Last Week {Was Beautiful Outside}

Monday thru Thursday just had the prettiest weather. It was high in the upper 70s or low 80s all week. It reminded me of when I went and visited Texas one January...it was chilly in the mornings, but by mid-day it had warmed up by twenty degrees.

 

Monday morning we took Cal-Cal to school and then headed to the grocery store. I must have been feeling patient and full of long-suffering because I decided to let these two push their own carts. Jay surprisingly only tried to take one ingredient on his own (fruit snacks). Otherwise, he dutifully followed me along.

 

below: grocery shopping pals

 

 

 About halfway through, Kelsey decided her arms were tired (of course the little carts are like big carts...terrible to steer!). We switched all the groceries to the big cart! The second half of the grocery trip was 500% quicker. ha.

We delivered the groceries at home and the kids messed around until it was time to pick up Calla from school. Monday afternoon we hung at home while Jay napped.

Jonathan had a meeting after work so we made plans to meet my friend Kris and her kids at Chick-fil-A for dinner since her husband was traveling for work. Kris beat me there and warned me that it was "benefit the local school" night and the place was packed. We decided to brave the crowds. It honestly didn't get packed until we had already ordered our food so it wasn't too annoying, except the man that kept hanging around our table waiting for us to leave so he could claim it.

After Chick-fil-A, I took the kids down the street a bit to Herrick Lake. Aunt Corinne discovered this lake before I ever did when she went for a jog when she was visiting my house! We've only been a handful of times since. It is very pretty and the kids loved running around it, once they got over the fact that we didn't bring their bikes.

below: the perfect evening for a walk! (except the lighting wasn't so great)

 below: Jaybird was always quite a few paces behind....

 below: feeling in touch with nature

 below: holding hands

We left once it started to get dark (which is pretty early it seems!). Then we went home and I put everyone to bed. Jonathan didn't get home until 10:30!

Tuesday morning we were almost late for school. Kelsey Mae has become a challenge to dress, to say the least. We've had a tough transition out of flip flops and shorts. "Tough" would be an understatement. She has faced her drawer of long pants and basket of shoes with every ounce of complaining and whining in her being. The pants hurt her waist. The shoes hurt her "blister." It just seems ridiculous to spend 2 minutes getting Calla ready for school and 25 minutes getting Kelsey ready for "drop Calla off."

Fortunately we got Calla there on time, and then I thought I may need a run at the gym (which I drive by after drop-off anyway). Kelsey was sad that Calla wouldn't be there. In fact, tears may have been shed. I thought about skipping the gym but I thought that might set a bad precedent. So we walked in and when I dropped Kels and Jay off I told the childcare workers that Kelsey was sad not to have her big sis and they took it as a personal challenge to make sure she had a wonderful time.

I ran for a half hour and then picked Kels and Jay up. I think Jay was surprised to see me so soon. Kelsey had found a friend from church to play with and was wearing a new rainbow loom bracelet one of the childcare workers had made for. Life wasn't so hard after all.

below: walking to the car. Jay prefers to carry his own stuff.

 

 
below: As you can see, Kelsey had decided on a leopard-print dress to wear. Okey-dokey


We spent an hour at home before it was time to go to gymnastics. Fortunately it was warm enough for Kelsey just to wear her leotard so getting dressed did not require a 20-minute negotiation process.

We got to gymnastics to hear some bad news. Our beloved Coach Andre was moving away (which we knew) and wasn't going to teach (I guess his "two-week notice" wasn't well-received). The owner, Ron Nasti, was going to teach. He was quite the gymnast in his day (on the US Olympic team) but to the kids he just appears to be a 50-year old man. Kelsey actually warmed up to him right away.

When we picked up Calla, I warned her Andre wouldn't be coaching and she was bummed but she wasn't phased by the new coach either. He had Calla and the three kids in her class try a bunch of new stuff to get a feeling for their skill level. I was thinking of asking him if Calla was keeping up with the other kids (half of her parents' gene pool is pretty un-athletic you know, which is NOT the case of the other kids in there!). I forgot but I have it in mind to talk to him about it next time.

below: Kelsey watching for Calla at pick-up. The "pick-up" lane is right next to the playground

 below: In fact, she likes to stand on her seat and stick her entire, leopard-clad body out the window to stare awkwardly at the older kids playing .

 

 

After gymnastics, we had the girls' friends Kelsey Ann and Maggie over for a playdate. The girls had a blast. Jay was asleep, so he wasn't "bothering them." At one point, the four of them had locked themselves in the girls' room and were jamming to the Awana Cubbies CD (at a very high volume).

 

Kelsey Ann and Maggie went home at four and an hour or so later Calla, Kelsey, Jay and I headed to downtown Wheaton to meet up with Brie. Jonathan had another work meeting so I had made plans to meet up with Brie. We hadn't seen her since Calla's birthday.

 

 

below: Brie!

 

 

We ate pizza at our favorite spot, Brick's. It was warm enough to eat outside and enjoy the sights of the occasional commuter train. Then we walked down the block to the candy shop and I gave the kids their $1-bills from Grandma and Grandpa to treat themselves to candy. It got them a whole white bag full! Thanks, Grandma and grandpa!

We went home and I gave the kids a bath. Jonathan got home just as I was tucking the kids into bed. They were glad to get a chance to see him before they dozed off!

Wednesday we took Calla to school on our way to Bible Study in the morning. Jay cried when I dropped him off at his class. He doesn't usually do that. He had stopped by the time I left the room but it was still strange. He did go potty with the lady in there, which is the first time he's gone to the potty with someone who isn't family. He is 100% accident free with pee but is pretty tough and go with #2. It can get ugly.

We picked Calla up on our way home from church. The timing is pretty perfect. Our afternoon always feels short on Wednesdays because we have to eat at 5pm in order to leave for church by 6pm. I will not rehash the wardrobe meltdown Kelsey had prior to going to Awana Cubbies. You would have thought she's the first person in the world to have to wear pants with a waist-band. (She is okay with leggings.)

 

below: Jay spent some time on Wed. afternoon wearing my heels throughout the house. Dad would be proud.

 below: Naptime. Jay falls asleep playing with his trains and then I have to sneak in to fish them out. I do not grow tired of it.

Awana Cubbies/Sparks/Puggles was fun. It doesn't really feel like a Wednesday without evening church so it's nice to be back in the routine. Daddy got to see the kids at 9pm when he got home from core groups. They were all in bed but awake...they like to "wait up" for him.

Thursday morning we took Calla to school (Kelsey and I battled through her clothing selections the night before so we didn't risk being late). Then Kels, Jay and I drove across town to the Evangelical Free Church for BSF. Jay cried when I dropped him off. It seems like 25 months is a little late to be suffering from separation anxiety. The childcare workers told me he stopped as soon as I was out of sight. Maybe it is for show. :-)

Jay loves BSF though...he always tells me about it after I pick him up. He told me he looked at a book with a cow in it and played with the Daddy and Baby choo-choos. (Big trains and small trains.) When I picked him up, he was cradling a baby doll and walking around. And his teachers told me he is a wonderful singer during song time. HAHAHAHA. Both news items are just what his father wants to hear!

It was so beautiful outside on Thursday that we picked up Calla, stopped at home to pack a lunch, and then met a couple friends at a park.

We left the park once Jay seemed ready to nap. I think he could have slept three hours (since he went to bed so late on Wed.). But I woke him up at 4 so he could go to bed at 8. Otherwise it just starts a bad cycle (of waking up late from naps and going to bed an hour later than his sisters).

Thursday evening we finally got to eat dinner with daddy! first night of the week! He gave the kids a bath and helped me put them to bed. Then Stefani came over to baby-sit the sleeping children while Jonathan went to a birthday party and I went to a social for my Wed. morning Bible study. I think I had more fun than him hahaha (just kidding).

Callaism~

~ Stef said that Calla woke up while she was there and said her ear hurt. Dear Stef gave her some Tylenol and then held her hand and rubbed her head until she fell back asleep. She said that Calla, through her tears, eeked out, "When I was in Sparks {sniffle} last night, I learned the verse 'Great is our Lord and mighty in power' and I think [sniffle] it relates to this because God is powerful and [sniffle] can heal my ear." Stefani said she thought it was so cute she wrote it down right away so she wouldn't forget. :-) Awww. 

Last Weekend

Last weekend was pretty low-key! (I always use that word.) The kids slept in a bit...actually, that's a lie. I was laying in bed at 7:15am debating whether or not to go to a 7:30 class at the gym and thought "no, all of the kids are still sleeping so I should take advantage of the silence and sleep in." And then, lo and behold, by 7:30 all three kids were wide awake and literally jumping on me in the bed. (Well except Jay...I have to go get him. He has not figured out how to get out of the crib.)

I went for a run and Jonathan took the kids to the french market for donuts. I met him over there and convinced him to buy my love by buying me a mum. I was having a bad experience with my mum from the grocery store.

below: case in point -

Once we got home, I started organizing the girl's closet. Oh my give me patience. In fact, I was happy for an interruption when Jonathan told me he and Jay were going to go check out a football game across the street. (At the middle school field.) We have a few friends from church whose boys all play on the same team, so he took Jay over to check it out. He noticed all the players' little sisters were playing together so he texted me to bring the girls over so they could hang out with their friends.

I am not sure if Calla and Kelsey gathered what we were watching, but they were happy to play with their friends! Jay found the dirty softball diamond so he hung out over there. 

We walked home after the game and ate some lunch. Then I spent the entire afternoon switching out summer/winter clothes and trying to organize the kids' wardrobes.

below: While I was busy, the girls played.

Here they are playing one of their favorite games...someone takes a turn being in the "wheelchair" (the shopping cart) and the other person is the caretaker. 

Kelsey's and Calla's faces are HILARIOUS in this pic (in my opinion)....

On Saturday evening, we met Opa and Mema halfway between their house and ours to go out to dinner. It was good to see Opa after his surgery, and spend a couple hours catching up. We finally have going out to eat down to a science. While we eat our soups, the kids eat their bread. While we eat our salads, the kids eat their meals. While we eat our entrees, the kids eat their dessert. While we talk and visit (and maybe eat dessert! - I had a delicious apple crisp), the kids watch a show on our phone. 

We headed home and only Calla fell asleep in the car! She was the only one who hadn't had a nap!

Sunday morning we went to church. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't helping in any class so I could attend both services like a normal attendee. :-) It was nice! I was wondering if Jay was waiting for me to show up in his room, but he didn't mention anything.

After church, we went out to eat at Portillo's with Luke. Jenny was in Arizona so it was just Luke and his four children. He is a brave man.

Luke, Jonathan, Britta (the baby) and I sat at one table. At the other was this chaotic mob-

below:
seated left...Calla, Eriksen, Jay
seated right...Dane, Kelsey, Norah

Kelsey spilled her drink, Dane spilled his drink, I took three trips to the bathroom, there was a squabble over someone eating someone else's hot dog, and Calla left her coat there. (we got it a couple days later.) But, all in all, it was a lovely lunch! ha!!

Sunday afternoon I finished up some of the clothes-organizing. It is mind-boggling how long that takes. It is a reason to live in a warm-all-around climate if I've ever heard one.

The kids played outside for awhile. We did have an ugly incident occur when Jonathan told Calla not to go down the sliding board (she had been causing trouble) and she asked Kelsey to stand by the door to guard it and tell her when Daddy was looking. OH MY. Jonathan could tell what was going on and went outside to confront the deceiver.

Daddy had announced plans to take the three kids to the candy shop after dinner but Calla had to stay home without dessert as her punishment. She was very upset about it. Hopefully she'll remember the next time she sets up Little Sis to be the "watchdog" for disobedience. (We weren't sure how aware Kelsey was in her role in the deception, so we let it slide. We'll see if it comes up. She was pleading her innocence...that in itself, made me think she wasn't so innocent!)

The candy shop was closed so the three of them got Dairy Queen instead. Calla did not get any. Jay and Kelsey ate theirs happily in her presence. Sometimes there is a superior feeling that goes along with being the child who did not cause great defense. I remember this feeling vividly haha.

Jonathan went to a friend's house to watch the Bears game at 7:30. So I was alone for the bedtime routine, although we kick that off at 7:30 anyway.

below: Jay wore his Christmas pajamas. He doesn't grow so he gets the perk of wearing pajamas for months at a time. haha.

below: Calling Kelsey Mae to get ready for bed (he is distracted because we have the football game on)

I got all the kids tucked in at 8. Kelsey and Calla fell asleep, as is their new custom, to the sound of their Awana CD blaring from the boom box. Once they fall asleep I turn it off and turn on their sound machine. I would think it'd be unsettling to wake up in the middle of the night to hear a man's voice talking about Noah and the Flood or something.

Jay has started to wish he could sleep with his sisters. For now I can entice him back to his crib because of his trains. They make comforting (but pointy) sleep companions.

Kelseyism~

~ Kelsey has a second speech evaluation scheduled for Friday, October 4. I have to quick teach her how to talk properly between now and then.

Feeling Better & Other Happenings

Thursday I woke up feeling like a new person! I decided to go to BSF since I wouldn't be touching anyone so I figured I could keep any possibly lingering germs to myself. 

below: Kelsey Mae and Jay ate their breakfast in the tent. Every couple months we erect this tent in the house and it becomes the hot item. Then the kids start to ignore it and I take it down and stow it away. 

We dropped Calla off at school, and then drove over to the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church for BSF. This time Kelsey Mae didn't complain about the length of the "Bible story" when I was dropping her off. In fact, when I picked her up two hours later she introduced me to new her best friend, Haley. She and Haley were arranging to do a playdate the next time they get together. (Haley asked me, "Do you know how to get to my house?" Uh, no.)

We drove back to school to pick up Calla. We had a few minutes until her class let out, so I let Kelsey Mae and Jay play on the playground. Other moms and their kiddos play around at the park sometimes too so I've gotten to meet other kindergarten moms.

Calla filed out with the other kindergarteners and we went home. We ate some lunch and I put Jay down and shortly later Jonathan arrived home early from work. He wasn't feeling well. In fact, he went to bed and we didn't see him again until after dinner.

Since Jonathan wasn't feeling well, I fed the kids dinner and put Jay to bed. Then I left for Small Group. We are studying this book and I think it's going to be a great study. (I may be biased; I suggested the book.)

Friday Jonathan felt better and none of the kids were sick. Every morning I woke up expecting someone to wake up with the stomach flu and I'm so relieved nobody else got it. 

It was Friday, so we celebrated with a trip to Dunkin Donuts on the way to school.

below: Jay's order is chocolate sprinkle. Face first.

 below: Calla and Kelsey with their Long Johns. Kelsey always picks the Long John because it is the biggest donut. Calla tried it on Friday and decided she is not a big fan.

We took Calla to school and then headed back to the house. I got some laundry done while Jay and Kelsey tried on my shoes and wore them throughout the house.

 Then Kelsey took a bunch of disposable bowls and set up for company. I love that girl, but she doesn't just sit and play with toys. She is usually in the process of making a mess. I am not kidding...I told her to put the bowls away after they had found their way on the floor. So she busied herself by using glitter glue and covering empty cardboard toilet paper rolls with it.

Once the laundry was started and the house was sufficiently destroyed by Kelsey's mischief, we decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful day. I took Kelsey and Jaybird to the Cosley Zoo to visit the cow and ducks, among other animals.

below: Jaybird could stand and watch the ducks for hours.

 below: Kelsey would wear this little sundress every day if I let her. Aunt Alicia and Uncle Stephen got it for her for her 3rd birthday and she's worn it once a (warm-weather) week since.

We spent about an hour there before it was time to go pick up Calla. It was such a beautiful day that we went straight from school pick-up to the park. A few of my friends had texted about meeting up there. The kids had a great time, although it did end with all fifteen or so kids in the sand pit. They found ways to transport water from the nearby drinking fountain to make drippy sand. Jaybird was a mess.

We cleaned off at the fountain before heading home for Jay's nap.

Calla always brings out her schoolwork from her red folder after lunch. On Friday she waved this paper in front of my face and said, "Mom, this is for my review words 'I' and 'am.' It says write here to hang it on the fridge." I told her, "Well Calla I think kids who are just learning the words 'I' and 'am' can hang it on the fridge so they learn the sight words." Calla wrinkled her nose and said, "No, mom, it says right here "hang on the fridge." Well, it's hanging on our fridge.



Friday evening we went with our friends, the Westons, out to eat at a Mexican place in Wheaton. It had a super long wait but their company made the wait go pretty quickly. The food came fast and then we all drove across town together to the Wheaton North football game. My friend Ali and her kiddos were there and the kids had a great time running around together. Ali's mother-in-law always brings treats for the kids. Calla has transitioned from calling her "Brooke's Grammy" to "Grammy!" Popcorn and candy is always the way to a kid's heart haha.

I left with the kids at halftime, while Jonathan stayed for the rest of it. Bry always comes over after the game so he and Jonathan can dissect the game and it is fun to sit in on the guy conversation. Although I have very little football knowledge to contribute.

Jayism~

~ Jay is still pretty obsessed with the color blue.
~ Jay talks in sentences now. He said yesterday, "There is an air plane high in the sky." I would say most of his sentences are 3-4 words tops though.

Last Week We Had the Flu

Monday Calla's school pictures came in! She got them taken her third day of school. I thought she looked pleased as punch in her picture. :-)

Monday we dropped Calla off at school and then headed to the grocery store and Target. I am still getting used to having just two along!

below: Kelsey Mae & JayBird walking into Target. Aunt Courtney got Jay that adorable jacket for his birthday last year and it is just starting to fit him! He is a shrimp. 

We got all the groceries away and Kels and Jay had time to play before we had to pick Calla up. We went home for lunch and then over to a park.

It was a beautiful day outside. It definitely felt like September outside...high of 70 or so and sunny.

below: perfect day for a run!

The park was near my friend Kate's house, and Calla had her friend Kelsey Ann's birthday get-together on Monday afternoon so we walked her over. Kate just had a couple girls coming, so I spent the morning preparing Kelsey Mae for the disappointment of not attending. (She adores Kelsey Ann, but Kelsey A is a year older than her.)

Kelsey Mae had a cry about it in the morning, but she seemed brave while we dropped Calla off. I had given her the whole "speech" about life not being fair and somedays she gets to do fun stuff and somedays Calla does, blah blah, etc. Then Kate stuck her head out the door as we turned to leave and said, "Does Kelsey want to stay?"

Kelsey Mae was like "SURE!!!" Haha. It was so sweet she got to be included!

So Jay and I walked back to the park and I let him play for a bit.

below: He likes to go down slides like he's going on a roller coaster ha (arms up)

We came home and Jaybird took a nap. I checked on him and his feet were stuck but he didn't seem to notice.

I got a lot of laundry done and a little housework. Then I woke Jay up and we drove back to Kate's to pick up the girls.

We went home and the girls played. Monday afternoon we were at home.

After dinner, Daddy and Jaybird hung out while Calla and Kelsey and I made ice cream. If that seems like a strange activity, it was. It took forever and tasted strange. I ended up tossing it out and giving everyone Cookies 'n Cream from Breyer's. 

 


We put the kids to bed and I worked in the kitchen. I made two kinds of muffins and a fall salad. Recipes to follow for the Fall fruit salad, because I feel like those are hard to find.

Fall Holiday Fruit Salad: Apple Citrus Cinnamon
makes 4 cups

1 large honeycrisp apple, organic
1 large Granny Smith apple, organic
2 medium oranges, organic + 1/4 tsp orange zest (zest is optional)
2 large lemons, juiced
3/4 tsp cinnamon (add more if you'd like)
2 Tbsp grade B maple syrup (or to taste)
1/2 - 3/4 cup raw walnuts, organic
3 Tbsp raisins (black or gold or mixed)
2-3 tsp cold pressed flax oil, organic / unfiltered

optional additions:
* a dash or cayenne for a spicy accent
* a chopped avocado for even more healthy fats
* some more chopped seasonal fruit like persimmon, pomegranate, pear, grapefruit.
* A few drops of real vanilla extract
* a few chia or flax seeds

TIP! To quickly soften hard, chewy raisins, run them under hot water for a few seconds.

Directions:

1. Dice your apples, add to a large mixing bowl. Add in the lemon juice.
2. Peel and slice up your orange. Add orange and a bit of grated orange zest (optional) to the bowl.
3. Add in the raisins, cinnamon, maple syrup and walnuts. Toss everything very well.
4. Add in the flax oil one teaspoon at a time - tossing AND tasting after each addition. You do not want to overwhelm the fruit with flax, so taste as your go. I like a nice amount of oil, but you may be more sensitive to the flavor.
5. Chill and serve. Tip: for quicker serving, make sure your fruit is chilled before making salad. Then you can serve right away.

I was up really late working baking and slicing fruit. I was preparing all the dishes for the Kindergarten Fellowship Tea the following day. (The other two room moms and I were contributing some breakfast-themed munchies.)

I was still cleaning up the kitchen at around Midnight when Jaybird woke up. It's really unusual for him to wake up that early (he does wake up later in the night sometimes) and so I went in and asked him, "What's wrong, Jay?" and he immediately stood up and started rubbing his tummy and saying, "My tummy, my tummy." I asked him if his tummy hurt and he said, "Yes" so I got him out to give him a snuggle and he threw up all over me. That was lovely. I laid him down on the floor and cleaned it all up (including myself). Then I picked him up and he threw up again (this time I had a bowl handy).

I cleaned him up again and tucked him in his bed and slept in his room for a bit in case he'd wake up again to throw up. But after waking up a couple hours later, he hadn't stirred so I went to bed.

Tuesday morning Jay woke up in great spirits. You would have never known he was sick! In fact, I think I would have blamed it on something goofy he must have ate except I knew a couple of my friends had children who had thrown up once with a very short-lived stomach bug. So he must have had the same thing.

But, sadly, I felt like I certainly had to cancel the baby-sitter I had set up for the Fellowship Tea in the morning. (I had arranged for her to come at 8:30am to watch Kelsey Mae and Jay.) I wasn't quite sure when kids aren't contagious after they are over the flu.

We dropped Calla off at school, dropped off the muffins and fruit salad at my friend Ashley's house (who was hosting the Tea) and came home to lay low!

below: I got a picture of Calla before school because she is wearing a new shirt and skirt from Mimi for her birthday.

Jay and I sat around and made funny faces all day. Well, for it least two minutes.

Kelsey seemed 100% healthy, so I took her to gymnastics. I sat Jay down in a chair with my phone tuned to a Barney episode so he'd sit still and not touch any other kids. (My friends with daughters in gymnastics have little tots roaming around. Jay usually has lots of little playmates.)

Calla's gymnastic lesson was right after, although a friend took her home so I didn't have to stay. I put Jay down for an early nap and he slept it least three hours. Waking up to throw up really does put a kink in a restful night's sleep ha.

The girls catch up on the playtime they miss in the morning during the afternoons. 

Tuesday evening we stayed home, waiting for each other to get sick. hahaha. 

below; Calla entertained the kids while I made dinner. It's nice to have another mom around here.

After dinner, Jonathan gave the kids baths and I attempted to clean up the kitchen but all I wanted to do was lay down. 

Well it's good I laid down because before I knew I had the stomach flu :-(  Boo. Lots of throwing up commenced, and Jonathan put the kids to bed and then I went to bed with them. I figured if I was sleeping that I would stop throwing up. 

That wasn't entirely true, since I woke up sick a couple times. Wednesday morning came entirely too early, and I texted Jenny to see if she could take Calla to school since I was still throwing up. 

Wednesday morning was supposed to be my first morning at Bible study this schoolyear so that was a big bummer to miss it. Since Jenny took Calla to school and my friend Ashley kindly brought her home for me, I got to spend the day laying on the couch. 

Kelsey and Jay slowly destroyed the house, but they were playing happily so I wasn't complaining about it. And once Calla got home, she helped them find more "organized" ways to play haha.

 below: piggy back rides for Bird

Jay took a nap and I took one too. Actually, Kelsey Mae took one since I was laying down anyway. Kelsey will take one anytime I put her down in bed, I just usually choose not to (so she can play with Calla).

Calla worked on her pot holder, that she had started on Sunday.

below: A job well done!

Wednesday evening Calla and Kelsey went ahead to Awana, since they were both feeling fine. Jonathan drove the there and my dear friend Ashley's husband drove them home (Jonathan's core groups run 45 minutes later than Awana does).

Jaybird and I played trains on the floor. Then we took a bath and then we read books for over a half hour. It crossed my mind that parents are supposed to read for 30 minutes to toddlers of Jay's age and how rarely I do that. Apparently I am only in the mood for long, extended reading times when I am sick. haha.

I did eat some toast for dinner, which was the first I had eaten that day, and it didn't come back up and I felt much better! In fact, I ate another slice before bed and couldn't believe how much better I felt. It's amazing how a stomach virus can leave as quickly as it can come.

The girls came home from Awana with good reports. I am so glad they like it so much. In fact, it does take some time to get them settled down after the enthusiasm of the evening.

I went to bed shortly after them. I figure nothing cures a sick-o like sleep!

Kelsey's Speech Evaluation & Calla's First Piano Lesson

Addendum:

Somehow I totally forgot that last Friday morning (which I wrote about yesterday) I took Kelsey to a speech evaluation. I had thought about having her evaluated for awhile, but I wanted to wait until she was four (to ensure she wasn't just having a developmental delay in her speech) and I wanted to wait until the schoolyear began. So I called at the end of August and got an appointment for last Friday.

Stefani came over to watch Jaybird, and Kelsey and I went down the block to the public preschool (on our street) which runs the speech evaluations. The evaluation took about an hour, and they sat me in a different room with two other moms (whose kids were being evaluated). Thankfully I had thought to bring a book (because I didn't know ahead of time that I wouldn't be in the same room).

Kelsey seemed a little unsure of me leaving, but the evaluator reassured her I'd be back. At the end, the evaluator told me she had tested Kelsey's hearing and she passed. As for the speech, she failed. hahaha. She will need a more in-depth evaluation later in the month (or next) and possibly speech preschool or one-on-one therapy. I had mentioned that Kelsey has trouble sitting still, and the evaluator agreed with me but told me I didn't need to worry about it because she thought Kelsey had sufficient comprehension and concentration skills. Okey-dokey.

Anyway,

Last Saturday was a pretty boring day at home! Other than leaving the house in the morning to go workout (Daddy took the kids to the French market while I was gone for donuts), we had a pretty low-key day! Jonathan worked on yardwork in the morning while I did laundry and cleaned the house. He washed the car.

We decided to go grab lunch at Chick-fil-A so that was a welcome interruption. Jonathan used to work near one but he doesn't anymore so he likes to work in an original Chicken sandwich to his weekends sometimes haha.

Saturday afternoon, Jonathan cleaned out the car. That's never for the faint of heart.

below: messing around

 below: the cups that Jonathan found in the minivan. It's always a treasure hunt in there. Sadly, more toys and cups than cash...

 below: He found a clown nose. Of course. Who doesn't drive around with a clown nose handy? Jay loves to look at this picture of me on my phone hahaha.

I made dinner at home and then we gave the kids baths and put them to bed.

Sunday was soo rainy and chilly!  I helped in Jay's class during the second service, which he appreciated. I am helping with another man and expressed to him my relief that "the twins" weren't in attendance. (There is a set of twins who HATE CHURCH and express their distaste for our little "Ladybugs" class with lots of LOUD hysterical crying.) He paused and then said, "Yeah I'm actually really good friends with their parents." Well that was awkward. I tried to express the fact that I have nothing against the parents. Just the volume of their children's non-stop screaming. haha. He thought I had a good point. He will really see that I have a good point the first time he is in there for the duration of an hour and a half with the sound of wailing and gnashing of teeth that would rival the entire trial of Israel in the Old Testament.

Sunday for lunch we had a special visitor! Aunt Courtney came over! Uncle Kurt and Jonathan went to a NASCAR race (I don't see the appeal) and so Court came over at about 1 to eat lunch and hang with us for a couple hours. We haven't seen her in a few weeks so we were so glad for the opportunity to catch up. She had to work the week before and couldn't come to Calla and Jay's birthday party, so she brought gifts for them. She gave Calla some money which Calla used a part of it to buy a boom box.

HA!
below: the boom box (we got it later in the week)

Calla knew exactly she wanted a boom box so she could play her "Awana CD" and her music CDs from Vacation Bible School in her room. It turns out, it's been a fabulous purchase. The girls play their Awana Sparks and Cubbies CDs every night as they fall asleep, and during the day they are often cranking out the tunes. Kelsey Mae loves to shut the door and dance in there. She prefers private dancing.

I put Jay down for his nap, and after Courtney left the girls played while I took a nap. It was a rainy Sunday after all. Napping is part of a day of rest.

Jonathan got home around dinnertime, and after we ate he entertained Kelsey and Jay while I taught Calla her first piano lesson.

below: a picture documenting her first piano lesson. The pink hair extension is just part of her Sunday look.

Calla had received her four new piano books for her birthday, along with a little notepad to write her lesson notes in it. She was so excited about it.

Our first lesson lasted a half hour. She did really well, although she prefers if I take a backseat. (At one point, I was counting for her and she interrupted me and said, "Mom do you think you could stop counting? It is ruining my concentration.") I told her to practice each song five times each day for the week. We'll see how long it takes for the novelty wear off.

Sunday evening we also broke out the potholder-maker set she received from Mimi and Pops for her birthday. I had to "warm" it up, but she had the hang of it in no time:

Well all first piano lesson and great potholder-making sessions having to come to an end, so we put everyone to bed at 8. It had been a quiet day at home and it was the perfect way to spend the rainy day!

Jayism~

~ Jay has taken to calling Kelsey, "Kelsey Mae." When he yells it, he puts the emphasis on "Mae." Like-- "Kelsey MAE!"

BSF Begins & We Go to our First Family Fun Fest

Wednesday we took Calla to school and then the little kids and I drove to church for a meeting for Bible study table leaders. I am not a big meetings person usually, but the women's ministry staff does such an amazing job making them very worthwhile. They set out a lovely breakfast spread, and we had a chance to pray and review items with our "coaches" for the next semester. (The "coach" is a leader who is in authority over a handful of groups....sorta like a mentor. It is nice to be able to all her Coach. haha jk.)

Kelsey Mae had it in her mind that she wanted to be in Jay's class (they had childcare set up for the kids of leaders) but once we got there, she decided to ditch Jay and the baby class and hang out with the big kids. Jay was disappointed. 

We were done with our meeting with plenty of time to spare to pick up Calla. We headed home and laid low for the afternoon. Wednesday evening was the first night of Awana, so I made Jaybird and Kelsey take naps. 

Calla was really, really excited about her first week of Sparks. Kelsey was not feeling so excited about Cubbies. She told me she didn't want to go since Calla wasn't there. I think Calla was her little security blanket...they were at the same table last year and every time I dropped them off, Kelsey Mae was sitting practically on top of Calla.

But we got to church and I didn't say anything when we got to the Cubbies room other than "Have a wonderful time, Kelsey!" and she didn't protest. (Although later, when we got home, she said "Mom I felt a little sad when you dropped me off." Aww isn't that so precious?)

Jaybird and I headed down to Puggles for the evening. I was supposed to have two other girls helping me but neither of them showed so it was just Jaybird and I in charge of five other toddlers and a 3-month old infant. Yikes. The 3-month old needed to be held the entire time, but fortunately the toddlers played well together. Jaybird went to the potty three times. All the other kids gathered around and watched him like he was putting on a show. 

I picked the girls up when it was over and we went home and I could barely get a word in edgewise as they filled me in on their evenings. Calla was rambling on and on about how different Sparks is from Cubbies. She seemed to love it, except she did wrinkle her nose at one point and said, "Well Sparks does not have a puppet show like Cubbies does, and I think that is weird." Hahaha! I am sure Sparks doesn't have a puppet show because most kindergarteners-2nd graders have outgrown puppets a bit, but Calla thinks it's weird to leave them out!

It took some time to get the excitement level down, but eventually everyone was in pajamas and in bed. Jay always has to gather his trains before bed...he likes to bring seven or eight cars in his crib. I always let him fall asleep with them but I go in before I go to bed and take them out because who wants to roll over in the middle of the night on a pointy train?

Thursday was a busy day for us because it was our first day at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). I will miss having Calla there because she loved it so much! We took her to school and had plenty of time to drive back to Wheaton to the church where BSF is held. 

Kelsey Mae wasn't enthusiastic about heading back. She told me "the stories are too long." HAHAHA. I am not sure if she legitimately thinks the story time is long (because it's hard to sit still) or if she just says that because she's thinking of a reason to not be enthusiastic. 

Well when I dropped her off she was pretty inexpressive but when I picked her up she was smiling and said she had a great time and had already made a "best friend." (Last year's "best friend" was Ava, who was not able to be there. But apparently "Haley" took her place this year.)

Jaybird acted like he's been going to BSF every Thursday of the whole summer...he went into his class without a word and was playing choo-choos in the corner when I picked him up. BSF ends at 11:30 so we had time to play at the playground outside of the school while we waited for 12 o'clock to tick and Calla to be let out with the other kindergarteners. 

Thursday afternoon we went home and ate some lunch. Jaybird took his naps, the girls got busy playing, and I did some housework. It was pretty boring, all in all.

Jonathan was working late, so I fed the kids dinner and then we decided to go to the park across the street to play and ride our bikes. Since the park is at the middle school, so there's lots of paved walkways behind it that surround football, soccer and softball fields. The girls brought the razor scooter along and took turns.

Calla loves the razor scooter but I don't know if her devotion can compare to Kelsey Mae's. She is pretty captivated (which is really saying something, since she is often falling off)...

Jaybird's legs can't reach the pedals on his riding toy (poor short kid) so he and I hung at the park.

below: a pensive moment. often brought on by furious sucking on the pacifier.

We got home from the park just as Daddy was getting home. The kids were so excited to see him! They filled him in on our day before bedtime rolled around.

Speaking of bedtime, Thursday night I peeked into the girls' room before I went to bed and saw them in a sleepy embrace.

below: Things they wouldn't do during the daytime hours-

Last Friday was a fun day!

I took a picture of Calla before we got out of the car at school because she just looked so grown up to me!


below: big kid :-(

Kelsey Mae and Jay and I went back home on Friday morning and I got some stuff done around the house. Kelsey and Jay play pretty well together...although sometimes they wander around like they need direction and I have to set them up with an activity and then fade into the background.

We heard friends were meeting for lunch at a park nearby, so packed a lunch before picking Calla up and we met them there. It was a beautiful day outside, although definitely on the chilly side. It started to warm up in the sun though.

The kids had a fabulous time at the park. Jay is definitely not a baby anymore...he runs around with the big kids and I have to remind myself to check on where he is to make sure he isn't in trouble!

We went home at naptime so Jay could get in a snooze. Calla's school was having a Family Fun Fest at 4pm so I ended up having to wake up Jay so we wouldn't miss out on the fun.

My girlfriend Kris and her kiddos (she has a 1st grader at the Grammar school) met me there. It didn't take us long to find the face painting.

The big inflatable slide wasn't hard to spot either.

below: Kelsey doing her thing. Can you spot Jaybird trying to get on that thing?

below: A butterfly. Kelsey requests a butterfly every single time she gets her face painted. She specifies she wants it "all over my face."

There were snocones.

Jay had his first one. It was love at first sight of that blue stuff.

below: There were cute little games set up.
Jaybird did the ring toss and was pretty good! (it least equally as good at it as his big sisters.)

below:
My girls and the Roth girls and Jay.
Kelsey, Molly (4), Jay, Calla, Annie (5)


I said to the girls, "Let's get a cute picture together on the hay bales."

below: This was the best one. haha


below: I took this pic as we were walking up because the sky seemed so blue.

We ran into a couple people we knew, and some of Calla's classmates. She was excited to see them! We also ran into Calla's teacher, Mrs. Olsen. Calla showed her that she had gotten her name painted on her arm (interesting choice) and Mrs. Olsen said, "Oh! Wait? Does that say George?" and Calla laughed hysterically. Mrs. Olsen told me once she appreciates that Calla laughs at all her jokes. Corniness is totally our style.

The Fall Fest was really fun, and they even had hot dogs and drinks so we called it dinner. After about an hour and a half, we headed out. We were meeting Jonathan at 6 at our friends Bryan and Ali's house because we had plans to eat some dessert and then walk over to the high school football game.

The quarterback of the Wheaton North football team is a brother of one of Jonathan's old core group guys and is really an amazing player and so Jonathan loves watching him play. Since our friend Bryan coaches, his wife and kiddos are always at the game so it does provide for a fun Friday night hang-out.

We ate some brownies and then walked over to the game from Bry and Ali's house.

below: the crew!

There were a couple friends from church there and so the kiddos hung in a large group, keeping busy and playing and doing pretty much everything except watch the game.

The band started setting up for halftime during the second quarter and that captivated their attention.

below: watching the halftime show!

below: wondering why girls were swinging rifles around. We've all wondered that.

It was a chilly night! I had the kiddos in jackets but I don't think I had dressed myself warmly enough because I was pretty cold by halftime! It was getting late anyway, so we all left. We walked back and got our minivan and drove home and put on cozy pajamas and went to bed.

Kelseyism~

~ This was not our first football game this year, but when we got there Kelsey asked "When is the softball game going to start?" I guess it's all the same to her!

Jayism~

~ Maybe Jay caught onto the football game, because he kept wanting to tackle my friend Kate's daughter, Maggie. Maggie is three and is just the sweetest thing but she's obviously much bigger than Jay. Jay had his heart set on her and kept trying to drive her to the ground. She was pretty good-natured about it at first. Then we told Jay to go find a boy to wrestle!