Baby D turns 1!

I can't believe this little dude is already 1

He is such a cool little dude. Always laughing and smiling.

Those dimples are to die for and his laugh is contagious.

Hannah and Hailey are crazy about him and he has brought a spark of life back into family gatherings.  Happy Birthday little buddy!

Head, Meet Face

Hannah came home from school with a black eye today.

Trace, a boy from school, was running and they ran into each other.  His head went straight her to face.  It looked pretty painful day one but as time went on, it got darker and darker.

We've been having a lot of discussions here about black eyes.

"Have you ever gotten one?  Did you ever think I would get one? I never thought I would ever get a black eye.  I am actually kinda glad that I got a black eye, just so I can see what it feels like and now I know what they are all about."

Everywhere we went people were asking her about it and how it happened.  She'd be lying if she said that she didn't love the attention. 

Granny Hannah

Hannah sent this SnapChat today.

Made me giggle.  I hope she looks that good at 99 years old!

I also spent some time organizing and cleaning out the basement today.  I have been keeping artwork and schoolwork for the girls in a drawer downstairs.  It was getting pretty full so today I went through and filed a bunch of the items.  Felt good to get that taken care of.

I also came across this sign that Hailey and Jack made one night when they were making a 'Dare Game' for the adults.  I love their little handwriting and I love how innocent they are at this age.

Funny thing about this night- they not only dared adults to kiss another adult on the arm but they had also found a few small bottles of Fireball in the fridge downstairs and had carried it upstairs on a platter and dared the adults to take a shot.  Good thing those bottles were closed and had never been opened.  Also, so thankful that the other neighbors found the humor in the event instead of being upset of what the kids had gotten into.

#GOREBELS

Tonight the Champlin High School Boys Basketball team is in the Championship game at the Target Center.  Sara, Emelyn and Jack came with us.

The kids had so much fun cheering on the team and although they lost- it was awesome to see all of the support they have behind them. 

Yes or No

Hailey left this note on my pillow tonight.

So cute!

I love these random notes and cards.  Just to know that they were sitting around thinking about me.  Makes me feel very special and lucky to be their mom.

Free Verse

Mr Intihar has been having the kids write Free Verse.  It can be anything.  Journaling, a poem, an acrostic poem, a phrase, thoughts, song lyrics, anything.

Hannah's free verse tonight was about Adam Levine, mom's favorite.

Adam has a voice of harmony.  Adam is a very good singer.  Adam is the best singer I know.  Adam has a voice of an angel.  It's Adam Levine.

(Now that girl knows what she is talking about!)

It's a --------!

Today we all gathered at Grandma's for Kim and Joe's gender reveal.

She had a few cans of silly string wrapped up and the results sealed in an envelope.

When it was time, Bobby opened the envelope and then brought out the right silly string.

Kim and Joe stood in the yard and Jennie and Kristin were given the cans to spray.

Most people were guessing boy.  Only a few Team Girl peeps in the bunch, mainly Hannah and Hailey who are dying for another girl cousin!

1....2....3.....It's a BOY!

The 'other' Cousins

Hannah tells everyone that Kiley and Maddie are her cousins.

When I try to explain to her that that is not entirely true, she informs me that it pretty much is true.  They are just like family and we have known them ever since she was born.  We can go for months without seeing them and it doesn't matter because we are family.

I guess I can't argue with that logic.

I wish we saw them more and I sure do miss spending time with them all the time but we will take what we an get and if that only means a few times a year to celebrate birthdays- so be it.

Although, it always makes me sad.  I miss our time with these families.  I miss hanging out every weekend and miss talking everyday.  It's been years since we hung out or talked like we used to but not a week goes by that I didn't wish things were like that again.

Spring Break 2017

We took a quick trip to Wisconsin Dells for Spring Break.

We stayed at the Wilderness again and this time got a lake-villa.

It was a very large room overlooking the lake.

We had our own in room Jacuzzi, full kitchen, two full baths, etc.  Again, we were able to eat breakfast in our room and had plenty of space!

The Shortridges were here too at the same resort so we were able to hang out for a few days with them.  It was great that the girls had friends to play with!

We went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum before heading home.

Attacked by Fluffy Slime

I love that even though I am away from the girls we can still keep in touch through their iPods.  Both girls can text and Snapchat and it's awesome getting messages from them.
Today Hannah sent me this message about her slime- LOL. They sure are spoiled at Grandma's, she always takes them out to buy supplies for slime making, baking and other activities.

I Heart the Parmleys

Our little neighbor, Emelyn brought us a letter today.

Just a little note to tell us she loves the Parmleys.

The girls are heading to grandma's for a few days this week while they are off for Spring Break,

We are heading to Wisconsin Dells towards the end of the week but both needed to work the first few.  They brought their American Girl dolls and as soon as we got to grandma's they removed their shoes, even Grace took hers off.  Is that cute or what?!

Project On Deck

I think I might actually have a plan for our living room.

I have wanted to do something to this room ever since we moved in and I think I am finally settled on the plan.  I want Brian to redo the mantel, add cabinets and possibly shiplap the wall.

Brian started drawing up some plans and I have started the design phase. There are always so many decisions to make.  We taped off the floor where the new cabinets would go, just so we can get an idea of the spacing/size.  I then tried to do some coloring on the plans to see if we want to do a painted cabinet with a wood top, all wood stained cabinets, all painted, etc.

I think I am leaning towards painted cabinets with a wood top and I definitely think the mantel should have sides down the side of the fireplace also.

 

Friends Are More Important Than Shoes

Today Hannah is going to Megan's Birthday party.  We got her some donut mixes, glaze and a donut pan.  Of course we had to try it out ourselves :-)  Pretty delish!

It is such a gorgeous day that Hailey, Grace and Emelyn were able to roller skate.

Sara and I were sitting on the porch enjoying the weather when all of a sudden we saw the three girls in their socks walking towards us.  They informed us that Emelyn hurt her head and needed an ice pack.  They then quickly let us know that friends are more important than shoes and that's why they are in the street with just their socks on.

* heart melts *

Warm Breakfast

Today when I came down for breakfast I could smell food.
I turned the corner and there she was.  Hannah was in the kitchen "Good Morning Mom".
"I made you breakfast this morning so that you could enjoy a warm breakfast for once"


Awwww how sweet!  At the same time it made me feel awful.  At the beginning of the year, I decided that I needed to start eating better in the morning.  I would typically have crackers, a piece of fruit, a granola bar or nothing.  By 9 am I was ready to chew my arm off and had trouble concentrating.  I usually make scrambled eggs.  Sometimes an omelet or breakfast sandwich.
Mornings can be very busy. I am making breakfast for Brian and I, going through backpacks, making cold lunches if needed, grabbing drinks for the girls while they watch YouTube on their phones.  I had made a comment a few times about how it sure would be nice if they could do some of this themselves so that I could actually eat a warm breakfast. 
Oops- they were obviously listening.


I appreciate Hannah's awareness of others so much.  She has always been conscious of others and very motherly.  She did a great job with the food today and my warm breakfast was very appreciated!

Big Winners

We went up to Willie's tonight for dinner.
There was a Meat Raffle and we ended up winning twice in a row!
Of course Hannah wanted to play the crane machine, that girl has so much luck with those things!