12 months+

All toys have a recommended age. Typically when buying toys for children, you look for ones that are close to that recommended age. Seth is an exception to that guideline. He loves Addy's toys as much as she does. Some even more than her.

Chuckie Fun

On Saturday we were celebrating Emma's 4th birthday and were invited to Chuckie Cheese to celebrate Laila's 3rd birthday today. It's a school night; the party doesn't start until 6pm and it's up in Burnsville. This all meant that we wouldn't be getting home until well after their bedtime and I'd have a house full of cranky kids the next day. We haven't hung out with Nick's cousins in almost two years, outside of holidays, and didn't plan on missing a social opportunity to help patch up the differences.

I had forgotten how expensive Chuckie Cheese can be. I spent $30 on 150 tokens, $9 on four fountain drinks and $22 on a large pizza. All of it was worth the joy in their eyes and the smiles across their faces. Addy met a new friend, Barney, and couldn't get enough of riding the train with him. Sam was a nice sister and spent some of her tokens on giving Addy rides or taking her picture. Seth was conservative with his token spending so I had to help him out at the end. We hung out until the end of the party and packed up around 9pm. Sam left with a four inch back scratcher, a whistle of some sort, plastic hands that clap together as you shake it, a bookmark, inflatable microphone. Seth earned 296 tickets with my help and borrowed Sam's last four tickets to trade-in for the 300 squishy monster thing. The guy behind the counter asked Sam if she wanted the one he was playing with. She lucked out and graciously shared her little monster with her sister for a few moments.

In the end, I was loaded up with a bunch of pictures that Sam kept taking of Sam riding in Chuckie's car. I think I walked away with a good prize. Memories.

Snow Play

Addy hasn't really had much of a chance to play in the snow since she was born. Sam was running the neighborhood selling cookies, Seth was shoveling the sidewalk and Nick and I planned to break up some ice. We grabbed Sam's old Cabela's snowsuit and bundled Addy up. It was a little long but worked out perfectly. She stood outside watching us until she mustered up her bravery to move. Once she started, she didn't stop. Back and forth along every path shoveled. She's giggle while watching the dogs play fetch. Muska would chase the training dummy but never pick it up. He often couldn't make it to there on time. Even when we'd hold Belle back, he still wouldn't pick it up or bring it back.

Seth and Sam pulled Addy around on the sled. She liked it at first but I think they scared her.

An Epic Experience

HealthEast is switching from Allscripts EHR (electronic health records) to Epic. I'm considered an Instructional Designer and need to learn the system. I spent my first of three weeks in Verona, Wisconsin. I loaded up on pictures to bring back to show the kids. As much as I appreciated the silence, I sure missed my kidlets. I'm home for a week and will be off to Verona on March 3rd for another week of training.

 

So many interpretations...

 

Fierce dragon

 

The Butler standing outside of the Conservatory (training room)

holding a candlestick, rope and other items

from the game Clue.

 

Our first training room was in "Super Heroes - Justice League"

where a huge meteor/cryptonite was hanging on the wall beside us.

 

Our class held around 30 people. Our trainers kept us involved while

staring at the wall they were projecting onto.

 

The campus was huge with beautiful buildings scattered around

the middle of farm fields.

 

By far the most favorite picture for Seth & Sam.

Mr. Frog chilling on his laptop.

Birthday Card Creations

We're celebrating Grandma Adelmann's 90th birthday. Seth and Sam decided to make their own cards for her. On the back is where they drew a picture of what they enjoy best about visiting her farm.

Sam's favorite is tractor rides. Seth ran upstairs and grabbed his tractor book for Sam to know how to draw a tractor.

Her end result looks like a zambonee. Good job Sam :)

No Place Like Home

It's my 34th Birthday today and there is no place like home!

On Monday I spent a little over four hours on a coach bus to Verona, Wisconsin for a week of Epic training.

On Wednesday morning I woke and didn't have my husband or kids to give me hugs, kisses and birthday wishes. Instead I got to spend the day with our little Joey squirming around within me.

After our 8:30am to 5pm training, around eight of us went out to dinner at Olive Garden, where our hotel shuttle abandoned us after waiting five or so minutes. Thankfully another hotel's shuttle was there and offered us a ride back to our hotel.

Earning his keep

Seth is in charge of mowing and blowing at his grandpa Brunner's house. It's how he earns his keep.

"It's a Boy" balloon

When Seth was born, Friday, January 16, 2004, our hospital room was flooded with family and friends. On of the gifts was a ceramic fire truck that held flowers with a balloon saying "It's a Boy" that came from Dave's sister, Jean and her family. I've never been able to throw that balloon away. It's sat out on counters, dressers and other random places over the last nine years. The writing was wearing down a bit but still heals air like the day it was inflated. The stick snapped in half but that was okay. The balloon was still in great shape.

Then came Squirt. She found it and dragged it off to bat around. When I found it, it wasn't the same anymore. It was slowly deflating. I'm amazed it lasted as many years as it did. It would have been pretty neat holding onto it until his 10th birthday or even longer.

Picture Day

 

Sam started taking dance lessons in September. She chose to do Hip/Hop and has gone back and forth in deciding if she really likes that style or not. It was picture day today and she took full advantage of being able to wear makeup all day. Afterwards we hit the ditch for 15 minutes or so, grabbed lunch and headed to Hampton to celebrate Emma's 4th birthday.

Secret Admirer

The Randolph Honors Society runs a little program where people can buy teddy bears, lollipop bouquets, a rose or carnation.

I gave Seth and Sam each $2 for a bouquet. Sam sent hers to herself with a note that it's for her family. Seth sent his to Sam. Then there was a third.

A secret admirer sent Seth a bouquet as well. You can't tell by the hand writing since the NHS students write out the cards for everyone.

He has no idea who. It wasn't his family. Maybe a teacher, aide or another student. Time will only tell. Maybe...

Crazy Church Kids

Seth's 3rd grade class is a handful. They are off the walls most days. I've resorted to assigning seats in our circle on the floor. That helps, sometimes.

They are a good group of kids. We have fun and learn a bit about being strong people in a world of temptations, good and standing up to what's not good.

Learning Tools

Learning isn't what it was when I was growing up. We relied on a book and our teacher's lecture. We're told about how the past were simpler times. I'd have to disagree.

Seth struggles with school and lacks will power and self-confidence to do his work at home. There are aides that help him with reading at school. They provide him with a load of reassurance that he tends to rely on.

Recently I have found that giving him my iPad makes a world of difference. From practicing spelling, using it as a scratch pad for math and now searching the Internet for shapes when he forgets his math book at school. I wish I had the world at my fingertips when I was in school. That thing we call a library was not very convenient.

Snow!!!

Is forecasted to miss the south metro. Boo! Is all I have to say. This picture was shared on Facebook from the NorthEastern states where three plus feet of snow is falling. The Northern metro can expect 10-12 inches. South just sleet and rain. Maybe two to three inches of snow.

On Friday Seth and Sam were pulled early from school so they could go with the Taylor's to hockey tournaments. Seth, Josh and Bill ventured to Willmar where there is a Blizzard Warning in effect. Sam, JoJo and Jodi ventured north to Crosby where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect. It makes me nervous as all can be that they'll get in an accident from the conditions. Today will be a long day as I anxiously await their return. 

Smiley

Grandpa Jim has called Addy 'Smiley' since early on. He adores her. Addy and I stopped by the shop on our way home from walking the Mall of America with my high school friend, Keri Henke. Nick was working on Grandpa's truck and I needed a headlight replaced on my car. I had to wake Addy up to bring her inside because Grandpa wanted to see his Smiley. She was a bit cranky for the first ten minutes. After that she was wondering around while telling us all about what was on her mind.

Go Wild!

Dr. Hubbard invites all of the pediatric department to watch the MN Wild from the Hubbard Broadcasting Suite at the Xcel Energy Center. I was very excited when the offer was extended to me. We spent the first period in the suite and then ventured to the seats located behind the goal, 2nd row. We quickly made our way back to the suite in time for the desert cart which served mammoth sized specialty cakes amongst other deserts. I chose S'mores Cake with ice cream. Although we lost, it was a fun night with my Woodbury Friends!

The Big Show

Sam has been practicing for about two weeks for her big show.

Seth was her host and he did a great job with her intro. (Except where he called her annoying.)

She went with the mysterious look and kept the hood of her robe over her head.

She played a few songs on her own which were actually pretty good sounding. Then sang 'Super Santa' but changed it to 'Super Momma' like I had joked to her back at their Christmas concert. Then, 'Super Daddy' and finally 'Super Addy'.

My Big Girl Bed

In preparation for our baby in May/June, we picked up a toddler bed, nightstand and bedding for Addy to transition to. We figured we'd put it up and slowly ease her into it. The moment she saw the mattress placed on the bed she practically started running in place like in cartoon character. Tonight I laid her down in her new toddler bed wondering if she'd even stay. To our surprise, she did. For about a half hour. Then I heard some pitter patter and her door bounce off the wall. She came out into the living room gibbering away to us. Attempt number two begins now. Maybe another night...

Never-ending Phone Calls

She's addicted! This phone goes everywhere with her. She sits all day babbling away to Barbie and her friends. Occasionally she throws the phone across the room, chases it and then returns it to her ear to carry on the conversation. I love it when she chuckles during phone calls. If only I knew what she was saying, or yelling to Barbie.

When the phone isn't within sight, she grabs what she can and pretends that it's a phone. Whether it's a curtain, sock, microphone, or a bottle of baby powder, she has conversations on it all.

Nick was on the phone so Addy grabbed his other phone and was having a conversation with him, or so she was thinking she was.

I love how she holds the phone with her shoulder too!