WHAT...A...DAY!!!

We had a great birthday party at the park today! VERY chilly and windy, though. Thanks to everyone for braving the temperatures to spend the afternoon with us! We are SO LUCKY to have you all in our lives!

I won't try to put captions on these photos, but here are a bunch of the pictures of the festivities and guests. The kids have on cute Elmo outfits, but we had to bundle them up in sweatshirts! My camera acted up on a bunch of shots (surprise, surprise!), so I'm hoping someone else got more pictures of the rest of our guests. If you snapped any, send them our way!

Birthday Party Update!

Just a reminder about the kids' birthday party this weekend at Sedgwick County Park! Sunday from noon-2pm at Shelter #1 (enter from the 13th street entrance, and it's the first shelter to the left of the entrance), and we'll be serving hot dogs, hamburgers & cake. If you want to bring a side dish, we'd love it--but don't worry about it if you don't have time to get anything.

We've had some calls about a back-up plan because of the rain, and at this point our only back-up plan is prayer. :-) The shelter is covered, and we stopped by there yesterday when it was raining and the picnic area was completely dry. The forecast is calling for little or no rain that afternoon, so we're keeping our fingers crossed!

In the event of a complete change in forecast, we'll move the party to our place. If we do that, I'll be sure to post something here first thing Sunday morning. At this point, we're holding strong to our original plans.

We can't wait to see you on Sunday!

Sophie's first trip to the ER

I was getting the kids ready for baths on Wednesday night, and had Blake undressed and in the tub. I was undressing Graham when Sophie tried to reach into the tub to splash Blake. She had stepped up onto the training potty (that sits on the floor), and it slipped out from under her and she split her chin open on the side of the tub. She was understandably hysterical, and blood was everywhere--it's unbelievable how much blood can come from such a small child!

Since it would be under five stitches, they gave me the option of glue vs. stitches. I chose glue, and hope I made the right decision. I remember when I babysat in high school/college, almost all of the moms had a plastic surgeon on their list of emergency contacts in case one of the kids got an injury requiring stitches (especially on the face). I hadn't thought about that until we were sitting in the ER. I'd love for other moms to chime in on this--do you have a plastic surgeon to contact in case of an emergency?

Sophie was too funny in the ER--she kept singing "He's got the whole world in His hands" to anyone who would listen. A set of twin baby girls came into the ER after we got there, and they were both screaming. She kept telling them "It's ok, Blake! It's ok, Graham!" and couldn't understand why "her" babies were wearing earrings. :-)

Our friend Roger came over to watch the boys while I took Sophie to the ER. Kelly joked that Roger probably hasn't changed a diaper in 20 years, and I left him with a naked baby (still in the tub) and one crawling the floor. Kelly came to relieve Roger after she finished bowling, and Brent got home from work shortly afterward. Roger's awesome to have during a stressful time--he's Mr. "cool-as a cucumber"!!

Happy Monday...er, Tuesday!

I started this post yesterday, but had trouble uploading the pictures. So--Happy Tuesday to you! These are some random photos that I've taken over the weekend. Remember how I told you that Sophie is so obedient in her new toddler bed, and doesn't get out? Here's Sleeping Beauty with all of the contraband toys that she smuggled into bed during naptime...

She also continues in her love of photography, and here are her latest photos. (Maybe this is why my camera only works about 25% of the time???)

Here's a picture of Graham, the big stander! He is getting so good with his balance. I actually got his shirt off last night for bathtime while he was standing, and he could hold his balance.

Bible study started this morning, and it was great to get back together with everyone!!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!!

Today is a BIG day at our house--Sophie turns 2!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

I'm taking her to lunch today and to the new playground if the weather cooperates. I'll post pictures later of the birthday girl!

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Well, the weather didn't cooperate, so we had to find indoor fun for lunch! We went to the party store for a new bouncy ball and an Elmo balloon, then to a McDonalds with a big play area. So many kids, and Sophie had fun! We came home for naps, then played outside on the swingset. Muddy but fun! Here are some pictures of Sophie opening a card from Grandma & Grandpa Schuler, then the kids playing outside:

Sadly, the Elmo balloon met a tragic demise--Sophie let go of him under the ceiling fan and he popped, floating to the ground. I scooped him up and tossed him in a closet, and she hasn't asked for him since. Whew--disaster averted!

Happy birthday, Lee!!

Today is my cousin LeAnn's 35th birthday--

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEANN!!!!!!!!

Lee and I grew up practically as sisters, and I would give anything to have her in the same town with me now.

I LOVE YOU, COUSIN! I MISS YOU!!

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Here's a quick update on the kids:

• Sophie: FOUR NEW TEETH! All four of her 2-year molars came in, and she took it like a champ. She's also on day #2 without her pacifier. Nighttime isn't a problem for her, but for some reason she begs for it at naptime. After we tackle this, we're on to potty training...
• Blake: His second top tooth is almost here! He loves to play peek-a-boo--I'll have to get a short video and post it here, because it is too funny.
• Graham: He STOOD UP BY HIMSELF LAST NIGHT!!!! He looked shocked and proud at his accomplishment!! He'll be walking before we know it. I'll have to try to catch that on video, too.