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!!!!

Disney on ICE

For many their Labor Day weekend start Friday. If that was the case then mine started with a trip to the doctor’s office. Getting some meds and rest was what was recommended. Well being sick the entire week before that the girls were starting to get a little stir crazy. I happen upon some information the Disney on Ice was in town this weekend. I will have to give props to STL Mommy because I found a coupon code on the mailing sent out last week.It saved us $16. We ended up going Saturday afternoon. We didn’t tell Big Sis where we were going, but just told her that she would love it. She took an early nap with anticipation of what would happen when she woke up. She would try and ask where we were going. Some clues on the adventure were given. I put her in a princess shirt and would ask her questions. When we arrived at the parking lot you would see a few girls dressed in princess dress up clothes. Then walking into the place she was starting to figure it out, but didn’t know it was going to be ON ICE. We sat down and it started with her amazement out came Aladin. The entire show was great because highlighted every Disney animated movie and just about every character. The skating was terrific and beautiful.They had stunts and fireworks also. Baby Girl loved the different music the most. Getting in the car to go home Big Sis was looking at the coloring book we got her (it was the only souvenir we would allow). She comment that she wondered why Daisy Duck wasn’t there. I said that I wasn’t sure why she wasn’t in the show. She said, “ Maybe she just couldn’t dance today.” And that was enough for her. She loved the show and got to relive it through the coloring book.

Other happenings this Labor Day weekend was the Tour of Missouri Stage 1 downtown St. Louis. The story of our day involved in that will be on http://thecyclingdimension.blogspot.com
That is when I get the energy to do it esp. from a very busy weekend.

Fun at Faust

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Deja vous

The Moore and Dean children growing up together

July 2006

The Big Sister - before they became big sisters

August 2009

The Baby Girls - exploring the world

Grocery List

Big Sis has been obsessed with writing lately. Needless to say Jeremy and I have been having to spell out word like a storm. Her grandparents have been encouraged this with giving notepads and pens or pencils. Big Sis was excited to find taht I needed to go to the grocery store. Big Sis wanted to write the list. I will have to say that in the store I did use it to remind me what to get. Above is the list and just to translate it says: at the top is the start of MILK, BREAD then it continues down if you look closely: VEGGIES (half), CEREAL, SNACKS, SYRUP, then: BANANA and Jelly are along the side. She already can write her sisters name by sight/memory, her first and last name (all be it not that long) and gets mommy and daddy.

I see this and I'm thinking seriously this kid has 2 more years of preschool.

4 Years Ago!!! Our lives changed!!!

Well she came into our lives 4 years ago and nothing will be the same. When they are this young it seems as though they are growing leaps and bounds. Changes happen so fast. I feel like even last fall is hard to remember because we are now a 4 year old. Being 4 sometimes isn't pleasant because we are developing different ways to express ourself but with that comes some expressions are comical and precious

Big Sis is an observant, sharp, excited, friendly girl who loves life and the people around her. She is developing a genuine grateful side to her and expressing it better everyday. She is slow to warm up in new situations and gets timid when the focus of attention. The cautious side of her is just like her mom when she was young and will need nuturing from her parents. She has a memory that I wish I had now and is so interested and aware of everything going on around her life. When it is all said and done with the good and bad of becoming who we are I'm so glad that God made her the way she is now and know He will help her develop into a wonderful person. Just not too fast, I guess she will always be my baby.

Everyone is Reading... even the fish :)

Well this summer we have been frequenting the library and various story times. We decided to join the library summer reading club to create a goal for Big Sis on which to focus. So far we have achieved the second level of prizes. She was thrilled to get her prizes. I've never heard this kid so excited about getting a coupon in my life. Big Sis has always loved books and has a great memory of the story. I was wondering if that was going to happen for Baby Girl. (Praying and hoping) Within this last month the book interest has emerged and turned into an obsession. Bringing a book with us in the car for baby girl is almost better than a binkie. Books have been such an obsession that I caught this book set up by Big Sis allowing her fish to read. Good thing the page wasn't a huge shark or something. It might have scared him. Well, we have 13 more days the reach our goal and 9 more squares to check off for our reading goal.

When getting in the car after getting her prizes Big Sis asked if I want to share some of her prizes with her. I told her, "No honey that is okay you did the reading for them."
Her response, "But, mom you helped me."

Those are days when it is good to be a mom.

Found this from the hospital

Found this in our pictures when Baby Girl was born and noticed the blanket that I brought to the hospital. Funny how it worked out that it is the same one she chose almost a year and a half later, as I explain in the previous post.

Oh how little and new!!!

One has been chosen!!

I was wondering when/if this was going to happen. Most children latch on to some sort of security item (normally a blanket). Then a name is given to it by the child, who knows how that happens. For Big Sis it is a pink full silk panel on one side and fuzzy panel on the other blanket. The name for it has evolved to sofy. Not even sure I'm spelling it correctly. Well, I didn't see any attachment tendency for Baby Girl happening for quite sometime. We could grab any blanket or little toy we wanted and she was happy. Well last week the above started happening. She has gravitated toward this blanket. I have even tried to test her by lifting different blankets out of her crib to give to her when she wants to snuggle. She shakes her head NO until the correct one is shown. When this happens every parents hopes it is the smaller of the choices or most easily portable of the choices that is chosen. Well, I guess that isn't in the cards for us with this child. This was given to her by her grandmother, she bought it from a lady she met on a cruise that made these to benefit cancer who was also battling cancer herself. She is now often found playing with the string on the edges of the blanket when calming down in her crib. Now a sure bet if you want her to run at you for a hug just place this blanket over your shoulder and she will snuggle into it.

As for the name the is evolving for this blanket... that hasn't happened yet.

Thing you can say ONLY as a preschooler!!!

One evening getting ready for bath:
We always tell Big Sis, " Go get naked." as we start to run the bath and undress Baby Girl, radio music still going in the background from dinner. Well a good song comes on with a good dancing beat, which Baby Girl loves. Big Sis comes running out to the living room and is excited to dance and get Baby Girl to dance as well. As the tub fills, we all decided to dance, one kid naked and one in just a diaper. Big Sis then procedes to say, " Mommy, I'm dancing with my girlie parts!!"

Ah! The things that you are only able to say when you are three years old!!!

My Wonderful Frugal Day!!!

It all started from watching the news AND paying attention. Dora and Diego caught my eye and then I heard that they were doing a charity promotion at the Magic House. If you are one of the first 50 families to bring a toy to the Magic House then you get 2 tickets to Dora Live!!! On a whim I packed up the kids and went to the toy store with my coupon and 2 kids and bought a toy. All the way explaining to my 3 year old that we weren't buying the toy for her or her little sister. Mind you I didn't tell her of the possibility of going to Dora if we hurried to the Magic House. We arrived and she was excited to give the toy to the Salvation Army collection. We were family 31. They asked if we were going to stay and play. Well you can't bring a 3 year old there and say no and leave. We decided to play and besides it was Baby Girl's first time. If you haven't heard the Magic House has expaned quite a bit. We had a blast just the 3 of us exploring all the new stuff they had to offer. I had been avoiding going there because I'd rather play outside before we get into the heat of the summer, but to my surprise they had a great outdoor part with chalk, camping and playing in water and sand.

We went for McDonalds on the way home and Big Sis and I ate it outside on our patio. Baby Girl was wiped out from exploring at the Magic House. We decided to go see the Friday night show. Big Sis got to choose what parent to go with her. I was the lucky one. I found a close spot on the street and had to feed the meter for 45 minutes costing 35 cents.
Our seats were great and was plenty of room for here to dance with the show. Getting involved in the show was right up Big Sis's alley. If you see her at home watching TV isn't a seditary activity for her. I managed to get out of there with out having to buy a $15 toy. We got our free pic taken with Dora and her friends, which is show above. Our snack was Twizzlers and a water at a total of $5.

This is the shot of Big Sis 2 seconds after I asked her if she was tired and her response was NO. This is the truth telling pic of it all.
It was a great day and if you were keeping track the entire day cost me $40.85 : $18 toy for charity, $7.50 for lunch, 35 cents for parking and $5 snack. Considering all the fun we had and that 1/2 of the day cost went toward charity I would say this was a Wonderful Frugal Day. Really it just made the time I spent wit the girls that much sweeter.

Caring for a baby

This is a view of Big Sis playing with her doll awhile back. Not much has changed since then in the way she cares for her babies. No, Big Sis isn't strangling herself and her baby, but instead she was slinging her baby with her necklace.

This goes along with and incident about a week ago. Big Sis was playing with the neighbor and had her baby outside with her. She came to the sliding door saying that Phylicia had to go and eat lunch on her patio. Asking if she could go over there while her friend ate outside, Big Sis had her baby doll stuffed in her shirt.

I thought this was a make shift sling as she did often until this was said, "Phylicia is going to go and eat her lunch really fast and I'm going over there with my baby and she is just going to eat from my boob." Not trying to make her feel embarressed I'm trying to hold in my laughter. Big Sis noticed that I was tickled by the way she was playing with her baby doll. She then said, "Mom, I just pretend!!!"

Let's Support Daddy!!!

This past December Jeremy got a challenged (should I say) to come run a marathon. Well that idea started and grew to 5 men running a marathon this past April. Training was rough on him and us because it take a lot of time away from the family. As the time got closer the family got more excited to see daddy finish the race. Here Big Sis is painting a SURPRISE sign for daddy.

This is Jeremy the morning of the race. My mom was gracious enough to watch the girls sleep while I drove him and his friend Joel up to the starting line. That was an early morning and it was raining LOTS.
Here is Big Sis and her friend who was also cheering on her grandfather along the route. Our friends lived down the street from the 9 mile mark also had husband/father running as one of the 5 in our crew. We got a short rest and great breakfast before heading to the finish line. Others cheered on our crew at different parts of the route, which I thought was awesome!!!
And the guys final came and ran past us. It all went so fast. This is Jeremy and Joel and Issac is actually hidden behind them. At this point they seemed pretty cheerful in the race.
This is Baby Girl and her friend waiting at the finish line. They are just trying to stay happy and warm, which I think they are doing quite well. How can you not when you are shield from the rain and a cookie in your hand.
Big Sis waited patiently and didn't complain at all, might I add again IN THE RAIN. She was soaked after waiting a hour to see Jeremy cross the finish line. A boy next to us leaned on the barrier and accidently ripped the advertisement sign. This allowed Big Sis a great view when the time came.
And here he is after 5 hours of running, crossing the finish line.
Smiling on the outside, who knows if that is how he felt on the inside. Will he ever tell the truth?? I can tell you this, I think the chances of another marathon in Jeremy's future is: as my dad would say: Slim to NONE and Slim left town.

Crazy Hair!!!

This is the product of crazy hair day at Big Sis's preschool. She was very excited during our practice sesson at home. She loved her purple hair. I'm sure she stood out in the class since it is made up of all boys but one other girl besides her. I'm sure she was a big hit.
This is some insight on Baby Girl's personality developing. She is ia bit crazy, all over the place. Now she has enough hair to go with her personality.