Just Maybe!!!!

The germs may have left the house!  There was a fever in the big one on Friday night but it was short-lived and all seemed to have lots of energy on Saturday. 

Tater lost her 4th tooth yesterday morning!

Love those gaps!

Then we headed out to the playground to run off some of that pent-up winter energy!

Hopefully the healthiness will last and we will have a "relaxing" and enjoyable week ahead!

And Then She Lost Her First Tooth!

So, we send Tater to Papa and Mimi's for a few weeks and she goes and grows up! She took a bite of chocolate chip short bread and out fell her first tooth! I sure hope that Tooth Fairy finds her at Papa's and give her a bonus for being so brave away from Mama and Daddy!

...its almost summer...almost!

This time of year is a bit crazy...almost as crazy as September is around this house! I guess that just comes with the territory when Mommy's a teacher. This spring this have grown a bit more out of control since both Bruiser and Tater are also in school and Tater is graduating preschool this year! So our next few weeks? INSANE!!!

This is just a glimpse of my "to do" list for the next month:

• paint 12 flower pots (teacher, aides, etc. gifts!)
• buy and plant flowers for those 12 flower pots
• decorate for and orchestrate a mini-graduation party
• assess 22 students in about 50 different areas...while teaching my normal curriculum!
• finish 22 report cards with written comments
• plan an end of the year fun day for my kindergartners (with lots of wonderful parent help!)
• close up my classroom for the summer...
• ...and think ahead to September!
• Get Wiggles EI evaluation done
• three scheduled doctors' appointments in the next month (Tater, Wiggles, and me)
• pack Tater to go to Mimi and Papa's for a few weeks
• go pick Tater up from Mimi and Papa's in a few weeks
• make arrangements for Tater for summer camps (two in place but looking at one more!)

And here is a glance at my "wish list":

• build a dining room table and benches
• put in a patio
• grow our vegetables

I know! Crazy! So other than the big important posts (you know, graduation and stuff!), I might be a bit absent...or I might be posting all the time to avoid getting my work done!

...and she's off!

Miss Wiggles is our adventurous one! She climbs the ladder to Bruiser's bunk bed...hourly!...slides down any slide, taught herself to climb down stairs...and obviously is trying to get her driver's licence a bit early!

Flood Update...

As I type this, Daddy is spraying the basement with a bleach and water solution to cut down on the mold growth. From what we heard, this is our only option. I guess there are some fungicides that you can buy that work better but because Tater is immuno-suppressed, they are not recommended. So say a prayer that it works and that the icky smell begins to go away!

Here are few flood shots that I've been store up since Thursday. We've been so busy working on drying it out and enjoying Easter, that I haven't been able to find the time or energy to post them!

It's hard to see but this was our first sight of the bare floor (Thursday night)!

Miss Wiggles lives up to her name!

This is where I found her at breakfast yesterday after she wiggled out of her buckle.

The man room on Friday afternoon.

Another few of the man room from Friday afternoon.

The backyard Friday afternoon.

More of the backyard.

The man room late Friday night - a bit more STUFF!

The dining room - we DID NOT have Easter here!

The six loads of laundry that I did Friday, in between moving boxes, taking care of the kids, cleaning the rooms we can still live in, and trying not to break down from the stress of it all.

...and he's all grown up!

Remember how sad I was to send Bruiser off to preschool? The sight of him climbing those big steps onto that big, yellow bus? Being away from him five days a week for 2 1/2 hours? Strangely enough, I've come to enjoy the time. Bruiser happily goes off to school to see his friends and I get afternoons with Miss Wiggles and Tater (when she doesn't have school). We run errands, get chores done, or simply relax. Things seemed to be going smoothly...until Monday!

Bruiser came home, all excited that Daddy was home and could get him off the bus (after the driver asked Bruiser if he was his Daddy...somewhat suspiciously!). I was with Miss Wiggles, getting her hips x-rayed (more later!) so it was all on Daddy.

I got home and asked Bruiser about his day. His response?

"I see my best friend, Sarah. She wear a dress. She pretty!" And then he got all shy!

Do realize what that all means? My little boy has a girlfriend! Really?!?! I thought I had a few more years! Excuse me while I go pull out my newest gray hairs!

Tater Turns Five!

Our baby girl is now five! I can't even begin to figure out where the years have gone...but that's why we live by the saying "long days, short years"! Here are a few glimpses of our precious princess over the years.

Her first birthday party at Build-A-Bear...we were so young!

At the beach!

Taking pictures of butterflies.

Laying in the leaves!

Snacking at Papa's

Building blocks - and eventually she ended up inside the tower!

Baby girl...one day old!

Playing in the snow!

Tater was the precious little one that we waited so long to have and then couldn't imagine life without! She worked her way into every one's hearts...especially her Papa's! She has taught us so much - as parents, as people, and as friends. She gives the best cuddles, has the most caring personality, and has a mind that will challenge Mommy and Daddy over the years to come.

Tater is all girl! She loves dance class, crafty things, baking, princesses, fancy things, jewelry, and taking care of her little brother and sister. She is our social butterfly! She is an amazing helper...when she wants to be! She is a love but also loves to challenge her Mommy and Daddy. She tests us every step of the way!

Tater has developed an amazing sense of faith and family. She loves church and God and she loves family time. And, of course, she LOVES Papa!

She has grown way too fast! She has excelled at preschool and will start kindergarten in September. As sad as that makes Mommy and Daddy, she can't wait to go to "Mommy's school" (yes, she will be in the same school that I teach at!). There is no turning back now...she's growing up!

So, Tater, know that you will always be Mommy and Daddy's baby...because you were our first! We love you more than words can describe! Hold on to that amazing enthusiasm and zest for life! Never stop questioning...never stop learning! And never get too big to cuddle with Mommy!

We love you, Birthday Girl!

Big Things Happen When You Are Turning 5!

Tater and I met Daddy for lunch today at the mall...

...and on the way out we stopped for a big girl birthday treat! Any guesses what Tater got to do?

That's right! With minimal tears and a lot of bravery, Tater got her ears pierced! She was so good and she is so proud!

We called Papa at work to tell him the big news and then Mimi at home to tell her. They both were so surprised that she was so big! Mommy and Daddy just can't believe it either...long days, short years, you know!

Can Anyone Believe She Is Amost Five?!?!

Monday Daddy registered Tater for kindergarten...yes, kindergarten...yes, my baby!

Then, today I had a meeting at school after I was done working and had to bring the girls with me. Miss Wiggles went to the meeting and sat on my lap. Tater went to visit the classroom that will be her kindergarten room. She sat and did centers. She wrote words. She fit right in!

Then we went to Sam's Club for a few necessities. She walked by the cart. She helped me get what we needed. She held the receipt. She acted like a five-year-old!

I get a teary-eyed thinking about how fast she is growing until...

We are driving home and she asks if she can get a new backpack for kindergarten. I, of course, say yes...after all a woman's bag is one of her best accessories! Then she asks for a Hannah Montana backpack and I tell her no because we don't watch Hannah Montana. And her response?

"Moooooom, you are soooooo busted when I tell Daddy!"

And that is my almost five-year-old...the real, true-to-life one!

Tumble Tots!

Our local rec center offer some amazing programs for toddlers...for free! One program that we take advantage of each winter is "Tumble Tots." Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are able to play and move under the direction of several instructors. There is little structure but lots of energy burning! And this year, for the first time, Bruiser is old enough to join in! So bright and early Saturday morning, the entire House of Sprout headed out to enjoy some fun!

Miss Wiggles felt a bit left out!

Bruiser was right on target with the stretching...

...and twisting!

He did the circle play ... for a few minutes!

He smiled to show how much fun he was having...during a drink break!

When they divided into smaller groups, he had to hold the teacher's hand.

It was partly his choice and partly a strategic move on her part!

He had a bit of trouble rolling like a log...

...he kept going crooked!

And waiting in line was very HARD!!!

Oh, and Tater was there too! She was just so independent that we didn't have to worry about her!

Big Boy, School Boy!

Bruiser headed off to school for the first time this afternoon...and he was so excited!

He stood waiting at the door for 30 minutes for the bus...that never arrived!

So, Mommy and Daddy and Miss Wiggles drove him to school so he wouldn't be late!

He took a minute to pose outside his school...when he really wanted to run right in!

But rest assured, the minute it was time to walk down to his classroom without Mama, all he could do was sniffle and whimper, "I need you, Mama!" I left with a few tears in my eyes (because I am a Mama!) but knew it was best to let him walk to his classroom without me (because I am a teacher, too!).

About halfway though the day (while Daddy and Miss Wiggles and I were running errands...like lunch, church chores, visiting Mama's school, and watching Mama fall on her face in the parking lot of the bank! Oh, yes, I did!), Bruiser's teacher called to let me know that he was doing well...settling in, tolerating circle time (his least favorite!), and participating in speech group. I felt so much better when I got that message!

Then he came home on the bus...just like a big boy! It was all he could talk about! I have no idea what he did all day or who his friends are but I do know he rode the bus and can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

(On another note, I also know that what I though would be perfect dismissal times for both Bruiser and Tater from preschool so that I cold get her and be home to get him off the bus...isn't so perfect! His bus was 10 minutes early! So, I guess Tater will have to be picked up a bit early...oh, well!)

And this is where he ended up within 10 minutes of walking in the door! He was falling asleep at the table eating the Munchkins Mama and Daddy got him as a special treat for his first day! Such a tired boy after such a busy day!

Wonder how tomorrow will go?!?