Life in March 2015

Wow March seemed busy after looking at photos-my goal has been to take more since I had been slacking and I think I did okay this month.

The month started off with Elsie attending a Big Sister/Big Brother Class that the hospital puts on for siblings.  It was cute and I am glad we signed her up!

The got to color a bib and then transferred it from the paper onto a cloth bib for their baby.  Elsie put a lot of time into it and was the last one to finish (after I took the crayons away because they needed to move on).  They read a story about becoming a big sister and then had a change to change a babies diaper and practice holding a baby.  Elsie was really into it.  After that we went upstairs for a tour of a hospital room.  

After that Elsie has become SO into babies!  We set up the swing and she like to put her baby in there, sing to it, and read it stories.  She also likes to put her baby in the baby's crib, use our cloth diapers for the baby and use the baby's clothes for her doll :)  It is really sweet actually.  

After finishing up the floor/stairway project we decided to not do too much in March.  John had to wrap up the bathroom project and I wanted to paint Elsie's room.  Other than that, we didn't do too much.  

On March 6th we had Elsie's three year old photos-yes she turned three back in December but not too much has changed for her since then :)  I love the way they turned out and I was able to get a few with her.  I posted more of those pictures here along with some updates on Elsie.  

On March 7th (a Saturday) Elsie and I walked over to the elementary school for a Raising Readers event.  Its an event for children 0-5 and focused on science and technology as well as literacy.  One of the rooms you could read to therapy dogs and of course Elsie loved it! 

There was a room that focused all on air and Elsie loved doing the stomp rockets.  

And we did a balancing experiment too.  After we made it around to all the stations we went and collected our free book-this program offers free books to the first so-many kids through the door.  They also had a little zipper pouch filled with crayons, pencils, paper, scissors which came in handy later in the day.  We headed home for an early nap and then got up to head to Des Moines to cheer on our High School Girls Basketball team play in the state championship game.  

And a big congratulations went out to them because they ended up winning the state title!!  A very good and exciting game!  After the game we went with the Olson's to Old Chicago for dinner.  

Elsie loves to use all of our throw pillows to make a "bed" on the couch-I guess the higher the better!  

Over the weekend of March 13th-15th we had the opportunity to celebrate the third birthday of  a very special girl!! Aubrey!!  On Friday Elsie was invited to her friend party with some other little girls from day care and then on Saturday we went as a family to their family party.  

On Monday March 16th we had our first 80 degree day of the year!! 

To enjoy the day we grilled pork chops on the grill and enjoyed our dinner outside on the deck!  It was lovely!!  John also mentioned to Elsie that he was making her a surprise-and of course she had to know-it was a little picnic table just for her!  (He started it last April :).  She wanted to work on it right then and there but it was getting late so she had to wait.  

Mommy's Lucky Charm on St. Patrick's Day! 

Elsie being silly.  I purchased a new prime lens for my camera and was trying it out.  Definitely takes some getting used to.  I got it on Friday March 20th which was also a beautiful day (not quite as nice as the Monday before but still I think it got around to the low 60's).  

When John got home we went for a walk to return some library books.  

And then headed home for dinner-which was also enjoyed out on the deck!  Elsie has been constantly asking to eat outside now that we have done it a few times.  After dinner, John and Elsie set to work putting together her picnic table.  John had cut all the pieces from wood left behind in the upstairs of our garage when we moved in last year.  Finally, a year later the table is complete.  I blame this on me because I kept giving him other projects ;).  

John is so patient with Elsie when she wants to "help" him

Elsie and the finished product! 

I mentioned back in a post about Elsie's new found love for Dancing with the Stars and how she imitates the dances with John.  Here is the "tent light" I was referencing.  

On the 21st my dear friends from MN made the trip down to visit and meet Adalyn. They arrived just before lunch and we just hung out and visited all afternoon.  It was lovely an so wonderful to catch up!  We went out for dinner and ice cream and then they headed back home that night.  It was a wonderful Saturday!  

Last Wednesday (3/25) Elsie and I most likely had our last wednesday alone together.  Ever since she was born we have spent our Wednesdays together (with a few exceptions of course).  It is a bit bittersweet because soon she will have to share me with her little sister on my Wednesdays off.  This particular Wednesday we went to tumbling class, Duckworth to drop off some clothes, the bakery for donuts/cookies, had lunch with John and Lisa at the new Mexican place in town, and just had a nice fun day together :).  

Also last week, Elsie's new car seat for Bev's car arrived.  She had seen the seat on my computer screen when we were trying to decided between a couple of different models and she exclaimed "Oh is that seat for me?  It is the seat I have ALWAYS wanted!"  Really?  haha she loves is because it is purple and it has a built in cupholder :).  I'm glad it is the little things that make this girl happy.  

One evening we went for a walk around the block-without riding her bike.  Elsie LOVES to collect things when we are out and about like sticks, acorns, and rocks.  I told her this particular night she couldn't ride her bike because she would stop all the time to pick things up so we just walked.  She collected quite a few rocks and then the following night her and John washed them up to "make them pretty".  She came down to proudly show me her rocks and exclaimed that she is a "rock hound" Ha!  So now that is what she says when she talks about collecting rocks.  A little geologist in the making.  

On SAturday 3/28 we celebrated Little Orson's third birthday with an Easter Egg Hunt.  You can see more pictures and info here.

She looks so big to me here!  

If you would have asked me a few weeks ago if we were going to do a garden this year I would have told you no.  I figured we would have our hands full and April/May when planting happens we would be adjusting to life as a family of four-I didn't want to add one more thing to my plate.  But...Saturday (3/28) I woke up and for some reason changed my mind so that morning we set out to buy our seeds and supplies needed to get some seedlings going indoors. Here is Elsie shopping with her own little cart.    We bought seeds for peas, peppers, beans, squash, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, a couple of wildflower mixes, marigolds, zinnias, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower (the last two will be fall crops since we are too late to start them from seed now).  Ha-I kind of went overboard.  We are also planning to have a herb garden with basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and mint.  Add that to our raspberries and blueberry plants and we will have our hands full.  

So on Sunday (3/29) we started seeds for our peppers plants (jalapeno and bell), marigolds (two varieties) and zinnias.  We were going to do parsley but missed the part that they need to soak overnight in warm water before planting.  Starting seeds indoors is all new to me so this will definitely be a learning experience for us all.  After planting Elsie asked if we could watch the plants for awhile before going to bed-oh dear!   

Another Sunday project we did was make this birdhouse.  We have had this birdhouse kit around our house for 7 years!  So John and Elsie put it together and Elsie painted it.  I had to stay out of the kitchen because she wanted it to be a surprise for me.  

Also on the same Sunday (3/29) we celebrated Easter with John's family and dyed eggs and had a hunt.  It was a busy day for us I guess.  I did a post on that a day or so ago.  

On Sunday morning (3/29) it was John's turn to get up with Elsie in the morning.  She has been waking up earlier than normal lately.  So he went in and actually got her to lay down for another 15 minutes (although I didn't get up I heard/was aware of everything because of the monitor).  Next thing I know Elsie is climbing up into bed with me and we are snuggling away watching Paw Patrol.  About 10 minutes pass and I check out the monitor and John is sleeping away in Elsie's bed-ha! That man can fall asleep anywhere!  

A Few Other Little Updates:  

• Elsie complete Preschool Level Two in swim lessons this month and was recommended she move on to preschool Level Three.  We are planning to do lessons this summer here in town but will pick back up the Red Cross Lessons in the fall.  
• Book Club this month was at Kedra's house.  Last month I picked Girl on the Train and I read it in three days.  It was really good!  This month's pick is The Husband's Secret  I am 66% through it already.  
• Elsie Update:  Whoa Elsie was a handful for the last week of the month.  JoLene mentioned it to us and we definitely noticed it at home too.  Especially the last weekend she was a handful.  I do know we have been putting her to bed later and she has been waking up earlier and we need to focus on getting her to bed by 7:30-that is her sweet spot I think.  Other updates:  She likes to call me Mother.  She can imitate me to a "T" when I have scolded her-yes she is a sassy little girl. She loves candy-she recently re-discovered her halloween candy bag in a closet and is constantly asking for chocolate-I'm not excited about the Easter candy season coming up.  She seems to want me more lately-she goes back and forth between the two of us.  
• Baby Update:  Not too much to mention here. :)  Hopefully soon though!  Still feeling good and not too tired-I guess it doesn't help when you wake up at 4:30 AM and can't go back to sleep.  

Memorial Day Camping

Every year, we talk about going camping over Memorial Day weekend but when it comes down to it, it just doesn't end up happening.  Mainly because there always seems to be severe weather that weekend-at least here in Iowa.  I was trying to recount what we have done over the past few years over Memorial Day and this is what I came up with:  

2007:  Amber, Marc, John and I went camping in Northern MN at Tettagouche State Park

2008:  John and I went camping at Wilson Island State Recreation Area in Western Iowa. 

2009:  We spent the weekend in Northern Minnesota at my friend Erin's cabin with the whole clan.

2010:  I was working at Y Camp and had to work

2011:  I believe we were at a wedding that weekend for my cousin but I can not recall for sure.  

2012:  I actually blogged about it.  You can read about that here.   Relaxing, boating with Marc and Amber in Story City, campfire at their house.

2013:  We had planned a trip to St. Louis to camp and visit the sights of the city but it was forecasting severe weather and so we cancelled our reservations which ended up being a good thing because

Day 1 Day 2

So now here we are in 2014 and I made reservations at a state park.  I was actually shocked that it was late April and I still found a campsite when I decided to book a trip.  The state park that we chose to go to was Pikes Peak State Park.  I have wanted to camp up in that area for a few years now but could never snag a reservation over the 3-day weekend and we try to avoid driving that far with the camper for just a regular weekend (It is about 3-3.5 hours away).  So I was thrilled when I found the available site.  So Friday after work we loaded up some last minute items and hit the road.  We arrived there about 9:00 and it took a little bit to get everything situated.  I think Elsie was was asleep by 10:00 that night- (way past her bedtime).  John and I climbed right into bed too since it was already so late.  

Tally also came with us camping of course and this was her first camping trip.  Normally when we drive up to MN she is in her kennel in the back my vehicle but since we had the truck she got to ride in style in the backseat.  We bought her this harness and it attaches to the seat belt so she doesn't jump or climb on Elsie while driving.  It worked perfect!  

A Little note:  the past two years we have taken a mini pack and play for Elsie to sleep in but this year she gets to sleep on the bottom bunk.  She looks so tiny on the full size bed but she loved it!  If you asked her what her favorite part about camping was and she would tell you it was her bed :)  This is a little monumental because she has never slept on a bed other than a crib or a pack and play-something with sides where she can't escape.  Thankfully she never got out of bed either.  

So Saturday morning we were up bright and early thanks to Elsie who just doesn't know how to sleep in :).  We ate some breakfast and hung out for awhile in the camper because it was still "quiet hours".  We ended up deciding to head into town for the morning because we had planned to go to Effigy Mounds National Monument in the afternoon.  As we drove into Marquette we discovered there was a little flea market taking place.  Yay!  I had just made a summer bucket list and visiting a flea market was on the list.  

The only thing we found was a little pink and black softball glove for Elsie, a baseball to go with it, and a little horse figure that Elsie played with the entire day.  As we were at the flea market we heard a loud crash and looked towards the road to see a car accident.  People rushed towards, calling 911.  It just made me sick!  I couldn't stop thinking about it all morning.  I tried later to find out what happened but could not find anything in the news about the accident which I hope means that it was nothing more than minor injuries and car damage.  But just like that-those people's holiday weekend changed in a blink of an eye.  

After the flea market we let Elsie play on a little playground and then decided to walk through town a little bit.  There were tons of antique stores and I thought it would be nice to take a look.  What we also discovered was a winery-something else that was on my summer bucket list!  John and I have visited quite a few central Iowa wineries and enjoy doing the tastings.  Oh my-their wines were delicious!  We ended up bringing three bottles home with us!  Elsie also enjoyed the tasting-she got a cup full of chocolate chips to keep her entertained.  

After exploring Marquette for awhile, we got back in the car and crossed the river to Prarie du Chien.  We drove around a bit and stopped at a little park along the river for Elsie to play on the playground somemore.  It was just so nice to be relaxed and not have to rush for any plans.  After that we made our way to Effigy Mounds to have a picnic lunch and explore the ancient burial mounds.  For more info on the mounds go here:  Effigy Mounds Info.  When we arrived we headed inside to chat with the rangers about where to go and what to spend our time with.  They recommended a hike on the boardwalk for Elsie's sake because it was an easy walk and there was a good chance to see some animals along the way.  But since we were there for the mounds and the views of the river we chose to an uphill hike complete with switchbacks. Before heading out we enjoyed our picnic.  

After lunch we made our way uphill.  Poor John had to push Elsie up the entire way while I had Tally.  The views from the top were beautiful and well worth the walk-although Elsie was getting crabby and wanted to sleep because after all, it was naptime.  Oh well.  We still enjoyed the hike and for once in the last 7 months that we have had Tally, we felt like we actually wore her out.  Towards the end of the hike she was definitely losing steam. Here are some views from the hike

In this picture you can see the mounds. 

Stopping for a break-Elsie loves to hold the bowl for Tally

After we got done with the hike we headed back to our campsite for the evening.  It was nice and relaxing.  Of course we had to make s'mores. 

Also at the campground, we went on a lot of walks, played games at the picnic table, and Elsie rode her bike all alround.  She especially enjoyed the downhills where she would just glide down. :) 

Let me just a do a quick review of the park where we stayed.  Pikes Peak State Park was just beautiful!  The trails were really nice and views were wonderful.  It is a hotspot for motorcyclists which doesn't surprise me one bit!  The campgrounds were okay-the sites were really close to each other but at least the were shaded.  The bathrooms/showerhouse were modern and clean which is always nice-in fact I prefered to shower there than in our little camper shower.  I would definitely go back again though.  

Sunday morning we went for a hike.  We took the stroller again not knowing what to expect and hoping to go a ways down the trail. The trail started out paved and the switched between alternating stairs and boardwalk. ha.  It was interesting... but we made it down and back up.  John just pushed the BOB down the the stairs and then on the way back up we I held the front and John lifted the back and we carried he up the stairs.  

Late Sunday after noon, we packed up and headed home a day early.  We thought it would be nice to have a day at home over the long weekend and we were right-it was nice to have a relaxing day home and to work on the flower beds.