Phonograms

Owen brought home some work from school yesterday - some beautifully written words with highlighted phonograms. I'm telling you, he is blowing me away lately. Today he told me he was going to be doing long division...seriously?!

My sweet Walter continues to be a big help around the house. We did some window and mirror cleaning this morning. He loves spraying that spray bottle and almost equally enjoys rubbing the cleaner away. I am enjoying this while it lasts.

This is the best day ever!

Last week as I was starting to gather our stuff to go get Owen, I realized Griffin had gotten into his new arthritis medicine and eaten the entire bottle. So, Griffin got in the car with us and we made an emergency trip to the vet. (crazy pooch!) After the vet, we were on our way home and the boys saw a park and asked if we could play. When I said yes, this was O's response. I love how little things can make their days. We've been living freely during the week lately...there is something about Owen being in school all day that makes me just want to really BE with him once I pick him up. Today after school, we played some at school, got some fresh fruit for tomorrow's lunch, hit up a park and then some tennis courts. We got home in time to eat a quick dinner, take a bath and read a couple books in bed.

I'm hoping to make tomorrow and the next and the next the best day ever! :)

Big News!!!

Owen lost his first tooth this morning! He crawled into bed this morning and we were cuddling and talking, asking about his tooth. As he showed us how far he could move it, it 'popped'. Jer asked if he could give a little tug, Owen obliged and out it came! Pretty exciting!

I'm handy.

It's official, we are remodeling our kitchen, extending it into our addition which will also become our dining room. We have been talking about this idea for quite a while, one of us more than the other...and its starting! This weekend Jer began tearing off the tongue and groove and ripping out the old insulation. There were piles and piles of boards that came down and needed to move to the alley so the boys helped out hauling small boards one by one. Eventually they decided to pile boards on the backs of their bikes to haul their loads. As they were working vigorously, they said "I'm handy" over and over again. Honestly, they were quite helpful and handy!

Friday, Jer & Owen locked up Owen's bike at school in the morning and we rode our bikes to pick him up in the afternoon. We had an enjoyable bike ride home with a few pit stops along the way. Of course we had to stop at DQ for an afternoon snack. (Owen got a huge banana split!) Later we stopped to listen to the frogs and watch a few of them swim. Its really fun to have Owen cruising along side you on his bike. His legs sure work hard and swiftly!

Tufted Puffin

After lots of contemplation and discussion, Owen started full days at Sunny Hollow after spring break. He absolutely loves it and talks about school now more than ever. On Monday he came home and immediately got his bird watching kit out after school. He then climbed up a tree with all his gear and watched for birds. Yesterday, he brought his bird field guide to school and he and a friend compared field guides and drew birds from their books. The guide is still in his locker at school as he used it again today and plans on doing it again tomorrow. I asked him which was his favorite and he said today's favorite was the 'Tufted Puffin.' I am anxious to see all the drawings he's doing. He told me he is compiling them and plans on making a book out of them. Gina (his teacher) said there was a group of 5 children and their field guides drawing and working together this afternoon. They would try and find the same bird and then figure out how many eggs the bird typically lays, the habitat it lives in and what they like to eat. For this reason, and many, many others, I love Sunny Hollow.

I turned 29 for the 6th time on Monday. The boys treated me well with very little bickering or whining and lots of hugs and kisses. Jer made delicious fajitas and Kindi brought over an amazing cake...that the boys enjoyed helping blow out the candles on.

I just need another kiss.

Walter is the king of stalling and is becoming more and more mighty. Tonight after about 7 attempts to get out of bed and get me in to their bedroom, he said this to me when I came in for the 8th time. He then got out another time! Luckily he is so sweet and cute.

We had a full end of the week and weekend. My grandma was recently diagnosed with ALS and was down here for an appointment with a few specialist. Although unfortunate circumstances, it was great to see my grandma and many other family members - including uncle Kurt, who lived with us for a bit when Walter was a baby while he redid our basement for us.

It was a treat to see my grandma for sure. She has the best, most genuine smile and tells it like it is. I've been thinking about her a lot since learning of her diagnosis...she's a great person to have on one's mind. If more people would be like her, there would be much more living and less wanting in the world. There would be lots of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and yodeling, too! :)

Keep that chicken little.

When we play war, Owen says this every time he loses with a 2, 3, 4 or 5. He says Daddy taught him that one.

Wednesday we headed out to Chaska for playgroup at our old neighbor's house. The kids had fun playing with their friends and us moms really had fun catching up. On our way back to Minneapolis, we stopped by Al's office for a tour and a mini lesson on landscape architecture.

I could do this all night.

Owen is a gamer. He loves playing sport games, board games and his latest love is card games. He was at Joanne's this weekend and she reintroduced him to the card game 'war.' Tonight we were playing probably our tenth game of war for the day and Owen said this to me.

We have been really enjoying Owen's spring break this week. We've been to the golf range and to a couple different parks. Primarily, we've been enjoying our amazing yard and patio! It is so wonderful to have a place to run around and play in without having to pack up and go anywhere. All this playing and warm weather means its popsicle and frozen go-gurt season at our house. Stop by for one if your in the neighborhood!

I am thank you for...

Sometimes before a meal we will go around and talk about a few things we are thankful for at the moment. Yesterday at lunch Walter got really into this and wanted to keep doing rounds of this. Every time it was his turn, he would start with "I am thank you for..."

We had a fun filled day yesterday. After lunch, the Swenson boys came over to play while their mom went to the doctor (for a check up on baby #4 - a girl!). We played outside quite a bit, something we've been doing a lot lately. We are really enjoying our new patio and yard!

In the evening, we went over to the Tsakistos' house to celebrate Lydia's 1st birthday! She is such a happy little girl and really seems to enjoy the boys. Owen is especially fond of her. I always get a little jealous when we are with her as she is way more interested in the boys than me!

After spring break.

I must have been making some 'after spring break' promises recently as Walter now asks if he can do and go almost everything and everywhere 'after spring break.' Today he asked if he could go to DQ after spring break after his nap.

We had a great time with my mom in town. One major highlight was a night at the Depot downtown. They have a fun waterpark there that we all enjoyed, especially Owen. He ran through the kids swim area going from slide to slide, pulling all sorts of levers and squirting water all over along the way. Grandma wined and dined us with juice boxes and delicious dinners out throughout her time with us. I also got caught up on some sleep, which is always appreciated! We are pretty lucky!

Let's go fast on the tire wheel.

Walter has found a new favorite playground activity - the 'tire wheel'! (I have no photos of that yet, but am sure I will get one before long!)

Jer, his dad and brothers all went on their annual trip to the Division 1 Collegiate Wrestling Championships in Omaha yesterday, so my mom came down to help ensure my sanity is maintained. Today we picked Owen up from school and then headed to a park for a Chipotle picnic. After, I went and got a pedicure and then we all went to my aunt's house to gather with my aunts, cousins and second-cousins. The boys had a blast playing with everyone and really enjoyed Judy's cookie decorating activity.

And that's my brother, Owen.

Walter is really changing lately. I noticed something similar with Owen around this age and then learned more about Montessori education and Dr. Montessori's research about 33 month old children. It seems to be a magical age where personalities start to blossom and interest and curiosity becomes more abundant. Our sweet Walter is becoming increasingly confident in his skin and mind. One of my favorite pieces of his personality I've seen become more evident is his outgoing-ness. He is confident to start up conversations with many passersby.

With the beautiful weather the past two days have brought, we've been to a couple of different parks. On both occasions, Walter has been quick to make new friends and join in on the action. Owen, on the other hand, has always been more observant and enjoyed watching other kids interact. Well, now that his younger brother is around, Owen is becoming more of a participant at the parks as Walter will quickly introduce himself to kids and then tell them 'and that's my brother, Owen.' Brotherhood is a beautiful thing!

Walter is also loving doing household chores with me. We cleaned the floors together today and he loved it. He did the floors, walls, furniture and cupboards. He also enjoys putting all the dirty clothes down the laundry shoot and eventually in the washer. He is my helper for sure...that's not to say he doesn't create his share of messes, though...he is also quite talented at that.

Chicago!

Jer and I spent the weekend in Chicago as the boys spent theirs with my parents. We had Jer's holiday party (yes, in March) on Friday and then spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and exploring the city. Saturday was beautiful and we attempted to go to the Art Institute and then the Field Museum, both were packed so we just walked along the lake and around Millennium Park. We ended the day at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, attempting to refuel my iron stores!

The boys (& my parents) seemed to have had a wonderful weekend together, too. I heard stories of snowmobiling, sledding, playing games, making cookies and many other fun things. Griffin got in on the fun and came home beat from all the fresh air and running. (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

I live on the bottom.

Walter told this to Uncle Moogs tonight as they were discussing bunk beds and being little brothers. So cute.

We took advantage of the beautiful sunny day today and had a picnic at Sunny Hollow, something we haven't done for a good four months! After, we came home a played for another hour outside. There is a light at the end of the tunnel...ahhhhh.

I don't like blood pressure.

I was getting ready to go to the doctor this morning and told Walter a few times I couldn't play with him as I needed to go to the doctor. After a few times, he told me this. I was surprised at how little the boys have talked about the crash and hospital experiences, but they are internalizing all this, too.

Jer's grandparents came over to watch Walter so Jer & I could go to the doctor alone this morning. After looking over my blood work and talking over a few things, the doctor was quite convinced I am severly anemic. I had been told I was borderline before, but it was always after children, so they previously blamed that. I will start iron supplements and will also see a neurologist just to be sure there is nothing else happening that would cause this. Hopefully this is an easy cure.

He's a good project-maker.

Walter is doling out compliments left and right lately. He likes to tell Jer he likes his shirt, me that this is a good dinner and today when Owen came up to us with a plan to make a rainbow with a flashlight and a glass of water, he told me that Owen is a good project-maker.

We had a lovely family vacation in Lutsen. We left Thursday evening and came back yesterday. We won the cabin at the gala on a whim...I decided the item should go for more than it was going for and we got it! It ended up being an absolute steal and a really enjoyable, memorable vacation.

To begin, the cabin was steps from Lake Superior - the view was stunning. We spent a lot of time throwing rocks in the lake, exploring the shoreline and woods, playing games and enjoying warm fires in the cozy cabin.

On Friday, Owen had a day of ski lessons that ended up being private as no other kids signed up that day! He absolutely loved it and will tell you now that skiing is easy. He is proud to tell you that he tackled the blue squares no problem and is wanting to do the black diamonds...too bad his mom is too nervous to let him try yet. He and Jer spent Monday on the mountain together and he says Owen is quite comfortable cruising down the runs. He is sure an athletic and able boy.

Saturday, we spent the morning hiking through Cascade River State Park, carefully walking around the ice patches. After, we went back to the cabin to wait for Lindsay & Lydia to come. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the cabin and the beautiful lake and sunshine. Late that night, Kindi joined us, too, for a nice warm fire and a bowl of chili. On Sunday, we let Jer and Griffin relax at the cabin and everyone else went for a dogsled ride through Superior National Forest. All our visitors left us Sunday afternoon and we enjoyed the rest of the evening with dinner, games and warm fires in the fireplace.

On Monday, Jer and Owen headed back to the ski hill while Walter and I enjoyed some more coastal exploration. Unfortunately, on our way to meet them at the mountain and go for a gondola ride the fun came to an end...

I was about 3 minutes from the ski chalet and called Jer to tell him I wasn't feeling well and ask him to meet us outside. I got an overwhelming nauseous feeling and felt like I was going to get sick, but thought I could easily make it to Jer first. Well, shortly after making that call, I blacked-out and hit a couple of cars. Thankfully I was going slowly, thankfully, there weren't any people in the parked cars, thankfully Walter was totally fine, thankfully I was pretty much fine. I made my way to Jer quite disoriented and was taken to the ski patrol area. I was later taken by ambulance to the hospital and ended up spending the night there as they could not get my blood pressure to stabilize. It was a long night in the hospital being away from Jer and the boys, but they gave me tons of fluids and ran a bunch of tests and aren't sure why I blacked out (and continued to do so in the hospital) or why my blood pressure was so low, but I am home now and happy to be here. Jer and the boys picked me up Tuesday morning and we went back and relaxed at the cabin for a few hours before packing up and slowly heading home. I am not supposed to drive until I have a follow-up appointment, which will happen on Friday. Until then, Jer is working from home, bringing Owen to and from school and taking me on a date to the grocery store in the morning. It stinks that it happened, but it could have been much worse. We'll see what happens Friday...