Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

Today Liz and I worked on getting a train track setup on the train table. The train table was moved upstairs to the boys room a while ago. It was in the closet first and then when the boys got bunk beds it came out. It has been used to host parties and much more. Liz had fun helping me set it up and then being the first one to take the train for a trial run. Soon Alex joined us and finally Zach. Chugga chugga choo choo!!!

Going to the Zoo

We took yet another trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo. This time it was with Jeremy's family...Nana and Papa...Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Brent...and the girls-Mackenzie, Morgan and Maddie. The last time/first time we went to the zoo as a whole family it was well before Jeremy and I had kids...so a very long time ago.
The zoo does NOT get old for the kids. They love going. We try to let the kids...all the kids...lead us in what to see. This trip to the zoo included a train ride and a try at the carousel again. They all did great with both esp considering they were at the end of the day and they were tired.
Here is Alex and daddy on the train...
Here is Zach and me on the train...

Liz rode train in the car with Nana, Papa and Mackenzie...

Alex chose the giraffe (no surprise there)...it is one of two animals that does not move on the carousel...he said he was going to ride a moving one next time...

Liz got on a horse...unfortunately I could not get a shot of Zach from where I was with Liz.

What a great day it was. The kids had a blast! Treating ourselves to a family zoo pass was such a great idea and we have used it a lot and the kids have enjoyed each time.

Reading, Drawing & More Reading

So with the start of the school year and the kids still attending daycare, Wednesday is the only morning we do not have to run. Luckily our community library hold storytime twice a week for free. One of those times is on Wednesday's morning, so it took a week or so to get it as part of our routine but we did it. Every storytime we go to we check out new books. The kids have lots of books at home but getting them from the library is way cooler. We try to read them before bed or whenever we have some quiet/sit down time. They each have their own way to pick out books...it can be the color of the book or what is on the cover or how big the book is or theme.
I took some pictures of daddy reading to the kids. This first picture actually was quite dark due to my camera being on it's last leg so I did some messing around with it to lighten it up...why work so hard on it...Zach's face is too precious not to share it...
It is amazing how things change...we have always had a rocker in the living room, so it has been in many pictures. The kids definitely fill it up now!

The other thing we have been doing new is using our dry erase board...they have one at school, so now it is all the rage. The kids practice their letters and making smiling faces and just doodling.

Alex's board time...

Liz's board time...

Zach's board time...

Jeremy got this picture tonight...I wondered if my kids would ever enjoy reading books, not just destroying them. They love them now! We enjoy them reading to us as well as us reading to them.

Are You Ready for Some Football!!!

The goal today was to get the load of wood thrown in and do it prior to the Packer game starting. Thankfully my dad stopped by and lending a helping hand. We got it in and done by 11:55am...kickoff was at Noon. Although it is hard to sit and watch a game especially when there is always work to be done. Lucky for us Mother Nature helped us out with a little rain and not only did she do that but she held off until all the wood was in. So we all came in and it was time for some football.
When Jeremy walked into the living room this is what he saw...
Then everyone got comfy...

Two peas in a pod...I can see it now...I will need 3 recliners for the men in our family esp for football season...lol.

Just a quick FYI...we did not tell them to pose like this or even direct them to sit that way...this is ALL their doing.

We Built This City...

Tents are all the rage in our house. Tonight after supper the kids built a tent city. It was cute to watch them go into their own tent and then come out get some toys and go back in. The tents had to be fixed quite a few times but they had a blast. I see a lot more tent cities in our future. My sister Jackie and I were pros at making tents and I loved making them. It was nice to see them enjoy such a simple activity like I use to. Who knows maybe one time I will be caught in one...lol.
Zach looking sly...

Alex headed out for a toy...

Liz straightening her section...

Uh-oh...Zach what happened???

"You're Not My Best Friend Anymore"

Anyone who has a little girl knows or will know eventually the drama that goes along with having a little girl. Today Liz threw a tantrum today at naptime. She eventually fell asleep. I came downstairs and began to relax on the couch. About half hour after Liz went to sleep she came downstairs. She came into the living room looked at me as I was looking at her. She quickly put her head down, told me I was not her best friend anymore (a phrase used often when life is not going their way) and proceeded to hide along side the chair. I let her be for a bit and then checked on her to find her fast asleep. When the boys woke up they asked why Liz was sleeping there. Very funny!

Making it a Family Event

We found out at the beginning of the month that Jeremy would not be able to get wood for the heating season this year due to his back issues. Thankfully his dad was able to provide us with some wood. Yesterday the boys took a trip across the state to get the first load. Today we got the tractors ready and the trailer parked close to the house and began the process. The kids were so excited to help. I went out and got them their own wood/gardening gloves. To work we went.
Here is Alex checking out grandpa's tractor and splitter...
Liz pretending to drive daddy's tractor...

Zach checking on the wood in the basement...

Daddy went to the basement to make a little more room...kids making sure he takes it easy...

Alex ready to push a piece down the chute...

...and there it goes!

Zach loving every minute...

...and there his goes!

Liz carrying a log to the chute...

ready...set...

go!

Although having them helped took extra time, it was a lot of fun to do this as a family. Hopefully in a few years they will be as willing as they were today to help. :)

A Girls Day

Today was Liz's first gymnastics class. I signed her up for the class thru the local Park & Rec Dept. Trying to give her something of her own. Also to give her and me some alone time.
Jeremy was planning on taking the boys and heading across the state to pick up our beef as well as get some wood, so Liz and I had some girl time planned. I grabbed some of her craft items and we headed to my craft room.
I did not get much done as I was watching her have fun creating things and being so proud of them. I gave her own table, which is my grandma's old sewing maching & table. Here she is at her work station...
Working very careful to put some glue down...

Working on making a cow that I cut with my cricut machine (I am in love with it...lol)...

Ta-Da! She was very proud of all of her creations...

Put an old cork board of mine up for her to hang up her creation...here she is admiring it.

It was so nice to have some girl time and be able to share my hobby with her. I can actually see me being able accomplish some work with a helper. The possibilities are endless.

1st Day of Preschool

So it has started...the kids' school career! Can't believe they are starting school already!!!
We have enrolled them in a 3k program. It is a local lutheran church that is only 5 minutes from our house. They have VERY reasonable tuition...in fact we were shocked when we were told how much it would be. The program is focused on preparing the kids for 4k, which is what kindergarten use to be. Kindergarten nowadays is not about naps, snacks, playtime and beginning to learn...it is about much more and that is why a lot of parents are choosing to hold back their kids until they are older to start.
So today was their first first day of school. Daddy went into work late to be able to enjoy this milestone with them. We did pictures of him with the kids and then he headed to work and I got the kids to school. We had an open house late last week to show the kids their classroom and to introduce them to their teacher, so they knew where they were going and were comfortable.
I must say I was not prepared for this day to go so smoothly. I think a lot of credit goes to having them in daycare. I know the open house helped as well as the excitement of going to school. I had absolutely no whining, crying, tantrums/fits, complaining...nothing, nothing but excitement.
They could not get to the school's door fast enough and then were super excited to find their hooks to hang their school bags. I had to ask for hugs as they started to walk away from me. Talk about making me feel great...the tears I shed were for my babies growing up. They make me so proud!
Alexander and daddy
Elizabeth and daddy

Zachary and daddy

Daddy with the crew

Alexander and mommy

Elizabeth and mommy

Zachary and mommy

Me and my babies

Zach and Liz running to the door...couldn't take pictures fast enough...Alex did walk beside me...

Not the greatest picture since they did not want to wait for me to get a nice one...

This is what they handed out to the mommies (and a few daddies) dropping off their kids...I scored three of these...lol.