A Milestone Day

Kaden learned how to sound out words! We have been doing reading lessons over the break and he is really starting to get it. He isn't reading yet but getting very close.  I am so proud of him. 

And while I was working with Kaden I look over and Kyler is sitting in the chair next to him. Which is a first. Later that day I found Kyler on the kitchen table. So now that Kyler has become an expert climber I have a new hobby... and I thought I was busy before! 

2009...A Year in Review (April to August)

April

Nice weather brought many trips to the zoo

and lots of exploring outside. Kyler is always along for the ride.

There was lots and lots of swinging. 

Easter Festivities

Kaden played soccer games once a week including a double header. Why that was necessary for 4 year olds- I don't know.

May

Kaden got tadpoles. They went on vacation with us. They never turned into frogs so they died.

We visited Lawrence.

June

We went on a Barker family vacation to Branson.  It was wonderful. You can read about it in 5 different posts in August 2009.

The boys caught a fish.

Kaden turned 5.

Tim and I celebrated 8 years together.

July

Fireworks and Swimming pretty much sum it up.

Kaden learned to swim without floats! 

August

We started preparing for a garden next year.

Which meant fun times with lots of worms.

Next up: September- December

2009...A Year in Review (January to March)

Another year comes to an end and because I didn't do a very good job blogging this year (hmmm what on earth do I do with my time? HA!) I am going to fill in the stuff I missed. So, I guess this isn't a true review just a catch up post. 

January

We started 2009 with a party! Kristen got married. It was a crazy busy time but so fun. Here is a pic of our family.

Some unusually warm days allowed us to get outside! Here is how we roll.

Of course, it was January so a few days later there was snow.

February

We played LOTS of play dough. So fun, and so good for the boys and such a mess!

Speaking of messes! Here is the real reason you should supervise your children in the bathtub. I promise I was there and just turned my back for a second. The boys LOVE baths.

Kyler started became a lot more alert. My grandma Kuhn made this sweater for me when I was a baby. 

Jack started dressing himself. I told him to put a jacket on to go out and play. He put a tank top on.  He loves to wear his snow boots.

March

We spent our spring going park hopping. This was one of our favorites.

We also went to the Children's Museum about once a week. On this visit the boys had face painted for awhile. I also love that boys suck the same fingers on opposite hands. 

I don't know why the boys don't have any clothes on. I do know it won't be too many years when the boys sitting on the couch in their underwear will not be a cute sight. 

Kaden's first soccer practice. Does this look like fun?

We watched our Jayhawks get beat in their first game of the Big 12. 

So we put on our green to cheer on the Baylor Bears. 

Lastly we got a HUGE snowstorm. 28 inches is a lot of snow and it was soooo much fun.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas for Moms

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

For moms!

Written by Karen Spiegler. Originally published in "Maniac Moms: A Humorous Newsletter for Crazed Mothers" in December/1993.

When this season gets to be too much - just read this poem...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode

Only one creature was stirring, & she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,

while visions of Nintendo 64 & Barbie, flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,

with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,

which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,

She descended the stairs, & saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,

"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."

"your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"

"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,

Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & The Restless."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"

"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.

"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared & I'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one & hummed her tune,

as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled & sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned & said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."

That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,

Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child & tucked her in bed.

"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,

when they'll be too old for my cradle & song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.

Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

Holiday Home Tour

I always love the home tours that Boo Mama and this year The Nester host every Christmas. I love to see the way people decorate their homes for Christmas but I have never participated. So, I thought I would just give you a little glimpse into our home.  This year I mostly decorated everything with red and bright green ornaments. A very cheap way to decorate, especially when everything comes from Wal-Mart.

Our tree. Every year we put a picture of our family on the tree. It is so fun to see "us" through the years.

This year our tree changed colors a little bit. Our tree theme used to be red, black, and silver. Now it is red, green, and brown. I also love the fact they are shatter proof ornaments. I think Kyler would have broken MANY by now if they weren't.

This is the nativity my parents gave me for my 1st Christmas and then again when Tim and I celebrated our first christmas.

Our Fireplace. I need to find something to hang on the wall but I haven't yet.

My favorite part. The pictures with Santa.

I couldn't believe it. Every year we have had a one year old they have screamed on Santa's lap. Here is the evidence to prove it. Those are always my favorite pics. So I was ready to have a screamer and....Kyler was perfectly happy. There must be safety in numbers. He did keep reaching back to make sure Kaden was sitting beside him. Is it wrong to be disappointed your child wasn't terrified of Santa?

Here is our countdown. You pull out a brick everyday and Santa slides down the chimney. Tim and I bought this in Vail the first year we were married.

I

I got a really neat idea from my sister's mother - in -law. I am going to get some ornaments and every year have us write what we think the years biggest blessing was or what we are thankful for, answer to prayer etc. and also include our the name and age or year. We will start by just having them on our regular tree but in a few years I would like to have a "Blessings tree" with just those ornaments. I think it will be a great "history" of our family.  I am so excited. I know Jack's this year is "I am thankful for cars & trucks - Jack Age 3". I think this will be a great way to see our kid's hearts develop. 

And that is about it. I would love to see other homes - so if you have a blog give us a tour or visit The Nester if you want to tour more homes. Thanks for stopping by!