Leipzig Fountain

I never got around to sharing this video from Germany. We came across a fountain on the sidewalk in Leipzig. We knew there would be no keeping Charlie from getting wet so we stripped him down to his diaper and let him play. He had a blast and so did we. If you look in the background you can see people stopping to watch. By the time he was done, he had generated a small crowd.

"Kiss My Baby"

While Elena and Sam are both very excited about their coming sibling, often giving "kisses to the baby" through my belly, Charlie remains more or less oblivious.


His lack of understanding on the subject was clear tonight when Seth was giving him a kiss goodnight. After getting his kiss, Charlie pointed at his belly and asked Seth to give his baby a kiss.

I know I know...

It's been a long time, but I have at least 3 really good excuses:

Reason #1: Seth and I went on a trip to Portugal in Spain in mid-March, which meant about 2 weeks of insane prep-work at school before the trip and lots of catching up to do when we got back. Here we are in Portugal. I'll probably get around to sharing more picture from the trip someday, but we've been back for a month and I haven't even had time to even look through them yet so it might be awhile.

Reason #2: Charlie. And the nice weather. Keeping that kid indoors is nearly impossible unless I let him watch Frozen. I try to limit his screen time so that is reserved for when I absolutely need to get something done inside. Even if he does stay inside willingly, he's usually doing something that requires constant supervision. I let him go off and play quietly the other night for 5 minutes so I could read books to Sam and Elena (Charlie doesn't sit as well for stories as the other two) and he came back with eye-liner all over one of his eyes. Needless to say, if I try to get things done on the computer, he either runs off and I have to chase him or he stays by me and tries to bang on all the keys or shut the lid while I type.

Reason #3: This is the primary and most exciting reason. We are expecting another baby (and I've been super sick)!!! We're due around Halloween and we are all very excited. Elena wants a girl, Sam wants another boy and Charlie is clueless, but every time we ask him if he thinks the baby will be a girl or a boy he says, "Baby girl!" I just had my 12 week check up today and all is well so far. I'm still feeling sick though so I'm just hoping that will be over in the next week or two.

My scary child

I was shopping with all three kids the other day when I heard a little boy exclaim, "Ah!! You scared me!" to Sam.

He had just rounded a corner and came face to face with Sam. I was a little confused at first, wondering why he had gotten so scared, until Sam turned around and I realized he was still wearing his face mask from playing outside in the cold.

I can't say I blame the kid. Imagine you are just a bit shorter than Sam and ask yourself: "Would I want to bump into this guy?"

:

Christmas 2014

I just realized I never shared any pictures from Christmas.  That's probably because I was busy directing a play over break. (As usual, as soon as I knew I had some free time coming up, I filled it up with a new project, but I really enjoyed it)

Here is our Christmas Eve "All you can eat seafood buffet" prepared by Seth. Luckily my parents came and help us eat it because it was quite the feast and way more than we could have handled on our own: crab legs, shrimp scampi, salmon fillets, stuffed portabella mushrooms and scallops.

These pictures are of a hayride Seth's parents arranged for the family to take around town for Christmas - complete with hot chocolate!

Celebrating on my side. I think this was our 4th day in a row of Christmas parties:

Charlie turned 2!

...almost a month ago. So I'm a little behind on the blog. I also just realized that I wrote a few posts in January and failed to hit publish, so those of you who check this regularly can look forward to a few updates in the coming week.
Anyway, for Charlie's birthday, we got him a toddler sized drum set.

I was expecting this:

I was not expecting to walk into the living room to this (although I guess I should have):

Tough Decisions

Elena informed me of this dilemma she has been pondering for awhile (a bit prematurely, I might add):


"I can't decide where I want to go to college. I kind of want to go to Marshall so I will be close to you and Dad. But I would also like to go in the cities so I can go to the Mall of America whenever I want. This is a really tough decision..."

We hit a new milestone

The first snowman that Elena and her friend made without needing any help from Mom and Dad.

At least the thousands of locust tree pods littering our yard are good for something. If anyone needs hair for your snowman, you're free to pick some up at our place.

Overheard today in the back seat of the van

I had a hard time not laughing out loud during this conversation between Sam and his 5-year-old cousin while we were in the drive-thru getting lunch.


Jack: You know, I'm almost a vegetarian.


Sam: I am a vegetarian, but my parents make me eat meat....except ham. I like ham.


Jack: If I stop eating ham and hot dogs and chicken and fish, I will be a vegetarian.


Sam: I have to stop liking corn dogs and ham, but that's it. Then I will be a vegetarian.


Jack: So I just need to stop liking 4 things and you have to stop liking 2 things. Then we will be vegetarians. Oh! And brats, too. I love brats.


Sam: Oh yeah! But I mostly just like ham....I hope I stop liking that ham soon.....Actually, I think I've already stopped liking it.


Sam (about 30 seconds later as I hand him a ham and cheese sub): Thanks, Mom. I'm going to eat this whole thing!

All I want for Christmas is.....

He lost one tooth on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day!