Bikes and books

Yesterday was in the 50's as well. Two days in a row...yeah! We went to the park both days and the kids rode their bikes. They refused to wear a jacket because compared to our winter weather it was "burning hot" outside. I figured since they were riding bikes and running around they would keep warm enough. It was nice to get out of the house. Unfortunately today is in the 30's and dropping.














We went to the library today and Anika and Celtin got their first library cards. They received a card with little carrying case, a certificate, bookmark and pencil. They were very excited and each checked out 5 books and a movie. Adam was very excited too and after we got home he went back to pick out his own book. One of these days I will pick out a book to read... the only time I have to read is after the kids go to bed and by then I am so tired I want to go to bed also. I just love their little mugshots on their cards.

Yeah for Spring!

Spring is so close I am all giddy. This morning I woke up to birds chirping and the sun shining. Today is in the 50's and I am loving it. I went out of the house without a coat! I have been waiting for so long to have a hint of spring. The snow is melting and I can see grass-Yeah. As you all know I am extremely ready for winter to end. On Monday the kids and I went for a walk with my sister in law and her little girl. It was not as nice as it is today but it is so great to be able to go outside. Anika and Celtin collected about 25 rocks each and I got some much needed exercise. I carried Lochlan so it was a pretty good workout. Lochlan is 6 weeks old and I think he weighs about 10 1/2 lbs. After I pick Anika up from school we may go for a walk around the neighborhood so we can take advantage of this great weather. We have a storm coming in this weekend so I want to get out and enjoy it while I can.

Good riddance Winter
Yeah for Spring

Taxes Arrgh

It is that time of year again when everyone has to file taxes. I have always done our taxes myself; except one year, when Adam had his own business, we had to pay someone to do his business taxes so they did our personal as well. This year has been a little more difficult. Since we moved last year I had to file in two states as part year residents. I decided to pay for turbotax and e-file everything. It went pretty well except of course our IL state taxes are being held up because we did not include our DL# and weight. (don't ask me?)

When we moved here we had to register the car, get an IL title and a new drivers license. You would not believe how hard it is to prove that you are you. You must have a birth certificate and social security card plus proof of residency. Out of state licenses are only good enough to verify your signature. Adam has never had a copy of his birth certificate so we had to order one. I knew I had a copy but it took be at least an hour of digging to find it. I have a friend out here who was adopted from another country as a child. When she moved here from Utah a couple years ago she almost got deported trying to get an IL license. (I am not even joking.) How do people steal an identity when I can barely prove I am me?

Wishing luck to all those who still need to file and thank goodness it only comes once a year.

My little tax deductions

Adorable Babies

So whenever a new child is born into a family everyone wants to know who they look like. Is it mom, dad, brother or sister? I decided it would be fun to get snapshots of everyone around 1 month old and compare. To me we all look different but I can definitely tell we are related. What a bunch of adorable babies!!

Growing strong

Lochlan had his 1 month appointment today. He is up to 9lbs 12 ounces and 21 1/2 inches. Right in the middle of the growth charts in the 50th percentile. He had to get 1 shot and did not like it at all...I hope he copes better at 2 months when he has to get 4 shots. He has to start taking vitamin D...I guess a few years ago the AAP started recommending that for breastfed babies born in winter months of very cold climates. Obviously he does not get out in the sun much; even when it is sunny he has to be covered because it is so cold and the wind is freezing. Here are a few more snapshots of him, he shined us his first true smile about a week ago and has done it several times since but getting it on film is another story.

Add one more blanket on top

and I am ready to go outside

He already loves his binky

First Real Bath

I am loved

What a cutie

Happy Casimir Polaski Day

Okay so today is Casimir Polaski Day....Anika is out of school to celebrate. I had no idea who he was so I had to look him up on the Internet. For anyone who is as clueless as I was he is a Polish military man who served as a general under George Washington during the American Revolution.

Yesterday after church we decided to go walk through the forest preserve. Celtin wanted to go look for animals, binoculars in hand, and the kids are tired of being cooped up. It was a little warmer yesterday so we thought we would try and go out. The path was still covered in snow/slush and 1/4 mile down the path it began to sprinkle so we hurried back to the car feeling somewhat defeated. We did see bunny tracks and a few birds.

On the way home we stopped by the lake so Adam and the older kids could walk out on the ice. They have been wanting to do that all winter. They really thought it was cool and I think it will be a fun memory when it is all thawed. It was quite wet since the top was melting so we might go back when it is colder and they can walk out further. Yes...we are easily amused.

Standing on the frozen lake!

They grow so fast...

I can't believe Lochlan is already 1 month old. I look at him and then look at my other two children and realize how quickly they grow. Lochlan is such a good baby. He doesn't fuss very much, although he really does prefer to be held. Between Anika, Celtin and myself he gets held most of the day. He is eating well and sleeps for a few 3 hour segments at night. I hope that will stretch out a little soon. I can tell he is getting bigger but will not know how much until his appointment on March 4Th. Last night he decided Mom and Dad did not have enough to do, so while I was changing his diaper on our bed he began to pee. I was trying to block it from going everywhere, yes with my hand, when he then pooped all over his blanket. It of course seeped through to our sheets and we had to change all the bedding. I know better and should have had the new diaper ready to put on him but I was not thinking. At least it did not get all over me. I have had that happen in the past.....not too pleasant. Sorry if that grossed anyone out but if you have ever had a newborn you most likely have had similar experiences. :) Oh the memories!

Anika has recently lost her two front teeth. She looks so cute and talks with a slight lisp. I was just thinking the other day how I can remember 1st grade pretty clearly, she is getting so big. She has been talking to her friends at school about church. She gave one of her friends a copy of the Book of Mormon and is teaching another the song "Book of Mormon Stories". She asks them if they read the bible and if they believe in Jesus Christ. She is happy to share what she knows about church and recites the first article of faith. She is so excited to get baptized this year and is trying very hard to be a good missionary. The mother of the little girl whom Anika gave the Book of Mormon asked me about it and we had a great discussion. She is Lutheran but said she would be interested to read the Book of Mormon and perhaps come and see what our church is about. Before I spoke with her she knew nothing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are so proud of Anika and the example she is to us.

Celtin also lost a tooth-his very first. He is very excited. He is also getting one of his big kid molars which he really is proud of. He is going to start kindergarten this next year. I can hardly believe how big he is. He is very smart and has picked up on a lot of the things Anika has been learning at school. He loves to help with his baby brother and will sit and hold him for 15 minutes. He is very patient when I need to do something for Lochlan. He has made some good friends out here but really misses his friends from Utah. He has just conquered Star Wars II on the PlayStation and doesn't know what to do with his free time. I will have to get a video of him playing as he actually gets quite the workout. He got the new Star Wars game for the Wii but since we don't have a Wii yet he is unable to play. We were going to get one for Christmas but have not been able to find on in the stores. It seems like everywhere we go they just sold out and don't know when they will get more. We have not been aggressively looking lately though...just too busy.