Big Girls Don't Cry: Part II

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Part II of this recital was originally scheduled for Friday February 13! There was a freak snowstorm and the show was canceled! What do you expect for a Friday the 13th?!

Unfortunately Daddy and Papa Ed were unable to attend this show :( Libs was a little sad, but was cheered up instantly when her brother gave her a flower!

Their new dance they are working on is Fabulous from High School Musical 2! All of the girls need a purse and a pair of sunglasses. I wonder which of Libby's 10 million purses she will choose? (That girl has more purses than anyone I have ever seen!)

Jurassic Pack

Tonight was Maison's Blue and Gold Banquet for scouts. The theme this year was Jurassic Pack. The boys had Dinosaurs all over our tables. It was really cool. Everyone in Maison's Den received their Wolf badge for completing all of their Achievements. At the end of this school year he will graduate to a Bear. I have lots of patches to get sewn on his shirt! I am behind the ball! They also had an official uniform inspection and Maison received a 100%! He was the only scout to have official Cub Scout socks! I should get a gold star for my efforts as well! Below is a picture of Maison making his best wolf face! Pretty scary!

4 Months Old

Here's our little Izzy McSquizzy. She is such a good baby! (All of our kids have been great babies! We've been extremely lucky!) I was somewhat disappointed when I took Iz to her 4 month check-up. Don't get me wrong, she has been great and super healthy, but I really was thinking she has been our chubbiest baby to date. Maison was 2 months early and still doesn't have an ounce of fat on him and Libs is exactly the same. Izzy on the other hand actually has baby fat. Her skin actually folds over her socks and it is hard to tell where her chubby legs end and her butt begins. It's pretty cool. She is not fat by any means, but I was hoping around the 50th percentile. Masion wasn't really ever on the chart for weight and Libs always hung around the 2% to 5% for quite a while.

I was quite optimistic, but that was soon over. She took her weekly poop, which was HUGE right before her appointment! :( She ended up only being in the 25th percentile for weight even after I had the nurse weigh her twice! She is officially 25 1/4 inches long (75th percentile), 12 lbs 6 1/2 ounces (25th percentile) and her head is 16 1/4 inches (50th percentile). In other words, perfect.

I looked back at the other kids at their 4 month birthday. It's kind of interesting.
Maison: 13 lbs 24 in
Libby: 12 lbs 25 1/2 in
Izzy: 12 lbs 6.5 oz 25 1/4 in

It just doesn't seem possible! We'll see if Iz keeps putting on weight. Looking back at Libby she was the same weight for quite some time until she hit one year when she weighed 17lbs.

(Just a side note, her hair doesn't always stick up, but Daddy loves her little curl on the top so I don't try too hard to comb it down! That will be our little secret.)

Valentine's Day Party

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Libby had her Valentine's Day party yesterday at school with her school friends. Both of the kids worked very hard this year on their Valentine's. We bought sticker kits that had to be assembled. They looked like little postcards. Libby received lots of cards and lots of candy! (Mommy hid all of the candy, but not well, because I noticed the bag is holding much less candy than it should. Soon it will be empty.)

Maison had his class party today at school. Libby and Izzy were both invited to attend his party as well. At school, Maison had been studying the food pyramid and choosing 5 or 6 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. So as part of their party one of the parents supplied a heart shaped meatloaf and the students provided the fruits and veggies. It was an awesome turn-out and they had a fruit or vegetable from each color: red grapes, strawberries and apples; orange carrots, cantaloupe, and peaches; yellow pineapple; green peppers, celery, beans, grapes, and honeydew; blue berries; purple grapes; white mashed potatoes and bananas.

I was in charge of organizing the class party which also included an activity. We first had everyone make airplanes out of Smarties (the body of the plane), Big Red (the wings of the plane), Lifesavers (the wheels), and a rubber band (wrapped through the wheels and over the gum to hold everything together). We finished the party by making tissue paper hearts.

Maison and Libs had a great time with Maison's school friends. Izzy even got lots of attention from mostly the girls as well! All in all it was a great Valentine's Day and weekend!

Windmill Point

Maison's school went to Windmill Point today to put on a little show for the residents who live there. They sang a few songs, passed out Valentine's cards, and helped make tissue paper flowers with/for the residents. It was a lot of fun and the residents really enjoyed having the kids there. Maison was a little apprehensive at first, but ended up having a great time. Izzy was a hit with the little old Grandma's. Her cheeks were quite red after all of the pinching.

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The Discovery of Sponge Rollers

The other day at the store, we were walking down the shampoo isle when Libby says, "When I'm a mom like you will I have curly hair?" I smile and tell her probably not because her hair is very straight. She is instantly sad and disappointed because she now thinks she can't be a mom. I zip over to the comb isle in search of sponge rollers. I actually find some! I tell Libby she can have curly hair like me if we put these rollers in her hair. Spirits are lifted and she becomes extremely excited.

I make her wait the entire day until after her shower to put the rollers in her hair. She stands very still and is very helpful holding hair and handing me curlers. Right before bed she is bound and determined to take them out. However, I explain that we have to wait until morning. I thought she was going to explode with anticipation!

Morning arrives and right away she is ready to take out the curlers! I talk her into some breakfast, so while she snarfs down her cereal, I begin removing the curlers. She no more than takes her last bite and off to the bathroom she goes to get a look.

I follower her down the hall to discover a most peculiar look on her face. I ask, "What's the matter Libs?" She replies, "Do you think my school friends will think I'm a stranger?" I assured her that her friends would recognize her cute face!
Her school friends really got a kick out of her hair as well as everyone else that ran into her that day. She was feeling pretty proud of herself!

Just Eat It

Click the Play Button to See Izzy Eat for the 1st Time!

We bought Iz a new seat called a Bumbo. It's absolutely great! Jason decided to try it out tonight a feed Izzy some cereal for the first time. I don't know what was funnier, watching Izzy trying to eat for the first time or watching Jason trying to feed her. (He was opening his mouth every time Izzy was suppose to open hers, he even went as far as sticking his tongue out like her!) She seem to enjoy what cereal she managed to swallow!

Big Girls Don't Cry: Part I

Libby had her 2nd dance recital tonight during half-time at the Solon High School Girls Junior Varsity game. They did a great job despite having a glitch in the music. Their next performance is February 13, 2009 where they will finish the second half of their dance.

Teddy Bear Picnic

Libby's preschool had their Teddy Bear Picnic today. This is the only time the kids eat lunch at school. Each child was to bring their lunch and their favorite friend. Libby took "B" of course. She had a great time!

Lib's the Builder

Jason has been working in our storage room this winter trying to turn it into the toy room for the kids. It is coming along rather well. Libby has been his dedicated helper through most of the project. It's hard to tell from the photo's but she fancied up her tool belt by using her pink sparkly belt to make it more girly!

Daddy gave her some tools and filled her pocket with screws. She was handing Jason one screw at a time. It must have taken at least 5 mins. per screw. She had to dig in her pouch for just the right one, hand it to Jason, and wait for him to ask for another. She couldn't possibly get one ready, she had to wait until he asked! Poor Daddy, I think he only got one sheet hung the whole afternoon, but Libby loved every moment of it!

Pinewood Derby

A week or so before the Derby, Papa Dan came down to help with Maison's car. This year a trip was made to the local hobby shop to pick out a car that was already cut. This car was very very thin! Maison picked out a really cool sticker that when he got it wet, it shrunk to the wood. Very Cool! The night before the Derby Jay and Maison took his car to be weighed. It was much too light so they filled it with metal and glued pennies to the bottom.

Maison's car finished in the middle of the pack this year! Not too bad! Each kid received a ribbon in Maison's den. (Last year was a huge disappointment for the kids when they didn't get an award!) Maison received an "Outstanding" award.

Our favorite car was the block of wood that was taken out of the box right before the race! It actually did better than most! Maison is bound and determined to make a SpongeBob car next year! Looks like we will be sending the block of wood down the track. Ours will be painted of course.

3 Months Old

January has been a great month for Iz! She spent her first New Years with us and her Grama Shari and Papa Ed. She wasn't much of a party animal and almost made it until Midnight.

She continues to see Dr. Sheri, but only when she needs to go. How do I know when she needs to go? She gets super crabby which means she either has to poop or go to the chiropractor. Usually by the next morning if she hasn't pooped we are off to Dr. Sheri's. She is highly predictable in that regard!

Towards the middle of the month, we made a trip to Rolfe to see Grandmere and Papa Dan. Uncle Jeremy, Auntie Erin, Sydney Lynn, Hayley, and Addy came too! I enjoyed watching everyone play cards and scrabble. My favorite time was snuggling on Uncle Jeremy's waterbed tummy! (No matter what anyone says, Izzy loves you just they way you are!)

Izzy's laugh is becoming less and less of a grunt and more of a squeal! Libs can really get her going! Maison continues to snuggle and feed her once and in a while. Libby is attempting to nurse her dollies, but is highly frustrated because it's not working ;( Just as long as she doesn't ask me to feed her babies for her!

Her hair has continued to remain on her head for the most part. She has rubbed some of the back off, but where it had thinned out, it is growing back. Hopefully she won't go bald like poor libs!

Snow Day

The kids had a snow day today! They spent the entire day just being lazy in their jammies. Lots of snacks were consumed and lots of SpongeBob was watched!

Poor Daddy had to spend most of the morning shoveling! Where oh where is he going to put all of that snow?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Everyone loves picture games where you have to find what's wrong with the photo or find hidden objects. Let's see how well you can do! Below you will find a couple of pictures of Libby's christmas tree. She decorated it herself.










Can you find the following items?:
1. One blue bike chain
2. Lots of colored pipe cleaners
3. Lots of beaded necklaces
4. Pink hair ribbons
5. Lots of gift ribbon
6. A foam bead necklace
7. Cinderella's earring

Wasserbaun

Jason's friend Eric and his family came over this way from Omaha for a wrestling tournament. We met them in Amana so the kids could swim. The kids have only been together a couple of times, but it seems like they pick up right where they left off! We all had a great time!

Happy Birthday Papa Ed

We celebrated Papa Ed's birthday a day early because he had to go back to work tonight. We had an early dinner at the Texas Road House and headed over to their house for dessert and presents.

The highlight of Papa's birthday is always the card he gets from Uncle Vic. Every year the card is loaded full of junk, but it is always a great laugh! The things in the card are always so random! However, this year someone opened the side of the envelope and stole my Dad's root beer money! So this year there was an expired calendar, a bread tie, a rubber band, a dirty adult joke, a police card of his son John in Montana, 11 cents (what was left of the root beer money), a wet wipe, a ticket for the train at the zoo, and an article from the 1999 newspaper. My Dad keeps every card and the envelops they come in. On a less interesting note Papa also got a couple of shirts and a table for some saw he has.

Libby was excited that Papa turned 4 like her and Maison enjoyed serenading Papa with his alien mask.

The Schmidt Family Christmas

We left Rolfe late Christmas Eve night and dropped the kids off at Grama Shari and Papa Ed's house, so Santa would know where to drop the gifts off. We got to their house a little after midnight and the kids woke up long enough to grab their i-dogs, get into the house, and into bed. Jason, Izzy, and I headed home to sleep in our own bed. (There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed)

We got the call early the next morning informing us that Santa had left presents all over the place. We didn't even have time to shower. We loaded up Izzy and headed over. Santa brought Maison and Libby each their own computer that hooks up to our computer, soaps, and thermos mugs for hot coco. Izzy got some bath soap and a cool rain forest mat to play on. Daddy got some almonds, 4lbs of Twizzlers and Cyclone season tickets to share with Mommy. Mommy got her family calendar, tarts from Yankee Candle, and chocolate sticks that the kids ate! (Those dirty rats ate my sticks last year too!)

We were going to take a break so everyone could get cleaned up, but the kids were much too excited! They got lots of great things! Maison got his K'nex, a cool mug that plays xmas music, some movies, a Wall-E ornament, lots of tape and some other things I can't remember right now! Libs got her Easy Bake oven, food, a decorator, movies, her fairy ornament, a cool dance outfit, dress-up clothes, a mug that plays xmas music, a cool make-up kit, and lots of other things I again can't remember either! Izzy got a homemade blanket, clothes, toys, socks, her first ornament, and a hat and gloves. Jason and I got a Willow Tree Nativity, he got a new razor, and some gift cards. I too got some gift cards, but most importantly a mini banana bread loaf pan! (Mine rusted out and I haven't been able to replace it. Leave it to my mom to give me hers! The best present ever!)

All in all it was a great Christmas! However, I don't think the kids will eat turkey anytime soon which is unfortunate because Jason's folks gave us a great smoked turkey! We had turkey at Thanksgiving, our family Christmas, the Allen Christmas, and the Schmidt Christmas! Gobble Gobble!

Now, where are we going to put everything? Good Will here we come!

The Allen Family Christmas

We headed to Rolfe late Sunday afternoon for Christmas. The kids spent a few days with Grammy and Papa before their cousins Sydney Lynn, Hayley, and Addy arrived. The kids woke up early on Christmas Eve morning to open presents.

Everyone got everything they wanted plus more! Maison was really excited about his i-dog, zero gravity car, and helicopter! Libby was really really excited about her potty girl, i-dog, doll clothes and her pink reindeer sweatshirt (John Deere) from Papa! I think it will take a while for everything to sink in! They always get such great things and so many things, I think they forget what they have gotten. Poor Izzy slept through most of the present opening, but she got some really great things as well! It will be interesting to see how the kids react when we unpack it all. It will be like Christmas all over again! Maybe we should put some of it away for next Christmas. I wonder if they would even notice?

This year Uncle Rog and Papa Dan rented a big bouncy house for the kids to play in at the barn! The kids probably spent 10 or more hours bouncing around in that thing! The adults even joined in on the fun.

One of Santa's helpers dropped some gifts off at the barn for the kids. Maison and Libby got these really cool alien masks that can disguise their voices. Unfortunately, the grab bag event didn't go so well. Maison got a Dalmatian that he wanted but a few of the adults kept taking it away, which wasn't really all that fun. With the help of his Mom and Dad he was able to keep hold of it. Libby was lucky in her draw in that she got the last number, but not fully understanding how the whole thing works she also was reduced to tears. The good news is that she got the last gift which was an ornament that we made of the kids singing "Jingle Bells" which turned out to be a great gift for her Christmas tree! This kids weren't too traumatized and will soon forget when they have another whole round of gift opening tomorrow!

Our Family Christmas

We decided to do something a little different this year. We only bought one gift for our whole family, which was a Wii. We bought it a week or so before Christmas. We decided it was meant to be after a series of weird circumstances.

We were going to by one for Maison last year for his birthday, but ever since the Wii came out, we haven't been able to come across one anywhere! I have never seen one in the store before. Needless to say, Maison didn't get it for his birthday. However, while we were in North Dakota, I was shopping at the Wal-Mart there when on the loud speaker I heard..."Attention shoppers, we just received a large shipment of Wiis. Anyone interested should make their way back to electronics." I called Jason, but we decided to pass just because we didn't want to spend money we didn't have. We kicked ourselves afterwards because we decided the Wii would be a more practical gift than anything we had seen in the store!

So there Libby and I are grocery shopping one Friday afternoon when I made a pit stop in the electronic department just to see if they had a Wii. Low and behold, there one was! I couldn't believe it! I called Jason immediately and we decided to get it. As I am flagging an employee down, a man came down the isle looking for a Wii I assumed. I couldn't help myself and loudly stated..."I called it!" Lucky for me, he found my enthusiasm funny! I bought the Wii and accessories right in front of Libby and she didn't even notice! She was busy playing Mario Cart.

That night the kids had a sleepover at Grama Shari and Papa Ed's, so Jason and I decided to get the whole thing set up. We even played a game of golf. We unplugged the counsel and put it in the game closet. Hoping that the obvious would be less obvious. Seems like the sneaker we try to be, the faster the kids catch on.

We wrapped the empty boxes and decided to make clues for the kids to find their present. The clues were adapted from the story "The Night Before Christmas". We thought it was clever, but the kids seemed to tire of the clues rather quickly. When they finally opened their gift, the reaction was not what we thought it was going to be. They wanted to play right a way, but Libby asked where the rest of the presents were. I told her that was it and she says with both hands on her hips..."You know, kids like lots of presents for Christmas."

We assumed it was a bigger hit than we thought primarily because they wouldn't let Jason and I play, so we got up early the next morning and played 9 holes of golf. Jason was 11 over and I was only 26 over. Is there such a thing called a septuple bogey? There should be!