My new cleaning lady and Tiny Tot T-ball.

These pictures make me laugh. I used to wear something like this in my hair when I was younger.. my mom always wore one when she cleaned. So putting this on Jenna just made me giggle. I love this dress.. soo nice and summery when we are having such icky weather. I am home with the kids today. I have a sore throat and am just taking it easy. It has been a long week with many many things going on. My body is worn out!

Jackson started tiny tot tball this week. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:15 ... now... anyone that knows us knows we THRIVE on routine. This tball game falls into our supper time so I was a bit nervous about how things would go. Our first day was skills and practice. Jackson loved it and did great as did his cousin Carter. Thursday was more skills and then a "real" game. THAT WAS HILLARIOUS!!! A bunch of 4 and 5 year olds playing tball. Jackson hit the ball and started running, but he was running toward 3rd base not 1st. Parents have to be with them at all times so Barry realized he was running the wrong way and grabbed him and got him running the right way. He made it home and scored a point for the team. Then he played outfield. He was a bit bummed that the ball didn't come to him, but it didn't stop him from running after the ball. Infact there were about 8 boys running for the ball each time.
Jackson swinging at the ball.
Jenna wanting in on the action
Trying to catch the ball.

Wagon Rides, Crabby Kid, Gluten Free Bagels and Sign Language...Oh My!

We broke out the John Deere wagon yesterday and went for a walk. I figured I would have Jackson and Jenna in the wagon... well, I didn't plan for ALL of Jacksons buddies. Jenna got to ride with all of Jacksons friends. Jackson even pulled the wagon the whole trip. I was very impressed and as you can see.. Jenna had a BLAST! Her first wagon ride.
Her brother was very entertaining.
This is what happens when you have a child who is not sleeping the best, not used to the busy summer days and additional kids at daycare... and ... not to mention.. is just plain crabby. He was not listening so when we got home from daycare he decided on his own to go to the "cool out corner"... by the way... that is the first step before a time out.. gives him the chance to, well, cool out... other option.. time out. He is getting smarter and chosing the cool out corner. Well, I started feeding Jenna, making supper, getting Jenna cleaned up... and was like.. Hmm.. it is quiet in here.... I went upstairs and he was not in his room.... I looked on the floor.. in the bed.. then I got a little scared... I knew he came in with me.. and went upstairs. I looked in our room... he was sound asleep in bed. I let him sleep for a while then woke him up. He came downstairs.. would not eat and was lipping off, got sent back upstairs and fell back asleep. I went to get him and finally got him up. He told me he was "feeling a bit blue" :) He was upset that I had taken away his webkins because he wasn't listening.. oh.. the DRAMA a 4 year old goes through! After supper the rest of the night went great.
Yep... wipe the drool.. these are HOMEMADE BAGELS.. Gluten free of course! I HAD to try these since I saw the recipe. They have cinnamon and sugar on the top. Now.. like I could resist a hot bagel.. so me and Jenna and Jackson.. even Barry tried them. NOT BAD... they are not panera.. or even wonder bread style.. but man.. for a girl who has not had a bagel in a long time.. this is HEAVEN. I can't wait for breakfast tomorrow... peanut butter and toasted bagel.. YOUR KIDDING ME!!!! I am going to make blueberry muffins and rhubarb bread (gf) tomorrow morning and Sunday make another batch of these but add pureed strawberrys... YUM!!!! How many hours until Breakfast???
Here is Jenna showing off her sign language. We taught Jackson some sign language too since he didn't talk. More.. is when she bangs her hands together.. .and please is when you do a circluar motion on your chest. I don't know much signing but just what we learned from our you can sign with kids book... I am impressed that she picked it up soo fast!

Some summer time fun!

We had a great day despite Jackson waking up this morning and announcing that his belly hurt. Sigh.... But... after a few hours and some rest and oatmeal, he was feeling better. This afternoon we hung out in the back yard playing with our water fun toys. Jenna even got to wear one of her four bathing suits :) Jackson had his first experience with the slip and slide but mom had to show him how to do it first... yep... I actually did the slip in slide. It was cold... and HARD... but kinda fun. Brought back some memories. Jenna is my pressy little girl.. didn't want to get wet.. I think because it was FREEZING cold water... She did a good job sporting her bikini. The last picture is of Jenna and her "expression". I laugh because this is just her look... not a sad look, happy look etc... just her look when she is not making any expression. I think it is just adorable... kind of a pout! Supermodel Jenna... I can see it now.. are rolls on thighs "in" yet??? The other picture is of her outfit that I got from Target when she was born. The entire thing costed me $4... I loved it.. kinda 80's like she needs leg warmers. Finally the video is of me coaxing Jackson into the FREEZING cold water!!! He finally did it and soon we were unable to get him out!

Jenna's birthday party re-do

This weekend we did a birthday party re-do for Jenna since she had the stomach flu last weekend when her actual birthday and party was . I didn't feel like making a cake so I got this cute one from Walmart. We sang happy birthday, gave her the cake and she did not waste a minute digging in.

As you can see.. she did not hesitate. We let her go at it for a bit but decided we didn't want her to get sick since she is not used to this kind of stuff. First time really that she has had cake... little tastes of frosting here and there.. She LOVED IT as you can see from the smile on her face. Jackson even got to dig in and enjoy the cake as well. It was worth waiting one more week to see her do this!

Jenna has something new that she picked up on.. it is cute.. she was fixated on the nintendo wii on the tv... Now when we pray at night or at meal times.. she just folds her hands until we are done..

Nothing Much Going On.

Here is the annual picture of Barry and Jackson by our favorite tree!!! It is now... looking pretty sad. The color is less than vibrant... and the flowers are almost gone. Blink and you would miss this tree bloom!

Jackson, camping and the ocean... in North Dakota?

Jackson wanted to put his feet in the "ocean"...yah.. it really is the river. Actually.. it is cool because it is the only place in the world where three rivers meet.. It is very cool. You know what else we have that is unique to Wahpeton... The WHOPPER!! It is the largest catfish in the world.. Yep.. look it up.. seriously. We have people come from all over to see it. Jackson is under the fish.. but really hard to see him... gives you an idea of how big this fish is. After our BIG trip to the ocean.. giggle giggle... we went and collected flowers.. Yep.. I think Jackson needs to be paid for getting rid of weeds. He loves to pick them and yep.. I get lots of bouquets of flowers. Then it was time for our picnic... but there are no pictures because I was trying to hold down plates, kids and me... it was windy and I was totally frustrated since Jenna would not eat.. ok.. worried and frustrated. Anyway.. got through it and Jenna and I landed in the camper for the rest of the night. She just could not be out in that weather. We got to watch everyone else running around having fun and roasting marshmellows from inside the camper... could almost TASTE those marshmellows.... almost. Oh well.. just made our own campfire pit in our yard so hope to be able to participate in some campfires yet this year. Jackson had a blast!! He even got to sleep over in the camper.. yep, his first camping trip. He did wonderful according to grandma and bumpa. He told me all about it and he did have a blast... I see a camper in our future..well at least camping "grandma style". Thanks Grandma and Bumpa for the experience for Jackson... he had a blast!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY JENNA

You mean it is OK for me to rip this paper??? Are you sure!! So.. I am NOT going to get in trouble.. Dad...is this a trick!! Jenna was soo nervous about opening the wrapping paper.. we are always trying to get her to stop ripping paper...
Tada... strawberry shortcake doll!!!! Yes.. the theme even went through to her gifts. She got a big strawberry shortcake doll.. she does smell sooo good. She also got a small barbie like doll that is one of Strawberry Shortcakes friends, a book about monkeys that comes with the dress up ears (see picture below) and some strawberry shortcake bubble bath. We do a BIG birthday party.. but just like any other "holiday" we don't focus on the presents... but more the reason for celebration!
BUT I DONT WANT TO WEAR THESE EARS... Hey.. don't you remember I was the one throwing up a few short hours ago.... fever.... cranky.. You STILL expect me to wear these dumb things!!
By Sunday night Jenna was smiling again.. not eating or drinking much but smiling.. that was a welcome change by Mom and Dad. Every year I take a picture of the kids by this tree in our front yard. Don't know what kind of tree it is.. but when it blooms it is BEAUTIFUL... for a bout a week... it is the shortest bloom on EARTH! I need to get a picture of Jackson today... it is our tradition. I love this tree!!! All in all Jenna's ACTUAL birthday was better. She is feeling better. We hung out for a while, went to visit grandma and bumpa at their RV... it is this BEAUTIFUL HUGE 5th wheel... (they parked one and a half miles from our home at the camp site. It was fun. We had a camp out in winds I am pretty sure are classified as tornato force winds.. went on a few hikes, put our feet in the ocean (that is what Jackson called it.. it is just a river) and Jackson even had a sleep over. I will post those pictures next. Happy first birthday Jenna... as I have tears in my eyes thinking of our decision to have another child... the moment that I sat on the deck praying that we could have another one and asking the Lord for a healthy girl... I know I know... you ask for healthy babies.. I DONT CARE what sex it is.. and I didn't, but I read a book that stated .... ask the Lord for the desires in your heart. I desired to have a girl. I asked for a beautiful baby girl, with curly red hair, blue eyes and an easy personallity (jackson doesn't have an "easy" personallity.. so I hoped to have a little easier going child this go round). So.. God DID hear me... the desires in my heart (except for the red hair and blue eyes... but those are just the small details :) He is a good Lord... I still don't feel deserving of all the blessings he has given us. We are blessed beyond belief!