Spring?

Wasn't it just last week that I mentioned we were ready for spring??  I knew better than to get my hopes up too much in March in Minnesota.  We got a few inches of snow on Monday morning and then another several inches on Monday evening into Tuesday to give us a grand total of around 10 inches.  That wasn't exactly what I had in mind for "spring."  I am hoping for some fast melting or we may be wearing snow boots on Easter and hunting for eggs in the house!

Checking out all the snow!!

Thankfully, the boys never really seem to get tired of the snow and they have no idea that you can actually see the grass in some parts of the country right now. 

Luke is probably the best helper when it comes to shoveling.  Liam helps for awhile and he is a hard worker, but then he gets a bit sidetracked. 

Aiden with his favorite neighbor friend, Maddie.  The snow was enough to close schools for a day which I think I have only seen one other time in the 5 years we have lived here. 

The neighborhood crew

Sledding down our small hill on the side of the house.  The snow was a little icy from the melting over the weekend when the temps were warmer.  Then, it re-froze and had a thin layer of snow on top so it was really fast for the sledding until we got the extra 6-8 inches on Tuesday.

And the aftermath from playing out in the snow.  At least it is all dropped in the laundry room.

 

Ready for Spring

Aiden and Daddy working on the ipad before Daddy leaves for work in the morning.  Aiden is still an early riser so he usually gets to see Dad for a little while before he heads out.

So excited to use our outdoor toys again!  We got a chance to try out our new riding toys we received for Christmas.   

 

Aiden always says, "Hey mom, want to see my fast runner?"  I never thought I would be a proponent of running in the house, but sometimes you have to do what works.  This is a daily occurance for us as the boys race around this wall that divides the kitchen/den from the front door.  Its basically a small track after meals while they burn their excess energy.  Can't wait until spring when they can run outdoors! 

 

ROAR!!!

Throwing snowballs on the big mound of snow

The boys were playing some type of game where they were king of the mountain on top of the snow.  They were so loud that it sounded a bit more like 10 kids rather than 3. 



We are finally having some warmer temperatures, but I am trying not to get my hopes up too much since we inevitably get some end of the season huge snowstorm.  We are at least missing the second storm to hit most of the midwest in the last week.  By "warmer" temperatures, I mean temps in the low 30's which feels a bit like a heat wave when it hasn't gotten above 20 degrees in several weeks.  It has been sunny, warmer, and the snow is melting a little at a time.  We are more than ready for spring to be here.  Despite the fun we have had on the backyard ice rink this winter, I think we are all ready for some outdoor activities.  Luke asked the other day when we could go swimming outside again.  And Liam pointed out today that he really doesn't want snow anymore because its so cold.  I couldn't agree more.  Hurry Spring!

Although maybe not that news worthy, our washing machine broke down this week.  Ironically, the last time it broke down was February of last year.  Around 13 years ago, I received our washer and dryer set as a gift from my grandmother when I moved into my first house in Little Rock.  This washer and dryer set has been with us a long time.  I keep thinking it is on its last leg and somehow John manages to repair it.  The problem ended up being the gearcase assembly which means nothing to me, but we found a little shop in Minneapolis that carries various parts for appliances.  The boys and I went out and picked up the part and John installed it this evening.  Looks like I will have to wait on that new stackable washer and dryer to make our laundry room twice as big.  The washing machine is up and running again. 

As John was turning the washer over on its side, Luke looked at me and said, "Mom, is he sure about this?  This does not look like a good idea."

 

John joked midway through the repair that he wanted a beer when he was finished.  When I turned around, Luke had the stool out and he was reaching up in the cabinet to get a cup for Daddy's beer. 

Movie Date

We had our second annual trip to see a movie at the "big theater" as the boys call it.  Since our birthdays are so close to our twin friends (Jack and Charlie) and since all of us have birthdays pretty close to the holidays, we have opted to do something fun each year rather than exchange gifts.  It has been a hit with the boys so far and they really look forward to a special trip to the movies without any younger siblings.  This year we went to see a movie that just came out very recently called "Escape from Planet Earth."  It turned out to be really cute and very applicable to us.  In short, it was about two (alien) brothers who are very different, one is big, strong and athletic while the other is super smart, but small and a bit nerdy.  They learn to appreciate their differences and work together rather than fighting and arguing.  It was a cute movie with a decent message and lots of rockets, lasers, monsters, and space stuff that the boys loved.  The first question from the boys when the movie was over was, "When can we do this again?"  Good times!

Very cold day and great time to watch a movie!

We have our snacks and we are ready for the show!  Kirsten is at the far end, followed by Luke, Charlie, Jack, and Liam

 

Very entertained by the movie

 

Under the Weather

We have all been a little under the weather for the last week.  Unfortunately, when one person becomes sick, it frequently means we have a week of illness as it passes from one to the next.  We started with Liam last Tuesday, then quickly moved to Luke on Wednesday, Aiden and John on Friday, and myself on Sunday!  We primarily battled with a lot of sneezing, coughing, and fever.  Overall, the virus just made us all very tired (and cranky).  Our activities were limited over the last week, but I think we are finally getting better.  So what did we do while everyone was sick?  Well, I can honestly say that I am very thankful for the i-pad.  Not sure what we (especially me) would have done without it. 

What to do on a sick day...play on the i-pad

Luke and Liam are feeling better and now Aiden is sick.  We took advantage of a snow day to stay home and rest.

Feeling better, but still a little lethargic



 

Feeling better today!  We made sock puppets sent to us from our cousin Calvin.

Since we are lacking in some pictures this week....I am including a funny picture from February 14th, 2011.  Look at how much we have grown!  Luke is wearing the shirt that Aiden has on in the picture above. 



 

 

Ready, Set, GO!

Sitting with Daddy before the races

AJ getting ready to run his race with John

Waving at the crowds

Not sure why some of these pictures turned out so dark, but you can somewhat see Liam in the middle at the starting line.  Luke and Liam ran with kids that looked huge compared to them!  They were only in kindergarten or 1st grade, but still looked a lot bigger to me.

Liam was quick to point out that he was always ahead of Luke. 

This picture is blurry and not the best quality, but I wanted to share it anyway.  Each time it snows, Luke and Liam feel it is their "job" to clean off the ice.  We never asked them to do this, they just go outside and get their shovel and start moving snow off the ice.  On this particular Sunday afternoon, I think they worked for a good 30 minutes before John went out and helped them finish it off. 

The boys participated in their second annual Twin Cities Fieldhouse Run at the University of Minnesota indoor track over the weekend.  We did this event last year and they really enjoyed it so we decided to try it again this year.  They have individual "races" around the track for all ages from two to ten.  Aiden ran his two laps with John.  Luke and Liam ran about a half mile in a group of other kids that were kindergarten and first grade age.  The boys really thought it was cool to see the typical mascots (the Turtle and Hare) we have seen at each of the Twin Cities races.  They have some of the athletes that organize and put on the race so its a neat experience for the kids.  Enjoy your week! 

And BABY makes.....

Luke, Liam and Aiden are excited to annouce they will be BIG BROTHERS....BABY #4 is anticipated to arrive mid August, 2013.    Needless to say, the boys are WAY excited about the news!

Opening the baby presents we had for them to tell them about the baby.  Funny story....of the three bottles (pictured above) the boys managed to "hide" one in less then 5 minutes.  Oh a sign of our times and we sure hope Baby #4 has a lot of patience.

Praticing feeding the Baby

That looks a little better.


And BABY makes...FOUR!  Yes, you read that correctly.  We are very excited to announce that we are expecting Baby #4 in mid August.  The reactions from the boys were all priceless.  Luke was, by far, the most excited about the idea and had lots and lots of great questions.  He was a little upset that the baby will not be here tomorrow.  The boys do understand the concept of seasons pretty well so we explained that the baby will not be here until the end of the summer right before Luke and Liam start kindergarten.  Luke hasn't stopped asking questions like, "do you think the baby can hear me talking or is he/she sleeping right now?"  Or, when the baby comes out, he will cry a lot, but I will hold him like this because babies like that."

To tell the boys about the baby, we gave each of the boys three small random baby items wrapped as presents.  Each of them unwrapped the presents with a somewhat puzzled looks as to why they were getting a swaddle blanket, pacifier, baby bottles, etc.  Luke even suggested we give them to our friend Kirsten who has a baby (Andy).  Aiden thought it would be fun to play with all of them and Liam really wasn't sure what the gifts were about.  Luke finally put the pieces together and figured out that  mommy has a baby in her belly! 

I am nearing the end of the first trimester and things are progressing well.  I had one doctor's appointment to confirm the due date and the fact that there is "just" one baby.  I am feeling fairly good, though I have had a lot more nausea and weird aversions to various foods with this pregnancy.  

We are so thankful and blessed to have this gift and we look forward to sharing the next chapter of our lives with family and friends. Oh the fun we will have and stories to tell....

Big Week for Aiden

As with several areas in the United States, we are having some absolutely frigid temperatures in Minnesota.  Frigid.  This will make 20 degrees look balmy in a few days.  Seriously, the daily "high" temperature has been below zero.  On average, the temps have been around -10 with a windchill around -20 degrees or lower.  So, we have been couped up indoors way too much and the boys have energy that could explode at any second.  We have managed to entertain ourselves with several other projects in our free time which made for a busy week for AJ.

We started potty training Aiden and he is doing pretty well.  He is a little more opinionated about when and where he wants to use the potty, but I should have anticipated that knowing his personality versus Luke and Liam's.  He managed to go to preschool for a few hours the other morning without having any accidents.  BUT, I should also mention that he never actually went to the potty while he was there either.  They took him to the potty every 30 minutes (so at least 4-5 times), but he chose to hold it.  So, we pottied right before leaving school and he still would not go potty.  Until, of course, we were driving home and he had an accident in his car seat.  He gets the idea and is more than ready to do this, but he is stubborn. 

In conjuction with the potty training, Aiden moved to a big boy bed and a new room.  We didn't intend for all of these changes to be so close together, but it just worked out that way.  We had some extra time to work on his bed arrangement so we purchased a mattress, shuffled some furniture around, and Aiden is in a new room!  The room is still a work in progress as he is getting dresser from Luke and Liam (who are getting a larger dresser) and we are ordering some bedding and drapes, but he does have a new room.  We are still discussing whether to paint the room or leave it yellow.  This room was previously a guest room, but we have never really spent a lot of time in it until now.  We transferred all of Aiden's belongings, clothes, animals, books, etc...and despite a few details needed to finalize, the room it looks great. 

Aiden is so proud of his new bed.  He spent the first night in his bed and never cried or tried to get out of bed.  In fact, I went to get him the next morning and he was laying there talking to his animals. 

One way we burned some energy recently was to play at the indoor soccer dome with inflatables and lots of area to run.  They have a small driving range on the other side and the boys love to watch the golfers.  Most of them are older grandparents and thankfully they also enjoy the boys watching!

Aiden in his "goalie gear"

Aiden in his new big boy bed.  The frame is a double bed and the headboard was actually the back of Luke and Liam's crib.  We bought two convertible cribs many years ago and they are coming in handy for Aiden.  He also got a Batman sleeping bag for his birthday.

Thankfully, he has been sleeping really well in his new bed.

Aiden's bookshelf and belongings.  He is showing me his basket full of big boy pants!