dada, and dog) to about 14 words. Every time she says something new I can't believe how clear it comes out of her mouth I almost can't believe it and I have her repeat it just so I know I'm not crazy :) Maybe this will help Conner stop talking like a baby when he wants attention!

Here is a list of her new words: some are very clear and some are not so clear but we are working on it :)
mama
daddy/dada
dog
book
ball
duck
turtle
out
car
drink (signs also)
more (signs also)
cracker (only once)
papa
bye bye
OH! (this one is soooooo cute, it's usually a big Oh, with her lips curled in a circle when she is excited...like when I bring her a piece of cake..I've got to get this one on tape)

My strong little girl

Morgan keeps me on my toes!!! She is definitely a climber and loves to climb up on her rocking chair, stand up and rock....it is now put away until she is a bit older. I envisioned her loosing a few front teeth :)

I think she has had a growth spurt lately because she can now put her leg completely over the tub, reach things she was unable to before, climbs up on the step stool to try and brush her teeth or help me do dishes and pulls herself up on the gate. Here are a few pics, I can't believe how strong she is, she actually holds herself up for quite awhile. She absolutely loves the outdoors and will let you know she wants to go out by walking to the gate and saying OUT OUT...one of her new words. Conner and daddy had just gone outside and she desperately wanted to go with them :)

All signed up and growing up!!!

Conner is officially signed up for 3 year old preschool!! The process was a little stressful for me, I just wanted to make the right decision since this was one of the first big ones we will have to make over the years....but I am happy to say I'm very confident that we picked a GREAT school!!! Also relieved we got the last opening available!!!

Morgan took to the teacher right away and both times I've been into the classroom she reached out her hands and went right to her. Conner also seemed to like her although the toys and classroom pets were his favorites :)

So it's the beginning of tuition here on out....we are starting the trip program (something I have been meaning to do since he was little but just never got around to it) so if any of you would like to help in sending our kids to a good Christian school, you are more than welcome to buy gift certificates to places that you would normally shop but 3% goes to our tuition. There is a list of many participants....just let me know if you would like a list :)

Although he hasn't started yet and I get the whole summer to enjoy him all to myself , I thought this poem was very cute.....

He started school this morning,
And he seemed so very small,
As I waited there beside him
In the preschool hall.
And as he took his place beside
The others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.
Remembering,
I saw him as
He first learned how to walk,
The words that we alone made out
When he began to talk.
This little boy so much absorbed
In learning how to write!
It seems as tho' he must have grown
To boy-hood overnight.
My eyes were blurred but hastily
I brushed the tears away,
Lest some word or sign of mine
I mar his first big day.
Oh, how I longed to stay with him
And keep him by the hand,
To lead him through the places
That I couldn't understand.
And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride,
I knew he would no longer be
A baby at my side.
But as he must have his chance to live,
To work his problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.
And I must share my little boy
with friends and work and play;
He's not a baby anymore--
He started school today.

author unknown

Well, that's a first!

Last weekend was sooooo gorgeous we spent the majority of Friday and Saturday outside, not wasting a minute inside after such a long winter. Along with the nice weather came the time to try on my summer clothes since it definitely was shorts weather. This is something most people/women dread after putting on a few pounds over the winter. Well to my surprise I have to buy new clothes for this summer....yes, because they don't fit but for the first time I can remember it's because they are all too big!! YIPEE!!!! Chasing after two kids 24/7 really pays off..hehehe

Easter Egg Hunt 2009

Easter Egg Hunt

I decided to host an Easter Egg hunt for Conner's friends this year...we had a small one for Morgan's birthday with all the Haartman kids and Conner had a blast....for days after the hunt we played inside stuffing the eggs with cheerios, grapes or whatever healthier than candy things we could find. I think we hide them over 50 times :)

I felt much more comfortable stuffing the eggs he would be eating due to his allergy so we had 7 of his friends and mommies over for the afternoon. I invited my little sis and step mom to help watch Morgan so I could focus on the older kiddos and they were tremendously helpful!!!

We started with a craft of making bunny bags for them to put the eggs in and then headed outside for the hunt. It was a bit cold but we weren't outside for too long and to be honest it was a little chaotic with 7 three year olds :) After they were on a sugar buzz we headed inside to play and eat pizza. The day was a lot of fun, so thanks everyone for coming!!

A Dentist Maybe?

As many times as Conner has been to the dentist (our last visit for a long time I hope is this week) he definitely knows what he is doing....my little man a dentist in the future maybe?

Also a few candids.....we had a big Easter Egg Hunt for Conner and his friends last week so I brought in the kids picnic table to help with seating....it stayed for about a day, until my little climber (Morgan) wouldn't stay off it!!!! Back outside it went....I was envisioning a bad fall :(

I'll post pics from the hunt tomorrow, I have popcorn and a movie waiting for me...Enjoy!

My very own books

Morgan has really taken to books lately and refuses to go to bed without her story time!!! Although her favorites are lift the flaps and touch and feel books...if it's anything other she usually pushes it away. I've found her in her room numerous times just sitting there reading away....it's so precious I had to share some pics.

She liked this one :)

A little sleepy...can you tell?

1 year stats

Morgan is ecstatic to have her seat turned around....she falls just under 20 pounds but her doctor said a few ounces won't hurt.....and she is loving the view!

Morgan walked into her appointment a few weeks ago and stopped short right at the door to the exam room....I think she sensed she might not want to go in there. I remember that after this appointment with Conner he knew what would happen at the doctors. She did OK, but didn't really like being examined by the doc.

Her stats are 30 inches tall (75%), 19 lbs 9 oz (30%) and a 60% head circumference. We got the OK to stop formula (yeah) and start Vitamin D Milk, no eggs until 2 or nuts until 3 but other than that she's wonderful. She will be tested for allergies at 1 1/2 but even if she is negative we have to stay away from certain foods just in case. What a miracle she is!!

Conner's 1 year stats were 33 inches, 24lbs 8oz....almost 5 pounds more and let me tell you that makes so much of a difference. I think she will be an average size girl if her stats continue like this...although I think she is going through a growth spurt because she is eating soooooooo much and all the time!!

Hope everyone is having a great week, I'll post pics from the Haartman Birthday later this week.

This means WAR

Well, we have a mouse in the garage....and at first I thought he's not bothering me then I won't bother him besides it's not like he's in the house.

Well, he changed that when I came home last week to find my stroller. He had crawled into the stroller and eaten any cheerios/snacks still left inside from Morgan and apparently couldn't get back out and chewed a golf ball size hole into the seat to get out. This put him into the bag underneath where he then chewed his way out of that. This means WAR!!!

Since it was so beautiful out this past weekend we were outside enjoying the weather all weekend. Ryan's big job was to gut the garage and find this mouse!!!! Mission completed...no more mouse :) Now the garage looks clean and organized, the cars are all washed and vacuumed, the Christmas lights are down and I couldn't be happier. Now on to the inside..hehe

Note to any other mouse that comes into my garage....don't mess with my stuff!

Here are a few pics of our glorious and much needed time outside this past weekend.

Conner loves washing the cars with daddy!

We let Conner help drive the car out and back into the garage with us, he loved it and it kept him out of the way....I'm always afraid of running him over or something.

My nice clean garage

The stroller that I hope I am able to patch back up....rotten mouse!

My Baby Blues

I have always loved Conner's beautiful blue eyes and this pictures just makes me melt.....I love you sweetie!!

Our little cupcake

A few weeks ago at my little sisters birthday party my Aunt Pam took a few pictures of Morgan. I thought they turned out adorable, so I thought I would share. Enjoy!!