Ckaustin's blog

Good Bye Vox!

Vox is closing. Nice. So our family blog will be moving ASAP. I will only have until September 15 to move it...so I have to get at it! I have not saved off any of the blog in months...so I have my work cut out for me!

I will let you know our new family blog address asap! For now...I have some packing to do!

Good Bye Piper...

Piper

After months of struggling to make our decision, this evening we had to say good bye to our beloved cat, Piper. I miss her already! Piper has been a member of our family, even before we had kids. We loved her like she was our child.

There are many reasons why now was the best time, but the primary reasons is the development of allergies.

Over the years, the kids have played with Piper like she was their sibling. The girls have played babies with her, put Piper in doll clothes, and Piper has even been in the doll stroller! She took it all in stride.

But, after finding a good family with 2 young boys, we could not pass it up. Piper is now in very good hands in an Omaha home. We made sure she would be cared for. The family even said we could visit them anytime. And, we may just do that. Afterall, Piper was not gone 5 minutes and I heard her meow! It will be a while before we get another pet (if this works out) because saying good bye is just too hard (When I told Asher, he was upset at first but quickly moved onto playing. Addison did not seem to care one bit. Alivia, well, she will find out after school today. :( ).

Good Bye Piper...we love you!

The Omaha Children's Museum...August Visit

Yes, somehow I convinced myself to return to the OCM after our 2 weeks of sickness following our last visit. This time, there was no putting things in our mouths and we washed our hands often!

Asher and I visited the OCM yesterday morning at 9 until 10:25 or so, during the time Addison was in her second day of preschool. We met some friends there, Keegan and Ms. Kim. We started upstairs playing in the Clifford display. We were the only ones up there for like the first 10 minutes. Even the lights were out.  Asher loved it! He liked the bone area best, but also enjoyed playing with the mail and cutting in the drawing area. He is getting really, shockingly good at using the scissors. Then we went downstairs where Asher just ran around everywhere.

We had fun...until about 10 when the doors opened for non members. It was like the flood gates had opened. It was more than time for us to go. When I can not easily keep my eye on Asher, I want out (not to mention the noise level).

Asher had fun! He had so much fun that he went right to sleep at nap time. And, so far...we are not sick. So far...

South Dakota Photo Album

I received an email from Shutterfly that we could receive a free (plus shipping and handling) photo book if ordered by September 1. So, I got on the computer and got to work. Within hours, my album was complete and ordered for an entire $8.55! Yeah!

Here is the album from our South Dakota Vacation 2010...enjoy!
Austin Vacation to South Dakota 2010

Celebrating 11 Years

This weekend, Chris and I enjoyed celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary. On Friday evening, we drove the kids to my parent's farm to stay 2 nights! When my mom asked, I hesitated. Watching our kids for 1 night overnight is a big gift, but 2 nights?! But, after some encouragement from Chris, I said, "Okay."

Friday night we just ate a peaceful dinner at Panera in Papillion. We ate outside near by the waterfall. It was quiet and peaceful and without interruption.

Saturday morning, I got up as usual and went on a jog. I arrived home to find Chris gone on his run, so I chased him down on my bike and biked with him as he ran.

After our run, we quickly got cleaned up and headed out for our day out alone without our kids. What to do, what to do?! We first went to 2 farmer's markets in search of the perfect zucchini or 2. We found 3, 2 tiny ones on 120th and I, and one huge one at the Village Pointe farmers market. We briefly stopped into Old Navy at VP before traveling to Nebraska Furniture Mart to look at new cameras. All of the pictures I have been sharing have been courtesy of a borrowed camera from my parents (thanks Mom and Dad!). It was nice to see, touch and feel the different cameras to find what we liked. (In the end, however, Nebraska Furniture Mart was not the best priced, so we ordered it online!). We browsed through the bookstore before traveling to Dundee for lunch.

Chris wanted to take me to Pitch in Dundee for lunch for quite some time. But, since we never get out of the house without kids, we never got there. We arrived in Dundee to find it was Dundee Days! It was crazy! But, after finding a parking place and walking through the crowds of people, the restaurant was empty. Sweet! We each ordered a coal fired pizza, and the pizza were amazing! The restaurant is really cool looking and the food is something different. It was a unique place to eat, and we would recommend it.

We then traveled home and chilled awhile outside. Chris and I just enjoyed the peace and quiet. We then jumped on the motorcycle and took a ride to Chris' parents' house to play on their new ping pong table. How fun! It had been years since we played. I had not been on the motorcycle in years, either, and had completely forgot how to ride it with Chris. By the end of our weekend, I am an old pro and love it.

We ended the evening chilling at home, watching the Thunderbirds perform in the airshow and over our home, before retiring to watching movies. Ahh..the quiet house.

This morning Chris and I ran together. I then made Chris his favorite zucchini bread, and we watched another movie while the bread baked. MMmmm!

It was a amazingly fun weekend. I am so glad we took my parents up on the 2 nights! We have NEVER done that, and it was so nice! I can hardly wait until the next anniversary (if they will ever do this again). And, we are so lucky that we got married twice! :)

Happy 11th Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Chris! And many more...

 

August Day at the Forest

What a beautiful day for a stroll through the Fontenelle Forest. Okay...it would have been nicer if the bugs would have left us alone...but it was still pretty!

We had a play date this morning at the forest with our friends Ms. Kim and Keegan, who is 3 (Alivia's friend Nyah's Mommy and brother). The kids had a lot of energy as they RAN through the boardwalk, barely stopping to look at the display of bugs. We then went to acorn acres where I thought we would spend the morning. Seriously, the mosquitoes were everywhere and hungry! The bug spray did a minimal job of keeping them off. I have not noticed that Addi and Asher got bit, but Ms. Kim and Keegan got a couple bites. :(

We then went to the cool indoors to play downstairs before calling it a morning. What a fun way to spend a cooler, but beautiful morning with the kids and friends!

Addison's 1st Day of Sacred Heart Preschool

It's my first day of preschool,

a day that's bittersweet,

So just in case you need 'em,

I've packed a little treat.

There are lots of hugs and kisses,

(a little tissue too),

so see you in a little while,

and remember I love you!

(The above poem was handed to me by Addison's teacher with a baggie of hugs and kisses...how cute! I, of course, cried).

Today was Addison's first day at the Sacred Heart Preschool (the preschool associated with Saint Columbkille Catholic Church in Papillion). Addison was really excited about going. She was looking forward to meeting new friends and learning new things.

We arrived about 8:10, just in time (I drop Alivia off at 8 so that I can get Addi to school within the time frame. The teacher is aware that she may be late, though). Addison hung up her backpack and went into the classroom with the other kids. Addi beelined over to the babies and began playing. She could care less that I was leaving. I gave her a big squeeze and kiss, and Asher and I were on our way. I never looked back at her so I did not cry! But Addison never shed a tear.

Asher and I kept ourselves busy this morning, but we could not wait to pick up Addison. We arrived in time to see her running and playing with her friends on the playset. Addison said she had a fun day and played with Jason, a little boy in her class. She can't wait to go back on Tuesday.

As a special treat, we ended her morning by having a picnic lunch at a park near Daddy's work while watching fighter jets (The Thunderbirds) fly over practicing for the airshow! How cool is that! Now, we have Asher saying, "I want to be a fighter pilot!"

Addison...the preschooler. Kinda has a big girl sound to it, but I will get used to it.

Keeping a Clean House

First off, I am not saying my house is clean. Let's just put that out there. But...it looks it.

Since I am a stay at home mommy (for the most part), I believe one of the many pieces of my job description is to keep a clean house. I also believe that when Chris comes home from work, he should not have to walk through a mess or nearly break his neck on a hot wheel in order to step inside.

So, what is my secret to our "clean" looking home.

First, the upstairs always is all cleaned up prior to breakfast. It is a habit. The kids know that we get up, get dressed, make the beds and clean up our rooms, before walking downstairs to eat breakfast. I collect any laundry needed to be done and take it downstairs when we go. So, in the event of a guest popping through the door, our upstairs is ready to go.

I keep the kitchen clean by cleaning as I go. If I bake or make dinner - it is cleaned to its original state after dinner. I sweep the floor at least every night, and I have a smaller broom that I use to clean up after breakfast and lunch. I hand wash the floor as needed really. I do not have a set day or number of days that I clean it.

Bathrooms: I clean all the bathrooms every Wednesday and I clean the kids bath, master bath and the main bath one other time in the middle when needed. After we use the bathrooms in the morning (the kids and the master), I wipe them down and put out fresh towels. I hate a wet towel, and I just think towels pass germs around.

Vacuum: I vacuum as needed without a set day. Since we do not wear our shoes in the house, it is much easier to get away with less vacuuming. I probably vacuum the main level and basement twice a week and the upstairs once a week, more if necessary but not usually. This is why I want a new lighter weight vacuum. By the time I vacuum 2 floors dragging my 100 lb vacuum up an down the steps, my back is tingling. I hate it...but it is a Mommy duty (what isn't anyway? Oh yeah...I don't grill and I have no intention of learning either).

Dust: I dust during nap times. It is a quiet yet peaceful activity. I have to dust 2x a week at least because of all the construction around here.

Laundry: I already mentioned that I typically do one load of laundry a day. It is easier for me to do it this way than all at once because I find it quite overwhelming to put all that laundry away for 5 people, plus towels. I typically just see who has a full basket and do their laundry. I try to wash the sheets every other week. I used to do it weekly, but do you know how long it takes to do 4 bed fulls of linens? Let's just say...a long time. Now, I just pick a week and do a bed a day. Makes the horrible task of making the beds easier.

Toys: I have a strict rule, what you get out must go back. I don't care if the basement looks like a Toys R Us explosion. When the kids are done playing, they need to put their toys away. I limit most toys to the basement, with a handful of toys in our ottoman on the main level. The kids do have a few our their prized possessions in their rooms (Asher has cars that he rolls up and down the hallway, Addison has a baby crib or 2 with maybe 4 babies and some stuffed toys, and Alivia has just a couple babies and many trinkets). I limit toys in the room for a few reasons. 1. The kids go to their rooms for time outs. If their room looks like Disneyland, what kind of punishment is that? 2. Many toys in their rooms brings on clutter. Their rooms are to sleep in, not stay up until midnight playing with cars. I am okay with many books in their rooms, but the toys are all put away in their closets before bedtime. Period.

I keep our home clean because it is not only my job, but we need to take pride in our home. Additionally, we need to stay organized to function. I do not like spending lots of time and energy looking for stuff. That is so annoying. But, ask Chris, I find myself looking for our cell phone ALL THE TIME!

The kids are already, for the most part, quite helpful around the house. Asher is quite good about helping me pick up. Addison...not so much. Her room is generally picked up in the mornings though. Alivia is a pack rat, but she keeps her trinkets organized the Alivia way. I am getting used to that. :)

To a cleaning person, my house is probably not the cleanest house they have seen. I had a friend recently step into our shower to look for water spots on the faucet and shower head. Seriously! I told her to go home and have a 3rd kid and she would care less if there was a spot on the faucet. Come on! Oh...and she did not see any spots. :) Ha!

So, gotta run. Time to clean!

Preschool Parent's Night

The days are narrowing down until Addison begins her last year of preschool. Tonight was the parent's information night at Sacred Heart Preschool. I wanted Chris to go with me, but at the last minute, it became not possible. So, I went alone to yet another event where "both parents are encouraged to attend."

I have decided that I am not sure preschool is necessary. Yes, I know they need socialization and all. But, Alivia went to preschool and she still gets upset when she goes to school. So, I am not sure it helped. I am buying things to work with the kids at home, too, since Addison will only go twice a week. Addison is growing excited about going, so we have to be excited for her. But, I really just need to hold her hand a bit longer.

So, tomorrow, Chris is getting out of work to go to the Open House at Addison's preschool so Chris can see the school, help me show Addison around, and hold my hand while I hold Addison's hand...even if it is for just a bit longer.

Alivia's 1st week of 1st Grade

Alivia is nearly one week into her 1st grade year. The first day, being half day, went well. Alivia went right into school without a tear. Then, gave day 2 and 3, Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday, we walked to school and arrived just missing the 1st grade class walking into school. So, I walked Alivia into her room. When we arrived at her class, he said she was going to miss us and began to cry. It was heartbreaking. I had to walk away with her crying because I knew it was just going to get worse the longer I stood there. The teacher walked her into her class, and she reported Alivia was doing better within a half hour.

On Thursday, I had decided that I would not walk Alivia into class. We arrived in time for the 1st grade class to walk in, but Alivia still would not go. I even had her girlfriend wait with us, but Alivia still would not go inside. So, the school counselor came out and walked Alivia in (She is awesome!). By Friday, Alivia walked in all by herself without a tear. I, however, drove to class because it was raining. I am not sure what helped, if anything, but I am hoping it is a new trend.

Alivia reports meeting new friends and still playing with many of her previous friends. Alivia continues to be more shy than outgoing, but I believe she is getting better. She reports after school what they do each day...work on sight words, read to the teacher, beginning math, etc. In the 1st grade, we have not gotten a news letter yet, but I am hoping it will come. In Kindergarten we received a newsletter each week of what they were working on in class and what we should be working on at home. It helped. This week, Alivia has been so tired after school that it is difficult to even get her to read to us at night. I believe it is time for some new Junie B Jones Books!

We are on our way...bumpy or not...here comes Alivia, the 1st Grader!