What we have been up to...

It's getting harder and harder to stay updated on the blog.  Dennis is working on the laptop almost every night, so I no longer update in the evenings like I used to.  I usually try and do it on a day Logan is in school.  However, when Dennis travels he takes the laptop with him, so that also messes me up.

Anyway, last weekend Evan went to a birthday party at an indoor pool and then Dennis had a poker night at our house.  He is trying to start a poker night once a month.

Today, Colin had a Veteran's Day Musical Performance.  It was so sweet to see all the kids singing such heart warming songs.  They did a great job.  Dennis was able to go into work late, so him and I were both able to watch the performance.  We got there early and it was already packed, so we didn't get the best pictures.  But, we were still able to see Colin good.

A few days ago I took Logan and Leah to the Children's Museum.  They opened up a new toddler play area and music room and they had so much fun!  Logan crashed in the car on the way there.  I can't get him to fall asleep at nap time, but as soon as we get into a car, if he is tired, he falls asleep.

I try to avoid doctor appointments with all four kids, but sometimes it can't be avoided.  Glad this office has toys to occupy the siblings...

Halloween 2013

Thursday Oct. 31st, Halloween Trick or Treating was cancelled due to the 100% chance that we were going to be getting heavy rain and wind.  It was rescheduled for Friday Nov. 1st instead.

Well, our neighbor who always has everyone over before trick or treating decided to keep her dinner on Thursday, so the kids were able to dress up yet again and we had a quick dinner over there.

Earlier in the day, before the heavy rain came through, I was also able to take Logan and Leah to a Halloween story time at the bookstore.  Once again, I could not get Logan to smile, I was even making silly faces!

Friday, we had a nice time trick or treating.  Dennis and I trade off every year trick or treating with the kids or handing out candy.  This was my year to trick or treat.  Dennis stayed home with Leah.  The boys had a lot of fun.  Logan got tired pretty quickly (about 8 houses in he started to get tired, but he really gave up trick or treating after about 20) and was asking to go home.  We did quite a bit more houses before we were able to circle around and drop him off at home.  Then we did about 5 more and Evan was ready to go home.  We did a few more than headed back to drop him off.  By then it was 7:30 (trick or treating is 5-8 here).  So, Colin and I went the other direction and trick or treated till about 7:45 and then headed home.  I raced Colin home and he smoked me!!!  He can officially now run faster than his Mom!

One thing about trick or treating...One group of kids showed up at our house in a hummer limo!  I know this is a wealthy area, but I thought that was ridiculous.  I know the parents selfishly got it more for themselves.  But, what expectations are their kids now going to have?  The first time I was in a limo was my wedding day and it made that moment so special.  For most kids the first time is prom and it also makes that a special moment.  To be in a limo at 7, 8, or 9, is just ridiculous in my opinion and over the top.  This is why so many people say kids in this generation feel entitled and nothing feels special to them.  I try really hard to not spoil our kids.  I feel like they get SO much "stuff" between all the holidays and then having two big families buying for them.  Dennis and I are constantly going through things and giving stuff away to try and manage all the stuff.  I want my kids to appreciate what they have and be excited when they get something new.  But, it is really hard, because they do get so much.  I feel like the more they have the less they play with it, because they are just so overwhelmed.  Ok, I'll get off my soap box...

Anyway, it was a really fun and long Halloween this year!

Getting Ready for Halloween.

This year we are getting our moneys worth out of the kids costumes.  Friday, we first went to Evan's Tae Kwan Do testing.  He did awesome and will get his green belt on Monday.

Then, Friday night I took Evan, Logan and Leah to Spooktacular at Logan's school.  They were able to wear their Halloween costumes and trick or treat in each of the classrooms.  We thought Colin was getting a little old for that since it is mostly preschoolers, so he went with Dennis to watch him play dodge ball.

Over the weekend, we were invited to a neighbors for dinner.  They had a few family's over and it was nice to hang out with everyone.  Sunday, Dennis and the kids carved pumpkins.  They all had fun doing it and Colin and Evan were even able to help do some of the carving this year.  They each picked their own designs.

 Tuesday, I took the kids to a costume activity at the Library.  Colin and Evan were in one room doing crafts and games and Logan, Leah and I were in another having a story time.  It was nice to do something a little different this year.  Logan enjoyed the story and the music.  But, he is so serious!  He didn't crack a smile the whole time he was singing and listening, not even when he was dancing.  He is becoming the hardest to photograph because he is always serious once the camera is on him!

Having a girl is such a nice change of pace.  I am enjoying dressing her up...

Fall Break at Lego Land.

Saturday morning we drove up to Schaumberg, Illinois to go to Lego land.  The lego land was a bit smaller than we were expecting, but still a lot of fun.  They had lots of structures made out of legos, a couple rides, a small tour of how legos are made, a 4D movie, and a play area.  The kids really enjoyed it!

After we were done we headed back to the hotel so Leah could nap and the boys could wind down a bit before dinner.  We went to Cheesecake factory at the mall nearby and had a really nice dinner.  Our hotel was a suites place.  It had a kitchen, TV area and 2 bedrooms.  While it was very far from elegant (and I don't know that we would stay there again), it worked for a family of 6 nicely.

Sunday morning we had an excellent breakfast at an amazing pancake place and then headed back home.  It was a fun, quick get away.  The boys were off Friday and today, but Dennis wasn't able to get time off work.  So, today me and the kiddos are just hanging out at home enjoying the day off.

Fridays, Dennis has started up Dodgeball again.  So, he is enjoying that and I have to admit I kind of enjoy Friday nights to myself to watch my shows, enjoy a cup of tea or bowl of ice cream and light a candle.  Dennis says I'm an old lady in a 35 year old body.  But, what can I say, I just enjoy the simple things in life!

Evan Tae Kwan Do

Evan is doing awesome at Tae Kwan Do, he just got word that he is ready to test for green belt at the end of the month!

Yesterday, the boys had their fall parties at school.  They had a blast, wish I could have helped out, but I was home with the little ones.

The boys are on fall break today and Monday so we are heading to Schaumburg, Illinois tomorrow to go to Lego Land and will stay over night at a hotel, should be fun!

Leah is 11 Months Old!!!

Leah is 11 Months old.  At 11 Months, she is pulling up to standing.  She is also crawling all over the place.  My "lazy baby" is no longer lazy.  She is actually very eager to move.  It's hard to contain her and get much cuddle time in these days.  She wants to be on her own.  I have a feeling we have another independent kid (like Logan) on our hands.  She also likes to play with big boy toys or just crawl around searching for even the smallest piece of dirt to put in her mouth.  Everything goes in the mouth these days.

Leah is waving bye bye and also waves for "all done" when she is done eating.  She can say "Dada" and what kind of sounds like "yes", but neither are really used at the appropriate time.  She is pretty chatty and still rarely cries.  She will fuss occasionally if she is starting to get tired, but that's about it.

Leah has 5 teeth now (3 on top, 2 on bottom).  She is eating all table food now (as long as it is small and soft), mostly just feeding herself.  She can use a sippy cup for her water and nurses 4x/day.

She still mostly takes 2 naps, one around 9 and one around 1:30.  But that is flexible depending on what we are doing.  Sometimes she fights one of the naps and only ends up taking one nap.  She surprisingly does just fine with just one nap.  Bedtime is between 7:30 and 8 and she wakes up around 7 or 7:30 most days.

Leah is wearing 6-9 and 9 month clothes these days.  She is really laughing and smiling a lot now.  She adores her Daddy and her big brothers.  She is just so fun right now.