Fair if you dare...

We took our annual trip to the state fair this past week.  We have to drive through Jon's district to get into the free entrance for police.  As usual, Jon gave me a tour of the lovely neighborhoods he works in on our way.  "Responded to a person shot there last week.  Huge gang fight there yesterday. That gas station gets robbed on a regular basis."  I felt myself sliding further and further down into my seat as we made our way there.  Yikes!  Thankfully, we all made it safely to the fair where we ran into other ferocious creatures like Daniel Tiger and hungry pigs.  :)

Kate did well and enjoyed people watching. 

The kids took a lap on these mini tractors...

 and then decided to move onto these big dogs...

Last year, I recall being HOT and in my 3rd trimester at the fair.  It was fun to be able to lug Kate around on the outside this time around and to pass her off to Daddy when she got too heavy.  :)  The cooler temps helped to make this a more enjoyable experience too.  Hooray for the fair!

The grass is always greener...

Today, Scott attended his first day of preschool.

Scott thought that staying with Grandpa & Grandma instead of going to school sounded much more desirable.
Natalie thought that she wanted to go to preschool and was begging to come along.

I thought it looked like oodles of fun to be the preschool teacher.
The preschool teacher was probably missing her stay-at-home with kids days.

Kate thought that she was ready to give up naps and longed to get in on some action.
Jon thought a nap sounded lovely but instead went to work where he saw all too much action.

Oh, the grass is always greener.

9 month comparison

Scott

 Natalie

 Kate

How time flies!

Hodge Podge

Guess who's 9 months old today?!
 

Jon and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this week.  I just read that we shared an anniversary with Arby's, and we could have split a roast beef sandwich for 64 cents that day.  Maybe next year...

We told the kids that morning that it was our anniversary and explained to them what that meant.  Natalie suggested that we make a cake, and Scott said, "Where are we going for dinner to celebrate our anniversary?"  :)

WE went to Chili's, which happens rarely, and we had a coupon for a free dessert.  The kids were loving it!  That evening, we went to the park.  I asked them on our drive there if they were having a nice anniversary, and they both enthusiastically said, "YES!"  

I'm so thankful for Jon- my best friend and for the little "friends" who helped us celebrate our day. 

The kids had swim lessons a couple of weeks ago and greatly enjoyed it.  If you want your kids to take afternoon naps, clean their plate at meals, and have a fun time, let me know and I'll pass on the name of a great swim teacher.  Oh...and I guess learning some swimming skills in the process was an added bonus!

In case you were wondering if Miss Kate has a sin nature, we have recently discovered that she does.  Bummer!  We were really hoping we'd get a perfect angel this time around.  :)  At least she's close!

Scott often pretends to be a police officer.  The other day Natalie wanted to take Scott's police car for a spin around the basement.  Scott objected and said, "No, Natalie.  Boys drive police cars.  Girls drive vans."  

We don't paint as often as requested around here.  So...when we do, I feel the need to document it, lest my kids someday think that I squelched their artistic ability. 

Poor Scott.  Just when he got one little sister to join him in helping with the track layouts and train play, another little sister is on a mission daily to destroy the Island of Sodor.  Scott continues to take this in stride and is patient with Kate. Ironically, Natalie has no tolerance for Kate messing up the tracks and certainly lets Kate know it!

 They ran out of dolls and asked if they could lie Kate across the top step.  Ummmm...NO. 

 Testing out Scott's new preschool playground...

The kids got butterfly nets and first went out with the ambition to catch a bird.  They then lowered their standard to catch "any living thing."  Finally, Scott gave up and suggested that they just catch rocks.  ?!?! 

 She'll be one before we know it!

All caught up

Remember when, as a kid, you had a sleepover and then came home a big grump the next day?  Jon and I were recalling this, and laughing about how now we're on the other side of the table.  Scott and Natalie had a "sleepover" (one of Scott's birthday requests) at Grandpa & Grandma's last week.  They were so excited and were packed a week prior.  The kids had a lot of fun and we got a good report, but when they got home, we had to deal with their post sleepover behavior for the rest of the day.  Thankfully, an early bedtime was just the remedy they needed.  

Jon and I enjoyed an evening out, and then we got to work on some overdue projects.  I cleaned the house and Jon did major yard work.  Do we know how to have a good time or what?  It felt so good to do a thorough house clean up though. It had been...ahem...awhile.  Natalie said our house looked different when she got home.  :)  Jon trimmed the hedges for the next three summers.  He said it's like a haircut.  Trim it low or it will grow back too fast.  That's just what he did!

As part of their check-ups, Scott and Natalie had their eyes checked.  Thankfully, glasses are not needed yet, but with their parents' genes, this look could be in their future...

Peek-a-boo!

Natalie watched a show that taught her that saying "I'm sorry!" is the first step and "How can I help?" should come next.  This has been making us laugh because she is using it a lot. Like, the other day, she was walking down the hall and accidentally hit Kate in the head with a toy.  She just kept walking and said, "I'm sorry, Kate.  How can I help?"  Or...when she started jumping on the couch and said while jumping, "Mommy, I'm sorry for jumping on the couch.  How can I help?" 

Twins on accident...They ran errands together that day, too, and Jon was a bit self conscious!

Can't believe she's 8 months old!  Kate is no longer a fan of her exersaucer; she would much rather be placed in the highchair with a steady stream of Puffs coming at her.  She gets pretty excited for mealtimes, but don't we all?!

 Kate reminds me of Scott so much in the next two pictures...

Kate LOVES the Praise Baby collection.  She kicks her little legs and grunts if I walk past the TV thinking that she may get to watch one of her beloved DVDs.  She rocks back and forth to the music and smiles at the pics of the babies.  Nothing else will hold her attention like these.

She has two teeth which she's happy to show off!

Kate is crawling everywhere and pulling up on things.  We are wondering how soon she will be walking.  She seems ready. 

 What a goober!

It may have seemed as if my blog was on steriods during the month of June. With this random post, I am officially caught up so my postings may be a bit more sporadic.  :) 

Four Pics from the Fourth

When you're decked out in your red, white, and blue, and going strong by 6:30 a.m., there's little chance of making it to see the fireworks that night.  However, there's always time for an afternoon tire swinging session.  All five of us took a turn (but not all at once or we may still be stuck there). 

Letting Go

The third child, also known as Kate Abigail, has pushed me over the edge in some areas of my life and has caused me to do things that I never imagined I would do.  Off the top of my head, here are some of those things...

1.  Our playdough, which I have fought for years to keep in their proper color containers, is now mixed.  The once vibrant colors are now a glob of grayish ugliness.  My blood pressure is rising a bit as I type this.  Deep breath.  Letting go...

2. I am currently sporting a Dora bandaid.  It was either this one or Lightning McQueen, and I chose the more feminine one.

3.  I bought my first package of diapers in a store, without a sale, and without a coupon.  It was painful, but I figured by the time I went home, purged the long expired coupons, clipped and organized some new ones, and found a store with a sale, it would be a wash.  PAINFUL...did I mention that?!  Blaming this one fully on Kate.  My couponing success has never been the same since her arrival.  Sigh. 

4. I've set new records on how long my hair can go between washes.  If you've noticed, don't mention it.

5. I have painted my toenails on the way to church while Jon is driving his "we're-running-late-to-church-again" speed.  Once again, if you've noticed, don't mention it! :)

6. I got out the kids' painting supplies one afternoon and walked away.  It DID keep the kids occupied for quite some time, but I spent an equal amount of time cleaning up later.  Jon requested we do something about Scott's Gothic looking fingernails before church on Sunday morning.  Eek!

7.  This past week, I introduced my kids to overpriced Lunchables.  They like them.  :/

The list could go on, but that's all I care to disclose right now! :)  The kiddos are sure a lot of work right now, but they are definitely worth it. (This sentence is a must in a blog post that they may read someday.  LOVE THEM!)