Play group "drop in"

Well today we made it. They had play group this morning. This is an awesome program. Come to find out it is ran through the Granite City school district. So we are not eligible for the home visits, but are still more than welcome to come. I don't think that really matters right now. But when Ry gets older it might. The program is geared for GC curriculum. So if he goes to the Edwardsville school district we will have to find one here. This program only goes up to 3 year olds so, once he is 3 we will have to switch groups :( I already love this group and don't want to change groups.

Not only did us parents have a good time, but the kids did too. They even had a ton of stuff for baby Chloe to play with and she will be 5 months on the second of Nov.

The first 45 minutes or so, they just got to play and read books. Then it was time to clean up and snack time. Then story time, Mark read the kids a book, and Julie did a finger play for them. Then our time is up and its time to go. Each kid gets to take home a free book to read and keep every week. Each kid gets to do this, isn't that crazy, and its all free. I kinda feel like I am working the system since I don't live in GC but I am not using the one we are putting our tax dollars into, so it equals out some where right?!?

I just love play group and can't wait for next week!!!

The Melting Pot

Saturday night friends and family met at The Melting Pot on the loop, Delmar St, in St. Louis. The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant, that serves cheese fondue, salads, meat and then your chocolate desert. We usually do this around my birthday. My birthday is still a few weeks off but we had to go early to fit every one's schedule.

Our reservations were at 4 and we got done promptly at 7.

Matt and I did order drinks at the bar before we were seated. It was $15 for 2 drinks...that's right $15. Matt just had crown royal and I had "something fruity and fun". I did not know what to order so that is what I told the bar tender. Well it was not fruity or fun! It was strong, very very strong. So after everyone has tried it, I decided I no longer wanted it. It took a while but I finally found a buyer for it. I sold it for $5 to the highest bidder...my mom.

You start with your cheese fondue, we were able to pick 3 different styles on everything since we had such a big party. Your cheese is served with 3 different types of bread, apples, tortillas, carrots and cauliflower for dipping. They actually bring out all the ingredients and make it in front of you.

Next came the salads. We each got to choose our individual salad. I had the big night out special salad, which was the Cobb with southwester ranch...all I can say is YUMMMMMY!!!

Then it was time for the meal portion. Matt and I got the feast, which was sirloin, fillet, BBQ chicken, shrimp, and some spinach cheese tortellinis. All of it is served raw and we have to cook it ourselves in the oil we got to choose. We are also given several dipping sauces and some potatos, broccoli, squash, and mushrooms. We are all given different colored pokers so we don't get them mixed up in the pot. They have no solution for the tortellinis and veggies, we all just fight over whose is whose.

Then last but definitely not least, it was dessert time. We also got to choose 3 different types of chocolate. We had cookies and cream, original (crunchy PB), and turtle. You get a plate with strawberries, cookie coated marshmallows, brownies, pound cake, bananas, rice crispies, and then the finale, cheese cake. WOW WOW WOW. It was a night filled with full bellies thats for sure. This is the cookies and cream, they flambeed it.The very last part is the worst part of the night, it is the bill time. Our bill came to $91.57. That is after a $14 coupon I had for the dessert. That did not include drinks. We had water to drink. That was the meal, gratuity included of course and the tax.We had a great time, but it might be awhile before we go back and spend that kind of money again. I have been there at least once a year for the past 5 years. I think that is enough for a couple of years. We might let it change a bit before we go back

very nice evening

Thursday evening Matt surprised us, class was canceled by his teacher. So he was home with us for the night. It was really nice to have a normal night as a family !!!

Matt even did Ryan's night time routine. That was awesome for me. Even though they did not clean up before he went to bed. But I guess beggars can't be choosers!

Ryans first field trip

This morning Ryan and I were meeting Corie and Chloe at their house for our first play date, a "drop in" at a program called Partnership for kids.



This seems to be a wonderful program for kids birth to 5 years old. We meet their every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:45. The kids play, paint, do crafts, socialize, then we clean up and its story and snack time. This is a very exciting thing for me, because as most of you know Ryan does not go to a daycare. We are very blessed to have parents who watch him while we work. Ryan does have a lot of little friends to play with, but not a structured socialize time with many other kids, besides church on a weekly basis.

We got to Corie's and Chloe's house around 8:45. Of course I was early, I could never figure out the time thing, I think it takes an hour to get any where. Once we got there, Corie found the paper work for the program, and what do you know, they don't have drop in today. They were having a Field trip to Releke's Farm. It was not until 12:30 though. So by the grace of God the kids held on till it was time to go. It was nice to just hang out for a bit and let the kids play while we got to chat...well you know how chatting goes with moms and kids present. 20 conversations going at once.

We arrived at Releke's around 12:15, right on time. We were able to do a hayride, play in toddler town, feed the goats, and all the kids got to pick out a pumpkin. Then they provided a snack and drink for the kids. It was really nice. The program leaders seem to be really good with all the kids and have it all put together really nice. So Ryan and Chloe got to do their first field trip together today.

I will let you all know how the "drop ins" go. We are very excited and can't wait till next week!!!

I don't know how she did it!

She, being my mother.

Friday night we took Ryan, Annabel, and Audrey with us to the YMCA in Belleville. They had their Fall Festival and Truck or Treat. It was a very fun event, with TONS of kids.

I thought, sure I can handle all three kids, I babysit them enough, I have all this under control. Well let me tell you, having all three kids in your home versus a public event is ALOT different. Don't get me wrong, the kids were wonderful, they all behaved and listened to what Matt and I said. But the two babies wanted to run every where. And there was alot of stuff for Annabel to do with her being older.

So there we were standing amongst a million kids and their parents. With a double side by side stroller for the babies. Everyone wanting to go in the opposite directions. And all I could do is think of my mom. My poor poor mom. She had this full time. I was Annabel's age and the boys were Ryan and Audrey's age (they are 5 days apart, and my brothers are twins). I have no idea how she did it. I have no idea why she left the house!

It definitely put everything into consideration. I think this is what every couple should have to do before they have kids. I at least got to take Annabel and Audrey home, I can't imagine if I would have had take all 3 kids home, and do their nightly routine....WOW...that is a huge high five out there to all you moms of multiples or who have multiple children.

Then on Saturday, it was our three year anniversary. I can't believe it has been three years already. Can't believe three years ago I was in Hawaii with out a care in the world.

We were going to have a nice day by ourselves, but we had no idea what to do! How sad is that! Plus money was an issue. So we decided to have a nice family day. We went and got lunch and went to the airplane park and ate lunch there as a family. We spent a couple of hours there just playing and hanging out. It ended up being a very nice and peaceful day.

Really important things my kids have taught me!

As some of you have been reading, I have been giving some of these cute little quotes I have found in this little tiny book called " Really important things my kids have taught me". Hence the title of all these blogs.



This is a really cute book my mom found for me at a yard sale. The book is only 3" x3". It has 1-2 quotes per page.



I have only read about half the book, but plan on adding quotes at times, because they are so cute and make me chuckle...everyone needs a good chuckle.



My favorite quote so far is, "It's not sharing if you only give the animal crackers with the head and legs missing".



This quote has so much meaning, and is so funny! This quote also goes along with our Bible study we had on Monday...I wish I would have brought it up then, but I talk enough the way it is (right, Bob?)



Hope everyone is enjoying them as much as I am :) Have a great day!!!

"Really important things my kids have taught me"

If your going to laugh, laugh out loud

Thank God for HUGE blessings

I now have a tall glass of milk in my fridge with a full stick of butter. A can of green beans and a can of oranges. And cookies and cream hershey kisses in my belly.

All from a very very special friend. She is so kind. There is now no way she can have any doubts about her relationship with the Lord and how the Lord works through her. She is truly a child of the Lord. I know she never had any doubts about helping us.

I love you.

Pitty Party

Poor pitiful me.

As most of you know Ryan and I are on our own every evening except Fridays. So that means we eat, play, read, bath and go to bed all by our selves. Some nights like tonight I work later so Ryan has already eaten dinner with one of his grandparents. Which is very nice, so I don't have to make sure he has a healthy meal cooked by the time I get home. So since he will eat there that means I am on my own at night. It is hard to cook for one, Matt won't eat that heavy when he gets home from school. So this really cuts back on my menu.

Tonight was one of those nights. Ryan had a good dinner at his me-maws. So when I got home that meant I am on my own for dinner. I decided to go ahead and cook a meal. I planned (planned being the key word) on making pork chops, mashed potatoes, a veggie, and rolls, with a huge glass of milk...YUMMY YUMMY!

Well, this is what happened. Ryan went to bed early, so I was excited I could watch some good night time TV. I got the pork chops out of the fridge, put them on the skillet...oh they smell so good. Went to the pantry got out the garlic and herb potatoes, and then...what no veggies. All that I had was peas and succotash...YUCK. Okay, so I will just have meat, potatoes, rolls and milk.

Then I went to boil the water and milk. What, no milk, I had totally forgotten that Ryan drank the rest of the milk yesterday. Okay so we will have to just use water and butter. What, no butter either. I had to scrap the butter bowl. Thank God I had 3 little butter things from various restaurants that gave me maybe one tablespoon when I needed two.

Okay that dilemma is done. I decided to sacrifice my last package of rolls to make cinnamon biscuits for Ry in the morning since he will now have no milk for oatmeal.

So, that also means I have no huge glass of milk I have been dying for all day. I have to drink the pure sugar tea Matt continues to buy. And I will have the last piece of bread the was left and scrap the butter bowl one last time...just enough to butter my lonely piece of bread.

Okay, so my dinner is cooked I am ready to head to the TV tray in the living room to watch some good TV. I picked up my plate...there goes my bread...on the kitchen floor...face down. AHHHHH....you have got to be kidding me. So, I picked it up put it back on my plate and ate it anyway...with no butter!

And for my good TV tonight...its the debate...no CSI, no comedy shows...nothing I just wanted to get lost in it, and not think. So here I am blogging, and actually the debate is pretty good!

What I should be doing is making my grocery list!

"Really important things my kids have taught me"

anything can be a toy

We made it, we made it to the pumpkin patch!

We had a wonderful family day planned for Saturday! Once Matt got done doing what he was supposed to do that morning we were meeting in Troy at the Troy Park yard sale (which was not worth the time).

We had a coupon for Culver's, buy one meal get one free, then to buy his Halloween costume, then to Eckerts.

Half way to Fairview Heights, Matt realized that the coupon was only good at the Edwardsville location. So we had to buy our lunch at full price at Golden Corral. Which would be cheaper for lunch, then we don't have to pay for Ryan, and he has free range at all the food. The service was horrible, I actually got water with no ice, then she was all dumb founded that happened.

Left there, went to The Dungeon for his halloween costume...I will leave you all in suspense there. Even though most of you know what he is going to be. Everything was good there, except we had to change his diaper. And when we asked the girl at the counter if they had a bathroom she responded "FOR...?!?!?". What do you think for? It wasn't like, for who so I can point you in the right direction, but more like, for what. She was obviously not paying attention to us. We got to the 'dungeon of a bathroom' and there was only a sink to change Ryan on, so Matt came in the womens with me so Ryan would not fall off the sink.

Once we got in the car, Ryan was so tired we decided not to go to Eckerts. It was just going to be extra money we did not need to spend and it was hotter then we thought it was going to be and we did not want a remake of the blueberry picking!

We get to Collinsville and I decided we would stop by Fornies farm for some fresh fruit. When I was up there looking around at all the beautiful fall stuff and pumpkins, I got really upset we didn't go to Eckert's. This was our only weekend to do this and I at least wanted a picture with him and the pumpkins. So when I was checking out I asked the girl where was that fall festival they have every October in Collinsville. She directed me to Releke's Pumpkin Farm.

He was standing so cute in this cute picture, then he saw me squatting so that is what he did too.

We arrived at Releke's. It was nice with a lot of stuff to do for the kids. Most of it was still a bit too old for Ry. Next year though, he will be able to do it all. We were only there for about a half hour. He got to feed the goats, which he loved. He was not scared of them at all. He kept sticking his fingers through the fence to touch them. It was me this time freaking out that the goats were going to leave him with a few less fingers. We could not get him away from the goats! Go figure!

All in all, it was a good day because we were all to together. But it was a forced day. By golly, we were going to have a fun filled family day, and we were all going to have the time of our lives. Well we have memories, thats for sure...and I have my pictures too!

"Really important things my kids have taught me"

A Penny saved is not alot

"Really important stuff my kids have taught me"

Scream if you want to be heard

My afternoon

While I was typing my earlier blogs, Ryan was taking his afternoon nap. This is a wonderful thing he does, I get a lot of personal time, that of course I waste on the computer.


Well, I heard him in there "talking" so I figured he was up. So I figured I better get in there. I walked in and he was still laying down, his head did pop up immediately. I got his normal smile and then he stood up...and this is what I saw.

I have no idea how long it was off, he had no diaper marks on his sides. So maybe it was off for his entire nap. But only by the grace of God, he was completely dry and clean. I could not believe it!!! When I asked him where his diaper was, he lifted up his blanket and pulled it out. Then he decided that he did not want it in his crib any longer so he threw it out.

Then about an hour later, we were in the kitchen and he squatted and made the poop face that we all love so much. So I said stop, lets go to the potty, we ran to the bathroom threw on his seat, took off his diaper and sat him on it. So there we sat singing itsy bitsy spider and then out of no where... tinkle tinkle tinkle. I screamed so loud with excitement and he did too. I think he was so excited because I was. We have been working on this at least twice a day for the past week, and this is the first time he actually went. I was so excited...and proud.

"One Little Heartbeat at a Time"

This is a song we sang this week at church. Its a beautiful song that I think every parent needs to hear, especially mothers, mothers who know what it means to be a mom.

"One Little Heartbeat at a Time"
by Steven Curtis Chapman

You're up all night with a screaming baby
You run all day at the speed of life
And every day you feel a little bit less
Like the beautiful woman you are

So you fall into bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Oh, maybe you just don't know
Or maybe you've forgotten
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

With every "I know you can do it"
Every tear that you kiss away
So many little things that seem to go unnoticed
They're just like the drops of rain over time
They become a river

And you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

You're beautiful
You're beautiful

How you're changing the world
You're changing the world
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
Oh, I believe that you
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat

At a timeAnd you're changing the world

"Really important stuff my kids have taught me"

Don't giggle before you swallow your milk

"Really important stuff my kids have tought me"

You always spill juice on your Sunday clothes

A free day

A free day is what Matt has called today. We had a funeral we attended this morning of a very wonderful friend of the family. So Matt took the whole day off. We were done with all the events around 1, so we decided to head over to Chuck E. Cheese to use the rest of our tokens from the last time Lauren, the boys and I went.

Despite this morning, we had a wonderful day. We had a luncheon with everyone from the funeral. It was really nice to see everyone again and to catch up. And after Chuck E. Cheese we slowly made our way home, we stopped for some (expensive) ice cream and at a few yard sales. It was a wonderful afternoon.

We started Chuck E. Cheese by getting Ryan a special cup....I have no idea why, it was $3.06, just for this stupid cup. That is all we spent there so I guess thats not so bad.

Daddy and Ryan loved to play skee-ball. Ryan would take daddy's skee balls and throw them half way up the lane next to him, or just throw them as far as he could, or drop them all on the floor...what ever was more fun watching mommy and daddy chase them.

Oh boy we thought we hit the jackpot, we found a Barney ride...oh wow so much fun we are going to have with Barney. Well things are not always like you think they are going to be...#1 rule once you have a child. Ryan was deathly afraid of Barney, he wanted nothing to do with him, he was afraid of his big lovable purple friend. As they day went on he did warm up to him, and did give him a kiss before we left, but would never sit by him. Like I learned from a book today "Really important stuff my kids have taught me", 'sometimes its smarter to be scared, then not to be scared at all'.

Just some random girl Ryan decided to help win tickets for...how kind, always wanting to lend a helping hand.

Mommy and Ryan playing whack a mole. I did whack Ryan's hand from time to time, he was just to slow, we had to whack em'.

He loved this, he played on this while I played Deal or No Deal and lost my butt off. It kept him very busy while mommy played.

Ryan soon saw how we were putting coins in the machines, then this became a game all with in itself, that boy knows how to spend money just like his mommy and daddy. Then when we (Matt) would win tickets he just thought it was the greatest thing to continue to rip off the tickets versus letting them stay all on one strand. Matt even won a one hundred ticket jackpot. Which is really awesome for us since we have stunk at games since we had a baby and we want to win him stuff.

This is just a cute little video! He ran over there and started dancing. And of course I stopped taping just in time to miss the cutest part. He ran away and then stopped and waved at Chuck E. Cheese and his rock n' roll band then took off again. It was so stinkin' cute!