lots

Busy, busy, busy!  These boys are keeping me on my toes, that's for sure.  For almost two weeks now Levi has often used the potty for #2 - I'd say maybe 80% of the time?  Definitely more than half the time, but not quite 100% of the time.  And, it's definitely not always just good luck on my part either, he'll actually tell me he has to go.  He hasn't told me at all for #1, but hey, it's pretty nice to rarely change a dirty diaper!

Levi has had a runny nose for WEEKS.  I think actually the last couples days it's lessened.  He's quite good about having his nose wiped - doesn't run away and will ask for it sometimes.  The other day I was sitting in the chair looking at a book with him and he grabbed my arm and proceeded to wipe his nose on my sleeve!  He learned that from his dad!!  (Not that Mike does that himself, but if he's in work clothes he just has the boys use his sleeve.)  :)

Logan was sick for a couple days.  Sunday afternoon he started with a fever and he didn't feel well enough to be up and around.  Monday morning he seemed fine, so I thought it had been just a random, quick thing.  But, Monday evening he started up with the fever again.  Just wanted to lay on the couch and rest, which is pretty abnormal for a 4-yr-old boy.  He woke up once in the night not feeling well and when I checked his temp it was 104.  The next morning he seemed to be recovering a bit, and by the next day he was back to normal.  It's been a few days and so far no one else is sick!!

Tuesday was my 34th birthday.  Yikes!  That sounds SO old...  My friend Amy and I were going to take the kids out to McDonald's after Bible Study, but since Logan was sick I didn't go.  He was well enough that we visited Mike at work (no kids to get sick there!) for lunch.  There was a couple inches of SNOW on the ground that morning, so they weren't out planting celery.  :)  The boys had fun checking out the greenhouse and riding on the boom.  That evening Mike had a council meeting at church, but my parents came over for cake and ice cream, so it wasn't just the boys and I all day.  :)  Mike did spoil me by making me breakfast in the morning and giving me a gift card to a spa.  After supper the boys gave me a couple candles and an exercise shirt that they pick out. (This was the FIRST time Mike ever gave me an article of clothing!)

Wednesday evening was a fun time at church for the boys.  They are wrapping up their first year of Gopher's already!  They had a carnival night.  Mike and I went around with them and they got to play some games and get small prizes.  They loved it!

Well, yesterday we got another dog!  I've been looking A LOT (it was almost an obsession...).  I didn't realize it was going to be so hard to get a dog!  Adopting a dog is harder than you'd think, and all the other dogs I called on were already sold.  Apparently you have to jump on something as soon as you see it listed.  Wednesday afternoon there was a posting on craigslist for a small dog, I emailed right away and set up a time to check her out yesterday.  I liked her as soon as I saw her, and it certainly made a good impression that she's not "yippy".  :)  We got her in the morning, and didn't decide on a name until Mike got home from work at night, so the boys got in the habit of saying "Hey, girl!"  Mike and I settled on naming her Pixie.  It really fits her well.  She's a tiny, black dog, about 6 months old.  Yorkie mix is what I was told.  Taking a bit of a gamble buying a dog off craigslist, but it also doesn't cost NEAR as much as going out and getting a purebred puppy!

The boys have been SO EXCITED about Pixie.  It's going to be a little crazy here until we all settle in with the new addition.  I'm mainly just trying to make sure they don't bother her too much.  So far she is handling it VERY well, I am very happy with her.  Levi has wavered between liking her and being a little scared.  She does tend to jump up, which doesn't bother the rest of us, but considering he's the shortest in the family, I can see why he wouldn't like it.  :)

We also know that we would like to have another Golden Retriever.  When I first started looking I thought there was no way we would get one anytime soon because most of them are incredibly expensive.  But, I came across a breeder just down the road here that doesn't charge an arm and a leg.  We paid a visit last night.  He has a few dogs that will be having puppies this summer.  One is expecting in a couple weeks, the other two aren't bred yet, but should be soon.  We're 8th on the list for a female, so we probably won't be in on the first litter, but on one of the next.  He said that means we'd probably get a puppy around August.  I'm hoping that's a good time - enough time for us to get adjusted to Pixie, but then still enough nice weather left in the fall for training a puppy.  :)

dumper

Guess who just did their business on the potty?!?!  It was just good timing and I in no way think he's close to being potty trained, but it's a good sign.  :)  Levi loves to be like his big brothers, and all along I have had high hopes that that would work to our advantage in this situation.  :)

bunked!

Two nights ago we bunked Caleb and Logan's beds, and they are LOVING it.  The first night they were a little wound up, but it wasn't too bad.  Last night they were tired enough after Gopher's to just go to bed, and tonight it sounds like they're a tad wound up...  It worked out perfect the first night that Caleb wanted to be on the top bunk, and Logan wanted to be in the "cave" - no arguments there.  Now Logan's been asking to try the top bunk, but we're planning to switch every week.  Now to figure out how I want to arrange the rest of the room!  It's a MESS and we need some serious toy organization options.  (One of the options at this point is to get rid of stuff, but since I'll be nice enough to let them keep a few things, I should probably have something for them to put them in...)

Of course Levi loves to climb up the ladder to the top bunk.  We've made it pretty clear that he's only allowed to do that when Mike or I is up there, so we'll see how that goes.  For the most part we don't let him upstairs without supervision anyways - okay, well, I guess he's not downstairs without supervision either...he's kinda at that age where he could get into a lot of trouble without having enough self-control to stop.  Not that Caleb and Logan are SO wise and mature, but there's a definite difference between a four-year-old and two-year-old!

Levi is our little parrot!  Many times I can't get him to answer a question because he just keeps repeating what I'm asking.  And, when you say, "Hi, Levi!"; he says, "Good!" instead of waiting to be asked "How are you?"  :)

measure

Just did some informal measurements of the boys:

• Caleb = 45 pounds, 44.5 inches
• Logan = 36.5 pounds, 41.75 inches
• Levi = 31 pounds, 35 inches

So thankful for three healthy, growing boys and that each one of them is different and unique!

winner

Saturday was our church's pinewood derby, and since Caleb and Logan are involved in the Wednesday night program now, Mike built and entered cars for them.  Pretty much their only input was what color their car would be, but each year the level of involvement will increase.  :)  The cars did great!  Logan won first place for speed in his division (which was his age group and the next age group up of the Wed night program)!!!  Here's my little guy up on stage with a couple bigger kids that were in 2nd and 3rd.  :)

Levi gave me a scare this morning, and I'm still keeping an eye on him to make sure everything's okay.  He fell backwards off the side of a dining chair and hit his head quite hard.  Within 30 seconds or so he threw up.  I got on the phone right away trying to call our doctor to see if I should bring him to urgent care or what, sat on hold for way too long, then gave up and called a friend who's a PA at Butterworth's ER.  He said to just watch him close and if he throws up again or starts to act funny, then bring him in.  So far so good.  I delayed nap time a little while to give him some extra awake time, and I've already checked on him once while napping.  A little while after it happened I was talking to Levi and said something like, "You scared Mommy!" and he said, "Rawr!" (To scare me.)  Melt my heart!

Caleb still often asks if Sadie is in Heaven.  He talks about her more than Logan.  We're casually looking for another dog, but haven't found a match for us yet!

kids

Caleb: Technically is the firstborn, and totally acts like it.  Thinks he's the boss and frequently needs to be reminded that he needs to just worry about himself and I'll make sure his brothers are doing what they're supposed to.  :)

Logan: On an emotional roller coaster 24/7.  The littlest things (or nothing, it seems...) can set him off, and then watch out (or put in your ear plugs!).  He is also more expressive and sweet.

Levi: Starting to exert his independence.  He's still stinkin' cute, but he can be very defiant and give you quite a scowl when he's upset.  And, he's good at sticking out his bottom lip and blinking back tears with those long eyelashes, making you feel bad for him...

There are PLENTY of moments when the boys are fighting about something and not getting along.  But, over the last couple of weeks, Caleb and Logan have been playing especially nice after lunch time.  So much so that I often delay the commencement of quiet time for them - if they're playing nice (not being loud, not being crazy), and I'm able to get some things done, why not?  For some reason lately they especially like to play "baby", and it drives. me. nuts.  But, since I don't want to stifle their creativity, they are allowed to do it, just not by me.  I've heard enough real crying over the last four years, why should I listen to it when they're playing, too??

Over the last month or so Levi has started being interested in books.  He has a couple favorites - the ones that have a picture of a combine in them.  :)  We might look through a few of the other pages, but he pretty much wants the book open to the combine page.  He'll just keep saying things like, "Combine?  Papa? Ride it?"  Levi talks SO MUCH.  I love it.  He knows tons of words and is putting a few words together into sentences.  For a long time now he has recognized letters - he doesn't know which is which, he just knows when he sees letters (for example, I have a shirt with lettering down the sleeve; he sees that and says, "ABCD!" And, today when we were in the bathroom at Target (FOREVER), he kinda tried to "count" the sinks.

I know there have been tons of other things lately that I've thought of to write about my ever growing and changing boys, but at the moment I'm drawing a blank.  Hopefully it won't be so long before I write again!

banquet

I'm just a tad behind on posting to the blog, but I've been a little wrapped up in a project over here.  After over six years of living here and three colors of paint, I am FINALLY happy with our entry hall!  I painted the trim, doors, and walls and am very happy with how it looks.  I can't finish the windows until the weather is warmer, and there are a couple small things I need Mike's help with, but otherwise the hall is done.  Phew!  It felt good to finally work on something that's been bothering me for so long, and for the most part I didn't mind the work (really helps to be listening to a good book!!), but now I'm ready to be done with it.  :)

Anyways, backing up a couple weeks, Mike and I were on the committee for planning our church's Winter Banquet.  For the most part, it was a lot of fun. We had a REALLY great committee that was very enjoyable to work with.  We even had a "wrap up" meeting last week - I think it was more to hang out rather than actually discuss how the event went.  :)  We thought the banquet was fun, and we received good feedback on it as well.  It was supposed to be just an enjoyable, lighthearted evening, and I really think we were able to achieve that.  We had activities for people to do during the punch bowl time, one being a photo booth, and after dinner we had Bill Bennett as our guest speaker.  And, for those of you who know him, you know the evening couldn't get too serious.  :)  One major plus was that we provided childcare at the church so young families wouldn't have to get a babysitter.  Our youth pastor and his wife handled that area and did a fabulous job - we had talked about just showing a movie for the kids, but they did crafts, games, etc.