5 Dollars

My life as an at-home momma of 3 amazing kids...it's kind of like shoveling snow in a blizzard.

Friday, September 30, 2005

My Funny Face Girl



Ruby really enjoyed the tunnel slide today. She'd climb up it from the bottom and then slide down backwards on her belly, giggling up at me where I was waiting at the top.

My Handsome Boy!


Keithen spent much of his morning at the park zipping around as if he were walking on a balance beam. He also enjoyed loving on the babies who were with us, especially sweet Justin who spent some time cuddling in my lap. I think he was torn between running and playing and entertaining the little ones who were too young to take off on their own yet. He's always been drawn to little ones. I'm sure one day he's going to be a great AP daddy! :)

Beautiful Fall Mornings!



We are enjoying the beautiful fall mornings at the playground while Keithen is on vacation. Today, after ballet class, we met up with a few mommas from the AP group. Kaylee was so tired by the time that we got home that she actually took a nap this afternoon!

All Tutus Should Be Pink

One of the girls bedtime favorites right now is All Tutus Should Be Pink by Sheri Brownrigg. We've also been reading Ballerina Girl by Kirsten Hall and several Angelina Ballerina books lately.

Today was Kaylee's third ballet class. She's still really enjoying herself. I think I will have to look into signing her up for the next session of classes after this. Ruby actually seems interested too, but I don't think they can start until they turn 3 years old.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

A Morning at the Park - part III





The tic-tac-toe game is always a big hit with Keithen when we go to the park. They all enjoyed climbing on this huge ladder we found along the hiking trail today. You can't see the bottom of it in this picture - I'm shocked that the girls went that high up on it without me standing behind them.

A Morning at the Park - part II





I love taking pictures of Ruby. She's such a little ham. It's amazing how much she's grown and changed this past year. She really thinks she is just as big as Keithen and Kaylee and wants to do everything that they do.

A Morning at the Park - part I



Kaylee and Ruby had "Parent & Me" class today. Keithen went along with us since he is on vacation right now. After class we went to play at the playground and shared a snack on our blanket. We also took a short walk along the trail to go see the water.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Fairy Princess





Do you think she could have found a costume with any more pink on it?!

Cinderella

















She's off to the ball!
Be home by midnight, cutie!

Princess Sisters



We had planned to go buy Halloween costumes as a family after soccer on Saturday. Keithen's behaviour that morning didn't deserve a trip to the store, so he and Daddy went home while the girls and I shopped. Keithen will go get his Harry Potter costume on a day when he is better behaved. Before our trip to Target, both girls thought they wanted to be ballerinas. As you can see, they changed their minds when faced with aisles upon aisles of choices! Ruby chose to be a "blue princess" (a.k.a. Cinderella) and Kaylee picked the most colorful fairy costume I've ever seen. They both played in their costumes for quite a while after coming home yesterday and they're already dressed up again this morning.

Ballerina Girl - part II





Kaylee still loves her ballet class. It's amazing how well these 3 and 4 year old girls follow their teacher's instructions! It's almost like Mrs. Johanna hypnotizes them! It's hard to get any good pictures of her in class since they shut the door and parents watch through the hallway windows. These are the few that I've captured that are worth sharing.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Harry Potter - spoiler alert!

WARNING - Don't go to this link if you haven't read the 6th book.

Some interesting theories presented on this site. Wonder if any of them will turn out to be true in the 7th book? As sad as I was to see a major character die, I think he needs to be gone so that Harry can come into his own as a wizard in the final book. It was obvious to me that this is where the series was headed.

Of Puke and Bunkbeds

This morning, a little before six, I was snuggled into the bottom bunk futon between the girls, nursing Ruby. She was on my left, along the wall, and Kaylee was on my right, on the outside edge of the bed. I had just covered Kaylee back up with her Dora blanket.

Then, without warning, Keithen began retching in the top bunk above us. The next thing I knew, Kaylee had leaped out of bed and flung the wet blanket off herself. Evidently there was a bit of a waterfall effect. (Ewww!) What a horrible way for her to wake up! I grabbed a big bowl for Keithen and then sent Kaylee off to the bathroom to pee. After he had calmed down, I sent Keithen to the other bathroom.

Kaylee came back before the beds were changed, so I handed her a dry blanket and sent her to the couch. Keithen didn't want to climb back into the bunk bed when he was done in the bathroom, so instead he ended up sleeping for a bit in the window seat. Ruby was such a calm and patient little trooper, waiting until she could nurse again.

So, I'm off to wash the puked on sheets and blankets this afternoon. Isn't being a mom a glamorous job?! (ICK!)

Saturday, September 17, 2005

She did it!


Last weekend Ruby saw a blue Elmo balloon at the store that she wanted so badly. I told her that, if she could be accident-free for a day, I would get her a balloon. Well, yesterday was her day! She was clean and dry all day long. At dinner time we talked about how great she had done and that Mommy would buy her balloon the next day. My Mommy-heart just about exploded with love and pride when Keithen spoke up and said, "I'll buy it for her!" and Kaylee chimed in with a "me too!" So today, after soccer was over, we all went to the party store. Big brother and big sister chipped in their money to buy their little sister a special treat because they were so proud of her accomplishment.

If you like twisted humor.....

If you like twisted humor, go check out http://www.brokentoys.org/?p=6849 Katrina: The Gathering. It's sick, twisted and just plain funny. You'll enjoy it more if you're familiar with this type of gaming. (Lil...if you're out there I wanna hear what you think!)

Friday, September 16, 2005

Ballerina Girl



Today was Kaylee's first ballet class. I've never seen so many little girls in pink! They were all so adorable and excited before class started, running and jumping and laughing together. The mothers go outside and wait in the hallway, watching through the windows, during class. I was very impressed with how well the girls all listened and followed instructions. Only two little girls seemed to have problems staying in the class without their mothers. Kaylee did great. She caught Ruby and I peaking at her a couple of times and smiled at us. After class she told me that she loved it and that her teacher, Mrs. Johanna, was "awesome!"

Parent/Teacher Conference

Since Keithen is in a year round school, today is the end of his first grading period. We had his P/T conference last night and got his report card. He scored a "mastery" in all the skills assessed this quarter. On his reading assessment, he got a 40. Absolutely off the charts for first grade assessment. (First graders are expected to be at at level 10-12 by December and 20-22 by June, so he's waaaayyyyy ahead! I think that means a 4th grade level.)

He will be on an independent reading program when he returns after their 3 week break. They will have some "challenge words" in spelling that are more difficult when they come back too. Hoping she is able to give him some more complex math soon too. Lately he's been getting some computer time at school to do math and reading stuff (MathBrain and Starfall) that I don't think they all get to do.

He's already started working on his fall break packet of worksheets. He is also supposed to keep a journal and do some reading over break. I think he is excited about playing soccer this weekend and about getting to go spend the night at Grandma Williams' house while he is on vacation.

Monday, September 12, 2005

September 11, 2005

Last night, when they played the National Anthem during the Colts game, I cried and cried. Patriotic music has had so much more meaning for me over the past four years, but hearing it on the anniversary of our nation's greatest tragedy brought out so many raw emotions for me.

During dinner we talked a lot about the people who were lost and the great bravery and sacrifice of the people on the fourth plane. It's good to see our children begin to understand the significance of such important and tragic days in history. I think Keithen was a little awed by the tale of bravery of the passengers on that final flight.

Families and friends of those who lost loved ones on 9/11 and those who have lost soldiers in the war since, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Weekend Soccer Practice








Keithen is really focused and playing well this season. Here he is practicing with team mate Caleb. When he's goalie, nothing gets in his house! He's been a great defensive player for a while now and is getting much better at offense so far this season. One more practice and then they start playing games.

Ruby wants to do everything that the big kids do! She can't wait until she is old enough to play soccer too. She's actually pretty coordinated for a 2.5 year old...she can dribble the ball!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Breastfed babies may become dehydrated

Breastfed babies may become dehydrated - New first-time mothers may not have adequate supply of milk, study says

Hummmm.....I'll be back to offer more on this later. BUT...for now I just want to ask...the answer couldn't POSSIBLY be to provide these new mothers with the information and support they need to be successful at breastfeeding?! No, no, no...let's jump straight to formula supplementation. *eye roll* They just don't get it, do they?

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Fat Content of Breast Milk Increases with Time

"This is the first study to analyze the fat and energy content of breast milk of mothers who breast-feed for longer than a year," said study co-author Dr. Ronit Lubetzky, who is with the department of pediatrics at Dana Children's Hospital at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel. "There are more and more women who choose to breast-feed for longer time periods, and not many studies about the nutritional value of their milk during this prolonged lactation."

So...extended nursing mommas...what does this mean for us and our nurslings? Is it just another facet of how the milk "concentrates the good stuff" as the child ages and takes in less breastmilk?

A second article on this topic - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9342112/

Emergency Babywearing!

Check out Mamatoto http://www.mamatoto.org/ for videos on how to turn pants, shirts, towels and sheets into a carrier for a baby or young child in an emergency! So many people in New Orleans could have used this info!

The New Room!

















A few pictures of Keithen, Kaylee & Ruby's new bedroom. So far they are really liking all being in one big room. Keithen is enjoying reading to his sisters up in his top bunk. He wants to read them, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" every night now. As you may be able to see in the picture of Kaylee, there are still some boxes to deal with before they get to use their window seat. Grandma's old chair needs a bit of repair work as well. Keithen has his own little space carved out in the corner with his desk. And Ruby seems to like the big girl bed. Once we get Keithen's shelves up by the top bunk and fix up the window seat, I think their room will be all done!

Now...if anyone can tell me how to take Spiderman stamper ink off wallpaper, I'd love it! Yes...only 2 days in their new room before one of the girls tried a little "redecorating" of her own on the new wallpaper. :( Magic eraser is just erasing the color from the wallpaper and not taking the stamper ink off. :(

Children's Museum










Here are some pictures from our weekend trip to the Children's Museum. -