bookworm & movie buddies

 

Big Brother will only let a few people:

1. Acknowledge him after he wakes up

2. Read his books

3. Sit in his chair

Fortunately, Little Sis is one of those people.

this past month

This past month has been filled with kids growing up way too fast and cold weather (we're all anxious to get outside, but that's a common theme in Iowa!)

Awhile back I found Kase sitting in a cupboard in the bathroom reading a book to himself.

I can relate, Kase, sometimes I just want to sit somewhere quiet and read a book.

Little Miss Lydia is changing daily and has developed quite the personality.  She is SUCH a ham and loves to entertain people with her crazy antics.  She has 4 teeth (2 top, 2 bottom) and is currently working on her first 2 molars...oh joy.  I don't remember Kase being so fussy with teeth, but Lydia can be SO cranky (not evidenced in this picture).  Her favorite game is to drop things, then follows it by a very sweet sing-songy voice of "dropped it, dropped it."  We're not sure about many of the words that she says since it's mostly still jabber, but we think she says:

I dropped it

Dabby = Daddy

Dog

 One of these days she's going to take off 100% walking.  For now, however, she's content at crawling quite quickly.  Occasionally she'll take a few steps but will then fall down if she sees you watching her.  Such a stinker. 

The kids are very good friends, Kase is a great big brother.  He's usually very gentle with her and loves to make her happy if she's upset by singing her "Away in a Manger."  Now that Lydia can stand by herself she tends to get into Kase's toys/food/whatever that Kase is doing, which can cause some frustration from Kase.  For the most part, however, Lydia can do no wrong in his eyes.

There's nothing better than a glass of warm milk right before bed!

The biggest and most exciting news in our house is that Kase is FINALLY potty-training!  For months and months and MONTHS we've been trying to get him to use the potty.  He's just never had any interest in it and usually used the excuse that he's "just too little."  So, a few weeks ago his babysitter did some soul-searching/brain-washing with him and convinced him that he IS big enough to use the potty.  Two Saturdays ago we started, and he caught on right away!  He's only had a handful of accidents since we started (not including nighttime) and has recently started telling us when he has to use it too!!!  It's amazing how quickly he went from zero interest to actually telling us when he needs to go.

 I made Kase a Potty Poster where he can use stickers to follow a path to prizes.  We put 5 prizes on the poster thinking it would take him awhile to get these prizes...however, he's done so well that we're almost finished with the poster, only one more prize to earn!

 We had some friends who gave Kase a gumball machine filled with corn candy, so he also earns a coin each time he uses the potty.

Nothing real exciting here, just 2 sweet siblings enjoying a snack together.

Lydia loves to climb.  Her new favorite game is to climb into a toy basket, she wants me to fill the basket with toys, she throws them out of the basket, and then climbs out of the basket.  Repeat, repeat, and repeat!

I have my camera back so hopefully/maybe/we'll see if I can get some more regular updates!

there must be something in the water...

It's been a rough week in our house.  If you missed my last post, Kase is in a interesting difficult awful phase filled with tantrums.  And Lydia, happy-go-lucky Lydia, is teething and is a cranky little bear!

tantrum-y threes

We've had a rough couple of months, Buddy.

Whoever called the threes the "terrific threes" obviously did not yet have a three-year-old.

You are strong-willed, emotional, and argumentative.

Some days, there is absolutely no pleasing you.

Tonight was one of those nights...and yes, I took pictures...because tonight I found it humorous.

I wouldn't give you a snack at 5:00.

You think "discipline" is a bad word and will often say, "Mom, discipline isn't showing me God's love."

Hate to break it to you, buddy, but discipline IS showing God's love.

I peeled your banana the wrong way...apparently there is a wrong way to peel a banana?!

 Kase, Mommy & Daddy love you more than you will ever know.

We celebrate because we know this is phase and that you will grow out of it.

Until then, we will continue to try and teach you about God's love.

how to play with Baby Isaac, by: Kase

Step 1: Stay up on the couch so Sis can't reach

If Step 1 causes Mommy to ask you to share, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Leave both hands firmly on Baby Isaac while showing Sis the bare minimum details while pretending to "share"

If Step 2 is not fulfilling Mommy's sharing wishes, give a big sigh and reluctantly proceed with Step 3.

Step 3: Again hold Baby Isaac very firmly while bringing him to Baby Sister's level.  When Sis attempts to take Isaac's bottle, quickly take it away and teach her the proper way to feed Isaac.

 When you tire of hearing Mommy telling you to share with and teach Sister, move to a different toy and allow someone else to play with Baby Isaac. 

 

*sigh* teaching Lydia is a very difficult job...

playtime

We've had lots of great playtimes lately!

Lydia had her first experience of coloring...

 ...and tried to eat the color.

She also has started walking behind her stroller walker, is she seriously old enough to do this already???

Kase is a BIG fan of his new "games."  Here he wanted to include Kitty and Puppy in his playtime.

Kase and Lydia have become great friends and usually play so sweetly together!

Christmas 2013

I.love.Christmas.

I love the what Christmas celebrates.

I love the decorations.

I love the food.

I love buying people presents.

I love the time off from work.

I love the food.

I love watching my kids experience Christmas.

I love Christmas snow.

I love the food. :)

Christmas is just wonderful, especially with little kids.  Kase was at SUCH a fun age this year, and "firsts" with an infant are always fun.  This year was our first challenge in the "No Santa Christmas" as Kase would occasionally ask if Santa was coming to his house.  He seemed OK with the answers we gave him, I'm sure next year will prove even more difficult with more Santa questions...oh well!

We thoroughly enjoyed our 2+ weeks of Christmas break!  The first few days we stayed home and enjoyed some R&R.  Kase played some games on the iPad.  Lydia thought it was fun to touch the screen too, causing Kase's game to turn off, followed by a temper-tantrum from Kase.  Oh the joys of a 3-year-old.

Kase enjoyed "helping" Lydia open her presents.  Mostly, Kase would tear all of the paper off and then hand the gift to Lydia.

Don't mind the nasty shadow on this picture, I just thought his face was priceless.  He was pretty excited about his new "games"!

modeling his new shoes

The day after Christmas we headed to NW IA for some extended family Christmas.  I brought my camera along with intentions of taking pictures...but that didn't happen.  I was busy...busy enjoying Christmas.  I did, however, manage to take a few pictures of the Sietstra family making a gigantic snowman.

 

Callie was less than impressed with the snow, but perfectly content to stand on the sidelines and support.

Kase preferred to throw snowballs at those trying to build the snowman.

Once again, Christmas was very special and I was extremely sad to go back to work.  I have to admit, I even teared up as I drove my kids to the babysitter...such wonderful family times!