Mission: NOT accomplished

It was a gorgeous weekend and we decided to be spontaneous by planning our first camping trip with the kids. We decided Friday night when we were in bed that we would go the next day. So, when they were napping we packed up the car with all we needed for a quick trip and I found a campsite that was only 45 minutes away.We stopped at Chick-fil-a for dinner. We wanted to avoid having to pack food, dishes and the stuff required to cook over a fire. We got the the campground and knew almost as soon as we got there that we would not be staying the night. The tent sites were on the point reaching out to the lake. There was a really gusty wind and the other tent that was set up was almost blowing over.
If we had been able to get the tent set up, it would have been very hard to actually sleep. So, we played on the playground (notice how hard the wind is blowing their hair). Then we ate dinner. Finally, we drove home.

When we got home we made s'mores in the fireplace.

The kids thought that it was a lot of fun and of course they were delicious.

So, even though we did not get to go on our first camping trip, we were able to make some great memories.

safety vs fear

Katherine is curious, smart and has quite an imagination. Several times in the last few weeks, there have been situations and questions that I have not quite known how to answer.

When climbing a tree in our front yard, Katherine saw some ants. I told her to be careful because ants can bite. We talked about ants and how to avoid ant piles. She was then scared to walk on the sidewalk where there were a few ants even though she had shoes on. I tried to reassure her that if she was careful ants are not a problem. That night and the next day she would get a sad look or even cry a little and tell me that "I am sad because I am thinking about ants."

Another situation was yesterday when Katherine was on her bed and said she was scared because she was thinking about fire and that she did not want there to be a fire. We had a long discussion about what she should do if there was a fire. I told her about how she should not hide so that mommy, daddy or a fireman could find her. I told her how to crawl on the floor so that she would not breathe smoke. We discussed how mommy and daddy would look for her and come get her if there was a fire. We tested the fire detectors so she would know what they sound like. She had fun crawling from her room to the den to the back door. But, later she said she was scared of if there would be a fire.

Several months ago we started cautioning her about strangers and she knows that sometimes people take kids.

So, I wonder what the best way to teach my kids safety in situations without causing them to be afraid. I think it is important for her to know what to do but what is age appropriate. If any other parents out there have any suggestions or ideas you have used with your children, I would love to hear them.

First day of spring?!?!

This has been the craziest winter as far as weather goes. We usually don't get snow or if we do it does not stick. This year we have had snow 4 times and it has been deep enough to play in 3 of those times. The crazy thing about this 4th snow storm is that it was on the 1st day of spring and it was about 70 degrees both the day before and the day after.

After church we went to a large park with a big hill so we could go sledding and really plan in the snow. As soon as we got out of the car, Katherine ran to lay down and make a snow angel.
During the last storm, my parents gave me my childhood sled. We were the only people at the hill with a sled with runners. It actually worked the best, especially since there was a lot of steering involved to avoid the trees.
Katherine loved it and wanted to go over and over. Now for all of you northerners, don't make fun of our snow storm. i know that there are large patches of grass but this was still a big deal for us and our sledding worked just fine.
Also, don't laugh at my hat. I actually could not find mine so while getting the kids bundled up I put on Caroline's hat. It was not until we were there for 20 minutes that I realized how silly I mush look with a toddler hat on. Don't worry, she had a hood with fur trim but I still took it off and put it on her.

Caroline has enjoyed the snow more each time but she was not sure what to think about sledding.

Daddy got his chance too. He and Katherine had a harder time since he is heavier than I am and the snow was not that deep.
You can see here the trees at the bottom of the hill.
Next we enjoyed making snowballs. Katherine thinks it is a lot of fun to thrown them but does not like it when they are thrown at her.

Katherine wanted to go down the long hill but it was not really steep enough. I got a good jog by pulling her in the sled down the hill.

Then I pulled both girls. The slope was very gentle so it was not easy.
On the way home Katherine asked, "Mommy is it Christmas?" I told her "no". She said, "But mommy, it is snowing so it must be Christmas!"
My kids will be so disappointed when next winter is back to normal and we have no snow. I am so glad we were able to enjoy it this year.

Trolley ride

Last week was Spring Break. It is amazing how many activities took a week off even at the preschool level. We had a fun week getting together with friends whose schedules don't usually match up with ours.

Lynette and I used to hang out with our older two kids more often but her family has moved across town where it takes a bit more effort so we do not get together as often. We decided to meet in uptown to ride the antique trolley.

It was not quite as exciting to the kids as we had hoped. It does go pretty slowly. Next time we will get off at the end and go to a museum rather than ride the entire route at once.

Somehow we got all 4 kids in a photo. Katherine and Caedmon are about 3 months apart but they are in different classes at church. Libby is 3 weeks older than Caroline so they do get to play together at church.

We tried to get the kids to all sit on the bench while we found our keys. Not a single one was sitting still.
After the trolley ride we went to a popular restaurant that serves hot dogs and really yummy ice cream so of course it was a hit with the preschool set.
We ended the day at a really fun playground. That was the highlight for the kids but neither Lynette nor I took any photos.

Playground day

A few weeks ago the girls and I went to a preschool activity similar to MOPS at another church. It was a beautiful day and about 15 moms and their kids stayed to eat lunch and play. We were there for at least 2 hours. It was a fun afternoon.



I love the intent look on Katherine's face as she rides the horse.

What a silly girl!
They climbed up and down this thing for a very long time. Of course Caroline kept needing help.

20 months

Caroline, you are such a precious girl. This month we are starting to really see your personality. You are such a sweet girl and have a fun sense of humor. You are also showing a stubborn streak but you are still so sweet.
You are talking all the time and a constant chatterbox. You have a huge vocabulary and really good articulation. Katherine constantly is having you repeat words. She is your little teacher kind of like I would teach Uncle Will when we were kids. Some of your newer words are "fresh" (after a diaper change), "pep up" (dress up), "petzel", "oh-gurt", "ay ul" (Ariel), and "spit" which is said as you take a break brushing your teeth.
You have also started to call a lot of people by name. We spent the day with Daddy's family and you say "Gammy" (Grammy), "Dad dad" (grandad) and repeated all of your aunts, uncles and cousins names. You have learned a lot of Katherine's friends names as well - Elise, Emma and Grace.
This month we had some huge sleeping issues. You began to wake up several times a night. We would go in to snuggle with you or I would nurse you. You would fall asleep and then when we would get up to put you in your crib you would yell "no" and squirm or grab me. It did not matter what time it was or how asleep you had been you would then start to talk very clearly saying things like "book", "light", "hungry", "eat", "walk" and "my bed" which means mommy's bed. That is what you really wanted, to sleep with mommy and daddy. Well, after getting your ears checked and finding out that you are perfectly well, we let you cry it out. The pediatrician said it usually takes 3 nights and you are so stubborn that it took you 6 but you have been sleeping through the night again for a few nights.

You love to play pretend and you love your baby dolls. You had so much fun changing their diapers. Look at how you do it exactly like mommy does it. You really show your compassion and tenderness when you are playing with your baby dolls.

You are still a great eater. You actually eat a lot better than Katherine does. Today you ate some of my tomato soup and happily tried mushrooms. You also loved trying corn on the cob but did not like getting it stuck in your teeth. We are in a rut with breakfast and you are getting tired of eggs and English muffins.

We have had a lot of beautiful spring days and we are enjoying the back yard and our swing set. You love it when Katherine swings you. Now though you want to go on the big swing. I let you sit on it but you don't get pushed very high. You like to scare mommy on purpose by holding on and leaning back as you say "whoa, whoa".

You are climbing on everything. I have found you numerous times on the bathroom counter with the water full blast. You have even left the water on and left the bathroom. You climb every part of most playgrounds and I have been shocked both by your bravery and your skill. Luckily you have not tried to climb out of your crib.
You absolutely idolize Katherine and imitate whatever she does. It is so cute. It can sometimes be frustrating because she is allowed and capable of doing things that you cannot do. We are also working on the example that she sets for you.

You want to be a big girl so bad. You hate your high chair or even a booster chair and only want to sit in a big girl chair. You insist on using silver ware even with food that usually is eaten with fingers.
You are becoming more and more interested in the potty. You will sometimes ask to sit on it and I let you but you have yet to actually use it. When on the toilet you point out everything and identify it by name. I am not ready to actually start the potty training process but I know it is coming soon.
You finally love to read and I really enjoy that. You pick out lots of books every night.

You have several friends but your very best friend is your sister. I love seeing you all play together.