Bumbo

Avery constantly loves to sit up strait that we finally purchased her a BUMBO.  The seat is so cute, she looks like she is lounging on a Lazy Boy like her dad.  The kids love the name of the seat that they constantly call it out loud using different tones of voice.

Mac, Caleb, and Avery...notice Avery's socks.  She loves pulling them off.  This time I tried to secure them with her leg warmers and outfit. 

Vroom, vroom....

Tomorrow McKayla will be entering in the "Powder Puff" derby.  Last week Shawn and Mac went to the hardware store, but the car kit, cut it, sanded, and painted. Both are very proud of the results and of course supporting their team...surprise, surprise, it is black and gold.  I am proud of both of them and hope she does well.  It will be double elimination so it should be interesting.

Fan of all fans

So my son, bless his heart, loves his toys.  When there is a new movie out, he has to watch it multiple times.  He definately has his heart set up on the Toy Story collection.  When the movie is turned on, he is in another world and when it is over, he uses his imagination while playing with his toys.  This is something our eldest never did.  She would be content for a period of time, but then would find something else to preoccupy her time.  Caleb is different, he "has" to have a collection in order to recreate things on his own.  He can go on for days with the same scenario.  Here is a picture of his pride and joy right now.

I know that you see a red dinosaur, but his rex toy is smaller than the Potato Heads, so he improvised with another dinosaur.

Speaking of toys, my friend Molly showed me how much fun the interchangings of the Potato Heads could be through her children.  While visiting her house one day, while I was in Rochester with Avery, her children showed me the endless wonders with their toys.  I thought to myself, maybe my kids would enjoy it....yup, they do. 

McKayla took this picture. The kids were proud of their work and wanted to show it to me through the use of my camera.

Cabin Fever is kicking in!

Of course I live in a state that is cold climate...what was I thinking!  Winter is only half way done and there has not been enough sunlight out there for me to soak up and feel good.  Maybe it is the negative temps that are getting to me because when you see the forcast saying that evening temps will be -10 or below it just does not say, "Hey, that's awesome!"  Maybe it is because my birthday is coming up...no that's no it!

So what is the cure to all of this?  I think I need to become a millionaire, move to a warmer climate, and pretend that the world is a just place...I love unrealistic thinking.

I do have a medication that helps me smile...it's called playing with my kids. What else would it be?  I do not think a pill will automatically make me laugh.

Avery has learned to roll onto her belly!  Unfortunately she does this all the time and gets mad at herself because she cannot roll back.

I love this picture because it looks like a massive size lamb is smooshing my daughters cute cheeks.  Also her facial expression tells me, "Mom, help please!"

One of my dearest friends makes the most wonderful slings.  Avery loves hanging out with mommy!  I just noticed that Avery is missing a sock...go figure!

Dinosaurs say Roarrrrrrr!!!!!!

Caleb received a belated Christmas present...oops on mommy and daddy!  Note to self:  make sure to check all the hiding places where xmas presents are kept so that you do not give it to the child several weeks later. 

This toy is so cool, it works with sensors so it does a lot of things real dinosaurs would do!

Missing friends!

Avery had her follow up in Rochester on Friday.  Everything seemed to have gone well as Dr. Potter reported that she was doing well.  She even smiled a ton for him, which his attending stated kids usually did not do around him, so you know that made his day.

We were able to visit our friends the Willaert's, however, Avery was unable to see her boyfriend since he was sick.  Poor Sam!  I do want to report that he is growing well as he is a tank.  Molly has supermilk that has miracle grow. 

Here is a picture for you Sam.  I know that your mom checks the blog once in awhile.  Avery says hello and that she misses you!

Sisterly Love

McKayla (aka little mom) was helping me out today when she came home from school.  She watched Avery so that I could do the typical chores around the house.  I heard some noises that I knew came from Avery, so I peeked and saw the girls having a conversation...too cute!

When McKayla is 18 years old, Avery will only be 10 years old.  What will they be talking about then?

Caleb was feeling left out so he wanted to have his picture taken as well with the girls.

As happy as they look, it only tooks minutes before somebody did something wrong...and someone did end in a timeout upstairs...guess who???

Not very happy that he had to go upstairs.  He was arguing that he does not like it when I am upset with him so that is why he is mad.

By the time I got downstairs it was quite. Maybe too quiet.  Probably because McKayla has the magic touch to get her little sister to sleep.

So in the end the kids were able to sit on the couch without fighting.  I on the otherhand went back to my duties of the unending story of "LAUNDRY".

This is only a small portion of what I did today!

Rochester visit was cancelled!

Avery all dressed up and ready to go to see her pals in Rochester.

So, Avery was suppose to have her post-op check in Rochester today. I was going to take the kids and we were going to visit with friends after Avery's appointment.  We were so excited for the long awaited visit b/t the two NICU babies, Avery and Samuel!  Unfortunately mother nature did not want us to go.  She decided to have snow and wind gusts over 30 mph, making visibility hopeless.  So we turned around and went home.  Sad day!  We have rescheduled the appointment a week from today, so crossing our fingers that the weather will be decent. 

Avery keeping herself busy since she couldn't see her boyfriend Sam!

Avery's new pal she snuggles with!

Look what I got?

We will be visiting Avery's boyfriend in Rochester.  Actually she will be having her post op check up with Dr. Potter...then visit her boyfriend, Sam.  We are so excited to see Molly, Brian, and the troops.

Avery's new Hawkeye blankie!

Not sure with the face, but she really enjoys snuggling with her new blanket.  Here is the letter that was sent with the package.  It's from her boyfriend!

Happy New Year!

The best way to celebrate the new year is with family!  We prepared the kids by having them take naps in the middle of the day...only one slept...the other pretended.  In the end we celebrated with the best drinking glasses ever...Sesame Street cups filled with Sparkling Grape Juice.  Yummy!

...and in less than 30 minutes...

Out for the count! 

The next morning Caleb woke up just fine...Big Sister slept in past 10 o'clock.  Hmmm....I wonder who did not take their nap?