My Birthday!!!!

The coming of my birthday brought on one of the most touching things that my 4 year old had done or thought of to do for me yet.
The weekend before my birthday we told Big Sis that mommy’s birthday is in about a week. She acted excited and then went about her business. Then on Tuesday of that week we were hanging together w/o Baby Girl. We went to Kohl’s to return some things and then I stopped to look at the picture frames. Well that didn’t interest Big Sis so she asked if she could go look at the greeting cards nearby. I let her go still able to see her out of the corner of my eye. Few minutes later she brought me a card to look at and said, “Look mommy this is a card for a first birthday.” I told her yes it is but we don’t know anybody turning one right now. Her response, I know but I just like it.” I reply, “Okay.” A few minutes go by while we are looking at our own things (me – picture frames, her- kid greeting cards), she said the most thoughtful thing. “Mommy I should be looking at a card for you.” Surprised that she was that thoughtful to think of that on her own and not have the ‘I want I want’ attitude that happens quite frequently at this age, I was even surprised that she remembered what we had told her in passing 2 days prior.
Wanting to foster this thought and giving spirit that she naturally has and has demonstrated in other areas, I asked her a few questions to make her think about what card to get Mommy. I’m acting as if I’m not Mommy at this point and she chose a great card. I looked at the price tag and found the money in my purse. I gave her the cash and she held on to it the entire time we looked around the store. Then it came check out time and she paid all on her own as if I didn’t know or see. Actually on my birthday it was wonderful weather. I got some alone time in the morning then all of us took a nap and then off to the park to play. My MS was starting to flare up so wanting to go play and chase kids around the park was not high on my list, but spending time with my family was, so I sucked it up. We went to Sylvan Spring Park where I could sit and watch a bit and then I decided to forgo the pain and have some fun in the leaves with the girls. With the fun of the day, the sweet story earlier in the week and the 7 course dinner at an awesome winery I'll get to have the week after, it was a GREAT birthday.

Eckert's Apples '09

I made this to share our day at Eckerts for those of you to see that don't do Facebook. It was a great day and I can't wait till strawberry picking in May.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Rainy Field Trip :(

Well, the apple picking field trip was an adventure in the rain and wind. After a week of beautiful weather, I think the only day that it rained was the day of Big Sis's field trip. With it touch and go all morning, the field trip remained as scheduled.

The morning started out just cold, but it wasn't until we got the the field that the rain drops started. This didn't stop the kids much and Big Sis ate just as many apples as she could. Joined by her classmate and our neighbors all in all it was a good time.
At this point moms are attempting to walk the orchards, carry an umbrella and a camera AND the apples if your preschooler didn't do that for you. In hopes of discovering the relationships Big Sis developed in her new class at least 3 of her friends didn't come due to the weather. We still had a good time together.Upon returning to the fun farm Big Sis did find an old friend from last year that is in a different class this year. They had a blast.
She also helped new friends meet her old friends which I thought was sweet of her. The field trip ended early with a trip with the neighbor to McD's to warm up and play a bit more.

I loved going on the field trip considering last year Jeremy had to go to the zoo because I was still recovering from my relapse. Next field trip at the end of this month and they get to ride a bus to the pumpkin patch. I think Big Sis is just as excited about the bus ride as she is about the pumpkin patch. We will start praying for good weather NOW.

When all 4 are sick and confined for 4 days!!!

What to do when the entire family is sick and confined to the house??? It seems that the kids don't seem to slow down when they have a cold but mom and dad do. At first, I wasn't sick. I would rather take care of the sick then be one of the sick. Well then I GOT SICK!!! That is when survival mode kicks in. Well at first we all just lay around and watch alot of Disney movie and try and rest. Then boredom kicks in and the kids get into lots of trouble. The stir crazy sets in and mom is about to go nuts too. My friend post this project of facebook and I thought it would be nice, easy and fun to try with Big Sis.
She had missed preschool all week so that she would feel well enough to go on her field trip at the end of the week. That doesn't matter to a 4 year old who has had minimal social interaction. She was excited to do the project.

She like how the coconut turned into what looked like lettuce. I had to keep her at bay from eating all the ingredients. I was not quite sucessful because she didn't even care after they were all finished to eat one. She was too full. She eventually at one of the miniburgers cookies and thought they were good. Baby Girl LOVED them.

This made the afternoon fun after being home with each other for 4 days straight. I'm happy to say the Deans are now all feeling great!!! Praise GOD!!

Ma Ma - that is all I want her to say!!!!

This little stinker!!!

All I want her to say is MaMa!!!! Baby Girl is talking and signing more and more everyday. Now she is learning something new all the time. With the rapid growth of knowledge and her loviness to me, I hadn't realized that she doesn't say Ma Ma. I guess when she started saying Daddy, I got jealous. If you couldn't tell by the picture this kid is such character that I've been trying to drill Ma Ma into her vocabulary. I point to myself and say Ma Ma. Baby Girl responds by burying her head into my neck and shoulder. Then if I ask her where is Ma Ma she points to herself, mimicking me pointing to myself when I try and get her to say it. It is to the point that I think she knows that it isn't right and that its humerous. It also might be a control thing but we will see if that is the case when she gets older with other issues. Regardless she is a mama's girl, but when the kid can say "outside" surely she has the ability to say MaMa. Someday Baby Girl, Someday.

Nice Surprise!!!

Imagine taking a slight detour on your way home, after riding 150 miles in 2 days and all you wanting was a shower and seeing this. That is what happen to me last weekend. We pulled off and exit to get gas in Warrenton and Jeremy told me that we weren't going straight home. We took back winding roads to Augusta MO and this was the sight I saw when we stopped. I was told this is where we were spending the night. WOW!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! Then I was told this place had a hot tub!!!! YEAH!!! At least that was what my muscles were saying.

The H.S. Clay House was what I was looking at. The bed and breakfast is open 7 days a week. Jeremy was a bit nervous because he never received a final e-mail after he sent an e-mail saying to book the room for Sunday night. We arrived and nobody was there. Finally getting the owners on the phone, they returned home from running errands in 10 minutes. There confusion with our reservation, but all in all the owners were so welcoming that it didn't matter. It being a Sunday we were the only ones in the entire B&B.

It was so quaint and cozy. You could look at the decor for hours because it was so unique. They have many old games that are there to be played, not just looked at. The hot tub was ready to be used, which we enjoyed while drinking a wine punch made by the owners. We played scrabble before going to bed where port and chocolate was set up in our room for us. They really have thought of everything from beach towels to robes to homemade cookies and a water cooler that give auto hot water for tea or hot chocolate.

Our room had a small patio to enjoy our view of the garden where we could have our coffee. Then we got to have a breakfast that was incredible. One of the owners is a professional chef and it was so good there was nothing left on our plate.

We loved it so much that I told Jeremy I'd consider making this an annual thing after the MS150. In the evening they have an appetizer and wine mingle hour, which we missed but will try and make next year if we stay here. Jeremy should know he did good when I like the surprise so much that I want to come again when we haven't even left.

After checking out, our plan was to return home and pick up the girls. Jeremy said that he was good without going to visit the local winery and just heading home. Well, on the way we drove by and saw one had a cafe and Jeremy's response was, "Well it is lunch time. I could go for a sandwich." So we stopped at a winery had an awesome lunch with some great wine. What a great end to a great weekend!!!!