Sleep Overs Rock

This past Friday, we had a family "playdate" with some of our favorite triplet friends...The Clarks!  The kids had a blast running around and playing and even watching a movie.  The parents had fun hanging out and playing games.  It was a fun night.  The best part about it was the kids got to have the Clark kids sleep over night.  There was much talk and giggles from their big sleep over room but after awhile, it all quieted down and they all fell fast asleep. 

Jon and I enjoyed the next morning as we listened to their conversations as they woke up.  So fun to be "mouse in the corner" sometimes with the kids and hear life from their perspective. 
Thanks Clarks for a fun night!  We can't wait for the next big "Sleep Over"! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Father's Wisdom

The Not So Haunted Weekend

This past weekend was chuck full of events.  The kids had a few days off of school and our cousins came down for some fun activities.  On Friday we joined them at the Children's Museum and the kids had a blast.  Such a fun place to go for little minds.  We even went to the haunted hallows room and that was quite fun to wonder around in the dark. 

Saturday we joined Grandma Mary at the annual Pumpkin Festival Party.  The kids loved it and it is always a nice time to do a trial run on their costumes.  They got free pumpkins amongst a bag full of other goodies.  They even got their face painted.  They had a blast. 

We then met with the neighbors to plan out our "Haunted Cul De Sac" for the upcoming Halloween night.  It is going to be such a blast and I will post more pics after the event. 

Saturday night the cousins and their parents slept over.  The kids tried to build a gingerbread haunted house but it would not stay together.  Aunt Lori even sat and held it for about 10 minutes but it still did not stay so we gave up and decided that we had a "not so haunted house" mess on our hands. 

Sunday was Sue and Denny's annual Pumpkin Carving party.  Once again it was such a fun time.  The kids always love it and get so spoiled.  They had big treasure hunts this year and Sue's neighbor dressed up like a witch.  My favorite part was that K did not think she was real so he ran right up to her and when she moved her head and looked up he jumped back and ran right over to Sue as he was so spooked by it.  It was funny!  I do not have pictures from the party as I forgot my camera but they all carved (with help) scary faces on their pumpkins so they will fit into our "haunted" cul de sac. 

It was a great and busy weekend.  We look forward to the upcoming Holiday weekend and all the fun plans we have.  Stay tuned for a report on the Haunted Cul De Sac!  Have a spooky week!

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Favorite Guys

School House Rocks

Tonight, Jon and I headed over to the kids school for conferences.  They went GREAT!  We are so happy that the kids have adjusted well to their new full schedule and to being at school most of the day.  From what we have been told, they are thriving, leading, and caring students.  It felt great tonight to confirm that we feel we made the right decisions on where to send the kids to school.  I have no doubt that not all schools are created equal.  Last year as we were deciding on which school we would choose, I was amazed at all the choices parents are faced with when deciding where to send their kids to school.  There is always room for doubt as a parent but I can say that Jon and I are pleased with our decision and love to watch our kids learn, make friends, and experience their "new" world of academics! I can only hope and pray that their enthusiasm for school continues for a many years to come.  It is great to watch them succeed at new things.  The other night K read a whole page of his book by himself and the smile across his face when he finished was priceless and one that I, as his mother, will never forget!  SO AWESOME!
 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Girls Rule

A Perfect Ten

Yesterday, was the perfect kind of day.  It all started out when we arrived at church in the morning.  I dropped the kids off for their first day of Sunday School and I headed to Mass.  Much to my surprise, it was the anointing of the sick. As you recall last year, I blogged about this same Sunday at church. 

As it was such an amazing experience last year, It was again this year for me.  I was alone in church again as Jon was out of town but when they asked those who wished to be anointed to stand, there were people all around me who held out their hands and some even placed their hands one me.  Again, I felt the spirit moving through my body.  It was incredible and I thank God for such an amazing experience.
 
After Mass, I picked up the kids from Sunday School and we headed out to enjoy such a beautiful day.  The weather really has been spectacular this past week and it looks like we will continue to have such great weather for another week or so.  It is great to see the sun everyday and get some good Vitamin D.  The kids are loving it too. 

Later in the day we met some of our favorite friends and went to the movie the Alpha and Omega. Such a good movie with a great message.  The kids really enjoyed that. 

We ended our day picking up one of our most favorite people, Grandma Mary, at the airport.  She was thrilled to see us and we were equally as thrilled to see her.  E told Grandma Mary that she really really really loved her and then followed that up with she really really really meant it.  What a homecoming for Grandma Mary! 

It was the perfect Ten Kind of a day which seems so appropriate for 10/10/10! 

A Walk in the Woods

A week ago, Grandma and Grandpa A took the kids for an overnight.  Grandpa wanted to take the kids down into the woods for a little fun and he cordially invited Grandma along too.

I grew up by these "woods" and fondly remember many adventures spent exploring and hiding out in the woods. It thrills me that my own children get to have the same fun.  There is a steep hill that we nicked named "Dead Mans" when we were growing up.  It is a sledding hill and there is a path next to it that is much less steep called "wimpys"!  The kids had a blast on Friday night running down "Dead mans" and having Grandpa catch them at the end.  Grandma tried to catch a few times but almost ended up head over feet so Grandpa had to do all the catching. 

I have not had the opportunity yet to make it down into the woods this fall season but I hope to do a trip soon.  I am sure it is beautiful and so scenic down there.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa A for taking AEK on a little adventure.  They cannot wait to do it again. Who knows, I think this year it may be a good idea to introduce the sledding hills in the woods to the kids! Get Ready!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Belly Laughing

1st Field Trip ~ The Apple Orchard

This past week, the kids got to go on their very first field trip for school.  They headed over to the Apple Orchard.  Jon got to join them for this field trip and they were so excited. 

They got to go on a hay ride, check out pumpkins, and they could each pick 6 apples to take home.  They LOVED the apple cider and of course begged Jon to buy the Apple Crisp kit so we could have some warm apple crisp with the apples they worked hard at picking. 

It was a great sunny fall day and so much fun for the kids and the Dads too. 

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!