Random finds

On our trip to Costco today, we found a Lake Tahoe puzzle that made us think of Jason & Bri out in Nevada as well as a teddy bear with feet bigger than Shecklet #3!  Everything’s bigger at the warehouse stores.

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Snuggled in

The girls were using the laundry basket as a boat today, complete with a fresh-from-the-dryer blanket.

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All Saints Party

We opted to try something different on October 31st this year.  Our new parish holds an All Saints party with a hot dog dinner, games for the kids, entertainment (this year it was a juggler) and the option to also bring home candy.  With temperatures dipping low, the added bonus of the event being indoors was great.  We had two shepherds, St. Gianna (a doctor) and a monkey from Noah’s ark.  The kids had a lot of fun and Shecklet #3 was also an assistant for one of the juggler’s tricks.

2014 - 10 October 31 - All Saint's Party costumes

2014 - 10 October 31 - All Saint's Party costumes1

2014 - 10 October 31 - All Saint's Party costumes2

Little Packer

My sweet friend, Jess, watched my girls this morning while I had two cavities filled.  She texted me this photo of them playing outside.  When I sent it along to Jake, he questioned the color of the helmet that Shecklet #4 was wearing, saying the colors were not correct. 🙂

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Photo booth props

Aunt Larissa came over bright and early to watch the Shecklets so Jake and I could go to the Gopher’s homecoming game today.  From the looks of it, I’m pretty sure the kids had a good time.

2014 -10 October 18 - Kid photo booth props

Outside with Grandma

Grandma Patti came to help us with the kids today so Jake and I could attend conferences at the boys’ school and run a couple of other errands sans the Shecklets.  They played outside for most of the morning and she captured these two great shots:

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Birthday celebration – part 2

Shecklet #3’s birthday party took place a few days after her “official” birthday.  She requested a tornado cake and wanted to go bowling (like her older brothers had done.)  She had also been asking for a Barbie house for quite some time.  Jake and I talked and thought it would be a fun surprise to pass along the house that my parents gave to me when I was a little girl – complete with furniture & accessories.  (My were kind enough to dig it out, dust it off and decorate it for the big surprise.)  The look on her face when we presented her with the house was absolutely priceless.  She gave me a huge hug, which was the sweetest response I could have asked for.  It brought a smile to not only me, but my parents as well.  I am sure she has hours of make-believe play time in store!

2014 - 10 October 05 - Ingrid's bday party2

2014 - 10 October 05 - Ingrid's bday party

2014 - 10 October 05 -Barbie house

Birthday #4 for Shecklet #3

Dear Miss Shecklet #3,

I can hardly believe I am writing about your 4th birthday!  It seems like yesterday that we were stopping at Cub Foods on our way home from the hospital to pick up a “BIRTHday” cake to share with your brothers.

You are growing up to be quite the preschooler – smart, funny, adventurous, friendly & loving.  We couldn’t ask for a spunkier, move vibrant 4 year old daughter than you!

You love to ride your balance bike, help in the kitchen, wash dishes, play at the park.  You love horses, dresses, singing, dancing and currently, all things Frozen.

Your brothers and sister all enjoy playing with you and we definitely miss your presence when you’re away at preschool.  But you are learning so much and love the time you get to spend with Miss Mary Ann and your classmates.

Your dad and I hope you continue to be the confident, strong, welcoming girl that you are and that your love of Jesus grows more every day.

XOXO,

Momma

Here are your responses to our annual list of birthday questions:

  1.  What is your favorite color?  Purple
  2. What is your favorite toy?  Barbies
  3. What is your favorite fruit?  Bananas
  4. What is your favorite TV show?  Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (on PBS Kids)
  5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  wraps
  6. What is your favorite outfit?  dresses
  7. What is your favorite game?  Hi Ho Cherry-O
  8. What is your favorite snack?  fruit snacks
  9. What is your favorite animal?  elephants – “Just like yours!” (said to Mom)
  10. What is your favorite song?  “I lost my keys” (This is the stuff by Francesca Battistelli) – for the 2nd year in a row
  11. What is your favorite book?  Curious George
  12. Who is your best friend?  Stasi & Lexi
  13. What is your favorite cereal?  Kix
  14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  “Ride my balance bike.”
  15. What is your favorite drink?  juice
  16. What is your favorite holiday?  “Halloween, because it’s after my birthday.”
  17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Ada (your pink build-a-bear)
  18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  cereal
  19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Mac-n-cheese & broccoli
  20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  singer
  21. What is your favorite movie?  Frozen – because of Elsa & Anna

2014 - 10 October 02 -Shecklet 3 bday 4

2014 - 10 October 02 -Shecklet 3 bday

Scarecrow

Shecklet #3’s preschool is located on Jake’s way to work.  On most school days, he has been dropping her off a bit early so Shecklet #4 and I don’t have to make two round-trips in a three-hour period.  (On a side note, it has been fun to have some one-on-one time with #4.)  While we were eating lunch today, #3 started talking about “scarecrow.”  It took me a few seconds to realize that she was talking about “Care Crew” – the name of the before-school care she’s been going to.

We did happen to see a scarecrow in a field last week, so perhaps the similarly sounding words just got a bit mixed up. Either way, it was pretty funny 🙂

10/2/14 edited to add: this doesn’t seem to be a once or twice occurrence. #3 lovingly refers to her before preschool time as going to “scarecrow.”

40 Years

Many moons ago, (enough to total 40 years,) two twenty-somethings started their life together as husband and wife. Together, they made a wonderful, loving home in which they raised their two children.

Today, 40 years later, their family has grow five-fold.

Mom & Dad – today we celebrate the commitment you made to one another back on September 7, 1974, and have lived out every day since then.  Thank you for saying “I Do!”

We love you!

2014 - 09 September 07 - Mary & Bill's 40th Anniversary2