More of Bree

She has begun to insist on sitting on the couch just like her brothers to watch a TV show

She has this absolutely adorable "princess" dress that her Aunt Kara got her and I had her all dolled up and ready for church one day.  There is even a matching bow in her hair, but she wouldn't pose for me at all.  She was being a big grump!

One afternoon I was sitting on the floor with my phone and she crawled into my lap and started to cuddle with me.  I turned on the camera to take a selfie and she said "Cheeese!" too!

One day when we said "Amen" to the prayer I looked up to catch Bree "unfolding" her arms.  So the next time we said I prayer I peeked and saw that she had developed her own arm folding technique.  Any time some says the word "prayer" she puts her hands like this and is ready to go.

17 months old!!

At 17 months old she weighs about 17.5 pounds.  She has a good 15 to 20 words (although that has changed in the last week since she turned 17 months old) and she has finally found some foods that she consistently likes.  She likes chicken nuggets, pancakes, cheese, scrambled eggs, ice cream (sometimes...and sometimes it's too cold for her), Boost Breeze (we call it "juice" here), pizza, mandarin oranges (from a can), most fruits (she'll at least put them in her mouth and chew for a bit.....she still struggles to swallow some things), peanut butter and jelly (sometimes), many cereals, teddy grahams, and I'm sure there is more.  I finally don't feel helpless to feed her anymore, which is fantastic.  It was so hard in the past to know that she was hungry but yet have no idea what to get her to eat.  Now I can generally find something that I know she will eat.  Yippee!  She takes one two to three hour nap a day and sleeps through the night most nights (as long as she isn't cutting a molar...those have been awful!)  She has 9 teeth (two are molars and the other 7 are the front ones....4 on top, three on bottom), and dare I say that I'm about ready to dub her eyes "hazel".  But don't quote me on that one just yet!

Lollipop Park

The kids had a day off of school on Friday September 19th, so we decided to cash in on some Groupons we had purchased for an indoor amusement park in Denver.  The park was called Lollipop Park and was just a small area located inside the Family Sports Center in Centennial.  The Sports Center had an indoor ice rink, indoor climbing wall, and some restaurants/snack bar.  I'm sure there were other things, but I really couldn't look around because the kids were begging me to do other things and I wasn't going to pay for it at the time.  Anyway, it was a big place.

When we pulled up, the parking lot was PACKED.  I could not understand why.  We got inside and got our wristbands for the park and learned the rules.  There are a total of 6 (yes, 6!) rides and two bounce houses and a very short plasma car track.  Only one ride was operated at a time and so whoever was there circled the park in a group getting on one ride and then the next.  When we were first there we were circling with maybe 6 or so other kids and were able to make it through the 6 rides in about 25 minutes or so.  Let's just say, I'm glad that we had Groupons as I would never pay the $14.95 they charge for a ride pass.

On the back half of the first circle I found out why the parking lot was so full.  Training camp for the Avalanche was being held in the building and was open to the public and the media.  Yep, it was pretty crazy!  Anyway, Kai seemed to be having some difficulties waiting his turn in line and being patient with the younger kids, so we went through the rides two times before deciding to head out for lunch.  Kai had a meltdown on me and I knew we needed a break.  The closest place we found that sounded good was Noodles and Co so we stopped there.  It was my first time there, and I think it will be my last time for a good while.  I ordered Mac and Cheese for the boys, spaghetti and meatballs for Bree, and Pad Thai for me.  The boys ended up with plain macaroni, no cheese.  Bree got plain spaghetti noodles, no sauce and no meatballs.  My order came out ok, but geez.  I had to send everything back and even then I wasn't convinced they got the boys right.  She honestly sprinkled a handful of grated cheese on to the macaroni and brought it back.  Yep, not going back.

On the Ferris Wheel

Our selfie on the Ferris Wheel

Spinning super fast on the tea cups

Bree and I spun much slower

The plasma car race track

The Avalanche training camp through the safety glass

Riding the train.  Finn's meltdown at the end of the day came because he did not get to be in the engine of the train.  And he refused to ride anywhere else

Bree on one of the train cars.  She liked the train but I wasn't allowed to ride so she had to be able to see me pretty much at all times.  So, I walked around and around as best as I could.

After lunch we headed back to Lollipop Park (since we had all day passes).  There were a lot more people this time around and it was taking nearly 45 minutes to rotate through all of the rides.  Bree was big enough to ride about half of the rides, as were several other little ones.  But the adults couldn't join in on some.  It was nearly impossible to get them all buckled in and sitting down at the same time.  Some would sit patiently and then patience would run out and they would stand up just the attendant got others to sit down.  It was a joke that sometimes required nearly 10 minutes just to get a ride going.  Towards the end of our second loop around, Finn melted down on me.  By this point it was nearly 3 or so in the afternoon so we decided to head out.  We had to stop for gas on the way home and made a quick stop at Sonic for milkshakes (after the day we had, I deserved one!).  The boys loved Lollipop Park.  I personally have no intention of ever going back.....but don't tell them that!

Funny Bree Videos

Palmer Lake Reservoir

So, while I didn't take any pictures of the rest of us for that first month after school did, thankfully, Reid did!

While our Kansas cousins were here we had talked about taking a hike to the Palmer Lake Reservoir.  Some friends had recommended it, but we had never tried it and after reading some reviews on the internet I started to get nervous that it wasn't as "easy" as our friends had led me to believe.  So, we decided that we would try it first to see if it was kid-friendly.

Posing on a boulder/rock along the way

Reid on the rock

Our view for the hike up

On Saturday August 30th, we set off on our hike.  It was a pretty day for the hike and we found it pretty easily.  Our friends had said that it was a bit of an uphill hike at first.  Hmmmm.....I figure these friends must be pretty frequent hikers because it was uphill ALL the way in my opinion.  And one stretch was fairly steep, especially for my boys.  Kai can't stand weeds and bugs and seriously made me laugh and lose my patience at times.  Finn is a good hiker but can tire out easily and needs to hydrate more often.  It was slow going up the hill  But we made it.....and it was worth it for the view!

Beautiful reservoir!

Now that we've done it, we know what to do to prepare to take a bunch of kids on the hike.  It's definitely a hike that is worth repeating.  In fact, after this hike we decided that we should do family hikes every Saturday until it got cold.  Unfortunately, that hasn't worked out, but that is definitely worth making a goal for our next bout of good weather.

Since School Started

Things have been busy, and yet not busy at the same time, since school started.  I was looking at pictures and realized that I went a whole month taking pictures of nothing other than Bree.  Ha!  Bree and I really enjoy our three hours together every morning.  Although, honestly, most of the time we are getting errands done or cleaning up the house.  I try to make sure to save some time to do things that she would enjoy (such as the park or the library or even just playing in the toy room), but I wish there was more time to do that.  I'm hoping that as we get into winter that there will be more time to just chill at home, but I guess that would rely on me being a bit more organized and willing to get things done during other times of the day.

Normally, Bree goes down for a nap right about the time Finn comes home from school.  So that means that Finn and I have time to play, or do treatments if needed, and eat lunch etc.  I also use that time to do things that I can't do very well with Bree running around (such as mowing the lawn and running on the treadmill).  But it does make it hard to get errands done in the afternoon.  By the time she wakes up from her nap we are normally crunched for time if we want to get anything done and be back in time to get Kai from the bus stop.

So, I guess that explains what I mean by busy, but not busy, too.

Anyway, here are some pictures from when school started up until mid-September.  (In other words, Bree time!)

She LOVES to color!

And yes, she still loves her sweet treats.

It turns out that she likes to play dress up, too.  The pumpkin costume is her favorite.  We tried it on to see if it would work for Halloween and then she didn't want to take it off.

While I was busy upstairs she found her infant car seat (which I was cleaning up to sell) and she decided to get in.  All of a sudden I heard crying and I ran over to find her stuck in the car seat!  Yep, I laughed and took a picture before I got her out!

First time painting.  Look her brothers are there!

I got smart after this and took off her white onesie.

Cousin Fun

Not only was August 20th the first day of school, but it was also the day that my brother, Joseph, and his family arrived for a short visit.  It had be over three years since we had last seen them, so it was fun to have them come out and catch up a bit.

Their plane arrived in the late afternoon on the 20th, so Kai and I drove up to Denver Airport together right after school to pick them up.  By the time we arrived home it was nearly bedtime for our boys, and way past bed time for them.  We grabbed some Chinese food on the way back to the house and enjoyed a yummy dinner before putting every down to bed.

On Thursday the 21st, both of my boys had school.  So, that morning while Bree napped my brother, his oldest son, and I went to the grocery store.  His son likes to push the cart and was a great little assistant for us as we shopped.

That afternoon after Finn got home from school (but not Kai) we went over to Fox Run park where we feed the fish (and chipmunks!) some bread and made a quick stop at the playground before heading home for some much needed naps for the little ones.

feeding the fish

On Friday the 22nd, our school district did something new--Assessment Day.  Kai had a two-hour window of time in which he was at school doing a series of three different assessments and then we were to pick him up.  It worked out well that he just had two hours that day, as it gave him more time with his cousins.  After picking him at noon from school, we squeezed all 8 of us into our van and headed down to Fargo's.  Kai at first threw a fit about the whole thing, but eventually decided he liked the place after we arrived.  You'd think after 7 years I would know how to introduce a new idea to him, but I still forget at times.  He doesn't handle change or surprise well a lot of the times and the thought of getting pizza anywhere but Papa John's was unfathomable to him.  He got over it and enjoyed it.  And so did the rest of us.

The only picture I have from Fargos.  Bree really liked the high chari they had there.

Playing on the deck later that night

Finally on Saturday the 23rd, we headed up to the North Pole.  It has been a few years since we've been and we were looking forward to going back.  My boys were much more interested in the bigger rides this time, despite me and Reid having much weaker stomachs in our old age.  Finn, the adventure lover, enjoyed every single ride he went on.  Kai, on the other hand, was pretty funny.  The Tilt-A-Whirl was not his friend and then on his last ride he was giving himself a pep-talk all the way through.  He definitely made me laugh.

Because my brother's kids are younger, they weren't as adventurous as our boys.  It took some persuasion from the oldest cousin that the rides were fun.  Kai was a great help in that respect and I was proud of him for being so encouraging and concerned about Zachary and if he was having fun.

Bree was ok on just a few of the rides.  She really would have preferred to sit in my lap, but that was a no-no.

Kai helped Zachary to go on the Granny Bugs

Reid and Bree tried the Granny Bugs but she was not having it.  I think she would have been fine if she could have sat on his lap.  Oh well, next time!

Kai got to take a ride on the cars with Uncle Joseph

She's driving!

As soon as we were done at the North Pole, we went straight to the Colorado Springs airport where they were hoping to catch an evening flight on standby.  It was a quick visit but we were glad they came and we were happy to have them.  I'm grateful for any chance that my kids get to spend with family!

All of the cousins on the Hickman side

Back to School 2014

We got back from our mini-vacation just 9 days before school started.  It gave us time to do some shopping, get settled back in at home, have a couple of play dates with friends, and a doctor's appointment.  It was hard to believe that the summer was rapidly coming to an end.  Kai said several times that he wished we could start the summer over.  We had a good summer.  There was no big trip like many families had, but we had lots of fun activities and made lots of good memories as a family.  I thought about making a list of all of the new places we went and I realized that I couldn't remember them all.  Thankfully, they are all here in the blog, though.

I took a series of pictures like this the Sunday before school started.  This is the boys playing together on a quiet afternoon.  I really got spoiled this summer as I didn't have to entertain them at all.  They don't even need toys to entertain themselves.  This game they are playing was the most popluar game of the summer--spiders.  They have multiple "pet spiders" and all kinds of stories and adventures for them.  Heck, they even "gave" me a pet spider.  I named him "Quiety" because this game gets crazy loud and can be played anywhere.  I'll be honest, I don't miss this game!  I miss them playing together, but not this game!

On Tuesday August 19th was the elementary school open house in which all of the kids descend upon the school in a measly hour and half time slot.  They have to pay all of their fees, get bus/parking passes as needed, drop off their school supplies and meet their teachers.  All with 700 students and their families flooding the school.  Needless to say, it's chaos.  That morning I also had a meeting with Finn's Pre-K teacher and the school nurse to go over his needs and begin the process of getting a health plan established for him.  Thankfully I had a babysitter that the boys loved so they were able to stay home while I did that.  Then after returning the babysitter to his house we headed to the school.  My strategy the past two years has been to show up at for the last half of the open house.  That way I hope to snag a closer parking spot from the families that are done and are already leaving.  Last year it paid off well.  This year I got nervous because we had to go to two classrooms, so we showed a bit earlier and I ended up finding a decent spot but I had to parrallel park to get it.  That was nerve racking in the van but I was grateful for the back up camera on that.  Kai told me that practice makes perfect and now if there is a spot for parrallel parking he tries to goad me into it.  It's kind of funny!  Anyway, we got through open house day and the boys were both ready and excited for school.  This was my first year without really holding in the tears, and I think it was mostly because I was nervous and worried about Finn.  It didn't really give me time to be sad.  I'm not one of those moms who misses her kids while they are at school, but I do think about them and wonder how the are doing and I do miss knowing what is going on in their lives.  It's hard to give up a part of their day to the unknown.  That being said, both boys are doing great in school and so far I have heard nothing but good reports.

First day of school

Kai is in second grade this year and his teacher is Mrs. Pierce.  She has been teaching for 35 years and has taught in many, many different places as her husband was in the military.  Kai loves that she has been all over the world, but he is especially thrilled that she once taught in Quantico, Virginia.  When I visited with her briefly at Back to School night she told me that Kai was gifted and sweet and she enjoyed him.  Honestly, I didn't expect to hear anything less.  He has a good track record.

First day of second grade

I know this isn't a great picture but I included it because of the little girl to the left of Kai.  That is Cora.  She was in his first grade class and is one of his "favorite" people.  I think he has a crush on her.

The short-haired blond on the right walking behind the kids is Mrs. Pierce

Finn is in Pre-K with a new teacher to the school this year.  She has been in the district for 5 years, but I get the feeling this is her first year having a classroom of her own (instead of being an aide).  Her name is Ms. Michelle.  Finn is enjoying school and the more I get to know his teacher the more I'm growing to appreciate her.  She isn't a super fuzzy, warm preschool teacher.  But she does love the kids and she is very good at setting boundaries.  I think she is turning out to be just what Finn needs.  You can tell that she is nervous and not quite sure what to say to parents, but I'm hoping that will improve as the year goes on.

He was so excited!

First day of Pre-K

Preschool starts 20 minutes after the rest of the school, so we waited outside of the building for a bit.

Playing with Mater with a friend from church, Tate

Overall, I'm grateful that my kids have such a wonderful school community and are in a place where they can get a good, quality education.  I'm hoping that we have a fantastic school year and that Finn stays healthy and safe.