Our first field trip

Today we went to the Mills Apple Farm with Amelia's class. I had never previously been, so I was excited to see what it was like. It is a very nice, family run farm. The tractor driver spoke about how apples were made, how to pick them and encouraged the kids to pick up any apples they dropped or knocked off. Then we went to make apple cider, taste our apple cider and enjoy a picnic lunch. Amelia and I had such a good time! i think Amelia's favorite part was riding on the bus!

how he rolls

this is how ferd rolls! This kitten is so mellow and laid back, he really didn't mind being carried around in Amelia's giraffe purse!

Do you see what I see??

Can you spot the kitty?

Pixie and Pirates

the 3rd annual Pixie and Pirate in the park was yesterday. This was our first time being able to go and we had such a good time! here are some pictures, because really, that is why we take them. cute boys dresses as pirates and cute girls dressed as pixie's and pirates!

Being a Daisy

My sweet Rose is officially a daisy! I am so excited for her and secretly I am really excited for me too. I look forward to attending meetings with her, camping with her, and helping her earn her badges. She is currently learning her girl scout promise:

GIRL SCOUT PROMISE

On my honor, I will try

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout

Law

Here are some pics of her first meeting where they are learning about the flower, petals and what we will be doing. And talk about lucky, our leader is wonderful!! I think she will make this a fabulous experience for Amelia and the other girls. Her name is Amy and she is fab!

howdy partner

meet my new nap partner.

it was almost like he discussed this with Amelia. they determined that she would now be in school so he could scoot right in, which he did :) he is such a sweet snuggler. he puts his little arm around my neck, grabs a lock of hair and off to slumber land he goes! I am usually not far behind :)

grant's farm

Last week my friend Angela and I decided to brave the heat and go to grant's farm. I love love the free things that there are to do in St. Louis! While parking may be a little steep, there are a few free places to park within walking distance.

The only downside to our trip was that Maddie and Angela got stung by bees!! They were both troopers about it and didn't complain much at all. Angela got some personal attention from the EMS guy, who was conveniently located bear the goat pen! And the end of the night, Amelia was so tired she climbed into bed on her own and fell asleep! Was a great day despite the injuries and heat!

looking back

When Lucas was born he had a sacral dimple. I saw it, asked the ped (who figured I had seen it) about it, and she reassured me that it was benign. not a big deal. so i brushed it off. and then the postpartum crazy hormones kicked in and i worried about it for almost 2 months. I asked her about it again. she realized I had been worried about it for almost 2 months and she sent us to SLCH for an ultrasound. and it was benign!! no big deal. But while we were there, i got this picture of Lucas. in the old stadium chairs, seat #3.

Fast forward 3 years and we are back at SLCH for another test, this time an xray. I remembered the last picture, so I put him back in chair 3 for a comparison picture! What a beautiful boy he was and a handsome boy he is now!! The three years in between has flown by but one thing has not changed, I love him so!

ready!!

I am sure you can see amelia, and that she is holding Ferdinand. But look close, can you see what she has on? It is an art cape that her nana bought her when she was 2 i think. and in the pockets? cat toys!! hahaha!!! She stuffed all of Ferd's cat toys in her pockets so they could play at a moments notice! love this girl!

Lucas goes to Pre-three!!

chandler??

He may be the chandler bing of our family! this is what I got when I said "look over here lucas and smile!"

look out Picasso, here comes lucas

For Lucas' 3rd birthday we decided to have an art party. I decorated with primary colors, ordered the cake and bought one of every item that crayola makes with the label "washable". We had finger paints, regular paints, markers, crayons, paper and some fun canvas' for the kids hand and feet prints. Overall, the kids did very well, especially since the median age was 4! They painted and colored and made masterpiece's that their families will treasure forever! One of my favorite pics is lucas opening his presents, look how he is hugging his squinkies! he loved them. And then look at how happy he is over getting money! he thought that was the best!

yummy!

birthday #3

Henning here we come!

The day has come. S-day, which is like D-day fo rme. School day. While I was so excited for Amelia, I was bummed for me. My best shopping buddy, my nap partner, my baby was going to school. She was more than ready and excited enough for 5 kids! She was really happy she would know one other person in her class, her friend carter. When i say his name it's more like carrrterr. She likes him. really likes him, a lot. it's so cute! her teacher's name is ms. rennegarbe and this is her first year teaching. Which works out very well because this is Amelia's first year of school! And if you are wondering, yes, i cried when i dropped her off. And i do miss her, but i love love love picking her up and hearing all about her day!!

the night before

kindergarten

the zoo

the kids in their zoo attire - i know i need a 12 step program, as i just can't help myself!!

Lucas checking out the pretty girl next to him. i think he was smitten with ellie and her long golden hair.

and lucas looking bashful when i made mention of it...oops!

more zoo fun!

adorable

on a happy note

lucas is fussy free!! It was pretty painless overall. i opted not to break him from his fussy until after dis.ney, thinking we would need the plug for the trip. and I was correct! We might not have made it out of illinois with out it. Lucas loved his fuss. Once we were back, he only had it during naps/bedtime. we progressed to bedtime only, then we cut him off. He asked for it, but never really cried or wined for it. he might have asked for it 3-4 times after that, but he was easly settled when we reminded him he was a big boy and didn't need a fussy! According to our ped and dentist, four is the cutoff for fussies. we came in 395 early. that's a record for me!!

last known fussy picture

it's fabulous being five

five fabulous faces of my fantastic five year old free-spirited girl