Who's ready for spring?

Anybody? I think our whole house is ready for spring to come, all for different reasons. Schuyler can't wait to get outside and play soccer, daddy's itching to golf, Eli loves mud and puddles, Mackie's ready to ride her bike and trike, and I'm just tired of looking at my walls = )

This past weekend spring showed a hint of itself. The kids went wild on Sunday. I think Schuyler went through 2 outfits. Somehow she managed to cake herself with mud = ) Actually, Eli did too! Schuyler tested out the swings, sandbox, bicycle (after I put the chain back on), and of course was rounding up any willing soul to play soccer in our mud-pit of a front yard. (The backyard is even worse). One lady who was walking her dog even made the comment, "She reminds me of myself when I was young. I was always hard on my clothes but I loved to be outside. Still do". Secretly, I love that Schuyler is enjoying soccer and getting so dirty. Even though it irritates Mark who feels like she is ripping up the front yard. The yard will grow back and you can't tell me he didn't rip up his front yard when he was a little boy= ) Eli is perfectly content chasing any type of ball around and splashing in puddles. Once he found them, you couldn't keep the boy away.

Eli had a tough week. He's still working on some teeth. His daycare provider said he was a little unbalanced on Friday. So much so, he fell into a door and got a nice black and blue eye. Then, on Saturday, he woke up with his eyes crusted. He managed to take a spill while trying to climb onto the kitchen table so he added a cut, fat lip to his injuries. Ends up poor boy had a sinus infection. He most likely had pressure from his teeth and pressure from sinuses. No wonder he had balance issues.

In between the catfights, I've been observing some real sweetness between the girls. The other night, I found them cuddled on the couch laying together watching TV. They seriously didn't move for an hour (they were watching a movie). I also saw Schuyler cry for the first time during a movie. She said it was a happy cry. Poor girl gets her sappiness from her mom. It was "Rescue Dog" or something. She wants to buys it= )

Ones last thing on my lengthy post, last week was Parent's night at school. The kids could show parents some of the different work they do during the day. Schuyler is learning multiplication and can add thousands. McKenzie is working on her sound book. Mr. Tim said that Schuyler is extremely hard working and very determined. She doesn't do something b/c a teacher tells her to or b/c other kids other doing it, she does it for herself. That's cool! McKenzie has typically been easily distracted by friends and is very social. She is now starting to dig in the work and is not as distracted by friends. That's cool, too!

Here are 2 recent ones of the girls. The last is from this summer and I game it a vintage feel. I wasn't sure of it at first but it's really growing on me.

Good help comes in small sizes!

Look who wants to be part of the action! Not a surprise. I'm still constantly amazed at how different he is from the girls. I understand that every child is different but I'm also a believer that boys and girls are different! He loves when they vacuum or the sound of the saw or pounding. He continues to climb! He has learned to climb onto the kitchen table. There really is no child proofing in his case!

We had a great Valentine's day! Mark made dinner, shrimp and noodles, and we enjoyed it by candlelight with the kids. I was also the first to experience the whirlpool bath, although I did have 2 intruders = ) Then I got to pay bills. That part wasn't so fun!

I am enjoying the day with the kids as none of them have daycare! Things are actually relaxing.

Progress...

Yes, progress continues on the bathroom and we are all still alive! See picture #1 below.

If you are ever contemplating any type of remodel, there are some things you should keep in mind.

• Don't even bother dusting. No matter how often you try, there will always be a thin layer of dust, of thick layer depending on the work being done.


• Tiredness for both! Dad for doing the labor and mom for trying to maintain house, entertain kids, break up fights, etc... My next point relates to this.


• The only time you will see your spouse and have time to actually talk it sometime around 11 or midnight when you are both dead dog tired and don't have enough energy to talk.


• Household chores will fall behind. Dishes pile up so just use paper plates! Laundry also falls behind, do enough so people have clean undies.


• Noise will be at an all time loudness at times. Think tile saw, screaming toddler who wants your attention, and two girls cat fighting!


• Leaving the house is mandatory sometimes. It's best, for the workers and the kids = )


• Specifically relating to bathroom, kids do prefer baths to showers. At least ours.

The below picture should some it up. Eli getting bathed in the sink next to a pile of dirty dishes!

All sarcasm aside. It is looking so nice!! And, all in all, it's okay. I think we are hoping to be done on the 13th!

Today was a snow day! We all stayed home in the a.m. and then took Eli to his daycare in the afternoon. The girls and I went sledding. I was a little leary because Mack is a fare weather child. However, today I saw a side I've never seen. She LOVED the snow. When I thought the hill might be to big or she was going too fast, nope. Sheer excitement on her face. Schuyler has always loved sledding so I new she would have a blast. She saw one of her good friends there which made it that much more special. We were there for 2 hrs!!! I think we will sleep well tonight.

Here is a recent one of Eli...

D Day

That would stand for demolition!! Sunday was the last day to use the 1960's mint green toilet and bath! It's gone. All in all, I don't miss it. Of course, it has made things a little difficult with out the bathroom but we're adjusting. And, it's only temporary. Hey, if we made it through a kitched remodel, we'll make it through this. Only difference is we now have 3 kids instead of 1!!! Here are some pics...



Today, the whirlpool tub is being installed. Whooo hooo. Mark and a friend are doing everything else themselves. So, he is tired from hard labor work and, well, I'm tired from entertaining kids = )

Tuesday, I was able to watch Schuyler's dance class. I almost forgot if she had not reminded me. So, with the other in tow, we went and watched. Eli was NOT enthused in the least. I did my best to get a couple of shots while keeping him from wandering onto the floor.

This weekend we will continue work on the bathroom. The girls have a bday party to attend and Schuyler has a fieldtrip with her kindergarten class to the Symphony and ice cream afterwards on Sunday.

future basketball star...

Check her out! She is turning into quite the little sportster! I think the winter months are starting to wear on her (and the other 2 as well). Anytime the snow is melted she is wanting to go shoot some hoops in the driveway, despite the chilly 30 degree temp = ) This has proven to be great bonding time for her and daddy. Schuyler has also tried to play soccer in the front yard on the snow/ice. Not a good combination. She is already looking forward to soccer season!!

Schuyler and I got the stomach flu on Sunday. It was a most unfortunate situation. We had just pulled into Menards and had started to unbuckle the other 2 when Schuyler got sick right in the middle of the van. I had nothing but a blanket to give her to get sick in. I was the unlucky individual who got to clean it up when we got home. So far, the rest of the family has remained unscathed!

Mack is up on her early rise schedule. Today it was 5:00 a.m. Yesterday, it was 6:00 a.m., she comes in, "Mom, I'll go back to bed but I have a question.". I ask, "what's your question?". Her response, "Can Katie come to my birthday party?" Seriously? Her bday is in JUNE!!!

Eli had his 1 year check up and is a healthy boy! He stands at 80-90% for height and is 50% for weight. So, long and lean. His head size is 5%. Where do my kids get such small heads from? Eli's latest mission seems to be climb, climb, and climb some more! He is also infatuated with the vacuum. He tries to vacuum his little basketball hoop. Maybe the child is trying to tell me something!

Here are a couple of xmas shots.

And, just 'cause I can't resist, here is one from a shoot in Dec. I have had the pleasure of shooting this sweet pea since she was in utero! Now, she't the big 1. Maybe we could bring back arranged marriages?

Happy 1st Eli!

Eli turned the big "1" on Sunday. He still wasn't into presents but did enjoy his balloons and cake. It's hard to believe he is 1. We are starting the weaning process. He enjoys his solids and is doing great with the sippee cup and Vitamin D milk. But, he still likes nursing when he wakes up and just before bed.

This kid is a CLIMBER! We have to constantly monitor the bunk bed ladder. Usually, we just take it down during the day. But on the rare occassion we forget, he is sure to remember. When it's quiet, we know something is going awry. Daycare is no exception either. He pushed a gate up to the wall at a 45% angle. Then, he proceeded to walk up the incline and started to climb the changing table. He was standing on it trying to grab for a plant. It's a good thing he's our last. I'm not sure Linda (Eli's provider), would take any more of our children. Mack wouldn't take a bottle and now Eli the climber. Sheesh! But, in the words of Linda, these are qualities that will serve them well in the future. If only we can channel it the right direction.

Oh, I was going to comment on the family picture, Eli is actually not pulling Schuyler's hair in the picture. (Well, at least not yet)!

Greetings!

2008 is here! Wow, the years sure go by fast. I've been reflecting on 2007 and here are some thoughts that pop into my head.

1. We started 2007 with the birth of our son. I can't believe he will be 1 on Sunday! He has blessed us in so many ways.


2. Jill Riese Photography was officially born and I can thank many of you in one way or another - by being my guinea pig and letting me take pictures of you or a loved one, through the constant support and encouragement so many of you provided, by referrals from my friends and family, etc...


3. Our kids have grown in so many ways - Schuyler had her fist dance recital, began to play soccer, learned to ride a bike, started Kindergarten and is reading, adding etc... Mack started gymnastics, had her first dance recital, went to the dentist for the first time, moved up to the primary classroom. Eli, well he learned to sit, crawl, walk, climb and all those other milestones. We are so thankful for all of this.


4. Mark and I went to Savannah, GA - a place neither of us had been to.


5. As with any year, 2007 had a few downs as well. The lord called home Mark's grandfather, Ray Riese. My grandma has been diagnosed with Shy Drager syndrome (sp?), a neuorological shut down.

We are fortunate in that the good far out ways the bad. I can only imagine what 2008 will have in store for us.

We all enjoyed the Christmas break and the kids returned to school on Thursday and are beginning to get back into a routine. As mentioned above, Eli turns 1 on Sunday! We're going to have just a small little party for him. Can you guess what his cake will be? A basketball. I'll begin work on that one tomorrow.

Here is the only decent family photo of us from Christmas. The regular blog routine is back. Oh, my Christmas cards, or should I say New Year's cards are on there way! It would figure the printer would mess mine up= 0 I guess that's better than a client's!