06.30.10

"Mom, I want to go on the baby swing . . . MOM, I want to go on the baby swing, . . . MOM, I WANT TO GO ON THE BABY SWING."
We spent part of the morning at the park with our friend Sierra and her mom.  This has become a reoccuring request ever since he figured out he LOVES to swing.

06.29.10

Today we spent most of the morning at the Dupage Children's Museum with our friends the Parkers.  We had a free pass that got all 4 of us in.  I think at first Peter couldn't decide what to do first.  There were so many choices and he kept running around from thing to thing.  We spent a fair amount of time in the water/bubble area as the kids poured water from one thing to the other.  After that Sonrisa, Helen, Tommy and Kirsten played for a long time in the wind area.  Peter was not impressed with the sounds that were being made by an air gun. So he and I spent some time in the kids area adjacent to but far enough away from the sounds.  We met up and played with blocks and then went upstairs.  Up there the kids played dress up, played on the teeter totter, and a generally good time.  I think the kids enjoyed it and Sonrisa and I got a chance to chat.

06.28.10

I have decided to make the baby's blessing dress and found this cute pintuck technique I found on a girls website. ( http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/04/pintuck-practice.html )  I really loved the idea and so today while Kirsten was at her Pre-K class I dragged Peter over to the fabric store to see if I could find a remnant I could try it out on.  It isn't perfect but I think it will look great.  Thankfully I don't have to buy a pattern, this is the pattern my mom used to make Peter's blessing outfit ( View E).  I know it is a bit early but things like this take time and I hate to be rushing to get it done as I am going to the church that morning. 

06.27.10

Kirsten got this book called "50 Things to do - Fairy edition", Okay that isn't the name but you get the idea.  It is a book of ideas of things to make from various objects.  This is one of those projects.  It is making caterpillers from egg cartons, straws, and other various objects.  I was trying very hard to get the "boy" ones painted before Peter figured out what we were doing, but when he saw that paint was involved he was not going to let me "help" him.  Now we have to wait for them to dry before we can do the next step.  Kirsten is enamored with this book and I can't say I blame her, when I was a child I loved our Make and Do book that we had and made things from it all the time. 

06.26.10

Today one of the wards in our stake had a Craft/Fun Fair to help out Haiti.  Liberty and I decided to go since there might be new crafts we could see and possibly make again.  Plus it was all for a good cause.  Dave helped Kirsten decide to come with us since there were games and all kind of fun things for kids.  We had a fun time looking around at the fun things that were made and available to purchase.  We decided to buy tickets to for the kids area and Kirsten had fun trying out all kinds of new games and winning prizes at most of the events.  They had cotton candy and, of course, we had to have some.  It was pretty humid in the building so the cotton candy began to "melt" a little bit.  But it still tasted yummy. 
I found a cute pair of baby booties and a handful of other things to buy and of course spent more then I was planning on.  BUT it was for a good cause.
While we were gone Peter had taken a nap, but as we were coming home he was getting ready to get back in the pool.  I'm not sure exactly what he was doing here with the bat - and I am not sure I want to know either.  He is a little fish some days - glub, glub.

06.25.10

This morning we went over to the church and had our craft group event.  Most of the ladies were making USA blocks, but since Liberty and I had already made one we found these cute flags to make out of the same 2x4 blocks.  It was a fun morning and the kids got a special treat when Jason Cameron came over to test the DVD/Sound system/big screen he was using that night for a Youth Conference.  He set up the system and then put a movie on for the kids.  It was like going to the movies.  It also kept the kids out of our hair for a little while.  Thanks Jason!!

06.24.10

After 3 days of humidity and storms the kids were way restless and a trip to the park for playgroup was a much needed relief.  One of the positive effects of severe thunderstorms is that the next day we get relief from the humidity and it generally produces cooler temperatures and beautiful blue skies. 

Funny how if there is water involved that cute Peter is right in the middle of it.  At this particular park there is a small fountain that runs in this cute garden area.  It has frogs, turtles and fish spouting out water at one end and a small bubbling fountain at the other end.  All of the kids at one time got in and got wet.  Some of us moms were not mad at our kids for splashing us.  It was a fun day for everyone.

06.23.10

The effects of yet another SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.  Liberty and I had grand plans for our craft group tonight but about an hour before the "party" was to begin the sky darkened and then the light and sound show began.  Thunder and lightning was crashing all around and the rain was pouring down.  At one point the tornado siren went off in the adjoining town and at some point we called everyone and cancelled our plans for the evening.

It was interesting to have the tornado warnings going off and trying to not instill fear in my children, yet teach them that these things are dangerous.  Peter already has a fear of thunder and so I didn't want to instill a fear of the sirens going off.  But Peter in his usual silly self asked what the "Tomato Siren" was.  He didn't know he was saying it wrong but it lightened the mood for the evening as the storm continued east towards the city and other towns along the way.  We laughed all night about the Tomato sirens and even though the kids got to bed later then usual because of the almost continuous thunder, we were all safe and no one in our group had to venture out in the storm.

06.22.10

Can you tell we are so excited???

Today we had our Level 2 ultrasound and Pediatric Cardiac Echo.  The Echo went wonderfully.  The doctor could not see any abnormalities and said "although I can't say it is a perfect heart" (what I would love to hear) "I can't see anything wrong with any of the valves, flow, etc."  I think I walked out of the appointment on cloud nine.  I was glad Dave was finally able to come to my appointment with me and share in the good news.

Now I need to start sewing some cute girl stuff.  I have been waiting patiently and now I know for sure!!!!

06.22.10 Effects of another storm

It's becoming the summer of THUNDERSTORMS.  I am not sure if this is from last nights storm of if it is from last Friday's storm.  This is the tree in my neighbor's yard.  The tree is right along the fence that adjoins our yards.  I am grateful it fell toward their house rather then the fence and my house but I know it must be so frustrating to her.  She is a single lady and I am hoping that when I see her next I can offer some assistance in some way - possibly getting some people we know to come help cut the tree all the way down and help her get rid of it.

06.21.10

Really - I know you want to see the bandage on my arm from my blood draw.  Sorry if that makes you sick.  I had a doctor's appointment today and because my blood pressure is consistenly "above" normal, my doctor wanted to have me tested for markers for pre-eclampsia (pregnancy high blood pressure.)  She doesn't think I have it, but she wants to make sure, so if there is a problem we can be aware of it.  Ugh, I hope it comes back negative.

Edited to add: The doctor's office called back and said my test was normal.  That's what I had thought, I just have a slightly elevated blood pressure when I am pregnant and I am rushing to get to the doctor's appointment.  It always seems to be lower at the end of the appointment.

06.20.10

Happy Father's Day!!  Our day was okay.  I felt bad that we didn't do much for Dave this year.  With the impromptu trip and my usual procrastination, we barely got gifts off to our own dads before we left.  Dave never complains though.  We made him a nice dinner and yummy cherry cheesecake.  Kirsten the sweet girl that she is decided to make a card for dad.  Then so the rest of us didn't feel bad, she made each of us our own card.

I am truly grateful for all the dads in my life.  My dad, father-in-law, father of my children and a loving Heavenly Father.  Each of you have touched my life in so many ways that I am glad we can honor you on this day.

To my dad- thank you for always being an example to me of righteous service in the church and for being willing to push me to go to college and earn my degree.

To my father-in-law - Thank you for raising such amazing children and being such an example of righteous living.

To Dave - Thank  you for helping me raise these amazing kids of ours, for being there through the good days and the bad, and for being a wonderful example to our children and to me.

Thank you for all you do for me today and always.

06.19.10

If you ask Kirsten or Peter about their trip to Nauvoo today would be the day they remember the most.

• Playing at Pioneer Pastimes - a fun outdoor venue with pioneer games, dress ups, horses to ride and the brass band.
• THE WAGON RIDE - Peter talked about this all day before and after we went on it.  This was the horse drawn carriage and he seemed to think that was pretty cool
• The Oxen ride - Of course both the kids thought it was pretty funny when each oxen almost in turn POOPED out huge poops.

We also got to visit a couple of places around town before we left to go home, and saw many model T cars driving around town.  {I guess they were in town for one of those "shows".}

It was a beautiful day considering that last night we had a pretty bad storm come tromping through the area we were in, and as we discovered later - all the way to Chicago.  Huge winds and tornados and such.  A good old midwest storm: high humidity + high temperatures = SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS!

06.18.10

Today was HOT!!! I mean really HOT!!!  The temperature was over 90 and the humidity had to have been near 90 also.  It was just miserable.  Dave was done with his work around lunchtime and so debated on the feasibility of going to Nauvoo and riding the wagon ride or anything else there (it requires a fair amount of going in and out of buildings.) 
Dave was smart and suggested we go to Carthage instead of Nauvoo.  Most of it was indoors and we wouldn't melt or expire in the heat (me).  I am so glad we did, I had started to feel like I wasn't getting the spiritual feast that I was expecting.  My heart was yearning for a little touch of the spirit.  Here is where the miracle began.  Peter at first was rambunctious as usual but during the movie at the beginning he was not to crazy and as we progressed from room to room and learned about the last day of the Prophet Joseph Smith's life, Peter was calmer then usual.  When we reached the final room, the spirit was strong and he listened and/or felt that spirit and was mostly still.  It was an answer to my prayer that morning. . . I needed and wanted to feel the spirit of Nauvoo and Carthage and the Lord answered my prayer.  I am grateful for a husband who quickly whisked my kids out of the room once the missionary completed her testimony.  It reaffirmed my testimony of the Prophet and his mission here on earth.  I am so grateful for the sacrifices he and his family made so that I be a part of Jesus' church here on earth.  And to one day live with Heavenly Father and our loved ones who have passed on.

06.17.10 later that day

So once Dave got home from working we decided to take off and go to Nauvoo.  It was funny when we arrived at the visitor's center and Kirsten kept asking "when are we going to the temple?"  I think she thought that was what we came to Nauvoo to see - the temple.  It was a bit difficult to explain that we would go there in a little bit, that we needed to get our bearings and figure out what was still open or what we might do in the next couple of days/nights we were going to be there.
We decided to go to the Family Living Center where you can make rope, get a candle and do more of the hands on type of things.  Peter was pretty unruly and made it pretty frustrating for mom as she had to tell him "DON'T TOUCH THAT" a million times.  We then drove down Parley Street and stood on the bank of the Mississippi River and although that is potentially a spiritual spot as you consider all the pioneers did, my kids threw rocks in the river and ran around a bit crazy.  By this point we decided to go up to the temple and let the kids see the temple and touch the temple.  After that we were pretty hungry and so we went to the Old Nauvoo Hotel.  It was yummy but kind of expensive - thank goodness Peter was free.
After that we were hot and tired and decided to not attempt to watch any of the free plays that night and opted to go back to the hotel.

06.17.10

We spent most of the morning swimming while Dave was working at the plant here in town.  Because we only brought one car, the kids and I staid at the hotel most of the day.  We decided to go swimming in the morning and since it opened early in the day we went after breakfast.  Much to our surprise the door was locked.  I wasn't sure what to do and so we tromped over to the front desk with all our tubes and things and inquired to why it was locked.  It was time for the cleaning and checking of the chlorine levels, etc.  They said it was going to be about 45 more minutes until it opened.  So back up the elevator we went and "waited patiently".  {We watched a couple of shows on PBS until I figured it would be time.}  Again (almost an hour later) we went downstairs and the door was still locked.  The front desk lady said another 15 to 20 minutes.  Well I had had enough and so we sat "patiently" in the lobby with my kids, their paraphernalia and questions.  I didn't really care, I was a bit frustrated and was super glad when we finally got to go play in the water.

The kids absolutely loved it.  Kirsten "swam" around in her inter tube and Peter "jumped" into mom's arms multiple times.  The only problem (other then our rough start that morning) with the pool was that both the room and pool were waaaaaay to warm.  It was like getting in bath water and then getting out of the shower.  The kids didn't mind but it did wear on me after awhile.  {It didn't help that it was 80+ degrees outside and so you thought the pool would cool you down.  Ha!Ha! That was funny.}

06.16.10

Today began our "vacation" to Keokuk, Iowa.  Dave was going to work at a plant there and we decided to hitch a ride.  Nauvoo is just up the road from Keokuk and I have been dying to go to Nauvoo ever since we moved to Illinois.  It just never worked out before and so when he said he was going again, I decided to make it our vacation for the summer.

The kids got a kick out of riding the elevator to get to our room.  Funny thing Peter said after we were in our room and getting ready for bed.  "When are we going to go home to our beds?"  I hope that doesn't mean we are going to have trouble sleeping tonight.

06.15.10

What time does your alarm clock go off? 

This morning was waaaaaaay to early.  Peter was up at 5:30 am.  The funny thing about Peter is, the mouth starts talking once the eyes are open.  Ugh - can't hit snooze on this alarm clock and you can't leave him alone for too long - you never know what he might be doing.

06.14.10

There are a bunch of us who have kids that are all going to Kindergarten next year.  We have decided (or Natalie suggested and we agreed) to start a Pre-K club.  Each week for about 2 1/2 hours our kids go to some one's house and get to learn about something that will help them in school the next year.  Today was at the Chandler's house and they learned all about LETTERS.  They got to practice spelling out their full name and also made the first initial of their name in bread dough and then got to eat it when the "class" was done.  Kirsten had a ton of fun and it is nice to have the kids separate for a couple of hours.

06.12.10

Today we took a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  It is about a couple hours north of where we live and we had heard it was a nice place to go.  The day was pretty ominous with the dark clouds hanging around our house, we debated whether or not we would be able to really go swimming in the lake but opted to try it out anyway.  As we drove there the clouds got darker and the sky began to pour and pour and pour.  It was raining so hard at one point that I really wondered what we were doing in this storm.  But we pushed on and the closer we got to Wisconsin the storm seemed to be "less".  Or was it just my imagination.  I kept hearing Kirsten telling Peter that we might not be able to swim if it didn't stop raining. 

"Is it done raining?" Peter would chime in every once in awhile.

"Are we there yet?" Kirsten would ask for the last half an hour every 10 minutes or less.

Finally we arrived and it was still overcast and much cooler then I thought would be good to go in the lake.  So we went to lunch and as we ate, the sun came out of the clouds and warmed it right up.  We were able to go to the lake and swim and play.

The kids loved it, Peter was a daredevil {unlike his sister} and kept wanting to go out to the orange/red buoys.  Of course the water was much to deep there, but that didn't stop him from trying.  He just kept walking and eventually would get picked up by mom or dad and taken out to the buoy.  They played in the sand and the water and had so much fun.  Peter did not want to get out of the water {he knew we would go home if he did}, so he staid in the water until his teeth were chattering, his lips were blue and he could barely string two words together without a shiver in the middle.

The weather seemed to be changing and so after a couple of hours at beautiful Lake Geneva we left for home.  The weather was not as bad on the trip home, but the sun didn't shine the rest of the day.

06.11.10

I hadn't taken a picture for today.  This is a calm moment for this boy.

06.10.10

Yes this is supposed to be upside down.  I just thought it was so funny that Peter got a hold of the camera and took a picture.  He had started pointing the camera at himself and kept getting the flash in his face and then he turned it around and some how took a picture upside down of our home teachers.  He actually got both of them in the shot and really didn't cut their heads off.

06.10.10

Playgroup at the new fountain in Woodridge.  At first we were the only kids there.  Slowly kids/families came until when we left there was quite a crowd.  Once again Kirsten played in the fountain and Peter kept a safe distance.  At one point a helicopter flew fairly close to us and that distracted Peter for a bit.

06.09.10

The Potty training pile of clothes from today.  Yes all from today, ugh - I don't think I am cut out for this.  And to be honest, I'm not sure Peter is ready yet.

06.08.10

Today we had an ultrasound after last Fridays scare.  Last Friday I ended up in the doctors office with a crampy feeling in my lower belly.  The doctor determined it was a urinary tract infection yesterday that is easily treated with medicine.  Of course, since I was uncomfortable and she wanted to make sure I didn't have a cyst or some other problem, she decided to send me to get an ultrasound at the Maternal Fetal Clinic.  So today was that appointment.  I was pretty excited when the tech asked me if I wanted to know the sex of the baby if she could determine it. . . THAT IS WHAT I WAS HOPING!!!

Well it couldn't have been more frustrating for the tech or for me.  That little stinker was lying with his/her back to us and slept the whole time.  We couldn't see what the sex was, couldn't look at the heart that well and it didn't turn it's head so we could get a good profile shot.  It wasn't that the tech wasn't trying.  So I walked away with NO pictures - you got it zero, zilch, nada.  BOO HOO!  I guess I should have asked for one of those skeletor pictures we saw - the ones where the baby looks like a skeleton.

So it is either a boy or a girl.  We have a 50 % chance it is one or the other. . . .hee!hee!

06.07.10

Again with the potty training antics!