Pin Store...

Last year sometime we took the kids bowling. Landon has talked about it ever since. He is obsessed with anything bowling. For a long time he called it the "pin store". It took us about a month to realize he really meant the bowling alley. When we told Landon we were going bowling on Saturday he was so excited he could hardly stand it. First stop? Shoes. Little bowlers get to wear their own. Jack used the metal guard rail to get his ball down the lane.

Kennedy and Ethan waited patiently for their turns while watching the balls come through the shoot. Landon started out using the guard rail but felt he was "too old" for it. This video shows how he reacted every time he bowled. Hilarious.

It took a little over an hour to play one game. We thought about playing another but decided Dairy Queen was the better option at that point. Landon, however, was very upset. He burst into the most hysterical tears I've ever seen.We had to man handle him just to get him out of his bowling shoes and into his own. He just kept running over to where his ball was, looking up at the screen and saying, "But it says it's my turn again!" We dragged him out crying with promises to return again soon. I guess we've found his passion in life.

Tough...

Today when Landon got himself dressed he came running out of his room super fast. He yelled "today I'm wearing my fighting clothes!" I inquired as to why. "So I can fight Jackson when he gets home". Sounds like a logical reason to me.

Moving Out and Dressing Up...

Presley is officially in her own crib now. I love not having her in my room. Not that she isn't connected to the monitor that now sits on my nightstand, but she is still down the hall. Now all that cute bedding is being utilized.Since Landon has been potty trained, he tends to run out of pants. When he has an accident I'm none the wiser because he takes care of it without telling me. For a few days he was seen in numerous outfits. I usually didn't notice. Except when the outfit he put on resembled this.

He figured that since he'd worn all his pants he'd just use pajama bottoms. And the new socks need to be pulled up all the way or they just aren't right. Nice.

Ringin' It In....

We rang in the new year with the Fields this year. We all decided they could put their girls to bed in our basement bedroom so we could play games until the wee hours of the morning.

True to Katherine, she represented with the food. Chocolate fondue was a hit. Kennedy and Frannie dipped more than they ate, while the rest of us just ate. I made a vegetable tray to curb my hunger, but the fondue was tempting enough that I indulged.

We put the kids to bed at 9:30 and talked the night away. Once we realized it was midnight we broke out this fabulous game:

Sequence. Now added to my list of addictions. Slow paced, or fast, whichever way you like it. Around 2:00 am the Fields decided they needed to go home. We probably would've played all night. But we would have regretted it in the morning.

After a good nights sleep, and a lazy afternoon, we all headed over to the Fields house. Katherine decided to duplicate a tradition of Ashley's----homemade manicotti. Mmmm. I'm glad it was us that got to participate in this new tradition. Then Shawn and I decided we would challenge Katherine and Bobby to a game of sequence. The night before it was girls against boys. (After playing connect 4 at home, Shawn agreed I was a worthy partner.) After about an hour the kids were wrestless. Why don't kids like their parents to have a good time? Thanks Bobby and Katherine for letting us ring in 2009 in your presence. It was great. And I'm practicing sequence. Next time Shawn's in town we'll have to challenge you again. This time we won't bring our kids.

Antics...

My kids often amaze me with their sense of humor. I actually often overlook some of the things they do because I'm too busy to pay attention. Then I find something that they've previously done that cracks me up. Like last night. I had ordered pizza for the kids and went to pick it up. When I walked in the door Kennedy said "Now I can wear my name tag". I just kept doing what I was doing and didn't pay attention. Today on my way into her bedroom I saw the name tag lying on the floor, so I picked it up. I laughed out loud. It read "Hello. My name is I'm hungry for pizza". Crazy girl. I wish I could go back to last night and enjoy it in the moment. She is actually a pretty clever girl and comes up with things like this all the time.
Landon has some pretty crazy thoughts in his little head. I wish I could be inside his mind for a few minutes just to see life how he sees it. Yesterday I was making lunch for everyone. Landon said (these are his words, not mine) "Kennedy can cook a little because she has little boobs. Mom, you can cook a lot because you have big boobs." Apparently there is a correlation between chest size and the ability to cook. And notice that all males are eliminated. Hmmm. I guess that shows who does most of the cooking in this house.

Days...

I'm blogging upstairs in my bed. Yep. I said in my bed. Shawn got a laptop for Christmas and we are now wireless. I feel like we are finally catching up to the rest of the world technology wise. All that is left is to get a texting plan on our phones. Not until June. By then there might be something even more ingenious than texting. Who knows. I love the portability of wireless. Who would have thought.
I haven't been blogging a lot lately because I don't really feel like anything I've done has actually been blog-worthy. I've kind of been in a rut. I actually would go as far as saying that I have not been enjoying my life. I've felt a lot like Bill Murray in Groundhogs Day, only the stuff I was repeating was feeding, cleaning, cooking, cleaning, washing, and wiping. Day after day. Feeling like I'm alone raising my kids is hard. I didn't sign up for this. Then the Saturday before Christmas Shawn sent me out of town shopping without kids. He had the weekend off and let me take a much needed break. I came home ready to conquer this week with school being out of session. Only Shawn has actually been around a lot. Surgeons aren't really doing elective surgeries and there haven't been too many emergencies, so he's been home. I forgot how much easier it is to be a parent when the burden is shared. It's actually enjoyable. When I feel frustrated because so and so did this, he's there to evaluate the situation with me. Nice. I can actually raise these people without raising my blood pressure. Or being committed. It has given me a glimpse of what life might actually be like when he is done with this residency and has a real job. I can't wait. But first I have to get through the next 3 months. They don't get any experience with cardiac anesthesia here, so he needs to leave. 3 months. He won't be home until April. Bleh. We might be able to see him some weekends, but it's still unknown if that will be a reality. I know I'm capable, I've made it this far, but man. Life sure is much better when there is a Dad at home. If you call and I don't answer, it's because I've locked myself in the closet and forgot to bring the phone in with me.
Presley rolled over today. Stomach to back. I was giving her tummy time (apparently required now) and she just rolled over easy peasy. Like she'd been doing it for years. After 4 times I got out the video camera. Of course that is when she decided she'd rather be on her stomach. So no video of this one. Maybe I'll catch her in the act some other time. She is laying beside me and now thinks she needs some attention. I don't think the portability of this thing is going to make me Mother of the Year.

Kennedy's Two Babies....

I often think Kennedy thinks of Presley as her toy. She has a doll equal in size that even cries when it isn't being treated properly. Now she just likes to lay them together and watch. Sometimes Presley just holds the doll and amuses Kennedy.And other times Presley looks at the doll like this:I think it's funny that Kennedy has this take on her sister. I have to give her credit for being a good Mommy. She actually enjoys changing Presley's diaper, and even requests to do so. Nice. She is also very good at putting her in her pajama's when necessary. I can't wait until Presley is old enough to leave Kennedy in charge. Oh the freedom that will present me with. One day, one day.