Thanksgiving Questions 2014

Here is my attempt at getting Alexis to say cute things this Thanksgiving season.  Cameron says "tur" and "gobble, gobble"

What is Thanksgiving?
It's when you celebrate eating turkeys.

Why is it called Thanksgiving?
Cause you thank everyone and give gifts to them.

What are you thankful for?
My cousin doggie Laila and my family and me.

What are you looking forward to on Thanksgiving?
Playing in Addison's room and dancing and doing stuff like trying to whistle and going camping and eating the dinner turkey.

How do we spell Thanksgiving?
hacsgevn

What does a turkey look like?
It's body is round except his feet and it has stripes.  It has fangs, sharp teeth.  Some can have red eyes, some can be a little purple, though.

Why do you think it is tradition to eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Cause its a special day.

What happened on the first Thanksgiving?
The parakeets came from Asheville.  Alexis is that what your teacher taught you?  They went on a boat.  It was only meant to hold boxes but they went on it anyway, I don't know why.  It was called the Mayflower. Some people taught them how to make corn.

Beans and Rice

 Dave Ramsey.  He is all the talk at our dinner table these days.  We are in the middle of the "Financial Peace University" online version.  I listen to his show every weekday, and actually look forward to it!  Alexis has picked up on what's up in the financial world.  

A little background:  On the Dave Ramsey show people call in to get answers to their personal and business finances.  If the caller is in debt his phrase to them is "beans and rice, rice and beans until you get this debt paid off"

So...the story is this:
A couple nights ago Josh and I were discussing this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/22/economists-tax-rich_n_6024430.html

I was trying to figure out why a smart person would suggest that a hard worker would only be able to have 10% of what they make! Anyway...

Alexis, being the big four year old that she is, likes to be part of our conversations.  Upon hearing me ask the question "I wonder what Dave Ramsey would say?"  she pipes up: "Beans and Rice, Rice and Beans!!" 

And so it is true, "More is caught than taught".

Summer Fun 2014

Summer is fun!!  We are a busy family who loves to be on the go.  Summer gives us many options! This was our first Summer in our new home.

We began the season with a trip to Sounds of Summer, our weekly outdoor concert.  The kids love to play and dance in "the pit".

We participated in Sump Memorial Library's summer reading program.  The kids read with us 20 minutes a day, colored their sheet, turned it in and got coupons in return! Bowling, ice cream, pizza, kids meals, and more!

We had lots of fun family visits to remember this summer!
Grammy stayed with the kids while I joined Josh on a work trip in Des Moines in June. The three had fun making memories together.  Trips to the park and the favorite Grammy activity- Homemade Play Doh! 
 In July I left in a rush for Wilmington, NC to stay with Kate, Jason, and Abe.  Oma, Callie, and Aunt Shannon came to visit for some fun with the kids in Omaha.  They had tons of fun sliding into the backyard pool. Callie is Lexie's idol.  She still talks to me everyday about what 10 year olds can do. 
While I was in NC I got to see Mom and Matthew, Kelsey, and Eliza.  Eliza and I became instant friends! 

Cameron had his first trip to Urgent Care one Sunday afternoon.  He and Alexis were playing with the laundry room door and he got his finger slammed in the hinges!  Off we went for an x-ray.  Not broken, thank God!

Alexis completed a round of swim lessons.  She really enjoyed the class and made great strides in the water.  

Here is a photo recap:

Sounds of Summer

Library Reading Program

Sounds of Summer

Playing at our neighborhood park

YMCA  Basketball

Homemade cookies on the deck

Fruit Girl, Eliza

My Friend

Backyard fun

Choosing a book

Cashin' in

Taking Will for a bath

A walk on our neighborhood trail

Splash Pad

Cow Appreciation 2014

Cousin "Father Abraham" is born

Sweetness

Week one- Almost outgrown the Bassinet

Aunt Jenny and Abe

School work

At the Doc

Not broken!

Omaha Zoo

Racing- Girls against Boys!

Swim Lessons

So Excited!

Cameron (almost) 20 months old

Our little man is growing up!  

Schedule:
8am- Wake up, get dressed, drink smoothie (milk, banana, yogurt, and spinach)
8:30/8:45- Out the door to daily activity Monday/Wednesday- Parents Day Out (School),Tuesday- YMCA, Thursday- Bible study, Friday- YMCA, Sunday-Church
12pm- Lunch
12:30-Sibling Room time.  Alexis and Cameron play upstairs in one of their rooms.  After they scream at each other for a while I will find them either playing "go to sleep"  where they drag all the pillows and blankets to the floor to pretend sleep (it's really cute to hear Cameron pretend snore), or they are "reading" books.
1-3pm- Nap
3pm- Ipad in mommy's bed while Alexis gets up,  Cameron loves the Starfall ABC app.
3:15-3:45- Watch a show- Super Why, Daniel Tiger, or Curious George.
3:45-5:15- Play in the basement playroom or out on the deck. 
5:15-5:45- Dinner
5:45-7:30- Family Time- park, YMCA swimming, stroller ride, play in the basement or in the backyard, get a cookie at the store.
7:30- Bedtime Routine.  Bath, read/drink milk, sing, and pray.

Sleeping: Cameron is still in a crib.  He sleeps very well at night 8pm-8am.  Occasionally he will wake up a little earlier, but he stays in the crib until 8am.  This is a time boundary that I have set in stone (unless the kids are sick).  
I am thankful that night time sleep is going well!  However; nap time has recently become a disaster.  I am in the process of figuring out what the problem is.  Cameron used to sleep 1-3:30/4pm.  He is now waking up at 2:30 ON THE DOT  most days.  He wakes up screaming at the top of his lungs and can not settle down to go back to sleep.  I know that he needs a longer nap because the rest of the day he is grouchy and fussy at the slightest irritation.  It might be teeth.  It might be developmental.  I don't care what it is...just want it fixed :)

Eating: O my! Cameron is an eater!! He eats and he eats FAST.  It is hard to pick a favorite food for him because he scarfs most things down.  Broccoli and carrots may be the fav and go to vegetables.  He loves pasta with red sauce-what a mess!.  Favorite fruit is blueberries these days.  He would eat our entire grocery budget in blueberries if I would let him.  He does not love black beans, lentils, or quinoa.

Talking/signing: God, Amen, Jesus, Bible, book, All Done, No, Cookie, Cracker, Mommy, Daddy, Lexie, down, please, thank you, truck, dog, school, shoes...I'm sure there are a few more, that's all I can think of right now.  Josh and I are working on making Cameron talk more.  He is often frustrated because he lacks the skills to say what he wants.  He will repeat words.

Playing:  Cameron loves to mimic!   Especially his big sister.  Yesterday they were twirling in the yard like ballerinas.  He likes to do real things.  For example: sweep, clean things with a rag, "help" put the silverware away.  He is into stacking blocks and zipping/unzipping. Balls, balloons, bats, and anything with wheels are the favorite toys. 

Four Year Old Alexis

Favorite Color- Red and Blue
Favorite Animal- Lion and Giraffe 
Favorite Food- Banana
Favorite thing to do- Spend time with just Mommy or just Daddy
Favorite thing to wear- Monkey Swim Suit
Favorite Game- Zingo!  (thanks Gutz family)
What do you want to be when you grow up?- A Chef Doctor
Favorite TV show- Monkey George, Daniel Tiger, and Super Why Too!
Favorite Book- The Cinderella at the doctor office
What do you like the best?- Playing with all my friends
What do you like the least?- Going to bedtime
How do you feel in the mornings?- Sleepy
What is the best thing about Pre-school?- Playing with Addison in the dress up corner
What are you proud of?  I can do more things than when I was 3 1/2.  I can leap further!
What is your favorite thing about Cameron- He's always sweet.