Happy 4th!

This 4th, we met neighbors and friends at the Coralville parade. The kids got a TON of candy, which we don't need! We also got coupons for free kids meals at Chili's, so we went there for lunch afterwards.




Later that night, we met more neighbors at the fireworks in Iowa City. We thought they were going to be rained out, so we decided to go out to eat at a nearby restaurant. Sure enough, as soon as we were walking out of the restaurant, the fireworks began. It couldn't have been planned any better.

The next night, we went across the street for sparklers!

Father's Day

We spent the day cleaning out the garage and putting up new shelving, but hey...at least I remembered to take a picture this year!

Summer Fun

We've been busy filling out our summer reading logs. This summer has been especially awesome, because now Aidan can read to the other two! And I can't believe all the books that Caitlyn will actually sit through. She will sit through a book of any length, as long as it has pictures. Aidan gets points for reading a book (or multiple points if it's a chapter book), and Alex gets points for listening to a book. It's perfect!



On another note, our good friends, Brad and Jen have moved back to Ohio. They lived right across the street, with their 3-year old daughter, Maren. We miss them so much already, but look forward to our trips to the Cinci area!

Alex and Soccer

Alex started playing soccer through the Coralville Park District this spring for the first time. It seemed as though he really enjoyed it, but at the same time, was not very interested in playing. He liked the warm-ups and drills the most, but when the games began he just wouldn't pay much attention. So, we decided to give it a break and try again next year. He does look really cute in shin guards!

A floor full of Scripture

Our new school (Heritage Christian School) is being built right across the street from our house. You can look out our front picture window, and see it. The boys have been so excited as they watch the progress each day. Today, we had the opportunity to go in and write scripture on the floor of the media room. It will eventually be covered with carpet, but what a great idea!

Alex is Four

This was a big birthday for Alex this year. Not only was it his golden birthday, but it also fell on Easter. The next time it falls on Easter, he will be 15 years old.

We spent the afternoon at a local park with friends, eating awesome food and hunting for Easter eggs.


His party was two days later. It was supposed to be at the Par-tee Zone, but they changed their hours and when we arrived, the doors were locked. So we made a quick decision to go to the Children's Museum, followed by lunch and cake at the mall.

I took Alex out for his 4-year pictures, and he was not very cooperative. Hopefully you can't tell from the photos. I never would have thought his 4 year pics would have been more difficult than his 3-year pics.

This last one is one of my favorites. You are so stubborn, yet so adorable at the same time. You will always be my baby, Alex! Happy 4th!

It's Your Thing...

For Aidan's birthday, Alex provided us with a little entertainment...

First Snow

Our first "real" snow came Tuesday, December 8th. That's actually 8 days later than last year.
Santa was going to bring kid-sized shovels for Christmas, but I couldn't wait and the boys got to open an early Chrismas gift! They had a lot of fun at first, but quickly became cold and gave up, so I ended up finishing the driveway and sidewalks by myself! They joined Caitlyn in the van, parked in the garage, watching a movie (I later found out that you should not do this for a long period of time, because your car won't start the next day!).

Brotherly Love

We have a new game we play at the grocery store to keep the boys occupied. I give them a quarter, of which they have to hold in their clasped hands as they walk throughout the store. If they still have the quarter after checkout, they get to use it for the candy machines at the front of the store. This really works well for us, because it helps the boys keep their hands to themselves.

Well, Alex has some trouble keeping his hands clasped while walking. He just can't seem to hang on to that darn quarter.

But, I know we've raised our children well when Aidan, who was concerned for his brother, said the following:
"Alex, if you don't have your quarter at the end, I'll give you mine."

Checkmate

Aidan was teaching me how to play chess today.
He was explaining that whoever gets the other person's king wins the game.
Alex was sitting right next to me.
Before we even began the game,
Alex grabbed Aidan's king, and exclaimed in excitement "I won!"
Game over.

A Potty Blessing

Alex today while sitting on the potty,
leaned forward and clasped his hands together:
"Dear Jesus, thank you for this potty. Amen."

No more diapers for...

Alex!
We tried potty training a couple months ago, with no luck.
We went NOWHERE for 5 days.
We stayed on the hardwood floors.
He just wasn't getting it.
He would sit on the potty for an hour without going.
He would have an accident right after getting off the potty.
He turns 3 and a half on Sunday,
and we really wanted him trained before then.
So we tried again.
This time, we said "who cares".
Who cares if he get the carpet dirty.
Who cares if he has an accident in public.
We went on with our regular week.
And on the third day, he did it!
He made the connection.
No more accidents.
Great job, Alex!

Wilson's

Our favorite apple orchard. We came home with enough apples for apple cider, apple pie, and applesauce. The boys are so excited!

Holy cow, I have a kindergartener!

Aidan was super excited to start kindergarten today at Heritage Christian School. All weekend, he kept saying "I'm so excited, I'm so excited." He went right in, put his things away, and sat down at his desk. He is going three days a week, all day.

Alex also had his first day of school today. I have decided to homeschool him for preschool. He feels like such a big boy when we come home from dropping Aidan off at school and start our school work. Today, he learned about Henri Matisse and his collage "The Snail", and Alex made his own collage. We're following the "What Your Preschooler Needs to Know" book from the Core Knowledge Series, and he loves it!

The Total Gym

I'm upstairs eating breakfast when I realize I hear the tv on downstairs and it doesn't sound like cartoons.

I walk downstairs to see Christie Brinkley on some infomercial.

Me: What are you watching, Aidan?
Aidan: The total gym. It helps you lose weight, mom.
Alex: The total gym. The total gym, mommy.

Needless to say, I turned it off immediately.

Is there such a thing as...

sleep eating?

Alex's 3 Year "Photo Shoot"

It was a crazy windy day, but we got some good shots with a little bribe from the icecream fairy...

Birthdays!

It's been a little while, but I wanted to upload some pictures from Aidan's bday party. He was able to invite 5 friends (since he turned 5) and he picked all girls and one boy! We went to the Par-Tee Zone, where they spent their time climbing through tunnels and playing mini golf. I always enjoy making the kids' cakes...Aidan picked out a race car. Racing is an old obsession of his.

Alex turned 3 on April 4th. His birthday party was a bit bigger, since he doesn't really have friends of his own. We invited our neighbors and friends over for a big bash. Alex decided he wanted a baseball cake for his 3rd birthday.

Opening presents

Blowing out the candles

The messy face afterwards

Oh...and Brian celebrated his birthday right in the middle of the boys (March 23). We have a lot of spring birthdays around here!