The Neverending Winter Story

The title is referring to the winter being neverending, not the story itself...(though if history repeats itself, this story may take 6 months to finish).

We took the boys to Country Springs water park and they both loved it - even Cameron, who doesn't like putting his face in the water, went down the water slides and didn't mind getting splashed!  In fact, the next day at swim class, he jumped in the water without abandon!  Nate is comfortable sticking his whole head in to reach down and grab the dive sticks in the pool.  Both boys are extra excited to have one of their babysitters (and my former COM 101 student) Brett helping out with their swim class.  They like to "show off" their swim skills for him at the end of class.  Hey whatever motivates them to keep learning!

Fun vocabulary words in our house:

• Mad Birds (for Angry Birds)
• Hugantic (something really big - a combo of huge and gigantic)
• Want to see a commercial  (aka want to see a replay of something really cool that just happened with our Hot Wheels cars)

CAMERON
Cameron started kindergarten in the fall.  The first few weeks were a little rough as being in school all day long is exhausting!  And from what he told me, they didn't get rest time most days.  But after getting used to the routine, he started coming home excited and peppy rather than tired and cranky.  It has been so fun watching him really thrive.  He now reads entire books and (more importantly) shows an interest in reading rather than seeing it as a chore.  In fact, he watches me as I type emails and other work on the computer and points out the words (and names) he recognizes.

I volunteer in his classroom each week so it has been wonderful getting to know his classmates as well.  It's also so sweet how excited Cameron gets to see me in the class.  I know that won't last forever, so I will enjoy it while it does!  Cameron is well-liked by both the boys and girls.  In fact, he has already gotten married on the playground to Ellerey (but don't ask him about it as he gets really embarrassed!), had Paisley's mom call dibs on Cameron for her daughter, was one of two boys invited to a girls' party and has several other girls that give him lots of attention.  It is cute to watch and for the most part, all of the kids in his class are kind and respectful to one another.  He did come home really sad one day and eventually we got out of him that some older kids were making fun of how small he is.  That just broke my heart.  Until then, he never seemed self-aware of his size (he is significantly smaller than his classmates).  So far it is has been an isolated incident, though at a recent birthday party, one of the parents made a comment that Cameron was the same size as their preschooler (while standing next to me as they didn't realize it was my child they were talking about).  I'm glad he didn't overhear it.

Cameron played soccer in the fall through Upwards (a Christian-based sports league that promotes sportsmanship) and really loved it.  He was quickly embraced by all of his teammates.  In fact, the oldest and tallest teammate, Colin, took Cameron under his wing and made sure he was included and taught him a few things.  Cameron proved to be strong on defense as he was not fearful of getting right in the middle of the scrum and because of his size, he could fit into the small spaces and get a foot on the ball easier.  We were very blessed that Cameron had a wonderful coach, coach Jeff, who was encouraging while teaching them the basics of soccer.  Listening to some of the other coaches styles of communicating, I am so happy we were on the team we were!  One really cool part of the league was that the kids get their name announced and then they run through a tunnel before every game.  An awesome way to give every kid weekly recognition!

Some of Cameron's favorites include playing Legos, puzzles, playing board games with mom and dad after Nate goes to bed, playing in the snow and reading.

Stats:
Size: 4T
Shoes: size 8 & moved to size 9 by end of the school year


NATHAN
Nathan (as he prefers to call himself, but he responds to Nate) started preschool two days a week.  He was very clingy the first several weeks, but now goes right into class without looking back.  He hasn't had any potty accidents at school or in child care (he goes to child care right after preschool as I teach on Tuesdays & Thursdays until 2pm).  We are working on the night training - he just started showing a desire last week and asked to wear underwear to bed.  The first night he only had dribbles.  The second-fourth nights were full accidents so I have done lots of laundry in the past week!  He did alright on the fifth night and then had another accident on the sixth night.  Still a work in progress!

Because Nate and Cameron are relatively close in age, Nate is able to keep up with his brother pretty well when it comes to reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic.  Nathan can spell and write his name and knows how to write most all of the letters and numbers.  He LOVES to count and can count to 100.  Cameron came home counting by tens and by the next day, Nate was counting by tens too.  He also can do some basic addition and subtraction.  It is so awesome watching Cameron teach his brother.  He will actually show Nate things and talk about them to him.  Nate is also showing an interest and ability in reading.  So far, as of March the words he recognizes are:

• Lego
• to
• go
• in
• on
• off
• at
• the
• zoo
• do
• this
• dog
• big
• book

Nate self-entertains really well so it has been a much easier time balancing work and home.  It also helps that my teaching load is a little lighter this semester than in the fall!  Some of his favorite activities include puzzles, reading, activity books, coloring, and playing "not-winning" games (e.g. games that do not have a defined winner - he won't play games like Candyland where there is a clear winner - instead he will play Boggle Jr by himself and just spell out the words or play I Spy by himself and just look for the items).  The one exception is he will play the Shopping Cart game with Lorelai and they keep playing until all of the items are gone instead of playing until someone "wins".  Lorelai and Nate have a playdate every Wednesday as Jill and I trade off weeks giving us a few child-free hours every other week.  Though I use mine mostly for work or volunteering in Cameron's classroom, I have used it for errands like haircuts, etc.


Stats:
Size: 3T
Shoes: size 9 (he just outgrew his brother's feet size in February)

Pictures from the first half of 2014

Nate at school - he loves to write and can read.  Anything to be like big brother!

Cameron's favorite hobby - LEGOS!!!!  Here he is with some of his creations.

Easter Blessings

"I turned 4 this year!"  Nate is the #s guy - can you tell?

Let It Go aka "the song I sing while on the toilet" from one of our fave movies, "Frozen"

My Gravel Blaster bike so I can keep up with Cameron.

"I am now a 6-year old!"

Always fun when the cousins get together!

Did I mention how popular Legos are in this house?  Here they are posing with a Lego game they created.  Thanks to Ben Burie for the inspiration - they played a Lego game Ben created and then wanted to make one of their own as soon as they got home!

Never a dull day with these two - so full of expressions!

Summer Fun

Still playing catch up.  Pictures will be posted separately.  In the meantime, here is another post that was started, but never finished so as has been typical the past couple years, is about 6 months overdue.  But given the long, cold, snowy winter we have had in Wisconsin this year, maybe a reflection on last summer will help us forget that we haven't seen the grass in 3 months...

Some highlights from summer 2013:

• Returned to St. Louis where we met my aunt and uncle and parents as well as my cousin and his wife (who lives in St. Louis and had just returned from deployment the day before).  Some highlights include the Cardinals game, City Museum, Food Truck Friday.  At Food Truck Friday, the boys predictably wanted a quesadilla.  It took nearly an hour after Greg placed the order for one quesadilla to actually get it.  Really???  It only takes me 5 mins to make a quesadilla; 10 if the cheese isn't already shredded.  And it wasn't that good...
• The boys and I volunteered 2 hours every week at an organic garden, NuGenesis, often at the same time as Jill and her kids.  Nate planted all of the pea plants there and we helped plant many other yummy vegetables, nurtured them and harvested them.  I love that the boys could identify a pepper plant even before it grew peppers, knew the various herbs and Nathan would insist on picking a kale leaf every week and then eating it (raw nonetheless) on the way home.  I love kale, but I prefer it in my smoothies if raw or roasted as chips.
• We went swimming at Ottawa several times.  Nate is a little water bug and Cameron enjoys swimming if he doesn't have to put his face in and both of them are getting to be great sandcastle builders!
• The boys and their cousins had a fun day at Little Amerricka (minus the meltdown by Nathan who all of sudden decided he didn't want to go on any rides, but then he came around and had a blast)
• Lots of playdates with their cousins, the Buries, Levi, Drake (Cameron's friend from preschool who will also go to the same elementary school as him), the neighbors and more
• Zoo trips with the Buries and Ruethlings
• Their cousin Harper came and visited.  The boys sure had fun playing with her and showing her how to move around.  Uncle Tom had to babyproof their house after Harper got home.
• Vacation Bible School at Christ the Life (the boys' preschool).  Nate, who likes to be with someone in his family at all times, had a bit of a rough time adjusting.  Thankfully Miss Tanya would sit with him and he would calm down.  Both boys had fun with the daily craft project, including painting large rocks which are proudly displayed in our front yard (buried under a foot or more of snow...)

CAMERON

Cameron finished preschool and is excited to start Kindergarten this fall.  He has been working on telling time and reading.  Today he did a word search and found many of the words himself.  Some words he can read include:

• Up
• Dog
• And
• The
• To
• Too
• In
• It
• Is
• Big
• Ball
• No
• Off
• On

Cameron LOVES to build.  He saves all of our empty egg cartons and builds forts or other buildings for his trucks.  He is constantly creating different things with his Legos.  Usually vehicles or weapons.  Typical boy.  He also loves building race tracks for his Hot Wheels (or as the boys call them, Hot Tires) cars.

Cameron started T-ball and tennis this summer.  He has a decent arm in T-ball, both in accuracy and strength.  He also hits well, both off the tee and also when I pitch to him.  My main goal with T-ball was to help him learn the basics of the game and so far so good.  It is so cute watching the kids hit the ball and then forget to run to first base.  Or when they are on the base, they don't start running to the next base until their teammate is nearly on top of them.  His first game is Tuesday morning so I'm sure it will be endearing to watch them play "for real". 

Both Cameron and Nathan enjoy playing tennis in our driveway or with me on the courts.  It's hilarious when they play at home though as Jesse thinks the tennis ball is his and will chase it down.

Cameron also entered a bike race, the Kiddie Classic, in downtown Waukesha.  He was pretty focused and seemed to have fun, but I think also was a bit overwhelmed by all the spectators cheering.

I have LOVED having a 4 year old and want to keep Cameron 4 forever.  But when I tell him that, he says, "But I want to grow up so daddy has a friend at work" as he wants to be an engineer like daddy.  Though some days he will say teacher if he thinks mom feels left out.  Too sweet!


NATHAN

Nathan will be starting preschool this fall (two days a week) and then going to the preschool daycare after class as I am teaching a daytime section in the fall and spring.

He loves to read.  Many nights I will find him reading in bed when it's nearly dark.  He also reads in the car, in the big brown recliner, on my lap, wherever.  Right now, Scooby Doo books are the faves for both boys.

A recent milestone - he peed standing up for the first time on 7/12.  Yes, I know most of my 3 readers probably don't care as much as I do, but this is my record of the little and big things in my boys' life so I include the odd and mundane too!  He still has accidents as when he has to go, he has to go NOW!  Interestingly enough, he will get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom even though he has a diaper on.  I'm still not ready to night train him; think it will be a while still before I take that on.  In hindsight, guess we were spoiled with Cameron.  Once he decided he was ready to use the toilet, he just did it with very few problems. 

Nate has also been throwing some nasty tantrums these past few weeks.  I think the Terrible Twos is a misnomer - with both boys I felt/feel that 3 is more challenging than 2. 

Winter Wonderland part 2

Oops - just found this entry that never got posted (from late April/early May). 

Since our weather still feels like winter many days, I'll keep the same title...

In the interest of time and catching up, here are some highlights and pics:

• Our baby is 3!  It's amazing how time flies.  Nate is almost 30 pounds and is just under 3' tall.  And you can probably tell from the pictures, but he is very animated.  He is much more varied in his emotions than Cameron and easily goes from one extreme to the other.  Which means for all the tantrums, there are also many cuddles, hugs, kisses, and other wonderful gestures from our lil' guy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  This is what our yard looked like many times the last few months!

  
  
  

  

  At the zoo one of the few nice days we have had so far this cold, rainy spring.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Nate is potty trained (woo hoo!) and we will work on night training once Cameron's school year is done (and I won't have to rush around in the morning trying to get kids out of the house while cleaning up any accidents)
• Cameron is reading many words on his own.  I realized this when we were at a gas station and all of a sudden he said, "Mom it's Stop and Go" (the name of the gas station).  Other than "stop" and "go", other words he reads are:
• Zoo (his first read word)
• Pizza (must be something with zs...)
• Mom
• Dad
• To 
• I took Cameron to his first stage performance - our local high school production of "Beauty and the Beast".  One of our babysitters performed in it so that made it extra special for Cameron to watch for her.  He did excellent considering it was almost 3 hours (though that include a much-needed intermission to use the restroom and have a quick snack).  He and Nathan really enjoy the Disney movies and had been watching Beauty and the Beast and singing along to the CD in the car for the weeks leading up to the performance so Cameron knew all the songs and was not scared by the beast, until after the show when Beast was in the lobby greeting willing kids.  It would have been an amazing photo, but Cameron was not interested in getting anywhere near the Beast!
• Both boys are taking swim classes without a parent in the water and are in the same class.  One of the girls in their class does not listen and likes to splash the other kids.  Cameron is so adorable trying to keep his brother protected from her antics.
• Both boys also enjoy helping in the kitchen.  They get to pour, measure, and mix and have fun doing it.  They are much more likely to eat foods they have helped prepared, even if it has vegetables in it they usually won't eat.  Cameron has gotten much better at eating a variety of vegetables, adding peas and red peppers to the list of vegetables he happily eats.  Nate, who has not typically been a picky eater, has become a little more discriminative in his tastes this past year.  He still loves his peas, but will not touch peppers.  The boys will actually "trade" foods sometimes - Cameron will give Nate his black beans or chickpeas (Nate LOVES legumes) and Nate will give Cameron his peppers.  Some general favorite foods in our household include:
• Butternut squash (Cameron asks for it everytime he sees it in the store)
• Pancakes (not sure if it's because they love them so much or because they always get to help make them and then sample them while they are cooking)
• Quesadillas (black bean for Nate and red pepper for Cameron)
• Polenta w/ homemade bolognese 
• Cheesy grits
• Homemade cast iron skillet pizza
• Any fruit
• Green smoothies (kale, kiwi, lime juice, lemon juice, apple, a few strawberries & blueberries, cinnamon and water - it sounds different, and it is, but it is full of goodness and the boys and I love it!)
  

  

  Cameron helping make risotto.  Notice the oven mitts - safety first!

Winter Wonderland

Harper Marie Andrus - always so smiley!

Once again I am playing catch up.  December was a busy month as usual, but this year we had the added bonus of a family trip to St. Louis to attend my (Kristi's) cousin's wedding.  Grandpa Brian, Grandma Linda, Aunt Kali, Uncle Tom and new cousin Harper all flew to Milwaukee where we had an early family Christmas.  Then on a Monday morning, we all got on a train to Chicago and from there transferred to a train to St. Louis.  Cameron watched the scenery go by almost the entire trip to Chicago - he was so fascinated!  Nate didn't sit quite as still, but he had so many different people to entertain him that he did well too.  It worked out really well to take the train - no worries about icy roads, the kids could move around all they wanted, use the bathrooms whenever, eat whenever, etc.

In St. Louis, we met up with my aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids.  On Tuesday, we visited the Italian neighborhood, "The Hill" and walked around and had some fantastic coffee.  We had lunch at an Italian restaurant downtown and tried the famous Fried Ravioli (so-so).  After lunch we went to the Arch where Aunt Kali and I took the boys up to the top of the Arch.  Given how wobbly the ride up was (think riding in a pod on a pulley system and you will get an idea of what it was like), I was impressed they didn't freak out.  Brave boys!  Then for dinner that night we tried some St. Louis style pizza.  Did not personally care for it as it had some nasty processed cheese on it.

Riding in the pod up the Arch with Aunt Kali

Outside the Arch

Trapped in an old bank vault at a coffee shop in St. Louis' The Hill neighborhood

The next day (12/12/12), Ryan's wedding was at the Botanical Gardens so we got to explore the grounds some.  It was seasonably warm that day (50s in the middle of December) and quite the beautiful setting. 

At Ryan's wedding

St. Nate with his reindeer & bag full of goodies!

Merry Christmas!

Cameron with Great Grandma at Xmas

The other major event for our family in December was Christmas.  As is our usual tradition, we spent Christmas Eve at Great Grandma Kruepke's house.  Cameron found himself a comfortable spot for the gift exchange - right in her lap!  This was an extra special memory for us as Great Grandma passed away in March so it was a blessing that she was healthy for Christmas and we all were able to create some more lasting memories.

Christmas morning was quite a treat.  I heard Cameron come out of his room around 7 so I quietly followed him and watched his reaction.  He saw the gifts from Santa under the tree (there were only 6 total, but they were set in front so it was obvious he had stopped at our house) and said "Whoa".  Then he went in by the stockings and saw some dinosaurs peeking out of the tops and said "Dinosaurs - best Christmas ever!"

Now I only have 4 more months of catch up!

Photos: Halloween & Other Fall Fun

Here are pictures of Winnie the Pooh (Cameron) and Tigger (Nathan) too!  Also some other fall pictures.

Nate in the leaves

Nate buried in the leaves

Cameron buried in the leaves



Cameron feeding cows while at Cozy Nook Farm with his preschool class

I love feeding cows Mom!

Wild turkeys in our backyard



Winnie the Pooh & Tigger

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!

Photos: Summer Silliness

Cameron's First Day of Preschool Breakfast:
Smiley Face (Raisins) Pancake

Cameron celebreated his return to preschool with a yummy breakfast and a Green Bay Packer jersey to taunt his teacher (a Vikings fan).  While Cameron was in school, Nathan and I went to Hart Park in Wauwatosa to play soccer and relax.


Chilling on a rock at Hart Park

 

Future Lionel Messi?  (Note the left footedness...)

Testing out my new goggles - I swim all by myself now!

Monkey see, monkey do!