Kaitlyn has always loved showers. Recently she has become aware that the boys disappear to take showers either right before or right after dinner. Tonight I realized she was missing from the downstairs while I was cooking dinner and had sent the boys to get clean. I went upstairs and found Alex “helping” her into the shower.
Teague was so proud of his magna tile ship. When I asked to take a picture he couldn’t wait to show me that a hidden compartment carried a car.
It’s a sad day when you realize at 5 pm that your daughter still has her name tag from the YMCA on her back (put there at 9 am).
As I was trying to get a shot of the name tag on her back for her “picture of the day”, I was laying on my stomach and took a moment to focus on my camera settings. When I looked back through the viewfinder, this is what I saw.
Sunday mornings are for fixing.
My favorite moments are over a shared book – or in Kaitlyn’s case over two books. She will never let you read a book to her without having her own in her hand.
Kaitlyn seems to have claimed this odd hallway between the kitchen and the playroom as “her spot.” Today I looked over to see that she’d dragged out all of her favorite things and was quite content.
It turns out video games aren’t just for the big boys.
Kaitlyn went missing and we found her feeding Madison – again…
The boys got belated birthday gifts tonight and Alex is most enthralled with the books.
That’s my little bookworm.
A crazy game of hide-n-seek with Pop.
(He is hiding in one of my kitchen cabinets – an excellent hiding spot.)
Practicing check writing, just like Granny.
It used to be pretty easy to keep track of who ate what. I also used to think Kaitlyn ate pretty well. I put food on her plate and it disappeared. It’s only lately that I’ve come to realize she feeds at least half of it to Madison. She’ll slip a piece on the floor or eat alternating pieces of pineapple (as shown in the picture) while feeding Madison the other half. She has amazing timing in doing this while I am busy with other things.
Pajama day at school.
“Mom, I gave Monkey an eye patch.”
She’s definitely my daughter. She refused to leave the house without three books today.
There is nothing like cleaning your impossible-to-keep-clean black counter top and then dropping the canister of flour all over the counter, cabinet, and floor…
Alex had his 7 year check up today. He was quite amused by the paper robe!
Weight – 57 lbs.
Height – 47 3/4 inches.
Teague decided to pull out the more complicated play dough and really show Kaitlyn how it’s done!
Play dough – her newest love.
We’ve kind of missed our early morning playdates. The kids only get about 10 minutes between Alex’s bus and having to be driven to preschool, but they sure seem to love the time together.
Big brothers are sometimes nice enough to do your buttons when your arm is too sore.
Teague had his 5 year check up and that meant several shots. He opted to have only one today and it was the tetanus shot (which does hurt). He’s been complaining of a sore arm all day.
Weight – 46 lbs.
Height – 44 inches
Long naps are the best, but I still had to wake her up.
This is our lake, our frozen lake. I think it’s rather pretty covered in ice, but I’m dreaming of the days when we can go play in the sand and water. The beach is barely visible on the opposite side of the water.
Alex made me the sweetest card tonight while I cooked dinner.
Teague got Magna tiles for his birthday and has spent most of his waking hours playing with them.
Kaitlyn’s latest trick is to push a kitchen chair to the kitchen counter. She can now pretty much reach everything. Nothing in my house is safe. Yesterday I caught her turning on the stove!?!
Poor Teague got the short end of the stick today. Both Wade and I were sick and spent the day alternating sleeping. I did get up and get Teague’s requested breakfast of coffee cake and pineapple on the table. (I am going to love to remind Teague someday that his “happy” face was sticking his tongue out and panting like a dog…)
The boys were great about entertaining themselves and Teague is my most chill of children and only asked twice about opening presents or his cupcakes. By late afternoon, we were both feeling better and we were ready to start celebrating!
He was super excited that we had decided to surprise him with a sushi dinner (best idea ever once we ended up sick and cooking would have been a huge ordeal) and the waitress thought he was adorable when he brought his own chopsticks.
Wade felt a little sick today so Alex decided to make him a get well card – with a little unwanted help from his siblings.
Teague turned 5 today!!! One of his favorite gifts was his own camera. Wade loved showing him how to take a selfie.
No wipe is safe when Kaitlyn is around. She loves to empty containers and then chew on them indefinitely. Yuck!
We decided to go with a combined birthday party this year. Both boys were excited about a gymnastics party and a dinosaur themed cake and invitations. That made life super easy and we were ready to celebrate!
The party was full of excited kids and plenty of sugar – all you need for a good time. The kids ran wild but stopped long enough for two quick group pictures.
Then we headed home to Kaitlyn (who stayed home with a sitter to nap) and an afternoon of playing with our Milwaukee friends. The older kids played outside until they were chilled to the bone. Crazy kids.
Birthday party!
Birthday party!
Most nights I give in and let her “help” brush her teeth.
I can’t help but think her first puddle jumping experience should have been more epic.
Brother shenanigans.
Puddle jumping.
In the 20 seconds I started to curl my hair, Kaitlyn evidently went down the stairs (a new skill), climbed on the kitchen table, retrieved her oatmeal, climbed halfway up the stairs, and finished her breakfast. We are so in trouble….
I definitely have a hint of sickness (or more than a hint) and tried to take a short nap. In the 15 minutes I dozed (lightly) in Kaitlyn’s rocking chair she managed to do this to her room. Thankfully she hasn’t figure out how to open the door to the hallway yet…
Monkey see. Monkey do.
It amazes me that this isn’t the slightest bit uncomfortable or noticeable to him. It drives me crazy to see it.
Pigtails.
Kaitlyn and I arrived a little early to pick up Teague and found his entire class outside sledding. What an awesome way to have recess! His teachers were nice enough to let me take some additional pictures.
I’ll be the first to admit I love the snow and love snow activities. When my neighbor asked about getting everyone together to sled after school, I immediately said yes. It was another sledding afternoon!
After school sledding in the front yard.
I love that Teague’s school takes them outside for sledding.
At least she understands the idea – if not the exact right placement.
Not only did she decide today was a good day to walk up our steep driveway on her own (normally I carry her), but she wanted to carry the mail too.
(She actually made it 3/4 of the way, with the mail, before it got too slippery.)
I love a snowy day.