First Family Camping Trip

OH, what fun! We had our first camping trip on friday night since I was 8 months prego with Kobe, yes, about 5 years! It went extremely well despite the fact that it rained, troy and I were both impressed and can't wait until the next camping trip! We were actually bummed that we had only reserved one night (to be safe), I think we all would have gladly stayed for a second night. We went to interstate State park - which is one of the most beautiful parks, right along the st croix river, and right next to Taylors Falls. We participated in a "pothole tour" and a Junior naturalist program where we learned all about frogs and got to make a frog mask. There are a few things we learned that is different camping with kids (this is for you jenni):

1. You can never pack enough baby wipes

2. Pack major hand sanitizer

3. Dirt is the best toy ever

4. Don't bring anything you cannot spray down or wash

Brennan Update

So much going on with Kobe lately, I didn't want to leave out my little Brennan, so I thought I'd give a little update.  He's still not talking much, but as my friend, jenni says - he sure gets his message across to you.  He's now been saying uh, uh, and shaking his head no, when he doesn't want something - and believe me, he knows what he wants!  He's also figured out that by grabbing my legs or my hand, he can pull me in the direction he wants, and best of all he's been telling me when he does #2 in his diaper (he points to his diaper)!  Brennan's also been a total mommy's boy again the last week - not separating well at all, not even with troy!  Our poor neighbor listened to him cry the entire 20 minutes he was at their house, church has been calling us in to come get him, and even his last day of toddler class, he cried the entire last 20 minutes of separation (course he cried for 20 minutes of the first class, so I guess he wanted to go out the same way he came in??).  But to offset it - he's been a total snuggle bug lately - really into hugging us back, and snuggling into our neck, kissing me, etc.  It's so wonderful, I just wish you could lock them in at such a cute stage, I could just watch how cute he runs, forever!  He is sooo growing into a big boy, and it makes me sad to think of my baby as a big boy!  Good night . . . may the Lord bless you and watch over you!

First Twins Game

Kobe sure does have the life (as troy always says)!  Daddy took Kobe to his first twins game on friday night.  Surprisingly he actually watched the entire game (except one inning where they went for a walk around the upper deck).  We had no idea Kobe would do so well (it helps that he has such a great, flexible, entertaining daddy) - they got home around 10:30 (almost 2 hrs past his bedtime) and he was still full of energy!   We had a hard time settling him down for bed (could that have been the loads of sugary snacks we packed, and the sugar treat he picked at the game??).  Oh well, it doesn't hurt them for a rare event.  Daddy had as much fun as Kobe and it was very special to him, Troy's grandpa took him to his first game when he was 5, and he still remembers every detail!

Last day of Preschool

Tuesday was Kobe's last day of his first year of preschool.  Wow, I cannot believe the year is over, it seems like just a couple months ago he started, but Hosanna Preschool has taught him so much and they have such great communication with the families (I know, that's rare)!  We are soooo blessed that we have such a wonderful preschool at our church where they have learned so much, including how much Jesus loves them.  I cannot imagine two more wonderful teachers - Ms Sanders

and Mrs Breckheimer (above)!.  They finished off the year inviting the families to join the preschoolers for ice cream sundays the last half hour of class (and brennan now insists on M&M's on his ice cream).  It was a lot of fun, and it's been so great to meet some of the other mom's and dad's.  What a great experience it's been - looking forward to next year when he'll go 3 days a week!

*Kobe and friend/carpool buddy Evie (above)

*Kobe and best buddy Luke (to the left)

*Took him out to Burger King for lunch to celebrate his last day (below) - yes, of course they have matching outfits on!

Baby Brennan

By almost 2 year old turned into a baby tonight - he decided to check out the baby seat, and had a lot of fun.  I think he was slightly long for it!  :)  He'll do anything to get a laugh out of mom and dad, or anyone else for that matter.  He still is not talking much - but sure has a way of communicating to us what he needs/wants - and boy does he know what he wants! And mommy is still at the top of the list of his needs! Could there BE anything better than feeling little hands grab your legs and squeeze!

Wacky Hair Day

Kobe had wacky hair day at school yesterday - do I need to say more?

Mothers Day

Mothers Day - what a wonderful day.  The saturday before we took a shopping trip with my mom and 3 sisters.  Then on sunday we went to the Breast Cancer walk at the MOA - with almost 50,000 other people, yes, that's correct - it was crazy - what a wonderful problem to have, too many people!  We followed that with a picnic at our house, and then my boys giving me tulips (they were hiding in the bathtub all day)!!  I am so blessed with two amazing, precious boys!  What more could a mother want?

Mommy and Me Day

OH, it was soooo fun.  Kobe had mommy and me day at school last thursday!  He had to bring a photo of his mommy, then all the mommies got to come for the last hour of class.  We sat in a circle and they sang songs to us while holding our hands, telling me how much he loves me and that I take such good care of him.  It totally melted my heart - it was so hard to hold back the tears of joy!  I'm so proud of him, and he has such a sweet singing voice (and totally in tune).  Then we got to do some songs with actions and tapping some sticks (Kobe was perfectly on beat, he has lots of practice with his drums at home).  After circle time we got to pick out stuff to do a scrapbook page and they took our picture to put on the page we made.  It was a blast.  He also had colored a picture of me (I have only 4 fingers and toes, is that a problem?).  And they filled out some fill in the blank as follows:

My mommy looks pretty when:  she puts stars on her dress????  (no clue)

My mommy's favorite food:  pizza (that's what we had for supper the night before)

My mommy's favorite thing to do:  clean  (yeah, he knows me)

Soccer 4 Kobe??

Kobe, my big boy, started soccer this spring.  It's adorable - he's with 4/5 year olds learning the basics and even playing a few games (if they remember to go the right direction, and don't get too distracted when the trains go by).  It's totally hilarious to watch, and so cute in their uniforms!  Daddy even got hooked into helping coach!  Oh, and get this - there is another Kobe on his team of 9 kids - that's crazy - we've never met another Kobe!  Brennan and I can't wait to go to the next practice/game!

Home depot

Kobe and daddy have started doing the Home Depot projects every first saturday of the month.  It's a great thing home depot does.  They get an apron and then a pin for each project they complete.  So far they've made a race track w/cars and a bird house that hangs on the window and has a clear back so you can see the bird in it.  As you can tell Kobe loves it (doing anything with daddy)!

Real Bird nest

Yes, it's true - we have a real birds nest under our deck this year - it's been fun to watch the 3 blue eggs turn into 3 baby birds, and the mommy constantly bringing worms to the nest, and getting upset about us being outside (especially when we had a bonfire).  Kobe insists there are 4 eggs, it's hard to see between the deck boards!  God has made some amazing creatures!

Bird nests

Kobe and Brennan have really been into imaginative play lately - Kobe always has them playing something different, usually something that he's experienced lately (bird nests, baby jesus, crop farming).  Brennan loves it, and Kobe loves having his "buddy" to play with.  He often asks when his buddy is going to wake up (brennan loves his sleep - he sleeps in until 8:30 usually and then takes a 3 hr nap!).  It's so wonderful that they love playing together.

Early Bday present

Kobe got an early birthday present from daddy.  Daddy couldn't wait to give him his new "real" golf clubs.  No more plastic ones!  Daddy even took him to the golf course to do the practice putting green.  Kobe had a blast.  (so did daddy!)