Anna and the egg hunt

On Holy Saturday, we didn't have much to do, so we decided to take the kids to build-a-bear and make a bear for the new baby.  We have made "bears" (Nate's is a turtle) for each of the kids with their in utero heartbeat in the bear.  Since we already have the name picked out and know it is a girl, we figured it didn't really matter when we did it.  So we did it early. 

Here they are kissing the hearts to put in the bear.  The lady actually let Gwen stuff the bear, but apparently I didn't get a picture of that! 

Here they are fluffing up "Anna" as Gwen has dubbed her.

They really enjoyed this, I think they would have stood their all day. 

We spent the next hour, or so it felt, trying to decide on accessories and outfits for Anna.  Have I mentioned that Gwen really enjoys accessorizing!?  We finally got everything done and had heard they had an egg hunt.  We had gone to Eric's work for an Egg hunt, but sadly we got there late and missed the whole thing, the kids where greatly disappointed, so we decided to do the one at the Mall.  They had scavenger type thing where they had clues and then you had to guess.  Some of the clues were to advanced for the kids, but this one was easy to figure, we asked the kids which store had a blue butterfly and Nate got into a pointer pose and Eric and I about fell on the floor!  It was so funny, of course when I went to get a picture Gwen had to do the same because Nate was getting the attention! 

There was a lull, and by lull I mean that the kids where losing steam, so we took a candy break! 

There where 12 or so store participating, most gave candy, but some, fortunately gave bubbles or stickers.  Thank goodness!  Needless to say, the kids really enjoyed the day and where pooped!  A good day before Easter for them, to be sure! 

Easter Egg Hunt

At the Church we sponsored a Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.  Unfortunately, it was raining outside, so we had to do the whole thing inside.  I don't think the kids cared, they still got to "hunt" for eggs and got plenty of candy.

This is for the under 3 set, but the over 3 set of eggs weren't much harder to find. 

Let the rush begin!

Going through the stash! 

"New" car

As a part of preparing for baby, we determined we likely needed a new car, I had sedan and it had bucket seats in the back. So while we could find cheap and slim booster seats to fit in the back, I didn't think it was the safest route to go. For weeks we went looking for cars on Saturdays, the family was not pleased. They were tired of looking at vans and we really couldn't find a used van that was priced right, so we changed plans and decided to look at SUVs.  We found one that weekend and through skillful negotiation we purchased a used SUV. So, since we occasionally pick people up from the airport, I thought it would be helpful if we posted some pictures, so they would know what car to look for. 

front view!

the view you'd see at the airport.  ;)

I adore the new car, I thought I would miss the Sedan, especially since this is my first automatic car.  But I don't miss it at all.  I have only tried to take the keys out of the car once without putting it in park, and I hardly ever reach for the shifter, trying to shift into a different gear, I haven't tried to use the clutch.  We spent this weekend programing in the garage door code, fun stuff.  Very convenient!  Today my love for the vehicle was confirmed when Gwen was determined to go on a bike ride, but our neighborhood was quite hilly and curvy and Nate said didn't want to go.  So, I asked if they wanted to drive over to the American Tobacco Trail for a walk/bike ride.  

The kids had a great time, I had a great walk, but couldn't really keep up with them.  Nate kept asking if "Mrs. Olarte was going to meet us" because he knows this is where I exercise with my friend in the morning.

We went up to Suton Station where they played for a little while and then we went on back home.  If only I was still capable of running, it would have been a good training run for me! 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Today we started out pretty early, Gwen woke up early to potty and found some eggs, we tried to get them to go back to sleep but we realized it wasn't going to happen. We started the egg hunt at about 6:30am. The kids really enjoyed hunting for eggs, I took a video of the craziness.  Nate insisted on wearing his shoes and socks.  I think they were both still asleep.

Since we started the egg hunt so early, we were ready in plenty of time for Church.  We got our normal seats, the kids were really good, we let them have 1 piece of candy before we left for Church and then we let them pick out candy to take to Church, Gwen put an egg in her purse filled with candy and Nate brought some Peeps, which he left in the car.
Gwen asked if we could decorate Easter Eggs, which we didn't get to yesterday.  So today we did that after lunch.  The kids seemed to enjoy the day.  I think they hid and found eggs several times today.  Here's a slideshow from today.  

Happy Easter 2012 - slideshow maker with music

Thanks to Grandmom for the candy and the Easter clothes!

In honor

Today my friend had her baby, so I suppose today is a good day to post pictures from her shower.  I made her present.  My first complete set of bonnet and booties.  

We had a nice time at the shower.  It was nice to see my oldest friend and her family.  Gwen stayed at the shower with me and disappeared with the other little girls.  Eric and Nate hung out around town. 

This is the first time we've been pregnant together, so it has been nice to chat with her over the pregnancy woes.  She is the first of the "pack" of friends that I have that has gone in to labor, now starts baby season for us.  I have 2 more friends before me and then at least 1 after.  Still a couple months to go!  Congrats Jess on your beautiful tiny baby!  I hope we can meet her soon!

Ella

To continue the backlog of pictures here we have Gwen's next school project, making an animal/creature to be 3D out of simple 3D shapes so the kids could learn about 3D.  I decided not to go to the store and buy stuff, so I gathered some objects and Gwen and I went to work!  I had to help her cut out the fabric, it was a little to strong, but she glued it and did everything else. 

Ella the elephant

We used a yarn ball, water bottle, toilet paper rolls string and a cord hider thingy.  Gwen and I got it most of the way done over a couple days.  But it was a little top heavy and we hadn't attached tusks or a tail, so I tasked Eric to help her finish.  I think I turned out pretty well!  They glued it onto some cardboard and now it stands up!

Gwen sometimes chooses to do her own hair for school.  It cracks me up because she uses about 5 bows or something like that.  I thought Mom would appreciate this picture, especially if you've seen the picture of me from preschool, where I did my own hair! 

I do my own hair!

Tour

A couple weeks ago we took the Sibling Tour at the hospital.  The kids really enjoyed themselves, asked a bunch of questions.  Gwen proudly told us in the car that she asked a question she already knew the answer to.  Seriously, our kids were the only ones raising their hands and participating.  Hilarious, but yet a little embarrassing.  

Getting ready for the tour

Gwen started out the questions by asking "if the baby grew upside down" (which is the question she already knew the answer to.)  Nate spent his time slapping the baby's head and shaking the baby.  Needless to say we have to watch that boy carefully around the baby.  They also mentioned that they climb into the crib at night.  The ladies running the tour were a little shocked and told them they shouldn't climb into the crib after the baby comes.  Good times!

Somehow I don't think he is going to make it as a Dr...

After the questions and reading a book we went upstairs to do the tour.  We saw where I would deliver and I can say I am going to miss my old hospital! The other hospital was so much bigger and hid all the hospital type things.  Eric keeps telling me, but they had a window, sure but looking at the the roof and air conditioning units.  Bonus though, jacuzzi tubs in most of the rooms!  We didn't get to see the "after" room because the hospital was full. 

I know that the last hospital's tour included crafts and pictures of the kids to put in the bassinet, so I was a little disappointed.  But, the kids enjoyed it, so I guess it was worth it. 

Build-and-grow

We have gotten in the habit lately of taking the kids to the build-and-grow at Lowes.  Every couple weeks they have a new thing to build and the kids love it! As a matter of fact, Nate came into our room this morning and saw the printout for the waiver and started squealing with delight.  A couple of weeks I actually remembered to bring my camera and snapped some pictures.  

This was the "castle"  The kids don't always help a lot, but they love adding the stickers.

Usually the kids hammer once our twice and hit their finger/thumb and then are out for the count, but this week we did a "card maker" for valentine's day.  Gwen actually decided to hammer, so I had Eric take a picture.

  Today since it is March Madness time we are going to build a mini basketball hoop.  The kids will be able to add new patches for their aprons and get their little certificate.  It is a great way to start the weekend.

Bunk bed

The kids need a bunk bed and instead of buying one Eric decided to make one.  I have been trying to talk him out of doing it for weeks.  Not because I doubt his abilities, but because I was afraid it was going to take forever and although I love my children, containing them while Daddy is home and they can't play with him is an altogether another story.  Nate told me it was like "daddy was at work" and he didn't seem 100% pleased.  The first day, Gwen decided to sort all the puzzles we have, which is about 8 kid puzzles and 3 puzzle books. That actually took most of the morning and the kids seemed to enjoy it, but by the afternoon they were toast, so we watched a movie, it was too rainy to go outside and Eric didn't want us to leave since he was running the saw, in case of emergency!  By the first night he had finished the bottom, but didn't have enough wood to finish the top, so he had to go back to the store for the 3rd time.  We put the room "back together" and put Gwen's bed on the bottom and left Nate's daybed together.  Eric was curious about some noises he heard and went in and found they had made a fort out of the bed and last night they slept in the fort, it was really sweet.

So, day 2 we went to Church came home and Eric had almost finished the slats and needed more stuff from the store (trip 4 if you are keeping track) so we all went and Eric struggled to finish realizing he needed 1 more run to the store (trip 5) and finally he finished.  The kids and I persevered through another day with minimal fighting and disturbance.  But, man they wanted to help and play with Daddy!  Here is a slide show of the bed making! 

Bunk bed - how to make a free slideshow

On day 2 while Eric was working we decided to work on Gwen's "landform" for school.  Can you tell what she decided to do? 

It is the desert.  I made the "modeling clay" and she helped with the colors, a little and then she designed and made the rest of it.  I have to laugh because it is so hilarious what she thinks and how she gets confused.  She told us the sun is always shining in the desert (the moon never comes out) and there is a buffalo and cacti and a snake.  She has a whole story for the buffalo, which I can't remember but it was walking through the desert and what not, who knows. She has been to the desert before, so I was thinking that should help her, but you've got to let them do what they want, fortunately this isn't for a grade, just for fun!

So now all that is left to do is buy a twin mattress for Nate, rearrange the room, paint the bed and we'll be done...how long do you think that will be?

Happy Valentine's day

Today has been a busy, hectic day; rounding out a crazy 2 days in the part-time world. Random things that have made me wonder if I should contact tomorrow's volunteers and give them notice tomorrow might be crazy! I think I have fixed most of the random things, we will see.
So, today about everything I wanted to get done didn't get done in the time I was hoping for.  I wanted to have these pocket pies done before Eric got home, but it didn't happen, so now  they are waiting for him to finish the dishes and then we can eat.  

Now, before you go all dang that girl has a problem, I should say I made the cookies for Eric, since those are his favorite cookies and that is all I was planning on doing, but then I found this recipe for a chocolate cherry cheesecake and I decided to make that for tomorrow's meeting.  Well, I needed about a cup of cherry pie filling but then I would have some left over, and the question became what to do with these leftovers?  Enter the pocket pies!  Heart shaped, Valentine themed!  Sadly, I can't eat much if any of these things, gives me heartburn...I will suffer through 1 pie tonight and a sliver of cheesecake tomorrow, but that will likely be it.  I might be trying to fatten everyone up around me and I honestly haven't baked anything in a while!  So it was fun! 
Gwen seemed to enjoy her valentine's day.  And I decided to prep dinner, but have Eric make/assemble.  So I made some sushi rice, made some tempura shrimp and while Eric and the kids made the sushi, I assembled the pocket pies.  We were all in the kitchen and had a good time.  Gwen even ate some sushi!  A good way to celebrate the day!  Happy Valentine's day! 

Father-daughter dance and Valentines

The school has a father-daughter dance and Gwen really wanted to go.  I kept asking Eric if they were going to go and he'd say "I don't know anything about it".  So finally, at dinner the other night I asked and he said, I'll go if someone asks me.  So Gwen asked and low and behold they went to the dance.  I snapped a couple pictures before they left. 

Unfortunately I couldn't get her to change out of her socks, but I did get her to put a shirt under her dress.  WIN!  She also did her own hair and jewelry.  She is starting to get into necklaces and such, not so much bracelets or hair.  She is wearing a "medal" she made it school. 

Nate and I waited anxiously for them to come home, well Nate fell asleep, and I waited.  Gwen was fairly tired but I did find out they did have fun, ate lots of snacks and didn't dance.  Eric spoke to some of the other Dads and asked Gwen to dance, but she didn't want to, she just wanted to hang with her friends.  Apparently the had photographer who took pictures and Gwen brought home 2 flowers.  Eric got a glimpse of what the future will be and I am not sure, he might be scared.

Nate and I decided to secretly make some Valentine's cookies.  Sadly, I had to do a babysitting thing today, so I didn't have time to put the cookies away.  Guess who spotted them about 2.5 sec after she walked in the door.  Guess who told Daddy immediately so she could have some for dessert.  Oh well.  Guess I don't have to sneak them into lunches tomorrow. 

Nate really likes to help and now he has the fancy apron for helping.  He was a much better helper when it was just us and I didn't have to decide which kid does each task. 

School happenings

This week was Catholic Schools week and so they had busy happenings at the school this week.  The Kindergartners were invited back to school on Wednesday night in their PJs for bedtime stories and bedtime snacks.  Gwen was SO excited.  Sadly, I forgot to take a picture.  She had a good time and fell asleep almost as soon as she went into her room. 
Friday night they had the faculty/staff basketball game.  One of Gwen's teachers was playing in the game, as was our neighbor.  We were surprised at how evenly matched the teams were and there seemed to be a lot of players that weren't faculty or staff...I guess we will figure that stuff out as the kids get older.  The Pastor and the principal were designated foul shot takers.  Gwen sat with her friends under the basket.  I couldn't believe it, isn't that what the teenagers do, not my kindergartner?  Well, she and Nate had a good time, I guess that is all that matters! 

 Getting ready for the halftime dance, all the kids went out to do it...I took a video of just Gwen and Nate. 

 Gwen's friend came over and took these pictures of us, as you can see Eric thought he was going to be in the picture also, he was denied.

 She did take a picture of him also. 

During "half-time" it is traditional for there to be some sort of dance thing.  This year they decided to have a "flash mob" and invited all the kids to do the dance the teachers have apparently been doing all week.  The teachers apparently decided to break out in dance periodically during the week.  I recorded the whole song. 

Bless the heart of my uncoordinated children!  (Nate might be really tired and it is possible he fell asleep on the way home and stayed out all night!) 

Outside

We have a big field at the end of the neighborhood, the kids love to go there and run wild.  The husband enjoys running around with the kids, so I sat on the hill and watched. 

They would come and check on me every so often, but I was knitting and watching them, so I was good. 

It is good for them to get out in this unseasonably warm weather and run some energy out.  I know some day it might actually become winter here and they will have to stay indoors.

They are a little crazy, but man do they like to run outside! 

We like to encourage the running around outside, so they don't run around in the house and scream at each other.  Of course when they get too tired they whine more, but then they go to bed early, you win some you lose some.