Macomb Madness part 2

The Carney Rides:
The best part of visiting is going to Heritage Days and spending every last penny riding rides. Graham is now tall enough to ride all the rides at this carnival. However, when Graham asked to ride this ride I said, "NO!" I rode that same ride 2 yrs ago with Jordyn and it was awful. It made me so sick so there was no way I wanted my 5 yr old child on it. But I was with the girls riding a roller coaster and Graham asked Brian and he said, "YES!" That is Graham at the top of this ride. I could barely watch...but when I saw his face hit the "bar" that was supposed to be protecting him I came unglued. I demanded they stop the ride and pulled him off that horrible ride. That is right. I was that mom screaming to stop the ride. Embarrassing yes but it had to be done! Graham had a bruise across the bridge of his nose from smacking the metal bar. 3 groups total got off when I took Graham off so I was not the only one concerned. The carny running the ride said, "This ain't no ferris wheel!"

This is more my speed for Graham. He loved the huge slides. He also enjoyed the haunted house.

Bryce and Layne were able to participate this year as well. The last time we came here the girls were only 1 and just strolled around in their strollers. This year they had a blast!

Bryce and Daddy right after flying down the slide.

The dynamic duo~ Jacob and Graham

Layne and Daddy right after the slide.

Graham and Jacob

The Parade:

One morning we headed to the local parade downtown. The kids were very excited at all the loot they would collect...CANDY!

Bowling:

One afternoon Brian and Granddad took the kids bowling, while I hung out with my cousin, Patty and my sister. The kids had a ball. Bryce and Layne have never been bowling before so they were beyond ecstatic to join in this time around.

Look at those happy faces. They are ready to bowl!

The end:

After several fun days in a small town, it was time to say goodbye and head back to the airport to make the 2 hour flight home.

Macomb Madness Part 1

We took a short vacation to my dad's side of the family in Macomb, Illinois. I went there just about every summer as a kid, so it is neat to be able to take my kids there as well. We have taken the kids every couple of years since Graham was born. The kids are all at a good age that they enjoy all the activities that can be done in a small town...chasing fire flies, destroying the basement with their cousins, parades, bowling, carnival rides, staying up late, eating, eating and more eating!

The Plane Ride:

The kids were beyond excited to ride the airplane. It was about a 2 hour ride and both girls fell asleep half way through the ride which made it a little easier on everyone.

Here is Layne after she fell asleep on the airplane. Check out her hand in her snack bag! So cute!

Presidential Museum AKA Abe's Pad

Graham went to Springfield to check out Abe's Museum. I was a little worried he may be too young for it but it turned out that he LOVED it.

Swimming and more swimming

We are in full summer mode these days. We spend almost everyday at the pool. This is the first summer that everyone can really enjoy the water. Graham and Layne could spend the whole day in the water if I let them. Bryce likes to go in and out and get "wrapped up" in her towel. She gets cold very easy but now that we are reaching 99 degrees almost daily I think she will quickly get over that!

Graham can swim around the entire pool this year! He has no fear. He even goes down the big slides at the gym pool by himself.

Layne is not too far behind. She can already swim under water and float on her back. The girls started swim lessons this year and Layne really loves it.

Bryce loves to splash around the water and she is working on going under water. She would much rather practice her ballerina moves in the pool than actually swim.

All the kids are in camp this week. Graham is going to Rock Climbing and Swim at Lifetime Fitness this week while the girls are going to Yummy, Yummy in my Tummy camp. No one cried at dropoff which made me so happy and I was able to enjoy my few hours to myself today.

Stats and Stuff

Bryce and Layne had their 3 yr check up today. I am always anxious and excited at the yearly check ups. I adore our pediatrician and thankfully the children do to. I always come with a long list of questions and concerns and 9 times out of 10 Dr. S answers the questions without me ever having to ask.

Layne AKA LaynieBUG:

33 lbs 60th percentile

38 inches 60th percentile

wears 3t to 4t clothing

Layne is my easy baby. She is so chill; takes things as they come. Gets over disappointments quickly and forgives easily. However, if she gets mad enough she likes to go somewhere quiet and let it all out but when she is done she is done. I don't have to go after her and "help" her calm down. She just gets over it and rejoins the group. I love that about her. She is tough but sensitive!

Layne is also very independent for her age. She potty trained herself before she was 2.5 yrs old. She can dress herself. It may take awhile but she can do it. Layne likes to hang with the big kids outside especially the boys. She can ride a bike WELL and use a 2 wheel scooter. She picks things up quickly to keep up with her brother.

She is so compassionate as well. For example, one day I had to leave and Bryce was about to cry because she did not want me to go. So Layne went over to her and put her arm around her and told Bryce it was going to be ok and that mommy would be back soon. Then they hugged each other. It melts my heart to see my girls taking care of each other.

Layne still sleeps with her Boo Bunny but has added Pink poodle, Cattail the cat, and a little ladybug. She sleeps through the night without any accidents or the need to get up in the middle of the night.

I love the way she smiles, holds her hair out of her eyes, pretends to be a ghost, runs fast, and I especially love the way she insists her name is Layniebug. And I can't forget how if I call her princess she corrects me and tells me that Bryce is the Princess and she is the Gorgeous.

Bryce AKA BrycieBIRD

23lbs less than 5th percentile

35 inches about the 12th percentile

wear 18 months to 2t clothing

My tiny but mighty baby is still tiny and mighty but now she is 3. Bryce started out as my super high maintainance baby and continues to still need a little more support and attention than the others but she is AWESOME. 3 years ago I was dealing with so many specialists and early interventions and so many unknowns to now a beautiful, healthy little girl.

Bryce is personality plus. Everybody at her school knows her. I am not sure if that is good or bad :)

She still is able to draw attention to herself with her smile and size. She is my drama queen. Her feelings get hurt easily and cries at the slightest "bonk". A kiss instantly fixes the bonks.

She is finally potty trained! I thought it would not happen until this summer but about a month ago she just decided she was ready. She can also ride a 3 wheel scooter and tricycle. Because she is so tiny she has trouble reaching the pedals but we are getting there. She loves to play dolls and is very girly. Dora and Princesses are her favorite toys.

She loves babies! She likes to pretend to be pregnant by placing one of her dolls under her shirt. She goes up to strangers and drools over tiny babies. One of my good friends just had a baby a few agos and she cannot stop talking about baby Jillian and often talks(daily) about how she got to hold and feed Jillian. She is a nurturer.

I love the way she sings at the top of her lungs in the car, rubs my clothing between her fingers when she is cuddled, brushes my hair, and insists on wearing dresses all the time.

Lazy summer days

The kids have entered the lazy summer days! So far we are loving it. We still are not sleeping in during the morning. I still get a 7:00 am wakeup call from the girls. It is brutal! Graham sleeps in closer to 8:00 so I know the girls will get there one day.

Since we do not have to hurry out the house in the morning you can often catch the trio lounging in my bed eating breakfast. Aren't they spoiled? Breakfast in bed at such an early age!Graham is finishing up a great season of T-ball. He was given the opportunity to play catcher this week. Unfortunately for him it was in the 90's, so he was hot but did not complain about all the gear. We have one practice and one game left and we will really be able to head into the lazy summer days!

The Graduation...

Graham has graduated from preschool! I have L.O.V.E.D his entire experience at his school. I have seen him grow academically, socially and most importantly spiratually over the past 3 years at his school.

Graham and the rest of the class have been working on The 3 Piggy Opera to perform before graduation. It was adorable. Graham was the Straw Peddler and enjoyed performing. I videotaped the performance since Brian was in China during the festivities. I wish I had still shots of his costume to share!

This is his class picture at the end of the graduation ceremony. He truly loves his teacher, Ms. Sue, and his entire class. When he made his birthday list in March he included everyone in his class without me having to coax him. I hope when Graham enters Kindergarten he feels that same sense on security with his teacher and fellow classmates.


The girls also finished up their first year of preschool with Ms. Liz. Graham also had Ms. Liz as well so I knew that she would be perfect for the girls. The girls only went 1 day a week but they sure did learn alot in that time. Next year they will go 2 days a week. What will I do with myself???? 2 5 hour days to myself :)

The Party...

Bryce and Layne celebrated their 3rd birhtday with family and friends. They absolutely LOVED it even though we had to revamp everything due to the weather. The rain would not go away no matter how many times we sang the song. We crammed 20 kids and thier parents into our house and had a great time. Unfortunately, I was terrible about taking pictures during the party. It was just too chaotic!

Layne on the left and Bryce on the right during their NICU days. Look how much they have grown in 3 years!