Firsts: College Visit and Theater Movie (Rio) and ...

5.10.11 - Mom (and Nanny Sue and Nikhil) came with the kids to visit me at school today.

We enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria and looking at some statues from the art museum. I really like that my kids have a Mom who works in higher ed and that they can be on college campuses nearly their entire life. Z & G were on a campus in their first month of life. It's taken M & K longer but hey - they are 3!

Lunch was good. Very well behaved. Messy. Lots of choices. Nice. Simple. Cheap.

On the way out the door, Kenz looks up at her Mem and says: "My pee-pee feel better now." Loudly. Sometimes, I roll my eyes. Of course, we understood why this was important but a stranger wouldn't have. Why? She slept in a poopy diaper all night the night before and woke up with a raw butt. I think she learned a lesson. But hello - why does hanging at Mama's work/in a cafeteria elicit that kind of announcement? Who knows. She's 3.

MOVIE: The day ended with our first family trip to the movie theater. Movie: Rio 3 of 4 kids enjoyed. The boy spent most of his time on my lap with his "blanklet" but he did have a chance to sit in a theater seat.

M spent most of her time playing with the chair and TALKING while G watched the entire movie and Kayla watched most of it (and held her baby doll).

They were thrilled to each get 3 peanut butter M-n-Ms. I was thrilled that the kid selling the tickets only sold us 3 tickets (vs. 5). I told him that I had 3-3 year olds (after he informed me that all patrons age 3 and older need tickets). I think it was his random act of kindness and I well, loved it! Thanks!

Tomorrow: parent/teacher conference for G Neurologist appt for M - first appt this week (of 2) Orthopedist for K - first appt ever Happy Hour - for my "assistant" at work - who is headed to grad school after Friday! Go Megan! and... a day "off" for this weary Mama

Other firsts:
"First" steal - see that excitement on Mem's face!
First weekend away in a cabin with all of the kids (well, just one night away):

First bouquet by K:

First "Mexican" in our front yard. Note, she recently told me that she wants to grow up to be a Mexican Indian?! Honey, you are German, Norweigan and African. No Mexican or Indian.

First Mother's Day gift from 4:

Quote

Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial.
Real Parent: Any Parent who is not imaginary.
Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else’s child.

Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own.
~ unknown

A "Family" Easter Basket

This year, the Easter Bunny went with a Family Easter Basket. As much as I could picture 4 cute little Easter Baskets on our front porch, the less looked forward to:

individual greed

junk in the house

toys that quickly turn into junk, that I hurt my foot stepping on and eventually throw away

So, the focus on toys as a FAMILY ended up being the concept. It really worked.

I'd meant to purchase a new soccer ball and a new scooter but honestly forgot. Other than that, we got horseshoes, a slide whistle, a couple of wooden things to hang artwork on, some candy, and some toys to share including sidewalk chalk.

It worked!

No crying.

Bonding.

Focus: Family. Love. Sharing.

Other items: New universal remote control, notecards and a new basket for Mama's new orange bedroom! All family members got something - including Mama and Memae!

Kids' went to their first birthday party

The little boy they share their days with (Nikhil) turned two in April.

We all went. It was a nice little party.

G wants to be a dentist

Per her own announcement - April 2011.

Her first patient - Her mom!

Of course, her announcement came immediately after I allowed her to brush my teeth.

(Note, she had twin assistants and she used gloves. We need to work on technique and patient comfort!)

Easter - 4/24/11: A Great Day to Accept Christ!

Easter 2011 resulted in two milestones. One is BIG. The other was "fun".

We traveled to my "brother's" house. We went to church on the way - at my Mom's former church. Z-man wore a suit for the first time. Girls wore matching flowery dresses and their dolls wore matching ones as well. Then it was time for Kelly, Kasey and Rylee. Easter Egg Hunt at their house (which is the same house that I used to help the EB with his egg duties when I was in high school/college and my 2 youngest siblings were young children). It was kind of neat to have a hunt where we'd had hunts before.

Cookout.

Met Kasey's family for the first time - Dad, step mom, brother, step brother and a girl friend.

Played. Talked.

Decided to spend the night - in a local motel. And then came our two milestones:

#1: The big one. Went to church. It was a musical event = no nursery. Note, that was with 5 kids, no naps, all up early. NIGHTMARE. Except, my niece, Miss Rylee, accepted Jesus! Our former neighboer (and still friend) asked her if she had every prayed to tell Jesus she loved Him. Nope. Then yup. Then talked with the pastor's wife and yup - she's going to HEAVEN! woohooo! First in the next generation!

#2: We stayed in a hotel. K screamed every 50-65 mins. I ended up sleeping with her on the floor from 2 am on. Kids had fun. We jumped on beds. Minimal sleep for the adults (mom stayed with me). This marked the first night since the girls arrived that they did not sleep in OUR HOUSE!

Holidays always remind us that we are missing family members. This year: Johnna (and David), Rob and Baby A.

Monday: Took the kids to south end beach - where I grew up. Learned about tidal pools (just like my Mom had taught me), travel rocks into the ocean, watched a boat, "hiked", explored and LOVED it. And now, the twins have been "home" - to my childhood home.

Then the playground.

Then ice cream - to celebrate Uncle's 27th birthday - in bumpy town. black raspberry, 2 vanilla, strawberry and a mint chocolate chip.