A Birthday to Remember...

On Wednesday Calvin and I headed to the cities with my Mom and Dad to go to a Thursday Twins game. Thanks to Daddy and Grandma Lona and Grandpa Rodger we got to leave Nathan and Jillian at home.  We had quite an adventure!

We left Wednesday morning because we were planning to go to Ikea on the way down.  WELL......it's a good thing we're flexible people, because plans changed.

We got a flat tire on 94.  Pretty exciting.  We called a tow truck and in the mean time, Papa got out to start changing it.  He ended up finishing up right when a police officer and the tow truck finally arrived.  Calvin got a little upset at first and even cried.  He was worried we were going to be stuck there, or that we might not get to the cities.  I didn't get my camera out when we was crying, but I did ask him to reinact  it a little later.

So...we were back on our way.  We had to skip Ikea and just head straight to Shakopee.  Papa dropped us off at Kohls and headed to get new tires.  The next day we were off to the Twins game.  The four of us went along with my brother Max and my nephew Will.  Will and Calvin are two peas in a pod.  They were VERY excited to spend the day together.  Here they are on the way to the game.

We got there early so we could be there when the gates opened. 

We were really hoping to get some autographs.  It was perfect....we headed right down by the dugout, and we were one of the first ones down there.

Will and Calvin and I stood down there for about an hour.  It was pretty chilly out and at one point it was POURING.  I really didn't care.  I was as excited (more excited?) to be there as they were.  If  I haven't mentioned it before....I'm a pretty big Twins lover.

That's right.  That's Joe Nathan.  He signed some stuff for us.  Along with Brian Duensing, Matt Capps, Jim Hoey, and  Dusty Hughes.  I'm not going to lie to you....it was awesome.  It finally stopped raining and we were off to the gift shop and to get some lunch before the game started. 
These are the tutus my sister-in-law Sara and her friend made.  The Twins buyers bought them to sell in their shop....cool huh?

My mom got a Twins elf to put in the woods at their resort.  They have a whole trail of Elves, so this will be a fun addition.

This was the first time my parents had been to the new Target Field, and my dad was like a kid at Christmas.  He wouldn't even come inside to get food.  He just sat in his seat and soaked it all in.  It was just a really fun day.

Meanwhile Calvin and Will had lunch....then peanuts....then Mike and Ikes.  It's all part of the experience you know.  Calvin danced like crazy whenever there was music on and the rest of us cracked up....hoping they would put him on the big screen. The icing on the cake was when Cuddyer hit a foul ball into our section.  A man sitting behind us caught it and gave it to Calvin.  I'm not sure how I missed getting a picture of that.  We had a blast, and I think it's going to be a while before another birthday lives up to this one!

I'll Spare You.

When I started blogging, I told myself I would take more pictures so I would ALWAYS have pictures to include in my posts.  I know it's more fun to read when there are pictures to go with the story.  Well...usually there should be pictures.

Nathan just pooped in the yard.  That's right.  He pooped in our yard.  We were eating lunch out there......he asked if he could go potty in the grass.  I said sure.  Things got out of hand.  It was clear he didn't expect it.  Next thing I know.....he's pooping.

Does this sort of thing happen at other people's houses?

Calvin

Seven years ago today I became a mom.  I might go so far as to say it was the best day of my life.  From the time I was a little girl, all I ever wanted was to be a mommy.  I was 5 days over due, but on April 26th...one week before our one year anniversary, we were blessed with our little Calvin.

Try to ignore my hair in that family picture.  In case you're wondering....that's how a person looks when their water breaks at midnight and they labor all night...finally having a baby at 2:30 in the afternoon.  ANYWAY...I was so excited.  Calvin was 7 lbs 14 oz.  He was just perfect.  I remember saying to my mom, "I think he's the cutest baby I've ever seen.  Do you think I would still say that even if he wasn't mine?"  I was so in love.  Calvin was just the sweetest baby.  We had the best time hanging out together.  I remember he would wake up every day at like 5:00 to eat.  I would feed him and we would go back to sleep together.  Marc would leave for work and we would be snoozing away.  Ahhhh life when there is only one child.  As he grew up he was just cheerful.  He had and still has a contagious giggle.  You just can't help but join in when he's laughing.

Calvin is a typical first born child.  He is a rule follower.  He just doesn't understand why someone would deliberately break the rules.  He takes very good care of his brother and sister and very often talks to them like a parent.  Sounding just like me.  Just yesterday when Nathan was asking for cinnamon toast Calvin said, "Oh Nathan, when you ask nicely like that I can tell that you're 5.  You sure sound like a big boy."  Cracks me up.  And you'd think Nathan might want to punch him when he says things like that, but he doesn't.  He just eats it up.  When Marc and I are going out (which doesn't happen very often) and the kids are staying with a babysitter Jillian usually doesn't like it.  She will cry, but I just give her her blanket and ask if she wants to sit with Calvin until she's ready to play.  That works just fine for her.  He sits in the rocking chair holding her while she sucks her little thumb.  Eventually she decides she's okay and they all go play.  He is just so loving and patient.

Calvin is the perfect combination of silly and caring.  He has the biggest heart and is so sensitive.  But he also has the best dance moves and is very sarcastic.....which is weird...I don't know where he gets that.
Calvin has a genuine love for the Lord and reads his Bible faithfully.  Two weeks ago in church our pastor started to tell the story of the jars of oil.  Calvin got really excited and started nudging me, "Mom...this story is IN my bible!"  I said, "Wow...that's awesome...lets listen and see what he has to tell us about it."  A few minutes later he leaned over to me again and said, "I really wish kids could talk in that microphone up there."  After I asked why he said, "Because...I've got a lot of other really good stories I could tell these people about!"  I think he thinks he's the only one who knows those bible stories!  He's very passionate and I pray that continues to develop.

Here is Calvin on his first birthday and on Easter this year when we celebrated his 7th birthday with an Easter Bunny cake!

This little boy is just delightful.  I look forward to him coming home from school every day because I just like hanging out with him.  He is loving and funny and interesting and he loves to learn. I am so proud to be his Mommy.

One of Calvin's biggest loves is baseball, and especially the Minnesota Twins.  He and I are leaving for the cities tomorrow to go to a Twins game on Thursday.  We're going with Papa and Nana (my parents), my brother, and my nephew Will.  Will is 8, and is one of Calvin's favorite people in the world.  Needless to say, we are very excited.  Here he is opening one of his birthday presents today...a new...bigger Mauer shirt for this year.  We are hoping for a big win on Thursday.

Happy Birthday, Calvin.  We love you like crazy!

Easter Excitement

Here are a few photos of the excitement leading up to Easter.....

Coloring Eggs is interesting with a two year old.  She only spilled once I guess.  Oddly enough Nathan was the most patient of anyone.  He would just sit and wait and then take his egg out....amazing.

Last night I made the Easter Bunny cake.  This has been a tradition in our family for a LONG time.  My grandma always made one, then my mom made it every year when we were growing up.  Now this is my second one.  We're going to my mom and dad's for dinner after church today and I'm providing the Bunny cake.  It's a lot of pressure, but I'm proud to take it on.  When I asked Calvin what color he wanted the bow tie he said, "Blue with white polka dots".  Yikes!  This cake is going to serve as Calvin's birthday cake too, so I had to give it a try.

And finally....here they are opening their Easter baskets this morning.  The Easter Bunny left them a note with their movie (Bambi!) to remind them that Jesus is the true reason for our celebration today.  We will praise Him today!

Happy Easter!

Flashback Friday

Easter 2007

Easter 2009

Easter 2010

Living With Boys

What happens when my 5 and 6 year old get a hold of the camera without me knowing?
This.

My Jilly Bean

Jillian is just hilarious right now.  I need to write this post, because there are a few things I just don't want to forget.

1.  She says wose instead of those.  As in, "Wose are mine." or "I have wose?".  It cracks me up because for the most part she is incredibly verbal and talks very clearly for a two year old.  The other funny thing she does is substitutes she and he for her and him.  For example, the other day she and I were playing with her babies and Jillian said, "She wants she bottle."  After I gave the baby the bottle Jilly said, "We need to burp she."  I laugh every time.  It is just hilarious.  And judging from what I remember about the boys, it's something I would have forgotten if I hadn't written it down.

2.  I don't know where this came from, but lately she has said to me on more than one occasion just out of the blue...."Mommy...you my favorite part."  I'm not going to wonder where she got this.  I love it.

3.  This little girl LOVES her thumb and LOVES her taggie.  The two go hand in hand.  She can't pick her taggie up without putting her thumb in her mouth.

I can't tell you how many times during the day I hear, "I need my taggie."  In kind of this sing songy voice.

Sidenote...how cute is this new hair thing?  We have a few of them from Coco Penny...they are adorable!

Last week we lost the taggie.  Not surprising since it goes everywhere with us.  We ended up finding it the next day at the clinic.  We had left it there and when we realized it was missing 30 minutes later they were closed!  It wasn't good.  She and Nana quickly made a new one in the mean time so she would have something to nap with.  Nana was trying to let Jillian sew it with her, but everytime she would put her little hand on the fabric to sew it....she would have to put her thumb in her mouth.  It just wasn't very efficient, so Nana had to do most of the work.

4.  She loves to do housework.  This was just never the case with the boys.  Jillian loves to help with laundry.  She will unload the dishwasher....literally everything she can reach.  And the other day when I was trying to get something done I asked her to get the little vacuum and vacuum under the kitchen cabinets and table.  I was just hoping it would keep her busy, but she went crazy!  She was good!

5.  I wish I had a picture of this but I don't.  The other day Marc was laying on the couch.  Jillian crawled up on top of him, grabbed his face with both hands and said, "Wisten to me.  I wuv you !

6.  She and Nathan are very good buddies during the day.  I love it when I hear her holler, "Na Na!  Where are you?"  They really know how to push each others buttons and have some pretty good yelling matches.  She just really stands up for herself and doesn't take anything from him.  But in the end, they have a great time together.

7.  Lastly, she loves to make her brothers laugh.  She will do just about anything to crack them up!  I got the kids breakfast the other day and then went to get dressed.  I heard both boys just laughing like crazy and came into the kitchen to find this.

This little girl is such a blessing to our family.  As always, God knew exactly what we needed when he gave us Jillian.  She is so happy and loving.  We just can't get enough of her.