Fall Activities

Fall has arrived here. Actually, I think winter has arrived. The kids have worn their heavy coats the last couple of days. Anyway, before that, we were enjoying some lovely fall weather. The leaves have changed color and started falling to the ground. Which meant we had to rake the yard. Luckily, the kids in the neighborhood plus our own wanted to help.



But you can't rake leaves without jumping in them.





I took Beka and Jared to pick out pumpkins the other day. Instead of carving them, we decided to paint them. Beka started out making a face and then just decided to decorate. Jared used the "polluck" method. He took two paintbrushes and just whipped the paint on there.





And I don't know where they got this idea. But suddenly, Beka started doing headstands on the couch and Jared followed.

Florida Vacation - Orlando

During the last few days of our vacation, we went to Orlando. We took the children to Sea World. It was the perfect place to take my two. We visited all the animals in about 4 hours.
One of our first stops was the stingrays and the kids tried to feed them.


The stingrays are kept in the big pool you see above and they just keep swimming around and around.

Then we saw the dolphins. I think those animals were Beka's favorites.


We also saw manatees....



...and sharks.



We made it to two of the shows. We went to the Shamu show and in my opinion it was overrated. There is only so much a killer whale can do. The other show was one with dolphins in it. It was awesome! There were divers, dolphins, and birds. The kids really enjoyed see in all the performers do their tricks.

We spent the next day in the pool at the hotel. The children did fine on the flight back too. When you ask Jared about vacation, his first response: "We flew on a big AIRPLANE!" So I am assuming that was his favorite part. Overall, it was a great time. Jared and Daddy really bonded more while we were there.

This and That

We have been so busy around here. The kids are growing up so much so fast.

Jared is talking almost as much as Beka now. He is still not doing any better about her going to preschool. The whole while she is gone I hear him whine: "I go preschool." "I big boy." I really do wish there was someway to send him too.

Beka is, of course, loving preschool. Surprisingly, she is the most popular girl in class. Everyone wants to play with her. She gets drawings and hugs from the other children before we leave. She is always very gracious about it though. She worried me a little when she came home and told me: "Mason likes my hair in a ponytail so I need to wear it that way." Fortunately, by the next preschool day she had forgotten that. Mason is the only boy in her class.

Andrew and I have been busy too. We are looking at houses. I know it is a surprise. I really never expected to move from where we live now. We have decided though to try to get in a neighborhood that has better schools for the kids. The school district here is changing all the schools into community K-8 schools. This change means that our children would go to a school with very low, below the state average, ISAT scores. I just don't like that idea. We looked into private schools, but they're just way too expensive in Peoria. So, that change has added some stress and taken away some of our time. Hopefully, house hunting will go smoothly.

Soaking Wet

We had a small sandbox in the backyard.  Well, after so many times of rain getting into it, the sand is gone.  Now yesterday it rained and water collected in what used to be the sandbox.  Beka and Jared decided it would be fun to play in.  It started out innocently enough with them taking shovels and scooping the water into buckets to then water the grass.  The activity ended with them pouring buckets of water over each others head until they were soaked through.  They kept asking if they were wet yet.  I ended up stripping them and sending them straight into the tub.  They were so wet.

I was just having a conversation with my children about what to have for lunch that made me laugh. Sometimes I like to tease them about what we will eat when they won't tell me what they want.

Mommy: "I think we should have worms for lunch."
Beka and Jared: "NO!"
Mommy: "How about some beetles then?"
Beka: "No, Mommy, we eat people food."
Mommy: "Okay then we will eat feet. Feet are people food."
Beka "No, no I want real food."
Then Jared pipes up with: "Guys, guys, guys, calm down a little bit."

He was so sincere. He acted like we were fighting.

And then he cracks up laughing at us. It was just too cute.

All About Beka

Beka made this poster for preschool. They are going to put it in a book so all the students can learn about one another. Beka picked everything that is on it herself. She has her family and her favorite princesses. (Although all the princesses are her favorites, we couldn't find pictures of all of them.) Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is one of her favorite books right now. Yellow has always been her favorite color. On the day we made the poster, pizza was her favorite food. As an afterthought, she decided to add the glitter glue in the corner because she likes to decorate things. It was a really fun project to do with her. I am waiting to see how her favorites change over the years.

First Day of Preschool

Beka had her first day of preschool today.  She was so excited.  Beka went to the same school for about two months last year, so she knew the routine.  She was all smiles.


Jared, on the other hand, started out happy for his sister.


But after we left her at school, the tears started.  Jared made his feelings very clear.  "I waaaannnntttt my Beeeeekkkkkaaaa."   "I love my Beka, where is she?"  Once we picked her up, he was back to his happy self.  I guess we will have to see how the year goes.
As for Beka's day, she was a good helper and made new friends.  She can't wait to go back on Thursday.

New Look

Sorry, I haven't posted much lately. It seems like whenever something exciting happens to blog about the camera is nowhere to be found. For example, we were driving home for church on Sunday when we saw a flock of geese just standing on the football field of the school by our house. There had to be at least 20 geese all just standing around. But who takes their camera to church with them? Well, from now on me! And then that night, we went to the mall. The hobby store was sponsoring RC car races on the dirt track that had been set up. Jared was enthralled. He kept trying to get closer and closer to the cars. But alas, once again...no camera. So I have decided that I am starting a new fashion fad. I am going to just velcro the camera to me. Problem solved.

Also, I changed the look of the blog a little. I, basically, just wanted to see if I could do it. Let me know what you think.

Visit to Wildlife Prairie State Park

Yesterday, our neighbor and I took all four children to Wildlife Prairie State Park. The park has animals in their natural habitat and that are native to Illinois. The kids had fun looking at the animals, plus it tired them out for the day. We saw bears, bobcats, coyotes, and goats just to name a few.


After walking the park, we took the time for one last group picture.


We had a fun time. I hope to do it again sometime.

Electric Bicycle

My husband has a new obsession project. Well, I guess it is not new. He has been working on it for about a year off and on.

The bike has two batteries and other assorted gizmos and gadgets. (yes, those are the technical terms) Last I heard he had gotten up to around 40 mph. Now I support his obsession project wholeheartedly. Tinkering around with the bike gives him time to clear his mind. I just never expected him ride it in public. Doesn't he look so cute?

Sidewalk painting

Recently, the children decided to paint the sidewalk. I mixed together cornstarch and water and then added some food coloring. Beka and Jared painted the sidewalk. When the mixture dries, it looks like you painted with chalk. Beka and Jared loved painting, and they learned about mixing colors and shapes.


(notice the handprint) (who needs a paintbrush)

(the finished product) (I am not sure whose footprint this is)

Back in Business

My loving ever wonderful husband fixed my computer last night. I am doing the happy dance here. I am going to try to get some pictures ready for a post tonight.

Computer Problems

Just wanted to let everyone ( probably two or three of you) that check regularly, that my computer is having problems. Something about the inner workings of it. Therefore, I will not be posting until it gets fixed. Hope I won't be gone too long.

It's Raining........

Okay, that title might be an exaggeration. It rained here for about 20 minutes this morning. It was wonderful to see the rain coming down though. Beka and Jared wanted to go out on the porch and feel the rain. But, of course, my children could not stop at just staying on the porch. So, what does Mommy do? She grabs the camera and gets a picture of their rain dance.

Fun in the pool

The children have been playing in the pool in the backyard lately. They have such fun in the water. A plus for Mommy is that they play really nicely together in it too. I am always pleased when they can share a space without fighting.

Beka enjoys splashing and jumping into the pool.



Jared just enjoys being in the water.

Mini Car Wash

Today, I put the children to work washing the car.  It was just too hot outside to do anything that didn't involve water
 







In the end, they both had so much fun that when the car was done, they moved onto their bikes.
 

Spoiling Time

I took the children to visit their grandparents over the last couple of days. It was a time full of playgrounds, walks, special treats, and lots of swinging. It was really nice to catch up with what everyone is doing. We were only gone for a couple of days, but we managed to see everyone. The kids even got to go to one of their favorite places. It is an indoor playgroundwith slides, ziplines, and tunnels. Beka and Jared just love to play there and Mommy likes it because they are exhausted afterwards. Thanks to everyone for spending time with us.

Adventure

Today the kids and I decided to be explorers. I took them to a nearby park that is huge. Instead of playing at the playground, we started walking and exploring. We walked over bridges and saw the creek. We visited a small house that was reminiscent of Chinese architecture. Explorer Beka pointed out leaves and discovered a water fountain. Explorer Jared found sticks and birds. We walked through the "jungle" (a path through the trees). They had an incredible time and learned alot about nature too.
Then when we arrived home there were some police officers in the neighborhood. So we went down and I explained how police officers help us. We had the opportunity to look inside the car. The officers were very nice and talked to Beka and Jared. I think it is really good for them not to be scared of the police. I want Beka and Jared to feel comfortable talking to law enforcement in case they ever need help.
So it was a morning full of adventure.

Recap of the Fourth of July weekend

I am sitting here eating a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream and reflecting over our long weekend. Thinking back over it, I realize we didn't do alot but we had really relaxing fun family time.

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Friday, was a beautiful day so I took the kids to the zoo. Beka and Jared love that place. The favorite exhibits this time were the frogs and the really big turtle.

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Saturday, we played Jared's new favorite game that we all have parts in. Jared says, " I ogre...you(pointing to me) dragon....Beka princess( he gets an adorable smile when he says this)...you ( pointing to Daddy) donkey". Then we basically play tag and run around the yard. Sometimes Beka will go lie down on the patio so that Jared has to come rescue her.

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Sunday as usual was church day. Then we all relaxed with naps. Andrew treated me by taking the kids to the playground and Mommy got to stay home alone. Ahhhh....I do so appreciate my husband.

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Today, we played outside. We didn't go to any of the fireworks shows...the loud explosions stilll seem to bother the kids. We did, however, watch some of the shows on TV. Jared just loves the music. I hope to keep instilling that appreciation in him. In the middle of one of the shows, Beka asks, "did you know that God made us?"
I responded, "Yes, Beka He did." Beka then informs me, "He did it all by himself. His daddy didn't even help him or his mommy." It amazes me what both of my children glean from what I perceive to be an innocent conversation.

Softball Game

Andrew had a softball game last night. I think it was the third or fourth one of the season. No, I don't exactly know which one it was nor do I exactly know if they won or lost. I usually don't even know if he is playing on the home team or the visiting team so that I could glance at the scoreboard evey now and then and at least look like I had paid attention. Now you may ask why I go to the games if I know absolutely nothing about what went on at said game. It isn't as though I am thoroughly uninterested in how Andrew plays. It is that while the game is being played I am watching two hooligans who can't stand still long enough for mommy to watch the game. Fortunately, Andrew is very understanding and lets me know if he played well or not and who won the game.