1st Camping Trip

Memorial weekend was the 1st time we took the camper out. We didn't go far - just to Lake Maria on the other side of New Munich. All in all I think it was a very successful camping trip. Jake and Ben both slept well, played hard and got really really dirty. The water was freezing cold but that didn't keep them out (even with their mother constantly reminding them to stay out of the water).

Jake met a friend up on the playground while we were there. It totally made his day to have her to play with. Later we found out that she was camping in the site right next to ours. It worked out great.

We are battling what I hope is our last round of colds for the season. Ben's had his for about a week, I've had mine about 5 days and Jake's is just coming on strong. Oh I hate colds!

Jake and Ben having a blueberry snack.

Ben's first corn on the cob. He didn't want to pick it up so Jake and Curt helped him eat it.

Jake with his new friend Micayla - they made Smores together on Sunday night.

Ben out for his first pedal - I was definately more excited about it than he was!

Ben with Grandma Marilyn on Mother's Day.

Accomplishments - Early May

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone and no matter how crazy my household is, I think I’m still pretty special to be a Mom. The night before we slept in the camper for the first time – so Mother’s Day started off a bit on the chilly side. We had the heat on but by morning the heat wasn’t kicking on anymore – thought we ran out of propane. Turns out we just had one tank off, rather I had turned one tank off and no one turned it back on! Oh well. We had breakfast in the warm house, Ben and I visited my mom while Jake and Curt had some father son bonding time around the yard, then Jake and Curt planted my garden while Ben took a much needed nap. We rounded out the day by going to Pam’s house for a small Mother’s Day celebration with the Feldewerd’s. It was a nice day.

Jake’s most recent accomplishment is learning how to pump on the swing. Actually I still haven’t seen him do it – he mastered it at Daycare. He later told me that Melissa had told him and Paige that whoever stopped first on the swing had to give up their swing for Tyler. Guess that was enough incentive for Jake to start pumping!! He was pretty proud of himself.

Swimming is going really good for Jake – it surprises me how far he’s come in a short time. Last week he wore his goggles and he put his face in the water and actually blew bubbles for a little way. It was pretty exciting for me because he has always HATED water in his face. He has a few weeks left and then I think we’ll need to take a long break. This summer will be too hard to get there and next fall will be too crazy! I’m already dreading dragging all my kids every Monday and Wednesday to Melrose so that Jake can go to preschool. Oh, I’m sure we’ll survive though.

Ben’s big accomplishment is that he has learned how to pedal his trike. He got a small trike from Santa but was never very interested in it. We were outside the other day and he kept trying to ride the bigger trike that we have. I brought his out – he sat down – I told him to put his feet on the pedals – gave him a small push and he took off. I guess I can’t really say I ‘taught’ him how to pedal – he just did it. I’m sure that watching Jake do it made the biggest difference. He loves it now and has even managed to pedal Grandpa Ken’s pedal tractor.

Jake and Ben getting things ready for the baby. Ben just really wanted to sit in it but Jake was trying to put it together.

Cool Boy Ben.

Jamaica - looking out over the water from our resort.

Flower from Jamaica.

Happy Happy Happy

Oh I know it has been a long time since you’ve heard from me. Once Spring rolls around my time in the house is even less!!

We’ve been busy doing as much as possible outside. Sandbox time, 4Wheeler, bikes & trikes, walks in the woods and along the river, cutting trees in the woods across the road, but most of all getting as much tractor time as possible. Boy was it time to get in the field for one little man in this house! Ok, I’ll admit all the boys around here, both big and small, were anxiously awaiting field work but Ben was going crazy. He LOVES tractors. For a few weeks before Feldewerd’s were ready to start every time we saw a tractor in the field he would yell “In, In, In” as we drove by. Anytime we were in the shop yard and there was a skid loader, pay loader, tractor around we heard the same, “In, In, In.” It is really quite cute but heartbreaking as you drive on by and the big tears start to flow. All this tractor time has given me a few moments by myself – kind of nice.

Ben is starting to talk a lot. He can say almost anything and is just starting to put more words together. He knows most of his body parts as well. I guess I’ve forgotten how fast they change – he is certainly out of the baby phase and into Little Boy phase. He has a pretty strong personality and ALWAYS knows what HE wants. Most of the time Jake can convince him to do things differently (this isn’t always in Ben’s best interest) – he loves his big brother. They still have their share to fights but I guess I don’t expect that will lessen anytime soon.

The one thing that Ben does that can change a gloomy, crabby moment into a house of smiles is when he says “Happy, Happy, Happy.” I can’t take credit for teaching him this – he learned it at daycare – but it sure is fun. It isn’t something that he’ll throw around casually either – he really has to be happy to say it. I’ve tried changing his mood by doing it and the response I always get is “NO.” Jake like to say it too and amazingly it really does make everyone Happy Happy Happy. I need to try to catch it on video – I’m just not good at getting the camera out. He also has this cute face that he gives you when you figure out what he is asking for – haven’t managed to capture that on film either.

Jake is doing great since he had his tonsils out. I think it was time. He’s even managed to put a little chub on – for most of us that isn’t a problem but he was starting to get pretty thin. He definitely enjoying Spring as well. I just noticed in the last few days that his allergies were starting to kick in – today his nose is actually running. I hope it is mild and he fairs well through it.

Baby #3 is doing good too – so far so good. We are crossing our fingers that bedrest is far off or maybe we’ll be lucky and not have to have any. That would be soooooo wonderful.
The camper is almost stocked, other than food, and we are all getting excited to take it somewhere and test it out. If anyone has some good camping spots, let me know, we don’t have a lot planned yet.

Wash your hands and stay healthy!