Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yesterday was Chris' birthday. We tried really hard to make it special for him in spite the fact he had to work 11 hours at work.

We had Sam and Louie's pizza for dinner, daddy's favorite. Then we celebrated with chocolate cupcakes with M&Ms on top. They were decedent, if I do say so myself. Then, Daddy opened his presents.

He opened swimming trunks, running shorts and a t-shirt, new khaki pants, 2 polo shirts and lots of hugs and kisses. We ended the night with a quite dumb movie (whoops, who knew?!).

Happy Birthday Chris...& many more!

April at the OCM and Slide Time

There are not too many mornings that we get to go to members hour at the Omaha Children's Museum. Addison is in preschool, and I don't always remember to take Asher on Tuesday mornings. But today, I remembered.

Leah, Asher and I arrived right at 9. We love members hour for the simple fact as I can always see the kids (there is not a crowd with wall to wall people...so nice!). We started in the Big Backyard first. I wanted to be sure to hit that one more time, at least, before they take it down. That will be a sad day as the kids love the big backyard.

We made our way down to do a watercolor project before going into the big room to play a bit. Then, I had an idea...

...let's go down the slides in the Gene Leahy Mall!

Leah and Asher just had a blast going down the slides. Leah had on a little skirt that must have made the slides faster. The first time she went down, I was at the bottom taking pictures when she flew down. I went to stop her and my camera bumped her in the forehead as she bumped to the ground. She did not mind, as she got up, giggled and ran back up the stairs to go down again. Asher, on the other hand, went down the slide to a sudden stop. So, I guess pants are slower than Leah's little skirt. After sliding and sliding and sliding, we went to see the water and water foul. It is so pretty and peaceful there. The kids liked to see the ducks and geese.

Then, oh, look at the time. We had to go so we could pick up Addison from preschool. Leah and Asher looked wiped as I buckled them in the car with a snack.

What a fun morning. What a beautiful day!

March in Review

March finally brought some warmer weather. The month had its ups and downs with nice weather, then snow, then nice weather, then more snow. Let's hope we are onto spring. We visited the normal places, shopped for spring weather, Alivia had a sleepover, and we had Leah over during the day for the last few days. We, as always kept very busy. Chris continues his overtime for 1 more week (he thinks), then we may just get back to normal, whatever that is. Looking forward to April and the fun warmer weather activities.

 

Alivia kept busy with playdates. Addison enjoyed a week off from preschool during conference time. Asher keeps busy changing his clothes all the time.

 

Have a Happy Easter

MARCH PICTURES

It's Spring!

What a beautiful day! I am going to say spring is here, at least until Monday. Today was fun filled. The kids and I ran errands this morning before stopping by for frozen yogurt. It is fun to get out with all the kids. With that said, they all have their tastes and wants in things we are shopping for (or things I did not know I was shopping for).

After shopping, the kids watched a short movie for quiet time before heading out for the remainder of the day. Seriously, it was so nice! We took a nice wagon ride around the lake, played on the playset and in the front yard and soaked up all the warm, fresh air.

Ahhh. It's spring!

Alivia, Cameron (the neighbor) and Addison chalking it up.

Cameron (the neighbor) and Addison swinging.

Day at the Park

Today the kids and I hit a local playground for some outdoor fun, playing for an hour and a half. The birds were singing, the skies were blue, and the air was refreshing. We all had fun. Okay, the ran me ragged, but it was so fun!

Mother Nature, you can keep the snow, please. We like spring like this, thank you.

Today we visited the Ralston Park

Celebrating 40 Years of Marraige

Tonight we took Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bob to Lo Sole Mio to celebrate their upcoming 40th Wedding Anniversary this Sunday. The kids were all excited. They have been seeing the pictures of their wedding day nearly 40 years ago. Alivia, at least, had some idea what we were celebrating. Being married 40 years is a big deal!

Good food, family and fun...oh, and let's not forget 40 years of marriage to celebrate! That's what great nights are made of.

Happy Anniversary...and many more!

Lunch with Alivia

Since beginning first grade, Alivia did not want us to eat lunch with her at school because she feared she would cry when I left. Today we surprised her at lunch time.

Addison, Asher and Leah (who ate with her sister) were so excited as they ran inside to eat like the big kids in school. It was fun to see Alivia in her element, with her friends.

And, Alivia did not cry when we left. She actually invited us to join her for lunch again, real soon.

Lunch time!

Emma, Leah and Alivia

What's for Dinner?

There is one question that does not get easier with time, "What's for Dinner." So far, "Whatever you are making," has not worked for an answer.

We have a limited menu, which makes my job as the one who prepares dinner difficult and just plain boring.

Things on our option list are pasta, tacos (with lettuce and cheese), cheese pizza, grilled chicken breasts, chicken legs (and only Chris, Addi and Asher eat chicken), deli night - where I make something that resembles subway sandwiches, breakfast night, pasta bake, an occasional hotdog (for Chris and maybe one-two of the kids will eat that - why I don't know) and that is about it. YAWN!

Eating out is something we rarely do. Don't get me wrong, I would love to eat out. But, with our picky eaters, they end up coming home and eating anyway. So, eating out is a total waste of money at this point. We are leaving eating out to the kids' special dates with Chris and I for the time being.

At lunch time, Addison and Asher will eat just about anything. We love soup in the winter, any fruit and any vegetable. Their favorite foods are steamed broccoli and a broccoli, cheese and rice dish. Seriously, if it is a healthy food item, Addison and Asher will eat it. Now, if Alivia is home for lunch, she will not eat any of their favorite foods. Come on, I am not a short order cook. Actually, I am not a cook at all!

We don't eat any red meat at home. Alivia only eats a cheeseburger from McDonalds and Turkey peperoni, by her choice only. She is just really picky. Addison and Asher generally will eat chicken and sometimes turkey. Addison actually loves chicken and her new love, shrimp. I don't eat meat generally. I usually have chicken or shrimp maybe once a year. I would like to eat more seafood, but I would never buy it for just myself (nobody else likes seafood). I get my fill of fruits, vegetables, salads, and carbs.

I am bored. I need to find more food options so I can stop yawning through dinner.

Any suggestions?

Let's Bounce!

Today we met some friends (and were surprised to see even more friends) at Bounce U. We arrived at noon, and about 12:15 the morning bouncers cleared out to make more room for us to play. The kids ran, bounced, slid and completely wore themselves.

After we did our school pick up, Addison went up to bed all by herself taking a nap until dinner! I think she may have just bounced herself out!

Spring Cleaning: The Basement

Last week...I took under the basement. The basement had to be cleaned and cleared out, but it was a very overwhelming undertaking.

One day, the kids were occupied in their imaginative play in the basement, so I took it upon myself to get started with the toys. By saying get started, I mean I took out all of the toys out of the toy room and dumped them all out on the main basement floor. I took all the toys that were upstairs downstairs and seriously just dumped them at the bottom of the stairs.

Over the next couple days, the toys just sat there. I finally had time to put them in baskets on Friday evening, sorting and getting everything organized on Saturday. And....for the results...

First - the DUMP

But, that was only the beginning! Next I had to take on the utility room. Seriously, what a mess. I had an idea up my sleeves, so I had to clean out and eliminate the unnecessary (crap). And, we had a lot of crap!

Okay...now for the after of the utility room and basement!

As you can see, the kids got their own space. They wanted a play room...so I tried to give them that. It will have to do...for now. Until we come up with the next plan.

Now, I have cleaned and cleared nearly 2 floors of our home. Now, for completing the main level. I have started on it, but have a ways to go.

Although it is supposed to be spring...there is still snow on the ground. So, I have time to finish, right?!

Spring Snow

What gives...isn't it spring. It has snowed the last 2 mornings. Today it seemed to snow all day. Ugh! Where is spring? The ducks on my morning run were all huddled together. They don't know what is going on, either.

Today the kids made a snowman and watched movies. Perfect spring snow day. Let's hope the March lion gets the heck out of here soon.

Looking at the Kitchen!