If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

Someone recently told me that they were surprised that I could regularly get all three kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time.  I must admit that this normally doesn't happen on the first attempt...I just don't post the outtakes.  However, here are my attempts from this morning.  Two out of five were keepers...I'll take it! 

Happy Hour

In case you didn't know, Steak 'n Shake offers "happy hour" each weekday from 2:00-4:00.  Milkshakes are half priced.  (You can thank me later if you didn't know that!)  I just so happen to pick Scott up from preschool daily at 3:15, and his school just so happens to be located dangerously close to a Steak 'n Shake.  You can see where this is going, can't you?!

I mentioned in my previous post that last week was trying with sicknesses all around and little sleep.  By Friday, I needed a pick-me-up.  The girls were home with Jon, and in a moment of weakness, I made a quick stop before getting in the carpool line.  One chocolate chip cookie dough shake, please.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought to myself that perhaps I would start doing this monthly....as a little reward to myself.  I'm not sure what the reward would be for, but nonetheless...

Well...I had no intentions of stopping today, but we left our house very early to pick Scott up from school.  Kate had not napped, and so I thought that we would just drive slowly and maybe cruise around a bit before the 3:15 pick-up so that she could get a little snooze in.  Sure enough, before I left the neighborhood, she was out.  As I drove around aimlessly, I noticed that Natalie's head was bobbing a bit in the backseat.  This is when the idea first entered.  Casually as could be, I would glimpse back every few moments to see if I could declare victory.  Within minutes, Natalie was out too!  Two girls sleeping with time to kill...what's a mom to do?  

"One chocolate chip cookie dough shake, please."  After tossing the cherry out the window for my bird friends, I wasted no time.  I began slurping away as I made my way to the carpool line.  With 2 minutes to spare, I polished off my shake, hid the evidence from the Scottster, checked the mirror for milkshake on my face, and patted myself on the back for a job well done.  Monthly tradition?  Weekly tradition?  Preschool relocation because this mom has no will power?  We shall see! :/

And finally...instead of pictures of me downing a milkshake, I will post a few of the kiddos!  :)

On the mend

Last week was a doozy!  Scott brought home croup and kindly shared it with his sisters.  Midweek, Kate developed a double ear infection, and we ended the week with Natalie getting a sinus infection.  After three trips to the doctor, four prescriptions, and many restless nights, we are now on the mend!  Things returned to "normal" yesterday afternoon and so we hit the playground at my old elementary school to celebrate.  Perhaps this was our illness for the season and we are done??  Wishful thinking, I know!

Miss Kate- DON'T...

YOU...

SMILE!:) 

Let it Snow?!

We enjoyed the cooler temperatures today and had to pull out our jackets!  What beautiful weather!  Scott really got into the spirit and emerged from his bedroom tonight in his fleece snowman pajamas.  He was excitedly talking about building snow forts and igloos.  Slow down there, Scott.  Let's enjoy these fall days while we can. 

Redline

A new frozen yogurt place with a train decor recently opened up close to our house.  Conveniently enough, we pass it every day on our drive home from preschool.  We were able to make our first stop at Redline this past week, and it was an enjoyable experience had by all.  (Well...mostly enjoyable.  I handed my bowl off to Jon for a minute in order to take a turn holding Kate.  When I turned back around, he was tossing the bowl in the trash.  WOAH!  Jon thought I was done and so he polished off MY ice cream.  He says there was only a bite or two left anyway...I recall at least half of a bowl.  :)  I'm not bitter...just stating the facts.  Next time, I will let Kate crawl around on the floor if need be cause I plan to lick my bowl clean.)

Frozen Yogurt + Trains= A place we will return

Go Colts!

Kate is cheering on the Colts today!

During halftime, check out our talented friend Cari's new etsy shop.  You'll be sure to find some cute things!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/printedjoy

Nothin' but Natalie!

Scott got a post, Kate got a post...now it's Natalie's turn!:)

Three year old Natalie continues to bring us a lot of...joy.  While she likes to test the limit and contribute to my premature graying, she also makes us all laugh and has such enthusiasm for life. 

When we pick Scott up from preschool, she is now helping me drill him with questions on our drive home.  Sometimes she will even change into a mommy-type voice, and say things like, "Did you eat your snack today?  Did you talk to the other kids today?" 

She's been eating up some extra attention while Scott's away at preschool.  She often requests to do "school work" together.  She loves to do worksheets and practice letter writing.  She's lately been asking us how to spell everything. 

Natalie walked past me the other day carrying a handful of things that she knew she shouldn't have.  I probably wouldn't have even noticed until she said, "Don't get mad, Mommy!" as she tried to scurry by. 

Likewise, she was coloring on a paper that she shouldn't have, and announced, "Don't look at me, Mommy!" when I entered the room.  Kids are funny.

Lately, she's been using the phrase, "Oh, that's important!" or "That's not important!"  She has her definition for important mixed up though and uses this phrase at strange times.   

Likes:  bananas, Dora anything, working out with Daddy, Chicago's Pizza, pretending to write, hula hoop, her blanky & large collection of sleep friends, bandaids, playing in leaves/

dirt/mulch/etc.

Dislikes: long trips (like...more than 15 minutes) in her carseat, getting out of the bathtub, cheese, wearing socks, sharing