Alivia's 1st Sleepover!

We have been planning this for a while...but last night it was finally here...Alivia's 1st sleepover!

Alivia had her friend, Ellie, from her old school over to spend the night. We met at Standing Bear where they were having a carnival. Alivia was overwhelmed at first and started crying even before we met us with Ellie. There were a lot of things to do, and eventually everyone had fun. Oh...and we got to see our old neighbors. That was a thrill.

We picked up some pizza and made our way home. The girls immediately ran all over the house. The jumped, then played in Alivia's room. Chris then set up a tent in Alivia's room for the girls to sleep in. They loved that. They watch a little bit of Spongebob on DVD before making their way to Alivia's room about 10. I think they were asleep around 10:30 (and Addi and Asher stayed up that long too! They were upset they could not sleep in the tent!).

I got up early for my morning jog around the lake. When I returned, I could hear them waking up one by one (at 7am no less). The girls went from room to room waking everyone up except Chris. Now, this happens every day. But, Ellie told me that is what they did (which I thought was cut

After breakfast, the girls made Mother's Day Cards, jumped on the bouncer some more, played in the garage on bikes and toys and with babies before deciding it was time for lunch. After lunch, I decided to treat Alivia and Ellie alone to the Children's Museum. I was hoping that things were opened back up. Unfortunately, I was wrong. They did have a sign up saying that the science room was closed through May 15th for repairs. I wish they would have decided to do those repairs when their was an exhibit upstairs! I think the girls had fun anyway.

After a little icecream, it was time to take Ellie home. It was sad to bring her home and not live just right down the street. I could imagine how close of friends they would be if the kids lived near each other. My best friends are those I have known since I was 3, so I know how important those friends are! (Sidenote: Many homes in our old neighborhood are for sale or have sold, and we knew a fair amount of those people. Weird actually. Maybe we should move back - ha!).

Alivia had so much fun that she curled up in a blanket and fell right to sleep when we got home. Oh...to be a little girl again!

Night Night Kitty Cat...Meow!

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May to the OCM

OCM in May

Today, being rainy and cooler and all, seemed like the perfect day to go to the Omaha Children's Museum. We were, unfortunately, wrong.

We arrived right at 10 to find a few cars and a bus in the parking lot. Perfect.

Once inside, it seemed busy but not overly busy. We played outside in the hallway a bit before making our way into the big room. Having been there monthly for a while now...the kids always want to check everything out. So, within 45 minutes, they wanted to go and play in the ball room.

Sorry, I is closed.

Upstairs? Closed until May 29th when it opens with Clifford.

So, we did a little painting art project. Addison wanted to try on costumes, but the daycare had overtaken that room. Next, "I'm hungry" which is what they say when all else fails. We stopped at a picnic table for a little snack before Addison decided it was time to go home.

Disappointing at best. We were even supposed to meet friends there until I called them and told them to stay at home! I guess we will wait until May 29 to visit again.

Favorite spots this visit:
Addison: Of course, grocery shopping. I am not a fan of this area as parents are supposed to put all of the food back. Gees! I feel like I am at home cleaning! Addi likes it though.
Asher: Asher liked the tractor best this visit. I could not get him out of the thing. So cute though.

Until next time...

 

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Chris at Work

Nobody can ever say Chris is lazy. He tore out the sod to create our landscaping bed all the way around the home. Then, he created a trench (which is what they do now to help keep the mulch in the landscape bed). Seriously, it is a lot of work (at least it looked like it!). The landscape designer could not believe he was doing it all by hand! This house is seriously a ton of work. And, the estimate for mulch is nearly $700 or more! We had rock at our previous home, but we learned that rock heats up plants and many times kills them. So, we are giving mulch a try at this home.

Here is Chris at Work...

To be continued, I'm sure!

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The Interior Designer in Me!

I found this interior design firm, Fluff Your Stuff, and I was looking through their pictures. I love interior design and this place has some really cool stuff! Check out picture slide #6. Then compare it to Addison's room. Hummm....there must be some interior designer in me! Who knew? Pretty close for a stay at home Mommy!

Here is Addison's room...

Addison's Room

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Pottery Tots

Today Addison and Asher went to Pottery Tots at It's Yours Pottery near 132nd and Center Streets. Pottery Tots is an interactive and creative "Mommy and Me" hour specially designed for ages 2 and up. They read a fun story, "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle, learned some great little life lessons and were able to get creative. After painting pottery - star ornaments, we enjoyed a little snack. The cost was $15 a person, which I thought was a bit much. It was a fun experience, but we will not be returning any time soon because of the expense. Shoot - that was a nice pair of shoes for the kids!

Want to go to Pottery Tots? You just need to call ahead to sign up and go and enjoy. It is a fun experience for the kids. Addison really liked it...Asher not so much. But, I may go again with them next winter. I will have to start saving now, though. :)

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Kindergarten Presents...

...Dooby Dooby Moo!

Tonight was Alivia's spring Kindergarten program at Bell Elementary. It was adorable! Alivia belted out the tunes and did an amazing job! The 2 Kindergarten classes sang Old McDonald, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Home on the Range, and more. It was so fun!

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The After: Dropzone/Closet

Finally, we have a place to hang our hat (and coats and backpacks and...). We love it! This is better than a diamond to a girl like myself who believes everything needs a place in order to keep organized.

Here are the before pictures:

And now for the after pictures of the drop zone and closet:

Want a drop zone or lockers and closet for yourself? We hired RSI (Ryan Services INC) at 933-3022. He did an amazing job on our space and on Chris' parents' master bathroom. We would highly recommend him!

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April in Review

Wow...what fun was April?! We finished our Staycation during spring break and had Henry & Ben over to play. We celebrated Easter by having our first Easter Egg Hunt in Shadow Lake and then having another one in Iowa on the farm. We took the usual trips to the Children's Museum, the forest, and the zoo, and then added in cookie decorating, Sac Museum, a Royals baseball game, visiting the Lewis and Clark Monument and Big Lake Park, visiting grandma and Grandpa Austin, going to breakfast with Diego & Kidz Explore, going to Peter & the Wolf at the Omaha Symphony and more! The kids stayed with Grandma Bet and Boppa Bill as Chris and I painted and got the girls' rooms all decorated. They were so excited! We also painted the laundry room and nearly finished the drop zone/closet, and painted the main level and basement bathrooms. We finished the month getting the play set back up!

Alivia keeps busy watching her share of Spongebob while drawing many pictures. Addison likes to play with babies. Asher, meanwhile, likes playing with his trains and is nearly potty trained! Yes, we are nearly diaperless in our house!

What a month!

Now..onto May! Alivia will be turning 6, finishing Kindergarten, and going to swim camp! Addison will also be finishing her first year of preschool, and Asher will be 2 1/2! Now...onto the picture show! Enjoy!

APRIL PICTURES

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Berkshire Kiddos

Berkshire Kids

Another year - another year of the kids being invested in Berkshire Hathoway. Not sure they are appreciating the benefits of shopping, though. Addison and Asher went with me this week as we tried to select Alivia's birthday gift and some new things for our home. Let's just say they were less than excited about the shopping trip. I so wish there was a Berkshire thing at the Dairy Queen (is there?).

We are already planning for our shopping trip next year...

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Finally - The Girls' Rooms AFTER

Alivia's room: Replaced the lamp from Pottery Barn (with another one from Pottery Barn) and found her some cute art.
Addison's room: New lamp - finally - that I found at Target - and it matches perfectly!

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Happy May Day

May Day treats from Grandma & Boppa

It's a Holiday even if we are the only ones who celebrate it! Maybe next year we will put a little more effort into it! :) I think I will put together May Day Baskets for our kids, too, as well as help them prepare them for others. Yes, it is good for them to give and not just get. But, I should be giving them a May Day surprise, too!

This year - a solo cup, confetti popcorn from VICS (Which is so yummy), some treats and the kids stickered the cup. It is all in the thought - right? And, the kids had fun delivering them!

Happy May Day! Below are pictures of the May Baskets the kids received from our neighbors (and how cute are they?!!) and then the kids delivering their May Baskets.

May Day to Cousins Lucas, Henry & Ben (and they were not home!)>

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