Milo

Wow it’s been quite a while since I have posted. I keep feeling guilty that I have so much to write about but haven’t had time to catch up.  Then I would realize I will never be able to finish all the previous posts I have wanted to write over the last year and a half so I just wouldn’t write at all. Finally, I just decided to start a new.  I’ll catch up eventually...

A couple weeks ago Justin and I traveled to Nashville with 4 other couples who have become our dear dear friends. We feel so blessed to have fell into these friendships. It is a bonus that all of our children are friends as well.  To say we had a fabulous time is an understatement!  The kiddos were watched by my parents who, as usual, spoiled them the entire time!

Upon our trip home, I received a message from my mom that our dear kitty, Milo, had passed over the weekend. My dad had fed him on Friday before they left for Ames with the kids and he was found Sunday afternoon in our storage room. We can only assume he got ill suddenly and I hope he passed without any suffering. The kids were devastated!  Lauren and my father found him; L attempted to pet him before my dad realized that Milo was no longer with us.

Milo liked to venture outside in the evening and sometimes stay outside all night and be waiting for us on the deck in the morning.  I assumed that some day he would just not return and we would have to explain to the kids that he wasn’t going to come back.  I never imagined having to deal with him actually passing at home. My parents did an excellent job consoling them and answering their questions.  Big sister reminded her siblings that his spirit was in heaven, (quite impressive for a girl who has never attended church or Sunday school regularly).  We didn’t arrive home that night until after dinner so my parents fed the kids dinner. They asked the kids what would make them happy and they decided to have ice cream for dinner.

When we arrived home the girls were quite sad about Milo.  Caleb also shed a few tears thinking about how Milo won’t lay in his room at night like he used too. Justin and I barely got our suitcases in the house before we got to work on a burial for him. Justin made a box and I started digging, (which is quite challenging after the drought we have had!). We found a special spot for him near our blueberry bushes along the fence line.  Finally at sunset we had a special memorial for him.The kids wrote notes to him and placed them in the box along with a couple toys. Lauren covered him with a special blanket of his.

We all talked about our favorite things about Milo and what we will miss. I told the story about when we got him and how long it took for us to name him.  Tears were shed by all.  Ironically, the last 6 months, Milo has been more “involved” with the family. He would join us every evening upstairs when we were putting the kids to bed.  He would make his announcement he was there in the hallway with a couple meows and almost always went into Caleb’s room unless Caleb wasn’t in there.
He would lay at the foot of his bed on a special blanket and Caleb would often lay next to him, petting him before he would fall asleep.  Once Caleb was asleep, Milo would usually make his way downstairs to the living room to spend time with Justin and I, (mostly Justin).  Occasionally, Milo would fall asleep in Caleb’s room as well.  Poor Lauren always wanted Milo in her room and many times I would put him at the foot of her bed but he always left right away and made his way to Caleb’s room.  Milo also enjoyed spending time on Alena’s bed when we were laying with her but I would say his favorite place was at the bottom of Caleb’s bed.

Milo also became very tolerant to Lauren’s over the top affection. She would smother him with affection throughout the day and really loved him so much.  Recently she started picking him up and attempting to carry him around.  She even crafted a collar and leash for him one day. She also became fascinated with teaching him tricks which is quite difficult for a cat who has lived 10+ years.

No matter how many times that cat drove me nuts and ruined many, many of my things, he will be missed.  It is so quiet around the house now.  We continue to do our normal “Milo” routine each day only to realize it isn’t necessary any more.  No more trips twice a day to the basement to feed him, no more assuring he is in the basement when we leave for the day. No more checking to make sure all flip flops are out of reach.  (This cat had an obsession with chewing on them!).

He will be missed.  We have already made two trips to the ARL.  I am not sure I am ready for another pet at this time.  If a day comes when the kids are begging for another pet, I’ll probably give in but until then I think it will just be the 5 of us.

Twins 5th Birthday

Wow, it's been nearly a year since I last did a post. Quite a bit has happened over the last year and things have been so busy preventing me from blogging.  I don't necessarily blog for others to read. I primarily do this as therapy for myself and as a way to document the lives of the 5 of us.  I hope some day my children will look back at these posts and remember the special memories we have made together.  (And if those memories have been forgotten, at least now they are documented!).

I'll do a year re-cap in a bit but needed to post about two special birthdays that recently happened.

Lauren:

You can go from making us smile and laugh to us wanting to pull our hair out in 5 seconds flat.  I've said many, many times, it is a good thing you are so darn cute.  You continue to be quite emotional and recently your listening skills have been nonexistent.  You are at this stage where you like to test mom and dad.

You remain our little peanut but you are sprouting up in height.  You are a decent eater and would snack all day long if I let you.  You have a unique palate and love cheese, pickles, olives, steak and anything sweet.

You remain our dare devil.  You went back and forth about wanting to participate in any activities this fall and in the end we decided not to do anything.  I still think you would make a great gymnast or dancer-maybe next year.  You love to practice flips on the trampoline and are constantly flipping off the couches.

My favorite time of day with you is at night when you are getting ready to go to sleep.  You love to tell me about your day and I love the specific details you disclose.  Our bedtime routine ends with a big hug, a kiss and Eskimo kisses.

What is your favorite color? Sparkly pink and sparkly purple
What is your favorite toy?  Barbies
What is your favorite fruit?  Grapes
What is your favorite movie? My Little Pony
What is your favorite TV show?  Shimmer and Shine
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Skirt
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite song?  ABCs
What is your favorite book?  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Who is your favorite friend?  Mady and Molly
What is your favorite snack?  Squeezy applesauce
What is your favorite drink?  Soda
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Chocolate Chip Muffin
What is your favorite dinner?  Chili
What is your favorite place to go?  To a hotel
What is your favorite game?  Tenzi
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride the easy roller
What is your favorite holiday?  Thanksgiving
What do you sleep with?  Zebe (Zebra blanket), emoji pillow and lots of other random things
What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher

Caleb:

I am constantly analyzing what it is like having the experience of raising boy/girl twins. It is definitely something unique and I often have to remind myself that I cannot compare the two of you.  I find it so interesting how you are all boy and Lauren remains all girl.  With identical environments, it is obvious much of that is inborn.

Caleb, you are a typical brother.  You love to torment your sisters, (mostly your twin sister), knowing it's easy to get a rise out of her.  You are such a jokester and love to make others laugh.  I love watching you meet new friends wherever you go although you remain quite shy around other adults still.  Papa and you continue to have a very special relationship and I love watching this relationship grow.

As many boys, you are so messy!  I try not to bring it up often as I think it hurts your feelings but I'm hoping this is something you will continue to outgrow.  You love to eat and eat fast which makes meal time messy.

You continue to love to build things and are so bright.  You love to learn and catch on very quickly.  Hopefully your need to be the class clown won't prevent you from continuing to learn as you grow up.

What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite toy?  Transformers
What is your favorite fruit?   Applesauce
What is your favorite movie? Star Wars
What is your favorite TV show?  Blaze
What is your favorite thing to wear?  T shirt and shorts
What is your favorite animal?  Tiger
What is your favorite song?  Wheels On The Bus
What is your favorite book?  A Dinosaur book
Who is your favorite friend?  Daddy
What is your favorite snack?  A granola bar
What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate milk
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Cereal
What is your favorite dinner?  Chicken nuggets
What is your favorite place to go?  A hotel
What is your favorite game?  Candyland
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride a scooter
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Black/Red blanket and Monkey Boo
What do you want to be when you grow up? A policeman

You two had your first friend's birthday party this year. We did it at The Playground in Ankeny. It was a fabulous time!  I know I have said this countless times but we are so blessed to be in the neighborhood we are.  There are three families we have gotten very close with and between the 4 families there are 11 kids, ages 3-9.  These kids have become some of your best friends and I think through the years you guys will become like cousins.  They were all at your party to help you celebrate.

On your actual birthday we had a family wedding. Caleb you hate wearing "picture clothes" but didn't argue too much when you found out you had to wear nice clothes all evening on your special day.  You both love to dance, (especially Lauren), and we had a fabulous day!  

Twins 4th Birthday

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY

Where did this last year go. It seems like we just celebrated your 3rd birthday and now you two are 4.  What a fun year we have had with you guys. You are no longer toddlers but are little people with big personalities.  

Lauren

You make me laugh every day.  Some of the things that come out of your mouth just make me gasp.  The other day I was driving you and Alena to the library and we were talking about something and I heard you say "you betcha."  I often look at you and wonder where my little 4 year old is because you sometimes act much older.  You have this adorable, spunky personality that makes people want to be around you.  

I wondered if you were ever going to grow but over the last couple months you have finally sprouted.  You are still shorter than your brother but are only 4 pounds lighter.  Sometimes you eat so well and other days you pick at your meals.  You would be content with snacking all day long. 

You love playing with your sister and will go along with whatever she wants you to do.  You do have moments when you want to play alone and if Alena is busy, you and Caleb play so well together when it is just the two of you.  

Your brother antagonizes you as often as he can. You remain a little bit whiny and emotional and I just keep hoping it is going to be something you out grow.  

You are my girlie girl and I love it. If you could wear dresses every day you would. Your favorite color is "sparkle" and you love anything pink.  You have already mentioned you have a boyfriend at school-Logan, (lord help me!).  

Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color? Purple, sparkly pink
What is your favorite toy?  Babies
What is your favorite fruit?  Oranges
What is your favorite movie? Ninja Turtles
What is your favorite TV show?  Paw Patrol  
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Dresses
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite song?  Ezekial Saw The Wheel
What is your favorite book?  A Long Book
Who is your favorite friend?  Nora
What is your favorite snack?  Granola Bar
What is your favorite drink?  Lemonade
What is your favorite breakfast food? Donuts
What is your favorite dinner?  Rice
What is your favorite place to go?  McDonalds
What is your favorite game?  Trouble
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride scooters
What is your favorite holiday?  Halloween
What do you sleep with?  Go Go, random things...(a harmonica, ice pack, a hair clip, etc)
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Teacher

Caleb

Our little, easy going guy has probably become our most challenging recently.  You have learned that as a brother with two sisters it is your job to bother your sisters as much as possible.  Of course, you enjoy getting them worked up. Some days it is a constant battle acting as a referee.

We've always known that you were pretty smart and just hope that when you are in school, you will apply yourself.  You love building with anything, driving trucks, putting puzzles together...Your mind is constantly going and you are so inquisitive.  I still love your fascination with large trackers and trucks and was so glad that you and daddy got to spend some time at the Culbertson farm this Fall.  

You remain my messy eater and you eat faster than anyone in our family. I have no idea where you got that from because everyone knows your mom and dad are the slowest eaters around.  When I ask what meals you want me to make each week, you usually reply with meatloaf or meatballs.  

The jury is still out whether you will be an athlete or not. You do have interest in soccer so will probably start that this spring.  You are a good runner with quick little feet so I think you could do whatever your heart desires.  

As much as you love to antagonize your twin sister, you are a really good brother.  I've mentioned it before, but I love when the two of you are playing together.  It really is a special relationship you have and I hope you will remain good friends throughout your life.  

You have many friends at school, mostly boys but you hang out with a few of Lauren's girlfriends as well.  You can go from playing farm with your tractors, to playing Barbie's or kitchen with your sisters.  

Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite toy?  Bad Guys
What is your favorite fruit?  Mandarin oranges
What is your favorite movie?  Star Wars
What is your favorite TV show?  Paw Patrol  
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Star Wars Clothes
What is your favorite animal?  Tigers
What is your favorite song?  Sugar-Maroon 5
What is your favorite book?  Bob The Builder
Who is your favorite friend?  Mady
What is your favorite snack?  Cereal
What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate Milk
What is your favorite breakfast food? Donuts
What is your favorite dinner?  Spaghetti
What is your favorite place to go?  The Donut Store
What is your favorite game?  Sports
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Work With Daddy
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Red and Black blanket, blue blanket, lion
What do you want to be when you grow up? "I just want to be a kid. I don't want to be nothing."

I am really looking forward to this next year with you.  Everything continues to get easier and easier, yet different things become challenging as well.  We are so thankful for the two of you, your individuality, and the special connection that only twins can share.  

PARTY PICS

water balloons

Alena's 7th Birthday

Seven years ago you entered this world. I remember being so proud of you when I held you for the first time.  We continue to be impressed by you and are so proud of the person you are becoming.  

You love school and are an excellent reader. I love that you enjoy reading and can only hope your excitement for this skill will continue.  It can only benefit you down the road.  You also really enjoy art and music at school. 

You are still quiet in new situations or larger groups and prefer to be a follower instead of a leader in most cases.  Although there are other instances when you are loud and crazy with your close friends.  You are so smart and pick up on every little thing. The questions you have asked recently are so thoughtful and I love seeing your little mind working.  

Like before, you continue to be our little athlete.  You remain in gymnastics and are completing another season of soccer.  I really despised soccer before you started playing and now I really enjoy it, and especially enjoy watching you play.  You are so fast and a team player, it's just so fun to watch.  You also did volleyball this fall but I couldn't talk you into doing basketball this winter :).  

You are starting to become more of a picky eater which is challenging and you are still a messy eater!  You love your brother and sister and are always anxiously waiting for them to get home every evening so you can play with them or tell them about your day.  

  
Alena

What is your favorite color? Gold
What is your favorite toy?  Shopkins
What is your favorite fruit?  Grapes
What is your favorite movie?  Zootopia
What is your favorite TV show?  Shimmer and Shine 
What is your favorite thing to wear? Dresses
What is your favorite animal? Elephant
What is your favorite song?  Watch Me (whip, nae nae)
What is your favorite book?  Junie B Jones
Who is your favorite friend?  Valen and Sadie
What is your favorite snack?  Protein Bar
What is your favorite drink?  Soda
What is your favorite breakfast food? Doughnuts
What is your favorite dinner?  French Toast
What is your favorite place to go?  School
What is your favorite game?  Shark Mania
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with Regan
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Eeyore and many other stuffed animals
What do you want to be when you grow up? A firefighter

Bowling birthday party:

Summer Fun

Well it's hard to believe summer is over already and school is back in session. The twins have a birthday around the corner and football is underway.

We've had a fun, eventful summer. Here are some highlights.

June:

I spent a week off with Alena enjoying her first summer vacation away from school.  We did a little shopping, went to the library and made a trip to the zoo with Tessa.

Later in the month, we took our trip to Minnesota which is detailed on a previous post.

We spent a weekend in Riverside to enjoy Trek Fest.  The kids loved the parade and the demo derby and I participated in the first 5K they have ever had.  It was a hot weekend so lots of cannon balls into Uncle Jerod's pool were done.

July:

We ventured out with the twins to Yankee Doodle Pops.  Alena was with Grandma and Papa for the week so we thought just taking two kids would be a piece of cake.  We were wrong!  Justin and I had met up with some friends after work for a couple drinks and were maybe a little late picking up the kids. Their teachers thought it would be fun to feed them Skittles.  About 30 minutes after we got to the concert, they were bouncing off the wall.  We just couldn't figure out what was going on until finally one of them mentioned they had skittles.  Needless to say we didn't stay long and skittles have been added to our "do not feed our twins___"  list!  . Some day I'll see the firework display that is commonly talked about...

Maybe one of my favorite pics of these two

For the 4th, we headed to Madison and had a great time. My brother and sister in law belong to a swim club that is within walking distance from their house. We spent a few hours there every day and Alena even was brave enough to go off the diving board.  We spent a little time at the Madison Arboretum and downtown on campus which is beautiful. I could see myself going to school there.  Maybe I need another degree.  Their neighborhood had a kid's parade and a picnic to celebrate the 4th  so on a whim we helped the kids decorate their bikes to ride in the parade.

We didn't see any fireworks in Madison but Justin, Alena and neighbor Regan ventured out the night of the 4th to see some in a nearby town.

A week later we continued the tradition of going back to Grundy Center for Felix Grundy Days.  We met Justin's brother, sister in law and 2 youngest there. It's always great when the kids can have cousin time with both sides of the family.

Later in the month we finally made it to an I cubs game and my parents were able to join us. We did dinner out at Fuzzy Tacos, (which I highly recommend), and then enjoyed the beautiful weather at the game. It was perfect and the kids had a blast. As they get older, it's so much easier and more enjoyable to do things.

Alena did the Iowa Games again this year-the long jump, 100m and 200m

Where our house is located, we have access to many small towns. We love giving back to the small towns and hadn't had a chance to eat at the pizza place in Polk City.  We met my cousin, her husband and their two kids at Papas Pizzeria one Friday evening.  It was great and definitely a place we would go back to.  Afterwards we enjoyed the cute park in the middle of the town square and were even greeted by the local policeman who brought stickers to the kids.

Speaking of little towns, we also enjoyed the local ice cream places in Grimes and Madrid.

Alena really wanted to go to Adventureland this summer. Honestly, I could do without theme parks. Which is crazy as we used to travel around the Midwest with two good friends going to every theme park.  As I've gotten older my stomach just can't handle it anymore.  Knowing the twins would be free since they were 3, we took a chance and we all took a day off work/school and went to the park.   We spent 11 hours at that place.  A few times I felt like I was going to lose my lunch but all in all we all had a great time. Honestly, I would go just to spend time at the water park.  I learned that Alena isn't as daring as I thought, Lauren is more daring than I thought, (and just couldn't understand why she couldn't ride the roller coasters), and Caleb has a stomach much like mine on rides that go around and around.  

We love having easy access to two different lakes, Big Creek and Saylorville. We spent numerous weekend afternoons at the beach at Big Creek. One Sunday afternoon we felt adventurous and got my parents boat and went out fishing.  We were lucky to find a honey hole and the kids had a great time catching fish after fish after fish.  Fishing was such a memorable part of my childhood that I want them to experience that too. Next time, Papa and Grandma need to come along too.

Who doesn't love watching 50-60 hot air balloons fly into the sky on a beautiful evening?  We love the Indianola Balloon Festival and enjoyed it this year with our dear friends the Nelsons.  To top it off, the Nadas played the evening we were there.

August:

Having season passes to the zoo we spend quite a bit of time there which is perfect. The kids have a great time, regardless as to how many times we have been there.  It's always fun to take the cousins with us too and enjoy the special events that happen year round.

You either love the Iowa State Fair or you hate it.  I'm a lover. Always have been.  Justin is, as are our kids.  We always look forward to this time of year.  There's something about experiencing something through the eye of a child.  This is the perfect place to do that. Although I'm always exhausted by the end of the day, it's always worth it.  I would always love an adult only evening at the fair but wouldn't trade my day off with the kiddos there.  Little Hands On The Farm, the baby animal farm, playing at the playground, mini donuts, lemonade, enjoying the Bill Riley Talent show while eating lunch, the giant slide, the sky glider....I could go on and on.

Being in high school, I spent many afternoons at the Ledges State Park.  I have always loved this place but didn't start venturing back there again until after we had kids.  It's a beautiful park, free entertainment and picnics are perfect there.

The downtown farmer's market is incredibly busy.  Regardless we usually make a trip there at least once during the summer.  I rarely buy produce, flowers or crafts but honestly we usually go for the food. Justin had to jump in the long line for his breakfast burrito, I usually enjoy a breakfast pizza, egg roll and Dutch letter, and the kids loved the live music this year.

I know I've said it a hundred times but we love living by Jester Park. They are planning to build a huge Conservation Center and a few weeks ago had a fundraiser for this. At the last second we decided to go and met a number of neighbors there.  It was amazing. They had a night walk where the kids learned about nocturnal animals, a prairie maze, crafts, smores to roast and the biggest bonfire I have ever seen!  I am so glad we ventured the 1 mile from our house to enjoy this.