This day has come!

I have such mixed feelings about today. My baby has been showing signs to be potty trained for a couple of weeks now. I decided to buckle down and do it. So today I stayed home all day to focus on it. Andi has been great. She has taken herself to the potty all day. It even included to go poopy(sorry I said the dirty word). Look how cute she is!



I can't believe that in a short while I'll be diaper free in my home. I'm excited but sad. Ready for the next chapter of my kids lives. WAHOO!

Father/Son-Mother/Daughter Weekend

Eric got to enjoy his first of many father and son camp outs with Pierce this past weekend! I can say that we need to do things a little different next time. Like put closed toe shoes on the boy. Send him a pair of pants and sweater for the morning. Nonetheless, Pierce LOVED it. They each had two full hot dogs and sat around the campfire.



They called it a night early and headed to the tent. Pierce said that they told scary stories, played with flashlights and snuggled.



In the morning he got to go fishing with daddy as well. They caught three fishes and released them all. I can't count how many times I heard Pierce thank his daddy for taking him camping. I'm excited to know that this is one of many special times for them two to spend together.

As the boy were off playing my three girls and I had our own little fun. We went to dinner, bought a new game to play, went to get pedicures and watched a movie. I think the pedicure thing will be a yearly tradition. The two older girls sat in special kid chairs. I sat diagonally from them so we could see/talk to one another. They were in their own little world talking and singing together. I loved seeing that. Across from me sat two older ladies that were listening to my girls and were grinning from ear to ear. Just from looking I could tell that were sisters. All I could think about is how I hope my girls continue to do this together when they get older. Andi sat with me and she too got her own little toes done. The ladies at the shop were in love with her. I love my girls and I was grateful for a little girl time! (sorry no picture from us since the boys had the camera and my phone was dead)

Last weekend we were doing some work in the yard and Pierce asked in he could take his training wheels off and ride his bike like a big boy. So Eric took them off and Pierce began to learn.

Eric took the first round of trying to explain to him what to do and run behind him.




I posted this one because I LOVED the smile on his face.



He mastered going straight but he really needed to work on the turning part. So this morning he followed his sisters in the circle around and around. We had several minor falls and one crash involving a neighbor friend and Pierce but all in all his lessons have gone really well.






He has always loved to ride his bike but is finding a different kind of joy in it. Next lesson to master is getting started. Mom and Dad's favorite so we don't have to be there everytime.

We're proud of you Pierce. Love you tons!

Sunbeam Reunion

Nine years ago I taught some amazing 3 year old kids at church. This year these kids all turn 12. I thought it would be fun to have a sunbeam reunion. Four out of the five girls that still live in the area were invited to my house for lunch and crafts(Haylie I missed you).
I purchased these fun paperoni kits at a great deal from walmart. We each had our own to play with and to create something.



I have a photo from 9 years ago with these same girls. They have changed so much in such great ways!



This lady and I are both in the same boot at the same time.



I'm grateful for the chance to hang out with them and to reconnect. I love seeing them grow and support them in their endeavors. They played a huge role in my life as I was beginning a new chapter(pregnant with Mackenna) in my life while teaching them. By far teaching their class has been one of my favorite responsibilites in my church. I love you each!

Andersen

Don't you just want to eat those cheeks!

This little girl is amazing! She's 20months and has so much personality. She's says so many words. She's a climber. What kid of mine wasn't? Oh wait, Mackenna. She loves to say "Come" grab your finger and take you to wherever she needs you. This little girl use to go down with a sippy cup every nap and evening. Not anymore. She is winged! WAHOO! She drinks from a sippy around the house or while we're out and about, but when we're at the table eating she drinks from a big girl cup. She loves to feed herself actually persists on it. The only time she'll take food from us is when we're eating something she wants. She's very happy. There's days that she goes without naps(that's what happens when you're the fourth) and she doesn't even fuss. Friends and family have commented on how amazed they are of her w/o naps. She LOVES LOVES LOVES shoes. If you can't get her to come when it's time to get dress all you have to do is ask her if she wants to put shoes on and she's by your side in seconds. The way she says shoes just makes me want to go out and buy her a pair now.
She loves to be with her older siblings and do what they are doing. The girls are amazing helpers with her.
I can't wait in a few months to do her 2year slide show to see her growth. Andersen, your mom and dad love you.

It's Been Too Long

Over two months really?!? It has been crazy busy here. I feel like I never get to sit at the computer lately. Anytime I come to do anything at the computer Andersen is at my side tearing up my office and getting into a big mess. My next post is dedicated to her.
The Clinger family I think has made it through winter 2010. I think we always had someone sick. From the stomach bug, bronchitis, ear infections, feet problems(not completely healed yet), etc. Having three kids in public schools has not been pretty this season. We're definitely ready for spring.

WELCOME BACK KRISTI!

New Tradition....with a story along with it!

The Friday before Thanksgiving my sweet Mackenna got sick with a fever. The next day my Andi got sick with the same fever. They both ran a high grade fever for 5 days. The highest the fever got was 105 which scared the living day lights out of us. Luckily medicine and cool baths took that down very quickly. Tuesday before Thanksgiving my little boy, Pierson got sick with a fever. I take the kids to see the pediatrician and they had something that started viral and turned bacterial. We got antibiotics for everyone. The day before Thanksgiving Mackenna and Andi were fever free but not Pierson. Needless to say our Thanksgiving plans had to be changed. We planned on going to one of my sister's house to eat. With three contagious peeps we stayed home and I won't lie I was HAPPY! I got to do what I love most, COOK/BAKE! I cooked a very small turkey with all the fixings. I had Eric's help when needed and I loved it! I think our new family tradition is Thanksgiving at home.
Usually we're with lots of family and so it's busy and loud. We don't get to verbally express our thanksgivings to one another. Not this year! We wrote each child an expression or our gratitude to them. We also went around the table to express more blessing in our lives.
I look forward to carrying this tradition on.......without sick children of course.