Riding with the Big Kids

Xavier's riding on two wheels! I'm in complete shock. We tried to teach him on a 16 inch bike and he would freak out every time. Finally, Andy took the training wheels off his 12" and he was riding within two days! I think he was more comfortable with being able to plant both feet on the ground. His little legs have to pump so hard and fast to keep the momentum going. We're still working on starting and steering, but he's got the balance thing down. He wanted to ride around the block today so everyone could see his new skills. Amazingly enough, he made it!




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With the last photos, I'm seeing a glimpse of the future. Unfortunately, I think Xavier has inherited both of his parents' perfectionist tendencies. Every time his wheels get close to the grass, he throws his bike to the ground and falls beside it. He then pouts and says, "I'm no good at this. This is not good!" Hello!? You're four...this is great!

Whine alert

I haven't taken many pictures lately. I guess it's good since I'm so behind in my scrapbooking. Since I haven't taken pictures, I haven't blogged. I've been reading others' blogs instead...not good. These are random strangers! I find myself getting angry at their families. One woman blogged about her 9 month old eating an entire grilled cheese sandwich. I've seen lots of birthday bashes with cake everywhere. There was a less than one year old refusing baby food. I JUST WISH ISAAC COULD EAT!!!! I am honestly thankful that, otherwise, he seems to be a happy, normal child. But, it is heart wrenching to watch him beg for food he can't eat. To always be fearful that he will get into something that will make him sick, or worse. To worry that, this time, it won't just be hives and a horrible rash that covers his little body. I wish that, just once, I could take his clothes off and not have to pin him down so he doesn't dig holes in himself. Why is he like this? Why is food poison to him? Why can't it be just peanuts or milk? Why does he have to be allergic to everything? Is this going to get better or worse? Sorry for the rant, at the moment I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

We Made It!

Spring is finally here! We've spent the past few days outside in the sunshine. Even though it isn't as warm as I'd like, watching everything start to bloom is a great mood-lifter!

Stolen Huma

Brooklyn, Xavier, and Andy headed to the Bautsch house yesterday for some playtime and volcano building. Andy and Brian are building a volcano as a prop for the girls' dance team. While there, the girls got in some good practice time and Julie captured it on video. I totally stole it off her blog. So, for the tiny fraction of you that don't read Julie's blog too, here is the video.

Minor Obsession

Isaac LOVES balls...especially making baskets. He will spend as much time as you are willing playing basketball. The only problem...you have to pick him up each time so he can dunk. As cute as it is, it gets old very quickly. My solution? Buy more stuff! Isaac received monetary gifts for his birthday from my grandma and her friend, Alberta, who shares the same birthday. What do you buy for the third kid that just turned one? The answer finally came to me! He now has a short hoop that he can dunk the ball himself! Problem solved and two happy campers!

Almost There!

We all have a major case of cabin fever. The weather was almost bearable yesterday so we bundled up and ventured outside into the dog-poop laden backyard. Seriously, it's disgusting! The boys didn't seem to mind one bit. They were so happy to be out of the house! I'm really hoping spring is just around the corner.

The Bathroom a.k.a. The Money Pit

We discovered our master shower was leaking behind the wall in the fall of last year.
Translation: Purchase and install new shower.
Simple enough, right? As usual, nothing is that easy. We found out our shower was not a standard size and we would have to custom order one. We decided that since we were ripping out the shower, we may as well get what we want. We used our garden tub, maybe 5 times in the almost 7 years we've lived in this house. The kids love it, but it is a water-waster! So, we ripped it out too. We replaced the old windows with glass block and are planning to put a new, large shower in the corner where the old tub used to be. We are installing a new vanity and a linen closet. This, of course, involves stripping the walls to their studs, moving plumbing, putting up new walls, etc. Demo began the first week of December. The bathroom is still studs and subfloor. Any bets on when it will be finished?

The before picture.

The demo-man and his trusty sidekick.

We've only just begun...