tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85831194770854923462024-03-05T14:19:16.403-06:00Twin EnginesWelcome aboard today's flight, powered by our energetic twin engine boys.
Should we lose cabin pressure, oxygen masks will deploy.Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.comBlogger765125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-32094272754338208232014-09-04T21:03:00.001-05:002014-09-04T21:03:34.787-05:00Back to the BooksFive or six weeks ago I updated you on our summer vacation. We had a very eventful August, complete with illnesses, a decision to move to a new home (just 7 miles away) which resulted in a change of kindergarden plans for M and N, and a whole lot of packing, moving, cleaning, unpacking, school supply shopping, painting, and the like. <div>
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Suffice it to say, we have been busier than ever! </div>
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M and N started in their new kindergarden on Tuesday and loved every minute of it! They are in the same classroom, but seating at different tables. On Wednesday they started riding the bus (oh my stars!) and came home with lots of talk about the bus blowing up! I took that to mean they had a bus fire drill?? Not sure, but they seemed okay enough with it to go again today. There has only been one missing lunch bag - found in M's locker- and one stolen milk carton (chocolate), but I sent milk money to cover that one and the rest of the week.</div>
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C was pretty upset when we took him back home on Tuesday instead of staying with his brothers at school. I've been telling him all week he gets to go to gymnastics school now, and today was the day. He was all smiles and actually seemed to be paying attention and following directions on his very first day of class! I was very proud, especially because I knew he'd never done the exercises on his own, just copied his brothers in the living room. He's also in the big boy bed full time (the crib went to the scrap heap instead of making yet another move) and doing well. He gives me some grief but it's not all-out war like when the twins made the transition 3 years ago.</div>
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Our new neighborhood is packed full of elementary school kids! In fact, we met kindergarden twin girls who live 3 doors down - the boys ride the bus with them both ways. There are two more kindergarden boys who also live just across the street and two doors down. The decision to move seemed quick to us, but I believe it was God's plan all along. </div>
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Hubs got good news about a positive change in his work, which is wonderful in itself, but the real miracle is that he gets to live HERE! You see, the new position should technically be based in ATL, but God's favor is so good, the powers that be agreed there is no need for him to move! He will still be traveling for work most weekdays, so there's no change there, but we are all thrilled to see God's perfect timing at work.</div>
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As for me, three days into my new life as mom to kindergarden twins and one crazy two year old, I'm starting my Master's of Art in Teaching to become a Literacy Specialist. This marks week 2 of my very first Master's class...part of me wants to tell you it's kicking my butt, BUT I aced my first week's assignment so it was all worth it. My plan is to finish this up in 3 years so that I'm ready to go back to work when C goes to school...I'm frightened to actually put that in writing, but it's true. </div>
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I've spent pretty much every night the last 10 days reading or writing online for this ONE class (Lord have mercy, how will I ever finish it?) so please be gracious if it takes me another month to post. I have lots to say but absolutely no time to say it because I love to sleep at night. </div>
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Here's to a fantastic 2014-2015 school year, mommy friends, teacher friends, crazy people who are going back to school in their old age friends. Love to you!</div>
Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-22000933755668455452014-07-28T13:33:00.000-05:002014-07-28T13:33:31.704-05:00Branson VacationWe spent one week in July with my parents, my 3 siblings, their spouses, their kids, one cousin of my sister-in-law, and one sister's mother-in-law, for a total of 20 PEOPLE!<br />
Yes, we went on a 20-person family vacation to Branson, MO! <br />
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There were high points: taking the kids on "Ride the Ducks," and roller coasters at Silver Dollar City. There were low points: scrubbing barf stains out of the van carpet, passing what we thought was carsickness onto the cousins (guess it wasn't...sorry).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C was a good rider (translation: non-puker)</td></tr>
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What was the most fun, though, was hanging out with my siblings (who live in TX and MO) and watching my kids have fun playing with their cousins. One morning I woke up to hear one niece directing the other niece in what can only be a "Frozen" re-creation : "You are Chris, and I am Elsa (or the other one?) and you skate across the ice, like this..." My boys didn't really get into Frozen, though: they were too busy building stuff with the landscaping rocks found under the rental house's deck.<br />
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One of the hotter than blazes days down there, we rented a pontoon for 4 hours and took a bunch tubing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and E, Michigan-turned-TX nephews</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">relaxing on the bow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Hubs and his first mate, C</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two crazy sisters took the first spin!!</td></tr>
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My sister in law, R, was our photographer, so she got most of the good shots after the tubing event, and I didn't take my camera into the amusement park, so most of the rest of my pics are from our two go-carting outings. Big and small kids had a fun time doing them, and the rest of the week was very comfortable weather - an added bonus.<br />
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Oh, we went to Moonshine Beach, too, which was fun! Here's niece L and C playing together in the sand.<br />
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My 3 nieces, one nephew, and M on a ride at kiddie land at the go-carts. L (second from L) made scaredy faces on every ride she took that week, but afterward, she wanted to go again!<br />
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A few more pics of the go karts: Sister in law R takes N for a spin, above. The littles all got to drive their own karts on the kids course. This was their favorite of all!<br />
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Above, M and I on the "woody" track, and below, Hubs rides the baby teacups with C because he can't go alone!<br />
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There was only ONE ride C could go alone on: the baby ferris wheel. L is with him in the cage.<br />
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I guess I took a lot of pics of C on his rides because they were slow enough to focus? Here's my dad feeding quarters into the Jeep ride.<br />
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My sister P organized a pinata for the kids and here's M taking a whack. I also thought it was a good shot of the landscaping rocks they loved so much. Below, me and two of my boys on the "Ride the Ducks." DUKW's are retired amphibious military vehicles which were a lot of fun - the took you around town then for a ride in the lake! It was very windy in the back where we were!<br />
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We had so much fun hanging out with everyone! We love you all!<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-5734345313839869612014-07-07T20:10:00.000-05:002014-07-07T20:10:10.107-05:00Summer Snaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read with the kids every day, afternoon or evening. Here we are getting ready for bed. Nothing is better than freshly bathed kids reading bedtime stories together! All my hard work is paying off! M and N are both reading lots of sight words - M even told Hubs yesterday that he "loves to read!" I am so, so proud!<br />
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Cousin D graduated from high school and we attended his open house/pool party. The kids swam with Hubs and Uncle A while I snapped photos on the side. It was their first swim of the season, but they didn't mind the chilly water and insisted Hubs tread in the deep end and catch them as they jumped in!<br />
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Mid-Michigan's Children's Museum in Saginaw is a blast for the kids! I visited with a friend and her two grandchildren and the 4 who could walk ran around all morning together. C spent some time at the optometrist's office trying on specs. "I'm going to need you to come in on Saturday...."<br />
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We've been making our own cool treats this summer, getting creative with non-dairy ingredients. Frozen bananas are just the best thing ever - I melted chocolate chips and spread them on half bananas stuck on ice pop molds. What a sweet treat!<br />
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The big boys and I waiting for the Loons game to end last week so they (M) could run the bases. If you've never been to a minor league baseball game, you ought to go! It's so much fun, perfect for the kids, and a fraction of the cost and fuss of a MLB game. And it's just 8 miles away!<br />
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Our Saginaw Children's Zoo pass expired Sunday so we went just one more time. It's the perfect zoo for little ones - we can see all the animals in less than an hour and spend the rest of the time riding the carousel and train over and over and over! <br />
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C is big enough to ride one all by himself - I was going to say "horse," but M was reading the panels and pointed out that C chose "Girl Bunny."<br />
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I love that M and N put their arms around Hubs for this shot~<br />
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Our selfie on the last train car - to avoid the loud TOOT!<br />
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We had a lot of fun over the 4th of July weekend - family cookouts, Bay City fireworks, and boat rides! I was overly focused on packing food, drinks, sunblock, change of clothes, chairs, Twizzlers, clop-clops, and the like for all of the festivities and forgot to pack the camera! We enjoyed lots of time with both my and Hubs' families, telling ourselves and them repeatedly, this is why we're here!Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-42977405050371967772014-06-25T15:00:00.002-05:002014-06-25T15:02:30.394-05:00Michigan Summer BeginsSo much to say, so little writing time!<br />
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•thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we laid Grandma K. To rest last week. She was a wonderful Godly woman whose love touched us deeply and eternally. I was honored to share an eulogy and simply read <a href="http://auldsworld.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-lesson-from-grandma.html">"Grandma's Lesson," my May 19 post.</a> </div>
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• twelve years Hubs and I celebrated last week! Because of the funeral, our outing was simply a quiet dinner away, but still perfect for the two of us. A dozen years and three silly boys and I love him more than the day we said "I do." We shared the day with Father's Day this year. "Fantastic Dad potential" was something I looked for in my future spouse and I knew he had it. Here's the proof:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4TVjKrI3RWR3kEMQgiLZyQ0WEZ6wxKOv2_DbYhwP2UGoDIq5_5iaFCBoZS0NHI-YrMzA8BC51eBgcO9xgtnIfquCVyAClhej2TpnmIpIkea6AACZ-W_349BUQPKxRtfC1bKBBEwLOpo/s1600/June+202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4TVjKrI3RWR3kEMQgiLZyQ0WEZ6wxKOv2_DbYhwP2UGoDIq5_5iaFCBoZS0NHI-YrMzA8BC51eBgcO9xgtnIfquCVyAClhej2TpnmIpIkea6AACZ-W_349BUQPKxRtfC1bKBBEwLOpo/s1600/June+202.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 15, 2014: Father's Day Pic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 15, 2014: Our 12th Anniversary</td></tr>
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•a splurge: my beautiful new dining set. This is also why our anniversary was subdued: this is our gift to each other (ok, me) for every 2014 celebration! We ordered it together from Amish folks who build furniture somewhere in Ohio via Tri City Furniture and was worth the wait. Thank you, honey!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right now they all fit on the bench!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But we bought enough chairs because someday they won't!</td></tr>
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•VBS. M and N participated in a good one last week and loved every minute of it! I confess to you I signed them up for another one, the one their preschool's parent school hosts, for next week. Seriously a lifesaver for me;)</div>
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•age 5. Wow, what a difference! Despite what I just said about VBS being a lifesaver, age 5 is like a magic spell that I hope lasts for many years to come! It's like a dream come true: they go to the bathroom and dress themselves, follow directions and eat the food I prepare for them. They ride their bikes sans training wheels and ask a thousand questions (I.e., why does A have two daddies? That was just this morning!) after a few seconds, I remembered that the simplest answer usually satisfies so I said, A was born before Uncle D met Aunt J. That was enough for him, thank goodness I didn't have to explain biological father/stepfather relationships. (Yet) even so I am reveling in their big boy-ness: reading, helping, aiding and playing with little bro C. </div>
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•t ball: I can't believe the season is over tonight! It flew by but they loved loved loved it! Both boys have improved greatly in 2 months time and I'm certain I have real ball players on my hands!<br />
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•neighborhood kids: pros: there are a bunch this summer for the kids to play with. Con: I seem to be the only parent with a two year old to chase so there were 8 kids (!!!!) in my yard last night. Finally I sent them all away, off into outer space, so I could feed mine dinner. I hope they have parents.<br />
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Okay that's all the time I have for now. Hope you're enjoying this fine Michigan summer - it's always worth the wait!</div>
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Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-21066695559855760142014-06-17T20:46:00.000-05:002014-06-17T20:46:09.035-05:00Minne-sota VacationLast week we spent 4 quick days visiting our beloved Minnesota, where we did a few important things:<br />
1. Visit my doc. Every girl has to do it, and it's a whole lot easier to just go see your old one, the one who delivered all 3 babies, than to find a new one. <br />
2. Haircut. Oh my goodness, we were all overdue! When K finished, there was a pile of hair the size of a badger! Here are the before and afters:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">badger</td></tr>
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3. MN Zoo...our favorite place! We packed lunch and swimsuits so we could stay all day and play in the fountains. It was nice and hot, and the kids loved it! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> N Waiting for the bird show with Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. W., our wonderful neighbor and hostess, poses for a photo taken by N.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rGMVTa98_BiyzNwrDJRxbxYByc9iwByKWMJBypGYiqUOzZ7M5U6Zh19BCpLg2tbUNhyphenhyphenV064xib70PdsXWB5FQmngyytV5epgQZOwhr-j_6dVySmb7k8i3YOwIPbIWtdJBQso0x-yxNE/s1600/June+117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rGMVTa98_BiyzNwrDJRxbxYByc9iwByKWMJBypGYiqUOzZ7M5U6Zh19BCpLg2tbUNhyphenhyphenV064xib70PdsXWB5FQmngyytV5epgQZOwhr-j_6dVySmb7k8i3YOwIPbIWtdJBQso0x-yxNE/s1600/June+117.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut starts every bird show...thank goodness he was still there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family about to be eaten by a giant tarantula!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C and M jump right in!</td></tr>
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4. Visit some friends. (Please forgive us if we missed you.) We did have dinner with the M family, and for about 30 minutes, it was just like old times! Our kids were busy playing with their kids' toys and their kids were busy with their grandparents. For a few moments, we were taken back to our shared newlywed-childless years. Then someone who shall remain nameless filled his drawers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YhH1F2akK71Rkd9zhBl2eizw2Mwe-Bdj_46DRUpVkifn09dcnUg_PbjLnywD2Z7Rq5Oa6CDDeBlYRwMJ7C7zleLEmSt_ybEDr49wy3446PHZbR4r5QJHIRjuq_LJui_rawkb-MQx98I/s1600/June+173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YhH1F2akK71Rkd9zhBl2eizw2Mwe-Bdj_46DRUpVkifn09dcnUg_PbjLnywD2Z7Rq5Oa6CDDeBlYRwMJ7C7zleLEmSt_ybEDr49wy3446PHZbR4r5QJHIRjuq_LJui_rawkb-MQx98I/s1600/June+173.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between us we had 5 boys in 4 years!</td></tr>
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The kids and I also got to visit some twin friends, and when she sends me the pic, I'll show you all 6 of our boys together on her couch. It's adorable. So many boys! There must be something in that Minnesota water...<br />
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<span id="goog_1278204994"></span><span id="goog_1278204995"></span>5. Hang out with the neighbors. Mr. J. gave Hubs and the kids a spin in his hot rod on Friday night!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hot Rod! Hot Rod!"</td></tr>
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6. We visited the MOA and took the kids on the rides, which they were begging to do. Now that C is big enough, we go through the points pretty fast! But 4 rides was enough for all of us...Hubs picked out the kids' shoes for kindergarden, too. <br />
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Our trip went so fast, I can hardly believe we are already home! The twins are excellent travellers, they breeze through TSA airport security with ease, they follow directions and stay in their seats. The same can't be said of the their little brother yet, but<br />
<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-11067007313137609652014-06-09T11:45:00.000-05:002014-06-09T11:45:41.611-05:00Look Ma, No Training Wheels!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DxTFkkUWHXzCFGa_9tk_nBtcZYLCPan1q84qI53TYqgIasD1g3l-54RQVby4GaiXtAn0bZIlS75-3ufAb3YavUKY08aZAWmG27dJKSHzDiniAX0rdTrDuzBiUVhZN27rbWL77w-0NFc/s1600/June+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DxTFkkUWHXzCFGa_9tk_nBtcZYLCPan1q84qI53TYqgIasD1g3l-54RQVby4GaiXtAn0bZIlS75-3ufAb3YavUKY08aZAWmG27dJKSHzDiniAX0rdTrDuzBiUVhZN27rbWL77w-0NFc/s1600/June+010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Taking a hands-off approach to bike riding lessons, when the kids wanted their training wheels off this spring, I removed one each. M and N have spent the last two months riding around on one training wheel, learning how to balance and turn. <br />
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Thursday last week we had a whole day of nothingness planned, so I asked them if they were ready to take off the second wheel - they'd been asking for a while, so I knew the answer would be YES!!<br />
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I packed a bag with snacks, drinks, a first aid-kit, and a wrench, and we walked down the block to a nearby church for some extra room to ride. It wasn't too warm yet in the morning, so I had them change into long pants and sleeves just in case of major durfing.<br />
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But that wasn't even necessary! I showed them how to use the yellow curb at first to balance and push off, since their feet don't quite touch the ground if the bike is upright. They rode in giant circles and through a huge puddle created by the city guys washing their trucks next door. (See above)<br />
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The kids were naturals! I only had to demonstrate a couple of times how to push off and stop, and they are pros!<br />
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We spent the rest of the day riding around our house, N singing, "I'm doing it without training wheels! I'm doing it without training wheels! Hahahahahahaha!"<br />
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The best part of all? I didn't have to chase after either one, holding onto the back end and running for dear life. Not. Even. Once.<br />
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There was one injury, I should mention - C scraped his right knee when he fell running after his brothers. It required a band-aid from the box, but you can see how it's already healing, with the help of a snack and a juice box.<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-71972874644778824892014-05-27T19:11:00.000-05:002014-05-27T19:11:51.115-05:00Happy 5th Birthday M and N!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-76329847901717719432014-05-19T22:59:00.001-05:002014-05-19T22:59:00.052-05:00A Lesson from Grandma<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Caring for my dying grandmother is something special. It's an honor, really, but not one I've earned or hoped to achieve. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Some of my shifts have been difficult and physically demanding. Almost all are confusing, trying to figure out what it is she's saying, to whom it's being said, in which decade she's existing at that moment.</div><div><br></div><div>Tonight she's been very quiet and peaceful, a welcome change, perhaps due to her healing hip and change in pain medication.</div><div><br></div><div>She talks about Grandpa, who passed away in 2006. She's told us she's mad at him for leaving her alone. Can't say I blame her. I'd probably feel the same way if the love of my life for 60 years went before me. She said they were "buddies." I asked her to tell me about him, how they met, what they did. She smiled and told me about dancing and bowling with him. I learned you never stop loving your one true love. </div><div><br></div><div>She asked tonight about her kids. I went down the list, telling her how happily married all three of her children are, how they all have kids who have kids who have kids, and that they are all alright. She says if they are alright she won't worry. I reassured her several times they are. Almost every time I'm here she asks me where they are. I learn you never stop being a mom, even when you're a great-grandmother. I don't think she asks about them when they are here. No matter where her dementia takes her, she seems to know that that I am FROM them, but I am not ONE of them. </div><div><br></div><div>She wants to call her mom. Her mother passed in the 80's, when I was a child. I have faint memories of her. Photos, really. Noni passed almost 30 years ago, and still she wants to call her. I learned you never stop being a daughter, ever.</div><div><br></div><div>Wife, mother, daughter. </div><div><br></div><div>Even though her mind and body fail, love does not.</div><div><br></div><div>"Love never fails," 1 Corinthians 13:8. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-21442575753621456422014-05-12T13:50:00.000-05:002014-05-12T13:50:23.561-05:00Happy Birthday C!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Friday was C's Second Birthday! We celebrated our special boy's day with a lunch outing and our first zoo visit of the year! Above, C's smiles and claps as we sing Happy Birthday at Panera after lunch - he can polish off an entire kid's meal by himself now!<br />
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After riding the train and the carousel, M and N hopped into an old time truck at the zoo and C hopped up, too, saying, "cheese!" all the while.<br />
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Sunday afternoon we threw a big birthday party for all three boys - all our moms and grandmas were here, too, so it was the perfect Mother's Day/Birthday Party. I don't even mind that it's raining today because the weather was so perfect - sunny and 80! It just doesn't get any better here. Below, C has his first Faygo - he was drinking everyone else's so I just gave in!<br />
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Each boy had his own cake - C went first and blew out both candles by himself. Everyone cheered and he was all smiles!<br />
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Below, Hubs helps C open his gifts - well, a few of them. C retired shortly after this shot for his afternoon nap while we resumed the celebration for M and N.<br />
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Little C is such a wonderful treasure and gift of love to us. C, we are so in love with you and proud of the big boy you are becoming. Happy Birthday, my little love!Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-25315360287789915212014-05-02T19:30:00.000-05:002014-05-05T14:36:00.652-05:00Easter, ER, Garage Sale, Grandma....What a month April was!<br />
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Many were the hours spent prepping for the Garage Sale of the Century at my in-law's house. Many were the treasures discovered in the garage, shed, and basement. Many were the dollars made by my mother-in-law, who slapped her knee and laughed herself silly every time someone gave her money "for junk that was just cluttering up my house!"<br />
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In two weeks, the remnants of her sale will be moved to my house for our town's "treasure hunt days," and she can park in her garage again, the goal of our efforts.<br />
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Easter came and went in a flash this year! We decided to tell our kids the truth about the Easter Bunny, and explain what the holiday is really about. I fretted about it for days, but the kids just asked, do we still get baskets? Of course, they are from mom and dad, we said. Ok, they said. I'm glad we started with the bunny, I think starting with Santa would have been harder.<br />
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My Grandma took a spill in her assisted living apartment last week, landing her in the hospital where it was discovered she broke her pelvis. Nine days later, I'm typing this on her love seat, watching her sleep because she can't be alone. <i>UPDATE MAY 5th: She's not doing very well. I'm going in for my 5th shift in 5 days this evening. Pray for her physical comfort and peace. </i><br />
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In those nine days, I assisted with the before mentioned garage sale, then took N to the ER Sunday night for wheezing and shortness of breath, a road we traveled half a lifetime ago with him. He was diagnosed with viral pneumonia, given a bunch of meds, and the kids and I were essentially quarantined at home the entire week. I did not leave or property for 4 straight days, some kind of record.<br />
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During those 4 days, we celebrated Aunt L's birthday with homemade streamers and a store bought cake (because my range wasn't working). She's a respiratory therapist and coached N through his albuterol treatment like a pro that day.<br />
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Then the appliance repairman discovered what I, my husband, and our landlord did not: the range was unplugged! But only halfway, supplying enough power for the clock and lights, but not enough for the heating elements. Good news: we don't need a new range. Bad news: no one thought to check the outlet.<br />
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There is theme here, for on top of all that, we had no internet this week! Being house bound with three kids and no Netflix (we have no cable) was a challenge, but also a blessed relief for me from their favorite show "Busytown Mysteries." (My twins mimic Pig Will and Pig Won't so accurately that if I could delete the show from Netflix I would. Also it's VERY high pitched and every character's voice grates my nerves. Not to mention it's just banal. Watch it, you will agree). Hubs got home from his week long business trip last night and went to fix the internet this morning- he discovered the power cord in the "off" position.<br />
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What power cord? I asked. I'd been trying to fix the internet all week. Okay, for a day, until L told me something is going on with Charter and their modems because she had no internet either.<br />
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The one under my desk, behind it, along the wall, he said.<br />
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Huh?<br />
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C must have crawled under there and turned it off, he said.<br />
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(Sigh)<br />
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C has come into his two year old self a couple weeks early! He figured out how to climb the bunk beds, but cannot get down. He steals my iPhone and runs away with it every chance he gets, so I have to hide it...if if you receive a nonsense text from me, C has the phone, if I don't reply to you, I've hidden my phone from him and am searching for it because I can't find it either.<br />
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There you have it, what's been keeping me away from blogging, and I will post this just as soon as I get back home because guess what?<br />
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No internet at the assisted living apartment complex either!<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-26380893377976456432014-04-08T15:00:00.000-05:002014-04-08T15:04:08.904-05:00Teeth, teeth, teeth, Titanic!Last Monday, M and N had their pediatric dentist consultation appointment: results were as stated in my last post: M needs 2 silver caps, N needs 3 fillings (and has 2 more spots to watch).<br />
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Tuesday I bought ACT and a hundred little flossers. They are getting better.<br />
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Wednesday they got in on a cancellation to get the work done. I was pretty nervous. You may remember I was no fan of getting my own crown done in January, although I dare say that it was worth it in the end. I was unsure of how my sweet fella would take it. And N was just terrified of getting a shot (thanks, Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist) and I nearly had to carry him to the chair because of COURSE he was chosen to go first.<br />
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I allowed them to take a "stuffie" with them because I wasn't allowed to stay in the room. Not sure why they are calling them "stuffies" suddenly because we've never used the term, but N was crying that he had fewer "stuffies" than M this morning and filched some out of a rarely-used toybox to get even. Now the bunks are covered with mostly meaningless "stuffies" that they've collected from all random places. Weird.<br />
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Twenty minutes later N was literally bouncing into the waiting room, excited to play with his prize - a toy soldier with a plastic bag parachute tied to his head. <br />
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M wasn't at all nervous, likely becuase N seemed so happy, and marched back holding onto Koala-ie, the "stuffie" who made the cut due to me nixing the 3 foot long caterpillar. <br />
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M was bouncing around when he came out, too, looking nothing like the way I felt minutes after my crown. Poor buddy actually got a pulpotomy, which is a baby tooth root canal! <br />
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The fellas threw their army guys all around the waiting room while I scheduled their next appointments for the end of April because only half the work was done that day. <br />
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I gave M a dose of acetaminophen in the van for the ride home, despite him saying he felt fine. I knew it was coming and wouldn't be able to reach him for the 30 minute drive. Sure enough, about 15 minutes later, he was whimpering and whining in the back, wondering why his "spiderman" tooth hurt so bad. (I don't know why it's "spiderman" either, but he keeps calling it that and we aren't allowed to brush or floss it, which I do understand. I'm sure it's still sensitive. Don't touch Spiderman Tooth! Okay, Okay!)<br />
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After the local wore off, M was back to his normal bouncing self. N didn't seem phased at all - they said he didn't get a shot, just the laughing gas. <br />
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THEN, the next day, Hubs found N's bottom tooth was loose after dinner! We were pretty surprised and had to explain the whole thing.<br />
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At Friday's playdate, I overheard the boys' friend K saying, "Let me explain the tooth fairy basics!" and proceeded to fill them in.<br />
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Then at lunch, less than 24 hours after loose tooth was discovered, N bit into his grilled (soy) cheese sandwich and it fell out on the floor!<br />
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K found it and we kept it safe in a baggie to give to the tooth fairy. Until N swiped it, tried to put it under his pillow, lost it, and we had to search the carpet with a flashlight to find it. It was small!<br />
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TF gave him a golden dollar.<br />
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Which he wanted to spend right away - on a cupcake!<br />
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So Saturday Hubs took the twins out for a celebratory first tooth losing cupcake.<br />
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N chose a peanut butter and jelly cookie.<br />
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Whew.<br />
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Can't wait to do it all over again! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M and C posing with the "Kings Crown" sticker devotional we do at bedtime. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M showing off his silver crown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N showing off his missing tooth.</td></tr>
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Oh, did I mention the kids are fascinated with the Titanic? Yes, the 102 year old ship that went down KILLING over a thousand people! I'm trying to keep it rated G, but how do you explain this tragedy? They wanted to watch it on Netflix, and wouldn't you know there are a half dozen shows? I chose the IMAX one where they explore the wreckage, so there would likely be no recreation of a thousand people drowning. Oi. <br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-33725071997216256882014-04-01T20:07:00.001-05:002014-04-01T20:07:34.967-05:00Fillings, Flossing, Caps and CrownsMore dental work for the A family coming up this week...<br />
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We now have a pediatric dentist. M's cavities are so bad, they're not even in the cavity category anymore. He's getting two crowns tomorrow- if all goes well and the worse tooth can be preserved. And N is getting 3 fillings.<br />
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Dr. B explained this sometimes happens with premie twins - the enamel doesn't completely develop.<br />
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Yesterday Hubs said, "I had 4 silver caps as a kid."<br />
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Say what!?<br />
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I guess that means it's not ALL my fault, then- oral hygiene was not at the top of my priority list for most of 2012. M is the one who broke his water sac at 35weeks, 3 days, and Hubs' faulty teeth genes are at work in M's mouth.<br />
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Still. I feel bad. My crown experience in January was less than awesome and my poor kids are just terrified of the shots that Brother and Sister Berenstain get when they visit the dentist.<br />
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My moms were comforting, though...MIL says that hubs and Aunt L had terrible teeth as children but their permanent teeth were just fine. My mom told me tonight she didn't brush our teeth regularly before age 3 - we've been brushing the twins' teeth (mostly!) since age 1.<br />
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Still, I feel bad. I bought ACT and flosses for the kids today in hopes that their summer cleaning nets us zero cavities.<br />
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In typical fashion, however, after getting all 3 kids' teeth well brushed and attempting an ACT swishing lesson wherein N swallowed his and C nearly dumped my Crest complete, flosses were forgotten.<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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I feel like this spring I'm getting an education in motherhood all over again. Now that I'm long past breast feeding, baby food and sleep training, I'm entering a whole new world of big kid parenting, mostly, their medical maintenance!<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-10409081983696204772014-03-31T13:16:00.000-05:002014-03-31T13:16:01.481-05:00Big Boy Bed, Bunk Bed! The twins were just 2 when we bought their big boy beds...we chose them
because we hoped that one day we could bunk them. Little did we know
then that we'd be downsizing and glad for the option, but the boys
just weren't ready when we moved in last year. I needed both boys to be
overnight potty trained and able to NOT fall out of bed before I
attempted to bunk them. When both of those requirements were finally
met in the late fall....we didn't have all the pieces! Whether the guy
from Craigslist who sold them to us never gave us all the parts (which
is what I think) or we simply lost them or left them behind in the move
(still a possibility) is anyone's guess. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Papa!</td></tr>
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SO...we convinced Papa K to make us the missing pieces and paid him with a French dip sandwich lunch. Thank you dad, and happy birthday today!<br />
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C also got his big boy bed assembled the same day, so Grandma K and I were working on that while all the boys worked on the bunks.<br />
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It only took a couple of hours and all 3 boys have brand new beds!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud as a peacock in his big boy bed</td></tr>
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Many many moons ago, the twins decided amongst themselves that M would be on top. I don't know how or why they decided that, but I'm glad they did because it's exactly what I would have chosen. They fight over just about everything, but this is one area that they have not. That's nothing short of a miracle!<br />
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C is adjusting slowly to the big boy bed. He's taken a couple of naps in there but won't even consider it at bedtime. I don't mind - I just wanted the big boy bed ready to go for the day he decided to jump out of the crib (the way his brothers did and threw me into a tailspin for months). He has about two months to make the adjustment before that crib goes out in May's garage sale!<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-47719809824892368692014-03-18T11:43:00.000-05:002014-03-18T11:43:33.431-05:00Tympanostomy DayOr, ear tubes.<br />
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I'm glad it's over so the pressure on little C's ear's is relieved and that his ear infections should be finished.<br />
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Poor little buddy has been struggling with them since November. He had one that didn't clear for two months this winter, and when it did, he still had fluid on both ears.<br />
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So he got a referral to an ENT, who turned out to be a Christian doctor who set my brother-in-law's nose when it was broken as a child.<br />
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Praise God for small blessings. He's been very kind and gentle and just wonderful. Which is a beautiful fabulous relief.<br />
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Everything went well and smoothly, praise God, and he was in and out just as they said would happen. C cried for awhile in the recovery room - I'm sure he was confused and uncomfortable, but once he woke up fully and ate his snack and juice, he was almost back to normal, just a little tired and dazed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in my arms, groggy and sleepy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling better, snacking on cereal before discharge</td></tr>
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Those are the the only two surgery photos I got - it was just me and C, as Hubs is caring for the big boys today. They are at gymnastics now, and I'm home with napping C and the washing machine, breathing a huge sigh of relief and thanking God for all of his blessings. <br />
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He's answered a lot of prayers this week, C's succesful surgery being just one.<br />
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Two, our townhouse in MN closed yesterday- the 2 year ordeal is over and we are very happily NOT homeowners anymore. <br />
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Three, Hubs returned safely from a 4 day trip to Moscow last week. He said it went well and he never felt unsafe, but our family was on pins and needles as, if you've been following world news in the past week, it seems risky to be a) an American in Russia and b) just flying on planes at all.<br />
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So yes, I'm relieved it's finally over. For the next few weeks we have no plans to have surgery, work internationally, or sell a house. Praise God! <br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-24266990068266403632014-03-13T15:08:00.001-05:002014-03-13T15:08:01.213-05:00Heisman the Snowman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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He didn't last long but he sure was fun!<br />
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Come on, spring!Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-50060610215481197542014-03-10T09:58:00.004-05:002014-03-10T09:58:58.248-05:00Heavenly QuestionsMy boys have been curious about heaven lately, and I've been answering their questions to the best of my knowledge and as Biblically as I can. In fact, N and M and I had quite an interesting conversation about a book I read recently, titled "To Heaven and Back," about a doctor who, as the title suggests, died, saw heaven,and came back. When we talked about the book, I thought my kids asked intelligent questions and were getting the concept.<br />
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Imagine how pleased I was to learn they were also talking about heaven in their Sunday School class yesterday! I thought, how wonderful that our church and our family are instilling the same values and that our kids are really beginning to understand such abstract concepts as faith.<br />
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Then Hubs showed me the picture he snapped of the kids' questions their teacher listed, the questions their class has about heaven. <br />
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N's question was "Are there frogs in heaven?"<br />
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Other children asked, "Are there toys in heaven?"<br />
"How big is heaven?"<br />
"Can you bounce on the moon?"<br />
"Can you swim in heaven?"<br />
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M's was <i>"Why did the pig cross the road?"</i><br />
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Boom goes the dynamite. Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-14865097192325938752014-03-03T08:56:00.001-06:002014-03-03T09:04:04.362-06:00Clarification<ul>
<li>In regard to my Friday post: the term "Crentist" is from the sitcom "The Office," not "Seinfeld." There have been only two sitcom series in my life that I followed regularly, so I sometimes get random quotes mixed up. My Hubs and his brothers, however, have these brains that can remember every quote from every movie or sitcom they ever see! It's sometimes helpful; for example, had Uncle D. been here while I was typing on Friday, I could have asked, "who said Crentist?" and he would have told me the correct sitcom of course, and the season and the episode and then the script as well! So thank you for the clarification, Uncle D!</li>
<li>Secondly, we LOVE our dentist, Dr. M! As it happens, his MOM reads my blog so I want to tell Mrs. M, we love him <b>very much!</b> If I write about you in a blog, it is because I love you. It's how I express my love. By writing about you. Strange but true.</li>
<li>Also, I'm over the whole, <i>woe is me-my kids have a half dozen cavities and I suck at tooth brushing education.</i> I had a ton of cavities as a kid and so did Hubs. They're gentically predisposed to a lot of things that are going to cost us a lot of money. I'm holding out hope that they all get my eyesight and we can skip the eye doctor so that they can just fend for themselves when they find out at age 36 they need lenses. I'll be 67 years old then and no longer responsible for their eyesight. </li>
<li>I'm over the tooth thing because I've moved on bigger badder concerns, like C needs tubes in his ears and where the heck should we enroll the twins for kindergarten?! I feel like their entire future rests on choosing the right kindergarten. I know this can't be true, however. I remember very little about kindergarten besides the fact that I got in big trouble for flashing the class my new big girl underpants at show and tell time! I'm sure they were awesome, whatever they were. Probably Care Bares or Smurfs, who knows, but I was proud! </li>
<li>As for C's ears, I'm vacillating between denial and acceptance. Mostly I don't want to see him go under general anesthesia. It freaked me out when N went limp in my arms for his <a href="http://auldsworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/dacryoplasty-day.html">dacryoplasty surgery</a> at the same age..... After re-reading that blog post, I suppose I shouldn't be so worried. But still..tubes! Swimming! Hair washing! (sigh) I suppose it's just more parenting education for me.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cuties </td></tr>
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<li>That's the news in Busytown. </li>
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Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-56856026919491872392014-03-01T16:12:00.000-06:002014-03-01T16:12:34.649-06:00Cold Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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C and I reporting that today's weather is COLD! <br />
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Stay warm where you are and hold tight...spring is just 20 days away!Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-53911234661814522502014-02-28T08:22:00.000-06:002014-02-28T08:24:38.048-06:00My Dentist's Name is CrentistAny Seinfeld fans remember that one? I really felt like telling M and N their new destist's name is Crentist, but I refrained.<br />
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Because they would think it's hilarious and call him Crentist.<br />
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For the rest. of. his. life.<br />
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So we call him Dr. M., his name.<br />
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I prepped the kids for a week or so, reading library books about going to the dentist, focusing on brushing twice a day (as opposed to at only bedtime) and talking about mommy and daddy's visits.<br />
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M seemed okay with it and ready to go.<br />
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N was worried about the shots. Because of course the dentist library book showed a kid getting a Novocaine shot before his filling. And he badgered us about getting our own shots before fillings. He was fascinated with my "fake tooth," my crown, and questioned me relentlessy.<br />
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I took the kids by myself while Hubs worked from home and C napped. But I got a nice surprise when we walked in, Great Grandpa and Great Grandma S were in the waiting room!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! Great Grandma S has the same dentist!</td></tr>
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So while Grandma S went to get a filling with Dr. M., Great Grandpa S came with us - the two hygienists each took a twin using the divide and conquer mode. I went with N and Grandpa sat with M, which worked out really well. (I wasn't made aware of the change of plans, since we were going to have M go first and N watch). The rooms were next door to one another, but N was so wiggly, and the lines of view obstructed, I only got a few shots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N tests Mr. Thirsty</td></tr>
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I ran over to snap a pic of M but he was already engrossed in his cleaning, and Grandpa was watching carefully on:<br />
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I ran back to N where I knew he was okay because the hygeinist gave him teeth to clean:<br />
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Then wouldn't you know it, the fellas were rounded up for x rays, the camera and stuff got left behind while I was left trying to gently coach N to sit still from behind the half wall while the X rays floated about M. It was a whirlwind, but the boys were more excited and curious than worried and scared, the appointment itself went well and the kids are excited about their new toothbrushes.<br />
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Dr. M. then showed me the x rays, where he discovered several cavities and referred us to a pediatric dentist for filling them. Needless to say, another disappointing end to an otherwise pleasant visit - remember, this is the guy who made my crown last month! But it's not his fault. It's likely mine and my blase attitude toward brushing at the end of long days of parenting many small, challenging children by myself. Boo me, right?<br />
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The bright side is that Great Grandpa and Grandma were still there to wrangle the fellas in the waiting room and ooh and ahh over their "goodie bags," wherein they discovered their first ever flossers (oh, my gosh, do you know how much I hate flossing my OWN teeth? NOW I have to floss 40 more!) while I made pediatric dentist consultation appointments and 6 month cleaning appointments.<br />
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Maybe I will call him Crentist, after all.<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-5989485383318239902014-02-17T12:30:00.002-06:002014-02-17T12:34:34.763-06:00Future OlympiansWe kept M and N up on Saturday night to watch the Olympics. What a hoot!<br />
The coverage started with hockey, so we had to educate them on what a puck, net, stick was...that the Americans wore dark blue and we cheer for them to score.<br />
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What we didn't expect was for the kids to get SO into it! The only sport we watch here is football, and they couldn't care less about it. Imagine our surprise when, each time the Russians scored in the shootout, N would pound his fist on the blanket and cry, "Oh, pistachios!"<br />
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Pistachios? We don't swear here, but neither do we use the term "pistachios" when we are upset. We cracked up laughing, more each time he did it.<br />
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Or when he would put his face in his hands in exasperation when the Russians scored.<br />
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Then he would cheer, "GO AMERICA!" each time we scored.<br />
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Imagine his delight when America won the game.<br />
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SO FUNNY!<br />
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Then skeleton came on and we had to explain that. Two Americans were competing against each other for the bronze, one named Matt and the other named John. M immediately chose Matt to be "him," and each time Matt was on the screen, he would shout, "That's me! I'm going next!"<br />
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Of course, you know N chose John to be "him," because that's his middle name.<br />
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It was all very entertaining and cute for a few minutes.<br />
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Then John's sled bobbled off the course and his time was poor, knocking him out of medal contention. N was very upset by this.<br />
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Then the unthinkable happened: it was Matt's turn. And he won the bronze.<br />
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M was cheering him on, gloating when "he" won because, you know, M did all the work.<br />
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N was crying by now, no...sobbing...extremely distraught that he didn't win the gold medal.<br />
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We tried explaining that it was a man named John, not him.<br />
We tried explaining that neither won a gold.<br />
We tried to make M stop gloating.<br />
We tried consoling N for his loss.<br />
We wound up crying it out for poor John and his loss...consoling N that John, too, was sobbing uncontrollably in his mother's lap due to his loss. We are all skeleton fans, now. Who knew?<br />
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Then skiing! Oh, the skiing!<br />
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Hubs has been teaching the boys to ski this winter at Bintz' Apple Mountain. Which is a hill, for those of you out of the area...way smaller than Buck Hill.<br />
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So they were really into the ski jumping, saying cute things about how they are going to jump tomorrow at Bintz (there is no jump there) and ski in the "E-lympics!" For the first time this season I suited up and went out there with them to take photos for our future "Thank you, Mom," commercials P&G runs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoxTFaRsvQINEnpzpfHQQWXKQ0Q51Hi-RMrpxBd-0Bl1IaeNZRDcaBOVrKKYwdKzZvFtclRQB-m0KGuno6Bxz5CHbaiPnlfRfqwO7miffFVz3bFk07muNvXa4e8u2co9T0vV6pvzxRdU/s1600/Feb+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoxTFaRsvQINEnpzpfHQQWXKQ0Q51Hi-RMrpxBd-0Bl1IaeNZRDcaBOVrKKYwdKzZvFtclRQB-m0KGuno6Bxz5CHbaiPnlfRfqwO7miffFVz3bFk07muNvXa4e8u2co9T0vV6pvzxRdU/s1600/Feb+004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how tiny the skis are!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkp0P-KDleY1lWg5cuR7-amdD6fJJs4nFVHJw_FPhyphenhyphendRkNQCamZSRrdk2WFXJ-cTvQQJUBLd3borMbgu-Qb_k9kXFGG28p0HjE9UAbHJYD57_penAWteQWR4_ELg6kfN257tto5zSNzk/s1600/Feb+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkp0P-KDleY1lWg5cuR7-amdD6fJJs4nFVHJw_FPhyphenhyphendRkNQCamZSRrdk2WFXJ-cTvQQJUBLd3borMbgu-Qb_k9kXFGG28p0HjE9UAbHJYD57_penAWteQWR4_ELg6kfN257tto5zSNzk/s1600/Feb+007.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N gets some help putting his skis on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTihYHSaFiysU0HVeMneyeqlBuOl5TdXvm0Q0tRCeraO8ahWhHaF_iJtFfkOD9ycBACZsOAhJAnKd2HtysFl-gvCJuEGMpb2uFTT8FpfRPKTJ418S0_Cw6H8vVBDP8NFIB3VWZ3M6EFOo/s1600/Feb+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTihYHSaFiysU0HVeMneyeqlBuOl5TdXvm0Q0tRCeraO8ahWhHaF_iJtFfkOD9ycBACZsOAhJAnKd2HtysFl-gvCJuEGMpb2uFTT8FpfRPKTJ418S0_Cw6H8vVBDP8NFIB3VWZ3M6EFOo/s1600/Feb+016.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N hams it up before his first run</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdBQyPkGym_QhhGNi8bgsmMYByj7zLvj2gpBVawOD55Ma0RzCNQj1J-l9THFLGlb8QcFzlGQ5E5yKAZfJWPq9O0TQoNI4Gm3jw7O83kuqORTh8e0tFnOZal4oWJnm-hX7gjOVQrW8jHE/s1600/Feb+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdBQyPkGym_QhhGNi8bgsmMYByj7zLvj2gpBVawOD55Ma0RzCNQj1J-l9THFLGlb8QcFzlGQ5E5yKAZfJWPq9O0TQoNI4Gm3jw7O83kuqORTh8e0tFnOZal4oWJnm-hX7gjOVQrW8jHE/s1600/Feb+026.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M's action shot, running the bunny hill alone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOng7zRITTYpwONNBlLIQuJAZz_Dn44ZEkVf7mISH-H75mh5NTaH_6CwlqlUG15bk26v-oJX3PL4y8i-cMmOTa3HsNiTGyCbj2RssKMmC0REQT6yGbxpetdLskKB4sL9Puq1CTwL2DJM/s1600/Feb+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOng7zRITTYpwONNBlLIQuJAZz_Dn44ZEkVf7mISH-H75mh5NTaH_6CwlqlUG15bk26v-oJX3PL4y8i-cMmOTa3HsNiTGyCbj2RssKMmC0REQT6yGbxpetdLskKB4sL9Puq1CTwL2DJM/s1600/Feb+031.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N's disappointed he has to go in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKg4cOpQsN46MN7ke29u48cO91slzY8jiYwbKnsNw2v2j9sJWA01pq8q7cLy5iY8BuGWEcs5xlLSvwGERVco7GyrvE3kznhg8gDovs9G3XvQLGhU5aiZavgwg3vcHDOR9eOHajSqBjNg/s1600/Feb+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKg4cOpQsN46MN7ke29u48cO91slzY8jiYwbKnsNw2v2j9sJWA01pq8q7cLy5iY8BuGWEcs5xlLSvwGERVco7GyrvE3kznhg8gDovs9G3XvQLGhU5aiZavgwg3vcHDOR9eOHajSqBjNg/s1600/Feb+035.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle A arrived for second shift</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8EfsnEsUlLe5V0tY8A2hWxu3F4Qxlr_n6d0hMeZZs6oNCZMw_t0QKmAXOQEX2hICkEqV2dFc_iv2sZ5Ob26CEUjgmy9rm4PIuy48VnPX-wNUM0rufv01G__k2RvNDWbnYH5-PGx541c/s1600/Feb+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8EfsnEsUlLe5V0tY8A2hWxu3F4Qxlr_n6d0hMeZZs6oNCZMw_t0QKmAXOQEX2hICkEqV2dFc_iv2sZ5Ob26CEUjgmy9rm4PIuy48VnPX-wNUM0rufv01G__k2RvNDWbnYH5-PGx541c/s1600/Feb+029.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up up and away, N (red helmet) holds towrope alone, M in dad's arms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxZ1aSLLl7vMZdoSzk_iNy7bpmwes01kFE7LG_fqfYALDlWfzpry8kNHqh1Y0pieFe4JjUFmycPTtZO9q30UZzV7JZ2DyH3S8sASdGl2IXPVtn7CcTDZJei47lb5sKZoTXMXtWU8cYqI/s1600/Feb+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxZ1aSLLl7vMZdoSzk_iNy7bpmwes01kFE7LG_fqfYALDlWfzpry8kNHqh1Y0pieFe4JjUFmycPTtZO9q30UZzV7JZ2DyH3S8sASdGl2IXPVtn7CcTDZJei47lb5sKZoTXMXtWU8cYqI/s1600/Feb+036.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the guys going up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE31GP3yMBChmmes_-t_FwfzOOjYFY13RKSjfOWzFaITBoYO6Klk0TvNMX4G29bzqDFySOHOMKvhudg8llk6Rp9YQ_2RD9rlS5d3icsXc4N41WTRWWnOeOtAqYyZehl6RaZzYWjDHkZj4/s1600/Feb+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE31GP3yMBChmmes_-t_FwfzOOjYFY13RKSjfOWzFaITBoYO6Klk0TvNMX4G29bzqDFySOHOMKvhudg8llk6Rp9YQ_2RD9rlS5d3icsXc4N41WTRWWnOeOtAqYyZehl6RaZzYWjDHkZj4/s1600/Feb+030.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N takes a spill</td></tr>
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After I left and the guys had had several bunny hill runs, they were rewarded with some rides on the "Cherry lift," as N likes to call it. It's his favorite thing! The twins are really getting a feel for skiing - M is already asking to snowboard, much to his dad's chagrin. We shall see, maybe we will let them stay up to watch the snowboarding tonight.</div>
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I can't help but wonder if my 3 future Olympians might sweep the medals stand someday? </div>
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Can't you just see it? </div>
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<img class="mainImage" src="http://pmchollywoodlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ski-champions-american-olympics-lead.jpg?w=600" style="height: 400px; width: 600px;" /><br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-25274179637037076192014-02-11T13:06:00.001-06:002014-02-11T13:06:18.501-06:00Graduation of SortsSunday C turned 21 months. Monday he graduated out of his high chair. <br />
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These graduations are never planned, never thought out - they just happen. They almost always involve a struggle in which my child wants to be "big," freaks out on me until I can't take it anymore, then I make the big thing he wants to do happen. <br />
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Sweet things that ended in an inglorious graduation of sorts:<br />
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Nursing<br />
Baby Food <br />
Bouncy Chair<br />
Jumparoo<br />
High Chair<br />
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Cribs ended that way with the twins right around 24 months. So 3 more months in the crib, hopefully more. He doesn't have a naughty little twin brother in there initiating escapes, so we might make it last a little longer (please God please).<br />
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Here he is eating a cookie and milk with his big brothers at the table yesterday, buckled in the booster seat now attached to the chair. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCH-aESpqAdtsXP9U4OJ8pD5FlTd1uuFB6VyBC_dZJFVckH6wpIutMbT5FnURC6pLaPqq1K9rAj5l-rFqcJuvQ03FeyGEzg7TjTWJHHYU_CHpGaJB0L-6l2JtQc79jrLyuYfioDmldps/s1600/Feb+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCH-aESpqAdtsXP9U4OJ8pD5FlTd1uuFB6VyBC_dZJFVckH6wpIutMbT5FnURC6pLaPqq1K9rAj5l-rFqcJuvQ03FeyGEzg7TjTWJHHYU_CHpGaJB0L-6l2JtQc79jrLyuYfioDmldps/s1600/Feb+001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's about time you figured it out, Mom.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRToWamCjsCEadalG-B7pvy80DM0G_ss3XYidpm8lum5mWD0kmyPhsOmtGrJxzItC2RDTE3ztAT88ZEHwo18wtLK3CrC0GVUgJTMoDMqXDPRKbPqRqAgvxpL7DRphqZKSYTZ-z2TbJXjw/s1600/Feb+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRToWamCjsCEadalG-B7pvy80DM0G_ss3XYidpm8lum5mWD0kmyPhsOmtGrJxzItC2RDTE3ztAT88ZEHwo18wtLK3CrC0GVUgJTMoDMqXDPRKbPqRqAgvxpL7DRphqZKSYTZ-z2TbJXjw/s1600/Feb+002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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That cookie he's eating? Banana flavored cookie dough, decorated with cherry flavored cookie dough (sounds delicious, huh?) Everything in my house really is decorated by a preschooler. You should see how we began decorating for our Valentine's Day dinner this morning!<br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-72328144442543162522014-02-03T13:46:00.000-06:002014-02-03T13:46:01.378-06:00Pirate Party PostFriday night's pirate party was a success! Much fun was had by all. The boys' eyes were as wide as saucers walking into the decorated gymnasium filled with pirates, princesses, a DJ, and lights! After surveying the crowd while noshing on pizza and carrot sticks, we jumped in and danced the night away!<br />
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Here is the official A Family Pirate Costume Picture! <br />
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One little girl in M and N's preschool class, who is adorable and was dressed as a princess of course, seems to have taken a liking to M. She quietly approached me and M while we danced and reached out her hand, so we took it and danced in a circle together. It was so cute we tried to get M and the little girl, M, to dance together, but my guy wasn't having any of it. But little girl M wasn't giving up,either, so I wound up dancing with the two of them together for a while!<br />
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Below, a close up of M and his pirate goatee, wearing off a bit after a couple of hours!<br />
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Little pirate N pooped out quickly, around 7:30, begging us to go home. We convinced him to stay until 8:00, when the costume prizes were being awarded (for no other reason than to stay for more than hour, really). However, upon NOT winning the costume contest (sorry, N but you weren't really in the running....it took a bit of convincing to get you to wear that shirt and cut off pants!) he lost it, sobbing "I DIDN'T WIN!" only to be let down again 5 minutes later when Mom and Dad didn't win, either. Poor fella. How do you explain that the guy who won had a head to toe Pirates of the Caribbean costume? We were sporting loaners and a Goodwill blouse! Try telling an overtired 4 year old that the fun is in playing, not winning.<br />
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A cupcake and the Electric Slide solved the problem, followed by a quick exit. We didn't win the costume booty, but we still took home our treasures! <br />
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<i>A special thank you to Ms. K. for costumes and to Grandma K. for C's childcare, making the Pirate Family Dance a success for us! </i> <br />
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<br />Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-46176767344643097422014-01-28T20:24:00.002-06:002014-01-28T20:54:22.873-06:00Current Events....ARRRGGH!My husband asked me this weekend if my class will be having a 20th reunion. I said, it hasn't been that long...it's only been...<br>
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19 years.<br>
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GASP!<br>
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Nineteen years ago, I had a history teacher that required us to read "current events" to our class. We had to read the newspaper, cut an article, and summarize it. Every week.<br>
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<i>That's a great reading strategy, by the way. Summarizing. I've been thinking about reading strategies a lot lately. But that's something altogether different.</i><br>
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Anyone remember Current Events? That's about all I do now, summarize, but I don't read the newspaper. I check the weather app on my phone, I read Drudge a few times a week, and I check the local news station's "school closing" web page....before I even get out of bed. Because last week, I almost took them to school! GASP AGAIN! That's the extent of my current event reading these days because you know what's on TV?<br>
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PBS Kids and Netflix. But back to current events.<br>
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<li>Our sweet baby niece was born Friday morning! Little Miss T arrived safe and sound and didn't even give her mama a hard time about it. What a good girl! Hubs and I were able to snuggle her that evening and bring the new parents a meal already. They all are home, doing well and staying warm. The boys have met her and looked at her. They don't seem too impressed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBYzl_effKyi3wiySpKxRK8N5UUyozWc70TlW6aBNr7uzaNsAOOh6dIlvvzCZJawVeRS6T-DfFKlfNqzpFURglnJwEqafObav_ZBE9uedwO4pz5iebtlVK6l80yVNAXukK_k32O2iAs8/s640/blogger-image-433810551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBYzl_effKyi3wiySpKxRK8N5UUyozWc70TlW6aBNr7uzaNsAOOh6dIlvvzCZJawVeRS6T-DfFKlfNqzpFURglnJwEqafObav_ZBE9uedwO4pz5iebtlVK6l80yVNAXukK_k32O2iAs8/s640/blogger-image-433810551.jpg"></a></div></li>
<li>My crown has been placed. It was quite an ordeal and involved hours and tears and lots of local anesthesia, but I'm ok now. It's big and white and shiny and so brand new that now all of my other teeth look grey in comparison. Well, they are mostly grey because of all my fillings but my dentist and new hygienist both say I have nice teeth but I need to floss more. Where have I heard that before? </li>
<li>C STILL has an ear infection. You would never know it...his temp was 98.8 and his only symptom is that he didn't want to eat dinner. Otherwise, he's running around, curls bouncing, calling, "C'mere!," waving his little hand until Hubs followed him to the couch where he cried, "book!" and made him read a book. Such a funny kid! So now he's on yet another antibiotic and has earned himself a referral to the ENT next month. </li>
<li>A dear old friend has produced the goods and we are now in possession of 4 pirate family costumes for Friday night. One of them has been approved by the anti-costume child, a long sleeve T shirt screen printed with a pirate vest image. So WHO has a whole family of pirate costumes? Yours truly. I've only to fashion some eye patches and headgear and we are<i>...the pirates who don't do anything...we just stay at home, and lie around...and if you ask us to do anything, we'll just tell you...we don't do anything! </i>Okay, that's not really true, we are much too busy for our own good, but it's the only pirate song I can think of, from Veggietales.</li>
<li>Hmm...what else? I won't bother telling you how lousy the weather is because you all know, and I can't really complain because it's worse in MN...but it just feels like regular MN here, which is stinky because I was very quickly able to adjust to Michigan weather. This is like a big fat slap in the face from Minnesota for leaving or something. </li>
<li>My yahoo email account has been hacked. I don't think anyone of you got anything from me but I'm sorry if you did. It's been a huge pain in the butt this week. Don't get hacked. </li>
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Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-74372005938221989892014-01-22T08:31:00.000-06:002014-01-22T08:31:14.714-06:00How Many Teeth Does a Pirate Princess Have? Since I turned 36 in September, I've acquired my first pair of prescription lenses and broke a tooth, needing a crown. And if you happen to be following the crown story, the temporary broke off on Day 10 and now I have an ugly stump in my mouth until next Monday. When I'm getting ready for bed looking at me in my glasses, brushing my stumpy teeth, I'm like, <i>GAH! I'm so glad my husband met me and married me when I was young and thin and had all my teeth! Fourteen years later, I'm not sure he'd go for a blind, squishy, stumpy mess of a lady!</i> <br />
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And then today, this is just a perfect example of old people and technology...<br />
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I've been kind of avoiding Facebook the last few months, just because it's a big fat waste MY of time (not yours) and I don't give a flying flip WHAT princess a Disney quiz tells you you are. Really? For crying out that, that's just plain ridiculous. <br />
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BUT now that I"m in need of a THIRD pirate costume for a preschool Family Pirate/Princess Dance next week, I thought I'd turn to my Facebook friends and see what may come of it.<br />
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I'm not even going to take C, otherwise I'd need a FOURTH baby pirate costume. WHO has a whole family of pirate costumes? The girl families are getting off easy here, lemmee tell ya. Oh, wait, these people do....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="mainImage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyAHI4QY87eLxx9tg-6DuBfeXIFduoibU1a33jf5nKS9YAkKRRZ7YEz5N5TLoXDgjn2PPAkSeW1AAW75faiVaUFAk0CjIZjAwGEOJvtPxPEAOOVfu37v8e8n3PZZo3axyNcor9MqWvpCp/s1600/Pirate_Family.jpeg" style="height: 609px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 456px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what we will NOT look like next week. But it is a really cute pirate family from Bing Images.</td></tr>
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I just spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to post a post on Facebook. Apparently it's changed again. I have no idea how to post crazy things about my stumpy teeth and dire need for pirate clothing. What will I do with my life?<br />
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So I can't post on Facebook anymore I guess. Not that it's a big deal. N doesn't even WANT to wear a pirate costume, but what do I dress him in then? Should I put him in the Halloween T-shirt that says, "This T shirt is my costume?" <br />
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Not such a bad idea now that I think of it.... <br />
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He'd probably punch me in mouth trying to get him in a costume anyway, and break another tooth or put my eye out. Then I'd be the princess wearing an eye patch.<br />
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I wonder which Disney princess THAT would be?<br />
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Her...yeah, that's the look I'm going for...<br />
<a href="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4597437314631331&w=169&h=174&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4597437314631331&w=169&h=174&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7" style="height: 174px;" /></a><br />
Well..... it IS an improvement over the stumpy mess look I described earlier.<br />
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(Sigh) <br />
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Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119477085492346.post-48999412883895752492014-01-20T18:48:00.000-06:002014-01-20T18:48:46.757-06:00Happy Pig Day!<br />
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<li>Happy MLK Day. We celebrated by Hubs staying home, dropping M and N off at pre school, and noshing on breakfast at Pat N Jerry's with C. I totally get why the baby is spoiled. Because after the big kids are gone, mom and dad are like, one kid?! We can TOTALLY start going out to eat again! In MLK's honor, of course. I'm sure he would approve.</li>
<li>Happy Birthday to my sister P! She's almost always had a three day weekend on her birthday, and today was an actual day off of work for her! Unlike Michigan, Texas does recognize MLK day, presumably because it's part of the south. However, it makes it almost impossible to get a birthday card to her on time. Sorry 'bout that, sis.</li>
<li>Happy Pig Day! It's a children's book we borrowed from the library last week. N giggled all the way through it, and after a couple of readings, he could read those three words and shouted them out every time we came to them. I am completely and totally in my element teaching my kids to read. I love, LOVE LOVE it. We go the library every week and check out all kinds of things, things they want, like Lego stories, things I want, like nonfiction and level one easy readers. Then we spend a half hour reading together on the couch after I put C down for his nap. It's my favorite part of the day.</li>
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Kim and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05010602724870397864noreply@blogger.com0