Fun Family Weekend

This weekend we headed down to Blaine for a little get together at Steve's cousin's house. We drove down on Saturday afternoon to hangout with them and some other friends, stayed overnight, and then had a fun adventure today.

I didn't take any pictures last night, but was able to steal a few from a friend...some pictures of the kids.

Us girls

This morning was too hard to resist taking any pics with Olivia and Braxton waking up with the same pajamas on. So cute, because they're so close in age and almost the same size.

The first two pictures are funny because every time Olivia would look at the camera, Braxton would look at her. Then Braxton would look at the camera and Olivia would look back.

After leaving there house this morning, we decided to take the kids to the Children's Museum in St. Paul. We weren't sure how things would go, but both kids loved it and we stayed for a little over 2 hours. (prepare yourself for picture overload - I took a ton)

The first stop was the Uniform Shop where the kids could try on several different uniforms, including a policeman, fireman, nature worker, construction man, and veterinarian.

There was also a pretend chinese restaraunt, mail station, medical clinic, grocery store, metro bus, and dance studio.

My favorite part was when we put the little apron on Olivia in the grocery store, like she was a little produce worker.

There was an area called Water Works where the kids could play in different water contraptions with their hands.

Jack also got to pet a real snake, Olivia played with some extra large legos, and they both went down the slide a few times and danced on stage.

Early Childhood Screening

This week Jack attended Early Childhood Screening at the Cloquet schools. The tests were done at the Middle School, so we went to visit Steve in his classroom beforehand. Jack was pretty excited to see where daddy works.

Once his appointment started, he went off by himself to do the testing. I met with the ECFE lady, the school nurse, a mental health worker, and finally the lady that did his testing to go over all the results. Jack did a great job and met all the screening categories necessary.

They provide us with some handouts regarding the things Jack should know before entering kindergarten in a year and half. The next step for him will be kindergarten round up next spring. I realize it is still over a year away, but it's scary to think Jack is this close to being in school.

Lost Her Marbles

Lately I have been telling Jack that Olivia has 'lost her marbles' and of course he doesn't get it, but regardless thinks it's quite funny. That being said - I think she has lost it sometimes. She is such a funny little person.

Tonight, we were sitting down stairs and I told her it was about time to go take a bath. She immediately started taking her clothes off. First was the shirt, which got tangled around her arms and head. She danced around trying to get it off, all the way out to the kitchen, back into the living room, and finally down onto the floor where she tossed and screamed. She pulled off both socks in her craziness and finally got the shirt off. It was quite the entertainment for Jack and I. (love her face in the second picture)

Battaglia Casino Night

Yesterday was the annual, President's weekend get together with the Battaglia family at the casino. This year we decided to go to Black Bear rather than everyone driving all the way to Hinkley. The winter weather prevented a few from coming, but it was still a good time.

We headed out in the late afternoon to eat at the buffet and hang out. After checking out the pool, which was packed from wall to wall, we decided to play a few games in the arcade.

Then it was back to play around in the rooms and Steve and I snuck away to play the slots. We ended up losing a bit and then Olivia and I headed home for the night and Steve and Jack decided to stay overnight.

My First Salon Experience

Last night, while Steve was at his game, Jack and I had a little fun...and painted Olivia nails for the first time.

Fun Country Concert

This past weekend I attended the Kellie Pickler and Jessie James concert at Black Bear Casino with my friend Katie and a couple of her friends. Katie and I headed out before dinner to play some slots (I broke even) and then we met up with the others at the Seven Fires Steakhouse. We had a few martinis and ate and then headed off to the concert. Jessie James opened and then Kellie Pickler was the main show.

It was a very good concert and we even had 10th row, center tickets. There was a lot of great people watching, including a someone special in a leopard leotard.

Happy Valentines Day

So today I spent the day home sick and felt bad that I couldn't bring the kids to school and bring their Valentine treats. Jack was so excited to give out and of course get his treats.

We want to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

 

Another picture of Olivia to be entered into the photo challenge over at The Paper Mama. I think there may be some overkill with these challenges I've been doing, but they are so much fun.

I know this is the same picture of Jack from about a month ago that is in the sidebar, but I thought that he was wearing red fit good for today.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

This is my second week of participating in 'Scavenger Hunt Sunday' over at Ramblings and Photos.

This weeks words of inspiration were: Shadows, Patterns/Repetition, Bright White, Strong, and Warmth.

1. Shadows

Again this week I took one from the archives because I love this picture of Steve and Jack looking out over Lake Superior with the Lift Bridge in the background.

2. Patterns/Repetition

Our front stairway that is oh, so slippery

3. Bright White

The way my new car looks when it's fresh out of the car wash.

4. Strong

I see strength in this very old birch tree in our front yard.

5. Warmth

Olivia all bundled up on a very cold MN day with her bomber hat and fuzzy hood on.

Highly Recommended

Tonight Steve and Jack stopped and got Papa Murphy's for supper. I wasn't too excited since I had pizza yesterday, but what they brought home - I am now highly recommending. For $9 they had a heart shaped pizza AND a S'mores Pizza. Yummy!

It had regular pizza crust with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and some type of crisp topping. It was so good cause the marshmallows turned just a light brown and the chocolate melted. I must say we all really enjoyed it.

Super Bowl

This year, like in the past, we headed over to Scott and Jayme's for the Super Bowl party. This year was extra fun because there were lots of other kids. Jack and Quinn we able to get in some quality play time together sharing their love for basketball and Braxton and Olivia we both able to run around together.

Olivia and Braxton are only 4 1/2 months apart, so we are hoping they become great little friends (if only we could see each other more often).

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I realize it's Monday, so I'm a little late on getting this post up. Next time I hope to get it up by Sunday.

This is the first time I'm participating in Scavenger Hunt Sunday so it will be interesting to see how my pics evolve over time. I really don't have a great camera nor do I consider myself a good photographer, but it was kind of fun to find new things to take pictures of or interpret things in a different way.

The words for inspiration this week were: Water, Quote, Window, Activity, and Page 25 of a magazine.

So here goes...

1. Water

This is a picture of Olivia splashing in the bathtub last week. She sure loves doing that.

2. Quote

3. Window

 Taken from my car window...

4. Activity

Olivia screaming in her owl hat. This one was taken from the archives, but I thought it fit perfectly.

5. Page 25 of a Magazine

Taken from page 25 of a recent issue of Lucky magazine.

Head on over and give it a try...


  

Sa·yo·na·ra --- Good-Bye

Gone. Done. The Nuk life is over. A few weeks ago I reported that we were going to try and start weaning Olivia from her Nuk. At first we felt a little bad, so we still gave it to her for naps and in the middle of the night. Soon - it became very apparent that she could easily go to bed, ride in the car, and everything else without it. Finally this week we put a stop to the final 2 phases (middle of the night and naps).

The first night she woke up and Steve and I just laid there hoping she wouldn't be too upset. We were pretty surprised because she only cried for about 9 minutes. Granted I have to say her crying was more like "I'm pissed at you" screaming...and to provide a visual - she shook her crib railing like a jailed monkey. BUT -on the otherhand it made her tired very quickly and she slept through the rest of the night. The next night - NO crying!

So here's the official Bye-Bye ...

• Bottles
• Pacifiers
• Diapers

It may be a while before diapers get crossed off, but it can't hurt to dream!