Fall Sports

I am NOT an athlete by any stretch of the imagination.  Except for the obligatory stint in gymnastics and dance as a preschooler, the swim lessons at the Y, and the ill-fated attempt at freshman track and field (do not ask me to throw a discus for you!), I did not do sports as a kid.  I was more of your music-type kid. 

 

However, working at the Y has given me more of an appreciation for youth sports.  I see the benefit for both the kids and the parents.  Let's be honest: one of my main motivations for signing up my kids is the fact that I get to sit and watch and socialize with other parents.  Selfish, I know!  I also feel like I want my kids to be well-rounded and exposed to all types of sports.  How do you know that you like tennis if you've never even picked up a racquet?

 

This fall Grant wanted to play soccer, Caroline was willing to do ballet through the parks dept., and Jack agreed in a weak moment to do tennis. (In fairness, Jack did sort of know what he was getting into since he had done the tennis camp through the Y this summer.)

 

First up: Grant.  He was a VERY physical, aggressive soccer player.  I didn't go every week, but what I did see and hear was that he was very good at using his hips to check other kids as they tried to get the ball.  I'm not sure the Y condones dirty playing like that, but I guess that's one way to steal/keep the ball.  He scored a goal--yay!--and seemed to have fun.  We shall see if he wants to do it again next year.

 

 

Next up: Caroline.  She looked so sweet in her little leotard and ballet shoes. The first week she was hesitant to go in but seemed to have fun.  The problem came after our little neighbor came to the class for a make-up session.  She only attended one class with Caroline, but after Caroline realized Meg wasn't in her class, she no longer wanted to go.  She appeared to enjoy dancing and would smile with the other little girls, but each Tuesday she would complain about going.  I may try to see if she's willing to it again in January if she attends with some friends from her preschool class.  I'm just not ready to see the ballet experience end. :(

See?  She was so cute at doing the positions!

running around the pole with the other girls

getting a tic-tac at the end of class: the special treat!

 

Last, but not least: Jack.  Ryan signed up to be the tennis coach, not realizing how much work it would be.  However, Jack did really well and seemed to learn a lot.  He liked getting a tennis racquet and shirt and was pretty happy playing.  I think we will definitely be signing him up for tennis in the future.  Ryan played it in high school, and I enjoy watching it (and playing, though it's been 8 1/2 years since that's happened!). 

 

 

As far as winter activities, Grant wants to play basketball, and I'm not sure about the other two.  I feel busy enough as it is, so we'll see if Jack or Caroline asks to do something.

Double digits!

Little Miss Peanut is now 10 months.  10 months??!!  Where did the time go?

She is a busy little thing.  This month she really showed us how smart she is by waving bye-bye and signing her version of "all done."  It looks like "bye-bye" because it's a one-handed deal, but I know she knows what she's saying...

Because she's smart and all...

So happy!

Elizabeth has also begun to demonstrate her sense of humor.  On Wednesday nights Ryan takes the boys and Caroline to Awana at church so baby girl and I get some one-on-one time.  One of her favorite games is when I put a little stacking cup on my head.  She thinks that's hilarious!  I, however, find it hilarious when she puts one on my forehead and starts laughing, thinking she is so funny.  It is the cutest thing!

Sisterly love

She has also taken to Daddy this month.  Each morning the older kids get a "daddy squeeze," which is a great big hug from Daddy.  Well, she has decided she needs to get in on the action and will crawl over to Ryan to get her hug.  She's not necessarily a wild child and doesn't like being upside down or in crazy situations.  She looks frightened and will sometimes cry if she's scared.  Maybe as she gets older she'll lose some of her fear, though.

Elizabeth is still waking up once each night to eat--but it's probably mostly to get a little snuggle more than anything.  She still isn't a very adventurous eater, and we'll definitely need to work on that this next month.  My baby girl has a sweet tooth, which I don't remember being quite so pronounced in her siblings at this age.  She loves fruit, but veggies and meat are not so much her thing.  I completely understand.

Elizabeth is standing and looks like she sort of wants to cruise, but she is just pulling herself up at this point.  She crawls super fast and is quick to find tiny little objects on the floor.  It's so cute to see her little tush wiggling as she crawls away.

3/4 of a year (aka 9 months)

This was at the end of the month--love that I can see her three teeth so well in this picture!

 

Elizabeth is now 9 months.  She's still such a sweet, easy-going girl!  I keep waiting for her to become difficult, but at this point, she's just so "go with the flow."  Thank goodness because it would be quite challenging for our family to have a demanding 4th child!

Case in point: today, on her 9 month birthday, we spent about three hours in the local med check because she had a scary-looking rash develop across her belly and under her arms and around her diaper line overnight.  It took SO long to be seen, but the whole time she was just watching everyone and playing peek-a-boo with the other people waiting.  By the end I could tell she was getting antsy and wanted to get down and move--or nap.  The nurse practitioner who saw her said she appeared to have a reaction (allergy?) to the amoxicillin she was prescribed for her first ear infection two days ago.  I was glad I followed my mother's intuition and took her in as opposed to just putting Lotrimin on it as was suggested over the phone by the pediatrician. 

She is currently crawling on her hands and knees instead of on her belly and has realized it's so much faster--and so have her siblings.  She has started to get into anything that is on the floor, with any paper or coloring product seeming to be her favorite.  Before she got sick, she was pulling herself up, but I think she has forgotten how to do it or doesn't care to do it now.  I'm totally fine with her staying low to the ground for as long as she wants. It's much easier to keep things out of her reach if she doesn't get upright!

My big girl standing at the music table

She is still pretty verbal but has fortunately stopped the squealing thing.  I don't know that she says any real words, though it often seems that she says "mama" (or some derivative of it) at very opportune times: when she is looking for me or sees me, etc.  Someone at the Y thinks she says her name...not sure about that one, but whatever. :)

I have also discovered what a camera-lover this child is!  When I pull out the camera, she immediately dons a big cheesy smile.  So cute!

Food is still an issue, but I'm not sure if it's her issue, my issue, or a combination of the two.  She just doesn't seem to care about eating--either nursing or solids.  When she went to the doctor he weighed her and said she was perfect.  She is right at 50% on weight, 95% for length, and still seems to be growing.  I just feel like she should be eating more solids at this point.  Maybe her appetite will pick up after the cold goes away!

Jack sang her to sleep while she snuggled with her pink puppy's tail.  How precious is that!

Happy 9 months to my happy baby girl!

St. Louis Fun Pt. 3: The Magic House

One of our favorite places to go with the kids in St. Louis is The Magic House.  There is something for each of my children, and I think they (at least, the three older ones) are at the perfect ages to enjoy it!  We have an amazing children's museum here in Indianapolis, but the Magic House has a huge pretend play area that the kids just LOVE!  I mean, they could seriously spend hours just playing.  And a child's job is play, right?  (Yes, I am a preschool teacher.)

 



Grant always has to check out the car.  He loves pretending to unscrew/screw the lug nuts.  (Is that the right term?  Hmmm...I obviously don't know too much about cars.)

Jack enjoyed delivering mail--and scooping ice cream and scanning groceries and shelving books and making pizza and fixing the car.  He doesn't have the single-minded focus that his siblings have.  He just likes to try it all!

Caroline could have spent hours in the little animal hospital.  In fact, I think she may have spent at least an hour in there: weighing the kitties, bathing them, taking their temperature (I think that's what she's pretending to do under the cat's armpit with the baster), and taking them in and out of their cages.  It's nice that she can do that here because we won't be getting a pet any time soon.  (And we'll never get a cat.) 

This time Elizabeth even got in on the action and spread some of her germs.

 

Grant loves this area: rocks, construction equipment, hard hats--what's not to love?

Caroline loves it, too, much to her brother's chagrin.

Elizabeth enjoyed being held and watching her siblings since she is still too little to play here.  However, in a year I'm sure she'll be digging in those rocks and getting dirty with the others!

Grant is the child museum creators love.  He does exactly what they envision, like stop to draw faces on all of the chalkboard children.

 

This is Jack's favorite part, and I'm sure everyone in the museum could hear why.  This child loves to be LOUD!  For Christmas he wants a megaphone to make his voice even louder.  I'll let you know if that happens...

There was a temporary football exhibit there, and of course I made the kids stand behind the cardboard cutouts.  This isn't really Jack's body. ;)

 

This one of Grant cracks me up because his head and my camera are in just the right positions that it sort of looks like it could be his body if you use your imagination.  It's hard to believe that someday my boys will be big!

Phew, there you have it. Our St. Louis Fall Break trip in a nutshell.  We had a great time, and of course it went too fast.  I really enjoy the ages the kids are now and seeing them experience new adventures.  The only thing that would have made it even better is if Ryan could have come.  It stinks to have different breaks!  Good thing I took SO many pictures so that he could feel like he was really there!

St. Louis Fun: Just hanging out

We spent a little bit of time at Mimi and Papa's just hanging out.  I love being at my parents' house even if all we do is stay home.  Poor Grant was sick one of the days and laid on the couch all afternoon.  Here are just some pictures of us laying low.

My parents have a little duck bathtub for babies that the kids to fight over constantly.  At this point, Caroline apparently had won and was reading stories to the duck while sitting in it.  Too sweet!

Jack LOVES making Elizabeth laugh--or squeal at an outrageous pitch and volume for a little baby!

This little horse was my birthday gift when I was one, and my kids and niece and nephew have all enjoyed it.  I love the smile on Elizabeth's face!

One more Elizabeth pic: she was smiling at her reflection in the window, which was adorable!  I loved seeing her bopping up and down with excitement over the baby in the window.

When we arrived Mimi was in the middle of fall decorating, and Grant was anxious to help her.  He thought the bathroom needed a lot of leaves and little pumpkins all around the sink.  It's hard to say "no" to a five-year-old who is so enthusiastic!

St. Louis Fun: Part 1

Last week we went to St. Louis to visit my parents for Fall Break.  Well, I should clarify it was the kids and me since Ryan's Fall Break is not the same as ours.  That is just one reason we need to all be on the same schedule.

 

But I digress...

 

Even though we missed Ryan, we had a great time!  In fact, I took so many pictures that I didn't want to load them all into one post.  I just get carried away with taking pictures and think that everyone will want to see ALL of the lovely pictures that I take...or maybe only family does...or maybe only I do.  Anyway, I'll post the pictures in different posts.

 

The first day we went to the Science Center.  If you haven't been to St. Louis and have elementary-aged kids, the Science Center is a great place to visit.  It's free (although the parking is $10 so be aware of that!) and has a lot of hands-on activities for kids.  I liked that there were some new things since I last went and that the boys were old enough to interact a little better with some of the exhibits.

 

For example, when we first walked in we saw this hamster wheel-type thing.  There was a boy already looking at it, and my boys just decided to join him on it.  Well, the boys tried and tried and could not get it going.  Finally, it moved.  Success!  I was thinking, boy, I can't believe there is so much friction that these boys can't get it going.  Granted, they weren't exactly working too hard on figuring it out. 

Jack must have decided going vertical was the way to get it going while the other boy looked like he just wanted to hang on the bar.

This time Grant and Jack worked in opposite directions.  I wonder why didn't it move. ;)

Grant finally decided maybe it would work best to spin it from the outside...and it moved.

 

Caroline and the other boy's little sister were waiting patiently for their turn.  When the boys got off, they got on--and immediately got it going pretty fast.  Hmmm...good job, girls!  I guess there is something to be said for just working together and using common sense.  Or maybe they learned what not to do from watching their brothers.



There is also this lab area that I think they've always had, but the boys have been too young to go into it.  They were able to go in with Papa and use a microscope and look at cheek cells.  I think they really enjoyed it!  Future medical researchers?  I'd love it if they could figure out a cure for diabetes and other auto-immune disorders!

Caroline standing next to an emperor penguin.  I didn't realize they were so tall!

Instead of watching a show about electromagnetism, Grant wanted to pull on this pendulum-thing and make a tennis ball fly up into the air.  Papa (who was dressed up because he had come from a meeting) helped him.  It's nice that my dad is sort of retired now so he can come and hang out with us more when we visit!

We ended our time there by visiting another new (at least, to me) area.  The kids liked this activity where they had to throw pieces of "coal" into the "fire" to keep the lights on.  (Do you like how I put those two words in quotes--just in case you might think there is real coal and fire at the museum?)  The number shows how many seconds left the light has power to stay lit.  Basically, it is just an area for the kids to wear themselves out while we sit and watch.  That may have been my favorite area in the whole museum! :)

A Ringenberg election day



Monday night Jack started posting some papers around the house.  We didn't think too much of it because, sadly, we often have papers taped to our walls.

 

Our house used to be clean...

 

Anyway, yesterday morning I actually got around to reading them.  This is what I saw:



 

I was a little confused as to what office was being decided.  When I asked Jack, he said it was who was in charge.

 

Hmmm...isn't that my job?  He then stated we were voting for the kid (either him or Caroline) who would be in charge of the kids.  I wasn't so sure Jack should be in charge as he sometimes isn't so nice to Caroline, but he said he'd be in charge as long as he was nice to his sister. 

 

That's fair enough, right? 

Jack set this up as a voting booth--pretty creative, in my opinion.

After all the votes were counted, Jack won.  So far there haven't been any changes, but I have noticed he doesn't seem to be any nicer or more/less in charge than before the election.  Isn't that how elections normally are?  Lots of signage and commercials for not a lot of change?  I guess he's already learned how it goes. :)

Eight Months!

My sweet baby girl is now eight months.  She's becoming more aware and active all of the time.  I have a friend whose son is 6 weeks older than Elizabeth, and he is super advanced as far as motor development. I'm so thankful that's not my baby girl.  It allows me to be in denial that she's growing up for just a little bit longer!

She now has two teeth and is gnawing like crazy on her little Sophie giraffe so I know she's feeling some more.  I expect the fangs to come in just like her siblings' did, hopefully before Halloween so we can have a fangy pumpkin.  Ryan and I both got our side front teeth instead of the two right in front, and our children have followed suit.  I love it!

She is still attempting to crawl on her hands and knees.  She does a few "steps" (not sure what you would call it in crawling terminology) and then collapses back to her military crawl.  She has not tried to pull up but does seem more aware that there are things out of her reach.  That's when we're in big trouble!

Eating continues to be a struggle for my peanut--or maybe more for me.  She is not super interested in solids and is definitely a finicky eater.  One day she loves a certain food, the next she refuses to eat it and bats the spoon away any time I try to put it in her mouth.  At work they keep asking for more food for her, but I am not sure she's really that hungry or interested.  Nursing is going about the same as it did for the others at this point (constantly trying to encourage them to eat but only getting a few good feedings).  She wakes up in the middle of the night to eat, but since she's doing so lousy at eating during the day, I am okay with it.  Plus, I just keep thinking her siblings grew out of it, so she should as well.

Elizabeth is quite the noisy girl!  She loves to squeal (maybe to imitate her brother?) and is good at saying "mama"...and some other sounds, but that's the best one. ;) I love hearing her "talking" in the morning or after her naps.  She also responds to her name.  It is so sweet to see her turn and look at me when I say, "Elizabeth."

This may be my favorite age. I know what's coming and can look forward to all the fun things about the other ages, but there is something so sweet about eight month olds...and I really love my little girl!
 

It's lots of fun hanging out in the crib together!

I love this one of the sisters looking at each other so sweetly.

Fall Fun: Apple Picking!

I love all the activities that come with the fall season!  It's hard to say goodbye to summer and its freedom, but I do enjoy (somewhat) the return to routine and definitely love all the fall family fun.

 

One of my favorite things we've done as a family the past two out of three years is apple picking!  We had to pass last year as the orchards did not have U-Pick due to the drought and dry weather hurting the apple crop.  However, they are back in business this year, and we had a great (if HOT) time picking apples!  We even had Batman along for the excursion!

 

Do apples come in twin versions?  I saw a lot of these.

 

This picture of Grant makes me smile--and who knew Batman ate apples?

3/4 of my kiddos

The orchard had a little play area with a swing set and hay bale.  It's hard to see the joy in Grant's face because this picture is so small, but if you click on it, you'll see one happy boy!  He could've jumped in that hay all day.

At the end of our trip, the four of them enjoyed caramel apples.  Because I'm dairy-free, I only had one little bite.  And, though you don't see us in the pictures, Elizabeth and I were there, too.  She hung out in the Ergo and took notes so she can be an AWESOME apple-picker next year!