That's my boy

Oliver got off the bus this afternoon very concerned that Drew had left his hat behind. He was extra concerned that it was not their normal bus and therefore it would not be there for Drew to find tomorrow. So he thought fast (Drew is the stop before his) and grabbed it to give to him in the morning. This may seem like something little but for me it was a huge validation that we are doing something right as parents. He was being a good person, a good friend.

My first kindergartener.

Yesterday was Oliver's first day of kindergarten. The way his school is set up his classroom has pre-k (half-day friends) and kindergarten (all day friends) in the same class. So he has the same teacher (although his teacher is currently on bed rest and soon to be maternity leave) and some of the same kids in his class as last year.

He was so excited to ride the bus this year. He did ride the bus last year but only on the way home. It was a bus just for the 4 year olds and it dropped him off in front of our house.

He reported that he had a great first day. When I asked him what his favorite part of the day was he said it was going to gym class because he got to watch them open and close the gym dividers. Who would have thought.

He had the same bus driver to and from school. She seems really nice and like she's taking good care of him. Eloise was so excited to see her big brother. It may not look like it, but that is a picture of Oliver giving her a really big hug.

He's getting so big and turning out to be a great kid. I'm so proud of him.

Our Labor Day Adventure

Today we went to Minnehaha Falls. The weather was perfect 68 degrees and the sunny.

Here is a picture of falls

Here is Oliver, Amelia and Eloise walking down the wooded path

They loved wading in the water. Eloise especially needed it. Look at how dirty she was!

Oh wait, you can't see those beautiful pictures because I forgot the camera at home! I was so upset when I realized my error. There was sure to be some priceless pictures.

I took a deep breath and quickly remembered a blog my dear friend just wrote about being present with your children. I instantly felt better. I would live this outing in the moment and not behind the camera lens. I did it and man was it worth it. We all had a great time. I will surely remember it as one of the best Labor Day outings ever, no pictures necessary.

My kids obviously needed a break

Oliver, Amelia and Eloise stayed at my parent's house last night. They actually "went camping" in their backyard. While we were saying our goodbyes Oliver tells me, "have fun in the quiet house and have fun not having anyone to boss around." Oh Oliver you hit the nail on the head more than your 5 year old brain could ever know.

Pretty Pretty Princess

We found the game Pretty Pretty Princess at our local thrift store.

Everyone has had a great time playing it....

until Oliver landed on the crown which was the last piece he needed to win. It also meant that Amelia had to give it up. Which she obviously didn't want to do.

Oliver the Pretty Princess.

Amelia the not so gracious loser.

And to add insult to injury Eloise's attempt to comfort her was to smack her on the head.

And what do I do this whole time...take pictures of it.

(I did step in right after this last picture and we had a great lesson in how to be a good winner and loser)

Where did my baby go?

Eloise can:

walk, run, play peek-a-boo and ring around the rosie, chase her brother and sister, do chores, sing the clean up song while cleaning up, brings me her shoes without prompting when it's time to go, climb up slides, blow kisses, hold her own against her brother

Eloise loves:

to whine, Florence and the Machine, baby dolls, shoes, tomato soup and noodles, moving things from one room to another, being held, copying Oliver and Amelia, to investigate, pushing babies/dolls in the stroller, hide things, Blue Hat Green Hat, dancing, being tickled, doing anything we're doing.

Eloise says:

mama, dada, Oliver, thirsty, ball, peek-a-boo, all done, bye, poop, puppy, two, banana, more, cheese, baby.

Eloise is:

smart, so kissable, always dirty, nonstop, the worlds best hugger, a daredevil, very independent, strong willed, my sweetheart, Eloise is and always will be my baby.

Eloise is walking!

Eloise has been cruising the furniture and walls for quite some time now. She has finally gained the self confidence and is now walking more than crawling. She is walking from room to room just for the fun of it. Outside is a different story. She still prefers crawling, especially through the mud. I should have taken some muddy pictures of her this weekend, but for some reason I think I'll get another chance tomorrow.

That's Amelia

Amelia: I spy with my little eye something that's green

Mom: is it the towel?

Amelia: no

Mom: is it the rug?

Amelia: no

Mom: is it your dress?

Amelia: no

Mom: is it the tiles

Amelia: no

Mom: Honey I give up. I've guessed everything that's green in the bathroom

Amelia: it was the wall

Mom: Amelia the wall is blue

Amelia: well, I'm pretending it's green

Camping 2011

Packing the van was a work of art.

There was a playground not too far from our camp site.

Amelia passed out at the beach

The water was freezing. That's all the further Eloise went in.

We found a mama turtle laying her eggs at our campsite. That was really cool and a good hour of entertainment.

The kids eating banana muffins in our tent at 6 am.

Amelia flying on the parachute.

Oliver's turn

Eloise playing in Grace's tent while we packed up ours.

We went camping at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes park in Centerville. It was a short drive, but it still felt like we were in the wilderness. There were 9 couples and 10 kids total. Oliver and Amelia loved playing with the other kids and Tim and I got a chance to hang out with our friends. My parents bought their boat on Saturday so we got a chance to watch a few brave soles wakeboard and water ski- the water was freezing. It was an exhausting weekend but well worth it. Thanks friends and family. There were a lot of great memories created in those few short days. Till next year.

flying

This picture makes my heart smile.

Sweet Eloise

likes:

• getting into fridge before we can get the door closed
• taking shoes out of the shoe rack
• throwing magnets off the fridge
• going for walks
• Ram Sam Sam
• one specific Little People girl
• reading books
• the Black Eyed Peas "I've got a feeling"
• scattering Candy Land pieces- especially the ones being played with
• going up and down stairs
• climbing playground equipment
• going places
• swinging
• most food
• bouncing on the yoga ball
• being held
• dogs- especially Meeko
• going through the gardens
• standing in the bathtub
• squeezing tulips
• water tables
• Florence and the Machine
• well...any music, any time.
• dancing

Doesn't like:

• being ignored-like when I'm doing dishes or on the computer
• being told "no"
• being restrained
• leaving clips in her hair
• leaving her diaper on

In the past year Eloise has turn into an amazing little girl. She went from being fed with a medicine cup and eye dropper to eating everything in sight, sleeping very little to through the night, being a sweet, snuggly baby to a dirty, muddy toddler. I'm so excited (and not gonna lie, a little nervous) to see where she goes in the coming years. Although, with the adventurous streak she has I'm worried it may be the ER with a broken bone or stitches. Regardless, I am so thrilled that she is the little girl that joined our family one year ago today. She is so fiery and determined, but at the same time very easygoing and compliant. I can't imagine our family without her. I love you so much Eloise.

one more..okay three

Nature

Oliver riding his bike

We took Oliver's training wheels off today. It took him 2 tries before he took off and never looked back. I thought he was ready, but I didn't know he was THAT ready. He is so proud of himself and so am I.

Amelia at 20 months

I came across this picture today. It makes me smile so I thought I'd share it.

Up, Up, and Away

Love.

The letter P

Oliver has a folder that comes home every Thursday with a packet of homework. The first week was letter A, the second week was B and so on. This week is the letter P. He has to practice writing p's and draw something that starts with a P.

Oliver: So you know how it's the letter P for my homework this week. I have an idea of what I can draw. I can draw pee.

Mom: silence.

Oliver: you know like the pee that comes out of my penis.

That led to a great conversation about how some things are too private for homework illustrations.

Bye Bye Baby carseat

Yep, it's the end of an era in the Heisel house and it's definitely bittersweet.

my Amelia at 3 years old

To say that I'm proud to be her mom is a huge understatement. She has such a kind, funny, gentle, brave, beautiful soul. On one hand she is such a girly girl; she loves dresses, purses, tiaras, and dressy shoes. On the other hand she's a perfect companion to her rough and tumble big brother. She plays with her dump truck in the mud with the best of them.

I love watching her grow and learn. I love the look on her face when she got her coat on by herself for the first time. I love the look on her face when she does something wrong, like pull her baby sister's hair. I love how she acts like a baby bird and makes my lap into a little nest. I love how she twirls when she's wearing a "beautiful dress". I love how she says "mommy". I love she tells her grandma she got a new princess bike when in reality it's a Tony Hawk. I love when she gets really excited and tells Oliver we're having PB & J for lunch, when in reality that's what me have most days. I love how she gets up and says "I'm okay" every time she falls down. I love how she turns into a limp noodle on the floor when she doesn't want to do something. I love that she is becoming her own little person right before my eyes. I love that she's mine.

Eloise- 9 months

Eloise likes: army crawling, her silky blanket, dragging around toys, one specific little people girl, Oliver's Lightning McQueen slipper, baths, anything dairy.

Eloise dislikes: nursing, baby food puree, diaper changes

Eloise is: very curious, easy going, fun, snuggly, determined and a silly little girl.

Eloise reading

Yep- that's about right.