Slacking in more ways than one...

K, so lately I've been in a bit of a slump.  Just not a ton of energy.  I've noticed that my sense of humor has been MIA.  The result:  a grumpy family!  Why is it that us Mom's have to carry the mood of the house?!  Well, it is what it is.  So today I have decided to bring some laughter back into the home.  It definitely helps that the weather is getting better.  Yes, I never thought that it would happen!  I was beginning to feel we were stuck in Hell...I mean the Arctic...I mean South Dakota...seriously, what's the difference! :)  I must say the sun is healing for me.  It is so fun to see the kids being able to play outside and all of the neighbors coming out of hibernation.  To my Arizona pals:  believe it or not 40 degrees is HEAVENLY! 

What's happenin' with Gracie?

 Gracie's Tiger Trek class made pinball machines.  They had a Physics Expo that the parents were invited to so we could see their projects.  They learned the Laws of Motion and then worked as teams to build pinball machines.  They were able to bring their own items from home and use their imaginations along with what they learned about motion to build them.  It was so fun to see all of their creative ideas!

 

Gracie and Phil got to go to a "Father Daughter Dance"  at the school.  Gracie was SO excited.  And honestly, Phil was really excited to take her.  However, beforehand Phil asked me how long it would last and I told him 2 hours.  I saw his jaw drop and his eyes glaze over as he was thinking, how in the heck am I going to dance for 2 HOURS!  So funny.  Gracie was making him practice picking her up and twirling her around in the air.  She kept saying she hoped there would be some hip hop to dance to.  I know she completely expected Phil to bust out the moves he does at home.  But if you know us and our dancing skills, then it's best they stay within the walls of our home. :)  At the dance the dad's pretty much hung out together and and all the girls ran around screaming and playing.  When they came home Gracie was crying because her stomach hurt.  Apparently she had been running like crazy for two hours and then just before they left she drank two cups of punch and got a belly ache.  :(  Good times!

 

What's new with Chase?

2-11-10

Started sitting up all on his own.

3-15-10

Top tooth poked through.  The other top one is about too.  Now he's grinding his top and bottom teeth together...eeeeeek!

The day has come...he will eat baby food now!  He's still not a big fan of the fruity ones, but we're gettin' there.  He is really learning to get around without crawling exactly.  I'm sure it'll only be a matter of days before that starts.   He is so funny!  He has started doing this laugh that, well...can't be described in words, but seriously funny.  He really wants to be involved in everything the rest of us are doing.  And yes, unfortunately is still a monster at church. :)

The Park-man!

3-5-10
Parker (matter of factly):  "Jesus is smart he knows where we live.  Jesus is a smart guy.  How come he died for us?"
Me (in simple terms):  "Because He loved us."
Parker:  "But His spirit is still alive in Heaven right?"
Me:  "Yes."
Parker:  "So our spirits are alive when we die too right?"
Me:  "Yes...in Heaven."
Parker: "So how do our spirits escape from our body?"
Me:  "I'm not sure Park."
Parker: "I know, they come out of our ears....NO, HAHAHA!  They just come out of our body."

3-26-10
So I was in a rhyming mood this morning and I was trying to get out the door to take Parker to preschool and he was being quite slow.  So I said, "Today Ray!"  Then I said, "Let's go Mo!"  So Parker thought he'd be funny and try to rhyme along with me and so in response to my "Let's go Mo", he says, "Let's go Ho!"  Haha!

3-26-10
Parker wanted to go outside and play, but he wanted to see if Bella (the little girl next door) could play outside with him.  So he went next door to ask.  Next thing I know Parker comes stomping back in the house bobbing his head back and forth from shoulder to shoulder and says, "Bella has diahrreNa and can't play!  Earth is the boringest place EVER!"

Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson's Visit

We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson.  We are always SO grateful when our families make it out to visit us.  We are aware of the big sacrifices they have to make to come visit and see their grandkids.  And to this, we will be forever grateful. 

While they were here Sioux Falls had their annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Not exactly a warm day for a parade, but whatever, it was a good excuse to get out of the house.  Gracie and Parker were just concerned about there being candy thrown at the parade.  Go figure!

Notice in the background of this picture the port a potty that says "Pot O'Gold!"  Nice!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Green Eggs, Green Pancakes, Green Milk

P.S. I think today was the happiest day we've had in 6 months. Temps reached 43 degrees AND we saw that thing people call the SUN! I'm pretty sure I saw the Heaven's open up and Angels singing Alleluia!

Seriously Mom, I HATE baby food!!!