We Got Bobs!

The girls have been asking me for over a week if we could get their hair cut. They insisted that they wanted "bobs" so today I called up my awesome friend S who does our hair and she said she had openings for tonight.
After dinner, the girls and I headed over to her house for some hair cuts. I was nervous that they would get their hair cut short and not like it but they LOVE it. S did a great job and the girls were so proud to strut into the house when we got home to show daddy and K their new doo's. It was a fun night. I am thrilled that they wanted to cut their hair as this will be much easier to manage from a mothers standpoint.
It is fun to watch them grow up and enjoy things like hair cuts. They really thought they were the cat's meow tonight! So fun!

Worldless Wednesday ~ Oldie but goodie

Sunshine is medicine

Today was such a beautiful day. It was warm for this time of year and we spent a lot of the day outside. The sun was out and it was truly a gift of a day.
K went on a date this morning with Jane and they had quite the adventure. He had a great time with her and was very patient and good. They had to wait in line for 2.5 hours and he did not complain once and actually told us he had a great time.
This afternoon we met up with some friends at a local park. All the kids had a great time and so did us moms! We got to catch up while soaking in some rays and vitamin D. Such good medicine for the soul.
Today was one of those days that just make you want to smile. I ended my day with a surprise visit from one of my bestest and oldest friends K! I am now on my way to snuggle with my babe and have a mini date! Ahhhhh....Life is good!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Great Neighbors

Happy Halloween 2009

We had such a fun Halloween this year. The kids really got into the Trick or Treating and E led the pack running from house to house. They got a ton of candy so I am sure we will be on a sugar high around here for the next few days. At one house they even got to make S'Mores! What a treat that was! I got to walk around with this character all night.....scary!
Our friend Jane came over with treats for all of us and we had a nice dinner "after" we took the kids out trick or treating. Jane hands candy out so both Jon and I can take the kids trick or treating. Such a nice treat for both Jon and I!!! Thank you Jane!
It was cold outside this year (in the 30's) but we all bundled up well and we had no complaints. It was a blast and Holidays are so much more fun with three little kids who really love them! God Bless.

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Some how we ended up with a lot of pumpkins this year. I think we had 8 pumpkins that needed to be carved. This past weekend we attended the annual Sue and Denny Pumpkin carving party. We had a blast and the kids love to go to the party, play games, eat treats, and carve their pumpkins. At the party we carved three of our 8 pumpkins so when Daddy got home from his hunting trip, he was excited to see that we had pumpkins left that needed to be carved.
Tonight after dinner he set up the pumpkin carving table and the kids went to work. They had a blast and there was lots of laughs which is always music to my ears. Jon had a good time helping them to get started and then he let them go to work cleaning and carving with their kid safe knives.
I was able to record a little movie of the pumpkin party. I wanted to capture Ella carving her pumpkin because she was working so hard on carving all of it out. You can hear her sigh as she is working so hard. She did end up carving the whole pumpkin her self with just a little assistance from Daddy in the end. K and A are also in this video. They are busy wiping their pumpkin master pieces up.
Watching this again tonight, all I can say is WOW these kids are getting so big. I am having so much fun as their mother. I love this age just as I have loved every age.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Soccer Star

Door Man and Umpire Teeth

I wanted to blog a couple of funny things that have been said around here lately.

Jon and I found out late last week that we got the house we put an offer on. We are excited but our current house has not sold so our excitement is masked by our anxiety of selling our house so wish us luck! Anyway, to get on with my story, we ran into the kids gymnastic coach a few nights ago at an Open house I attended. I never get to catch up with Ms. A because I am always working when they get to go to Gymnastics but she told me that K showed up the other day and announced to her that we are going to be moving. He told her "Yeah and our new house even has a door man"! I thought about this statement for a moment and then realized he was talking about our Realtor M that is always at the new house unlocking the door for us. We all had a good laugh about this and I told M that he needs to tell his new bride to start packing so they can move in so M can be the Door man. So cute.

Tonight as the kids were brushing their teeth, E announced to me that she has Umpire teeth and then she pointed to her eye teeth. Then she proceed to tell her brother and sister all about her umpire teeth. I laughed as she meant vampire teeth! We were at a Halloween party today and she got some "fake" vampire teeth there so she was obsessed all day with wearing her "umpire teeth"!

Kids ya gotta love'em!

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Scary Bunch

A New Hockey Star!

Last week, Jon and I decided to sign K up for Hockey again this year. Although this time it is more of a commitment to get him to practice and he will actually have games. Jon took him to get him all outfitted last week. It is safe to say that K was really PUMPED up about it and so happy to be starting "real" hockey. Jon was pretty excited for him too. It was great to see his smile and feel his excitement. K will have to work really hard this year learning how to skate and play but he assured me again and again that he really wants to do this. I think it is great for him to be so dedicated and with the help of Uncle T, Grandma Mary, Grandpa Al, and both Jon and I, we should be able to conquer "Hockey" this year and years to come if K so chooses to continue to play. So hears to our new Hockey Star!!!! Now I just need a lesson on to how to get all this equipment on and off of him! J

The Age of Trees

Grandpa Al planted three new evergreen trees in his yard awhile ago. The age of these evergreens was 5 years old. We decided that it would be a great idea to take the kids pictures with "their" trees. The kids were really excited about the idea and they now talk about their trees all the time.
It will not only be fun to watch these kids grow but also their trees! Great idea Grandpa Al!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Glitter Girls

Octber 12?

Yesterday morning when I awoke to my little E crawling in bed with me, she exclaimed "Mom is snowed and it stuck to the ground this time! Soon there was a whole lot of excitement with three little kids running around the house all crazy about the inch of snow on the ground outside. As the mother, I replied with "oh yuck" as I cannot believe that our winter is starting so early.
On a positive note, after the kids got home from school we all got "geared" up and ran outside to play in the snow. We spent the next 2 hours outside making a snowman, a huge snow fort, snow angels, and we even had a snowball fight with each other that lead to so many giggles. We had an AWESOME time and I smiled all night and even this morning about how much fun it really had. So as much as I dread the cold weather that has already arrived this season, I can't help but smile and rejoice in the fun that it has brought the kids (even the kid inside of me). Now, here is to a few days of Indian Summer that are hopefully coming our way so we can get a few more games of football, baseball in before we are in for the long hall of snow ball fights and snow angels.

Feeling Loved

Yesterday, as I attended Mass at our new church, I dropped the kids at their first Sunday School class of the year and I marched right down to the front of the church to sit in the front pew. This pew was selected a few weeks ago by our children who as we walked into the church started to run towards the front as they exclaimed "let's sit in the front"! Jon and I were both shy about it as this was a new church with new people and a new priest. However, we feel that if we sit in the front, the kids can see better and pay attention more. We feel that if our kids can demand to sit in the front we should faithfully sit there to even if the kids are not with us. Besides, there are less distractions in front which is always a bonus.
As mass started that morning, it was announced that the Anointing of the Sick was going to take place. This made my heart beat a little faster as I was a little nervous about how this was all going to "work" at the new church. You can imagine how I felt later in the mass when they asked all those who wished to be anointed that morning to please stand. I looked around me and not one person moved but since I live with MS everyday, I definitely wanted to be anointed as I need all the help I can get. So I stood up and then an amazing thing happened to me. As the congregation began to pray, I felt so much energy pumping through my body. At first I thought I was imaging it but then I realized, it was real and that the Holy Spirit was touching me in ways I have never felt before. I know this probably sounds crazy but it was so cool. I LOVED IT and I felt so loved. I just wish Jon could have been with me at this amazing moment. Healing powers and prayers are a very powerful thing. God Bless.

Daddy Our Hero

This past weekend we took some time out to honor our hero...Daddy. Jon has been working really hard for the past few years earning his Masters of Business Administration. We are proud to announce that he was able to finish up the program this past July and he graduated with honors at a 4.0 GPA. What is not to be proud of with that! He worked so hard and I could empathize with all his hard work and then with his relief when he finished the program has I know what it takes to go to school, work outside the home, and save energy to be a good spouse and parent. He never likes to celebrate ANYTHING that has to do with him or his accomplishments or even his Birthday but there was no way I was letting this one slide. He worked hard, earned it, and it is a very BIG deal!

Babe-Thank you for being such a great example to our children, for working so hard to benefit yourself and your family, and for just being an all around strong, faithful, determined, and dedicated Dad, Husband, Son, Brother, and Friend. We are so proud of you and know you are loved and honored. Way to go!

Wordless Wednesday - Grandpas Rock

To Move or Not To Move?

So as I have mentioned in a previous post, Jon and I have put our house on the market. After much debate for the past two years and a lot of house searching, we finally made an offer on a home that we would love to move into. The offer was accepted but it is a short sale situation so now it will be up to the banks to decide if they will accept our offer and sell us the house. This process can take a long time. I have heard sometimes up to 6 or 7 months to go through. We knew making the offer that it was a long shot and a long process.
In the mean time, the past few weeks Jon, myself, and our moms have been working extremely hard and getting our house on the market. I am proud to say that as of last Friday evening the house has been listed. We have some showings coming up this weekend that we are excited about so we will see how they go.
We really love our house and our neighborhood now. We could not ask for better neighbors and the location is great. However, when we purchased our home back in 2003 we had the intention of having two children so we thought the house would be a perfect size/layout for that. Well God gave us three at once and we could not be happier but the house is getting tight. Sure we could live in it forever and be just fine but now the kids are all asking for their own rooms and more space and Jon and I feel we could use the same so we are taking the next step.
This process has been very stressful on us. I am trying to stay calm and level headed about it all but there have been many sleepless/restless nights in the past two weeks. I have come to the conclusion that this is all out of our control and I just need to have faith in God above. We need the timing on some of these things to work out perfectly. I know in my heart that what is supposed to happen will happen. Jon and I view this as a win win situation. If we can sell our house and make the move that is great. If this deal does not go through we are great too.
My good friend T send me the following bible verses that helped her through some sleepless nights or moments of anxiety.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts, offer up your prayers and requests to God”

Phil. 4:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Thanks T for the strength and love. This is exciting times for the Erickson Five. If anyone knows of someone who is looking for an awesome updated home let us know! For now, I am going to trust in the Lord. God Bless.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Triplet Moms Rock

Word Wednesday ~ Happy Anniversary Babe!

A Moonie

Jon and I celebrated our 9th Wedding anniversary today! We spent the day getting our house ready to put it on the market so it was not so romantic. However, this past weekend we were able get away down in Orlando for 3 nights and 4 days all to ourselves.
We had awesome accomodations on the Hilton Grand Getaway resort. We really did not do to much but we did laugh and just plain old spent time together catching up and focusing on our life together and how awesome it is.
We both really needed the time away. Grandma C and Grandpa R took the kids for us so we could take our trip so big thanks to them. The kids had fun too because they got to see their cousins and spend time with family that we just don't get to see all that much.
Last week as I described to my Massage Therapist what we were going to do, she said "oh you get to have a moonie"! I loved that! We called it a moonie all weekend.
I still can't believe how fast 9 years has gone by and I am sure that the next 9 will go even faster. Life is flying by but I am happy to report that I am loving EVERY minute of it. Love you babe, and thanks for an awesome weekend and all the laughs. You're the best and I love you more and more everyday!

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Love

First Day of School 2009

Today was the first day of school for A, E, and K. They are in a half day preschool program for 5 year olds this year. This is there first formal "school" experience and they are so excited. We are in the afternoon program but from the minute they woke up yesterday, they were pumped up and ready to go. K asked me every five minutes if it was time to go to school yet. Then he finally said "Mom, are you sure we won't be late?"!
Grandma Mary came with to drop them off and the nice thing about drop off and pick up is that you just pull up to the door, they get out of the car and then you drive away and it is the same for pick up. So slick. When I went back to pick them up from school. They all climbed in the car and K announced "Mom, it was not enough time, we did not get to do everything"! Yahooo, they like school. I am thrilled.
Here are some pictures of them going off to their first day.

The Erickson Fruit Basket

This year for the Church Fall Festival and Children's parade, we decided to be "The Erickson Fruit Basket" our motto was Shining in '09 with God's Love. The kids always have so much fun with the parade and they love to throw the candy out to everyone. I was the apple w/ worm, K was the banana, E was grapes, and A was a lemon. It was really fun and it always makes a lot of people smile and that is the part I love. I am sure that one of these years the kids will not think it is so cool to be apart of the parade and a costume theme but it sure has brought so many smiles to the people that anticipate our costumes and smile and applaud us as we greet them in the parade route. Here's to another year of costume and parade fun!

Firework Fun

One of our favorite things about where we live in the annual "city" fun event. We live very close to the festivities and both Friday and Saturday night they have fireworks that we can literally see right from our upstairs windows. We have the perfect spot for these fireworks.
This year we decided to do a repeat of last year and invite our friends the Clarks over. We decided it would be fun to walk up to the park and experience all the festivities. There was fire truck water demonstrations, spooky characters the kids loved, RIDES-which Momma Clark was so great at getting all 6 kids on with less amount of tickets, then of course there was the food, and since we ate so much food we decided it was important to dance the night away too. The kids LOVED it.
Just as we were heading home to watch the fireworks from the comforts of our yard/house, they started! So this year we sat right underneath them. It was great and so much fun to see them from a different location.
Only bummer was that we had to walk in the woods in the dark as we forgot to bring a flashlight with us. It was a fun adventure and when we got home, we took some time to have a bonfire and we always enjoy that.
The hardest part for Jon and I is that this weekend always falls on the same weekend and our church fall festival. We spend the entire day at the fall festival work, playing, and visiting with friends and it wears all of us out. So Saturday night when we got home, we showered the kids up and then the five of us watched the fireworks from the upstairs windows. That was nice too and the kids LOVED it. Fireworks ROCK!
Oh and I did not have my camera but you can check out photos of the event here.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Only 11 More Years

Backyard S'mores and Fun

A few weeks ago after dinner one night, we thought it would be fun to go out to our firepit and have some S'mores. As we sat around the fire and the kids talked about their day I just had so much overwhelming happiness and love for my family and I told each of them that I LOVED them. It was so much fun to just hang out.
It was a busy week for the Erickson Five with both parents working a lot and Grandma Mary, Jane, and Grandma's friends Rebecca and Dan entertaining the kiddos. We were supposed to go camping this coming weekend but due to the busy week and the weather not being so great, we decided to postpone our camping trip and do some other fun stuff. I think we kicked it off right with the S'mores. However, Ella prefers her S'mores with just a plain old Marshmallow. Hmmm wonder where she got that from...Grandma Mary!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Little Gentleman

Happy Birthday

Today is a big day because three members of our family have a Birthday!!!!!

So Happy Birthday to:

Our Uncle T
Our Janie
Our Cousin Emmy

We love you guys!

Quotable Quotes

E said to me the other night as she was getting in the shower "boy mom, my butt sure keeps getting whiter" (She has quite the summer tan)

When Jon got home from work K told him that he "Whoopdid his mama at Mario Cart"

As K discovered the local football team was playing the other night, he ran around the house like a crazy man shouting "Yeah, it's football season again"! (Do you think this kid loves sports?)

Sue's Awesome Update

The following is the update that Sue sent me about the time she spent with the kids this past weekend. The kids love to go to her house but what is not to like about walks in the woods, craft time, obstacle courses, swimming pool, and so much more! THANKS SUE (and Denny Too)!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. They loved being in the woods, but it is a little scary when the wind is blowing hard like it was and the trees are creaking.

We had an obstacle course on Saturday, they loved that. I had my stop watch out and timed everyone. No one was worried about who was winning, they just all felt they had good times. E had to get a notebook and help keep track like I did. Everyone tried to beat their own time. They had to hop over 3 buckets, throw a ball through and inner tube, go through the chair tunnel, throw balls into more inner tubes, make them land there. Bounce on an exercise ball, run, and finally the hurdles. Everyone had to take a turn to be in charge of the stop watch. K was timing E, he kept saying, boy you have a lot of ones Ella.

Sunday we started out on the scooters and K said his throat hurt. They rode down to Martin Luther manor (all downhill) and then he was ready to be done, so we stopped at the park. He laid on a bench for some of the time. When we got home, E said "are you fibbing about your throat, maybe you just ate something sharp."

A told me you have rules at home now.
1) always listen to Mommy and Daddy
2) make your bed everyday.
3) always tell the truth
4) keep your hands and your feet to yourself
5) always put your toys away. She then told me it is really best if you put something away before you get something else out.

(A got most of these new house rules right! They have really helped us out at home this past week so far so good)

I told you about the no underwear. K told me, and then later Denny, Jon when he came and later you, that they must have fallen off somewhere. (K forgot to put underware on that morning much to his mother's dismay!)

E was rather miffed that all we did for "art" is color. (This one cracked Jon and I up)