Rainy day fun

Saturday started as a nice day with clouds and a little bit of sunshine.  The rain held off after Liam's swim lessons long enough for us to go with Grandma and Papa for a German sausage.  The boys were not huge fans of the sausage, they would rather run and play tag with papa.


After rest time, it was raining, so we decided to make super hero masks.

 Captain America didn't want to wear his mask, so I decided to wear it. Karsten said I could be Wonder Woman!


The super heros colored for a bit in their giant coloring books.


Then, after dinner, the rain cleared and we could go out and play.  While the boys were playing, they discovered snails!  Karsten brought one to show me but the snail wasn't moving. I told him to put it down and sure enough after about 30 seconds, the snail came out and slowly started to move.  They found a few more but none of the others came out of their shell.


Captain America doesn't seem bothered that his cape is on the front - he wore it this was for the rest of the time playing outside!

Little swimmer

Karsten typically takes swimming lessons at the same place as Liam, but we were a bit late signing him up, and his class was full.  So, we decided to take him to the YMCA near our house and have been very happy with the teacher.  He interacts well with the kids, encourages them when they're timid and cheers them on when they accomplish something.

How cool is this platfom that sits in the water.  Using it the kids can all practice their kicks and have a safe place to stand while they wait for their turn to swim.


Liam was not happy that he couldn't get in the water.  He kept saying 'me sirt off, in waer' (translation - me shirt off, get in water!) Poor guy, he really wanted to swim with Karsten.


Karsten is doing great - we need to get to the pool for some practice, but he's getting a good foundation!




They end class by jumping into the pool.  He's still a bit timid on this and likes to crouch down and jump in - I'm sure he'll get it in the next few classes!

Wordless Wednesday - Mommy's Shoes

The big day

On Karsten's birthday, we let him choose what he wanted for dinner, and he first said chicken noodle soup.  He has mentioned it several times before, so we thought this was finally the time -nevermind that it was 90 degrees outside. :)  In an offhand comment, Scott said he was surprised Karsten hadn't chosen pizza.  Then chicken noodle soup quickly became PIZZA - I WANT PIZZA!

We had more cupcakes to celebrate and he got to blow out the candles again.


And, again we did a few times since he's five - and apparently that's now a rule.


Liam even got into the action of blowing out the candle.


Isn't this batman birthday shirt cool - Grandma to the rescue with cool birthday shirts!


He LOVED the card from Uncle Kevin, Aunt Nancy and Michael.  He kept picking it up and looking at all the characters and asking Scott to read it for him.


Scott snuck outside to position the bike we go him for his birthday.  I love the look on his face - so excited!


Then he raced over to ride it!


Check out Liam's response, he's disappointed that he doesn't have a bike to ride.  We fixed that pout by bringing out his trike so he could ride with Karsten.


The bike is a big hit!


I love these smiles!






Who needs pedals when you can do it like Fred Flinstone.


I thought I would try to get a brother pic since they both looked adorable in their matching shirts.




Happy Birthday sweetpea!  We love you!

Finally FIVE

After several months of telling everyone that he was four....and three quarters, Karsten is finally five.

Here are the obligatory now and then photos.  Time just goes so fast and I would give anything to slow it down so we can enjoy all of these moments more (or again).  Sometime it's a challenge to remember that point when life gets in the way or the attitude of a four year old rears his head, but all of these moments are precious.

Looking at this picture, I remember these first moments with him, thinking how beautiful he was and how I was so excited to meet him after all of those months.  I remember the fear of what the heck - they're sending him home with us - are they sure we can handle that?  He made us parents and we've enjoyed all of the stages we've had along the way - I'm sure the next stages will be great as well.


A few notes about Karsten at five - he loves all things superheros, but since we don't watch a lot of movies or TV, he doesn't know too much about the actual characters.  He's a great big brother and takes good care of Liam.  I challenge you to not smile while listening to them giggle with each other. That said, he doesn't like it when Liam plays with his toys when he's not supposed to.  He's not a morning person and doesn't like to get out of bed - except on weekends.  He hates to have sunscreen put on - HATES!  He enjoys going to school - learning and playing with his friends.  He does a great job writing his first name, last name and Liam's name.  If you tell him which letters to write to spell a word, he can write words.  He loves to color and does a great job staying in the lines.  He has a budding interest in Legos - especially little Lego guys.  He is very sensitive and doesn't like to disappoint people.  If he feels like he's disappointed you, he will likely dissolve into tears.  He loves to play outside, climbing on the rocks, playing in the clubhouse, and helping Scott with yard work.  He likes the show Wild Kratts on PBS. He also loves to help Scott cook and is always very proud when they have a finished product.

Only four for one more day

After church this morning, Karsten said he wanted to say hi to Father.  So, we waited our turn to say hello then Karsten started chattering about how he had already had a pretend birthday, he had a birthday party yesterday with a cape and he was only going to be four for one more day because his birthday is tomorrow!  Father did a good job following along and seeming interested, but I could tell he was a bit bewildered!

We enjoyed his last evening as a four year old by playing in the backyard - with superhero capes, of course!
We thought bunnies were eating our kale, but then Scott discovered little worms on it.  GRRR - they ate it down to sticks.  Karsten was checking to see if there were any more worms on it.


And he found several worms.  After we made sure he understood not to relocate these worms to the garden like most others he finds, they were all his to play with.


Showing Liam the worms, Liam found one as well but his worm took a plunge off the rocks.  Oh well, he would have been squished by Scott in a few minutes anyway!


Scott harvested green beans tonight - YAY!  Our plants are doing well and we've started to get some tomatoes from  the garden.  The lettuce and spinach are almost done, so now we need to figure out something else to plant in their spot.  Anyone have recommendations for something that can weather the summer heat and be ready in late summer or fall?


Superheros supervising the garden.


Captain America didn't want to slide down the slide, so Scott rescued him and he got to fly around like this.


We think they're playing a lot of ball at school, and Karsten has gotten much more coordinated with dribbling and kicking the ball - a soccer ball, not the basketball. :)


Such a serious guy - I was trying to get him to smile but kept getting a cheesy look so I just told him to look at me and not smile.  He got that wound on his face while he and Liam were wresting yesterday.  While I was getting ready for his party, he came down to show me and ask for an ice pack.  I sent him back upstairs with one of the little boo boo ice packs and he was happy.  A minute later, Liam was downstairs claiming an injury and needing an ice pack. :)  I couldn't find the other boo boo ice pack, so I gave him a blue ice.  I told Scott that I was sure Karsten would want the big ice pack since he is the big brother.  When the boys came down about about five minutes later, Liam had the little boo boo ice pack and Karsten had the big ice pack - not sure how he negotiated that, but we've seen that he can be pretty persuasive with Liam!


I'm trying to play with the manual settings on my camera more, and have been having better luck!




Only one more day with this sweet boy as a four year old.  How is it possible that he is almost five?

Summer deliciousness

When I was growing up, my mom and I would eat peanut butter and tomato sandwiches in the summer when we had fresh tomatos. It sounds like a crazy combination, but it is delicious!

We're starting to get tomatoes from of our garden and Scott just made homemade bread - all the makings of a wonderful sandwich!

Superhero celebration

Since we're all about superheroes lately, I wasn't surprised when Karsten chose superheroes as the theme for his birthday party.  A few weeks ago, I found a super cute invite on Etsy an checked invitations off my list.  When Karsten saw the invitations, he asked me when I had taken pictures of all the superhero logos on his underwear.  Ummmm, what?

There were superhero logos on the invitation, so he assumed that I had taken pictures of the logos on his underwear to put on the invitation.  HAHAHA!  Anyhoo, I digress.

When Karsten said he wanted a superhero themed party, I immediately thought of the adorable super hero capes I had seen on Pinterest.  Since we were having a small party with friends and family, I knew i could make capes for the kiddos.


It was a crazy busy week at work, so I didn't have the time to work on the capes during the week, so they were a Friday night project.  Several hours later, I had many ideas about how I would assemble these differently the next time I make them.  But, I think they turned out wonderfully and the kids loved them, so it was well worth the time.  I used this pattern.


I had initally planned a superhero cake, also discovered on Pinterest; however, when we decided to have a small party, I decided to go with cupcakes.  Thanks to Jenn for letting me use these cute superhero templates that she bought last year.


Karsten giving us a cheesy smile with Grandma.


And I think Papa may have tickled him to get a more sincere smile out of him.


We couldn't wrangle Liam for a family picture, so we settled for a picture of Scott and I with Karsten.  I obviously need a superhero shirt in order to fit in with this crew.


Modeling their new capes.


Someone was way excited to open his presents!


Papa made Karsten this cool wooden box, plus he gave him the pieces for another box that they will build together.  I think he'll have a great time working in the shop with Papa - I know I always did!


Eden drew this cool Superman shield for Karsten and those lines are superman's abs!  How cool is that?  Don't be fooled by Karsten's expression, this was a smile (or at least he thought so) :)


A whole book of superhero stickers!


Grandma made Karsten a super cool Ninja turtle quilt.  He was so excited, he immediately tried to unfold it so he could see all the turtles.




As you can imagine, Liam was a big help opening Karsten's presents.  Then, he plopped down in the middle of the room to get the dirt out of his toes - priorities. :)


After presents, it was time to build the Lego Superhero car that Jenn got him.  Karsten's favorite part of these Lego sets are the little guys, I'm sure he'll grow into the building.


We asked Karsten what he wanted for his birthday meal and he said chicken noodle soup.  Since it was going to be almost 90, we asked what he thought of pasta salad, fruit salad and pulled pork.  Luckily, he said 'NOOODLES! I WANT NOODLES!' so we knew we had a hit!


The obligatory picture before candles are blown out!


He's still smiling in case you were wondering. :)


And finally it was time to blow out the candles. He wanted to do it five times since he is five.


Cupcakes were a hit!




Then the superheros went outside to play.  Eden loves monkeys and has become quite the climbing monkey herself.  She had us a bit nervous with this chair on the edge of the rocks, but she didn't fall off!


As soon as I saw how much fun they were having with these capes, all of the annoyances I had when I was putting them together.






Everything is more fun in a cape


Even superheros need a break now and then.


Jenn and her superheros


Just a couple of superhero moms.  :)


Soccer with a cape?  Why not?


Superheros showing off their muscles


So sweet - I love that they have so much fun with each other!







It was a fun evening celebrating this adorable superhero.  I can't believe he's five - it just doesn't seem possible!