Bummer...more snow!

Last night was a big bummer (as Ava put it) in our house. We were all ready to go to Aunt Lisa & Uncle Brent's house when the snow began to fall.  Knowing that the roads may not be in good shape on Sunday we decided that we would make the trek anyway, as we were SO looking forward to spending time with family and friends during our trip to Des Moines.  We packed up the Traverse and headed on our way (after a made a quick emergency kit and put it in the car without Nate seeing since he thinks I'm crazy for doing things like that).  After a slow and long trip to the freeway, we finally got onto 35.  I told Nate that I didn't think it was worth it and that we should turn back, but he said we would try the freeway.  Well, let's just say that conditions did not improve.  Reluctantly, we explained to a Very disappointed girl that we were not going to be able to make the trip since the roads were to dangerous.  She was obviously very sad, but handled it pretty good.  It probably helped that we told her that we could go out for dinner and she could pick the place.  So, we headed to Chick-fil-A.  As we passed many spun out cars we realized that we had made the right decision.  I'm still super bummed that I'm missing everything this weekend, but am relieved that we're safe at home. 

I'm also sad that Grant won't get this weekend to get used to Uncle Brent & Aunt Lisa's house.  He'll be spending four nights there next week and I thought weekend might ease the process.  He's such a momma's boy that I worry about him.  I know that he'll be ok, he doesn't have a choice.  I also know that in the past I've spent much time worrying about how the kids will adapt and they are fine.  I need to try to let this go and not worry about it. 

As you can see from the pictures below, our weekend last week did get better.  The weather warmed up into the 30's on Sunday (felt balmy) so we got to take the kids out sledding.  They had a great time.  We just went up behind our neighbor's house.  The hill is small, but a great size for the kids.  Grant obviously couldn't ride himself, but had a great time sledding down the hill on my lap.

Unfortunately schools were cancelled again on Thursday due to the cold weather so our ECFE class was cancelled as well.  That is something that the kids and I really look forward to every week so we were all disappointed.  This weather sure brings a lot of disappointment.  Sadly enough, I think that Ava's preschool will be cancelled this upcoming Monday since they are predicting windchills of -49.  Anyway, since ECFE was cancelled we had our own little playdate a the germ infested McDonad's playland.  The kids had a great time and it got us out of the house.

Now that we're stuck home for the weekend, we'll probably do lots of fun stuff like grocery shopping, oil changes for the car, etc.  Oh fun!  We hope that you all have a safe weekend, and stay warm!
 

I think this may have been where Ava lost her boot in the snow.  She had a hard time walking in some places because the snow is so deep.

All smiles and laughs coming down the hill.

There's no better way to end a snow day than with some hot chocolate with marshmallows of course

One of those days

Yesterday was just "one of those days". Some of you may judge me for saying this, others may not have a clue what I'm talking about, and yet others may totally relate. We had one of those days...you know the ones where you kind of wonder why you prayed and pleaded with God to give you children.  I love my babies more than life itself, but yesterday both Nate and I needed a break. 

For the past few days Ava has turned into a whiny, crying, dramatic little girl.  The moment that she doesn't get her way she's crying (sometimes real, sometimes fake).  This does not sit well with me.  She's needed constant attention, meaning she needs to be the center of attention at all times.  I've been reciting a quote that I heard last week at ECFE..."Children need love the most when they deserve it the least".  So I thought that Ava needed some extra one on one time so I told her that she could have a lunch date yesterday.  She got to choose which parent she wanted to go with and choose the place.  She chose Daddy and they went to Cane's.  I'm not sure if it helped with anything, but it was worth a shot.  I'm hoping that this is a very short lived phase.  I feel like she just went from 3 1/2 to 13 over night. 

Then we have Grant.  He is constantly on the go; getting into everything that he shouldn't.  He thinks it's hilarious!  It's hard to get mad at the dimpled smile he has upon his face but seriously.  He now realizes that he has a voice and uses it frequently.  However, not to say words.  It's mainly yelling and pointing.  Oh this drives me crazy!  I've been working with him on his words but he seems to have no interest.  He has started using a bit of sign language, but that doesn't tell me what he wants "more" of. 

We attempted the gym again yesterday morning.  We went to a different Lifetime Fitness (there are two equal distance from our house).  The one we went to yesterday is a bit smaller so I thought that he may do better at it with less kids.  Well, Nate and I got about 7 minutes in on the treadmill before I was paged overhead.  The little guy had been crying the whole time.  I feel awful when I see him like that, but feel like we have to keep trying.  He has to get used to being left with other people, and trust that we're coming back for him. 

Last evening I got the privilege to go and pick up a pizza for dinner.  No, honestly, I wanted to do this.  I contemplated sitting at the end of the street in my car and just enjoying the peace and quiet to myself.  I thought that might a bit unfair to Nate though. 

Yesterday we were so grateful that we have our vacation to look forward to.  However, I know that the moment that I drop the kids off with my sister and drive away I will be crying.  We have never left our kids for a whole week.  Heck, I've never left Grant for more than 2 days (and he was with Nate at the cabin).  I know they will be fine and have a great time.  On the other hand, I know that I will worry about them and miss them beyond words. 

Motherhood (or maybe I should say parenthood) is funny like that.  One moment you want to pull your hair out and the next moment (or maybe a few hours later)  you just want to hold your kids, snuggle them, hug and kiss them, and reassure them that you love them into outer space, to the bottom of the ocean, up to the cabin, down to Grandma & Grandpa's, and back home (for Ava, to the moon and back is not enough).  I try to remember not to wish these difficult days away, as I know that time already goes to quickly.  Ava will be 4 years old next month.  I remember the day that she was born like yesterday. 

So, here's to hoping that today is filled with less drama and more smiles, giggles, hugs, kisses, and long naps.  :) 

Happy New Year!

We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year has started out well.  We've been busy celebrating the holidays, trying to stay warm, heading back to preschool, attempting the gym, and trying to figure out what's going on with the "rash" on Grant's back.  
 

We spent most of Christmas Eve at Mema & Boppa's house enjoying lunch and relaxing before Christmas eve church service.  The kids went to the nursery while the rest of us enjoyed a fabulous service.  Unfortunately Grant cried the whole time in the nursery and they didn't page me (I felt awful after picking up my poor snot faced little man after church).  As we walked out of the chapel we saw the snow coming down.  It's always much more beautiful from the inside...especially when you have to drive 45 minutes home in it with two hungry and cranky kids. 

She says she's just loving him here, not trying to strangle him with a choke hold. 

Christmas morning we were able to enjoy our own family Christmas with just the four of us before Mema, Boppa, Uncle Wes, & Aunt Janna joined us at 9:00 for presents and brunch.  Ava was all over the unwrapping of the gifts this year.  Mema & Boppa stayed for dinner and Boppa even had enough energy for horsey rides before heading home. 

Ava trying out her new bike.  She's been practicing on an "obstacle course" that Nate made for her in the basement. 

Nate was back to work the day after Christmas.  That's when I took Grant to the Dr. because he had been super cranky, was teething, had a cold, and I noticed a horrible rash on his back on Christmas eve.  The Dr. said that it was eczema and that he was just teething.  We were to drug him with Ibuprofen every 8 hours and try new Aveeno baby bath and some creams.  Well, it didn't get better so back to the pediatrician we went yesterday for a second opinion (since I don't like the Dr. we saw the first time).  He confirmed that it's definitely eczema and gave us a bunch of recommendations as well as gave us a prescription cream and told us to give him Zyrtec twice a day.  So now I have to give my little guy medicine daily which I absolutely hate.  I need to do a bit more investigating on triggers (besides cold weather since we can't control that here in MN).  I saw that dairy is a huge trigger, but need to look more into that.  Taking away dairy would be a HUGE adjustment for our family!

Anyway, back to Christmas.  We left for IA the Friday after Christmas.  The drive down went well, good weather and Grant actually slept part of the way.  Friday evening Grandma & Grandpa watched the kids so that all of us "older kids"  could go bowling.  I can't remember the last time that I was together with all of my siblings (and spouses) to do something fun (besides Marc & Sara's wedding).  We had a great time (and I felt better after knowing that Grant was no longer crying after I left and had fallen asleep). 

Friday afternoon both Grandma Great & Great Grandma came to visit.  Yes, that is a large purple goose egg on Great Grandma's head (from when she fell before Christmas). 

Saturday morning the kids ventured out in the snow.  As you can see, Grant was having a great time (the Ibuprofen was obviously not working)

He did however love riding in the snow tube

A little family photo outside the barn.

And a big family photo inside the barn.

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids

My mom, dad, and siblings

Grant giving cousin Jakob a kiss

The kids calling for Santa with their new Santa lanterns...

then what to our wondering eyes should appear, but Santa and Mrs.  Clause

It was a miracle that Grant did not cry.  He very rarely would let anybody besides me hold him that weekend.  However, he seemed content with a jolly old man with a beard that he had never met before. 

 

Ava thought it was hilarious that somebody would give her hawkeye kleenex since she thinks that "hawkeyes stink"

Ava couldn't get enough of her new princess gloves

Dr. Ava checking out cousin Zacky

The Becker family

Below are pictures taken on my phone so they're a little out of order

Making cookies for Santa

This would be the hole in our main floor bathroom wall.  We were sitting around enjoying Christmas brunch when all of a sudden we hear "oh no, oh no, oh no".  Nate and I go running into the bathroom to find Ava and this.  That's right, she was hanging on the towel ring and for some reason they are not made to hold a 42 lb child without ripping off the wall.  As of yesterday morning it is now fixed and we did a little education with Ava regarding the proper use of a towel bar/ring.
 

Grant getting ready for the car trip to IA

Ava buckled in and ready to go to IA.

It was girls vs boys at the bowling alley that night.  Yeah, girls did not win. 

On our way home Monday morning.  A "triple sleep over" with cousins included definitely wears out a little girl.