Breakfast with Santa!

First chapter book

Here's our first chapter book: Magic Tree House: High Tide in Hawaii (Jack and Annie books). The teachers read these at nap time in Oliver's preschool class. He really likes them. He really likes chapter books!

Lunch Date

Lunch with my best guy at Apple Tree! 11/21/12

Photo Book

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Kiddos

Cuties

Elmo shirt

I searched highland low with no luck. Finally I found it at my parent's house...better late than never!

Sleep tight

Ivy put Elmo and herself to sleep!

Dear Santa....

We were at the mall today and Oliver was finding all kinds of toys he really wanted so we took pictures of the toys for Santa so Santa would know just the right toy!

Costumes!

My Spidey and my Elmo!

first presidential debate

While watching the debate Oliver has made some observations:
1. They are not listening to their teacher (Lehrer)...
2. They are talking at the same time.
3. They don't know it's bedtime. They are going to be up all night....

Homecoming Parade 2012

We marched in the parade with Apple Tree!

Picture Day!

This is one of many AWESOME pictures we has taken this morning! To be honest, I was dreading family picture day based on our previous family photo day which was super chaotic and just not fun and we didn't get many great shots to choose from. Today was a wonderful surprise. Oliver was smiley and fun and silly! I was so proud of him! And, relieved, too. Ivy had ants in her pants and had a tough time sitting still and posing! So happy we got some fun pictures! It made my day that everything went so well!

Full-time at Apple Tree

This summer Oliver went to school on MWF and stayed home on T/Th.  In mid-June, Ivy did the same but part-time:  MWF part-time - - then, she went to MWF full-time.  THEN, this past Monday, they started going everyday, full-time!  I knew Oliver would be fine, he's "been-there-done-that".  But, I wanted Ivy to get used to being a full-timer before my classes started - so, if I was needed at any time, I could be there easier than when classes start.  Today is Wednesday, day 3 of Everyday Full-Time!  Ivy is doing great.  She is a social kid - she is a FUNNY kid...and kinda goofy sometimes - I mean goofy-funny!  I love to watch her in her classroom when she doesn't know I'm there.  I do the same with Oliver.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall in their classrooms.  In the next couple of weeks, Oliver will be moving on to the "big kid" classroom where he will stay for two years!  Wow.  He will be the youngest kiddo there.  He loves his current classroom but I think this will be a good move for him!

Making Soup

On a roll

Me: Oli, thanks for letting me use your pillow last night!
Oli: (smiling) That's what friends do, Mom!
 Love him.

 Scenario: explaining that school starts everyday again next week.
Oli: why?
Me: I have to get ready for my students.
Oli: Why?
Me: I have to teach.
Oli: All by yourself?
Me: Yes, I teach by myself.
Oli: That's NOT fair!
 Me: (I know, right?!)

 Scenario: getting ready for books.
Me: c'mon guys! We can read about belly buttons! (this Sandra Boynton book was a hit last week)
Oli: (in a "duh mom" tone). Mom! We've already read that 100 times!
(he's 3.5 years old - almost FOUR years old! and this "duh mom" tone-of-voice has already started.  I'm in trouble!  LOL)

 We read it anyhow AND it was enjoyed by all!

Sunrise Alcove 4th of July Party 2012

My Swimmer

Oli LOVES the board!

This girl loved the pool, too!

Ivy "picked" Doug for the day.

Hangin' loose at the party!

Ivy and Katelyn

Fireworks

Oli and Colin watching fireworks (at the Wehrle's house w fireworks from Missouri).

Dessert with Cousin Gus

Wild Cherry Pearl

Together we can do anything!

Oli writes!

Oli wrote his name - I only helped with the letter "r"!

Ivy swimsuit

Such a cutie pigtail girl!

I love this girl.

This is MY girl! 

The Prettier

Oliver:  Mama, you are the prettier and I love you.

ahh so sweet!

Dentist

Ivy's first dental appointment! She has 16 of 20 baby teeth!

Swinging Boy

Swinging Girl

Jumpers!

At Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines! So fun!

Soccer pic

Here's my Oli "playing"soccer!

Goodest

Bedtime chatter.

Oli:  I will not throw her away.  (Ivy)

Me:  Well, I hope not.

Oli:  She is the goodest girl in the city.  And you are the goodest Mommy girl.  I am the greatest, Oliver Hughes Neppl. 

I love this kid!

Eating!

Sleeper

Firefighter

My soccer player!

Morning

In bed.  The first thing Oliver said this morning was:
Oli:  Mom?  Are you happy I sleeped all night long with my eyes closed?
Me:  Yes.....?   :o)

Ivy's first Bounce Slide

Our friends, the Wehrle Family, had a Bounce House party.  The weather was not cooperative - but kids don't need cooperative weather when there is a bounce house involved - they just Bounce!
Ivy LOVED this slide.  I don't know how many times I carried her up the bounce steps so she could go down the slide!  When I took a break and the two of us went in the house to warm up and relax - Ivy was NOT happy (insert screeching unhappy sounds here).  I took her back out and she had a couple more turns on the slide!  She was in heaven.  Oliver went from bounce house to bounce house and had a GREAT time!  (and thanks to my friend, Lori Chasse, for this video!  I love it!)

cuddling

Scenario:  In bed, about 1:45am, I got up to check on Ivy.  
Oli: After you give Ivy her milk, can we still cuddle? (magic to my ears, of course, YES!)
Later...this was in the morning, Oliver had picked out his clothes for the day and I was on his bed talking to him...he came over and we hugged BIG!  
Oli: Is this the best cuddle you ever had? (again, YES!)

Hawkeyes

From Friday, April 20, 2012


I tznuf
Me: hey Oli, we'll have to go watch the Hawkeyes play basketball again sometime.
Oli: the Hawkeyes don't play basketball! They play Hawkeyes things!
Me: we'll...
Oli: football players play football. Basketball players plays basketball. Hawkeyes play Hawkeye things. 
Me: (thinking of a good response)
Oli: sometime can we watch the basketball players play basketball?
Me: sure! That sounds fun!
(I learn a little something new everyday...usually during our car talk!)

Ivy

This is from yesterday, April 2, 2012.

Today is Ivy's day: she's blowing kisses!!! (that couldn't be any cuter! LOVE it.) And - she is signing "more"! (finally! I've been waiting!)

A B C...

Wagon Ride

Car talk

This morning on the way to school and work...
Oli: Mom! Look at the trees! They are so colorful! Some are green, some are flowery, and I see RED! (said enthusiastically!).


AND - at the park the other day he saw some flowers from a tree in the grass, he ran over and said, "It's BEAUTIFUL!  Come and look!"


I love his enthusiasm for beauty and for new things.

Thanks, Mom

Tonight in bed it was all quiet...then:
Oli:  Thanks, Mom.
Me:  For what?
Oli:  For the Hawkeye football you gave me on Valentine's Day.
Me:  (smiling) I was hoping you would like it!
Oli:  I have a gift for you.  I have three gifts for you.
Me:  Oh, I'm excited!  What are they?

Then, my boy leaned over and gave me a great smooch on the cheek!  (gift number 1).  Next, he put his lips on my hear and whispered, "I love you!" (gift number 2).  Last he sat up and made the I-Love-You sign with his right hand!  (gift number 3).

Three perfect gifts all for me!  I love every single one of them!  AND, it's not even Valentine's Day!  It's March 21!  :o)

Hands

The other night in bed Oliver reached for my hand and said, "I like holding your hand."
(ahhhhhh!  I loved that moment!!!)
I replied, "I love it too!"

I thought to myself...I hope he still likes holding my hand in ten years.  Heck, I hope he still likes holding my hand next week, next month, next year...!!!!

I absolutely love walking with him and holding his hand.

I love when we walk into Apple Tree (school) and he reaches up for my hand - so natural.  I want it to stay that way.

Ivers

Ivy weighed 17.1 pounds at the doc this week - - clothes on, no shoes.  She's getting there!  Now, she just needs to EAT finger foods and solids without gagging/barfing!  C'mon Ivers!  You can do it!

Love her.

No Paci

Oliver has slept two nights without his Paci.  (sigh) He has had a paci his entire life.  He loves it.  It calms him down.  It comforts him.  He looks so cute with it...BUT.  The dentist said, "No more Paci."  I know he misses it - but so far two nights....he's doing SO good!  I miss it, too.  The paci sort of keeps my Oliver "baby" a little bit longer...so I miss it, too!

The deal was:  5 nights without a paci and then we get to go to the store to pick out a toy.  Also, he gets little daily surprises!  Oliver changed the deal to EIGHT nights without a paci.  umm...ok?  He doesn't fully realize that he's added three more nights before he gets his toy reward!

Love him.

Monsters?

Scenario: watching the end of Monsters, Inc waiting for Peter Pan Returns.
Oli: Do monsters have penises?
Me: Well sure they do...the boy monsters.
Oli: Not the girls?
Me: Nope.

We are Family