Wordless Wednesday ~ Welcoming Liam

10 Years

A few days ago, Jon and I celebrated 10 years of marriage.  It was a busy day for both of us and due to work we were not together on our anniversary this year.  We have pledged to plan a vacation just the two of us to sneak away and celebrate, reflect on, reminisce, and honor our marriage.  I CAN'T WAIT!

I am married to my best friend, soul mate, and the person that I love to share my life with. I feel blessed to have such an incredible man and marriage in my life.  Ten years has slipped by and we have lived through a lot....both good and bad.  What I love most about celebrating 10 years is that it is a good time to reflect on our marriage.  Where we have been, where we are now, and where we are headed.

Life has changed some for Jon and I this past month with the kids going off to school, my increased working time, and Jon's new position at work.  We have adjusted well to this change and I feel so content with our life together.

Babe, I love you more today than I think I did 10 years ago on one of the best days of my life.  I cherish you and the way you love me and the beautiful life we established together.  I look forward to another 50 years of memory making with you.  Happy Anniversary Babe! 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The Erickson Five Enjoying A Baseball Game

Sunday we had the chance to go to the baseball game!  It was a sunny day and it was fun to be outside watching the game.  We were a little chilly as our seats were in the shade but we all had a good time.  Our team did not win but it was great to see the excitement on the kids faces and to spend some quality time together as a family.

Yum Cotton Candy

The Hot Mamas

The Boyz

Jon and A Having Fun

E, A, K loving the stadium

Yeah....Running the bases!

We were lucky enough to get seats right by our good friends The C family.  Our kids love their kids and Jon and I both enjoy their parents so much. The L family was there too and they came and joined us for some memory making fun. 
I think one of the best parts about the day, aside from spending some good quality time together, was after the game when the kids got to run the bases.  It was cool to walk down on the field and the kids thought running the bases was so cool. 
It was a great fall day!  Go Twins!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Ferris Wheel Delights

The Start of Kindergarten

This past week has been a big one for all of us here at the Erickson 5 household.  It all began on Tuesday with orientation at the school.  This is were the teacher told us all about the classroom rules, school rules, and all about herself.  She has twins herself and Jon and I were thrilled to learn this as we feel that she will "understand" the multiple even more.  We also got to ride the bus with AEK to help them learn the bus rules and how to ride.

A on her 1st Day!

Wednesday was the first full day.  The kids were so excited that they were ready to go 20 minutes before we needed to leave.  We held them off but we were the first kids at the bus stop that day! Grandma Mary and Uncle T joined us to watch them climb on that big yellow bus for the first time. Then Uncle T unknown to Jon and I followed the bus to school!  So fun.  He reported later that he saw AEK standing outside with their teacher as he drove by.  I was grateful for the report later in the day...Thanks Uncle T!

There are about 15 kids that are at our bus stop and we have met some really nice kids and parents this week at drop off and pick up for the bus.  It is nice to know that some of the older kids are watching out for some of the younger kids on the bus.

E on her 1st day!

AEK have come home everyday with new stories and excitement about the new friends they are making and the things they are doing.  They love to eat lunch at school and this week we only packed one lunch from home.  We also learned that we can go in any day of the week and have lunch with them!  That sounds like fun and something that Jon and I will plan to do.

K on his 1st Day!

Next week they already have their first field trip to the Apple Orchard.  Jon has volunteered to go along and be a chaperon.  The kids are thrilled. 

Walking down to the bus stop!

AEK with bus driver Mr. Randy!

Walking home after a successful 1st day of school!

I have to admit that it has been a long week for me to get through this transition.  I can only imagine when all three go off to college but I think I will have to plan a month long trip around that time!  I feel a lot better and having all of the kids come home everyday LOVING school has helped me to realize that this really is a great transition for us and one these kids really needed.

AEK with some neighborhood friends!

So today I feel blessed that we are at this point in our lives, we have a great Kindergarten teacher and student teacher, the kids love school, and we once again made it through another transition with flying colors!  God is good, really good!

Wordless Wednesday ~ A New Chapter

AEK and the Little Beanstalk

Below is what the kids Kindergarten teacher read this morning when we went to the kids school for the 1st day orientation.  She did manage to pass around a kleenex box just in case the parents needed it.  I was grateful as this  was a tear jerker for me.  Of course my strong and wise husband pointed out to me when I questioned why she would read such a thing is that the story below has a very good moral about letting go of our kids so they can grow.  I knew all summer that this day and tomorrow (as they climb on that big yellow bus) it would be hard for me to watch them go off.  Such a big day for all of us here in the Erickson 5 household.  I am proud that they are so ready and CANNOT WAIT to get on that bus and get to school.  For now, enjoy the story below.  I know I did. 

 

Thoughts at the Bottom of a Beanstalk

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jack who
was about to climb his very first beanstalk. He had a
fresh haircut and a brand-new book bag.   Even though
his friends in the neighborhood had climbed this same
beanstalk almost every day last year, this was Jack's
first day and he was a little nervous.  So was his
mother.
Early in the morning she brought him to the foot of
the beanstalk. She talked encouragingly to Jack about
all the fun he would have that day and how nice his
giant would be. She reassured him that she would be
back to pick him up at the end of the day. For a
moment they stood together, silently holding hands,
gazing up at the beanstalk. To Jack it seemed much
bigger than it had when his mother had pointed it out
on the way to the store last week. His mother thought
it looked big, too. She swallowed. Maybe
she should have held Jack out a year...    Jack's
mother straightened his shirt one last time, patted
his shoulder and smiled down at him. She promised to
stay and wave while he started climbing. Jack didn't
say a word.
He walked forward, grabbed a low-growing stem and
slowly pulled himself up to the first leaf.  He
balanced there for a moment and then climbed more
eagerly to the second leaf, then to the third and soon
he had vanished into a high tangle of leaves and stems
with never a backward glance at his mother.   She
stood alone at the bottom of the beanstalk, gazing up
at the spot where Jack had disappeared. There was no
rustle, no movement, no sound to indicate that he was
anywhere inside.   "Sometimes," she thought,
"it's harder to be the one who waves good-bye than it
is to be the one who climbs the beanstalk."
She wondered how Jack would do. Would he miss her?
How would
he behave?  Did his giant understand that little boys
sometimes
   acted silly when they felt unsure?  She fought down
an urge to
   spring up the stalk after Jack and maybe duck
behind a bean to
take a peek at how he was doing.   "I'd better not.
What if he saw
me?" She knew Jack was really old enough to handle
this on his own.
She reminded herself that, after all this was thought
to be an excellent beanstalk
and that everyone said his giant was not only kind but
had  outstanding qualifications.
"It's not so much that I'm worried about him," she
thought, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's just that
he's growing up and I'm going to miss him."
Jack's mother turned to leave.   "Jack's going to have
lots of bigger beanstalks to climb in his life," she
told herself. "Today's the day he starts practicing
for them... And today's the day I start practicing
something too: cheering him on and waving good-bye."

Teri~preschool~Indiana

Girls Party

On Saturday, we had some time in the morning so in preparation for the school year to start, I decided to tackle A's closet to see what clothes were going to fit and what needed to be donated to charity. 

E joined in on the fun and the girls got their little CD player and we were having some fun listening to music and the girls tried on piece after piece of clothing.  At one point in our crazy and a little overwhelming fun, K walked into the room.  It was at this time that we were up to our knee caps in clothing (well at least the girls were) and we had made a big mess.  K exclaimed "Mom, what in the world are you doing"?  With out missing a beat A said "we are having a girls party"  It was at this time that K turned around and said I going to find Dad. 

It was a fun hour of "girl" time and I am happy to report that the closet did get cleaned out and put back together! 

Girls, They just wanna have fun! 

Playdate Fun

One thing that I think I will miss when these kids are in school all day is the playdate time that we used to have with our friends.  Today we spend the majority of the afternoon at a park with some of our favorite triplet friends, the C family.  Due to vacations and busy summer schedules, we had not seen them in over a month so it was really great to connect with them today.  Our kids love their kids and I love their Mama so it is fun for all.

It was a great afternoon full of memories and fun.  Thanks C family for your friendship, love, and spending time with us!  We love you guys.

End of Summer Family Retreat

This past Monday, Jon and I took the kids to the local amusement park for the 1st time.  Thanks to the H family for the free tickets into the park, we had a fun and not so expensive day together. 

It was a hot day but we managed to stay cool and we even brought our swim suits and did the water park as well.  The kids loved the wave pool and it was amazing to both Jon and I how brave they are in the water now. 

They all loved the Kid Roller Coaster and the Mouse trap ride was a highlight too.  We went to the I-Max theater and watched a show on the corral reefs of the world.  It was very interesting but was really cool to Jon and I was how interested the kids were learning about the Corral Reefs.  It is a good sign that they are extremely ready to start full days of school next week. 

At the end of the day, I took K on the water ride that was right by the exit.  The girls could not go because they were not tall enough but they stood on the bridge of the ride and got soaking wet right along with K and I.  We did the ride a few times because he was so into it.  Needless to say, the kids and myself left the park soaking wet.  What is not to love about that. 

Our retreat to the park on Monday was a nice end of summer treat for all of us.  We laughed and laughed and laughed and it felt good. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Roller Coaster Thrills

Christmas in August

Today has been one of those crazy busy days.  This afternoon, my cousin and her four beautiful children came to visit us.  We had a fun afternoon of riding bikes, scooters, jeeps, playing the Wii, singing, eating, and just catching up.  We live so close but yet never seem to find the time to get together. 

Anyway, when they arrived, I opened the front door to find a package that had been delivered to our house.  It was addressed to A, E, and K and I was totally confused as to what it was.  I opened the package and found the following letter attached to three gifts that were wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper:


Dear A, E, and K:

My elves were cleaning out the sleigh last week, and we found some presents that weren't delivered under the seat.  I am so sorry you did not get all your presents last Christmas.


Since we monitor the "naughty" and "nice" list all year, I did have to check to make sure you are on the nice list.  All looks good.  Looks like you are helpful to others, and you are kind to each other.  You try to do what your Mom and Dad say without making a fuss, so I am releasing the presents to you.

I apologize again that they are so late.


Love,


Santa Claus

Thank you Santa Claus for making my day and for being so kind to my children!  They are all so excited that they got three gifts and they were just pumped up to open them and they LOVE what they got.It is so funny how Santa knows exactly what each of them would love to get as a gift!  E told me tonight that she just loves Santa and how kind he is to all of us.  So sweet and magical.  This Momma has a warm heart tonight.  God Bless and Thank You. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Triple Summer Fun

Arcadia Memories 2010

The Erickson 5 has spent the past 7 days up at Arcadia Lodge.  It is so nice to get "away" for a little vacation once in awhile and just relax.  We went with some of our favorite friends The Little Family!  We had the perfect set up with a four bedroom cabin and everyone had their own bed or at least their own space to sleep.
We did not have the best cabin weather for the week but it was sure fun and the kids and adults alike sure enjoyed our time away.

We played a whole lot of games, whether it be kick ball, cards, board games, Wii Games or just word games it was fun.  The women took on the men in quite a few card games and I do have to say that the women RULED the games.  (Sorry Jon and Steve)

We managed to get some good fishing in and I think KJ has turned into a pro.  He always managed to catch the most fish and he became a pro at casting out his line.  I do claim the award for the biggest sunny though!  The girls were really into fishing too.  It was so nice as they even got good at baiting the hook (with some assistance and Ella loved to take the fish off (again with some assistance).

We managed to go on some canoe rides, kayak rides, lots of boat rides, we squeezed in some tubing and water skiing and jumping on the water tramps, and diving dock.

We had great meals thanks to Salsa Lisa for her creative ideas, Jon for his magical grilling and Steve-o for his awesome Pad Thai!  I managed to help out too.  We were lucky that we did not even have to leave the resort all week.  That truly means vacation.  We even had some food to come home with.

It was truly a week to remember and it is so fun to get away with the kids and watch them enjoy the lake and each other.  All week I kept thinking that they were making good memories just as I did as a kid at the lake when I was young.

God was good to us all week too.  He even helped us to find our missing kick ball when we headed out fishing one day.  It was stuck in some trees in the water on a different part of the lake.  We all smiled that we were able to get it back.  So fun.

Below is some pics from the week. 

Kiddos on the evening boat cruise

Friends from last year..off to play kickball

My Sunny!

Dancing on the table!

Ella and Mom out for some tubing

Dad and his fishing pros!

K and the sand were one

Ms. E and her sunny catch

Thing One and Thing Two

A and her friend snuggling on the boat!

Salsa Lisa, Me, and Juan Smiling at the camera!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Some Hair Raising Fun!

Grateful

I feel compelled to write tonight about my gratefulness for all I have.  It has been a long hard week as I have been sick, so sick that I cannot remember feeling so icky EVER, Jon has been gone, and now KJ is not feeling so great either.  I think I am on the mend and I hope when I awake tomorrow that I feel even better than I did today!  Big Thanks to Jane for taking the kids more than once so I could get some rest and huge thanks for Grandma Mary for rescuing all of us last night when I could hardly get out of bed!  THANK YOU! I am truly grateful for all the help you offer me/us all the time.  I could not survive with out you guys. 

Tonight I heard about a 12 year old boy that was killed this past week while he was playing with his friends.  I do not know the exact details other than what happened was kind of a unusual circumstance and very tragic.  My heart hurts for his parents and family.  When I hear stories like this, it truly makes me shutter as I cannot even imagine what the parents must go through.  It makes me hug my kids a little tighter, kisses them a little more, pray over them and thank God for them over and over again.  My prayers go out to this family as they grieve their loss. 

Today, my Dad sent this to me and again I am struck by this family who lost their son to the war and reminded how lucky I am to live in a "free" country and have healthy kids and a loving husband.  To all the families out there of fallen soldiers my prayers go out to you for the sacrifice your loved one has made for all of us to have our freedom.  God Bless You. 

I am not sure why this all came to may attention today but I believe is a reminder from God to love and hug my kids and be grateful for all the things I have in my life. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Catching Some Air!