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9.18.2010
Happy Halloween...In September
Each year our campground host Halloween. A hunted house is set up for those brave souls, a costume contest between the kids, hayride, and of course trick or treating from camper to camper. The girls were dressed up like princesses...Snow White and Cinderella. They had a blast and got a TON of candy.
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Defeat of Jesse James Days 2010
Defeat of Jesse James Day 2010 was a crazy day. The girls were to ride in the parade with Grandma Shelley, as the General Chair's Granddaughter.
The weather was AWESOME, not a cloud in sight. The girls look cute and we were ready to go...but as the time got closer to the start of the parade, the more we realized Sydney needed to get to an Urgent Care. She would not use the bathroom and would cry out in pain while doubling over. Minutes before the start of the parade we loaded Sydney onto a golf cart (the only way to get around Northfield during the celebration) and headed to Urgent Care. Cars were passing us by as we put the peddle to the metal...I think we hit 5 miles per hour!!!
Within minutes the Urgent Care got her in and agreed with us that poor Sydney had a bladder infection...they quickly wrote us a prescription and out we went again on the golf cart, to the other side of town to have it filled.
While we were taking care of Sydney, Kendall was sitting in a convertible with Grandma Shelley, waving at all the fans. Well, Kendall didn't actually wave but I bet she looked cute. She must have had a great time as she fell asleep by the end of the parade. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of her in the parade.
Sydney is doing better today and seems to be on the mend. I guess you could say we all rode in a parade this day...us in our own parade as we toured the town of Northfield on our lovely float, the golf cart, while Kendall experienced the real thing~
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9.12.2010
The weather was AWESOME, not a cloud in sight. The girls look cute and we were ready to go...but as the time got closer to the start of the parade, the more we realized Sydney needed to get to an Urgent Care. She would not use the bathroom and would cry out in pain while doubling over. Minutes before the start of the parade we loaded Sydney onto a golf cart (the only way to get around Northfield during the celebration) and headed to Urgent Care. Cars were passing us by as we put the peddle to the metal...I think we hit 5 miles per hour!!!
Within minutes the Urgent Care got her in and agreed with us that poor Sydney had a bladder infection...they quickly wrote us a prescription and out we went again on the golf cart, to the other side of town to have it filled.
While we were taking care of Sydney, Kendall was sitting in a convertible with Grandma Shelley, waving at all the fans. Well, Kendall didn't actually wave but I bet she looked cute. She must have had a great time as she fell asleep by the end of the parade. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of her in the parade.
Sydney is doing better today and seems to be on the mend. I guess you could say we all rode in a parade this day...us in our own parade as we toured the town of Northfield on our lovely float, the golf cart, while Kendall experienced the real thing~
Grandma Shelley, Kendall and Sydney
Kendall enjoying the bag pipes
Sydney
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9.12.2010
Unexpected Hard Ball...
Some times life throws you a hard ball. You can either stand there and let
it hit you...or...jump out of the way.
Not sure if you'd call this a "hard ball" situation...but for us it was, as
it dealt with the two most precious things in our lives, our daughters.
Kendall and Sydney have been going to our current daycare provider since
they were infants. They have fallen in love with her and LOVE going to her
house each work day. Our provider just informed us that she would be
shutting the doors at the end of the month. I was stunned, shocked, had no
words. It was not an easy decision by far on her part and as she told me
she did all she could to hold back the tears. My heart went out to her.
With this told to me on 9/8/2010, and daycare closing on 10/1/2010...I had
to move quickly. That very same night I contacted 3 centers, a montessori
and 3 home day care providers. We learned quickly that the centers and
montessori's were way out of our price range...so I focused in on the home
daycares that offered a preschool curriculum.
After leaving a couple voicemails and waiting half a day (this was a lot
for me...when I set my mind on getting something completed, I get it
completed)...I finally received a call back from the one I really wanted to
hear from. She is a licensed teacher that taught preschool, kindergarten,
and first grade. When her son was ready for preschool, they realized they
could not afford to send their son to preschool nor could they bring him
there each day and pick him up...what many of us run into. So, she decided
to open a home daycare/preschool...that focused on preschool. She has a
very structured day and lots of learning time. She also has an assistant,
which I think is great.
The girls and I stopped by that very same day on our way home. We had a
chance to meet some of the other kids and about 5 parents. I got to talk
to the parents and found that they love it there. Most of them have had
kids there before, but they have moved on to school. What I really like
was seeing the older kids, who have gone on to school, run up to her and
give her a big hug...they obviously loved her. All the parents said that
their kids were ready for Kindergarten and the preschool aspect was more
than they expected.
She had 2 other interviews set up later in the week and she only had two
spots available. Time was NOT on my side, but with all that I saw my gut
said go for it...so I enrolled the girls.
It will be sad and difficult to say goodbye to our current provider.
Things DO happen for a reason and maybe this is what was meant to happen.
The girls are getting to an age where they need a more structured day with
a preschool curriculum. This place will give us everything we need for
their growth.
it hit you...or...jump out of the way.
Not sure if you'd call this a "hard ball" situation...but for us it was, as
it dealt with the two most precious things in our lives, our daughters.
Kendall and Sydney have been going to our current daycare provider since
they were infants. They have fallen in love with her and LOVE going to her
house each work day. Our provider just informed us that she would be
shutting the doors at the end of the month. I was stunned, shocked, had no
words. It was not an easy decision by far on her part and as she told me
she did all she could to hold back the tears. My heart went out to her.
With this told to me on 9/8/2010, and daycare closing on 10/1/2010...I had
to move quickly. That very same night I contacted 3 centers, a montessori
and 3 home day care providers. We learned quickly that the centers and
montessori's were way out of our price range...so I focused in on the home
daycares that offered a preschool curriculum.
After leaving a couple voicemails and waiting half a day (this was a lot
for me...when I set my mind on getting something completed, I get it
completed)...I finally received a call back from the one I really wanted to
hear from. She is a licensed teacher that taught preschool, kindergarten,
and first grade. When her son was ready for preschool, they realized they
could not afford to send their son to preschool nor could they bring him
there each day and pick him up...what many of us run into. So, she decided
to open a home daycare/preschool...that focused on preschool. She has a
very structured day and lots of learning time. She also has an assistant,
which I think is great.
The girls and I stopped by that very same day on our way home. We had a
chance to meet some of the other kids and about 5 parents. I got to talk
to the parents and found that they love it there. Most of them have had
kids there before, but they have moved on to school. What I really like
was seeing the older kids, who have gone on to school, run up to her and
give her a big hug...they obviously loved her. All the parents said that
their kids were ready for Kindergarten and the preschool aspect was more
than they expected.
She had 2 other interviews set up later in the week and she only had two
spots available. Time was NOT on my side, but with all that I saw my gut
said go for it...so I enrolled the girls.
It will be sad and difficult to say goodbye to our current provider.
Things DO happen for a reason and maybe this is what was meant to happen.
The girls are getting to an age where they need a more structured day with
a preschool curriculum. This place will give us everything we need for
their growth.
Parents of the Year
Maybe not after this weekend!
We are always telling the girls to NOT play with doors...those little fingers are always in danger of being crushed. The one door we do tell them to close is the outside door. And I guess Kendall has been listening.
Saturday morning, Grandma Shelley had stepped outside (literally right out the door) to fill up the coffee pot with water. Of course Sydney had to follow and was standing right next to her, looking inside and of course her little fingers were right in the door jam. Within seconds, Kendall got up, ran to the door and slammed it shut. Sydney did pull her fingers away, but not completely as one did get pinched a tad. Very minimal damage and after a good cry, we were all feeling much!
Sunday morning started off just fine, until we decided to take a walk. Again, we are always telling the girls to slow down when they are running...they tend to run faster than their feet will allow. As we were walking, the kids took off in front of us. All was fine until Kendall tripped over her feet and landed with a very loud thump. As Chad picked her up, we saw blood all over her face. Without any thought, I scooped her up and we headed back to the camper. As we were running back to the campground, Kendall says to me "It's raining." I just looked at her and said to myself, no it's not, it's blood. Poor thing. After washing her up a bit and having our "nurse" friends look at her...we decided to head to the ER. More to prevent scarring. The cut itself was a clean straight cut, about 1/2 inch long, right down the middle of her forehead. They glued it up, put some butterfly tape on it...and she was good to go. The worse part of the whole event for Kendall...all she wanted was her sister, which she kept asking for the entire time. The sunglasses she had on at the time of her fall, well let's just say they've seen better days...but they protected her from getting hurt even more.
Thanks to our friends...the Lee's and Krattenmaker's for watching over Sydney while we tended to Kendall.
With Labor Day just around the corner and us taking Friday off for an extra LONG weekend...let's hope we don't have any repeats!
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8.28-8.29.2010
We are always telling the girls to NOT play with doors...those little fingers are always in danger of being crushed. The one door we do tell them to close is the outside door. And I guess Kendall has been listening.
Saturday morning, Grandma Shelley had stepped outside (literally right out the door) to fill up the coffee pot with water. Of course Sydney had to follow and was standing right next to her, looking inside and of course her little fingers were right in the door jam. Within seconds, Kendall got up, ran to the door and slammed it shut. Sydney did pull her fingers away, but not completely as one did get pinched a tad. Very minimal damage and after a good cry, we were all feeling much!
Sunday morning started off just fine, until we decided to take a walk. Again, we are always telling the girls to slow down when they are running...they tend to run faster than their feet will allow. As we were walking, the kids took off in front of us. All was fine until Kendall tripped over her feet and landed with a very loud thump. As Chad picked her up, we saw blood all over her face. Without any thought, I scooped her up and we headed back to the camper. As we were running back to the campground, Kendall says to me "It's raining." I just looked at her and said to myself, no it's not, it's blood. Poor thing. After washing her up a bit and having our "nurse" friends look at her...we decided to head to the ER. More to prevent scarring. The cut itself was a clean straight cut, about 1/2 inch long, right down the middle of her forehead. They glued it up, put some butterfly tape on it...and she was good to go. The worse part of the whole event for Kendall...all she wanted was her sister, which she kept asking for the entire time. The sunglasses she had on at the time of her fall, well let's just say they've seen better days...but they protected her from getting hurt even more.
Thanks to our friends...the Lee's and Krattenmaker's for watching over Sydney while we tended to Kendall.
With Labor Day just around the corner and us taking Friday off for an extra LONG weekend...let's hope we don't have any repeats!
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8.28-8.29.2010What's Happening???
I know, I know...it's been over a month since the last blog...hey life gets busy!
Well it's been a crazy, busy, yet fun summer for our household. We have spent most weekends up at the lake and loved every moment of it. The girls really truly love it. From the moment we wake up Monday morning to the moment we head up to the lake on Fridays, we (and our daycare provider) hear "Go to the camper?" about a million times. Our time up there is mostly spent on the lake. We will usually stop at a each for a few hours, then maybe do some tubing and usually end the day with anchoring in the middle of one of the 14 lakes...where we love to jump off the boat into the water. Yes even Kendall and Sydney enjoy doing this.
Many people ask me, how do you find the time to get it all done or do you ever get burnt out? Well, it's called time management people and priorities. Actually the weekends that we stay home, I find that we actually get less done around the house. I find myself doing the "I have all weekend to get that done." Burnt out...sure, but when we miss a weekend, we realize how much we want to be at the lake.
Knowing how much the girls love it up there, the family time we have together, time spent with some dear friends, and the memories we are creating...I wouldn't change it in a minute.
Other happenings:
With the hail storm that hit us hard about a month ago, we were able to take our insurance check and trade in our old camper for a new 2011 camper. We don't have it yet as they had to order it, but hopefully by mid September we will be living it up in a new camper.
We had Christmas in July up at the camper. The girls were in awe as they saw Santa come in...our nephews, Jack and Dylan were in awe as well as we explained that Santa came in on a jet ski and road a golf cart up to the bar/grill. The awe of Santa came to an abrupt stop when it was time for the girls to receive their presents from Santa...see pic!
Summer is slowly coming to an end. We have one holiday weekend remaining and hopefully we'll have some nice weather in September so we can enjoy the boat a few more weekends. The camper closes October 19th. As we close it down, we'll be counting the months, weeks, days until April 15th when it opens once again.
Think the girls didn't really care too much for Santa.JPG)
Well it's been a crazy, busy, yet fun summer for our household. We have spent most weekends up at the lake and loved every moment of it. The girls really truly love it. From the moment we wake up Monday morning to the moment we head up to the lake on Fridays, we (and our daycare provider) hear "Go to the camper?" about a million times. Our time up there is mostly spent on the lake. We will usually stop at a each for a few hours, then maybe do some tubing and usually end the day with anchoring in the middle of one of the 14 lakes...where we love to jump off the boat into the water. Yes even Kendall and Sydney enjoy doing this.
Many people ask me, how do you find the time to get it all done or do you ever get burnt out? Well, it's called time management people and priorities. Actually the weekends that we stay home, I find that we actually get less done around the house. I find myself doing the "I have all weekend to get that done." Burnt out...sure, but when we miss a weekend, we realize how much we want to be at the lake.
Knowing how much the girls love it up there, the family time we have together, time spent with some dear friends, and the memories we are creating...I wouldn't change it in a minute.
Other happenings:
With the hail storm that hit us hard about a month ago, we were able to take our insurance check and trade in our old camper for a new 2011 camper. We don't have it yet as they had to order it, but hopefully by mid September we will be living it up in a new camper.
We had Christmas in July up at the camper. The girls were in awe as they saw Santa come in...our nephews, Jack and Dylan were in awe as well as we explained that Santa came in on a jet ski and road a golf cart up to the bar/grill. The awe of Santa came to an abrupt stop when it was time for the girls to receive their presents from Santa...see pic!
Summer is slowly coming to an end. We have one holiday weekend remaining and hopefully we'll have some nice weather in September so we can enjoy the boat a few more weekends. The camper closes October 19th. As we close it down, we'll be counting the months, weeks, days until April 15th when it opens once again.
Think the girls didn't really care too much for Santa
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Girls enjoying a candy cane from Santa before the Hayride begins.JPG)
July/August 2010
Well...That's One Way to Feed Your Baby Pony
Last night Chad was working late, so it was just the girls and I. We were
dancing, goofing around, then started to play with their little baby
ponies. Each pony has their own things...one came with a highchair and
food while the other came with a bath tub and supplies. We named each
pony...Pinky (she had pink hair) and Lilac (she was a light purple color).
We fed Lilac in the highchair where she got all messy so then we needed to
give her a bath. After this I asked Kendall if she thought Pinky wanted to
eat. Kendall said yeah Pinky wanted to eat. So Kendall proceeded to
lift up her shirt and says "Where my bubble go? Where my bubble go?" At
this point in time I was still in shock and just stared at her. When she
finally found her "bubble" she put Pinky (these ponies are the size of her
hand) to her "bubble" and fed her. She held her there like it was no big
deal, looking around the room while holding up her shirt with one hand and
the other hand holding on to Pinky while she ate.
I had to look away to hind my laughter...I couldn't believe it. I'm
thinking that she has learned this method of feeding by our daycare
provider as she has a baby and is currently nursing. Too funny what kids
pick up on.
7.20.2010
dancing, goofing around, then started to play with their little baby
ponies. Each pony has their own things...one came with a highchair and
food while the other came with a bath tub and supplies. We named each
pony...Pinky (she had pink hair) and Lilac (she was a light purple color).
We fed Lilac in the highchair where she got all messy so then we needed to
give her a bath. After this I asked Kendall if she thought Pinky wanted to
eat. Kendall said yeah Pinky wanted to eat. So Kendall proceeded to
lift up her shirt and says "Where my bubble go? Where my bubble go?" At
this point in time I was still in shock and just stared at her. When she
finally found her "bubble" she put Pinky (these ponies are the size of her
hand) to her "bubble" and fed her. She held her there like it was no big
deal, looking around the room while holding up her shirt with one hand and
the other hand holding on to Pinky while she ate.
I had to look away to hind my laughter...I couldn't believe it. I'm
thinking that she has learned this method of feeding by our daycare
provider as she has a baby and is currently nursing. Too funny what kids
pick up on.
7.20.2010
Taking Cover
We have all been in a hail storm at one point in our life. But have you ever been in a hail storm that brings "grapefruit" size hail? Well we have not, until this past weekend...and I hope we never experience it again.
The day started out nice and sunny. Chad's sister Katie and family had rented a spot for the weekend. We decided to head out for a couple hours with the kids and head back by lunch. After lunch, Chad's other sister Tricia and kids had shown up. We left the girls behind to nap and loaded up the boat. The clouds were starting to come in, but we figured we'd have plenty of time. While out in the water, it got darker and darker and we started seeing lighting in the distance. The lighting seemed to be far off, so we continue to enjoy the water. As the bad weather seem to get closer, we wrapped things up and was just about to head in.
This is where it got interesting...the boat would not start. So we hauled everyone onto our friends pontoon, hooked the boat up to the jet ski, which hauled us to the dock. Good thing we were just around the corner, so it was not a far distance. By the time Chad, I and JR (he was on the jet ski, hauling us in) arrived at the dock all the other family members were heading to the camper. We tied up the boats and I received a call to get to the bar...the storm was coming.
I ran into the bar while Chad headed back up to the camper to drop off one of our friends so he could be with his family. I looked out the windows of the bar and what I saw was unbelievable. It looked like bombs going off in the lake...EVER WHERE. The hail would hit the water and the water would bounce up like Old Faithful, it was unreal. This is when we decided to run for the bathrooms and take cover.
While the girls, I and the rest of our family stayed in the bathroom, I kept thinking where is Chad? Well, he was in our camper. Not a place to be when you have grapefruit size hail pounding you. He has never heard anything like that before. He was trapped, but his Guardian Angels were definitely watching out for him.
After the storm we headed back up to the camper. Along the way it was a sad state...trees down, branches every where, windows smashed out...it was crazy. Our camper suffered many dents, huge dents, we have a window out, vents out, sheds out, the list goes on. Every car you saw was dented and almost every other car had at least one window out.
We are fairly sure our camper will be totaled. The truck will need some body work. The boat only had a few cushions tore up that we plan to repair ourselves. The weirdest thing...we had started the grill and had turkey breast cooking...the grill never went out!
No one was hurt. Yes we have some things to settle with the camper and the truck...but they are only "things" in our lives. The most important things: us, our family, friends and others are safe!
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Kendall, Elliott, Sydney and Avery
The day started out nice and sunny. Chad's sister Katie and family had rented a spot for the weekend. We decided to head out for a couple hours with the kids and head back by lunch. After lunch, Chad's other sister Tricia and kids had shown up. We left the girls behind to nap and loaded up the boat. The clouds were starting to come in, but we figured we'd have plenty of time. While out in the water, it got darker and darker and we started seeing lighting in the distance. The lighting seemed to be far off, so we continue to enjoy the water. As the bad weather seem to get closer, we wrapped things up and was just about to head in.
This is where it got interesting...the boat would not start. So we hauled everyone onto our friends pontoon, hooked the boat up to the jet ski, which hauled us to the dock. Good thing we were just around the corner, so it was not a far distance. By the time Chad, I and JR (he was on the jet ski, hauling us in) arrived at the dock all the other family members were heading to the camper. We tied up the boats and I received a call to get to the bar...the storm was coming.
I ran into the bar while Chad headed back up to the camper to drop off one of our friends so he could be with his family. I looked out the windows of the bar and what I saw was unbelievable. It looked like bombs going off in the lake...EVER WHERE. The hail would hit the water and the water would bounce up like Old Faithful, it was unreal. This is when we decided to run for the bathrooms and take cover.
While the girls, I and the rest of our family stayed in the bathroom, I kept thinking where is Chad? Well, he was in our camper. Not a place to be when you have grapefruit size hail pounding you. He has never heard anything like that before. He was trapped, but his Guardian Angels were definitely watching out for him.
After the storm we headed back up to the camper. Along the way it was a sad state...trees down, branches every where, windows smashed out...it was crazy. Our camper suffered many dents, huge dents, we have a window out, vents out, sheds out, the list goes on. Every car you saw was dented and almost every other car had at least one window out.
We are fairly sure our camper will be totaled. The truck will need some body work. The boat only had a few cushions tore up that we plan to repair ourselves. The weirdest thing...we had started the grill and had turkey breast cooking...the grill never went out!
No one was hurt. Yes we have some things to settle with the camper and the truck...but they are only "things" in our lives. The most important things: us, our family, friends and others are safe!
Pic of camper about an hour after the storm...
here comes the sun, of course
Hail, about an hour and half after the storm
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We did have some fun
Kendall, Elliott, Avery and Sydney
Kendall, Elliott, Sydney and Avery
Taking a little ride
7.17.2010 - 7.18.2010
Another Potty Training Update
Well we still sit at 50% completion. Yup, no progress with Kendall yet. She knows and she gets it...she just won't do it. Our conversations go like this:
Mommy: Kendall, where do you go potty?
Kendall: In the bathroom
Mommy: Do you want to wear big girl underwear like your sister and go potty in the bathroom?
Kendall: No, I go in my diaper
The funny part is she cheers for her sister when she goes, she will rush to the kitchen and want to see Sydney's M&M's...but has no desire.
My decision is to not push it, but rather give her space and know that one day she will no longer use pull-ups. I know she understands, but just isn't interest, or is it laziness???
7.13.2010
Mommy: Kendall, where do you go potty?
Kendall: In the bathroom
Mommy: Do you want to wear big girl underwear like your sister and go potty in the bathroom?
Kendall: No, I go in my diaper
The funny part is she cheers for her sister when she goes, she will rush to the kitchen and want to see Sydney's M&M's...but has no desire.
My decision is to not push it, but rather give her space and know that one day she will no longer use pull-ups. I know she understands, but just isn't interest, or is it laziness???
7.13.2010
Sisterly Moment
I caught this very special moment during the July 4th weekend and had to share. There was a camper coming in for the weekend and setting up. Both girls ran over to watch, when I saw Kendall's arm go up and hold on to Sydney's shoulder. She was protecting her from going to close and making sure her little sister (by a minute) was safe. In the second picture Kendall bends forward to ask Sydney if she is okay.
Brought tears to my eyes to see the love that they have for one another. To sweet, a must share moment!
Brought tears to my eyes to see the love that they have for one another. To sweet, a must share moment!
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7.1.2010
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