Saturday, September 21, 2013
Beautiful day for a gopher game
What a beautiful day to spend outside together as a family! We left the house around 8:00 this morning and headed to the tailgating lot. The weather was crisp and cool; the perfect jeans and sweatshirt kind of day. We were able to enjoy our time tailgating and watching the game with friends and family. The fact that the gophers won made it all the better.
Grant & Boppa
Uncle Ryan brought Ava her own set of bags. How cute are those?!?
Not sure where this tongue came from
It was virtually impossible to get both kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time. Family pictures next month should be interesting!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Polar bear zoo
It's been another busy week with preschool, work, ECFE, and the zoo. Not just any zoo, but the "polar bear zoo" (aka, Como Zoo). Our
week started off a bit rough on Sunday night/Monday morning. Grant went down at his normal time, but then woke up crying at 10:45. He was up until 3:30. He was totally fine as long as somebody was holding him. He would just lay there and stare up at you with his big brown eyes. Once in awhile he would shift around, bending his legs, and "toot". I've felt like when he has had a lot of dairy in the past he gets gassy, and he had quite a bit of dairy for dinner that night. I need to talk with the pediatrician and see if there is a possibility that he has a lactose intolerance, or if it's merely coincidence that he has "bad nights" the same nights that he has yogurt, cheese, etc. Needless to say, at 3:30 I finally called in to work since I couldn't justify taking care of people's loved ones after just 1 1/2 hrs of sleep. Grant hung out with me until about 10:30 that morning just to make sure that he felt ok. He was perfectly fine. It's like he was on crack. He wasn't the least bit tired. In fact, he took only a 30 minute nap that day. Thank God we have not had a repeat of that night since!
Monday was picture day at preschool. Ava went to Cyndi's in the morning before preschool since I was supposed to be at work. It's probably better that way since Cyndi is better at doing Ava's hair than I am. Sad since she has two boys! Ava spent her morning practicing how she was going to smile. It will be interesting to get the pictures back. :)
This morning we surprised Ava with an adventure. She has been asking for weeks to go to the "polar bear zoo". So, this morning we packed up a picnic lunch and headed to St. Paul. When we arrived she was SO excited and kept thanking me for taking her and for the surprise. When we got up by the door she was even more surprised to see Mema. We had a beautiful cool day to spend at the zoo. Unfortunately, the trip takes awhile so the kids fell asleep on the way home and didn't want to take naps after arriving home. Hopefully they both sleep well tonight. It will be another long day tomorrow, as we head out for the gopher game.
Hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
That would be a Mum Mum on Grant's cheek. He was eating one and somehow had this piece stick on his cheek.
Ava climbing the ladder to try to help Daddy change out a light bulb
My little man being his happy little self
Hanging with the seal at Como Zoo
Not so easy to get two kids to look at the camera at the same time (I wasn't supposed to be in this picture)
Grant, Ava, & Mema...checking out the new baby giraffe who is adorable!
Monday was picture day at preschool. Ava went to Cyndi's in the morning before preschool since I was supposed to be at work. It's probably better that way since Cyndi is better at doing Ava's hair than I am. Sad since she has two boys! Ava spent her morning practicing how she was going to smile. It will be interesting to get the pictures back. :)
This morning we surprised Ava with an adventure. She has been asking for weeks to go to the "polar bear zoo". So, this morning we packed up a picnic lunch and headed to St. Paul. When we arrived she was SO excited and kept thanking me for taking her and for the surprise. When we got up by the door she was even more surprised to see Mema. We had a beautiful cool day to spend at the zoo. Unfortunately, the trip takes awhile so the kids fell asleep on the way home and didn't want to take naps after arriving home. Hopefully they both sleep well tonight. It will be another long day tomorrow, as we head out for the gopher game.
Hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
A week of firsts
This past week was a week of firsts. It started on Monday when Ava had her first day of preschool. She
goes on Mondays and Wednesdays for 2 1/2 hrs each day. She was very excited to go and had no problems telling me good-bye at the door, which I was very happy about. She was full of energy when I picked her up, telling me that her teachers are the best in the whole world. Needless to say, she's happy to be a preschooler and I'm praying that she'll have this much enthusiasm for school when she's in high school.
Our week was pretty low key with the usual work, daycare, and ECFE. Saturday morning brought a new adventure for Grant. It was game day!!! Grant attended his first gopher football game. We had beautiful weather and an 11:00 game, so we decided it was the perfect time to take the kids. So, Nate and I packed up the Traverse with sippy cups, a stroller, sunscreen, sidewalk chalk, and snacks (not Nate's usual when he packs to go tailgating). The kids actually did very well. We stayed until there were about 5 minutes left in the game. We wanted to try to beat some of the traffic and make it to the car before the rain came. I can't really tell you anything that happened during the game, as I was distracted with the kids. However, there were no meltdowns, nobody got lost, and the gophers won...so I would say that the whole adventure was a success. I think we'll brave it again next weekend.
The weekends seem to fly by way to quickly. This morning Daddy and Ava made pancakes for breakfast since they weren't able to do it yesterday morning (Saturday is usually pancake day in our house). We then got the opportunity to go meet Baby Tess (our friends Josh & Kate's new baby girl). We took over some lunch and birthday cake. Tomorrow is Daddy & Kate's birthday. Ava had a great time decorating the cake with me last night. We were going to make it a surprise, but that girl can't keep a secret for the life of her! We got home in time for naps and then headed to the mall to get the kids some clothes. These little turkeys are growing so quickly. I had to buy Grant 18-24 month shirts. Yes, he is 10 months old. What did Daddy learn from our shopping trip? To never tell mommy, "have fun shopping" when the kids are along. Shopping with two small children is not relaxing and it always appears as though it's always a race against the clock. The kids were very good at the mall, but it's just more time consuming when you're pushing that double stroller around trying to fit through racks of clothes and having to find elevators to go up and down to different floors. So, Daddy didn't get anything new while shopping...but our kids will look great. :)
Ava's first day of preschool
Tailgating
Grant was tired before the game even started. He missed his morning nap because he was to interested in everything while tailgating
Ava in her own world, Grant trying to get his hat off, and Nate and I smiling and this crazy life that we lead
Ava loved playing bags with the guys
Ava helped make Daddy's birthday cake. She loved licking the beaters so much that she dipped it back into the bowl after she was done with this so she could have another round. That's my girl!
Our week was pretty low key with the usual work, daycare, and ECFE. Saturday morning brought a new adventure for Grant. It was game day!!! Grant attended his first gopher football game. We had beautiful weather and an 11:00 game, so we decided it was the perfect time to take the kids. So, Nate and I packed up the Traverse with sippy cups, a stroller, sunscreen, sidewalk chalk, and snacks (not Nate's usual when he packs to go tailgating). The kids actually did very well. We stayed until there were about 5 minutes left in the game. We wanted to try to beat some of the traffic and make it to the car before the rain came. I can't really tell you anything that happened during the game, as I was distracted with the kids. However, there were no meltdowns, nobody got lost, and the gophers won...so I would say that the whole adventure was a success. I think we'll brave it again next weekend.
The weekends seem to fly by way to quickly. This morning Daddy and Ava made pancakes for breakfast since they weren't able to do it yesterday morning (Saturday is usually pancake day in our house). We then got the opportunity to go meet Baby Tess (our friends Josh & Kate's new baby girl). We took over some lunch and birthday cake. Tomorrow is Daddy & Kate's birthday. Ava had a great time decorating the cake with me last night. We were going to make it a surprise, but that girl can't keep a secret for the life of her! We got home in time for naps and then headed to the mall to get the kids some clothes. These little turkeys are growing so quickly. I had to buy Grant 18-24 month shirts. Yes, he is 10 months old. What did Daddy learn from our shopping trip? To never tell mommy, "have fun shopping" when the kids are along. Shopping with two small children is not relaxing and it always appears as though it's always a race against the clock. The kids were very good at the mall, but it's just more time consuming when you're pushing that double stroller around trying to fit through racks of clothes and having to find elevators to go up and down to different floors. So, Daddy didn't get anything new while shopping...but our kids will look great. :)
Friday, September 6, 2013
No running, but busy running around
Unfortunately, I am still not running. I
attempted last Sunday to go for a run but couldn't make it even a few steps due to the pain. It was back to the chiropractor. She did another treatment, gave me some more exercises, and said to try again and if things don't improve over the next week we may have to get an MRI. I did manage to jog about a 1/2 mile on Wednesday, but was in a lot of pain that evening and the following day. It's extremely frustrating and I'm hoping that things will soon be on the mend.
Other than that, things are good. Our schedule this past week has been crazy, hence no updates. Last week we did end up going to the Children's Museum and getting a membership. It was so hot outside that we couldn't be out there. Ava loves that place so I'm sure that we'll get our money's worth out of the membership.
This past weekend we stayed home and got a few things done. Nate actually went up to the cabin on Saturday to help get the boats and docks out while the kids and I stayed home. Mema came over in the afternoon and played with the kids while I ran a couple of errands, and then we all went out to McDonald's for dinner (Ava obviously got to choose where we went). She was quite a handful that day, and has been this past week. I'm hoping that this is a week long "stage" that she will outgrow by tomorrow morning. Daddy has been on overtime this week since I had to work three evening shifts, and have to return tomorrow for my 12 hr day shifts. I think that he's ready for a bit of an attitude adjustment from her. Everyday (or every minute) is a new adventure with kids, so we'll see what they have for us tomorrow. :)
Sunday was spent getting things done around the house as well as a trip to the park. Those days go so quickly. Monday morning we all headed to the zoo. It was actually very cool outside. We had jeans and jackets on, and it felt amazing. It was a great way to spend the morning before heading off to work for an evening shift.
Wednesday we had Ava's preschool orientation. She got to see her classroom and meet her teachers. She'll have her first day of preschool next Monday. She's very excited about it. She'll go two days a week for 2 1/2 hrs a day. I know that it's only preschool, but it's still "school". She's growing up so fast. We watched the neighbor kids get on the bus on Tuesday. As they waved and rode away I got teary eyed. Are you kidding me?!? They aren't even my kids! I never understood why parents cried when their kids go off to school. I now get it. I'm excited for her and happy for her because I have no doubt that she'll enjoy it and I want her to become a strong and independent person. It just seems like time is flying by and before I know it we'll be moving her out to college (ok, a little extreme I know, but you get the point).
Thursday morning was another big day. We started our new ECFE class. We'll have this every Thursday morning. I was a bit worried about the separation time where the parents go into another room for discussion, as Grant has been playing strange lately. Thankfully he was engrossed in the bubbles that one of the teachers was blowing, and didn't even notice that I left. He did get fussy later, and one of the teachers brought him in asleep. I was worried about that as well, since the class starts at his nap time. He did great though, and as always Ava loved it.
Well it's back to work for me tomorrow morning. Nate will be heading to a Veldman family reunion with Boppa and the kids tomorrow morning. Then Mema, Boppa, and Uncle Wes are coming over on Sunday to play. Should be a fun filled weekend for the kids. Hope that you all have one as well!
Grant checking out Dora's space shuttle at the Children's Museum
All clean after his bath
We had to put the cloth guard on the crib since I found fresh (not from Ava) chew marks in the beautiful wood. Looks like our little man has been eating his crib during a midnight snack. We also had to move his mattress down to the lowest position after this picture was taken. It looks like he might be able to flip himself out at this height.
Labor Day morning at the zoo. Daddy & Ava sitting on the tigers
Ava feeding the goats
Having a morning chat with the penguin
I can't decide if this picture is funny or scary. She can't quite get the fake smile thing down.
Other than that, things are good. Our schedule this past week has been crazy, hence no updates. Last week we did end up going to the Children's Museum and getting a membership. It was so hot outside that we couldn't be out there. Ava loves that place so I'm sure that we'll get our money's worth out of the membership.
This past weekend we stayed home and got a few things done. Nate actually went up to the cabin on Saturday to help get the boats and docks out while the kids and I stayed home. Mema came over in the afternoon and played with the kids while I ran a couple of errands, and then we all went out to McDonald's for dinner (Ava obviously got to choose where we went). She was quite a handful that day, and has been this past week. I'm hoping that this is a week long "stage" that she will outgrow by tomorrow morning. Daddy has been on overtime this week since I had to work three evening shifts, and have to return tomorrow for my 12 hr day shifts. I think that he's ready for a bit of an attitude adjustment from her. Everyday (or every minute) is a new adventure with kids, so we'll see what they have for us tomorrow. :)
Sunday was spent getting things done around the house as well as a trip to the park. Those days go so quickly. Monday morning we all headed to the zoo. It was actually very cool outside. We had jeans and jackets on, and it felt amazing. It was a great way to spend the morning before heading off to work for an evening shift.
Wednesday we had Ava's preschool orientation. She got to see her classroom and meet her teachers. She'll have her first day of preschool next Monday. She's very excited about it. She'll go two days a week for 2 1/2 hrs a day. I know that it's only preschool, but it's still "school". She's growing up so fast. We watched the neighbor kids get on the bus on Tuesday. As they waved and rode away I got teary eyed. Are you kidding me?!? They aren't even my kids! I never understood why parents cried when their kids go off to school. I now get it. I'm excited for her and happy for her because I have no doubt that she'll enjoy it and I want her to become a strong and independent person. It just seems like time is flying by and before I know it we'll be moving her out to college (ok, a little extreme I know, but you get the point).
Thursday morning was another big day. We started our new ECFE class. We'll have this every Thursday morning. I was a bit worried about the separation time where the parents go into another room for discussion, as Grant has been playing strange lately. Thankfully he was engrossed in the bubbles that one of the teachers was blowing, and didn't even notice that I left. He did get fussy later, and one of the teachers brought him in asleep. I was worried about that as well, since the class starts at his nap time. He did great though, and as always Ava loved it.
Well it's back to work for me tomorrow morning. Nate will be heading to a Veldman family reunion with Boppa and the kids tomorrow morning. Then Mema, Boppa, and Uncle Wes are coming over on Sunday to play. Should be a fun filled weekend for the kids. Hope that you all have one as well!
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