Tis the Season

So this past week I spent lots of time in the kitchen making almost every Xmas goody I could think of.  It was my contribution to our 1st Annual Friends dinner in KC.  There are several boys from Underwood down here and luckily for them all of the wives get along very well.  So we decided this was the first of many traditions.  Nikki (Jenn's best friend from college) hosted the dinner.  Her husband isn't from Underwood, but he is from Iowa.  It was a great time!  We all brought gifts for the kids to open, which was super fun for the kiddos.  The adults did a white elephant gift exchange.  I'd say the most desired gift was brought by Tara and Joel Synderguarrd.  Tara is a social worker and someone had donated a very large bra and false boobs to fill it to the shelter so that is what she brought.  They were hilarious!  Jeremy and Jenn were the first to open them and Jenn was good enough to model them (picture below).  We came home with a pink glitter clock for Vivian and a small ornament with Alvin and the Chipmunks singing their Xmas song.  Dan was hoping to steel the boobs from Jeremy/Jenn but we went for the clock instead. :-)
There is a picture below of all of the kids from left to right:
Vivian (4 1/2), Harper (3), Avery (almost 3), Henry (3), Chance (2 1/2)  Baby Gavin
(5 months) didn't make the photo he was sleeping, but i posted one of him. The kids had so much fun playing together and Henry was loving his boy time!

Saturday night Dan and I headed to our dinner and movie.  Sherlock Holmes was awesome.  Highly recommend the movie!

Sunday, Vivian went to Molly's 5th Birthday party.  It was of course a princess party and Princess Aurora showed up to read to the girls, play game and put makeup on them.  Holy cow it was a hit.  Not guess who wants a princess at her birthday party????  Yup....Miss Vivian.  I almost did it last year, but didn't think she was old enough.  What ever happened to pin the tail on the donkey and silly birthday games at people's houses?  Enter the generation that MUST constantly be entertained and who doesn't have to wait for anything (thanks to lighting speed technology).
Vivian is done with preschool until January so this week we've just been hitting the gym, dance and gymnastics.  Wednesday I'm starting up my 2 batches of cinnamon rolls (16  pans) again this year.  We are staying in KC for Xmas this year and might be having a couple of friends over on Xmas day for dinner.  Nothing crazy just low key and enjoying the excitement of the kids as we get closer to Xmas!

Henry is proving to be quite a singer of Xmas songs in the car.  Not hard since we play 2/3 songs on repeat most of the time!  Oswald, our Elf, is making exciting appearances this year.  He's not landing as high up when he comes back from the North Pole.  The kids are very aware of this and that he would lose his magic if they touch him.  Oswald, is also very clever this year.  He's been using the ladder on Henry's big fire truck (thanks Aunt Jill) to climb up to certain places.  The kids think it's hilarious.  Oswald, was in Vivian's room  last night on her Xmas tree on her dresser.  I was upstairs putting on my makeup earlier and I heard Henry come up the stairs saying "Hey Oswald.....Hey Oswald"  Henry then went into Vivian's room and this is what I heard "Hey Oswald, Bivian messed up my train tracks....you tell Santa ok?"  So, So funny! Henry is very quick to let Oswald know what bad Vivian has done. 

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Henry!

So it was Henry's birthday weekend.  Grandma Carol and Grandpa came down for the party and we saw Santa.  Henry told Santa he wanted a Race Car Guitar, Vivian wants a Rapunzel Guitar and an American Girl doll. I will post the Santa picture once I find it....seems it got misplaced in the hustle and bustle of the weekend. When we walked into the store to see Santa it wasn't very busy so Santa could see us coming. Dan was pointing to where he was at so Santa started waving to the kids and they thought that was pretty neat.  They were smiling from ear to ear the whole way towards him.  Once we got up close it took a little coaxing to get them over to Santa. 

Henry had his birthday party on Sunday.  He invited 3 friends over.  Graham, who is in his Children's Day Out class, Hayes (Molly's brother), and Avery.  Vivian also invited Molly over too so that she had someone to play with during the party.  He was excited when we brought the balloons home, and the cake and when everyone started to show up! The boys who are all pretty close in age were perfectly content playing with the Thomas the Train sets we put up in the living room.  He got some great toys and has been playing with them all night.  For his actual birthday we don't have much planned.  Dan is going to come home from work and have lunch with us.  Vivian has dance tomorrow night so there isn't much time to go out to dinner.  Hard to believe he's already 3!

I posted a picture of the kids playing out in "snow" during our first dusting we had last week. You will see we didn't get much snow and Vivian asked several times if we could make a snowman.  The snow was pretty much melted before noon that day.  And pictures of kids in fake moustaches that we had in the grab bags for the kids to take home after the birthday party.

We have started a tradition this year of getting all of our Iowa friends together for Thanksgiving and Xmas.  We did Thanksgiving at Brian and Angie Mander's house.  Our friend Xmas party is this coming Friday at Thad and Nikki Pealer's house. Saturday night we have a babysitter so Dan and I can go and see the new Sherlock Holmes movie coming out this weekend.  I'm a huge fan of the other Sherlock Holmes movie and can't wait to see it.  Vivian and Henry have their last week of school this week until after the first of the year.  Gonna be a long few weeks, mostly for Vivian she really enjoys school.  They must be working on math cause every other day she says "mom did you know 5+5=10, 4+3=7, etc.  Let's hope she doesn't get my math skills. ;-)  Enjoy your week!

Naughty or Nice?

Well I have several things to tell you since the last blog! First, Vivian has mastered her cartwheel!!!!  In October her gymnastics teacher said she could move up to Mini Stars.  This is a class for 4-6 year olds and you have to be asked to join the class by an instructor.  I didn't even know what the class was, but we were excited for her and I think it's kind of a big deal.  She gets to use much more of the equipment than her previous class.  She does the rings, and bars, balance beam, etc.  Her teacher said there was a Cartwheel Class the kids could take to work on their cartwheel skills.  So I signed her up.  She did good in class and just kind started trying to do them at home the last couple of days.  And hot damn! She got it.  She goes all the way over and lands on her feet.  Her legs aren't all the way straight but pretty close.  I told her tonight before bed that I was proud of her and she said "I'm proud of me too mom"  Then I explained that when you practice and practice that's how you learn to do things.  She said "But mom I didn't practice I just tried it and did it!"  Sure whatever works.

Second, we've had several talks with the kids about being good and Santa bringing lumps of coal if you haven't been good.  We have the Elf on the Shelf book and our Elf's name is Oswald. He showed up after Thanksgiving and Vivian seemed pretty sceptical this year.  So Santa emailed Dan a video from the North Pole saying that she was not on the nice list yet.  Santa pulled her file and put it into the machine and it didn't come up good.  Thought that might enforce the necessity of being nice to get gifts from Santa.  Since Henry keeps hearing us say "if you aren't good your gonna get a lump of coal from Santa" he keeps repeating it or asking if he's going to get "a lump of cold" instead of "coal." It's so cute.  Of course Vivian is quick to correct him and say it's coal not cold.  Then Henry just replies and says that "she is gonna get a lump of cold from Santa and then she gets all upset.  Henry= Masker= Teases......Vivian = Sazama= Doesn't Handle Teasing Well.  Makes for a wonderful combination of oil and vinegar!

Since we are pretty much listening to the same 3 Christmas songs in the car on repeat (super fun for mom) Henry has started singing.  Vivian sings all of the time, but it's a first for Henry.  He sings Santa Clause is Coming To Town.  Dan and I were pretty much laughing until we had tears in our on Saturday night as he stood on the kitchen chair singing the song and dancing.  He doesn't get all of the words but he's trying.

Saturday night we took the kids to see The Muppet's Movie.  It was a long shot if Henry would sit through the movie but we tried.  After 25 mins of previews he only last about 20 mins into the movie.  I left with him and Dan and Vivian stayed to the end. I asked Dan if she liked it and his response was "I don't think kids today find entertainment in puppets" Which is sad if you think about it but probably true considering the age of technology they are growing up in.  Don't get me wrong my kids love puppet shows but not in the movie setting.  Guess it was the nostalgia of the movie that drew me to it...and thinking the kids would like it since that is what we grew up with as kids.

Sunday afternoon Vivian and I went to see Clara's Dream for the second year.  It's a version of the Nutcracker.  Her dance studio puts on the ballet performance.  We went last year and she really enjoyed it.  So I've decided to make it a tradition with her and I - for as long as it lasts or until she is a teenager and doesn't want to go anywhere with her parents. :-)

Hard to believe it's almost a week until Henry's 3rd Birthday!  He's very excited about his party! He's having 3 kids over to play with trains, etc for his Thomas the Train party.  It's his first "friend" birthday party. 
Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving and a pre birthday celebration for Henry.

Halloween

Well I'm a little delayed on getting the Halloween pictures up on the blog...it was a long week.  I had an awful headache I couldn't shake for a few days, Dan had a crazy work week and the kids were less than perfect.  All of this equals an exhausted mom who didn't have time to blog!

We carved our pumpkins on Sunday night before Halloween. Vivian loved it. Henry didn't seem to care much for it...especially when we got his pumpkin open and it was rotten and black inside.  He leaned away from it and left the table for good. 

On Halloween Vivian got to wear her costume to preschool and they had a Halloween parade.  Dan was able to get away from work to come and watch it.  It was only about 15 mins long and they did it inside since the weather was pretty chilly.  Vivian did so good! She smiled and waved and just followed her class around the room.  I was so proud of her.  A much different experience than what my mom had with Halloween parades at school.  I was so shy I would cry and cry because I didn't want to walk in the parade.  Funny because there is a little girl in Vivian's class, Kate, who is very shy.  She walked into the room and stopped in her tracks and didn't want to walk in the parade.  She went over to her dad and started to cry.  I felt SO BAD for her!  Poor little thing.

When I was back in Omaha a few weeks ago Jamie's neighbor had this huge blow up black cat in their front yard and the head turns back and forth.  Of course, I had to have it!  I found it online and ordered it and my order said it was scheduled to be delivered on Halloween.  The UPS truck literally pulled up at 5 p.m. on Oct 31st!  So Dan had to head outside and get it blown up so it was up for the trick-or-treaters.  The kids LOVED it!!  We headed out for trick-or-treating with the neighbors.  Once we all met up it was a group of 15 kids....which we wont' be doing next year.  The group gets too big and the older kids stampede over the little kids.  We were only out for about an hour or so.  Once we got home I drove Vivian over to Ms. Joy's house, her 3 year old preschool teacher.  She was very adamant that we go to her house.  Both kids had a great time. Henry ran almost the whole time!  He was pretty beat by the end of the night.

This past weekend Dan and I were able to get a sitter and have a night out. Dan's cousin, Cody, was in town with some co-workers. We met them downtown at the Power & Light District for some drinks.  We stayed out late and paid for it the next day.  Dan went to the KC Chiefs game with Cody and his co-workers on Sunday.  I decided to sit that one out!  Nice day for the game, but not after being out late the night before. We haven't had a sitter since August so it was well overdue.

Half Marathon and Sleepover a Success!

Friday after work we packed up the kids and headed over to Jeremy and Jenn's for the big sleepover!  Vivian and Henry packed their halloween Pj's and we got some for Avery so she could share in the halloween spirit.  We grilled out while the kids played.  We helped get the kids in the Pj's and left about 8p.m.  This was Vivian's 2nd sleepover and Henry's 1st sleepover - with a non relative.  All three kids plus Jenn slept in Avery's bed.  They all finally feel asleep about 11 p.m. Jenn eventually moved into her room with Avery so they had more room.  Viv and Henry were up bright and early at 7a.m. Jenn said Avery had lots of fun and we will have to do it again!

A few miles away Dan and I came home to a VERY quiet house on Friday night.  I'm not sure what time I feel asleep since I was worrying about Henry.  We woke up at 5 a.m. and we were out the door at 5:30 a.m.  The KC Marathon was downtown and it was a chilly 44 degrees Saturday morning.  We both finished our 13.1 miles and I can now cross that one of my bucket list.  This was Dan's 2nd half marathon so guess he gets to cross it off twice! I finished in 2 hours 25 mins and 19 sec.  Dan was close behind with 2 hours 27 mins 36 sec. Saturday was a pretty long day since we were all pretty tired and very sore.  Naptime at our house included everyone! 

Sunday we woke up and headed to the Pumpkin Patch.  Dan and I weren't sure we were going to go but once we got up and moving our bodies felt better so off we went.  We tried a new Pumpkin Patch this year outside of Lawrence about 20 mins away.  It's family owned, small, but it was fun and very affordable.  Most places we pay $10/person just to get in and this place didn't charge to get in at all.  So we saved $30 off the bat (henry gets in free).  We rode the tracker out to the field so the kids could pick out pumpkins.  We haven't done that the last couple of years cause the kids were small and it was chaotic enough just to be at the pumpkin patch.  The kids went through the Maze of hay bails - Vivian was quick to lead the way :-)  We came over with several pumpkins of all sizes - good times for all!

Henry is just become our little talker!  The other day he was walking through the garage, around toys, and he said "Whoa Mom that was tricky."  We were getting ready to leave the other day and he wanted to get a toy or something to bring in the car and he said "Mom don't go quite yet."  He also repeats everything Vivian says and everything Vivian TELLS him to say. 

Tuesday night we are heading to Monkey Business. Make a Wish Foundation is throwing a party there for Avery. Should be a good time!  Always nice to get everyone together, see all the kiddos and provide some support for Jeremy and Jenn.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Camping...partially successful

So we headed to Clinton Lake outside of Lawrence, KS on Friday afternoon.  Henry didn't nap on Friday so it was a crap shoot on how the evening would go.  We got to the campsite about 5pm.  It's much different than camping in Colorado!  In Colorado there is no one around you for miles.  Well camping at a campsite in Kansas means there are people all around you.  Lot's of RV's and motor homes.  We got our tent up and Dan and I both agreed we thought the tent was bigger. Keep in mind last time we used the tent it was before kids.  The kids thought it was pretty neat and liked hanging out in it.  At about 7 p.m. Henry said he was tired and went to lay down in the tent.  He didn't fall asleep but hung out in the tent for awhile.  The kids overall did great and thought sleeping in the tent was pretty cool.  The weather was great - a little windy.  Dan has a few areas of opportunity when it comes to camping with the kids - which he recognized.  I don't think Sophie slept at all in the tent.  She just sat inside starring out the door of the tent.  Dan and I didn't sleep well either.  I had the kids on the air mattress with me and Dan was in a sleeping bag on the floor of the tent.  I don't think we will be heading camping again anytime soon, but it was fun to do for a night.

Dan took Vivian to dance tonight and Henry went along.  After dance class the teacher gives the students a sucker.  Well every week Henry asks for a sucker.  So after class the teacher made a point of telling Dan that he as such great manners.  He always says Please after he asks for a sucker and Thank You.  He asked where the trashcan was and threw the wrapper away and then said Thank You again.  At least they are polite to other people.  We work very hard on Please and Thank You at our house and it only gets used about 50% of the time.

Henry has found a new saying lately.  When he asks me to push him on the swing and I do he says "You a nice mommy"  or when he asks me to pick him up and I do he says "You a nice mommy"  So sweet and so nice to hear instead of the attitude I get from Vivian. :-)

This Friday the kiddos are spending the night at Jeremy and Jenn's for a sleepover with Avery.  Dan and I are running our half marathon on Saturday morning.  Could be interesting for both of us.  I know Vivian will do fine at the sleepover but I'm sure I won't sleep all night worrying about how Henry is doing. 

Sunday we are heading to the Pumpkin Patch.  So busy weekend with lots going on!!

Pony Rides and Halloween Party

The other morning the kids were upstairs in Vivian's room playing while I was making breakfast. When I called them down to eat they come down with very decorative hair bows in their hair - picture below.

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Weston, MO for the 32nd Annual Apple Festival.  The parade started at 10 a.m.  It's a small parade and the main street, where the parade is at, is only about 5 blocks long.  We went to it last year but it was very cold so we didn't stay long.  Plus Henry wasn't 2 yet and it was hard to keep him still for too long.  It was packed again this year and it's not easy to push a stroller around so we just let the kids walk.  This year was much easier! Vivian also got her giant pickle just like last year, which she ate at 10 a.m before the parade!  Last year I felt like we missed out on alot of the key things they offer at the Apple Festival so I looked online and found out they have pony rides.  So after the parade we made it our mission to find the pony rides.  We discovered a whole section in a park area that is catered to kids.  Both kids had their first pony ride! They were both smiles the whole time!!  After that we waited in line for food and by then it was almost 1 p.m.  We headed home for naps. 

Our neighbors had their annual Halloween party on Saturday night.  About 4 p.m. we headed over to their house.  There were about 14 kids and they played and played, decorated pumpkins and all got along very well.  The oldest was 12 and the youngest was Henry and another boy who was 2.  We got home about 9 p.m. and got the kids to bed around 9:30 p.m.  Make sure you check out the picture of Vivian doing her pull up on the play set in the neighbors backyard. She is so dang strong...might have a future gymnast on our hands. Crazy!!

Vivian has gone 5 days in a row without having an accident in her bed!!  She wakes me up every night to go to the bathroom, but heck, she's not going in the bed and if we get have one kid fully out of diapers/pull ups we'll take it!!  Henry is showing some interest in the potty and really likes the bedtime pull ups as opposed to the nighttime diapers. 

Sunday morning we got up and I got my long run in....8.3 miles.  Dan did his long run later in the day....7 miles.  Our half marathon is in 2 more weeks!! Still not sure what we were thinking on that one!  Vivian went to the grocery store with me and Henry went to Cabela's with Dan.  The kids played outside most of the day and again we had beautiful weather. 

This week we have a Carnival at the LUMC - where the kids go to school.  It's Thursday night - they have pizza, bake sale and games for the kids to play and win prizes.  Henry will be even more excited about it this year since it's actually his school too!  We are hoping to take the kids camping next weekend on Friday - our first camping trip.  We are only going about 30 mins outside of KC so in case we need to pack up camp and come home we will be able to do that.  Should be interesting!