Hailey Joy

All dressed up and ready to go! Hailey was invited to a "red carpet" birthday party complete with security guards, awards, and cameras. I don't have to worry about her wanting to look like this all the time because there was lots and lots of complaining about the time it took to do the hair and make-up.

Hailey and Julia all ready for Ilse's party.

Hailey completed her final session in gymnastics. We have decided to take a break from it and are looking forward to summer softball.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day 2011!

Playing with Kensie

Above are the kids spoiling and absolutely loving baby Kensie at my parents. We made a last minute decision to go back "home" this past weekend to break up the normal routines of the cold winter months. We had dinner at Dars Pizza and talked Ginnie and Wil into allowing us to have Kensie all day Saturday. The kids loved having her around. Hailey seemed to hog her the most followed by Carter. He kept saying "Just put him down, let him walk". (Not sure why he continuously referred to her as him, but he would not listen to the pronoun teachings.)

It also happened to be alumni weekend at Southwest Christian where Mike and I both attended 4 years of high school; a very frightening 15 years ago! We both played in the alumni basketball games in the afternoon and managed not to get injured. I was a very fun and relaxing weekend.

A Field Trip with Taylor

I was able to go on a field trip to the Minnesota Orchestra Hall last week with Taylor and her classmates from St. Stephen's. I was so impressed with the trip and what the kids all learned about music. They explored different instruments and the families that they belong to and even got to try out a few to see what it was like. What a wonderful opportunity to hear professional musicians play stories for the kids and explain how music can be so many different things.

My little puppies

One of my most favorite things about having kids is when they come up with something to play that I wouldn't have thought of myself in a million years or even suggested to play. Hailey had a play date with her friend Sonja and before I knew it my house sounded like a pound. They made themselves dog houses equipt with food, pillows, and blankets and were crawling around the floor barking for hours.

Keeping Busy

Taylor and Carter both had their 5 year and 3 year well child checks at the pediatrician this week. Poor Taylor needed to get all of her vaccines before kindergarten. Both kids are so healthy and developing right on track. Taylor measured in at 47 in. placing her at >97% and weighed 50 lb. putting her at 90%. She is really showing us that she is ready for school next year. She is now sounding out small words and her handwriting is coming along quite nicely. She is really into games right now and loves when we get to sit down to a good card or board game during Carter's nap time.

Carter weighed in at 36 lb. putting him at 80% and his height was 39 in. placing at 75%. Carter was lucky enough that he didn't need any shots but was jealous to see all of the extra attention that Taylor got following her vaccines and promptly asked for some "shots too". Carter seems to be focused more on gross motor skills. He is great at jumping, biking, climbing, and balancing but had very little time to learn colors, letters, or draw a circle. His speech has improved a great deal and will continue speech therapy for another year to improve his articulation focusing on clear 3-4 word sentences. We have had some problems recently with his left arm popping out of the joint. He now knows what is happening when it goes out and cries "arm in joint."

The weather outside has been, well, probably normal for this time of the year, but has really been taking its toll on our mental health. Yesterday we spent the evening rearranging the kids' rooms....they found it to be very exciting.

Sometimes this weather just calls for some good imagination.

They really love each other (and the DSi).

A Walhof Weekend

My sister and her family made the trip up here from Sioux Center, IA this past weekend. We packed in lots of activities and good food into a short time. The kids played really well, but sleep was hard to come by for them. We spent Saturday morning at the Science Museum of Minnesota where the kids enjoyed lots of hands on learning.
Weaving with naturally dyed wool

Damon the scientist

Shadows

The circumference of a dinosaur's digestive system

Carter's favorite place: Dinosaurs!!!

The evening news with Makenna, Hailey, and Taylor

Taylor examining the sands from different continents

A Fellowship Party

We hosted a Cardiology Fellowship Holiday Party a couple of weeks ago at our home. The highlight for the kids was Rock Band.