Science Fun

It has been YEARS since I have been to the Science Center in Des Moines, and I have never been to the new location.  On a whim, Alena and I decided to go last weekend and we had a grand old time!

I wasn't sure if she was at the right age to enjoy the Science Center, but I think everything was age appropriate.  At the last minute we decided to leave the twins at home, but looking back, I think they would have had a good time, too.  

We started the day in the "toddler" area, making hand prints in pegs, placing food in conveyor belts and making huge bubbles.  Then we watched a scientist do experiments with liquid nitrogen.  After that we headed upstairs where there is an entire room dedicated to creating things.  AJ's favorite was creating a rocket then using the rocket launcher to make it fly.  After walking through the planetarium, and looking at caged animals, Alena got to be a weather lady. 

We spent two hours there, which to me, makes it worth the money.  She is already asking to go back again, but this time wants "the babies to come along."  In fact, she was a little upset they didn't go with her the first time.  I would think she would enjoy a little one on one time with mom or dad, but honestly, she wants to do things as an entire family.  We'll see if she is still thinking that way when she's 10. 

Making The Most Of It

So what do you do when it's too cold and windy outside to get some fresh air? Winter is so challenging because everyone feels couped up by the middle of the weekend. During the week, we at least get out of the house every day for school and the countless activities the kids do at daycare make the day go by fast for them, I'm sure.

So, we improvise and create our own fun on the weekends to make them more enjoyable. When it's not horrible outside, we do try to run one "family errand" together, whether that be going to Target, Home Depot or Merle Hay Mall to let everyone get their wiggles out.

A few weekends ago, we decided to head up to Mills Fleet and Farm store because we had never been there. We actually had a good time, and the kids especially liked playing in the ice tents and walking up and down the food aisles.  (I'm pretty sure DQ took every box of rice krispie bars off the shelf).

Everyone loves art class, so we decided to do a little painting last weekend. Two teachers help eight 1-2 year olds paint nearly every day, so how hard could it be? Oh My Goodness! What a disaster. As you can see from the pictures, it started out very innocent and "clean", but quickly took a u-turn, which included both twins taking a lick off their paint brushes. Then DQ decided she wanted to get off her chair and paint on the floor. Thankfully all the paint cleaned up very easily. Needless to say, their baths were completed in the morning right after art class.

(Did I already say I love my new camera?!)

 



Last night, the empty laundry basket was sitting out because although I had successfully put all the clothes away right after I folded them, (rarely happens), I hadn't had a chance to take the basket to the laundry room. Caleb was playing with it so I popped him in and pushed him around the floor. Then LW thought it looked like fun so she jumped in too. AJ didn't want to miss out, so the twins moved over so she could join in on the fun. We pushed them around and around the kitchen floor for a while. Cheap entertainment!

Spending time with Tessa-so glad they live 12 minutes away!

 



Unfortunately, sometimes I have to spend some of the weekend cleaning, especially if family is coming over or we recently had visitors.  My girls LOVE to help me clean, so much that I find it a little concerning.  Just give Lauren a paper towel and she is content.  Alena can actually help me dust most of the house and they both love helping scrub the floor.  It's fun having little helpers and it makes cleaning so much more fun.  I've known this for a long time, but AJ is a little OCD about certain things, like her mom!  She has to have her blankets just right on her bed, is often lining up shoes on the rug by the door, and helps give me organization tips.  The other day, I rearranged some frames and decor in her room.  She noticed right away and wanted me to put things back the way they were.  Hopefully this will be a helpful trait for her down the road, and not an inhibiting trait. 

Well, as I've said before I am so ready for Spring.  We are definitely raising "outdoor" kids who want to be outside as much as possible, and now that CW can open doors all by himself to try and escape, for now we have to literally lock them in.  I love having three parks within walking distance of our house, and countless paths to walk on.  It will be even more fun when everyone can ride a bike and we can go on family bike rides.    Until then I guess we'll keep finding things to keep everyone entertained. 

A Mother's Mind

Mothers. We are experts at multi-tasking. It's probably a class that we should all take before having children to help us learn how to be "skilled" multi-taskers. But often, we are just thrown into it, hoping to keep our heads above water by the end of the day. Mothers can cradle a baby, prepare dinner, help a child with school work, and wipe a buggery nose, all at the same time. It's no wonder at the end of the day, we are exhausted.

Our minds are constantly going-thinking about what we need to do to keep the family functioning. Our "To Do" lists are continually growing, and when we think we are able to cross many items off, it grows again:  Treats for daycare. Birthday card for grandma. Pick up dry cleaning...

Finding time to take care of ourselves is challenging. It's no wonder many mothers find themselves "letting go" and forgetting about ourselves.

So have I become the yoga pant wearing-shower when I can-pull my hair in a pony tail kind of mother?  Not exactly, but when you have limited time, you do JUST enough.  Obviously, I work 5 days a week so I can't live in sweatpants all day long, although if I were a stay at home mom, maybe things would be different.  If we are going somewhere on the weekend, the last thing I do is get dressed because I have toddlers and we all know how messy they are.  (I have one in particular whose daycare teacher even mentioned what a messy eater he/she is!  My mom recently reminded me of when my brother's teacher told her he was the messiest kid she has ever had in class-I hope this one isn't following down his/her uncle's path).  We literally lift each twin out of their highchair after a meal, holding them as far away from us as possible to prevent their messy paws from getting on us, and bring them over to the sink for a washing.  CW enjoys playing in the water and pulling the faucet down, occasionally spraying one or both of us.  Once everyone is cleaned, diapered, dressed and in the van, I get dressed :).  Until that point, I am slummin' in my jammies.

Mothers are pros at looking at their "To Do" list and determining the best strategy to getting some things accomplished.  We need groceries, household items, dad needs a new light bulb and I have a sack of stuff to donate- We'll hit super Target to knock out a couple things, run to Home Depot quick and then swing by Goodwill on our way home.  Meanwhile, we are always worried about the timing of these errands.  Has everyone eaten?  Who hasn't pooped today?  Will we have to worry about diaper changes while we are out and about (I NEVER bring a diaper bag in the stores.  I know my children's potty habits like riding a bicycle.  However, I know some day one of them will surprise me and have a big blowout in the middle of a shopping trip, but luckily this hasn't happened yet. I always have diapers and wipes in the van, but NOT extra clothes).  I guess the day that big blowout occurs will put an abrupt stop to my errand running. 

Now, I am VERY lucky that I rarely, if ever, take all three kids alone to run errands.  Justin usually tags along if we're making it a family affair which is very helpful.  Props to all those with 3+ kids who make multiple errand stops in one day by yourself.  Just getting kids in and out of the vehicle is a chore, and even more annoying in winter:  Start the van so it can warm up.  Run child out to the van without coat on and buckle him/her in.  Shut door.  Run inside and grab the second child and buckle him/her into the van.  Shut the door.  Carry 4 year old out to the van when she's "too cold" to walk by herself.  Shut the door.  Get in the driver's seat.  Turn around and buckle 4 year old in, allowing her to tighten before you do or she will make you start all over.  Drive to destination.  Unbuckle 4 year old.  Help her put on her coat and hat while twins are whining at you to get them out of the car.  Let 4 year old open CW's door or she will shut it and open it again.  Put hat and coat on child.  Carry child over to the other side of the van.  Set child on the floor of the van while putting hat and coat on second twin.  Put one twin on each hip. Shut the door.  Look to see where your 4 year old is (which is usually right beside me, but you never know!).  Walk into the store.  Whew, that's exhausting just typing that all out...

Now fathers, you can be good multi-taskers too, but your limit is usually 2, MAYBE 3 things at once.  A man's mind is usually not constantly thinking of all the things that need to be done, cleaned, purchased, put away, thrown away, or given away.  Mothers are the ones that think of anything and everything that might be needed for an overnight stay or a weekend get away:  Medication in case someone has a fever, a teether if someone is teething, my daughter's favorite blanket, my husband's baby teeth (OK, just kidding, I threw those away, but you see what I'm saying). I have a sister in law, who seriously brings everything but the kitchen sink when they visit.  At first I thought it was a little crazy, but I think they end up using most of what she brings.  She is always well prepared and there have been many times when we are all together and we needed to use something that she had because I forgot something. 

There are times when I think to myself:  I can't wait to have a full day where I only have to worry about myself, not anyone else, I can read, watch TV, nap, eat (without someone mooching off my plate), and not worry about a darn thing that needs to be done.  Then I think, how boring would that be?  I am definitely one of those people who thrives on being busy.  I am more organized and a clearer thinker when I am busy.  It's when things slow down and I actually have 10 minutes to myself that I feel so "lost."    So I will continue multi-tasking.  A few weeks ago, I mastered playing a game with my four year old, cooking lunch, baking cookies and washing dishes.  So what if the grilled cheese got a "little done" we all survived and I felt SO accomplished! 

"Did you see that?"

Ah, life without cable. It has been interesting to say the least. Years from now, when I look back at this post I'll probably say to myself, "What!? You gave up cable?" In all honesty, I don't really miss it. In a way, it has been liberating!

No longer do we stress because our DVR is getting full and we need to watch some shows. Nor do I have to worry that my DVR is set correctly to record a series (we rarely watch TV while the kids are up, so we used to spend our evenings watching DVR'd shows). I'm still a little surprised that Justin agreed to get rid of cable. I hounded him for a number of months before we actually went through with it, but in my mind spending $70+ a month for something we rarely used was crazy. 

Thus far, the hardest season has been college football. We do miss being able to watch the Hawkeyes on TV, but had to get used to listening to the game on the radio. Justin did watch the bowl game at a local bar, which hopefully made up for him not being able to see any other games on TV.   New Years Day is usually a day of munching on food and watching football games-not this year! Instead, we spent the day as we would any other weekend day: Playing with the little ones, snacking, napping, more playing...

Of course I miss some of the silly shows I used to watch: Sister Wives, Teen Mom, The Next Food Network Star, Ax Men, Chopped...in fact, I don't think there was a single show on regular channels we used to DVR. Now, we have no choice, but to watch these channels.  Some of the shows we try to watch now are:  Grey's Anatomy, Parenthood, The Voice and The Amazing Race. Luckily, most of these are on after the little ones are in bed, but there are many instances where we may miss an episode.

Many people subscribe to Netflix, picking out movies online that are sent to you.  You watch them at your leisure, pop them in the mail when you are done, and have more shipped out.  This is really a great option for those who don't have cable and give you something different to watch.  Plus, you don't have to leave your house!  Justin and I have never been movie people-in fact, if I had 2 hours to kill, I wouldn't want to spend it watching a move.  I'd rather read a new book, go for a run or bake something.  So, Netflix wouldn't be a good choice for us.  Many TV shows are available online now, and I'm sure there will be times where we will want to catch up on a TV series by watching on our IPADs. 

Just another sacrifice; but I honestly don't see a need to get cable for a long time.  This past Sunday, I enjoyed the Iowa Realty Home Show during my run :).  Gave me some good idea for our next home!   

Christmas!

The day after Christmas is so depressing. It is a holiday that nearly everyone looks forward to and spends hours and hours preparing for, but then 24 hours later, it is all over.  I think the day after Christmas is maybe my least favorite day of the year, followed by the day after my birthday.  At least I didn't have to get up the next day to go to work as many people did. 

Alena kept telling me about how excited she was for Christmas Eve so that morning, everyone slept in until 7:30 and we had a quick breakfast and got ready to head to Papa and Grandma's house.  We spent the day playing and Alena convinced Grandma to let her and her brother and sister open one gift.  After lunch, the twins went down for a nap, and the adults were actually able to play a game of golf (since children/grandchildren, our hours of game playing on the holidays has been cut short!). 

After naps, we all got dressed in our finest and headed to church.  It was a good reminder why we don't go to church on a weekly basis-it is hard with three little ones, especially when the two youngest want to get down and run around (and we even had two extra adults to help!).  Lauren loved the music and the clapping (although she usually clapped at the wrong times-like when it was silent!). She also left quite a few Kix on the floor to let God know she was there.  We survived the entire service, including the children's play, then headed to our favorite Christmas Eve location, The Mandarin.  It wasn't too busy when we got there, but during dinner, the place filled up very quickly.  The fish tank kept the kids entertained until our dinner arrived.  Everyone was so hungry and as usual the food was excellent!  Caleb even enjoyed some of Grandma's hot tea.  As is tradition, Jason called during dinner to join in on the fun.

We then headed back to Grandma and Papa's house to open presents.  As usual, they bought WAY too much but all three little ones took a turn at ripping the paper off.  During gift opening, we watched most of The Christmas Story before packing everything and everyone into the van for the trip home.  We carried the sleeping twins into the house and placed them in their crib while Alena picked out cookies for Santa.  She also left 8 carrots and water for his 8 reindeer and we checked the Santa Radar before heading up to bed.  Since both babies were already in bed, both Justin and I put Alena to sleep (we usually take turns).  We read the Night Before Christmas and the 12 Days of Christmas then kissed her goodnight. 

 

Alena picking out Santa's cookies

Luckily Santa had all the gifts wrapped so we just had to fill the stockings, place the gifts around the tree and get things prepared for breakfast the next morning.  The twins woke up around 7 and Alena was up at 7:30.  We opened our stockings first, then enjoyed breakfast before opening the gifts under the tree.  Later that afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa S arrived.  We watched the Polar Express, opened gifts, then enjoyed a marinated pork chop dinner, requested by Alena. 

It was a fun two days celebrating Christmas.  The favorite gifts were definitely the trampoline, the tent and tunnel, and the magnetic building shapes.  Although, I think I received the best present:  A new camera!  I am so excited to have a nice camera to take pictures with.  We will have many, many special memories in the future with our little ones and having a nice camera that takes good pictures is so important!  I make a photo book every year for each child, depicting what we did over the year, including pictures of other family members.  It's a fun keepsake that will now be even better because the quality of photos will be amazing!  Thanks Santa! 

Traditions

Who doesn't love traditions, especially around the holidays?  Everyone has their own special things they like to do to celebrate and many traditions have been started in our family.  I think it's important to not get overloaded with traditions though, which can be stressful and make you forget the real meaning of the holidays.  These are some of our traditions:

1.  The Tree - One of the first traditions of the holidays is picking out our Christmas tree. I love that our tree has been hand planted by my dad many years ago and shaped by his own hands.  It is so special going to Papa's house to tag our tree or cut it down.  Each year, we seem to get a bigger and bigger tree (we had to cut some of the top off this year to make it fit). Maybe our ceilings are getting smaller or my ability to gauge the height of a tree is WAY off!  I like to have the tree up in early December so we can enjoy it for the entire month.

2.  Ornaments - My mom buys the kids a new ornament each year. I keep the boxes of each ornament, labeled with the date to help keep them all organized. Justin and I also have our own ornaments from when we were growing up and before we had children.  The little ones love picking out their ornaments and I think they will be excited to put them on their ow tree after they leave home.  I was thinking of making a handmade ornament this year with every one's thumbprint, but I may not have time...

3.  Cookies - Since we've had Alena, we have made it a tradition to make sugar cookies with Grandma and Papa.  Papa is always helpful and makes the dough ahead of time (we use the same yummy recipe).  Each year, Alena has gotten more and more into making the cookies. This year, she pretty much rolled her own dough, cut out the cookies and frosted and decorated them without much help.  Lauren and Caleb skipped the decorating this year because they were napping, but they did get to enjoy their first cookie after their slumber!  They enjoyed it! 

4. Elf On The Shelf - I honestly had never heard of Elf on the Shelf until my mom bought us one the year Alena was born. It sounded a little weird at first, but thought it might be fun once she was 2.  I know some people use the little elf to threaten their little ones to behave.  We don't do that. Instead we have fun hiding him each night, or making him do naughty things, but we don't tell the kids "The Elf is watching you."  Alena gets a kick out of looking for him each morning and it's a great way to get her out of bed in the morning on school days :).

5.  Gingerbread House - This was a new one this year but I would say it was successful. Alena enjoyed decorating the premade gingerbread house with frosting and candies (I can't imagine doing one that wasn't already put together!).  I'm not sure if this tradition will continue-I guess it will be up to Alena and the twins. 

6.  Tour of Christmas Lights - We have "sort of" done this each year but it will be more fun when the kids are older. Alena and I will go out later this week in the evening for a tour of lights around our neighborhood. I think it would be fun to sip hot chocolate, but she doesn't like hot chocolate so I guess a little glass of juice will have to suffice.

7.  Christmas Eve - Growing up, my family always went to church on Christmas Eve, watched the play of the birth of Jesus, and went to the Mandarin for dinner.  My brother used to be horrified that we went out for dinner on Christmas Eve.  When we first started this tradition, we were probably the only people at the Chinese restaurant.  Wouldn't you know it, now a days, that place is hopping!  I'd like to think people realized what a great idea it was and followed in our footprints. Who wants to make dinner Christmas Eve, when you will probably be making a big feast on Christmas Day?  My brother still thinks it's crazy, but when he is back in Iowa, he can't deny enjoying his Mongolian Beef at the Mandarin.  "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra...Ra Ra Ra Ra"

8.  Starting this year, I am going to allow each kid to open one present on Christmas Eve. This will include new jammies and a family movie we will all enjoy together before going to bed and preparing for Santa to come.

9.  Preparing for Santa - Alena sets out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for his reindeer.  I know some people who go a little overboard making it look like Santa came (sleigh tracks in the snow, reindeer "droppings", etc). 

10.  Wrapping Presents - I grew up with all of our presents wrapped, including those from Santa and stocking stuffers.  Justin did too, so that is what we do. I do try and use special paper for Santa's gifts (ie paper with Santa on it).  The REALLY big gifts won't get wrapped because let's be honest, that's a lot of work for Santa and a waste of paper in my mind. 

As much as I love the holidays, I hate how fast they go by.  Alena is going to be really sad when Christmas is over this year and I'm sure for the next 12 months, we will  hear "when is it going to be Christmas again?" 

Twins-15 Months

When someone asks you, what is your favorite age of kids?  I would definitely have to say from 1-2.  It is amazing how much they learn in that little span of time.  They are still too innocent to have much of an attitude, they still cuddle and they let you carry them around, and they are eager to learn.  I love how 1-2 year olds start mimicking adults and turn into little people.  I sometimes think if I was a daycare provider, what age of children would I want to have?  I think 1-2 year olds would be perfect.  Lauren and Caleb's teacher, Molly, also taught Alena and helped shape her into who she is today.  As a daycare provider, it would be fun to see these little "infants" come into your room when they turn 1, learn how to walk, run, talk, color scribble, eat with utensils, and interact with others before turning 2 and moving on to the next room.  Molly is loving, but firm.  The other day she was instructing a friend to sit back down at the breakfast table if he wanted to have another drink of milk. He was not happy, but rules are rules.  We are so excited to have her teaching the twins.  I strongly believe that this is such a crucial age for development and having someone who will show love and affection as well as instill rules is important. 

I remember when the twins were infants and I would see other mothers of twins when I was out and about with them.  Many times these moms would say to me "it gets easier."  Now that I have two toddlers, instead of two infants, it is easier, but also harder in a different way.  They are m-o-b-i-l-e!  I still haven't been brave enough to take them into a store and let them both walk.  I'm sure I'd spend 90% of the time, chasing after them and 10% shopping, (guess that would limit my spending!).  The other day, the girls were out at the mall and I let Lauren out of the stroller.  She moseyed in and out of the women's clothing sections at Younkers, (I think she was shopping for Grandma), having a ball.  Soon after, she started following her older sister and laughing.  It is so crazy watching two little ones walk around like little people.  They are so small still that I would be scared I would lose them amongst the racks of clothes or in a crowd of people.  And those backpack leashes make me cringe...

Lauren:  My little fire cracker!  We love your fun, loving personality.  You make us laugh so much.  You have really caught on to mimicking us and love to comb your hair (and your sister's), wash your face, play peek a boo, and make silly faces at us.  We have been working on animal sounds and you have quite the neigh!  Along with your silly personality, you also have a little attitude.  You do not like when we tell you no or you can't have something.  You stick your bottom lip out as far as it will go and the biggest tears roll down your cheeks.  It's so hard not to smile at that pouty face.  You also think you are much bigger than you are and often try to take your brother down (it's a good thing he's like a big teddy bear and doesn't mind).  You mastered walking before your brother, but he wasn't soon after you.  For a peanut, you are a pretty good eater.  I think your favorite foods now are corn, cottage cheese, any fruit, and yogurt.  You still are not a big meat eater, but hey who blames you when you only have two teeth!  I think your top 4 teeth are on their way. 

Caleb:  I knew once you figured out walking, you would just take off.  Pretty soon you will be running.  You love this new found freedom and walk around with your arms in the air making dinosaur sounds.  You are so excited for yourself!  You have actually said more words than Lauren and your favorite words are tractor and cracker (OK so they sound alike, but I do think you differentiate between the two :)).  You can impersonate a monkey, bark like a dog and meow-all things that will take you a long way in life :).  I know I have said this before, but you are all boy.  Some of it must be inborn because I've never shown you how to push tractors and trucks, but you have done it as long as you could crawl.  You are also a messy eater, which must be a male trait.  Lauren picks up one morsel of food at a time, while you grab a handful and try to shove it all in your mouth at the same time.  The other day at the mall, instead of playing in germ land, you wanted to walk around and around the two cars parked in the middle of the mall.  Maybe you were wondering, "why are there cars in the mall? or maybe you were really fascinated with the cars-all I know is we couldn't pry you away from them.  You are such a snuggler and hugger.  I love it and so do your teachers.  Miss Pinky loves when we come back to say "hi" and she gets another hug (she told another mom that you and Lauren have been her favorite little ones thus far). 

I'm looking forward to the next few months-watching you learn new things every day!  Please don't grow up too fast!