T-ball/Soccer Season

This is Jack's second year of the t-ball/soccer program and I find it to be so much more enjoyable. We had a good time last year for sure, but the 3 year olds do drills and stations and only play games at the end of the program. The 4 year olds warm up and then play a game every session. When I ask Jack if he likes soccer or t-ball better he says he likes both. I'm glad he likes them both but personally the soccer is way more fun to watch. I really get into it and have to remind myself to quite down every now and again. I'm sure the coaches don't need this loud mouth trying to do their job from the sideline. I'm always yelling at Jack to be ready, run his fastest, pay attention and of course lots of cheering. One soccer game he really struggled to pay attention and he didn't score a goal. He was pretty bummed about it. The next soccer game I told him if he just ran his fastest and paid attention he might score. He scored 3 goals and was thrilled. T-ball might be more boring from my point of view but it does have its very entertaining moments. Like how Jack gets passed on the bases weekly because he doesn't quite understand what he supposed to be doing or because he's so concerned with the hugeness of his helmet. Clearly his skills have a ways to go and that't not really the entire point of this program in my mind anyway. He is learning how to focus and listen to a coach and try new things. He's exerting energy and meeting new people and on the side he's starting to learn the very basics of t-ball and soccer. Possibly one of my favorite things is when he does something he things was good and searches me out so we can share a thumbs up.

What kid doesn't want to jump on home plate?

Jumping Jack

Last week while Hailey, Micah and Mari were with us we played at the park one day for quite a while. The kids spent a lot of their time watching people jump off the diving boards at the pool. All during lunch they oohed and ahhed over the jumpers and their big splashes. Knowing we were going to a pool party at the end of the week I asked the kids if they wanted to try jumping off those diving boards. Previously, Jack had informed me that he was too small and he needed to be bigger to do that. I told him he was plenty big and kept encouraging him and his swim teacher helped him practice during swim lessons. So Hailey and Jack both decided they were going to make the jump. Just like Hailey, Jack got nervous once we got to the pool and the first few times I asked him he said he wasn't ready. His swim teacher found us later and I left the two of them alone knowing she would have a better chance at convincing him. Sure enough a few minutes later they climbed out of the pool and walked over to the boards. Without letting him know it, I quickly hopped out, grabbed the camera and followed. I was really hoping he would go through with it. He waited in line and when it was his turn he climbed up onto the board. He looked a little nervous and was shivering noticeably, but almost without hesitation he jumped to his teachers waiting arms. To my surprise (from what I could tell) she didn't really catch him. He went pretty far under and kicked himself back up and together they swam to the side. Then also to my surprise he immediately got back in line. He jumped several more times each time more shivery and less nervous. Way to go buddy!

Camp Natalie

This post is loaded with pictures so I will try to let them do most of the talking. We had an exciting week here last week as we got to spend it with the Winkelman kids. My parents and I offered to take the kids for the week when my sister's mother-in-law (the planned babysitter) ended up in the hospital. Amanda and Matt were scheduled to leave for a mission trip to Chicago and I know Amanda had really been looking forward to going, so Mom and I talked her into letting us keep the kids. I'll be honest, it was an exhausting week and by the end my patience was gone and I was falling asleep at 8 o'clock on the couch. Despite that, we had a really fun week full of activities. It was fun to have them and when I went to tell them good bye Amanda informed me that she was already hearing all about what she termed "Camp Natalie". I didn't intend to be camp-like but I found that if we had something to do besides "play" that the afternoons went a lot smoother. So please don't think I do this with my kids every week. I don't! Without further ado, here are the pictures.

We did quite a bit of swimming. A few times in the backyard with the water slide, a morning at the Morton toddler pool and an evening at the Morton pool for a party. Micah's not a big swimmer so I was nervous how he would do. Turns out he loved the toddler area and I only had to walk through it once with him before he was comfortable. And they all had a blast setting up the water slide in the backyard.

Naked Eggs

This was our first "thing". The kids wanted something to do, I had pinned this, it looked easy and I had everything. So we filled some jars with vinegar, added an egg and then waited a few days. I talked to the kids about experiments because I didn't want them to be crushed if this didn't work. So the first day they each made a hypothesis about what they thought might happen to the egg. We put the eggs in on Tuesday and we took them out on Friday. They really were naked eggs, squishy and bouncy and translucent...and very easily broke. Just ask Jack. The kids loved this and talked about them much of the week.

We also got messy making pizza dough for lunch one day. Made lava lamps with oil, water, food coloring, glitter and alka-seltzer. Made mini volcanoes with trays of baking soda and colored vinegar. Made sun catchers out of plastic beads, which I didn't get a picture of. And made play-dough lollipop cookies, most of which I made. :) They really seemed to enjoy the sciencey things.

Here are some general photos of the crew.

Friday night our church children's ministry had a pool party so Mom brought Micah and Hailey. Hailey said all day she was going to jump off the diving board. I was surprised how much she wanted to do it. Once at the pool she got a little nervous, but without much prodding she decided she was ready. She got in line and climbed on the board and walked out to the end. That's when I knew we had a problem. This girl doesn't jump in the pool. She falls in the pool holding my hands. I cheered for her and encouraged her and told her to just fall in. Jack's swim teacher was there to catch her. She couldn't bring herself to do it and eventually walked off the board. I went to hug her and encourage her and she burst into tears. I felt so bad. But she was so brave to go out there. I just kept telling her that. I was so proud of her for trying to do something she was scared of. When she was crying I asked her what was wrong and she just said she didn't know. Poor girl, it's like that the rest of your life. We girls are often crying and don't know why!

So that was our week. A little bit crazy. But I think a lot fun for the kids and some great bonding time for me and my nieces and nephew.

Twin Swim

Schaeffer and Logan don't get much alone time and they are with Jack almost as much as they are with each other. So on the rare occasion that Jack isn't home but they are it's fun to see if they act any different. Jack is taking private swimming lessons this summer. Private because he is over 5 inches too short for the park district requirements. So I hired a high school girl that swims and life guards and so far I am extremely happy with that decision. She picks him up two mornings a week, gives his lesson and brings him back home. It's extremely low maintenance for me and Jack seems to be doing really well. So the first morning he was gone at lessons I decided to get out the little pool for Logan and Schaeffer. They haven't had a chance to play with it by themselves this year and I was curious if they would like it better without big kids around. They had a blast. They got in it, they splashed, they sat down, they had so much fun. Usually they don't get too close for fear of what unexpected thing a big kid might do. I loved seeing them really get into it and enjoy themselves. And now that they've done it they have also done better with other kids around.

The two of them thought they were so funny. Logan kept dumping buckets of water on Schaeffer and they would both laugh and laugh. It's hilarious when they get to thinking they are both so funny and interacting in such a positive way.

Bunch of Photos

Schaeffer swinging in his jammies.

Jack and Logan catchin' some rays after playing with the water table.

We rode our bikes to Dairy Queen, Jack included. See his little green bike in the background. Schaeffer and Logan love their ice cream and Jack really wanted a "gorilla" bar like Haley had one time. He really means a Dilly Bar, but he asks for a gorilla bar every time.

After our long bike ride to and from DQ. He was so proud of himself for completing the ride and has since done it several times.

This isn't a great picture of anyone, but I like it because it's Paul and the boys and there aren't many pictures of the four of them. Here they were just kicking back on a Saturday morning enjoying some cartoons with their breakfast.

Me and my sweet cuddly Logan. He loves a good lap sit most days.

Paul and Logan. This little bike seat on the front of Paul's bike is a major hit and a major point of contention between Logan and Schaeffer. If it isn't their turn to ride up front they pitch gigantic tantrums as I ride off with them in the trailer. You can't see Logan's eyes but you can see his grin, they LOVE riding on Daddy's bike.

The garbage truck is always a major draw.

Jack's First, Last Day of School

Jack had his last day of school over a month ago, but I'll tell you about it now. Jack did 3 year old preschool at Bethel this year and it was a wonderful experience. He really loved it and it excited to go back next year. The last day of school is sorta strange for a preschooler. They don't really understand what it means and why they will have new classmates and a new teacher in the fall. They aren't really excited about it being the last day cause they don't know what it means to be out of school for the summer. They don't go to school enough for it to make that much of a difference. I figured I would probably cry on Jack's last day, but I held it together until he said goodbye to his teacher. He had a closing chapel and program where they sang a lot of songs they had learned. Jack did a great job. He pretty much tries to sing everything and do all the motions. Though we did catch him yawning several times. Of course during his program is when I realized that our camera was broken and needed a visit to the camera doctor, so we didn't get many great pictures. After the program we made our way to his room one last time and collected his things and said goodbye to his first teacher ever, Mrs. Hart. He LOVED Mrs. Hart. Pretty sure he had a 3 year old crush on her all year. I'm pretty sure she loved Jack too. When we took his picture with her she started crying a little and of course that did me in. Soon Jack's first year of school will be a distant memory and I'll probably have a hard time remembering who his classmates were. But for now I remember the things he learned and the friends he made this year.

Jack's Class

Jack & Mrs. Hart on the first day of school and the last day of school. What a difference a school year makes.

Compassion Day 2012

Every year our church dedicates a Saturday in May to serving our communities. Last year we didn't participate but this year I was eager to get involved. So eager that the first morning they announced sign ups in church I jumped on my phone and signed us up before announcements were even done. I really wanted Jack to be a part of this experience and since we signed up so early we got our pick of projects. We chose to serve at the construction site of our new church home. I thought it would be fun to see the progress and since we talk about the new church nearly every time we drive by, I thought Jack would enjoy it as well. Plus I had a feeling he would be free to run around there more than some other places. Due to some muddy conditions our plans for the day were altered and instead of picking up trash we pulled weeds in the future parking lots and picked up logs and debris along the grassy banks that will one day be prairie grass. What I loved about the day was getting to work alongside my husband and my son to the benefit our our church home and especially to the glory of God. It was such a neat opportunity to talk to Jack about what it means to serve and how often times serving is not doing something we love but doing something that needs to be done to help others. He was a trooper and brought smiles to everyone in our group. He was the only little kid there and he held his own. Not unlike Jack, he befriended all the older kids and got to work alongside them and play with them during the down times. During lunch he talked their ears off spinning all sorts of tales and they were thoroughly entertained. We frequently see Grant, Jack's best friend from Compassion Day, after church and Jack is always excited to run up to him and say hi and get a little silly with him. I've mentioned this to some people before, one thing I just love about Harvest is the kids. I'm sure Harvest is not the only church with great youth, but so many older boys are kind and wonderful and silly with the little boys. Jack knows so many junior high and high school boys and they seem to genuinely enjoy Jack and the other little kids.

Walking in with Daddy.

Puddle heaven.

Picking up sticks with the boys.

Summer Help

This spring marks a first for me. The first time I paid a sitter to watch my kids. Paul was out of town for 12 days and I really wanted a break and a haircut. So I hired two sisters to come right after school for an hour. In hindsight I probably didn't need to hire them both, but it was my first time and I was nervous. One of those girls, Elissa in now my summer helper. Can I tell you that hiring a girl for the summer was so nerve wracking for me. Shouldn't it be more nerve wracking for the girl I'm hiring? I just was so nervous about talking to her and paying the right amount and what would she think of my house and my parenting. It sounds even sillier as I write it. But now Elissa has been here a few times and she's a sweetheart and we're getting into the groove of things. She comes twice a week for several hours and whether she knows it or not, she is very helpful. My goal is to do something fun one day that she's with us and do something practical the other day. We took her to the giant wooden Glen Oak Park the other week and it was so much more fun (for me) with her there. Jack is pretty good on his own and with Elissa there Logan and Schaeffer are free to explore and play how they want to, not how mommy says they must so we all stay together. I like the freedom they have to be by themselves when Elissa is with us. We'll also being dragging Elissa to the pool with us quite a bit this summer and I know I will be so thankful to have her there. An extra pair of hands and eyes where water is concerned is always good. Other days we run errands or work on projects around the house. Do you know how nice it is to leave the kids in the car when you just need to run in somewhere for a few minutes? I can tell you know, it's wonderful. So this summer I have finally taken the advice that some have given me since before the twins were born and found myself a part time helper. I really think she will help keep me sane, help us have fun and help keep my house clean-ish.

A Few Excursions

This post takes us back to the beginning of May. After making several failed attempts to find a friend to go with us we ended up going to Lakeview Museum by ourselves. Turns out we had a lot of fun and I decided that perhaps it would be good to so something new and fun by ourselves every once in a while. Having friends and being social is great but perhaps I need to teach my kids that just our family can be fun and great too. So one week we went to the museum and the next week we tried out a new to us park in Peoria.

I wasn't sure what to expect at Lakeview Museum. But the kids had a blast and the smallness of it worked perfectly for keeping an eye on everyone. 

This was perhaps the highlight, rolling marbles down this funnel. I think the museum volunteers were annoyed with us because they had marbles rolling all over the floor, apparently they were hard to hold on to.

There was a dinosaur exhibit but we didn't get to see much because a) there were lots of older students there on a field trip and b) I don't think my kids cared that much.

The dress up like a dinosaur area. This was really cute and all the boys played with dino tails tied to their waists for a while.

The following week we went to Glen Oak Park by the zoo. I always thought this place looked fun and it is. It is also very hard to take three small boys there by myself. I was on edge the whole time thinking surely I was going to lose someone in the depths of this monstrous wooden structure. The boys absolutely loved it though. Lots of climbing and a fireman pole they all liked to slide down (twins with help) and a big sand area I was kind enough to let them play in for a while.

Mock Backyard Camp Out

Jack got a tent and sleeping bag for his birthday and every since I've been dreaming up this idea to have a backyard camp out. I built it up in mind to really be something and as it turns out my expectations were not disappointed! We invited 5 of Jack's friends, everyone 4 or almost 4 years old, to our house this past Friday evening. And we told their parents not to stay which I think was something new for several of them. From what the other parents said, the camp out was highly anticipated. I was not brave enough to let 6 kids sleep in my backyard so they all got picked up around 9:30, hence the "mock". The kids didn't care though and they were thrilled to be staying up past dark and seeing stars and playing with flashlights and glow jars. We ended up having a great time and all the kids behaved wonderfully and enjoyed themselves a great deal. The night went so well and the weather was so beautiful we decided to let Jack sleep in the tent with me. He was thrilled. For at least thirty minutes after "going to bed" he laid there with a huge grin on his face. He kept turning on his flashlight to look around and every time I looked at him he looked at me with the biggest eyes and the biggest smile. Thankfully, he eventually fell asleep and so did I. And thankfully, when he woke with the sun at 4:30 he was able to fall back asleep until after 7. Here are some pictures of a few of the things we did at our camp out.

I set up the pool with fish and a fishing pole and we pretended it was a lake. 

I had hidden a pile of imported sticks and pine cones in the yard and the kids had to find the wood for the fire. Paul used their findings to start the fire for the hot dogs. Hot dogs a skewed and ready for cooking.

Being careful around the fire and cooking their own dinner for once :)

After dinner we had to pitch the tent. The kids really did their best to help get it up.

Putting the tent poles together.

As soon as the tent was up the kids were climbing in with their sleeping bags. And before I knew what was happening everyone was taking their clothes off and putting on their jammies. Some even thought it was time for sleep! Too funny. 

To kill some time waiting for the sun to go down we went on a "hike" around a few houses. Pit stop here to check out the wheat field which Paul is quite thankfully we didn't burn down. Paul also got out his guitar and we sang some songs together. I was very glad our crowd was young because Paul and I did not make a great musical team. I'd say the Hokey Pokey might have been the biggest hit.

Fire round 2. Time to make some s'mores! The kids were so cute as they pulled their chairs around the fire. Haley said she was cold so she got her sleeping bag and wrapped up in it, soon nearly every child had done the same. 

Roasting marshmallows!

Jack roasted his marshmallow and then asked for an uncooked one to eat plain. Goofy kid doesn't know what he is missing.

Once s'mores were done we made our glow jars. Each kid got a Mason jar and we dumped the contents of two snapped glow sticks in. They all seemed to love their jars and we managed to make it to the end of the evening before one got accidentally dropped. 

Enjoying the tent and the dark and trying to see the stars. We played lots of games in the dark including find the hidden balls with your flashlights and glow jars and pretend you are sleeping and see if any silly monsters come scratching at the tent.

We really had such a great time and from what I hear, all the kids did too. We might have to do this again sometime.