Wordless Wednesday--From Scribbles to Saturation in 3 months

Our Budding Ballerina

About 6 months ago or so, Olivia started twirling around with her hands above her head saying she was a ballerina.  I assume it was from a show she saw.  Then she dropped it for awhile.  In my last batch of books I brought up from the basement, there was one with two little girls who we friends and they took ballet together.  From there it was non stop talk about how she wanted to take a ballet class and wear a pink tutu.

For her physical limitations and gross motor skill issues, she actually should be in gymnastics.  But she really wanted to do ballet, so we thought we'd give it a shot.  I looked into some of the places around here and they were a little intense--you can only wear black leotards, your hair must be in a bun at all times, etc.  I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I don't think Olivia is going to be a professional ballerina.  Therefore, I don't think we need such intensity at age 3. Luckily, there was a class through the Rec center and it is super cheap.  I thought that would be a good introduction.  If she ends up really wanting to do it for the long haul, then we can get her into a program where they do recitals and are serious.  For now we are just doing it for fun.

Her class is for 3 to 5 year olds and they meet once a week for 45 minutes.

Logan and I were in the back of the room, so my pictures didn't turn out great.

Doing her stretches

Tutu cute!

I'm sad that this is blurry, because it's her best one...

Arms in position one... feet just planted on that leaf. ;)

Then the teacher brought out the bar.  The funny thing is... Olivia lifted her legs and hung on it.  Of course, not at all allowed in ballet.  But I was a little happy inside, because she hasn't been able to do that previously!

Then they got little tulle scarfs to use to help them put their hands in the right positions.

Overall she did pretty well.  She listened to the teacher for the first half. As time went on she would follow some of the girls that were older and not really doing what they were suppose to, or she would just twirl and do her own thing. But she's 3, so that is pretty much how most of the others behaved as well.  It's another good exercise in listening to the directions and following along!

Apple Picking

We kicked off fall with a trip to the apple orchard!

According to Facebook, I think everyone in Columbus went last weekend for Honeycrisp.  I like a good Honeycrisp apple, but I always go on the second weekend when they have the Johnathon apples because they are the best for baking.  I will say, though, that it was the biggest crowd I have ever seen so I'm not sure it mattered which weekend you went.

We started out at the market.  Here are some outtakes from the big chair pictures that I thought were funny.

1. Olivia was super excited to be sitting in the big chair.  Logan was confused.

2. Olivia lost enthusiasm after picture 158303 and Logan is still confused.

3. Logan-"Oh, hi sis.  Did you want me to look at the camera." Olivia-"whatever".  :)

While Michael fed Logan his bottle, Olivia helped me pick out a few mini pumpkins and gourds for our new dining room centerpiece.

After our market purchase (which included some Honeycrisp apples), we headed to where the picking was.

Olivia didn't waste any time!

I tried to get a picture of Logan just sitting, but he was either looking down at the grass, looking confused, or had his eyes half shut.  Oh well.

Cuties!

He loves me! :)  A quick selfie before he got put in the carrier.

She went right back to picking.

And this is what I got when I asked her to stop and smile...  Joksters, my kids.

While I was trying to take pictures of Olivia, Logan was hanging out in the carrier trying to pick his own apples.  He actually did get one off the tree!

Our version of a family selfie ;)

Checking to see if it's a good one

Thank goodness for daddy's who carry the bags

She would have picked all day had we let her.

It was warm and Logan was ready for a nap, so we stopped after our 20 pound bag was full. We may go back so that we can do the fun kiddie stuff that was available. It is hard to get things in when you have children who will only nap in their beds...

We had a great time, and now we have all sorts of apples to make things with!

Five for Friday

I haven't done one of these in a while, so I thought today would be a good time to do one and catch up.  I know I haven't been blogging much the past two weeks.  Partly because I just have nothing to say.  Partly because I just haven't felt like it.  And partly because we went from having nothing to do to having all sorts of things going on and we are just trying to get into the swing of this new fall routine.

ONE

(Picture sent by teacher.  She says she loves to dance)

Preschool is going well.  We have now finished 4 weeks, and Olivia loves it.  We had a little bit of a rocky start.  Long story short, one of her teachers was basically trying to have 3 year old behave and do work of 5 year olds.  Luckily it is not the lead teacher and it seems to now have been cleared up.  I did speak with the director (who is also new to her position) and she agreed and has already addressed the issue.  Olivia comes home singing the songs and talking about how she loves going.  We know it is good for her on many levels.  I just wish I didn't feel like I ran a marathon every Tuesday and Thursday trying to get out of the house on time.  I have to wake her every single time (despite the fact that she goes to bed at a decent time).  Hopefully that part will get better.

TWO

A RARE moment of sitting still

I have started babysitting two little boys on Fridays.  They are both about the same age as my children.  When I was originally looking for something to do part time, my girlfriends were all telling me to watch kids in my home.  It's not something I ever want to do full time.  First of all, Michael would not be game for that.  And second, I need to be able to take Olivia to preschool and to have the freedom to go places on other days.  So I was open to the idea, but only if the right situation presented itself and for very part time.  Well, this situation sort of just fell in my lap and it is perfect.  They are here from about 9 to 3.  So with lunch and naps and play, play, play the day usually goes pretty quickly.  I make a little extra money and Olivia LOVES having a weekly play mate.  Plus, it is really good for her to have someone in her space, playing with her toys.  She is learning to share, take turns, and play nicely.  It is a win/win.

THREE

Olivia has finally started her swimming lessons.  We are doing it through a rec center, and we had to wait for the fall sessions to start.  We aren't a resident of that city, so by the time registration was opened to us, all of the Saturday slots were filled.  So Michael and Olivia have been going on Monday and Wednesday nights.  I plan on going and watching and taking pictures and I'm sure there will be a whole new blog post about it, but that is another thing that is taking up our time this month.  Olivia has loved it.  It has been a while since she has been in the water (since Texas, really), so we weren't sure how she would do.  So we signed her up for a Three and Me class.  Michael gets in with her and it is a class to help them transition into the 3 year old get in without a parent class.  Now that we know that she is doing great, we are thinking of signing her up for the next session where she goes by herself.  This last session was a birthday gift, but I don't want to just do one month and then just drop off.  I really want her to learn how to swim and be comfortable in the water.  So far, so good!  Of course, she also loves the special time with Michael, and the facility is really nice and they can stay and play after the session is done. :)

FOUR

Well, I decided to give MOPS another go around this year.  Because of Olivia's preschool schedule, I couldn't attend any of the day time ones in the area.  I would never have been able to pick her up on time.  So I went for a night session.  That means there is a mix of working moms and stay at home moms.  Which is good for different perspectives, but harder when it comes to things like play dates.  Again, I knew going into it that it wouldn't be ANYTHING like the MOPS in Texas, and it wasn't.  But... it was better than the group I was briefly in last year, so that is progress.  I know I need this for myself, and I know I need to not compare groups.  I liked the leader and she happens to be at my table.  So I'm hoping for a good year.  Although I will say that my MOPS group in Texas had their first meeting this week, and after seeing pictures on Facebook I really did just want to cry.  But moving on...

Also at my table was a girl that I knew from my teaching days.  She student taught at my school and then actually took my job when I left.  I got to talking to her afterwards. The theme for MOPS this year is "Be You Bravely" (this video explains it).  Half way through the conversation she says, "You are 'Be you Bravely'.  There isn't anyone I know who embodies that more than you.  You don't need MOPS.  You are already there. I wish I could be like that."  Wow. Well, clearly she sees me a little different than I see myself.  But it did open up the conversation for me to encourage her, and then I felt like maybe God did have me there in that group for a reason.  So here I go... joining a new group... being me bravely.

FIVE

The other thing that is taking up my time is sorting, organizing, and selling.  I am in the mood to purge.  Both Logan and Olivia are about to move to the next size and need all new clothes for the fall/winter, so I am going through their closets and weeding out the old.  I've even started going through my own closet to weed out the old.  I am also itching to get our basement organized, so I am trying to purge and sell items from there as well.  I go through phases with the selling.  It can be a lot of work, but it can also be beneficial.  I think I am going to try to sell things at a consignment sale this year, but before I do that I am trying to get rid of some of Olivia's old clothes on FB.  I have done pretty well.  I have also sold our bassinet, our play gym, the infant car seat and more.  I just need it all GONE!

So that is what I have been doing.  Working, raising kids, dropping and picking up from preschool, babysitting, cleaning, organizing, going to MOPS, laundry, laundry and more laundry, cooking, shopping, checking homework, bathing.... you know, being a wife and MOM. :)  Hopefully I will get back to posting more soon.

Emersyn's Birthday

Olivia has been talking about Emersyn every week since her visit here a few months ago.  Literally, every week.  She just brings it up at the most random times.  My cousin Sonja had invited us to come to Ft. Wayne for her party, so we decided to make a quick trip over. (It's a 3 hour drive).

We got in on Saturday evening and had dinner and hung out with some cousins and my aunt and uncle.  Then we hung out at my grandma's playing cards.  Olivia was so tired and was suppose to be in bed, but my cousin Erica had brought her kids.  So Olivia ended up just playing with Molly.

We didn't end up going to bed until close to 11:30.  I walked into the bedroom and Logan was laying in the pack and play with his eyes open.  He then cried and fussed for the next two and a half hours.  Yeah.  It wasn't a good night for this mama.  Had we been at home, I probably would have just let him cry himself to sleep.  He was fed and changed and just complaining to complain. But I was trying to keep him from waking my grandma...

Sunday we skipped church in favor of some sleep and then met Sonja's family for lunch.  After naps it was party time!

My cousin Erica with Logan

Sitting at the table eating was really about the only time she actually spent with Emersyn, but she still had a great time.

She even hit the pinata during her turn

(The few pieces of candy she got were collected by mommy and boppa. Because, well... you know.  Speed is not her gift. :)

After the (very wild) big kids got out of the bounce house, Olivia took a short go at it.  Mostly she spent time playing down the hill with Molly.

We left to head home soon after.  It was a quick trip, but good to see family.

Fall Family Bucket List

Our summer family bucket list was a hit.  We did everything on the list except "hike" through a metro park.  We did go to a metro park, but no "hike".  I was sort of holding out hope that we would still get to it. Technically summer doesn't end until September 21st!  But our calendar is filling up fast, and the temps are already getting cooler.  So we are just going to move on and be happy that we did 10 of the items on the list!

Both Michael and I liked having the bucket list.  It encouraged us to get out and do things.  There were things on the list that free, some were to be done at home, and some of the things required a little money.  It was a good mix and it was fun for everyone.  And by putting it on my blog it helped keep me accountable.  I'm not going to lie--Michael and I both would be happy to have "lazy days" every weekend.  The bucket list was a great tool for us.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a fall bucket list, because the things that I would put on it are the things that we do every fall.  They aren't really new or out of the ordinary as far as our falls go.  But I figured I'd just go ahead and make the list anyway.  So here it is....

Photo Dump Friday

These two are coloring fools!  They spend hours coloring together.

Early morning snuggles

He ate oatmeal!  I didn't really give Olivia cereal because I didn't find it to have much nutritional value.  But when this guy went on a food strike, I thought I'd give it a shot.  He gobbled it all up.  I sent Michael a text saying that I feel like there are many Thanksgivings in his future where he will be made fun of for just taking the meat and potatoes.  Michael responded that he was glad he wouldn't be the only one.  A few of you will get just how funny that whole conversation is! :)

Olivia's idea of a plank.  She huffs and puffs too. ;)

Yay for sitting!

She's just a little bit double jointed.  Just a little....

I'm obsessed with this picture and the beautiful boy in it!

We are diligently working on sitting criss cross...

The laptop lives on!

As close as we have gotten to crawling.  We've got a ways to go! :)

Sofia playing with Ariel

Bedtime stories are exciting!

Olivia is getting better at holding her pencil (marker) properly!  (Yes, that was her homework.  Yes, it is completely developmentally inappropriate.  Yes, I did have a discussion with the director.  You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but.... )

Bubby got an upgrade!  He grew out of the carrier in height, so we had to switch him to a convertible seat.  It is actually the one we used for Olivia in Michael's car.  Olivia is very close to growing out of her car seat in height (where did these giants come from?), so we will have to buy some new seats soon.

We had an impromptu lunch date at Chick-fil-a after preschool one day.  Olivia has discovered sauce--specifically CFA sauce--and she is a fan!

I hadn't put the cart cover in the car yet, but he did great in the high chair.  It was my first time out with two and not having him in the carrier.  It got a little crazy taking sister to the bathroom and not having the stroller to put drinks in, but we managed.  And so it begins....