thursday

Spent a fun day at home today!!!  Alicia brought her kiddos over here to play today.  We played games (farmer and the dell), listened to Christmas music, did some sticker and coloring crafts, read books, played with balls and blocks.  Played on all 3 levels.  Alexa requested to play in Kobe's crib which was so cute!!  She loved playing with all his music toys in there and did not want to get out!  She also was very curious about the boys leapsters and tried playing with those too.  She was really into playing and building with the mega blocks downstairs too and played house with Lilly and Landon in the tent.

She ate well for both meals.  I was eating an orange during snack time and she was like a little puppy begging so she ate probably more than half of one.  She had her raisins, whole wheat pita pizza, yogurt, and milk for lunch. 

wednesday

sorry so late!!!  Forgot it was Wednesday there for a minute I guess because Landon is home today.

So just had Alexa, Landon and Kobe.  We decided to venture over to my sisters' house for a play date with Tristan, Lilly and Sydney.  Alexa was in her glory!!  I never saw her play so well in my life!!  She was in baby doll and play kitchen heaven.  My sister was so happy to see someone playing with all those babydolls (Lilly has only 1 she plays with).  The big boys played in the den (legos of course) Kobe played cars.  We had snack and stayed over there for almost 2 hours.  So peaceful and no fighting YEAH!!!

Came home and played in the basement with the trains and some more baby dolls.  Came up and had some lunch.  Alexa had her prune, yogurt and mac n cheese.  Her grapes unfortunately grew mold and I had to throw them out :-(  So she had a banana.  She also had a huge #2 after lunch while playing downstairs.  Perfect timing for right before nap time!!

She was so cute when I put her down for nap.  She snuggled up with her blankies, said night night and then closed her eyes and pretended to snore!!! haha

Monday

Fun and busy morning!  Alexa and Kobe went to the library for story time.  We got there a bit early so they played in the play house, read some books, and looked at the fishies.  There was another mommy there with her daughter who was around 16 months and Alexa had a blast entertaining them and making the little girl laugh.  She danced, jumped, clapped, bent over to look at her upside down.  It was so funny!  Then story time of course was lots of fun.  Sadly the next one isn't for a while due to the holidays and other meetings (not until the end of Jan).

Came home and got the kids some chicken nuggets cooked to take along to the Christmas singing at Landon's school.

Alexa and Kobe sat in the pews and munched on their nuggets and LOVED the Christmas music.  After they were finished eating they of course ran in circles in the back of the church clapping and dancing.

Came home and finished up lunch with yogurts and fruit and milk.

Good day!

Thursday

Well today went great until about 10:00am!  For some reason the Baldwin boys all the sudden wouldn't play nicely (Elliott acted bored and therefore was acting out)  Oliver just wasn't himself, he was going up to kids and pushing or taking toys.  It was so strange because they did so well up until then.  I'm hoping it just means extra long naps.  Even after lunch Elliott's big treat is to go up and play with Landon but he knows the rule is to stay in Landon's room.  Well after telling him 3 times to get out of Kobe's room he lost that privilege.  I think they are ready for naps but trying to hold them out until 1.  Although usually I let Elliott stay up until 2.  I hate when I have to play "mean guy". 

Alexa has been in a good mood.  She's barely made a peep all day, just lots of content playing.  My sister came over this morning with Syd to play and she was snuggling with Alicia a lot! 

We did a sticker Christmas craft today.  They liked it but again interest didn't last too long.  We did puzzles, Oliver, Elliott and Kobe were really into those!), made train tracks, and sang and danced to Christmas music.  We practiced counting to 10 a lot too.  The kiddos got the tunnel out and had a blast with that too. 

We are all down in the basement now that lunch is over and have Caliou on (by the way that's Alexa's new fav!) it comes on after lunch.  I put Kobe up to bed already because he too was giving me a run for the money.  Must be a crazy boy day!

Everyone ate well for both meals!  Oliver loved eating at the big boy table for breakfast and did a great job.  At lunch I tried Alexa at it and she too did super!  Sat the entire time and ate everything!  Wow they are growing up fast!  . 

Wednesday

Alexa, Kobe and I hung out in the house today.  We played cars, dinosaurs, kitchen, trains.  We read books, colored a ton.  Alexa made a pretty picture with snowman stickers and we talked about snow and how it's the color white and cold.  Alexa kept touching her picture when I would say it's cold and look at me like I was crazy (haha!)

She ate well for both meals.  Her cereal for breakfast and yogurt, with chicken nuggets, her "candy" and grapes (she loved it!)  and her milk.

Everyone is in good moods today and it's been a calm day so far!

Thursday

It's quarter to 1 and we are just now eating!  The doctor appt took forever!  Kyle took Landon in while I waited out in the van with Alexa and Kobe.  Spent the hour in the van, singing Christmas songs, reading books, playing cars, watching elmo, and Alexa entertained herself for a while putting the windows up and down!

Spent the rest of the early morning at home playing in the basement.  Alexa and Kobe were really into the blocks today.

Alexa has been hungry today!  Ate a ton for breakfast (all her oatmeal with pears and then some added chex cereal and then snack an hour later)  Woofing her chicken nuggets, yogurt and cherries now!!!

Wednesday

It was a super fun and busy morning!  Miss Alexa was a bit touchy/emotional today but she seemed to shake it off by lunch time.

We did preschool/bus drop off.  Came home and played outside for a half hour just to run around.  Seemed to get colder as we were out so we came in.  It was nice though to get some fresh air.  Came in and I set up the little people nativity and went through the bible story of Christmas.  We talked about all the characters and who's birthday it is.  We sang happy birthday to Jesus.  Then we made a sticker nativity craft and again went through the people and animals. 

Then Oliver and Elliott painted their ornaments they made last week.

We all went down to play in the basement for the rest of the morning.  We listened to Christmas music.  I was on a mission to re-organize toys since I just got 2 new storage bin/shelves.  Looks great and we had lots of fun!

Everyone ate well except shockingly.... Oliver!  He would not touch his banana at breakfast or lunch and wouldn't touch his soup you packed for him.  Thank goodness I had a baked potato in the fridge.  I put some EVOO and he woofed that down with his yogurt.  Alexa had chicken nuggets, yogurt and her cherries for lunch. 

Monday

Best morning!!!  Preschool drop off and bus pick up went well then I took Alexa and Kobe to the library for story time.  It was a huge success and I'm hoping to go Mondays when it's just Alexa and Kobe!  I loved that we were in a seperate room (huge difference and I could see them at all times and it was great because Kobe could roam around during the story)  Alexa and another little girl who was there sat and listened to the whole story.  Kobe bopped back n forth and would peak into the story here and there.  Today we learned about penguins.  Alexa got to hold a special stuffed penguin while Miss Lisa read.  After reading we got up and did some singing and dancing and finger plays.  I was told Alexa is a pro (although she was the oldest there today)  Miss Lisa said they usually have 8-12 kiddos but today it was only 3 counting my two so it was a little group but we still had fun.  Then at the end the leader got out some toys for some socialization and Alexa was mesmerized by a toy with beads in that acted like an hour glass.  There were 2 girls from York college studying to be teachers so the kids got lots of attention and play time today!

Came home and it was so nice we played outside for the rest of the morning.  It was warm enough for no coats!  Loved it!  They were in their glory. 

Ate lunch at noon.  Alexa ate super for both meals today.  Oatmeal with pears for breakfast and mac n cheese with cherries (didn't touch fruit) and yogurt for lunch.  They are sooooo tuckered out, Alexa is just blankly staring at the tv right now, I don't think she's blinked for 5 minutes! haha  Soon off for naps and I'm hoping they are long ones, I'm pooped!

Thursday

Alexa's in a good mood today!  We did school drop offs then I took Alexa and Kobe to Target to return a few gifts and then we went to the library to pick up some videos I had on hold.  They were so good!  They loved running around the library for a bit after sitting at the store (they had some pretzels and milk and were very good) 

Came back home and they went off and played so nicely!  We read books, got the tunnel out and listened to some Christmas music.  Alexa then showed off her talents of taking off her socks and pants! haha

She ate really well today.  Pb,pear oatmeal for breakfast and for lunch chicken nuggets with yogurt and grapes.  Drank her entire cup of milk and had a huge wet diaper!

Wednesday

Ugh I even tried creating a new blog to see if I could upload pix and nope!  I guess I'm at my max for all my blogs.  When I get a chance I may try to set up an entirely new account.  This stinks, I'm very upset I can't continue with pictures!  I've been doing these blogs since Bryce was born!

So today was great!  Alexa was in a super play by myself mood!  Seriously she just went off all morning and played played played.  She didn't want to come upstairs much at all and I had to drag her outside for the whole 20 minutes we decided to play outside.  She was really into playing kitchen and pretending to make pizza.  I love this age when they play so well alone (yet I feel like I'm neglecting them)  haha  Although I did have her sit for a little and paint her ornaments (which she decided to paint her hand as well).  She drank almost her entire cup of milk and had 1 wet diaper (not soaked though)  She ate her cereal much better with the pb (I might have to try that with Kobe, pb and a mashed up banana with oatmeal sounds yummy to me!) 

The Baldwin boys were ornament making fools!  They loved the salt dough and not only made hand print ornaments, but other Christmas ornaments out of cookie cutters.  Oliver loved cutting the dough with a butter knife and Elliott enjoyed my roller.  They did this for almost an hour.  They are cooking now and they can paint them next week when they come!  Oliver is talking up a storm.  Elliott begged to go outside to sled.  I knew I had enough snow boots and gloves so out we went for 20 minutes.  I couldn't believe it but the sled actually worked on the very tiny amount we had.  I was impressed all toddlers kept their gloves on!  Came inside and played in the basement (well I picked up while they played it looked like wreck!)  We read some books.

Came up and had lunch.  Everyone ate well except Alexa dissed my mac n cheese for the second day.  So strange how a favorite can suddenly become not the case!  Has she been eating pb and j sandwiches at all?  I haven't tried them with her for a while and thought maybe tomorrow I'll try that.  She ate all her fruit and yogurt (oh and I have a ton of frozen fruit by the way!)  Elliott had a pb sandwhich, yogurt, and grapes with milk and Oliver had his special food with some added grapes and yogurt. 

Tuesday

That's strange!  I went to upload pictures on my blog and it says I've reached the maximum number I am allowed and I have to pay for more space????  I'll have to have Kyle look into that.  If that's the case perhaps I'll just post a pic or 2 on facebook and tag you in it???  I have a cute one of Alexa making her handprint ornaments I'll post that on facebook today.

Good morning!  Alexa (other than having a few melt downs over paci) was excellent!  I will stay consistant with that for now on and I'm sure she'll get over it!  She was talking up a storm today too!  Her and Kobe were loving my kitty Zues (he's really starting to become quite the lover with small kiddos)  She was saying "kitty" "soft" "tail", etc.  She also pointed to my tummy and said "baby" (so cute!)

So we stayed inside today.  My sister brought her girls over for a little so she could wrap up things with her job.  If I would have just had Alexa and Kobe I was going to take them out for a little in the snow.  However bundling up 4 didn't sound like so much fun, I'm sure we'll have more times to do that!  I am planning to take Landon out now that the toddlers are asleep. 

Alexa didn't eat much today (I'm guessing she doesn't have her normal appetite back yet?)  Just half her oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and a few bites of mac n cheese and yogurt (but ate all her grapes at lunch and drank all her milk.  She looked sleepy today so she went down for a nap at 12:15.

Tuesay

 Syd took an AM nap and me and the one year olds hung out this morning in the basement playing with toys.  I showed them the monster trucks and how to race them which was tons of fun!  Listened and danced to some Christmas music. 

Everyone ate well for both meals.  Although Alexa didn't touch her cherries? 

Pretty boring morning,..... haha  not much to report.  I started making some Thanksgiving foods while the 1 year olds watched elmo too. 

Alexa is having a bit of a melt down now that lunch is over.  Her pants keep falling down so I'm thinking the poor t\hing is going to get some duct tape on her diaper today (I'm desperate!)

Monday

 It's been a good morning.  Alexa played so well all day probably because all the toys were like new to her since she hasn't been here for 2 weeks.  As you can see the big kids were loving Jocelyn's leap pad (Kyle leap pad 1 is on clearance on amazon for $50?) do you think we should get one for Bryce??

Everyone ate well for both meals.  Mac n cheese with yogurt and fruit for lunch.

I just fed the big boys now at 1:30 since they had a big snack for their preschool feast today.  Miss Shelly picked them and up and dropped them off from school since I had Jocelyn.

All wee ones down for naps at 1.  Hoping Alexa stays dressed and in her pack n play.

I finally got Alexa's bday present today!  Took forever!  I tried it on her as you can see and I think it fits.  I have no idea how those capes work but it's cute!

Oh and we played inside, then did some crafts (the big girls cut and taped the little ones colored)  Then I took the 3 little ones outside to play for an hour while the big girls continued to do crafts inside (um can you say huge mess of cut up paper?!) haha

Thursday

I put the oatmeal in the bag and hope to remember the milk!

Good but sleepy morning.  Alexa spent the first hour or so laying on the couch yawning! haha!  I asked her if trick-or-treat was tough work and she said "yes".  We just spent the morning hanging out down in the basement.  Since the wee ones weren't into playing with me I used the time to clean up while they lounged around and played quietly. 

Came up mid morning and finally Alexa got some energy.  Turned on some tunes and we danced and she suddenly went into serious play mode by herself.  She even played through Kobe's lunch and said she didn't want to eat yet.  I finally made her sit to eat at 11:45 and she ate very well.  She gobbled down her breakfast again today and had chicken fingers/mac n cheese, yogurt, cherries for lunch.  Had 1 #2 too!

We did flash cards for a little today with letters until the kiddos started throwing them around like they were toys.

We are playing in the playroom now. 

Tuesday

 Last day with pics for the week!  My camera is getting packed tomorrow after trick or treat. 

A good morning!  Well to be honest I'm getting a bit stir crazy but the kids don't seem to mind.  Everyone in good moods.  All ate well for both meals.  Alexa had what she had yesterday and ate every bite.  Lunch was chicken nuggets, fruit, yogurt, milk. 

No #2's from anyone this morning, must have gotten it all out yesterday. 

So this morning we played a game.  "Do a trick for a treat"  it's a game I'm doing with Landon's class tomorrow and wanted to try it out.  The kids picked a trick out of a pumpkin and I read what they had to do to get a treat (a piece of candy corn)  things like jump 5 times, pretend to be a bear, balance a spoon on your nose, etc.  They loved it!  Alexa loved it!  Kobe didn't get it.  I wasn't going to give Alexa any candy but she was begging (Kobe doesn't know what the stuff is yet but I guess since she got into it a few weeks ago she remembered) so I gave her 2 pieces (hope that's ok) 

Spent the rest of the morning coloring, playing trains, blocks, read books, played workshop, snuggling, etc.  Vogt's got picked up early today (at 11) so now 2 toddlers are watching pbs while my big boys watch a movie.  Soon off to nap land for all!

Monday

 Staying nice and cozy inside today!  Been a good morning.  We played lots!  Choo choos, blocks, duckie game, read books, sang, painted/stickers.  Everyone is in a good mood today.  My boys are having a jammie day.  Hoping to give them a bath before nap incase we lose power tonight (they are stinky!) 

Miss Syd decided instead of napping this morning to take off her shirt and socks (my next Alexa)  it's almost noon and she's still happy, so hopefully momma won't be too late picking her up for her nap!

Alexa ate great for both meals today!  Actually everyone did.  We had whole grain/organic blueberry (for wee ones) chocolate chip for big kids pancakes for breakfast, lunch was veggie mac n cheese, yogurts, fruit and milk

Alexa needs milk, and fruit if you want organic.

Friday

 fun morning!!  Basically all we did was a quick half hour trip to Giant then spent the rest of the morning outside (thought we should since we'll be stuck inside for the next week!)

Um can you say a pile of leaves keeps 3 boys happy for hours!  Seriously best and easiest fun ever!!  The 1 year olds were so cute, they were swimming in the leaves.  I think I tuckered them out with all that outside fun.  That's about it!  I was going to do crafts and such but they were happy so I didn't make them come in.  Oliver's pants got wet so I'm going to try to find him a pair of pants to wear.

Both Baldwin boys had big #2's today.

Everyone ate great (like usual!) 

Big boys playing legos upstairs, toddlers are with me in the playroom and all is happy!

Thursday

 Pretty dreary outside today.  In fact for the first hour of play time Alexa just laid on my couch and kept saying "I sleep"  haha.  We all just snuggles and watching sesame street from 9-10.  Then I turned off the tube and we got some sticker "fall" time in.  Talked about the fall and what we see.  Did our alphabet flash cards a bit.  Then we went outside (it was surprisingly not that wet)  Syd woke up so we put her in her stroller and walked around the yard outside the gate and looked at all the pretty leaves.  I'm so sad because I think the "best" leaf jumping time will be the beginning of next week and it's suppose to get really cold and yucky by then.  Oh well! 

Everyone ate well for lunch today.  Oh and by the way, Alexa refused to eat her cereal all week, won't even try it.  Is she doing that for you?  I have been giving her cheerios with her fruit, she eats it ok (not a ton though)  Does she like waffles or regular oatmeal??  Kobe eats regular oatmeal with a mushed up banana every morning.  Or maybe I could try some wheat toast with jelly???  Just let me know what you want me to do.  She ate well for lunch (veggie mac n cheese, yogurt, and grapes with milk.

Syd ate well and drank all her milk too!  I fed her baked oatmeal for breakfast with a banana and lunch was meatball sub with grapes and yogurt.

Alexa will need milk next week!

Wednesday!

 Reminder:  I'm not babysitting next Wed and Friday (due to Halloween party at preschool and leaving for Disney World)  Alexa is scheduled to come Mon, Tues, Thursday that week. 

Great morning!  We spent the first part of the AM in the basement playing, watching elmo and having a little snack and water.  Then we came upstairs and did a fall leaf craft and talked about fall leaves, which I'm starting to worry are going to fall when we are on vacation and we are going to miss out on leaf jumping fun :-(

Went outside and ran around the driveway for the rest of the morning.  The kids puddle jumped, pushed toys, rode bikes, played frisbee (that was interesting!)  played ball.  They were dirty and soaked by the time we came in but we all had fun!

Had lunch, everyone ate well.  Alexa didn't eat much for breakfast (actually hasn't been)  but ate well for lunch (chicken nuggets, yogurt, grapes and milk)

Big boys upstairs playing legos, 1 year olds in playroom destroying it (haha, tearing out all the toys)