toy department

Isaac has always enjoys running through the store and hiding inside the clothes racks.  Usually it is cute because he stays close and I can find him easily.  I don't worry too much because we live in a small town and I feel really safe here.  I let him have some fun while I have some fun.  I took these pictures a few months ago at Kohl's of him playing peek-a-boo and posted them to Instagram.  He looks so cute and innocent here.

Fast forward to today.  I was perusing the women's clothing racks and he disappeared. I knew the game.  I called him and counted to three- so he'd know I meant business, and he popped out, his hair all static-y to his face from being buried in a stack of shirts.  Then we moved a bit further along.  He disappeared again.  I waited for him to pop out at me.  He didn't.  I called his name. I called his name again, louder and counted.  Still louder.  I walked around listening for the rustling sound the clothing makes when a little boy has crammed himself into the middle of the rack.  I watched for moving clothing.  Nothing.  I called his name.... with middle name this time,  a few more times. Then I started to pretty well YELL it.  Nothing.  It had been about 5 minutes by now, (which felt like at least 20!!) I am still not really worried because the store is really quiet, and there are not a lot of shoppers around, but I am definitely concerned.  I decide to walk to the front registers and ask a clerk if she can find someone to help me since I cannot find him anywhere.  A herd of employees who had been meeting together headed my way and asked for a description.  They split up and I could hear people calling his name everywhere.  Another few minutes passed and I was starting to panic.  I was envisioning myself talking to police officers and sobbing and his picture being on the news and I started yelling his name again.  Then I heard it.  A clerk with an ear piece on hurried over and told me what I needed to hear.  "He's been found! He was in the toy department".

The toy department.

Not anywhere near the women's clothing where I last saw him.

He walked up with a group of employees, not a care in the world.

I walked over to him and hugged him and the tears fell.  I held him and told him he could never leave Mommy again like that because I was scared.  I told him I never wanted to lose him and that I loved him so much, all the while tears streaming down my face.

He hugged me, gave me his signature kiss on the cheek and I could see from the look in his eye that he knew I was serious.  He told me to stop crying.  Crying seemed to affect him more than when he is being disciplined.  I am pretty sure he will not take off on me like that again.  He better not, or I might have to get the kid a leash.

"I'm free!"

Isaac is pretty proud that he is three and tells just about anyone.  If the topic of conversation is relating to numbers, he makes sure (even if it is in the middle of story time) to let everyone know that he is three.  Sometimes if you ask him what his name starts with instead of "I" he will say "free!"  He is at the age where he is pretty sure he knows what he wants and isn't afraid to let me know if it isn't the same as what I think he wants.  He is very independent and wants to do everything by himself.  He will not give up his sippy cups and does not want much to do with a regular cup.  He is pretty sure he is too big for naps, however usually ends up falling asleep on the couch a few times a week. He has started eating better, but still loves his applesauce packets (which he practically lived upon for 6 months, along with his dokily). He has had a recent explosion in interest in the alphabet and in doing fine motor activities like writing, cutting and crafts.  It came practically out of the blue!  He still loves all things 'boy' and doesn't get why his mom won't let him play outside when there is a -40 degree windchill.

kisses

I get to hear some of my favorite words from this guy, a few times a day.

"Come here Mom, I want to give you a kiss on the cheek."

It doesn't get much better than that.

♥

Milwaukee

The kids and I took our annual Valentines trip to Milwaukee this year. I snuck them out of school for a day and they willingly missed their Valentine's parties to be able to have more time away.  For a month prior to our departure I heard "How long before we go to Elaina and Carter and Brady's house?" at least 1000 times.  Poor Matt is bombarded with 72 hours of 7 crazy-excited kids... the amount of excitement in that house is palpable...  but I think we all enjoy the time we have. (We did get Mexican food that he loved at least!)

We stopped to see Great Grandma and Grandpa on the way down as we typically try to do .  They looked really good and I could tell from the looks on their faces that they really do love seeing the kids.  The energy that those 4 little (and some not so little any more!) bodies add to that home for an hour is enough to give Grandma and Grandpa a good nights rest, I am sure.  I sometimes worry about overwhelming them, but know that Grandma has always loved children and I know it isn't that often that we get to see them.  The kids love the special snacks and treats that they have waiting and always look forward to playing Grandma's electronic slot machine game and with the box of toys and blocks that have been around since I was a little kid (and perhaps since my dad was little too!).  This April will mark a special anniversary for these two.... 70 years of marriage! Going to their house holds so many specials memories for me.  In the bedroom is the same chenille bedspread that was there when we'd stay for a weekend when I was a kid.  The smell is a distinct one that sends memories flooding back- things like picking raspberries, smelling grandma's posies and johnny jump ups, the may flies that would bombard us in the spring, and exploring back by the railroad tracks.  I cherish those, and many other memories I have from my childhood there, and am so glad that my children can get to know these special people.  It is funny but when I see my kids with them it really makes me so glad to know that families are forever-- and makes me grateful for temples.  To know that my kids will one day get to know ancestors that have passed before they were born- special people like my Grandma and Grandpa Bodenhagen, who I held so dear, brings joy to my heart.

We headed down and arrived in Milwaukee about 9:15 that evening.  The next day we headed to the Museum and hit up all of the kids favorite exhibits. (which happen to be mine too... except I love them all! Wow I am realizing that I am just a sappy old woman!)

The first stop had to be the butterflies....

I am actually in a picture thanks to Jack!!

 Some loved 'em... others would rather look than touch.

  Then on to the rainforest...

Blue Morphos.... bringing back memories of our time during college in the rainforests of Panama.

 And the Streets of old Milwaukee...

 And let us not forget what a big deal escalators are when you live in a small town!

This was the first year that bedtime wasn't a complete disaster.  They are finally old enough that we can split them up into smaller groups, give them something quiet to do, and just let them fall asleep. And even the littlest did well with this.  Jack is such a help (here and at home) with getting Isaac to calm down and fall asleep.

Saturday the girls went to the mall, and the boys played at home with Uncle Matt.  Having only the girls to shop with was SO NICE. No littles hiding out in the racks or taking off. Case in point:

Isaac at Target... While I kinda wanted to just break free from the crowd in sheer bliss because IT WAS TARGET, I did have to chase after him.  In retrospect, I just wish I had put my arms out to the side and thrown my head back as well ;).

 No fits thrown. Only a lot of $$ spent! They did have fun hamming it up in the dressing room :)

Not only was there joy in going and doing new and exciting things, there was joy in the simple things as well.  Like wrestling and reading together.  We sure are lucky ♥.

100 years

Cassidy turned 100 yesterday!

It was the 100th day of school and she and her classmates were 100 year olds for the day!  She had fun picking out her glasses and beaded strap at the dollar store, and putting on some pretty blue eye shadow and a few wrinkles.  Daddy helped her make a cane and we set her hair in curls. She was loving it!

  If we could only live the life on a kindergartner once in a while.... *sigh!

piano lessons

Cassidy started piano lessons this week!  She and Lucy go to Mrs. Ory for their lessons.  She is a new teacher for Lucy, and Cassidy's first.

She was so very excited to start.  She had been 'practicing' with Lucy before she started and now that she has some homework, takes it seriously.

The other day she stood up next to the piano and stated, "My name is Cassidy Lindner and I am going to play Left Hand Playing and Right Hand Playing."  She went on to play the two note song with her left, then her right hand, then stood up and took a bow.  What a doll.

I hope the girls continue to enjoy playing piano and stick with it!  It would be so nice to when they are mothers to be able to play for their families, and perhaps in church someday!

D McPhee

Cass came down last night, way after she was supposed to be asleep.  There were tears in her eyes. She said she couldn't sleep because her tooth was bothering her.  It looked like this:

I sent her over to show her dad.  Andy suggested she just grab it and pull down, (as he has been for the past  month.)  But she declined.  She kept insisting it was uncomfortable and didn't know how she could ever fall asleep.  I took her into the bright light in the kitchen to try to get a better look at it. She was very protective of it, and would only let me get a good look with my camera. (Probably because I accidentally bumped another very loose tooth and knocked it out!)

I suggested she try to wiggle it.  And as she gave me a reason as to why that was a bad idea, the tooth just fell out onto her lap!

It hardly bled at all and she was just ecstatic! She skipped up to bed, clenching the baggie which held her tooth, and fantasizing about the tooth fairy paying a visit that night.

She has been nothing but smiles and lispy 'S-es'ever since.