Summer Reading

Now that summer is in full swing, I am trying to keep the kids on somewhat of a routine We go somewhere every morning, then while the babies nap the boys do some reading and workbooks to keep up with school over the summer. This morning we went to the Library with Melissa, Avery, and Luke and they got all signed up for the summer reading program. After checking out some books we headed to the park right next to the library. There are fountains and also a river they can play in. All the kids had a lot of fun. At one point I couldn't find Livi. She was in the stream with the rest of them, but then she wasn't there and no one knew where she went. I found her in some strangers arms! I guess a group of moms thought she was lost so they were carrying her around trying to find me. I was surprised Olivia let them pick her up and take her, but I wasn't surprised she wouldn't talk to them to tell them I was just a few feet away. A little scary for sure, but glad she was ok. Its hard to because I tell the kids if they are lost to find another mom, but in this case she wasn't lost! It was nice to get to catch up with Melissa and the kids and worn out by the time we get home. Hopefully I can keep this routine up!

Last Day of School

The boys had their last day of school! I think they are excited about summer, but I also think they will miss school and seeing their friends every day. Tyler got to wear pajamas and watch a movie and Carter had an end of the year picnic. Justin, Nolan, Olivia, and I all went to the picnic. Carter was excited to introduce his siblings to his friends. All the first graders also sang everyone a song about going onto 2nd grade. After a bit Carter was ready to go play with his friends on the playground, so we left. We also got to see Tyler for a bit. After school I surprised the boys with a water fight. I picked them up instead of having them ride the bus and when we pulled in, the water guns were ready. They all thought that was pretty fun. We went to Tyler's baseball practice and then came home and played outside some more. We finished up our summer is here celebration by having family game night. Here is to a great summer!

Art Show

The night before we went to South Dakota we went to the boys school to see their artwork in the school art show. They usually do this during field day the next day, but since we would be gone we went the night before. They also had cookies and juice for everyone. Tyler proudly showed us his art work. Carter was upset that he didn't get to have more than one cookie, so he didn't want to show us his. We then had fun seeing all the other artwork and what kid of art the kids would get to do in the coming years. We have been really happy with the art program at their school. Their teacher does a great job!

South Dakota Day 4

On Monday morning we woke up,  and went to the Jewel Caves. The kids thought it was a lot of fun going down and looking at the caves, although they did not like the rule they were not allowed to touch anything. The tour guide was great though and Griffin, Tyler, Carter, Noah, and Nolan all took turns leading the group. Nolan even got to hold her flashlight.  Olivia was tired so Justin held here where she fell asleep during the majority of the tour. After that we went back to the house to get everything packed up and cleaned and then we said good bye and hit the road. the kids did a great job once again and we had a really smooth trip without any traffic. We came home were the kids jumped on the tramp some before going to bed (they still had school to go to). It was a wonderful trip and so great to see everyone. It will be fun to do it again in January!

South Dakota Day 3

After a late night we slept in some and then headed out to Bear Country Its a drive through wildlife park that has a on of black bears, wolves, mountain lions, bison, etc. It was such a fun time. The kids loved spotting all the different animals and it was great to see all the bears. The would walk right in front of the cars. We also saw some bears swimming and quite a few of them scratching their backs on logs. After the drive we got out and looked at some of the smaller animals like badgers and foxes and we also got to see some black bear cubs. Very cute. After that we headed to the KOA were Nana and Bapa were staying where everyone else was and all the Minnesota family were hanging out. We grabbed lunch and it started pouring. The kids had a blast running around the gazebo and it was fun getting to catch up some more. We had planned then to go to Mt Rushmore, but with the rain and Boyd and Sharalee had come car trouble we just headed back to the house were the kids hung out and watched a movie. It was very nice to have some down time. That night we had a yummy dinner from Dana and then just hung out and talked. We also started packing up as we would head home the next day.

South Dakota Day 2

After a good night's sleep we all woke up. We took turn with all the meals so Justin made pancakes and sausage for everyone for breakfast. The all of us, minus Bapa headed into Custer to go on a hike. The kids had a lot of fun climbing on all the rocks. Justin carried Olivia most of the way, but Nolan did great hiking the entire time. After a fun hike we headed back to the house to start getting ready for the wedding. However our battery had died so we found an auto shop and bought a new one. Once we finally made it home Lee, Alex, and Andy had also made it to the house from Chicago. We all got ready and headed off. It started raining, so the wedding was moved inside. Cassie did a great job, it was beautiful and she had so much stuff for the kids. Each kid had a bag with playdoh and crayons and a sheet for them to do, and then she also had a artist to that drew pictures of the kids and a special buffet line just of kids food for them. So great! The kids did pretty well during the wedding. They played outside a lot, and got in trouble by the park ranger for climbing on rocks. Olivia, Nolan, and Tyler had a blast dancing, Tyler is the most reserved on the dance floor. Carter had fun watching the artist draw. We couldn't leave until Olivia got in one dance with her daddy, but then we headed home (t was almost 10 and the wedding started at 4:30!). We also had a lot of fun catching up with Justin's cousins and family from Minnesota. A beautiful day for sure!

South Dakota Day 1

We headed off early Friday morning to go to South Dakota to celebrate Justin's cousin Cassie getting married. All the Pedersons were going to stay in one big house together so that all the cousins could hang out and play. The kids did great in the car on the way there, watching movies on their kindles, and coloring in their coloring books. We did stop on the side of the road once for Olivia to go potty. Good thing we brought hers along! We stopped in Wyoming where Boyd and Sharalee and their kids had stopped for the night and all the kids got to play on the hotel's playground and Tyler had fun shooting hoops on the basketball court. After that we headed to the house. The house was great and all the boys were excited for the bunk house that they got to sleep in. Nana, Bapa, Dana and Zach also arrived pretty quickly after us so we hung out and enjoyed the property. Tyer played a lot of catch and Noah and Carter played together a lot. That evening we had a fun night of roasting marshmallows. It was a very fun night.

Last Day of Preschool

Nolan had his last day of preschool. I can't believe the end of the year is already here. He loves school and had wonderful teachers. While we are switching preschools, I am very thankful for all the love they gave him here. For his last day they had a breakfast picnic and then were able to play on the playground for a while. Both he and Olivia had a lot of fun. In three short months she will be in preschool and he will be in pre-K. I can not believe it!

Baseball

Tyler has decided he wants to do baseball this year and Justin is going to help out coaching. Its a league of all 8 year olds, and while its a beginner league, its kid and coach pitch and they do keep score and standings. They had their first practice and of course Tyler loves it. He is on the Little Sluggers and we have to keep reminding him he cant wear his baseball pants and cleats all day long. The season goes all though August so hopefully the enthusiasm stays up!

Childrens Museum

I had a plan to go to the Children's Museum with a friend, unfortunately she got sick, but the babies and I still went. They had a great time. They loved the fir truck and then Nolan was in heaven a the station where they could build trains all ay. We then went to the indoor climbing structure which they liked and then we went to the bubble factory. Olivia really liked that. We then went to the ball lace, where balls fly all every where. Nolan was once again in heaven. We took a lunch break and then played some more. Olivia really enjoyed painting as well. There were a couple places we didn't even play. Very fun and something we will have to go back to for sure.

Bibliography Bash

Tyler had his first research project to do. First he had to pick a famous American. He chose Jackie Robinson. He then had to read and take notes from a couple books about him. Once that was done and checked off by the teacher he had to create a poster. The rule was that nothing printed off the computer was allowed, it all had to be in the child's own work. Tyler put his facts on the poster and also included a certificate of the awards Jackie had won and a timeline of his life. The kids then presented their posters in the library to all the parents and other students. He did a great job!

Mothers Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I woke up to his as Justin's facebook status (after sleeping in):

I don’t know how to make movies so I just asked the kids what they love about their mom and wrote it down. 
Carter: I love my mom because she takes care of me, does fun things like ride bikes with me. She gives the best hugs of all. She’s a good mom because she cooks good dinners and she helps me do my homework.
Tyler: I love my mom because she makes me feel better when I’m hurt. She takes me to the park. When I’m sad she makes me feel happy. She’s a good mom because she listens to us when we’re talking. 
Nolan: I love to cuddle with mommy and play with mommy, she’s great at reading me books and she’s funny. 
Olivia: I love mommy’s hugs and when she sings me songs and reads to me at bedtime. 
Happy Mothers Day. We all love you very much.

Then I opened the sweet cards and presents that the boys had made me and we went swimming. We put new floaties on the babies so we were all in the deep part together. The babies did great with the floaties and loved getting to swim around. I also got to sit in the hot tub for a while, kid free. We grabbed some lunch and headed home for naps. We then had a yummy dinner and watch Honey I Shrunk the Kids (which Nolan thought was so scary we would rather go to bed). We all woke up the next morning to 9 inches of snow. A wonderful day with just my family. Wouldn't want it any other way. 

Mothers Day Tea

Nolan's call put on a little Mother's Day Tea. It was very sweet. We had breakfast where Nolan presented me a bookmark that he made. Then his class had a small performance of all the songs he learned his spring. Olivia joined me and wished she could have been up there too. It is so fun to watch him interact with his friends and see how much he has learned. Love this boy.

Nolan's Art Show

Nolan's school puts on an Art Show and showcases all the art he has created all year. They do a great job and their is a piece of everyone's art in every classroom. After we all looked at Nolan's art the kids got to play on the playground some. So proud of my Nolan bug!

Favorite Things

Olivia to Nolan: You are my best friend. 
Nolan to Olivia: You are my best friend. We are best friends.
And then they hugged and my heart melted.

Love In Action

Our church does something called Love in Action every year, where we do community service projects around the city to show God's love in a tangible way. I love this idea and love that they have things the entire family can do. Over 1850 people from out church and 2500 from another church who we partner with participated. Our family helped out at a local high school painting the utility sheds. The kids did great, although they may have gotten more paint on themselves. Olivia didn't want to stop painting at all. Carter also really enjoyed the painting. Nolan painted for a while and then played with another little boys cars and trucks. Tyler helped out as well, but got a little distracted by the baseball game that was going on. When we were done painting we headed out for some ice cream. A very fun day and a wonderful event. I can't wait until next year!

Cousins!

Noah came up and spent the day and night with us. The boys were so excited! Noah and Uncle Boyd brought pizza for dinner and then the boys jumped on the tramp and played outside. We watched a movie and then the kids went to bed. All three boys decided to share the bottom bunk. I don't think they fell asleep til close to 10:30 though! In the morning Justin made pancakes, we played outside some more and then went to the Monkey Park. The kids had a blast and really loved being on the swing all together. We then grabbed some lunch and the boys played some games before Uncle Boyd picked him up to take him home. It was a fun visit and we can't wait til South Dakota where we can play with all the Pederson cousins.

Gymnastics

Olivia had her last tumbling class. She loves the class and has grown a lot in it. She now sits and does all the stretches and listens to her teacher so much better. I know she will do great in preschool. On the last day they took the rope down. Olivia loves to swing on the rope and she can also climb it no problem. Once she turns three we are going to be putting her in a gymnastics class at the gym Carter goes to. She loves it and seems to have a knack for it, so we figure we will let her keep at it.

Livi Conversations

Some of my favorite conversations from my favorite girl between her and Justin

Olivia: Daddy, you not have to work today?
Justin: No, I don't have to work today. Do you have to work today?
Olivia: No, I don't have to work today.
Justin: When do you have to work? 
Olivia: I work on Tuesday.
Justin: What are you going to do for work on Tuesday?
Olivia: I'm going to work on the railroad.

Negotiating with Olivia to use the kindle:
Justin: you want to watch Mickey mouse?
Olivia: No.
Justin: you want to watch an animal show?
Olivia: No.
Justin: You want to watch a war movie?
Olivia: Yes.

Trampoline

We got the kids a trampoline off of Craigslist. It is much smaller than our old one and doesn't have a net, but the kids love it the same. They were so excited to get it up and try it out. Even Olivia figured out how to climb up on her own using a rake. Lots of fun times ahead!

Easter

We had a nice Easter. I was sick the days leading up. but felt better to participate in all the activities. We opened gifts on Good Friday so that they could enjoy them all weekend. Nolan got a balance bike Carter got a new big bike Tyler got a new baseball and glove, and Olivia got a new Princess castle. They all loved them and played with them right away.  After Nolan's swim lesson on Saturday we came home and rode bikes to a neighborhood egg hunt. The bikes were a great idea as parking was crazy. They had horses there with dyed manes that Olivia loved. Then we had the hunt. The boys and babies were on two different fields, but they both did great. The hunt lasted about 10 minutes, the kids got all their loot and then we headed home. We went to Easter service that night, which was very nice. On Easter morning the kids got their baskets and we did an egg hunt inside our house. We spent the rest of Sunday just hanging out and then went out for dinner where kids got to eat free. A wonderful weekend to remember that He is Risen!

Moms and Muffins

The boys had Moms and Muffins at their school. We went early and each got a muffin to eat and then the boys played on the playground some. We also got to listen to the school rock band. I loved spending some time with my two older boys.  Later in the week, Justin got to go for Dads and Donuts. Then on Friday they had a family Amazing Race, one of the kids favorite shows, where we got to run around and do obstacles. It was a lot of fun. I love how family friendly this school is!