Evan being Evan

I overheard Mom say that she planned to spend the whole day with me Monday---I was SO excited on Sunday night that I just couldn’t go to sleep. I had to tell Jaden the news, but he kept falling asleep in his crib. I threw all my stuffed animals on his head to try to keep him awake. Finally, I decided, I better climb over to his crib and wake him myself. I had done this one other time the night before, so I knew the ropes of this escape plan fairly well. 

Jaden greeted me and was excited to play a little bit longer……until mom heard us jumping. Reinforcements came and mom and dad started taking the front side off of Jaden’s crib- and we were free. Wow, would they really just let us roam around our room all night? I will never ever have to sleep again! Nope. After taking my crib apart as well, they pushed our cribs together and we have one giant king-sized crib. Oh did we have fun jumping, pushing, rolling, and wrestling for the next 2 hours! Jaden kept wanting to sleep, so I did my best to keep him awake.

 Finally, we both fell asleep. But since mom said I got to spend Monday with her, I didn’t want to miss a minute, so I got up at 5:30am. She said 6 hours of sleep was not enough for me- I guess kids my age typically need twice as much. Those kids are just missing out on half the playing time.

So can you believe, the first thing on moms list-to-do with me, was put me down for a nap? Ugh.

I finally got to see what this thing called story-hour was all about at Barnes and Nobel! A lady read four books to about 18 of us kids. A big copy of Green Eggs and Ham was the first book, and I could really relate to Sam-I-am. I often think I won’t like the food mom gives me in my high-chair, but she finally convinces me to try it. Most of the time I do like it, but then it’s too late as I’ve already thrown half of it on the floor. The next three books were regular sized and hard to see, so I ventured to bigger and better things like the stuffed animals!

I also found a book shaped like a digger with wheels on it! I love that book so much, and I thought mom may buy for me if I screamed loud enough when she put it back on the shelf. Doesn’t she know I just had to have that book in my collection? I thought maybe she couldn’t hear me, so I screamed louder. As she took me out of the store, she said something about life not being fair, and as Grandpa Al says, if I want fair go to Huron (Springfield for the Illinois readers!).

Mom and I had a picnic lunch, and I got to use the spoon with my yogurt just like mom. But I realized I could get just as much yogurt in my mouth at a time if I used my hands.

I was exhausted at naptime and took advantage of being King of the Cribs.

After naptime, mom decided last minute to stop and get my hair cut on the way to pick up Jaden. I was still half-asleep, so I just sat very still as I was told to do. The ladies kept telling me I was being so good, but clearly I was just following directions to get the cherry flavored sucker they were bribing me with.

I missed Jaden, so we made up for lost time in our big crib that evening and jumped around for about two hours. We also finally were able to reach the last canvas wall hanging. So we worked together to pick off all of those little animal stickers. I am sure Grandma will thank us for the empty canvas to work on her next project.

From Young Hall to Young Kiddos!

I was blessed to have a little stay-cation this past week. After returning from South Dakota on Monday, my college roommate, Brianne, and her son Rohnan came to visit for a few days. The three 1-yr-olds kept us very busy, but we got to have a little fun.

It will be nice when they can use words to say ‘hi’ or ‘hey, come over here and play’ instead of communicating through hitting, poking, and pushing. (And I am speaking more of Evan and Jaden here…….) 

One of my favorite reflections from the week is about ice cream. Brianne and I both LOVE ice cream. I mean, MyPlate did include a place setting for ice cream, right?! Let’s just say during our stay in Young Hall, we somehow snuck an entire 5-gallon bucket of SDSU ice cream into our dorm room from Larson Commons dining center. Pretty sure we were momentarily the most popular girls on our wing of 1st Floor Young!

Brianne and I would still do just about anything for some good ice cream. And I confess. Yes, we paid a baby-sitter more than the cost of our ice cream to sneak out after the boys went to bed for a little Orange Leaf experience. (Nate was at jui-jitsu). And I must say, sitting outside on a beautiful summer eve, chatting about the good ‘ol college years, without worrying about our boys- made our expensive fro-yo taste just as good as our free 5-gallon bucket of ice cream. 

Summertime Faith like a Child

Summer time. Few would argue- it’s the best season of the year. This summer has been a blessing for me (and Nathan) to get to be a kid again while playing with Evan and Jaden outside. So much is new to them and they are just amazed to see and experience new things. Even just on a walk to the mailbox, I hear Jaden ooh- and awwe- at everything we pass. Did I ever stop to see the new buds on the hosta plants? Or notice a bird fly to the neighbors yard? Rarely.

Our sermon today at church talked about being humble, playful, teachable and filled with wonder.……like children. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17.

Experiencing things through the eyes of Evan and Jaden this summer, has allowed me to appreciate the little things that all too often I miss with a busy schedule. A story that resonated with me was about dandelions. If you’ve seen Nathan’s yard in the summer, you know that Evan and Jaden will not find dandelions in it. However, a dandelion is something that children enjoy at every stage. I remember growing up and picking a bouquet of dandelions for my mom. And how fun was it to blow the white wispy seeds of a dandelion?! I can just hear the ooohs and awes from Jaden admiring the simple dandelion. However, Nathan, as most homeowners, call these flowering plants, weeds.

By watching Evan and Jaden play, they learn new things, fine tune their motor skills, and teach me that life is a playground. 

You don't always have to play by the rules. 

 We don’t need fancy slides and swings to have fun. 

 It's always important to rest. 

It's more fun to walk through life with a best friend.

And when you dance, dance like no one’s watching.

NKOTB- Chicago!

This post is for my sister…..who let’s be honest, without, I probably wouldn’t have even known who the New Kids on the Block were back in the ‘80’s! That’s what big sisters were for!

I finally got to see a NKOTB concert……25 years later! Thanks for going with Lauren and Sara!!

Although my sister did get see them live in concert with Tiffany at the South Dakota State Fair years ago, she wanted to see them this year…….but long story short, a technical difficulty with communication from Ticketmaster caused us both to be left disappointed last weekend in Minneapolis. However, I was lucky their tour stopped in Chicago this week!

BoyzIIMen opened the concert and did an excellent job. 

 98 degrees was next and I don’t know their songs as well, (built in restroom break time?!)

Then the arena seriously went crazy. It was pretty hilarious to see all of these 30- and 40- somethings females get so excited to see New Kids on the Block!! Aside from a few wrinkles---(from NKOTB, not us of course), they looked like the NKOTB we grew up with. Joey I think grew a little. We had an awesome time rocking to favorites like Hanging Tough, Step by Step, and the Right Stuff. 

 'Summertime'- big beach balls were bounced around the audience. 

 Sooooo close!!

I'll be There

The Right Stuff

4th of July weekend with Grandma Linda and Aunt Laurie

After uploading pictures from the 4^th of July weekend, I realized why everyone (including me!) took a nap yesterday afternoon. For not having an itinerary for our guests, Grandma Linda and Aunt Laurie, we sure did find ways to keep busy.

When Grandma Linda arrived Wednesday, she had to check out Nathan’s gardening skills. The peas were ready, so the boys enjoyed a fresh treat, and I learned next year I will have to plant a second row of peas unless I want to share!

Laurie and I started out our 4^th of July with the Park to Park 5 mile race. Afterwards, we picked up our car at the start of the race and let the boys enjoy the splash park at Miller Park. Evan was a little hesitant at first but Jaden immediately ran around and followed the big kids.

Nathan’s Aunt, Uncles, and Cousins from Morton and Minnesota came for a cook out Thursday night. The boys loved playing with second cousins Kaitlyn and Danielle. 

We almost missed the fireworks as they started early this year- but we were able to find a spot to watch them. I was afraid Evan and Jaden would get scared, but the boys enjoyed watching them. 

Friday, the boys each got to be an only child! Jaden came with Laurie and me to Chicago to see our cousin’s baby, Ethan, while Grandma took Evan shopping and to visit cousins in Morton. 

We ended the day at the ballpark.

Another splash park on Saturday- McGraw Park. 

We enjoyed an afternoon walk in Uptown Normal at the Sugar Creek Arts Festival. The boys clearly get their artistic talent from Aunt Laurie:) 

And who can forget pool time this weekend! Evan is no longer afraid of the water and kicks kicks kicks his way across the pool. On Saturday, friends Elliott and Jonah came to swim and brought fun toys to throw in the pool. 

Thanks for the fun weekend Aunt Laurie and Grandma Linda!