We Love Miss Hollie!

If you've never experienced the Kindermusik program...you're missing out on a wonderful experience.  Our family has been a part of this amazing music class since Ava was 1 1/2 years old.  The whole class is a routine that is similar each time so the kids become familiar with what events will take place.  We're always excited to learn new songs or dance around to some old favorites.  Playing all the fun instruments, using the scarves, playing Miss Hollie's special "BIG DRUM," and relaxing with our "Lovies" are all part of this special time.

Scarf time...we were singing and dancing to a song and pretending our scarves were kites.

Isaiah waving his scarf up high!

Story time with our "Lovies"

(special stuffed animals the kids get to hold during rest time and story time)

   

Ava receiving her graduation diploma with Miss Hollie

Isaiah getting his diploma with Miss Hollie

Thanks Hollie for all the amazing things you do for our family.  You are a great teacher and friend! 

My Three Happy's:

1) Early out Wednesday:  School was dismissed at 12:30 (Although we had meetings until 3:00...it was kind of nice to have a short day with my class.)

2) Talking a walk with our family...we walked down to a local park and the kids played.  I was getting chilly but I swear kids are immune to temperature when they're having fun!

3) Carrot Cake: Tomorrow is the 1st grade lunch social at school and our grade level is in charge of bringing lunch.  I'm bringing a pasta salad and tried a new recipe for carrot cake (Andy's Aunt Karen's recipe).  I've never made it, but when I've eaten hers...it's to die for!  I can't wait to try it.

Just Stompin' Around

After school today the kids and I tackled another Family Fun Magazine project.  In the March issue it had a section on fun things to do inside to "Stomp out the Cold."  One of the activities was to make monster feet out of Kleenex boxes.  Thanks to Great Grandma Richardson...who has been collecting many boxes for us...we were able to start this.  The kids picked out some random wrapping paper scraps and helped me wrap their "monster shoes."  We then cut out some ferocious claws and decorated them.  They turned out pretty cute and were fun to do.  You know us...we love to craft!

Ava gluing cotton balls to decorate the tops of her shoes.

 Isaiah wanted furry feet.  He wanted to glue cotton balls around the "claws."

What gigantic feet!

Roar!

Ava wanted to paint her monster's toenails...with REAL polish!

Pretty fancy!

Of course the polish turned into Miss Ava wanting a manicure.  Isaiah wanted me to polish one of his fingers so he could be like his big sister. 

I wonder what other adventures are awaiting us this week...we'll just have to wait and see!

My Three Happy's:

1) Our family room was actually clean and vacuumed for maybe 5 minutes this afternoon.  At the end of the night it was filled with cotton balls, scraps of paper, tape, foil, markers, wrapping paper...you name it.  But in reality...that just means we're always having fun at our house.  I keep telling myself..."I have the rest of my life to clean up.  Live for the moment now!"

2) Yummy brats on the grill

3) My new baking pan that Janet got me from Cook's Emporium...Dan says he "helped" pick it out too.  They dropped it by tonight.  I've been talking about how I need to update my baking dishes.  It's a really nice one!  Thanks guys!

Four Friends Forever

Last night we went over to the Vermeer's house for dinner, to catch up, and to watch our little ones play.  For those of you who know Marissa, you know she is an amazing person.  They have a beautiful family and a welcoming home.  Marissa is one of those friends who you don't talk to every week or you may not see for months, but when you get together, it's like you've never been apart.  We first met ten years ago when I started teaching at Ballard.  Ever since then we've been very good friends. 

The kids played for almost 4 hours together...with the exception of a quick dinner break...no one really ate much anyway because they were so excited to get back to playing.  You would have thought these kids were cousins or siblings.  They had a ball!

Ava and Elliana...how cute. 

Isaiah playing...he loved all the "boy toys."

Okay...maybe he liked this one girl toy of Elliana's. 

Isaiah, Cael, and Elliana playing in the family room.

Look at this precious little girl.  It's hard to believe she is 14 months. 

Mr. Cael will be three in May.  Poor Marissa...her house was spotless when we got there...the kids really destroyed it!

Music time everyone!

Someone looks just like their Daddy!

I can't tell you how much I love this family.  Marissa is one of those friends who understands if you're busy and don't return a phone call for weeks.  She is supportive and never judges you.  She has great advice and is always there to listen.  She has two beautiful children and a wonderful husband.  We can't wait to see them again soon!

My Three Happy's:
1) The Vermeer Family (Thanks again for having us over Marissa!  I love and miss you lots!)
2) Beginning to catch up on laundry... I think we've done five loads so far...4 more to go!  We never do any laundry during the week...no time!
3) Our children...I look at them everyday and think how lucky we are that God chose us to be their parents!

Under the Big Top

Last night Aunt Jody came over to spend the night with us.  She had tickets for all of us to attend the Shrine's Circus in Des Moines today.  Last night Andy grilled for dinner and it was a unanimous vote to head over to Dairy Queen for dessert.  Once we got home the kids continued to play and show Aunt Jody "EVERYTHING."  They love having her visit!

Playing Lite Brite with Aunt Jody

We're silly!

The kids walked off to play something else...guess who was still fascinated with creating a design?

This morning we went to the circus at the Iowa State Fair Grounds.  I'm sure I've been to a circus as a kid but don't really remember it.  Both Ava and Isaiah were convinced there would be monkeys and zebras.  Unfortunately those animals were not there but here are a few pictures of some of the things we watched.

 Isaiah with his Spiderman balloon we got.  It's a little taller than he is.

Ava choose a "My Little Pony."  When asked both the kids said they wanted to keep these balloons in their bed.  I'm serious when I say this but there is hardly any room left in Ava's bed for her.  She has over 40 dolls and stuffed animals and she knows if one is missing!  Isaiah's bed is getting there...of course  he has lots of trucks and cars in his bed too.

 A view of part of the circus floor before it started.

 This place was full of clowns...I'm not 100% sure how I feel about clowns...they can be a little strange.  Ava and Isaiah didn't mind them at all.

The trapeze artists

 Another picture of the trapeze artists

 Unicycle riders...they did so many tricks on these bikes.

This girl was soaring through the air on this ring...with no net below.

This was the horse she rode in on and did a few tricks with.

Isaiah enjoying his cherry snowcone.  Ava had one too.

Tightrope walkers...amazing!

How does he do that?  (...and with no net too!)

Two of the elephants that were there

We stayed until intermission.  The first half was about an hour and a half.  After the circus we headed home...with a quick stop at McDonald's...and took naps.  This evening we're going over to Marissa and Eric's house.  Marissa was a kindergarten teacher at our school and now stays home with her two kids Cale and Elliana.  I LOVE spending time with their family...can't wait.

My Three Happy's:

1) Visiting with Aunt Jody!

2) Going to the circus with my family

3) Having dinner and playing with the Vermeer family



The World is a Rainbow

Cloudy skies, sprinkles, more cloudy skies, sunshine peeking through, thunder, lightening, and tornado watches...but no rainbows...that about wraps up a day in Slater, Iowa.

With gloomy weather and no chance of having fun outside, we decided to make a rainbow inside...that is a rainbow cupcake.  I left school early today to pick up the kids.  I wasn't sure what was going on with all the tornado watches, but I knew I just wanted to get the kids as quickly as I could and get home safe.  Of course everything was fine...I just like to be extra careful...that's just me.  When we walked in the door, I said "Who wants to make cupcakes?"  The answer was, "Me, me!"  Since the day was pretty dreary, we decided to make happy rainbows in our cupcakes (thanks again Family Fun magazine).  Out came the bowls, measuring cups and spoons, food coloring and muffin tins.  The kids were pretty excited about using food coloring.  They each picked two colors.  Isaiah picked red and then wanted to see what happened when blue and red were mixed together...PURPLE!  Ava wanted to make blue first and then yellow.  While she was mixing the yellow she said, "Let's see what happens when you put some red in."  They turned out great and there are only a few left.  Daddy enjoyed them too when he got home from track practice.  Here are a few pictures of our adventure in the kitchen.  Yeah...I know everything in our kitchen is outdated...but don't worry, I've already been planning the kitchen that we will eventually do when we remodel...someday!

Loving the batter...a little raw egg never hurt anyone.

Ava and Isaiah mixing the red and blue part of the cupcake.

Once you make the cupcake batter you just divide it into as many containers as you'd like colors. 

You can tell Ava sampled almost every color of batter.  Isaiah did too, but surprisingly he stayed pretty clean.

Hot out of the oven.

A picture of what it looks like when you cut it in half.

Dessert time!

Isaiah's comment after dinner was, "These are the best cupcakes ever!"

He looks pretty stylish with his frosting mustache.

Ava trying to get frosting on her nose.

If we can't see a rainbow outside...we can always create one!

My Three Happy's:

1) Cookin' with my kids...we can get messy...but it's all worth it.

2) The kids are both sound asleep...and Andy and I are cozy on the coach relaxing with our feet up.

3) 46 days until summer...who's counting!

Let's Brainstorm!

If you have young kids and they watch the Disney Channel, then you've heard of The Imagination Movers.  Tonight we went to CY Stephens in Ames to watch this live concert.  It was sooooo good.  The kids loved it and we had great seats...8th row and close to the aisle.  You could see everything.  I didn't really know the background behind this TV show, but tonight the guys explained it.  They are all from New Orleans and were friends who had started their families about the same time.  They wanted to create a children's show...something that little ones would love. 

If you haven't seen the show, they live in a warehouse and each episode has a new "problem" they have to solve.  They are presented with something and then use their imagination to come up with a solution.  They always say, "Let's Brainstorm."

Here are some pictures taken tonight of the show!

Daddy, Isaiah, and Ava before the show...we were there a little early.

We love cotton candy!

Sticky little fingers!

 Choo Choo Soul...this is a little 5 minute Disney show that is usually between different episodes.  They were the show openers.

 Imagination Mover Rich singing

 Imagination Mover Scott

Imagination Mover Dave playing his guitar

Rich walking right by us!

Imagination Mover Smitty...he always wears that silly hat!

 Dave playing his guitar right next to our seats.

 Rockin' out to a song

 Scott and Nina

 Nina doing a hula dance

 The "Fun-O-Meter"...the Movers were trying to figure out how to get this machine to light up all 4 smiley faces. 

 Isaiah, Mommy, and Ava during the show

Rich and Warehouse Mouse...he LOVES cheese!

 Silly Monster!

 A glimpse of the stage

 Scott singing right by our seats

 Smitty chillin' with Isaiah.  He sat down right next to us during a song!  They kids got high 5's!

We loved this concert!  What a great end to our Spring Break!  The rest of the night was dedicated to a quick run through McDonald's and playing out back.  We've enjoyed every single minute of break and can't wait for summer when we can spend even more time together.

The following pictures are a few random ones that I forgot to insert on previous posts.  If you follow our blog regularly, you'll understand these...if not read back a few posts.

Ava with her "Burley" that Daddy attached to her bike.

 She loved this...brother was sleeping!

 Making laps around the driveway with Daddy...wish we had sidewalks...but that's what the park and bike trails are for!

 Isaiah eating popcorn during Gnomeo and Juliet...this was during the previews.



Ava with her 3D glasses...notice "Lindsey" in the background...this is one of the dolls that must go everywhere with us!

Daddy brought home a tub of Legos that he had when he was little.  There were even some things he built as a child that were still put together.

Our new "Lego Table"...isn't that what coffee tables are meant for?

A little random, but I was so impressed with this Pledge cleaning product I tried.  We have original hardwood floors in our dining room, hallway, and bedrooms (the kids still have carpet on top).  Our floor was looking pretty shabby and old.  I sprayed the floor with this stuff and I was amazed at the transformation.  Our trampled and scratched dining room floor now seems brand new when you look at it.  At times I catch myself walking through the dining room and hallway thinking, "Is this really our floor?"

This is when I stopped to take a picture...I love the deeper color and it's staying that way!  It's little things like this that make my day and help me feel like I accomplished some housework this week. 

Well...it's back to reality tomorrow morning.  I love my job and I wouldn't do anything else but I know Andy and I will really miss that family time we've had at home this past week.  I LOVE being around my kids, watching them try new things, and grow.  We just can't get enough of them.  Andy starts track practice tomorrow (he's the junior high shot/discus coach).  Ava and Isaiah like going to track meets...if the weather is nice.  So that's something fun we look forward to doing.  I'm not sure if they like watching the races or just like the fact that they are sitting in bleachers and eating hotdogs and candy.  Either way, it's still fun.

Sorry this was so long...just had lots to share...

...have an amazing week and Happy Spring!

My Three Happy's:

1) Looking back on this week with the kids...loved every minute!

2) Having a little time during naps to catch up on some photo albums

3) The Imagination Mover's concert.  This was great!