Smiles In Motion

All three kids went to the dentist today. This was a follow up for Ella but Lucy and Pete's first time. They were SO good! The nurse and dentist both commented on how well they behaved, especially for their age. Pete and Lucy didn't move and sat for their entire cleaning and exam. He wanted to make a video out of them. :)
Ella didn't talk. Only said one word the entire time he was with her. We thought maybe he should come home with us. :)
No cavities. Great looking teeth.
But the binky has to go. :)

A New Year

We had a wonderful holiday and are off and running in hopes of a happy, exciting new year.
The kids were SO good at Christmas. They took turns, they were generous, and no one asked for more. We bought presents for other children and the kids took great delight and helping those less fortunate.
We had a wonderful week home together. Andy had a few days off, which was a rare treat, and our time passed quickly.
Andy and I celebrated New Year's together with a unity and passion uncommon to us. A sense of relief and closure helped put 2010 to rest. We are revitalized to have the past two years behind us and are looking forward with joy to the year to come.
The children are growing so fast...too fast...and I already feel the time slipping by, but what joy they bring to our lives daily, and how thankful I am for all of those in my life.
Here's to a blessed 2011.

How did they grow?

Andy sent a bunch of pictures to me from his phone today of the kids because I saw some pics of Pete in his crib and felt like I hardly remembered it. He grew up so fast!!?! They were all so precious. So small. And they are such little independent beings right now.
Today Ella came to school with me and Andy picked her up after he dropped off Lucy and Pete. It was a great morning. Everyone got up early and were ready by 7:00. The girls dressed themselves and Ella had breakfast. I was here before 7:30. I don't know the last time that happened. :)
It was a great day.
We are due for some great things. :)

Wow

We went to watch Jeremy plat at Waterloo East the other night and the kids were SO good. I could not get over how well behaved they were. Daddy and I were so proud of them. It was a great night. And it was topped off with Lucy and Cris being on TV! They were sitting in front of Brad Lohaus, so when the tv zoomed in on him, Lucy, perched on Cris' lap licking her sucker, where right in view. She was actually more of the shot than Lohaus. So cute. :)

We welcomed a new, and last, member of the family (unless someone gets a dog). Evan Glen Beyer was born last night. Big, healthy, and looks just like his mother. :) Andy made it down in spite of the snow, and he was so thankful to be there for this special day. Good job Jamie! :)
The kids can't wait to meet their new baby cousin!

We had our last night of church before Christmas and several students brought me presents. I didn't even think about that?! We don't do presents at the high school. :) But I received some very special gifts, and am most thankful for the time I get to spend with the kids. :)

We are getting plenty of snow and cold, just waiting for Santa!

Sweet Kids

Tonight, I picked up Ella from the YMCA, and she had made a beautiful angel out of coffee filters. I said it was so pretty and that we should put it on the top of our Christmas tree. She said no. She wanted to give it to Grandpa Phil because Grandma Nancy is an angel, so she wanted him to have it.
It was the sweetest, most honest, generous thought. And so well put. Better than I can pretend to emulate. Sometimes I don't know where she comes up with this stuff, but tonight she was truly an angel herself.
They are all angels. My sweet little gifts from above.

I took Lucy and Ella to the vocal music Christmas show. The loved it. An hour of song and dance.
Pete had some male bonding time with Grandpa and Daddy.

We have a new bedtime and daily routine that has made an world of difference. They play, they help and they go to sleep. Ahhh.... :)

Funny Kids

Pete is fully potty trained now! One morning accident, and I think that was enough of an impact for him to remember, hmm....maybe I don't want that to happen again. :)

I took the kids to PetSmart yesterday. Pete wants a puppy and a cat. Lucy was talking to this big yellow and white cat, that was bigger than her, telling her that "I'll see you later. It's okay. My daddy will come get you later." On and on. So precious. And breaking my heart. Ella just wants a fish, because they're easier. lol They are so cute. We like to go their to visit.

We did some Christmas shopping for other kids. I picked one kid for each child to shop for, then I bought something for a kid here who has lost everything. They loved it and really thought about how they were helping someone else. Ella wrapped ALL the presents. And checked us out at Wal-Mart self-checkout. I could NOT do it. She was awesome, of course.

We ate at Hardees and while we were there Ella says, Mommy, there are a lot of people who are brown around here. :)

Ella stayed at mom and dad's last night and has been cleaning the house all morning. Lucy and Pete and I played restaurant last night, with a drive through. Everything was $55. Such a fun day. :)

Big Kids

We went to the first basketball game with all three kids where we actually watched the game!
We had a wonderful time.
And Pete was still in his big boy pants. :)

Mom and Dad bought a new big screen tv. They believe in buying their own early birthday presents. Must be why they are so hard to shop for. :)

And we had our first snow today! Light, fluffy flurries. So pretty.

I bought Polar Bear cookies for the kids today from Starbucks. They were so cute! Loved them! And the lady boxed them up nicely for me, even with Starbucks stickers. I was afraid I would break them on the way home. :)

It's cold today. Winter is definitely here.

Kids just went to sleep. It's 10:00. Late night, but lots of fun. :)

This One's For You Linda :)

We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. The kids are at the age where they are really starting to remember each other and play together so well. It's such a joy to get together and so wonderful to see family. Always reminds me that we need to get together more often. And my personal vow is to keep up with this blog, so this one is for you Linda. :)
But most importantly, it's for the kids.

We had a wonderful break, but the kids were extra out of sorts this morning. But big boy Petey Pie went to school in his big boy pants!!! When he decided he was ready, he was ready. We'll see how he makes it through the day, but he was SO proud of himself, and did NOT want a diaper on. :)

I cleaned out the basement yesterday. The kids can actually find their toys now, so Pete has been playing with all his "race cars" and trucks, even carrying around a ramp. The girls found their arts and crafts, and have had endless hours of fun going through the tubs of stuffed animals, figurines, polly pockets, pom poms, babies....you name it. I got rid of two bags for daycare care, and one for garbage. Love to purge. :) Have to make room for more at Christmas. :)

I'll will add more pictures soon. Christmas will be here before we know it! :)

It's been a long time....

It has been far too long since I've blogged, and I don't even know where to begin to get caught up, but a great place to start is Lucy's 4th birthday. :)
With all the things that have happened in the past few months....Grandma's death and the recent passing of Clint McMartin, memories are what are cherished the most, and there are no guaranteed tomorrows. So, I will do my best to take quick notes each day if I can, no less than each week, and capture those precious, treasured moments of our lives.
A few updates...
Lucy, Pete, and Ella all started soccer. It was awesome to watch, and rare opportunity to have all three involved in the same thing.
We bought a farm near Osceola...IF it goes through. :) Fingers crossed. 200 acres. I want to call it Southfork. My husband doesn't understand what that means. lol
Ella is in first grade, Lucy is in preschool. Pete is with the big kids downstairs at daycare, and loving it.
I am no longer teaching night classes, and have replaced those duties with Faith Formation. The only difference is, I get to take all the kids with me. That truly is a gift. I'm teaching 7th graders too. Grandma Nancy would be proud.
There is so much to write, and I can't think of anything right now. All I know is we had a great 4th birthday party for Lucy. Grandma and Grandpa Rouse were here, Aunt Jean stopped by, and Grandpa Phil. Lucy was a star. :)
I will write more, but I'm so tired now.
Thank you God for a wonderful day. :)
What a blessing.
And thank you for Lucy. :)

Ella is 6

I can't believe she is six already?! We celebrated the day with a birthday party for another girl, Emma (who let her share blowing out her candle and they sang happy birthday to both of them), followed by a dance show (Ella's 2nd, Lucy's 1st), then bowling at the Crystal Bowl, pizza, then ice cream cake and presents with Grandpa's and Grandma's. It was an extra long day since Ella woke up at 6:00 coughing, but it was a good day. Even Ella say, this has been a busy day. :)
She got some great toys and clothes and a new camera of her own (well, sort of her own...Lucy has butted in :) that was a big hit. It was a wonderful day. Ella said the other day, I'm so glad I'm six. She also said she was sad 2009 was over. I was kind of thankful. :)

Lucy dance in her first show and was quite the little ham. I wasn't sure if she would know what to do or where to go, but she bopped right on down there with NO hesitation. LOVED it! We'll never keep her off the stage. :)

Don't get any ideas Pete......

Pete

Pete turned 2 on Friday. I can not even believe that two years have already gone by. We made cupcakes and had all the grandparents over for pasta and partying. :) His favorite gift was the adjustable basketball hoop. His shriek of excitement and glow on his face was priceless. And we never got that ball out of his hands. He ate with it, slept with it, and has shot baskets for hours since we bought it. He was even using it as a pillow the other night while helping me clean. He is such a big boy, and I fear the time is going to escape us before I'm ready. Life goes by too fast. At least we are taking the time to enjoy it. :)

Ella and Lucy slept over at Grandma Joan's last night, so Pete enjoyed a little only child time. It's always nice when we can spend some special time with each of them individually.

We are home again for two more days because of snow. We are already into the 2nd week of June now, for teachers. Yikes.

Lucy picked out a little red matchbox car for Pete's birthday, and Ella decorated some special cupcakes. It was quite the party. 57 balloons and endless smiles. It was a good day for all. :)

The next day we went to the children's museum in Iowa City, which they love! Then we watched Jeremy play against City High. The kids were SO good. Lucy loved the mascots and kept asking, "where's that chicken...bawk bawk." We met Phil and Nancy there too. Poor Ella got a huge sliver in her hand from the media bench we were sitting behind. Dr. Daddy got it out the next day with his head light. :)

Ella will be 6 in 12 days. It is so hard to believe.....


Happy birthday my sweet boy. Mommy loves you.

the funny things they say

Ella woke up last night with a sore throat and said she thought "7th and 8th graders could get this." No idea where she came up with that one.

Lucy must have lucid dreams because she will come out talking about soccer, blankies, and big elephants??! She was so certain there was an elephant in her room. And when she tells her stories, she's SO emphatic about them, which makes it obvious they are fresh in her mind. This morning was about soccer with her little friend Eiley.

This morning I told Ella we were having footlong hot dogs for lunch and she came out so excited saying they were her FAVORITE! She ran to tell Andy and see if he would have lunch with her.

Pete still isn't the verbal one, but he has definitely learned NO. :) Mommy and daddy are there too which I guess is all that really matters. :)

Biggie Boy

Pete fell asleep in his big boy bed, all by himself for the very first time. I put him to bed with a new Thomas and Friends video (Barney and all), checked on him in a few minutes....he was kicked back....checked in a few more, and he was out. Now if we could only get him and his sister to STAY in their beds, life would be good. :)

Ella and Lucy are tearing down the decorations from our Hawkeye party last week. We had streamers on the ceiling and hanging in the doorway.

Lucy just threw a little rubber mouse up on the ceiling....and it stuck. He's perched there, peering down on all of us, next to his little buddy. I think he was thrown up there a few weeks ago. Amazing stick those little guys have.

Updates

Life seems to have calmed down a bit, which you would think would give me more time to write. lol

Last night Lucy woke up after having what I presume was a bad dream, and was telling me how the animals were going to get her. Then she got up and after looking around, proclaimed the animals wouldn't get her because they were in a cage. She specifically mentioned that the deer wouldn't get her, so I'm going to blame that one on daddy for watching too many hunting shows. She's always say she wants to "shoot that deer." She has also learned the whole "you're not the boss of me" line too. I don't know who invented the facade of the terrible twos. It's threes and fours that kill us.

Ella slept at Grandpa and Grandma Rouse's last night. She called this morning and had wanted my dad to shave her leg for her. It's SO hairy. She said it looked like a man's. lol And she wanted the hair off now. I talked her out of it by telling her it would grow back like Daddy's whiskers. That appeased her for awhile but I doubt it will last.

Pete is getting wilder by the day. He still doesn't say much but he always manages to get what he wants. I think we can credit his two older sisters for that one. He is the snuggle bunny and he wants all of mommy, all to himself, all of the time. I think his horoscope said something about that. Crazy how right on those things can be.

Andy broke his finger play "muffin top basketball." Apparently that defines the physic of the old fat guys trying to relive their youth. Serves him right. But he still sure can play.

Ella's Christmas concert is this Thursday. I can't believe it! Santa better get moving! Lots of gifts to get ready.

I ordered our Christmas cards already, earlier than ever, but I haven't even started to send them out. Handed out a few. Better get on that or I'll still be late. :)

Tomorrow is December 1st. How has another year gone by SO fast???!!

No Cast!

Ella got her cast off today. It was the best birthday present I could hope for. She has a walking cast for three more weeks, then they'll xray again.
She just took her first bath in nine weeks. Her poor little leg.

Go Cyclones!

Mommy and Daddy had a day off and escaped for a bit to Jack Trice stadium for a little night time football. It was family weekend, but unfortunately we were without our family. It was supposed to rain, so we couldn't bring Ella because of her cast. But it turned out to be a PERFECT night for football. And the Cyclones won! And even the Hawks did too. :)

We're into band aids

Lucy has entered the "I love band aids" stage. For the past week, she has wanted one on her lip. I finally gave her one. Here's some pics of our little Hitler. :)

Ella went back to school yesterday. She was so excited...and exhausted. She was actually more tired today but hit serious meltdown mode last night.
They found a special desk for her and the kids draw straws to see who gets to ride up in the elevator with her. She was also a "hit" at recess, so she wasn't sad about not being able to play on anything. She told us today, however, that in PE she just had to sit here which wasn't fun at all. :)

Mom and Dad just gave us their old van today. We are thrilled! It's so nice. And their new one is really nice. Dad doesn't mess around. I'm glad he decided to splurge. He deserves it. They both do. Mom loves it too. We are incredibly lucky, and thankful for their generosity.

Thank goodness for AFLAC

The one thing we did do right this past year is buy an AFLAC policy because let me tell you, we are racking up the accidental and hospital claims left and right.

Just found out not only is my foot/toe still broken, it's actually displaced more than it was four weeks ago, so they are sending me to a specialist. Probably going to need surgery and a pin.
Seriously, can you really do anything but laugh at this point? :)

Ella's last day home is tomorrow. We're going up to school to practice getting around.

Lucy and Pete had good days at school. Pete was asleep when I got there to pick him up, of course. And Lucy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me. Is there anything sweeter?

I finally just went for a run with kids in the jogger tonight because I figure, why not at this point. I've stayed off of it for a month and it's worse than it was, and the mental "release" of the run is worth it. I was gimpy but man it felt good. :)

Things are looking up

Ella got her second cast put on today. It's neon pink and half the diameter of the old one. Her leg was really swollen before, and now it's so skinny it looks like an arm cast. Ella was a amazing. She couldn't eat until almost 4:00 and she never even complained. She surprises me every day.

Tonight, we were all on the deck when some motorized parasailers flew over our house. One of the three came back, slowed down right over our deck, and threw down a huge, stuffed dog! We were so thrilled. Then, he circled around, came back even closer, and threw out an armload of stuffed animals that rained down on our back yard. The kids just shrieked with glee, as did I. Grandpa Phil and Grandma Nancy were here too. It was an amazing moment. Pure joy raining down from heaven blessing us all. I wish I could have captured it on video.

Maybe things are finally looking up. :)

Chuck E Cheese

We had a great night! Grandpa Phil and Grandma Nancy came too, which really helped since Ella needed a helping hand and Pete just wanted to throw all the balls. And he loved riding the big horse.
Lucy had a blast. We took lots of pictures and she made some baskets all on her own shooting with Daddy.
We followed up with a quick trip through McDonalds, presents at home, and cupcakes before bed. It was a fabulous day.