TAGGED BY KRISTEN

This was a lot of fun for me. I was tagged by my sister in-law Kristen to look in my 4th folder and pick the 4th picture. Since our computer hard drive crashed and was replaced I thought we had lost all older pictures. I found them though! Most of them are locked (?) but some how I was able to transfer the 4th picture in the 4th folder. This picture was taken March 2006. Aubrey was about 18 months and Caleb was about 6 months old. It is funny/great to look at this picture and remember that day and where I was at that time in my life. Andy was finishing his Bachelors at CMSU (now CMU) and I was working at the Icing in Independence Center. I cherish those moments but never in a million years would I want to go back and re-do it. It was hard and I am lucky I survived:) It is nice to have finished the "college" days and be able to focus on the future. Although when Aubrey/Caleb were younger life was less "crazy" and a lot simpler before Caleb learned how to talk but I would much rather have a crazy messy Caleb over a Colic one any day!
Hopefully in 2 years I will look back on today and laugh too. Thinking to myself, why was my house only half painted, why was Caleb always running around naked, and why was I always so hard on myself. In 2 years I would like to know how to cook and be a better mom. I would also like to have the drive way fixed...(ya right:)

I think I am suppose to tag 4 people....Ella, Clair, Cheryl, and Gretchen. I would love to see Laura, Jenny, Heather, and Tiff's picture too though!

HSM3, Fevers, and The CookoutYesterday in the late afternoon Caleb's high fever came back. He was up most of the night and extra early this morning. He is still warm but his temp. is finally below 101.
While Caleb, Ainlsey, and Andy took an afternoon nap Aubrey and I headed out the door for some girl time! HSM3. Aubrey was very excited to see the new Sharpay (spelling?) movie and was even more excited to see it with Reagan and Sydney. 2 bathroom breaks, popcorn, and a slushy later Aubrey completed her very first Movie Theater Movie!! She loved the soft chairs, all the music, and Sharpay! It was a bonus that it only cost $4.00 a person compared to the $9.00.
Andy asked Aubrey questions about the movie... Ainsley finally walked walked. Really. I knew she had been walking for a couple of days. Caleb told me. Every time I would peek in the room though she would sit down! What a stinker! Well today she finally did. Out of no-where she stood up in the middle of the room, clapped for herself, and walked to the couch!!! Awesome!! This was repeated several times.Group pictures have become impossible. I had the kids all dressed warm for the neighborhood cookout and I wanted to get a picture. I took about 10 pictures and this was the best. Caleb's fever is finally gone. Yah! Hopefully, I am not speaking too soon. Only the next couple of days will tell.
We had a lot of fun at the Cook Out. Caleb loved the fire pit (of course) and Aubrey loved playing with all the other kids. Ainsley loved the Cheeseburgers and ate an entire one all by herself, along with 2 Oreos, and the rest of Calebs hot dog. At that rate she will weigh 20 pounds in no time!!

Good News...
1. Someone finally said Aubrey looked like me (outside of my Clark family). What a wonderful comment!! Every time we, as a family, go anywhere together people always say that all 3 kids look like Andy. What they say exactly:
Aubrey looks just like Andy.
Caleb is a Mini Me of Andy.
Ainlsey looks like Aubrey.
Hello, I am here. I was pregnant, I went through labor (one without any medicine), I am up at night with them, I take care of them when they are sick, and I am here all day with them singing the funny songs and doing the funny dances. I would like to say right now that when/if we have another child it WILL look like me. I just know it.
2. Oh Steff...you have me craving and quoting Clifford like crazy. I am going to watch it tonight(if I finish the laundry and do not fall asleep) so be ready for some Clifford trivia. Every time I see Caleb in his Halloween costume I think of Martin Short now. So funny. It is always good to have a nice long laugh!

Trampoline, Flu Shots, and Lego's

This week has been one for the books. On Monday the we were invited to join the neighbor kids on their new trampoline. I wasn't sure how the kids would react.

They loved it!

Ainsley loved it too but I couldn't find a "Not Blury" picture.

Dandy. Ainsley loves Dandy. She is not tall enough to get up on her own (thank goodness) but she loves it and will spend up to 10 minutes just sitting on it. It is probably our best $20 Garage Sale buy ever!



Flu Shots

I have been dreading and looking forward to this week for the last month. I have been dreading it because I knew that the kids would probably have yucky side effects from the flu shot which would cause extra laundry and little-no sleep. I have been looking forward to it because I will do everything in my "Mother protective" power to avoid a winter like last year. Let me explain. Last year I opted not to do flu shots because the year before Aubrey and Caleb got very sick from them. Stupidest, Most Careless, and Naive decision I have ever made (which says a lot). Not only did all my kids get the flu last year (twice, January and March) but Aubrey had a fever seizure (scary and very emotional) and Caleb ended up getting Strep Pneumonia, hospitalized for a little over a week.
Well, Tuesday came and everything that could go wrong that morning did but by 11:00 sharp we were waiting in the Doctors office. This was also a very important doctor visit for Ainsley. She wasn't able to get her 12 month shots last month because she was underweight and not feeling good. Good news!!! Ainsley gained 10 ounces in 1 month and now weighs 18 pounds!! So Ainsley got 4 shots+flu shot and Aubrey/Caleb both got flu shots. It was sad to see all the kids crying. Caleb screamed like he was dying....3 nurses held him down but he still managed to move and the needle scraped his leg:( Aubrey did amazingly well, she cried a little and then picked out a princess sticker. Ainsley screamed from the minute we walked through the doctor's office door until I put her in her in the car to go home. All in all I am so glad that I did all 3 kids at once. Next year I will have Andy take them.
As expected Wednesday morning Caleb woke up with a fever (between 101-102) and was very sad and cranky. Ainsley had a small fever (from her TB shot) but she was still happy and playful. Aubrey was just fine. How wonderful!!!! I expected much worse so I am very happy!
Although Caleb didn't sleep last night by this morning (7am) his fever seems to be much lower and his behavior is surprisingly mild.
By 10 am after breakfast, bath time, water painting, play-doh, a call home, a load of laundry, Dora, and lego's life is back to normal!

**Things that make me move quickly on a lazy morning...
1. "I love Ketchup Play-doh Mom!" said my Caleb. I ran as fast as I could to make sure the Ketchup and Play-doh were in secure separate places.
2. "I didn't mean to, Mom!" yelled by Caleb and followed by a bang.
3. "Don't worry Mom!" said by Caleb.

Halloween at the Farm!

Today was a beautiful day. The perfect day to go to Diana Rose Farmstead for the pumpkin fest. I looked it up on-line and it looked like the kids were suppose to wear their costumes. I was wrong but it was fun, almost perfect because I could locate Caleb easily!Caleb was a scary monster/dinosaur.
Aubrey was Snow White.Ainsley was a butterfly. She loved the goats! Caleb loved the play ground. My kids always love the play ground. We almost decided to forgo the pumpkin fest (it was $7.00 per adult/child) thinking the kids were having fun with the free stuff. After much thought Andy/Marlene decide to take Ainsley home because she was getting tired and I went with Aubrey/Caleb on the pumpkin extravaganza. We were lucky enough to have the Rudd family join us!

Aubrey was too scared to go down the slide. She held up the line for over 5 minutes.

Caleb went down the slide and then quickly moved onto other activities. The obstacle course was very exciting for a little boy full of energy but as much as Caleb tried he could not go over the obstacle. He tried and tried but ended up stuck at the top every time.Caleb was thrilled when I let him play the hammer game. Next week if I call my mom in tears saying Caleb took a hammer to my wall I will defiantly regret letting him play this game.

A hay ride, maze, ski ball, soccer, mini basketball, and hay tunnels made for a fun afternoon!

This kids didn't understand "PICKING OUT A PUMPKIN". They really didn't care. They just wanted a "Cinderella" pumpkin.

What a long fun day. 4 hours, 21 dollars, and 3 pumpkins later it was time to go home.
We are glad that Marlene and the Rudd family could have fun with us at the Farm!


***more new posts below.

Something funny.

Aubrey's life is full of tea parties, dress up, church, school, and the neighbor kids! Everyday when I pick her up from school her teacher always brings her to my car and buckles her in. A couple of weeks ago Ms. Susan said they talked about "What's your favorite food?" All the kids had the usual reply...pizza, ice cream, french fries.
When it was Aubrey's turn she said "NEMO!"
Ms. Susan said "You mean Fish Sticks?"
Aubrey said "No, Nemo. He is so very yummy."
Well, kids were instantly sad and Ms. Susan quickly tried to move on.
I thoutht that was funny. Aubrey is so picky but she loves Salmon "NEMO" and brown rice.The helmets. I finally bought Caleb a helmet. He loves it and wears it all day long even when he is not riding his bike. What a wonderful idea. Now all he needs is a mouth guard and I can stop worring about his every move. He falls, crashes, and bumps into everything and anything all day long. I would like to say thank you to "Word World" on PBS. I do not know how I found such a wonderful cartoon but my kids sat down for a full 24 minutes without helling "MOM", getting hurt, and/or smashing food into the carpet. TWO THUMBS WAY UP! I was able to make lunch, cool down lunch, clean up lunch, and sweep without interuption. Wonderful!

***More posts below....

Halloween prep...
This week we have started our Halloween prep. We read Halloween books underneath the kitchen table with Halloween flashlights. After, I let the kids make cupcakes with little help from me. They did really well and we had a lot of fun.

Caleb counted and cracked the eggs. He was so careful and gentle. It was fun to watch. Aubrey was in charge of measuring the oil.

Ainsley was in charge of measuring the water!

Since Grandma Griner "ALWAYS" lets the kids lick the bowl and beaters it was only right that I let them too.
Ainsley was very confused but happy to be included!

Aubrey's job was to set the timer while Caleb put the cupcakes in the oven. It was a fun afternoon. We made frosting and frosted the cupcakes but the kids wouldn't eat them. Weird! The cupcakes sat on the counter for 24 hours without a single interest!

A Different Week

This week was a different week because there was no school Monday and Friday. No School! Why do they do that?On Monday since there was no school the neighbor kids came over to play for a couple of hours. They did play-doh, colored, raced bikes in the basement, and played "superman" in Caleb's room. Ainlsey loved all the attention she received from Reagan (almost 9) and Nathan (3). Caleb and Ashton (4) raced bikes and road "dandy", and Aubrey had a tea party with Sydney (6). But nothing can take the place of School so when dad came home they had "pretend school". Pretend school included: ABC/Animal flashcards, a song, and a snack. Sitting still and raising your hand was a must. It was a lot of fun! My beautiful Ainsley.... I do not understand why she hates riding in the car and taking a bath. It is so strange. She loves to take a shower but sometimes it is so much easier to just put her in the bath. Lately she gets more dirty than Caleb...dirt, food, and mystery yuck often cover her face, feet, and hands.

This week I decided that doing 3 loads of laundry a day and going through an entire bottle of stain remover a week is just not working out for me. My solution is to make them eat without their shirts on (Caleb/Ainsley...Aubrey is a very clean girl so she is aloud to keep her shirt on). Cruel, maybe but Caleb has been a lot more careful while eating and Ainsley doesn't seem to mind!

Caleb and Ainsley! My two little buddies during the day. We have had a fun week running errands, playing, and going on lots of walks. Caleb is such a good brother but sometimes Ainsley just wants to be alone with her blanket and "Melanie".

Today there was no school again. It was a beautiful day so we headed to the park with the neighbors. Ainlsey was in her element. She loved the park and went down the slide 3 times all by herself. I was shocked! She walked around holding my hand and loved to go high on the swings! We have had a fun week! We love the fall leaves, weather, yummy smells!

Good News for the week:
1. CALEB DIDN'T GET HURT!!!!!
2. Ainley can take 4 steps without holding onto anything.
3. Ainsley says a new word (I am pretty sure): YUM!
4. Ainsley points at everything. It is really fun to watch!
5. My parents are coming in 7 days!!! Yahoo!!!

General Conference Saturday

October 4th 2008

Every year since I have been married we have always gone to Andy parents house for General Conference. Since we do not get it on our tv this year we looked forward to watching it down in Winsdor. I was defiantly not going to go to the church and sit through 2 2 hour sessions on a Saturday with 3 kids (All those wonderful moms that did way to go!!).

So, down to Windsor we went...My kids are all so different when it comes to travelling in a car...Caleb is hyper, always wants the window down, and is really loud. Aubrey is quiet, always has to have her special "school music" playing, and she often falls asleep. Ainsley hates the car. She cries, wiggles, and CRIES LOUD. No food, book, or toy seems to comfort her.

After the first session of general conference was over Paul and Andy took Caleb to Paul's Dental office for the all too important check up. Were Caleb's 2 front teeth staying or would they be pulled out???

Paul is such a kind, gentle, and awesome dentist. I am not sure if any other dentist would have gotten Caleb to sit still. He answered all of Caleb's 1000 questions and he did an x-ray.

After all was said and done......THE TEETH GET TO STAY!!!

(I did not like the joke that Paul/Caleb/Andy played on me...not nice)

When Caleb got back we headed out to the paddle boat. Surprisingly, we have never taken the kids out on it. Weird! After the paddle boat the neighbors invited Aubrey/Caleb/Ainsley over for a Hannah Montana birthday party which included:cake, gum, and a big air jumping thing. How fun!!!

Marlene made No Bake cookies (aka poop cookies) and let Caleb lick the pan. We had a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful/perfect! Of course in the evening when we left and drove home Aubrey/Caleb slept while Ainsley cried. Weird!

Great news for Saturday:

1. Ainlsey took her first 2 steps with out holding onto anything

2. Marlene cut Aubrey some "Sleeping Beauty" bangs. She looks so different and so cute!

3. Gas was $2.95 per gallon in Lee's Summit. Awesome!

4. We are getting a TEMPLE! Heck ya!!! What could be better than that!?!!

***More new blogs below.....