Ada's First Sippy Cup

This picture was Ada's first time using a sippy cup. (Doesn't she look like a big girl?) She did really well with using her cup. Since all things go straight to her mouth she figured out how to use the cup pretty easily. Since Ada is only 6 months old the Easter Bunny decided to bring her some Winnie the Pooh sippy cups as they are "both usable and practical". If anyone has seen Benjamin's old sippy cups you know it was time to throw them out! He had Diego cups that the design had worn off of but he still insisted that he had to use them and he continued to all these cups his "Diego cups" even though you could not see any signs of these cups ever having had a design.

That Crazy Car!

Benjamin showing Ada how to drive and operate the car


Ada decided that she had enough fun and wanted out


The seatbelt invention!

Benjamin has always enjoyed playing in grandma and grandpa C's coopala car so this past weekend was no exception. This time Benjamin and aunt Carrie devised a seatbelt to use in the car. It was so cute watching Carrie and Benjamin play together. Benjamin would always make sure the seatbelt was fasten so he could "drive" his car. If he forgot about fastening his seatbelt aunt Carrie would remind him. I don't know who was having more fun, Benjamin or auntie Carrie! Benjamin decided that Ada needed to play with him also so she got her first ride in the car. She had a pretty good time but I think Benjamin enjoyed himself more!

Easter 2008

We spent Easter 2008 with my side of the family at my parent's place in Glenwood, MN. We had a good time eating, visiting, and more eating! The sugar cookies that Benjamin and I made were a hit. I also brought along Rice Krispie Bars and a Pistachio Bundt Cake. Trust me, no one left hungry.

It was fun seeing my sister Carrie and her husband Matt, my brother Craig and his fiance Stephanie, my brother Colin, and my parents. Corey decided not to come home due to a "final" that he needed to study for. It's getting rarer and rarer that we are all home at the same time any more. Needless to say, Benjamin kept his aunt, uncles, and grandparents entertained and busy!

He enjoyed playing with grandma and grandpa's puzzles and reading books. When we left SD we had no snow here (there was a little beside the road, and here and there but no real snow covering). Except for our front yard which looks like a no-till farmer (slow to melt snow and warm up). When we got to MN they had snow everywhere. Uncle Craig greeted us with a snowman that he made.

Being Silly!!

Easter Prep

Benjamin and I decided that we needed to make some sugar cookies for Easter. I mixed up the cookie dough on Holy Thursday and baked the cookies on Good Friday afternoon (Thank you Governor Rounds for giving me the afternoon off). Benjamin and I frosted and decorated them Friday evening. We had a lot of fun. Benjamin helped with spreading the frosting on the cookies but I think he enjoyed putting the sprinkles on the most. Benjamin liked working with the pink and white candy circles. He liked putting those on the cookies. He would always help himself to some of them and then say "umm that's good stuff". We were both pretty proud of our handy work. The only trouble with these cookies is that you can't eat just one; especially, if they are frosted! For the family recipe go here.

Alone time

Mommy, how long do I have before Benjamin comes? I am sure this is what is going through Ada's mind as she is sitting in her crib. Benjamin loves to play toys with Ada. He doesn't quite understand that she can't do everything he does, yet.

Playing with Dolls

Benjamin loves playing with his little sister, Ada, even if it is playing dolls. He will take such good care of his "baby". He makes sure the baby gets something to eat, drink, sleep (he covers the baby up), and he even changes the baby. He is quite the father! He tries telling Ada what to do with the baby but she just grabs the baby and shakes her until she decides she has had enough and throws her down. I think Benjamin will get a lot of doll time in between our house and daycare as he is one of two boys at daycare. It is so cute watching Benjamin and Ada play together. I have to admit I enjoy watching Benjamin play dolls and take care of his "baby". Tonight, when we gave Benjamin and Ada a bath, Benjamin was giving his baby a bath while I gave my baby (Ada) a bath.

Ben's Breakfast!

We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and Benjamin decided he wanted one too. Well his version of rolls for breakfast was to just eat the frosting off of them and leave the actual roll part alone. He would pick all the frosting off of the rolls with his fingers and then eat it. He didn't stop until all of the frosting was gone!

Fresh Air

The fresh air yesterday was just what I needed! My mood has definitely improved. I don't know if it was the beautiful weather or all the exercise that I got but what I do know is I definitely needed it. It was so nice to get outside with the kids. Since I was home with Benjamin and Ada (due to Benjamin's pink eye) we decided to go for a walk. We got out the double stroller and away we went. We were outside for about three hours just walking in the stroller. When I attempted to come back home after two hours Benjamin looked at me and said, "stay outside, you walk." He didn't even want to come out of the stroller to play at the park (for those of you who know Benjamin you know that is unbelievable)! He just seemed so happy being outside and looking around. He would point out all the squirrels, birds, and dogs. At one point both Benjamin and Ada were sleeping. It was so much fun being with my kiddos enjoying the beautiful weather without a care in the world.

It's so funny how you go all winter wondering what happened to the neighbors and then you have one nice day and you see most of the neighborhood start to emerge from their houses. It is so nice to see that we have neighbors again! Our neighborhood is getting more and more young families and there are at least four babies on our street. It should be fun this summer playing at the park.

Food and Fellowship

Check out the new blog, www.foodandfellowship.blogspot.com for cooking/baking recipes and ideas!

Pet Peeve

As I was driving to and from work yesterday I got to thinking about pet peeves. I started thinking about all the things that could be my pet peeves and then thought about what my pet peeves are. For some people they get annoyed when people pull out in front of them and then drive slow. For others it is people who don't use their turn signals. It bugs some people if certain colors are put together and others get annoyed when people run late. Or how about those people who say they are going to do something and then don't? Well I can deal with all those things but my BIGGEST pet peeve is people who bring their obviously sick children or themselves and expose other people and other people's children to those germs. I know kids are full of germs and winter time is the time for illness but man we have been so healthy this year dispite a new baby and a different daycare. It makes me so mad that all it takes is one kid who should have stayed home or should have indicated the suspected illness right away. If I would have known the kid had pink eye we would have just stayed home. Now, I am trying to wrestle my two year old to give him his eye drops for his double pink eye infection. Thanks so much for this fun--I guess I really needed this kind of one-on-one time.

A Quick Visit

On Sunday grandma and grandpa C came for a visit. Grandpa had to get a load of jet fuel in Sioux Falls so grandma rode along with. They stayed for a few hours. Grandma and Grandpa couldn't believe how big Ada has gotten or how much she has changed. They enjoyed holding her. Benjamin was his ever entertaining self. When his grandparents first arrived Benjamin acted very shy but it didn't take him long to warm up to them. He liked looking at animals and talking with grandpa. Benjamin enjoyed grandma's fruit snacks and her little magazine of animals. We had a good time visiting and hope they will come and visit more often. For some reason Benjamin and grandpa always had Ada's attention when we were trying to take pictures. Also, next time we will have to get a few snaps of grandma with her grandkids as she seemed to have avoided the camera!

My Precious Angels

She finally did it!

Last night Ada finally rolled over on her own without any pushing, guidance, or arm tucking. She was having tummy time and was in such a good mood--smiling and giggling. All of a sudden she looked up at me and gave me this look "you better watch me because I am about to do something new". Then ever so slowly she rolled over! It was so cute! Oh course when I go get the camera she is no longer interested in rolling over. I told Dave that our life as we knew just changed. We now have a semi-mobile little girl! Benjamin has not seen her roll over yet but when he does I know he will be so excited. He is always concerned about his little sister and he gets so excited over the little things she does. He is such good big brother.

Losing my Mind

Lately, it seems like I have been losing my mind! Work has been crazy busy with all of the meetings and educational programs that I have been putting on. I have had to attend some night meetings and I really don't like doing that. I miss spending my evenings with Benjamin, Ada, and Dave. When I have to work the evenings I feel like I miss out on so much that all I want to do when I get home is hug, kiss, and hold my kids. I always will ask Dave to come sit down with us. Apparently, I have been saying time for a "Family Hug" alot lately that Benjamin will now say it. Anyhow, back to losing my mind. The other week I paid our bills. No big deal--pretty routine right? That's what I thought till we got one back. Well after reading their note and taking a closer look at the returned check I saw my mistake. I wrote the the number part correctly 47.00 but when you get to the part where you have to spell out the words--that's where the trouble came into play. You see I wrote the word forty and left it at that. Apparently, people do look at the checks because they noticed my error and sent it back with a note saying "fix it". Who would have thought?

It's Official

Ada's first tooth finally broke through the gum line today! Her tooth is obviously not fully in but it is up enough to hurt you if she clamps down. I can't believe that she has her first tooth already! Benjamin got his first tooth at 5 1/2 months old so I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that she got her first tooth so early but I am. Where does the time go? Didn't we just have her? Isn't she still a baby? You are probably wondering why I haven't written saying that she rolls over. Well, we are still waiting for her to roll over. She can roll over but she just doesn't. Dave can tuck her arm just right and she will roll over for him but she will not exert any extra effort into rolling any farther than she has too. Such a silly girl. She is more concerned in trying to sit up than rolling over!

Shhh...He's Sleeping!

The weather lately has been driving me crazy! It warms up, cools back down, warms back up, and cools back down, etc. On chilly, cold mornings I just want to stay in bed. Apparently, my children have taken on my same view of cold mornings because lately when it has been a cold morning they have been sleeping in but if the morning or day is or will be warm they have been getting up early. The other morning it was cold and Dave and I both had to work so we had to drag ourselves out of bed. Benjamin had gotten himself up and came to the bathroom where I was brushing my teeth. He then asked where daddy went. I told him that daddy was in the kitchen. He took one look towards the kitchen, one look at me, and turned around and ran back to his bed. I went to check on him and found him curled back in his bed with his covers pulled up under his chin sleeping peacefully! Boy do I wish I could have joined him!! Lately, Benjamin has even been asking to go to sleep or to take naps. I about fell over as this is my son who resists sleeping! Getting this kid to sleep has been a struggle since the day he was born.

Love Them and Hold Them Tight

There has been a radio-thon the last few days for "Cure Kids Cancer" and I have found myself listening to the stories of the kids who survived cancer, are currently under treatment, or who have lost their fight against cancer. My heart goes out to all those families who are stuggling and dealing with their children or grandchildren's cancer diagnosis. It really makes me appreciate my children all the more because I couldn't imagine life without them. I have always taken the time to hug and kiss them and to tell them that I love them but you better believe that I had a hard time peeling myself away from them the last few days after hearing all those stories. Last night I was asking Dave how we got along without Ada. She has added so much love to our family that it is hard to believe that not that long ago we were a family of 3. For all those parents out there take the time to tell your children that you love them. Hug them, kiss them, and play games with them. Show them that they have your undivided attention. Grandparents, visit and visit often. You would be surprised at how much you are missed when you go home.