California Trip

 

I was a little nervous to fly to California with the kids. Eric had a meeting at work he had to stay for, and he joined us a few days later. The flight was fine though because there were 20 empty seats so I was able to bring on Chet's carseat. We got two full rows to ourselves. Chet was on one window and Ty was in his carseat against the other side of the plane.

Ty did not like the idea of going on an airplane. I had to sit by him for take off. I sang songs to him. I told him to close his eyes and he squinted shut for about 10 minutes straight. Once we were in the air he did fine. The only snafoo was when Chet had a blow out diaper and I didn't have a change of clothes for him. I was in the bathroom for a long time trying to wipe him down.

 

 

Rowan and Ty became instant buddies again.  They were so funny together.

 

 

 

 

 

We heard Janie say this over and over again on the trip "I am 4 and 1/2 and Elaine is 5 and I am taller than she is!"

 

 

 

 Kim and I took the kids to the park one day.  It was beautiful outside and the weather was perfect.  We didn't want to go home yet but the kids were getting hungry.  We called mom to see if she would grab us some food.  She showed up with pizza and donuts!  Grandma's are the best.

 

 

 

 

 Kim found Elaine reading to Janie on their bed.

 

 Gingerbread house and tree decorating. 

 

 

 

 

 I met up with some highschool friends at a decked out house of lights.  It was fun to see them and meet their newest additions.  The backyard had an insane amount of lights and decorations.  There was a scavenger hunt for the kids.  Blake couldn't leave until he found the last item.

 

 

 Super Franks was super fun.

 

 

 

 

 Pre Christmas celebration

 

Chet turned 5 months old

 

 

Chuck E. Cheese

 

 

Breakfast with Santa

 

Blake worked hard on this chain and was so sad to have to leave it.  We took a picture to remember it by.

 

We played Acquire one to two times a day.  We stayed up way too late each night.  Woke up way to early with east coast time zone kids.  (The first morning Chet was up at 5a.m.)

 

Usually by the end of a trip I am sad to leave but ready to get back home.  Not this trip.  I did not want to leave at all.  The winter waiting for me in Michigan may have had something to do with it.  Mostly I didn't want to say goodbye to my family. 

 

 

Personalities

Blake is Determined

Blake works hard and wants to do the best.  There was a walking program at his school.  A couple days a week the students could walk/run laps during  recess.  After a month of this the students with the most laps from each grade would get a special lunch.  I knew Blake would win the prize and sure enough he did.  Subway sandwich and chips. 

I wear a fitbit that tracks how many steps I take in a day.  Blake loves this and always checks my score or asks to wear it.  My goal is to get 10,000 steps a day.  Hitting this target takes an extra effort of about 30 to 60 minutes of walking or running.  One Saturday I let Blake wear it for the day.   He tried to get as many steps as he could.  I caught him watching a show while walking in circles around the family room.  That night Eric and I went out on a date and when we came home there was a post-it note waiting for us that said “Blake’s total steps 28,183.” 

Janie is Kind

Janie always brings home a few of her snacks from preschool in a ziploc bag so she can share it with her brothers.  She also often brings home a few extra stickers for Blake.

We attend a story/music hour once a week and receive a craft to take home.  Janie always asks for an extra for Blake.

When Eric or I am changing a bad diaper, Janie will automatically run and grab us a bag from under the sink to put the diaper in.  We don’t even ask her to--she is starting to anticipate the needs of others.

I have caught her unloading the dishwasher without being asked (what she can unload).

We were eating and forgot to put drinks on the table for everyone.  Janie asked if she could get up and get herself some water.  She grabbed extra cups and brought water for everyone.

Ty is Funny

Ty loves “Mickle Me” (Despicable Me).  He started quoting this movie.  “Gru says, Ha ha ha I’m joking!”  And he imitated a minion by saying “Whaaaat?” in a high pitched voice.  Listening to him trying to imitate a cartoon with his speech errors is too funny!  I asked him to say it all day.

Lately when asking for something he says “how bout…”  How bout some milk?  How bout that one?

If he asks for something and I tell him no, he will say “but can I just have it?” or “but can I just watch it?” or “but can I just eat it?”

I love when he sings the chorus to God Gave us Families.  He knows it pretty well and sings loud.  “God gave us famiwees…this is how he shares his yuv.”

Chet is Sweet

Words can’t describe how sweet Chet is.  I’m sure there is something sweet about every baby, but Chet sure has it.  He is happy all the time and his smile is perfect.

Decorating the Tree

 

 

 

 

"Smile Ty":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Blake's Christmas list.  I love the 'motecrun chrol airplan."

 

Janie brought hers up to me and said "Here is my Christmas list!  Except I forget what it says..."  I think the first line is snowman, elf, santa.  Any guesses to any of the words?

 

Thanksgiving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a fun four days in St. Louis. 

 

We went bowling to celebrate Avelyn's birthday.  I forgot my camera and was mad I did because after each of Janie's turn she would skip back to her chair with a big smile on her face.  She could care less how many pins she knocked down.  Blake was in angst the whole time--fearful that Janie would beat his score.  Which she did the first game.  He held it together pretty well but he just looked concerned while watching the whole game.  After Janie would skip back from the lane, Blake would whisper to me in an annoyed tone that Janie's ball goes so SLOW.  The score for the second game was close between him and Janie.  It came down to the last frame.  I saw Blake raise his fist and quietly say "yes!" once victory was his.

 

 

 

 

We made a quick stop to visit my Grandma on our way home.  We went to Pizza Hut and stopped at Dairy Queen for some ice cream.  Blake enjoyed playing a couple rounds of memory with her.  It is always great to see my cute Grandma.