Disney Week

With two sick kids and Josh out of town, our attempt at our theme last week was pretty sad.  We played a Hidden Mickey game where the kids hunted around the house for these little mouse heads.  We played Disney Jeopardy, the kids love playing Jeopardy so we'll probably fit it in as much as we can this summer.  We added pictures to their autograph books from Disney World and we also watched some Disney movies.  I think that's it.  Everything else will have to be saved for a rainy day.

We made Up cupcakes too. 

When I found Sidney waiting to read on her bed she was just sitting there so cute.  She always looks to the side when I take her picture.

All About Dad

By Jayden:
What is Daddy's name?

Josh

What does Daddy do for fun?

Wrestles me

What does Daddy do at work?

Makes money

What are his favorite things to eat?

Spaghetti Pie

What does he like to drink?

Root beer

How old is Daddy?

31

How tall is Daddy?

5 ft. 10 in.

What is Daddy's hair like?

Brown

How much does he weigh?

10 oz. 45 lbs.

What makes Daddy the best?

Takes me to clean the church

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Play

How long have you known Daddy?

Since I was born

Where did you and Daddy meet?

Idaho

By Sidney:

What is Daddy's name?

Dad

What does Daddy do for fun?

Plays with us, gets dressed, he likes to wear a tie, do something that he loves

What does Daddy do at work?

He wants to go to work

What are his favorite things to eat?

Cinnamon rolls

What does he like to drink?

Milk and water

How old is Daddy?

21

How tall is Daddy?

(Holds up her hands about 1 ft.)

What is Daddy's hair like?

Brown

How much does he weigh?

31

What makes Daddy the best?

He plays with us, he gives hugs and kisses

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Play with him, play cars and princesses

How long have you known Daddy?

A long days ago

Where did you and Daddy meet?

Idaho (But really, Illinois)

We made him this awesome shirt.  He genuinely loves it, and fell asleep while the kids were at play.

Animal Week

Last year we had zoo week and the kids love animals so much they wanted to do it again.  I feel bad my attempts are much more pathetic this year because I'm sick, but we're trying.  We always try to make a few fun foods, but the best I did this week was animal crackers.  We went to the free movie at the theater to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and the kids also spent an entire afternoon playing Wild Kratts with their creature power suits.

Animal masks.

Animal Jeopardy.

I was going to make an actual puppet show curtain, but I didn't get to it.  Instead I just draped the fabric over a rod.  They made a few new puppets, and had more fun using it as a new hide and seek spot than they did as a puppet show. 

Saturday Josh went with us to the Nature Museum for farm day.  We are saving our weekly outings for Saturday when we can so Josh can go with us, otherwise we probably wouldn't be going.  We had never been, and the kids had a ball.  They got to pet several farm animals.  I try to make each week educational as well as fun.  I have them memorize some new facts.  We come home from the library each week with our bags overflowing.  Jayden loves to read and when our bags are full, or when I tell him to pick out just 2 or 3 more books, he's all frazzled.  So many options!  It's funny to watch him.  The other day he was looking around almost in panic mode, like, how am I supposed to choose just two more books?  And then he stops and all excited declares, "I LOVE BOOKS!"  I love it. 



December.....Again

Most people know by now, but we're having another baby!  I can't begin to express how excited we are, and especially shocked!  The first 3 times took between 13-18 months to get pregnant, and after my miscarriage I was pregnant in less than 6 months.  At the beginning of the year I decided that this was a year of fulfilling our dreams.  We have already been able to do several things to make that happen, and in my mind I figured we would end the year by getting pregnant again.  I never in a million years expected it to happen so fast, especially since we decided not to try any fertility treatments yet.  So instead of ending the year getting pregnant, we'll be ending it by welcoming a new one into our family.  You know how there's that "secret" out there that whatever you put out into the universe you will receive, or however it goes.  I know the real secret: prayer and fasting.  Where would I be in my life without it?  It has taken a lot for me to feel more at peace with my miscarriage.  I was supposed to be having that baby this week, but I really feel that everything that was supposed to happen, happened in the way that it should.  I think a little piece of my heart will always be up in heaven, waiting for me, but I also have felt a comforting hand, helping me along.

We found out 5 days before our cruise I was pregnant.  I started panicking, called the doctor that day and was in for an appointment that afternoon.  She assured me things would be fine.  I had a blessing, and I knew it would be ok, so we went without any problems.  Luckily my morning sickness didn't hit until after we got back, so I was able to enjoy myself.  By my 6 week mark I had 3 ultrasounds and heard the heartbeat, to set my mind at ease that everything was progressing as it should.  And when they told me my due date was Christmas Day, that for me was another sign that this was meant to be.  Both Jayden and Sidney were due in December, and to top it off, all three were due on Tuesdays.  And even though I thought another December baby was the last thing I wanted, it's actually really comforting, and really not that surprising. 

I have been really sick again, and if it's like the last 2, it will last until 20 weeks.  Pretty much nothing works, not even saltine crackers.  Ice cream has been my one saving grace, I'm sure I'll gain a hundred pounds.  I am an expert on puking, ask me anything.  I used to be reluctant to even have another baby because I get so sick, but I survived before, I can do it again.  And it's not true what they say-- that you forget how bad it is.  I don't think anything could ever erase my memory.  It's nice to finally have Jayden home to help play with Sidney.  They are both so excited.  We told them on Mother's Day while we were playing charades.  It was a fun way to tell them.  Of course Jayden wants a boy and Sidney wants a girl, but she keeps saying it's a brother.  We'll see.

Summer Week

We are attempting theme weeks again this summer.  It will probably be a lot more low key than last year, but I'm at least trying to do something.  Our first week was Summer Week.  We made snow cones, strawberry lemonade slushies, started swimming lessons, got tons of summer books from the library, had a picnic, made pictures out of the clouds, played in the spinklers, and on the slip-n-slide.  My camera didn't join us much.

We also made these suns.

We talked about collections and the kids are going to add to theirs over the summer.  They both collect rocks.  I have had my childhood rock and shell collection boxed up for years.  I pulled it out because they have always wanted to see it but never had.  They both want to collect shells now too. 

We got a couple of fun new toys for outside.



May

I've been a huge slacker with taking pictures, but here's a short rundown from May.  Jayden finished up another t-ball season.  Josh coached his team, and Jayden loved that!  He had a fun season.

He also finished Kindergarten in May!  I can't believe it, the year went by so fast.  During the last week of school his class had a writing celebration where we went and read through his journals from the year.  Reading it was so much fun, he wrote about some really cute stuff and it was fun to read about some of the things from the past year from his point of view.  He has done great in school.  He loves going.  This kid really loves learning.  He has a talent for retaining knowledge really well.  He says his favorite class was P.E., but he also loves learning about animals, outer space, the earth, just anything.  He started out the year reading at a 2nd grade level and finished it at a 3rd grade level.  We couldn't be more happy with the sweet and fun boy that he is.  So glad to have him home for the summer!

Sidney loves visiting his classroom any chance we get.

They also sang some fun songs. 

The kids also participated in the primary talent show this year but I don't know where the pictures are.  Sidney kept changing her mind of what she wanted to do.  She was going to tell a story, then do a dance, then settled on doing a big twirl dressed in her fluffiest dress and a crown she decorated.  Jayden made a volcano and set it off.  That about sums up May.