Erin's Thunder Birthday

The day before we left Kentucky was Erin's 6th Birthday!! She got to open a present and then we headed downtown for Thunder Over Louisville. It is a huge kickoff to the two week party that preceeds the Kentucky Derby. There was an airshow with fighter jets, helicopters, and stunt fliers that lasted almost five hours. There was lots to see. We had a bird's eye view from grandma's office tower on the 31st floor overlooking the Ohio River. Once it was dark we were able to watch the amazing fireworks show. Every time a heart firework appeared Katelyn and Ethan would tell Erin it was just for her- because it was her birthday. How sweet! We had a great time with grandma and grandpa and Megan, Andy and Jason. We're missing you all!

When we got home from KY Erin's bday gift from us was waiting. Her new light blue bike and helmet. She had to wait until the next morning to ride it, and she did great! No more riding her brother's "old junker"!

This is my sweet baby Erin 6 years ago! I love her so much and can't imagine my life without her. I didn't know how my heart could grow enough to love another child, but it has, and more. Erin, I love your personality and spunk, your peacemaker skills, your tippy-toe walk. I love that you are a good student, always willing to help, and such a great sister. You make me smile. I love you Erin!

Let Them Eat Cake

Erin had her birthday in Kentucky this year. The day before her birthday her grandma took her clothes shopping. It was a no-mom affair and they had a great time. Grandma even let Erin pick where she wanted to go to lunch. Erin told her, "I know exactly where I want to go, but I don't know if you want to take me there." Grandma was very obliging and took her to McDonald's!

Erin designed her cake this year. I made it to her specifications. It was a little shorter than she wanted, so next time we'll make it a three layer cake. It sure was tasty though!


Aunt Megan and Miss K

Cousin Jason was loving all the sugar!

Jeff and Ethan like it too!

Fun at the Zoo

We had a great time at the Louisville Zoo. Jeff and I took the kids, and my sister Megan and her son Jason came with us too. The weather was perfect and the three hour walk really used up some energy!

We saw bald eagles nesting, tigers, big crocs, and the penguins. They were very stinky but way cool to see them so close. There was a thick plexiglass wall separating them from us. The penguins were very active and one kept swimming right up to the glass.

This one particular monkey was very fun. It was eating some food right up next to the glass. All the kids got a chance to see it and they were fascinated for a while. Who knew monkeys liked to eat corn on the cob?

And some more fun playing around on statues. It was a great day at the zoo!

** Click on the collage pictures to make them bigger**

Pampering

Erin got to go with her mom and grandma to go get a pedicure. It was a big girls' outing, no Katelyn. Erin got to soak her feet and then she picked a light blue color to paint her toes. No surprises there! She loved it, as did I. Hopefully we haven't ruined her forever. I'm sure this won't happen again for a very long time!

Slugger Museum

While in Louisville, and being inspired by the Bats game, we headed downtown to the Slugger Museum. They make about half of all the baseball bats made for the major league players. We got a tour of the factory and had some fun exploring downtown.
The kids on the giant glove sculpture.

Our family next to the humungo bat outside the building.

Yes, it really is THAT big!

Easter Morn

The Easter Bunny found us in Kentucky. The kids got awesome baskets filled with lots of goodies. Ethan and Erin also got a Webkinz, and Katelyn got a Little People set. When Erin saw her Lil' Seahorse Webkinz she said, "The Easter Bunny read my mind. He got me exactly what I wanted!!" That Bunny is amazing!

All of us ready for church on Easter Sunday.

Bats Game

After our egg dyeing adventures it was time to go to the baseball game. I was really glad that my dad was there to teach Ethan a little about the sport since Jeff and I are mostly non-sporty people. The kids liked having some ball park snacks and watching the game even though it was a little chilly. The Bats won the game which made it even more fun.
Katelyn gets some cuddles from grandpa to warm up.

After the game was over Ethan got to meet the mascot and even got a ball autographed by one of the players.

Egg Coloring

The traditional dyeing of the eggs- this time at grandma's house. All went smoothly and we only cracked a few.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

For Spring Break we decided to get the heck out of dodge and head for greener pastures in Kentucky. To pass some time in the airport we took a few pictures. It was a two plane trip to get there and we had lots of time to wait. Katelyn's favorite activity on the plane was reading the passenger safety information card (located in the seat pocket in front of her).

Other things we learned while flying:
Erin read the No Smoking sign as "No Smelling". We all got a few chuckles out of that.

Ethan learned that "airplane stench" is really fresh brewed coffee. Poor, sheltered little boy.

Katelyn likes all of the airplane safety information pictures. Especially the one with the lady swimming with her seat cushion and the little kid getting an oxygen mask put on. Thankfully we did not get to experience any of these first hand.

There are not enough window seats.

Grandma's Easter Egg Hunt

Grandma and Grandpa held the annual Easter egg hunt for all the grandkids again this year. There were lots of eggs to find. It had to be moved to the basement due to some rainy, cool weather. But the kids didn't mind at all. Thanks for all the fun grandma!!

She's A Big Girl Now!

Katelyn is officially a big girl now. Last week she decided that the little potty was the "in" thing. She is now sporting the Dora panties (or sometimes Tinkerbell).














All of this potty-ness created and unforeseen chain of events leading to a lot of work and tired parents last weekend. For instance- potty trainers need to get out of bed at night if they wake up and need to go. K was still in her crib. Cue switchup of the bunk beds. Now they are in the girls' room. Now potty trainer can get up at night- check.

Moving furniture leads to crazy mom vacuuming and dusting. How often do I get to vacuum under and behind the beds? It was totally necessary and needed. Changing beds also requires washing all the sheets, and the matress pads too. Cue 4 loads of laundry.

The movement of furniture also sparked some needed organization, which led to dejunking, which led to a trip to the D.I. And YEA! We actually found a place to store the crib and crib mattress in all the reorganization. Who knew there was room for that in Ethan's closet?

The last side effect of all this disruption was the realization that K would be in her big girl bed. Why is that so troubling? Well, K likes to still be held to fall asleep. And once asleep we would just put her in her crib. The crying it out thing I can't take, and she's my baby. But the big girl bed meant the end of mom cuddle to sleep. She has to go to bed just like everyone else and fall asleep on her own. Things on that front are going okay. I am still having to sit on the floor in her room until she is asleep, but that is okay for now. In another week I think I'll have her being okay with me going. Plus Erin is in there- I'm not leaving her alone!

Now that all the changes are in place, things are going well. K has been doing great on the potty. I even took her to the library in panties last week! So far most of the nights she has stayed dry. And no accidents for a few days now!! So I hope that she keeps it up and in a week she'll be awesome on our vacation.

** Side note: Ethan is LOVING having his top bunk removed. It has sparked in him a new love of jumping on his bed. All of his long repressed desires have been unleashed. Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon. I'm waiting until then to get him a new mattress.

Why is it?

That I always get the best nights sleep in a newly made bed with warm, freshly laundered sheets? I always sleep like a rock and have the most pleasant dreams.

That kids have impeccable timing? Like Miss K deciding to potty train two weeks before our vacation. And said vacation involves airplanes, public outings, and sleeping in beds at grandma's house.

That kids LOVE seeing themselves on video and in pictures? At what age does this become unpleasant? Because I am not loving reliving all of my past outfits, hairdos, and body sizes.

That Erin can walk so well on her tiptoes all the time? I can barely make it to church and back in high heels. I think the girl was either born to be a ballet dancer en pointe or a high heel fashionista.

That the calendar says April, but it still feels like winter? I'm really done with all the snow. Can we just please be done with this Sprinter (Spring + Winter) and get to the real springtime already?

That my Amish Friendship Bread won't be ready to make until the day I leave on vacation? I want some of that tasty goodness now. I might have to hurry the process by a few days. Does anyone out there want a starter??

Any ideas on life's most puzzling questions this week?