I'm Watching You

While letting the dogs in for the night, something unexpected caught my eye.

What was even stranger, was that it was eye level on our storm door.

Not sure where he was going, nor if he ever made it there.

Dilemma

 

One of my friends from high school has a neighbor that is starting up her own photography business. She was offering a deal on facebook and we have never had a family photo session before.

 

I don't have a very strong fashion side, so I struggled with finding outfits where we all fit together without dressing the same.

 

I bought some clothes at Old Navy - then returned them

I bought some clothes at Gordman's - then returned some

I bought some clothes at Kohl's - then returned them some

I bought some clothes at Herberger's - and finally decided to keep them.

 

Thankfully I was able to pull the clothes together in the six days that I had to prepare.

Big Woods

We've lived in Randolph for three years now.

I never knew we were so close to someplace so tranquil.

 

There is More to it...

There is more to Memorial Day than just getting the day off of work and firing up the grill.

 

This is a day that we reflect back on all those who gave their lives for the United States of America. For all the men and women who never expected to actually be in the front line, but were prepared if they were called to duty. This is a day where we hold Nick closer and thank the Lord for protecting him while he served in Iraq.

Memorial Day for us is spent participating in a Memorial Service. Nick pulls together some of the cub scouts from our pack as well as Sam as a girl scout to participate in the flag ceremony and the Pledge of Allegence. Our kids will know what Memorial Day is about - which isn't just a day off to fire up the grill.

Big Smiles

 

This little girl is full of smiles, giggles and coos.

There is rarely a time when she is grouchy or sad.

When she is, it is because she is over-tired/hungry.

Nick takes all of the credit with having such a happy girl.

We thee Wed

 

Today we attended the wedding of Meredith Bauch and Travis Peine. Nick has been practically a brother to Meredith since she became a part of the Bauch family.

 

 

It rained, it hailed and the sun shined bright.

 

Congratulations Meredith and Travis!!

I Call a Do-Over

 

 We were hanging out at Big Woods playing catch. Whenever Seth would beat her to the ball, she'd call a do-over. This time she beat him to the ball, and he called a do-over, and she said there is no such thing... interesting.

Porkys

Porky's was a well known restaurant in Saint Paul. It's home was on University Avenue and cars would fill the lot to eat their greesy food and line up to watch the classic cars travel up and down University Avenue.

This has since become a past-time. People and their hot rods no longer fill this lot, hundreds of people no longer drive past it and think about the next time they'll be gathering there.

Now, it sits in Hastings on somebody's property with a bunch of other historic buildings.

 

Here, it will be preserved and has become a piece of history.

Moments to Hold

I couldn't get a good picture without ruining the moment. I was in the other room when I heard Addy just laughing away. I crept into the living room to see Seth dancing Chloe around on his lap. I felt like I should have told him to leave Chloe alone, but they were having so much fun together. That and if Chloe really didn't like it, she would have squeaked.

I'll Save You

 

Seth spotted this baby birdy at the bottom of a tree and insisted that we help him/her.

After searching all of the trees in our yard, he decided to look in the Historical Societies trees and bushes. That is where he found the nest with a few more babies awaiting momma's return with more worms.

It isn't easy explaining why a momma bird would abandon their baby if humans got too close.

All we could do was hope that momma Robin would come back to her baby and safe him/her.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for this little one.

Just Like You Momma

Last Friday I was looking for Sam to give her goodbye kisses before I left for work.

I walked into the bathroom and this is what I found.

She filled the sink with water and then proceeded to wash her hair.

I know where she get's it from. I usually wash my hair in the kitchen sink if I'm running behind in the morning. I'm not sure where she got the idea to fill the sink and use that to wash/rinse her hair.

Sorry honey - this isn't going to work for you.

In the shower you go!

Go Away

"Mom - go away"

No you go away I tell her

As she runs off I hear her wispering to Nick on the phone

"For Mother's Day we need to make Momma breakfast in bed. Let's do eggs, okay"

They wonder how I know everything. Rule #1 Just listen and you'll know all.

Just A Mess!

We started feeding Addy cereal about two weeks ago. She is usually much more interested in her cereal in the evening. That is when she eagerly dives for the spoon.

It goes in, and just a little bit comes out and I swoop it up with the spoon.

Then... there are days like this. Where I give her a spoonful, she turns her head to look over hear shoulders, spits it out and then starts rubbing her hands all over it.

We get a good laugh out of her being messy.

Just last week when Sam and I were getting our nails done the lady next to us asked if Addy was "raspberrying" yet. She had to explain it to Sam - sticking her tongue out and spitting at the same time.

Nope - not yet...

That is until today. Now cereal just got a WHOLE lot messier.

Shopping Spree

I was listening to Nick give his Welcome Night speech to the new parents and future scouts who are interested in joining Cub Scout Pack 208. Through the door behind me I could hear two girls giggling. I knew they were up to something since Sam was keeping Adelynn company during the meeting. I walked in and found this.

Sam and Jada were pushing Adelynn around in a Little Tike shopping cart. My first reaction was to check all the sides to make sure it was sturdy enough, that the blue front wouldn't pop right off. After verifying that it was a secure mode of transportation I sent them on their way with the diaper bag to change her bottom.

I gotta say... it's nice having a 6 3/4 year old daughter who likes to play mommy.

Bonding

Sam and I decided it was time for some pampering. Since she is like a little mother to Addy, she deserves it too!

I make a point to do something special with each of my kids one-on-one. This is our time. Time when we can bond, feed our relationship and watch it grow. Because if you don't put forth the effort and create these bonds when they are young, then what kind of relationship will even exist when they become independent adults?

I want my kids to grow up and feel as though they can always come to me for anything. I want to see them all the time. I want them to want to spend time with me. More importantly, I want them to grow up knowing the value and importance of family. That no matter what happens to them in life, family will always be there for them.

Pooch in Hand

Sam, Addy and I went for a walk since the boys needed to go work on the Neon at Grandpa Jim's. We usually bring the dogs and let Chloe ride in the basket underneath the stroller.

Yup - that is a little Chloe in her arms as she is riding her bike.

Why can I totally picture her carrying Chloe in her little pooch purse when she gets older?

As much as Chloe can be a pain in our butts, she belongs with our family.

Whether she likes it, or not...

Almost Done

How many days are left for school?

"16 daaaaayyyyyssssss!!!!!"

I should know to cover my ears when I'm expecting such excitement.

16 days and Sam will no longer be my little first grader

and Seth will no longer be my little second grader.

16 days and I'll have to be apart from my kidlets for two weeks a month.

Three weeks in July when they go to the cabin with their Dad.

Each summer is bitter-sweet

Time for fun vacations,

busy weekends,

and each time my kids come back home they have grown.

Not only physically, but they talk different, reason different, smile different

they are growing ~ all too fast!

Tumbling

Nick was working with Seth on some of his scout requirments.

This one in particular, Seth needed to do a somersault.

He couldn't figure it out.

Nick even got down to show him how to do a shoulder roll rather than standing on his head and falling onto his back. No luck... Seth had to give up after a few tries because his back was hurting him too bad. I guess we'll work on it more tomorrow.

Mother's Day

Yesterday morning Nick loaded up the three kids and left the house before 8am. He insisted that I couldn't come with while they ran errands. "This is you time. Enjoy it!" - "Ya but, I want to come to the stores too." No luck so I hopped back in bed for another two hours. Every so often I'd glance at the clock at see that it was noon, 1:30pm, 2:15pm, and finally at 3pm they came back home. Sam, Seth and I headed to Northfield to get Seth's hair cut and Sam started telling me about how Nick brought them to a park and they went on a hike "OUCH" I hear. I asked why she said ouch and Sam said that Seth pinched her because he thought she was going to tell me something I shouldn't know.

Love these kids - they can't keep a secret from me if their life depended on it. They have guilt all over their faces. I changed the subject and pretended that I didn't have an inclination that they were doing something for me for Mother's Day.

After we got home Seth said that they have to go to Grandpa Jim's to help Nick work on the Neon, but I wasn't allowed to come with... What?! Nick asked if I heard about the fruit punch incident with Addy. Apparently she tipped the glass over and her and Nick's hands got stained red. Luckily none of it got on their clothes. Uh-huh! Sounds like another little fib...

When they got home from Grandpa's they were even more guilty looking then before.

After hiding my present outside in the dark Nick said to just bring it in.

That Morning they left for Big Woods State Park just south of Northfield for their pictures to be taken by the waterfall. The Hike

Nick dipped Addy's hand in red paint to get her handprint. The Fruit Punch

They went to Grandpa Jim's to work on the car. The final touch of their project.

Seth painted the hearts, Sam painted the sun and flowers.

Seth's hand in blue, Sam's in yellow and Addy's in red.

By far the best Mother's Day present I have ever been given.

~ LOVE IT ~ LOVE MY FAMILY ~

Running Partner

I signed up to participate in a Rugged Maniac 5k Obstacle Race with some of my friends I work with. I didn't quite understand what I was signing up to do. I thought it was just a fun muddy obstacle course. I didn't realize it was a 5k race and that you should make sure you can run a 5k.

So now what?

I started training to run a 5k using Ease into 5k.

The app tells me when to walk and when to run. It entails three runs per week for eight weeks.

End result... I, yes me, should be able to run 3.1 miles without having to stop or walk.

My route on the first two runs have been around the school then out of town on Dickman.

This time I didn't have to run alone. Sam came with me and I was pretty proud of her for keeping up with me - who am I kidding... for me keeping up with her. My next run will be on Sunday and will most likely be with Seth - who knows... maybe I'll take both with me.

Teach 'em young and they will live a healthier lifestyle.

Grandparent's Day

It's Grandparent's Day at Randolph Elementary today.

KYDZ - On The Radio
Sam and the First Graders sang "On The Radio".
Seth sang "Ain't We Got Fun" and "Blue Skies" with his Second Grade class.
Seth has also been involved in Elementary Choir and sang "Catch a Falling Star" and "Stand by Me"

Grandma Linda, Addy and I watched the 9am performance while Grandma and Grandpa Brunner came to the 1pm performance.

Sam is in the middle row wearing a pink and white polka dot dress.

Seth s in the middle row wearing khaki's and a checkered shirt.

My Growing Flower

I picked Addy up from Marie's house today and was given a bag. When I got home and opened it up I found this. My little flower smiling at me in a pot with grass. What is even better are those little yellow hands stamped in paint.

Gifts Galore

It never fails, the moment Seth and Sam have a present for me, it can NEVER wait until the right day to be gifted to me.

They each painted a pot and planted some flowers for me. Seth's is on the left, he isn't quite sure what kind of flower - "I think a petunia..."

Sam's is on the right with a Morning Glory growing.

I can't wait to see them bloom!

I can nurture and help children grow, but plants and flowers on the other hand don't fare too well.

A Daddy and His Girl

Look at his smile.

That is a smile of complete and total love for the little girl in his hands.

That girl is going to have him wrapped!

No doubt about it!

Dear Mom

Dear Mom

Happy Mother's Day

I love you more than a horse

I like it when we spend time together

You are more beautiful than a rainbow.

You are the best mom ever

I hope you have a great mothers day

I love you

It's the little things that make my heart melt...

Circus Juventas

Seth and Sam's Cousin Jaidan, 13, has been a part of Circus Juventas for the past three years and LOVES it. We were invited to come to their big event to watch her performance. It lasted just about three hours and not one minute passed with boredom.

Jaidan's performance was on the ropes. She is wearing black in the top right picture.

What amazes me is that there is nothing but her and the rope preventing her from falling to the ground. There is a person who holds the rope at the bottom and swings it around. While it swings in fast circles, Jaidan holds on, wrapping the rope around her body. You must be able to concentrate on how to wrap yourself, while ensuring you don't let go, and most importantly, that when you do let go, the rope was wrapped in the right fashion to prevent you from hitting the ground.

Some Lessons Can Be Fun

As a Christmas Present to Sam, we bought her two private one hour horseback riding lessons. I wasn't sure what to expect. It definately wasn't this...

We got there a little early and walked out to the corrals to look at the beautiful horses. Her trainer found us and led Sam to the horse she would be riding. She hooked Casa up to a lead rope and handed it to a bright-eyed happy-go-lucky girl.

"Would you like to lead Casa to get groomed?"

Sam's smile said a thousand words.

First she needed to brush the dirt and straw off of Casa's coat with one brush.

Then she was given another brush to make her hair shiny and smooth before putting the sadle on.

After the fine brushing, Sam learned how to wrap Casa's legs for support.

Sam led her into the arena where she spent about 40 minutes learning how to tell Casa to turn left or right, how to get him to trot and how to get him to slow back to a walk.

During this lesson, Sam learned how to ride English,

which to my understanding is the way you ride a horse in Show Competitions.

Prim and Proper.

Sam didn't quite understand the purpose of "two-point" where you stand up in the stirrups and place your hands on the horse's neck. She did great at it while Casa was walking, but tended to stay on her butt while Casa was trotting. Shortly after we left her riding lessons she was passed out in the back seat of the car. The rest of the day she kept reminding me how her hips hurt.

Lesson #1 a success

Benihana's

I have been wanting to bring the kids to Benihana's for quite some time. The closest one to us is in St. Louis Park, which is a good 45 minutes from our house. With Sam being honored with Student of the Month for April, we decided this would be the place to go. We invited Melanie, Dan and Maddie to join us, which made it even more memorable.

Seth wouldn't take his eyes off of the chef. He didn't want to miss the next move. Sam was impressed with how fast he could flip his tools around.

Our chef made an onion volcano, then an onion train, a beating rice heart and Mickey Mouse.

He liked to mess with Nick by pretending to shake salt into his drink, flipping his drink upside down without spilling a drop, and even tapped the salt shaker on top of his head to provide him with a little extra seasoning. What we all enjoyed the most is when he was cutting the tails off the shrimp and flipped the tail into Seth's hat rather than his own.

It was also funny that all three kids ate their meals with their chop sticks while the adults used forks.

Memories

I don't have the time like I used to to scrapbook.

I love these new photo books. But not as much as my printed blog book. (when I get around to finishing October and November of last year.)

The Hot Chocolate Did

Nick: "Did you burn your tongue honey?"'
Sam: "No, the hot chocolate did."

She cracks me up.

May Day Flowers

Seth gave me this flower for May Day. It is perfect!

I don't have to worry about killing it and it will last forever.

I brought it to work so I can look at it everyday.

Everyday I look at it, it brings a smile to my face.