Hello Five!

Brenna and Brody attended their first friends only birthday party on  Friday, May 21st.  It was from 5-8 and was a dance theme.  I dropped them off and then quickly went home to get things done for their party the next day.  Brody said he had a good time. Brenna didn't want to admit she he had a good time but then did finally say she had a lttle bit of fun. She had wanted me to stay at the party.

On Saturday, May 22nd, Brenna and Brody celebrated their 5th birthday.  It is hard to believe it has been 5 years since we brought two babies home from the hospital.  I think we handled it pretty well but nothing could have prepared us for life with two babies. Now we can't imagine it any other way!  Some things I remember about the weekend they were born: Begging for a C-section because I thought I could only handle delivering one and then accusing my doctor of lying when she said the second one would be easy.
My sister Jessie being a WONDERFUL coach!
Steve being really nice to me, but then almost passing out.
Looking at Brenna and Brody after they were born and saying, "they're perfect."
The nurses helping Steve give Brenna and Brody their first "bath"
Crying as we said good-bye to the nurses at Luther. I wanted them to come home with us.

On the way home Steve was nervous driving with Brenna and Brody in the truck so he missed the exit.

Brenna started to cry the minute we walked in the front door (approximately 7 PM on a Tuesday) and she did not stop for more than a few minutes at a time.  Thank goodness we had gotten formula samples that Steve frantically dug out in the middle of the night. Steve and I were awake most of the night trying to get her to stop crying and watching the clock and counting down the time until we could go see Dr. Gilmartin. 

Obviously there are many more memories of that first weekend, but these are the ones that first came to my mind.

We celebrated Brenna and Brody's birthday at our house on Saturday with about 25 friends/family. Thankfully the weather kind of cooperated. At least we didn't get rained on.  Brenna and Brody had a great day being the center of attention.  Brenna enjoyed mothering the little kids who came, and Brody enjoyed playing baseball with anyone who wanted to play. We bought Brenna an American Girl doll and Brody a pitching net.  They also received many nice gifts from family and friends.  It was a great day and we had two tired kids by the end of the day!

                                           Cousins Shane, Alex,and Tyler (not sure what he is doing)

Olivia and Brody

Two Peas in a Pod

Playing ball with the big boys

Swinging so hard

Concentrating on the swing!

Present time!

Great Grandma De-De and Grandma Merri

My five year olds!

Carrie and Brenna

Brenna with her lovely make up!

Tyler and Heather (nephew and niece)

Aunt Lisa and Great Grandma De-De

Brenna and Brody with The Cesals!

The three amigos-Brody, John, Brenna

Turning five wears a boy out!

Happy Birthday Brenna and Brody! We love you!

Mother's Day

Steve and the kids made my Mother's Day special. They let me sleep in and then brought me breakfast in bed, pancakes and toast. :)  They also surprised me with a very pretty pair of sparkly hoop earrings.  They had gone to the "grocery store" when I  had to work late one night, which was really their code word for the jewelry store.  We spent the day playing outside and then went into to town to eat dinner with Steve's parents.    Here are some random pictures from Mother's Day.

Brenna was willing to pose for the camera so I took advantage of it.

I'm one lucky mom!

Brenna's photography

Last week was a little crazy for my Aunt and Uncle.  My uncle Eldie's truck was stolen and then the next day my Aunt Linda ended up in the hospital. We still don't know what exactly is wrong.  She was sent to St. Mary's today so hopefully she will have some answers soon. Please send prayers her way.

Less than a week before Brenna and Brody turn five. They are excited for their party and to bring treats to school.  Friday night before their birthday party, they have a friend party in Osseo.  It is their first friend party where I just drop them off.  Brenna said she prefers the parties where the moms stay so we will see how it goes.

And to end with a story before I go get some work done....
Tonight's conversation as I was lying next to them before they went to sleep.  Brenna has been begging to sleep by me lately.
Brenna: I'm scared
Me: What are you scared of?
Brenna: That the cops will come get me and put me in jail.
Me: Cops only put people in jail who break the law. Did you break the law?
Brenna: Yes, I drank some beer.
Brody: Was it Miller Lite?

I swear we do not drink a  lot at our house! I think Brody got the Miller Lite thing from all of commercials he watches during the baseball games. The kid is obsessed with baseball.  He needs to know when they play and whether they won or lost at all times.  It is often the first thing out of his mouth in the morning, "Did the Brewers win, Dad?"  Well, I'm glad he has a passion. :)

Have a great week!

How did you handle that?

This weekend and the past weekend were fairly low key.  We have been trying to get things done around the house, which always takes up a lot of time.  This weekend, I went out for awhile on Friday night. I ended up staying out too late and felt extremely tired all day Saturday.  I was very happy when the kids went to bed on Saturday night because I was right behind them! 

Carrie took the kids to the Sport's Center on Friday so they could attend 4K family day (Thank you Carrie!).  They said they had fun, but did not see too many of their friends from school.  Carrie also had a full Friday with the kids two weeks ago as the other child she babysits was not at her house, which meant they could go out and about in Eau Claire.  The kids had a fun filled on the go day, which included a visit to the airport, a stop for ice cream at Cold Stone, and  I think might have included the "Y."  Needless to say, they both slept well that night.

Carrie even had a funny story to share from the day.  Apparently, when they were eating ice cream, two larger people walked in both of whom were wearing big black t-shirts.  Brody looked at Carrie and said, "They must be from The Biggest Loser" in a non-quiet voice.  So.... maybe that means we watch The Biggest Loser too much with the kids, or maybe I shouldn't have made fun of Steve's oversized $1.99 Menards shirt that did look like a Biggest Loser T-shirt because it hung on him like a tent. Brody wasn't saying it to be mean so I did have to laugh. 

This Sunday we decided to attend the church that Carrie attends so we could hear her sing.  My co-worker, Mary, from Augusta also sings in the choir at the same church. Carrie has a beautiful voice and the kids loved seeing her and Matt.  Afterwards, we came home and worked on cleaning the garage and managed to play baseball.   Here are some random pictures.  I haven't taken too many lately.

                                                        Brenna loves her dolls.

Brody and Brenna went outside alone, which doesn't happen very often.  I could hear them just a chatting away about dandelions. I took these pictures without them knowing.  I loved listening to their conversation.

 

                                We got the jeeps out on Sunday.  Brenna looks too big for it! 

 The kids and I both have less than 30 working/school days before summer vacation.  Unreal!  This year at work has gone by so quickly.  Steve said I should get a job for one or days per week during the summer at a nursing home. I thought about it, but not for very long.  It's also just a few weeks until Brenna and Brody turn 5!   There is just something about "5" that seems too old.  I think I say that every year when it's their birthday.  Maybe it's because I know they will be in kindergarten next year and they just seem more grown up everyday! A few weeks ago they both figured out how to tie their shoes.  Brenna got the hang of it before Brody, which she was very proud of.  

And to end with a story.  I have been taking Love and Logic parenting classes, which I think are very helpful.  Anyway, one part of it is to try and not get sucked into your children's problems, but rather show empathy and then encourage them to handle the problem on their own.  When Brenna tells me about something that happened at school, I will often say, "That's a bummer or I'm sorry that happened, how did you handle it?"  Well, the other day we were driving home and Brody was talking about playing kick ball at daycare and about how a boy knocked the ball out of his hand so the other boy could get a home run.  Brenna looks over to Brody and says, "Oh.... how did you handle that?"  Sometimes they sound like two little adults having a conversation.....I really had to laugh at that one.  Brenna is always throwing out the one sentence that cracks me up. 

Well this blog got a little wordy. 
Have a great week!