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.