Day 84: Tantrum

Veronica had her official first tantrum today.  It took 16 months, but she proved today she can hold her own with her brothers.  We've had some amazing tantrum throwers here and while she isn't quite up there with the best of them and is no where near the "high water mark" she did throw herself on the floor, scream, cry, roll around and generally let everyone know (even after everyone walked away) that she wasn't happy.

She is a little quicker study than some of her brothers because she didn't really carry on for longer than 10 minutes; we've had some that repeatedly screamed for well over an hour.  She got over it and of course I had to take a picture.  So here she is after she threw herself out of the booster seat you see on the floor (because I took the tray off so she wouldn't tip it over any more).

Day 83: Smile

Samuel was enjoying another day of wonderful weather.  The kids ran through the sprinkler today; they are really enjoying the great spring-time weather.

Day 82: my handsome lunch date

This handsome guy, my almost 5 year old, was my handsome date for lunch today.  I was looking at Facebook this morning when I saw that our local Ruby Tuesday was offering a "kids eat free" day.  I love taking the kids out alone for their birthdays.  Maybe it's a trip to the book store, maybe out of ice cream, a ride on the carousel at the mall.  Just some time out, alone for some special one on one time.

So I jumped at the opportunity to take Augustin out for an early birthday lunch.  He wore the brand-new green polo I picked out this week and new blue shorts.  He thought he had won the lottery he was so excited and as he reminded me "Green is my favorite color!"  We ordered our lunch, mine came w/ the salad bar and he excitedly came with me and helped me pick out all kinds of good things for my salad.  He then ate about 2/3 of it when we got back to the table.  He is a salad kid.

He then ordered a "Mini Burger" meal which he got with grilled green beans and apple slices.  He ate the entire meal, along with my salad, a cup or water and then finished the meal off with his chocolate milk.  He is a good eater and he needs it because he never stops moving.

So I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch with Augustin.  It's hard to believe he is just days away from turning 5 years old.

Day 81: Polar Fleece

I know it's only a fleece sweatshirt, but sometimes I have a favorite piece of clothing for one of the kids.  Samuel got this for his 1st birthday from Brad's parents and he has worn it more times than I can count.  It was getting too small months ago, but he and I both loved it and I never put it away.  It finally needs to be packed up though.  He can't get it off without help anymore and it's really too short.  I love the colors with his hair and skin and he loves how soft and warm it is.  It still looks great for 2 years of wear.  So my nephew Oliver will be getting a wonderful fleece and I will just have to ask Beth to take some pictures of him in it.

Day 80: a 2 for 1 day

There is no tile or linoleum left anywhere.  Now they are getting all the adhesive up.  Flooring will be going down soon.

 Poor Veronica. I put her in the stroller to keep her safe while I gave the boys haircuts.  All was going well as I was getting set up, until Samuel decided to push her around and he got going too fast.  The stroller tipped, he went down and she got a very good sized bruise and bump on her head.  She doesn't seem to notice, although I think it looks like it hurts.

Day 79: Samuel

All the riding toys are out and Samuel is really enjoying them.  He's a little big for this one, but he insisted on riding it.

Day 78: Tree House

Brad spent the weekend building a tree house for the boys.  Grant and Matthias were having fun working on it with him.

Day 73: Papa's Hat

Veronica loves wearing Papa's hat and she looks really cute in it too.

Day 72: Construction Zone

The tile floor is coming up and the old flooring being scraped off.  New flooring will be going down soon.

Day 70: Loving the Doll Cradle

Veronica loves her doll cradle.  Brad's parents got it for her for Christmas and while she normally just puts her dolls in it, I found her sitting in it while spending some time in her room.  All the babies were out of it and she was sitting inside.  She was very proud of herself.

Day 69: New Kitchen Seating

Brad refinished an old pew and we put it at the kitchen table so we have more seating without getting a bigger table.  The boys love it and of course Veronica had to get in on the fun too.

Day 66: Sledding can be dangerous

 

The snow has turned to ice, after a morning of rain, and while it's fun and fast, it's also dangerous...as Matthias' face shows.  He fell off the sled and scraped his face on the snow.  No permanent damage and after a few tears (and a hug from Mom) he was back out there sledding.  This wasn't the only injury of the afternoon, but the only one that was visible.  Lots of bumps and bruises for everyone.

Day 65: Smiling Samuel

Look at that smile...I just love this little guy.  His personality is as big as his smile.  He may be mouthy and opinionated (and shares his opinion freely), but he is so loveable.  Here he is waiting for dinner.  he was starving after an afternoon of sledding and sat silently at the table for 35 minutes waiting for me to finish dinner.  I told him he could go play or wait silently at the table.  He chose to wait; I guess he was hungry.

Day 64: Augustin and Samuel...sledding again

 

These two love to sled.  Here they are in the front yard where they spent a good 45 minutes going up and down the hill.  In this picture Augustin is pushing Samuel UP the hill.  A few seconds later he told Samuel he was too heavy and he needed to get off.

Day 62: Sledding

 

Today is a 2 picture day.  The snow brings a lot of fun.  Samuel and Augustin spent hours outside sledding.  They tried out all the hills and all the different sleds.  They really do have a blast together and enjoy being out the longest.

Day 61: Snow Storm Fun

Finally...snow.  March 1st was the first snow we'd had...that stuck and was measurable...since October 31st.  Four months, of winter, with essentially no snow.  So when it snowed the kids had a great time.  Veronica had fun standing at the door watching Samuel "shovel" the back deck.

Day 60: VBS - February Vacation Week

 

Augustin on the last day of VBS showing off his torches for the "Light of Christ"

Matthias marching the parade with his crown, torch, t-shirt and medal.  He is having a great time.

Day 58: Purses

 

She loves her purses.

Day 57: Veronica's new bin

 

The new Mini Utility Bin, complete with embroidery on it for Veronica.  This is the March special and I ordered one to show customers, but couldn't resist the adorable butterfly pattern.  Once I'm done showing this to people it will be for Veronica to hold toys and all kinds of treasures.  I honestly wish i had one of these for each of the kids because they make the perfect Easter Baskets and since they collapse and have no handle, they take up almost no space.  It's tempting, especially with the cute boy patterns too...and then personalized they are perfect.

Day 56: Another high chair shot

 

Still not feeling great, but making progress.  Since the only place she wants to be is my lap or the high chair, we're getting lot of high chair shots the past week or so.