Midwest Keech

Monday, I was cleaning the kitchen. Daddy was painting & working on door trim outside. The kids were playing outside & having a blast with the neighbor kids that hang around. I think they came in for a drink-break, and Mia casually mentioned that she could ride her bike now. Bryan took her training wheels off in the fall (before it was too cold to go out). Well, she has wanted to ride, but ONLY with a parent (mostly daddy) holding her up by the bike seat. I went out with her one day, but she got VERY mad at me. - I kept letting go, to give her an idea of how she needed to balance and/or catch herself before falling over. I guess she just decided to give it a shot on her own. I was AMAZED! You GO GIRL! I even got it on VIDEO!

Amelia was born on Daddy's birthday...by choice. Really, she was a scheduled c-section so we were able to choose pretty much which day to have her. Happy Birthday to Daddy! With all the birthdays, we had several opportunities to celebrate. Mia loves Ming's, and Daddy gets to eat sushi there. There's something for everyone & we all like the ice cream machine...It's pretty cool. On Amelia's birthday, we invited friends to go with us to our local children's museum. They always love it. I like it, because we can bring in a lunch to eat & I can visit with my friend, while still keeping watch over the kids. We LOVE the Paint Wall. OK, I don't...but the girls REALLY like it, and it's usually our 1st stop. Adam can't resist a bucket of LEGOS ! Climbing like the BIG kids... YAY ! Water!??! Allison got a little wet. Birthday Girl Another outing was dinner at Fuji for a hibachi dinner. Yummy! We thought it would be fun for the kids to watch too. Big fi...

Allison's 1st Dentist Appointment - Can you see her ON TOP of the table? I am having a hard time lately, scheduling appointments. I mean, I schedule 2 (or more) kids together, to save me a trip. BUT, it seems that this backfires on me. I mean, I only have to make 1 trip, but the kids make up for it by being naughty or just bouncing off the walls. Any advice? Will they grow out of it? I hope so. Brushing with brand new toothbrushes. Stylish, don't you think? She can't wait until her turn. I don't know when the dentist will come. Be patient... Bored...Let me entertain you. Yes, yes...You too. She was very good, even when she had to do an x-ray. I don't think she could've lifted that lead apron if she wanted to. Good Girl So, WHEN do I have to do this again?? Oh, did I mention that Amelia was in the other room (Bryan too) getting a filling? Yeah...a little OVER-scheduled.

Last year, I made a big deal out of birthdays & let the kids have some parties. Well, this year I wasn't really up-for-it. I did however, invite our friends (the Cowands ) to spend time with us. Jessica Cowand is one of my oldest, best friends. We went to high school together & she knows where all the bodies are buried . The Cowands moved from AZ to St. Louis in January, and I'm very excited to have them much closer. Jessica drove up with her 4 kids (hubby had to work), and spent Friday & Saturday with us. Friday night, Jessica & I actually snuck away on a girls' night with some other ladies. We left my 4, Jessica's 4 & 4 Clark children with 2 dads. They rock! - What great guys. Here are some misc. pictures of our visit. Adam & Kieran spent a lot of time on the computer or some sort of video games...lots of Nintendo DS . Liam had a fun time playing too. My girls loved hugging on him. Mia & McKenna Cute little Nolan This is the absolute yum...

Earlier this month (as if March wasn't crazy enough), we had the opportunity to attend Kindergarten Round-Up. Before you get too impressed, it was just pre -registration for Kindergarten. The Principal spoke to us. The Kindergarten teachers shared some info. Then, all the little kiddos got to go off with the teachers & do some activities and see one of the classrooms. Adelaide had a blast. She was already excited for Kindergarten...Now, she can't wait. I think the wait might actually drive her crazy. I know I'm looking forward to a new school year. Adam, Amelia & Adelaide will be in school ALL day. And, I already have Allison set up to go to preschool. Woo Hoo !

Yesterday, Daddy was privileged to accompany me & 3 small girls to the dentist. (I'll save all the details for another post...let's just say, I can't be 2 or 3 places @ once, no matter how confident the dentist's office is in their scheduling.) As we were sitting in the waiting room for the 10+ minutes past Amelia's scheduled appt time (+ the 15 we arrived early), Allison started becoming restless (go figure). Even with Monsters Inc. to watch, there was still climbing on chair & tables to be done. At one point, after I told her to stop pulling on Adelaide & not to climb on me, she looks at me & mumbles something (she's very hard to understand a lot of the time). Then, pretty clearly says, "I hate you, mom." I reply with, "I'm sorry." Allison says, "I hate you, mom." Then, leaning over to dad..."I love, dad." I wasn't destroyed or anything. I mean, she's 3 & I'm sure this won't be ...

As if March weren't already the craziest, busiest month for me...I went & made it WORSE. Tomorrow marks 2 weeks that Allison & I have been potty training. I say "Allison & I", because that is very much how I feel. After 2 weeks, I am trained. Allison? Well, she's progressing. My regular routine seems very full (because I like it that way, generally), with home obligations, preschool for Adelaide, going to the gym, church callings, etc. So, finding a time to begin training Allison was a little tricky. Well, my very-good friend asked me to watch her son during the day while her hubby was working, so she could go home to visit her mom. It turned out to be a great opportunity to begin training. She's doing pretty well, but still having lots of accidents. She won't TELL me that she needs to go, and if I ask her...the answer is YES. The answer is always yes...even when it is NO. Let's just say that she's enjoying the independence of stripping o...