Great Wolf Lodge

We went to the Great Wolf Lodge this past week with the Omas, Grandad, Opa, Barb and Colton. Liesl and Colton were allowed an inch apiece since they were just short of the mark to go on the big kid slides. They both needed a bit of talking into going on them but after Liesl went Colton soon followed. They had a blast and I could not imagine how many times they both went down. Jeannie also enjoyed the water park, playing in the wading pool and splash zone and with her sister. Liesl did very well with jumping on the lily pad obstacles and swimming around in the pool too. Everyone except Opa went on the slides. We talked them all into having a blast. Our room this time was a wolf den where there was bunk beds and a mural on the wall of some wolf pups and both the kids had a sleep over there. Both kids also got a wolf pass which is certainly the way to go and they got to do all kinds of activities in the Cub Club and MagicQuest and even make their own stuffed animal. They both woke up early to go to the Nature Walk in the morning. Liesl actually managed making her own origami and followed directions very well. They all enjoyed all of the characters whom seemed to be very drawn to Liesl and Jeannie. Since it was Earth day this week as well as Arbor day they all got Oak seedlings to plant. On the way home we went to Leland and went shopping at the Pirates and Princesses shop and got some ideas at a garden decorating store. Ran off with some big rocks from the beach and then got a bite to eat at the Blue Tractor. Our trip home took a little longer than expected and it was really good to finally be home.

I have been building Jeannie and Liesl's playhouse lately. It has taken up a lot of my time but the results and rewards from putting it together are great. I didn't think I could do what I did by myself. I know I couldnt have gotten as far as I could have with the starting of the playhouse without mom's help. I also have been building some raised beds for the garden. It is going to be huge. We have "the three sisters" planned for one part of the garden (corn, squash, and beans together) and pumpkins, peas, all sorts of peppers and tomatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, raspberries, and I dont even remember the rest. We also are going to make stepping stones to surround the gardens so that we can make our way between them and not have to mow as much. The fairy garden will also be expanded. I have a lot of plans for that for rainy days...making furniture, ladders, pedestals, arbors, pools, baths. I just need to get hold of some mosses.

The weather is getting nicer and it was high time that I got us our zoo pass last week. We have been spending alot of time with Colton and Barb there and the kids have been loving getting out in the weather. Liesl has definitely been much more agreeable getting out and getting exercise. Jeannie has not been getting all the sleep that she deserves though. Tomorrow we will be having an Oma Gabi day so I will put Jeannie down for her full nap tomorrow. Pictures to come soon.

On our way to Kaethe tante's

We have a car load in Veronika's truck on our way to see Kaethe tante. Kids all packed in and snug. We had to wait a little for grandad but we are on our way.

Yesterday Liesl and I made finger puppets while Jeannie napped then for a short visit to aunt Gloria's. Jeannie didnt have too bad of a time after her shots last week thank god. Liesl and I also did a lot of laundry yesterday and she earned daddy's pocket change. Our plants are growing like crazy and will ready when the weather is. There are more that need planting now too. Cant wait for my mothers day fruit tree. Oh yeah and Jeannie started drawing

Random Easter videos and the "birthday box slide"

 playing with Robbie's toys

 Easter Egg hunt

best present ever

Birthday pictures and random Easter

 Oma and Robbie at Easter

 Me and Robbie at Easter

 Opening Gifts on her Birthday morning

Cake Monster

She shoved her face right into it

 Jim and Veronika Clowning around

Robbie "when am I gonna get that cake all the kids are talking about"?

 Outfit change! They matched all day

Baby stats

Jeannie's 12 month stats were 19lbs 9 oz, 29in long, 18in crown under the 50th percentile. Dr Hina said everything looked great. We had a few shots. One of them was a little stingy according to the nurse but also had to have hemoglobin and lead checked so needed to have a blood draw which was just no fun for the little angel. Another long day for her. Poor thing. Hope she doesnt spike a temp from this one

One thing i keep forgetting to mention. Jeannie has started sleeping strait through from 830 to 930 or so in the morning without waking up and doing self soothing if she does for a little under a week. Before she woke at least 1 time for diaper and nursing but now mommy gets some better rest. She also for about a little under a week now has put herself to sleep after a feeding and a binkie both nap and bedtime. How easy is that?

Dr appt today

Jeannie has a well visit for 1 yr old today. Not entirely looking forward to it. We will see. I have her all clean and getting down for a nap now. Have to be ready in a few hours. Let the judgement begin.

The next 2 teeth seem to be close behind. She has been drooling like crazy and slept 15 hrs yesterday plus a 5 hr nap.

She is a pro at walking now and scoots all over. Her new toys are both of the girls preoccupation and they are sharing and playing together nicely.

Liesl saw me working on a painting last night and wanted to "paint like mommy" so i got her some good paper and a palate and brush and was impressed with her lovely abstract. She said she was going to "sell it to Oma". Oma agreed to take her to panera for payment

Happy birthday Jeannie

What a great party for Jeannie mom hosted and worked her butt off for. Jeannie had a great time. She loved all the singing to her and people saying happy birthday made her smile. Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and for coming to celebrate with us.
Yesterday i found that she cut her second tooth. This one was on top. So now she has a match to the bottom and 2 more next to those not far behind. She sure ate yesterday like she has a full mouth of teeth yesterday. She ate half a slice of pizza and daddy says she went through a quart of strawberries like a wood chipper. Her cake experience was hilarious. She put her face right in there, then massaged it into the ice cream then got a big hunk of it for her mouth then cried because it was everywhere. Partygoers were positioned for the event like paparazzi shootting film like crazy around her. The girls looked very cute dressed to match and Liesl helped her with all her presents. Its 11 and the girls are still asleep

Please share any photos you have!

Elmo

The kids love Sesame Street. Last night Jeannie got an Abby Cadabby doll from uncle Dennis so we are watching an episode with Abby this morning. She responded with saying Elmo for me. This morning when she woke she managed to squeak out UP finally which I have been waiting for. But the best of all is that she responds a lot with nodding her head up and down when she wants to say yes. I must tape it

Jeannie turning 1

Sunday Jeannie is turning 1. I can't believe how fast the year has gone by. She has advanced and changed so much in this year. Yesterday, when mom and I were at the toys r us I couldn't make my mind up on Jeannie's present so I put her down and asked her to choose. She walked up and looked at each and thought about it and then finally chose one by pointing at it. It was very cute. She has been allowed to choose a lot. Usually between cereal and baby food. She is always very decisive. The other day she called Robbie baby and then Robbie. It wasn't super clear but we could tell what she intended. They were sitting side by side at the lunch table. She can't wait til he can romp. Liesl is very excited to play with Jeannie and her new toys. The intention of a lot of the toys we got for her birthday were for the girls to play together. She gets better every day at walking. I think also she is pushing another tooth because she seems to be feeling her gums with her tongue.

We are all specially excited about Jeannie's new playhouse for the backyard fit with even window boxes we intend to plant our strawberries we started into. Not excited about the building of it. Also getting a sun and sand table from aunt melisa and uncle Scott which is oh so super exciting. We will be doing some serious outdoor playtime. Can't wait til Robbie can cruise and join in. I hope this playhouse doesn't get in the way of the super huge garden in the making. Have stepping stones planned and multiple bed sites and about 50 tomatoes and peppers each sprouted and thriving. Cucumbers came up a little. Herbs, strawberries, watermelon, pumpkin, beans and peas and carrots and more,. My lavender keeps getting bigger. Looking forward to expanding there too. Will also get some blackberries and raspberries for the side of the shed and my mothers day fruit tree of course

Walking across the room.

Jeannie has been a lot more comfortable with walking and walked clear across the room today. She loves her Easter gifts, lots of books and stuffed animals and has been playing and reading.

Prayers to all our loved ones going into surgery