Day 91: March 31, 2012

Today's picture is a tribute to the best sister-in-law of the weekend.

Red Auntie (aka Kileigh) graciously let us invade her house when the stomach flu hit Lizzy and me. I won't tell you all the gory details - I'll just say poor Lexi - she didn't get sick, but she did have to watch Lizzy and me get sick.

Thank goodness for Red Auntie - she wasn't home, but she let us crash at her house.

Before all this, we got to see her and her boyfriend at Lexi's games in Grand Forks. Lizzy loves her a little... ok, a lot :)

Day 90: March 30, 2012

We are so excited to have a new baby in the neighborhood.. right next door even!

We haven't met the precious baby girl yet.. they came home from the hospital after we had already left for Grand Forks for the weekend, but Lizzy left a little something pink on their doorstep to welcome her home: pink cake pops!

And the extra pink cake pops came to Grand Forks with us - a treat for Lexi's team after their game. There were more cake pops than teammates, so Lizzy handed them out to anyone who would take one - she quickly became the most popular girl in the building :)

Day 89: March 29, 2012

Jake had his school music program tonight.

Usually I kind of dread these programs, but tonight's was awesome.

Probably the best one I've been too (maybe because Morgan wasn't there and I could actually watch the show.. and I had a front row seat!)

But Jake and his buddies were so good - and so hilarious!

Jake was John Lennon, of the Beatles, obviously.  Thanks to Travis for the killer wig.

He and his fellow "Beatles" sang a song called "We Don't Ever Cut Our Hair" and Jake put on quite a show, most of it ad lib.

At least he isn't shy....

Day 88: March 28, 2012

Poor Lizzy has been stuck at home with a sick sister and a sick dad.

She was so naughty when I got home tonight.

After a few outbursts it hit me: she was being naughty because she was bored.

So she and I dropped the big kids off at church and went to Wal-Mart - her choice... she wanted to look at the fish!

We looked, and looked, and looked at the fish for probably 20 minutes. The Wal-Mart dude was feeding them when we were there, so Lizzy asked him all sorts of questions.

"Hey, guy, why are these fish orange?"
"Hello.. um guy, why aren't there any fish in this tank?"
"Guy... are those really sharks."

He was a very nice "guy".. and I thanked him for being so nice to Lizzy.

After the fish, we went to Waffle Cone Wednesday - Lizzy paid (with coins) and added her extra to the tip jar.

I love this girl!

Day 87: March 27, 2012

A few weeks ago, my picture of the day was of Morgan snuggling with Jake when he wasn't feeling well.

I guess what goes around comes around.

Today, Jake comforted Morgan when she wasn't feeling well =)

Day 86: March 26, 2012

I've said it before, but I will say it again.

Lexi is an amazing big sister.

Tonight, she and a friend went out for frozen yogurt.

She knew Lizzy was disappointed that she wasn't invited, so when Lexi came home, she brought a treat for Lizzy, which she paid for with her own money!

Seriously. Best. Sister. Ever.

Day 85: March 25, 2012

I'm crafty.

I admit it.

And I will also admit that I love being crafty and creative.

There just aren't enough hours in the day, and usually, my crafty projects get put on the backburner.

But not this weekend.

This weekend I was a regular Martha Stewart (except I fed my kids frozen pizza!). I finished four mini-scrapbook for gifts, and finished 25 baby thank you notes for an actual paying customer (yay for paying customers!).

I'm so proud of those thank you notes, they are my picture today :)

Ok, so you can't really see how cute they are in this picture.... if you really want to see how amazing I am, click here.

Now, if I could just figure out how to make being crafty a full-time, well-paying job :)

Day 84: March 24, 2012

The boys are gone this weekend for a basketball tournament, and the girls and I are having a great girls weekend.

Last night was cheese pizza and chick flicks.

Today was sleeping in, another chick flick (this time a blu-ray, which required a trip to Brad's man cave, and figuring out how to run the fancy tv...we totally rocked it), a quick trip to Garrison, the park, and some scrapbooking.

We love the boys, but this has been heaven.

My girls rule...and Lexi is officially the best big sister ever!

Day 83: March 23, 2012

I got a little "Lizzy-time" today.

I also got to be the one to take her to Tutti Frutti for the first time.

She loved it... but those "delicious little orange balls" weren't so delicious after she ate about a dozen of them!

Day 82: March 22, 2012

Love.

That's all I have to say about today's picture.

I'm kinda proud of myself...and of Jake for swishing that shot :)



Day 81: March 21, 2012

The little girls and I took a walk after supper.

It took forever to get around the block.

Maybe because they had to stop and look at every crack in the sidewalk, peek in their favorite neighbor's window, and hide behind trees.

It actually was kind of cute. Here's a link to a quick video of Lizzy hiding behind the tree:



Our Walk Around the Block

Day 80: March 20, 2012

Surprise birthday guests!

It's been a long time since Brad got to celebrate his birthday with one of his favorite cousins.. but thanks to a concert, a fun bus, and a couple of extra hours, Michelle and Jay Jennison joined us for Brad's birthday supper.

These two are so funny - I really wish they lived in Bismarck, but I'm not sure we could keep up with them!

A couple of other thoughts:

1. I hate Paradiso.
2. Brad's family is pretty cool - thanks to the Klaudts, Madonna and Chrissy for joining us.
3. Morgan is a terrible person to sit by at a meal, especially at a restaurant.
4. Michelle has the greatest laugh. Ever.

Day 79: March 19, 2012

Tomorrow is Brad's birthday.

In keeping with tradition, the kids and I made him a cake (we'll eat it for breakfast, it's tradition, afterall!).

Lizzy is usually my kitchen helper, but she fell asleep early and missed out.

So I called on Jake, who is the best speller in the house.

He failed.

Miserably.

Don't worry, he caught his mistake.. then fixed it, added an entire bottle of sprinkles, and 37 candles :)



Day 78: March 18, 2012

This is one of my favorite shots from today's basketball games:

Lexi is very lucky to have a couple of great basketball coaches this year. She respects them and has learned a ton from them.

When I asked Lexi what Jim was telling her when I took this picture, she replied "to shoot the ball" :-)

It's been a fun season watching Lexi and her teammates play, improve and have fun. We're kind of sad there's only one tournament left...although my bleacher butt is ready for a break!

Day 77: March 17, 2012

It's been awhile since I posted a basketball picture, and since I sat through three games and a Nerves of Steel competition today, that's pretty much what I have pictures of today.

Lexi and Jake both had great games today. And I have some awesome pictures of both of them on the court.

But, today's picture of the day is of something I saw in the bleachers.

Morgan went to the Nerves of Steel competition with us and sat still for about five seconds (thanks to everyone who helped catch her!). But during those five seconds while she sat still, she looked really cute :-)

Day 76: March 16, 2012

13 balloons and 13 giant pixi sticks for the newest 13 year old, Taylor Miller!

Poor Lexi still has a month until her 13th birthday :(

But it sure is fun making a big fuss over her friends on their special days! Hopefully those goodies are still on Taylor's porch when she gets home tonight!

Day 75: March 15, 2012

Lizzy came in from outside with something in her mouth.

I thought she had a mouth full of food.

I was wrong.

She smiled, and revealed what was really in her mouth: green teeth.

I have no idea where the green fangs came, and I actually probably don't want to know!

Day 74: March 14, 2012

Jake went to a basketball clinic with the Dakota Wizards this afternoon. He (and a few dozen other kids between the ages of 7 and 12) spent an hour practicing some fundamental basketball skills with the Wizards assistant coach and two of the players.

Jake did great - never missed a layup, and encouraged the other kids.

After the clinic, the kids could get autographs. Jake wasn't going to, but then realized these guys might be famous NBA players someday...that's when he decided to get autographs from the coach and the players.

Jake and Mike Anderson

For the record, in case Mike Anderson or Stefhon Hannah ever become famous NBA stars, I'm sure the time they spent with Jake today will have something to do with their success! 

But my favorite part of the clinic: While getting the assistant coach's autograph, he and Jake had a conversation about college basketball. It went something like this:

Coach: "I suppose I can sign that for you, Duke (Jake was wearing a Duke t-shirt)."

Jake, laughing: "I do like Duke."

Coach: "But who you picking in the tournament?"
Jake: "I gotta go with Kentucky."

Coach: "I'm a Kansas fan, but I gotta go with North Carolina."

The coach  (sorry, I don't know his name.. can anyone help me out here?) and Jake continued their conversation with a bunch of names of college coaches and players whose names I don't remember.

It was so cool.

Cool that Jake's amazing ability to remember random sports facts actually came in handy, and even cooler that a big-shot (ok, I know it's the D-League in Bismarck, ND, but still...it's the NBA and that's big in my opinion) was down to earth enough to have such a great conversation with a ten year old.

Day 73: March 13, 2012

My beautiful friends.

The quality of this picture is not good (damn cell phone in a dark restaurant!) but the quality girl time was awesome.

It's been a very long time (and a few babies) since we have all hung out.

Words can't describe how much I needed a night out with the girls. Adult conversation, adult beverages, and adult food = an amazing evening!

Unfortunately, I returned home to four hyper kids, 50 cake pops to make, and a kitchen to clean.

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.. and I'm already counting the days until the next time we go out!

Day 72: March 12, 2012

Ever have one of those days?

You know the kind I'm talking about - when things just won't go right and you just want to crawl in a corner and go to sleep?

Lizzy had one of those days today.

When Morgan destroyed the crafty project Lizzy was working on, she stomped off. This is where I found her - curled up in a very tiny corner of her closet, sleeping.



 She slept there for over an hour, the moved to the couch, where she is still sleeping!

At this point, I'm praying she just sleeps all night!

Day 71: March 11, 2012

The weather was absolutely beautiful this weekend.

Today, I remembered just how much I like warmer weather.

Jake fired up the grill and made hotdogs for lunch, and steak for supper.

I love not having to cook :)

And his steaks were delicious!

Day 70: March 10, 2012

Today was a rare "day off" for us.. no work, no school, no basketball games.

The kids and I decided it was the perfect day for a quick trip to see Grandpa Parker.

We never stay long, and I feel guilty every time for not going to visit more often, and for not staying longer.

But I think Grandpa kind of likes our short visits - we are a little overwhelming!

Still, watching Grandpa help Morgan zip her coat made my heart smile :)

And Grandpa's phone call this evening thanking us for visiting, made my whole body smile, and made me glad we took time to visit today. 

Day 69: March 9, 2012

Today's photo features one of my very favorite people in the whole wide world. Dwayne Walker turned 65 a couple of days ago, and today I finally got to give him his gift. My favorite part of the gift was this "65 Sucks" bucket, filled with 65 suckers (unless Morgan stole one.. she certainly tried!)

I really can't believe Dwayne is 65 - and I really hope that when I'm 65, I am as active as he is.

And.. if you want to make your own "sucks" birthday gift, check out my other blog, www.kerzmankreations.blogspot.com.

Most important - happy birthday to my KFYR Dad :)

Day 68: March 8, 2012

Is there really anything better than a blanket fort?

Day 67: March 7, 2012

Jake wasn't feeling well today.

Morgan did her very best to cheer him up!

Day 66: March 6, 2012

This is Lizzy's latest daycare project:

Cool huh?

Food coloring in ice!

The coolest part was how excited she was to hang it in the tree in our front yard!

Day 65: March 5, 2012

Jake got to go to the Wizards game tonight, and hang out with Chrissy (much to the girls' disgust... when they found out he was going with Chrissy, they all wanted to go too!).

But this was Jake's night - Chrissy wanted to do something fun with him (love her).

He came home on cloud nine, and with a new t-shirt.

He cheered like a madman, and while he didn't catch a t-shirt, the mascot hand delivered one to him instead.

But while the t-shirt is cool, that wasn't the coolest part of the night, at least not in my opinion.

Check out the message I got from Chrissy after the game:

There were these completely rude guys sitting by us tonight, saying very mean and inappropriate things to the other players and refs. I mean BAD! And at one point Jake put his hood up. Later he told me. "I was praying for that man." ( the rude guy) WOW!!! do you have an amazing son!

I do have a pretty amazing son. I'm so proud of him.

Day 64: March 4, 2012

There are very few things about motherhood I don't enjoy.

However, I truly hate bathtime.

I know.. most parents love it. 

I hate it.

Always have.

But, recently it's gotten a litle more tolerable... I started giving the girls glow sticks to play with in the tub. Amazingly, they keep them entertained enough that they forget to scream at me when I wash their hair, and if I'm lucky, they even forget to fight with each other.

Even better: glow sticks and an empty shampoo bottle! They didn't want to get out of the tub tonight!

Day 63: March 3, 2012

We spent most of the day cleaning the garages.

Lizzy was happy to help clean the mud out of my garage.

And she did a great job.

Must have been the high heels.

Because, really, who doesn't clean the garage in heels?

Day 62: March 2, 2012

I had a wonderful day off with my little girls today.

I didn't get most of the stuff on my to-do list done, but we did make a cake (in the crockpot.. it was yummy..here's a link to the recipe: Rocky Road Crock Pot Cake).

But while the cake was delicious, Lizzy and Morgan will argue, the cake batter was even better!

Day 61: March 1, 2012

Best part about waiting for Lexi to get out of school?

This.

We park in Ma's driveway while we wait for Lexi.

Lizzy can't stand just sitting in the van, so she goes in to visit Ma.

Every. Single. Day.

I remind her not to be a pest, but I think Ma kind of likes these afternoon visits :)