Sor Nordson

A very funny story that I want to remember...

Driving home after church the other night, we were all admiring the full moon out the window. Aidan says: Dad, is the moon made of cheese?
Olivia: No, it's made of cheese and green glow!
Dad: Aidan, who made the moon?
Aidan: God!
Olivia: No, Sor Nordson made the moon?
Me: What? Who is Sor Nordson, Olivia? You know God made the moon...
Olivia: No, Sor Nordson made the moon, and the sun, and the grass, and the stars... Sor Nordson made Lola's world (From TV show Charlie and Lola...).
Me: Oh ok, so you are pretending. But God really made the moon.
Aidan: Yeah! God made the moon!
Olivia: No! Sor Nordson made the moon!
(repeat those last two lines about 5 times...)
Olivia: Aidan, you know what God's middle name is?
Aidan: What?
Olivia: Sor Nordson!

She always likes to be right. :)

My Valentines!

By the way, Olivia called this outfit her "I'm going to Minneapolis" outfit. She thought that she looked so fancy and grown up. :) I love them...

I'm not sure who is more excited...

Olivia? or Me? Turns out I really love planning a good party.

The Epidural

I just had a reminder about this excellent story, and although I promised I wouldn't play catch-up, this one is too priceless not to blog about!

Sometime this past summer...
Olivia came into the bathroom while I was getting ready and asked, "Mom, how do you push a baby out of your body?"
Me (internally)... oh crap, here we go, well I will answer with as much information as needed until she stops...
Me: Well, you push a baby out of your bottom.
Olivia: You mean your butt?
Me (internally)... oh crap.
Me: No, your vagina. (Yes she knows she has one.)
Olivia: Oh! Okay!

Fast forward a week of so... (Driving home in the car)
Olivia: Mom, when you push a baby out your vagina, does it hurt?
Me: Yes, yes sweetie, it does.
Olivia: Welllll, can you take medicine to help it feel better?
Me: Yes, yes sweetie you can!
Olivia: What kind of medicine?
Me: Wellllll, there are different kinds of medicine you can take.
Olivia: Welll, like what? (sheesh, kid, really?
Me: Well sometimes people have a medicine that goes in your back with a needle. It's called an epidural.
Olivia: BWAHHHHHHH!!!! (Wailing...) I don't want to have a needle in my back!!! I don't want an epidural! Crying proceeds for 5 minutes.

I guess I gave her too much information. :)

Olivia as Mary

Olivia is attending preschool at Cambridge Christian School this year; we are loving the program and find it's a great fit for her! The preschoolers put on a great progam every Christmas and this year Olivia was Mary. :) And her little BFF Michael, was Joseph. Olivia and Michael were both one day apart and have had play dates since birth, it was so adorable to watch the two of them together onstage.

Their part consisted of them walking from innkeeper to inkeeper looking for a place to stay the night and then care-taking Jesus during the rest of the play while they were visited by the Wisemen, Shepherds, and the Christmas star. Olivia took her role very seriously and spent a lot of time cudding and cooing at Baby Jesus.

It was precious and priceless.

My baby.

Oh if only he still was! But alas, last week, my baby boy turned 3. A preschooler! It's funny how different I felt about Aidan turning 3 than Olivia. For Olivia, it felt like 3 would never come! I was so excited for all the things that 3 would bring to her life, all the growth and change and merriment. But Aidan? No thanks, he can stay my baby forever.


My tiny little man is such a 3 year old! He wants to be independent (sometimes), wants to help out (sometimes), wants to color & draw & build (sometimes), take naps (sometimes). That's what makes 3, 3.... the sometimes. :) He also wants to go on the potty (sometimes). I can't wait for all the things that this year will bring for my man. Happy Birthday Aidan!

Aidan's Favorites @ Age 3:

Food: CANDY :)

Activity: Playing anything with his big sister, whom he still affectionately calls "Honey"

Toy: Lightening "NaQueen" cars

Desire: To be a "Bad Guy" and have "shoot guns" (Oh, honestly....)

He loves going to school (ECFE) and showing his brilliant personality to anyone who will take a moment to fawn over him. :)

I'm not going to catch up.

But I am going to start again!

I miss blogging. I miss sharing my thoughts, feelings, and the happenings of our family! Besides on facebook of course... which appears to have taken over... but doesn't quite do the same thing.

To echo the last post, it's been a busy few months! Life never slows down, but I am enjoying every minute of our crazy life.

So here is to not catching up, but moving forward from here!

Do I remember how?

It's been a long time since I have blogged, if you haven't noticed. ;)

The remainder of summer flew by as quickly as only summer can. We continued to have a blast doing all the things you do in the summer... swimming, state fair-ing, camping, being hot... etc. I have a lot of pictures but haven't even put them on my computer!! Such is the state of busyness we have been in.

And now it's fall, and all is still well. Today is about 55, cloudy, and breezy... I love fall, it's probably my favorite season. And Ryan's too... but for different reasons. :) He's happy to be back hunting, and although sometimes I miss him during this time of year, I do enjoy my quiet time at home too.

The kids are great- Olivia started her second year of preschool. This year she is going to Cambridge Christian School for MWF AM preschool, so she can also stay for childcare on the days that I am working. It is going great, and she seems to really enjoy it. And just for kicks, she stuck a rock in another little girl's nose on the first day of preschool. Awesome choice for the first day. :) I sure wish I could have been a fly in the sandbox to hear the conversation leading up to that one!

Aidan is also doing great- he has grown an inch since July! He's in a big boy bed and loving it. Each time we meet a new milestone with Aidan, or make it through another transition, I am reminded back to when we were parenting the first time with Olivia and how worked up I got with each transition or change. :) Who knows how many blog posts there were about Olivia's transition to the big girl bed!!! Ah, parenting.

I have been working extra hours for the past two months, while helping cover for a coworker who is on maternity leave. (Hence some of the extra busyness!) I am SO looking forward to her return to work in just 4 weeks. When she returns I will be cutting back on some of my time at work to just 2 long days on Monday & Tuesday, instead of Monday, Tuesday, and a short day on Wednesay. I technically won't lose any hours a week, but will save some money on daycare. Fantastic! Oh- and of course the added benefit of being home with the kiddos more. :)

Hope to get pictures updated soon! Hope you are still reading my blog even though I've neglected you!!

Family Camp

Ryan's brother Aaron and his wife Stina came home from Sweden for a visit this July. The entire family was able to gather together for 10 days of fun & family time. The first 3 days were spent at Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp for Family Camp. It was a great time to be together and enjoy cabin life... with 11 people. Oh wait, make that 10 because Aidan would not go to sleep and ended up back at the cottage with Mucka & Papa. Good thing we weren't far away! :)

Enjoying playing during free time!

Celebrating Stina's birthday... Swedish style!

We were surprised the day before we went up to find out that our good friends, Aaron & Peggy, were at family camp with their 2 children at the same time! The kids had a blast playing!

Being kids! Jenelle, Ryan, Stina, & Aaron

The whole crew!

Priceless