Airport Fieldtrip

Last Friday our MOPS group had a  field trip to the airport. I would love to tell you all about how excited the kids were to see the airplanes up close but that never happened. 

On the way there, I realized I forgot Maddie's diaper backpack at home.  Thinking it'd only be about an hour or so it wouldn't be that big of a deal.  Just in case, I asked her if she pooped.  Sure enough that little stinker (pun intended) pooped on the way there.  Not wanting to completely disappoint Nate-he was REALLY looking forward to this trip, I took her in the bathroom when we got there and cleaned her up with wet toilet paper.  I didn't have another diaper to put her in, but she's been going a couple hours at home without one so I thought we could make it.

Well, I didn't know the field trip was starting at the airport fire station.  An hour later, and just as we were about to head over to the airplane hangar, she tells me she's wet.  Sure enough and so home we go. :(

I will say what I learned about this trip...

1. I need to keep extra clothes in the car AND a couple diapers in the glove box.
2. Nate is amazing. I was sure he was going to be upset about leaving.  He was, but not in the drop on the floor screaming kind of upset.  In the I'm upset and disappointed but I understand and will accept it kind of way. He just said okay mommy. Super impressed with my boy that day.
3. Our little airport has a little cafe with windows that have a view of the runway.  We may not have been able to go in the hangar but we will definitely be taking the kids to eat there for a lunch someday soon (and maybe even get to see a plane land or take off).

The Proposal

I think it was while watching Beauty and the Beast that Nate asked if they were getting married and why.  I told him that's what people do when they love each other, they get married.  He pondered this for a moment and then said, "I love Maddie. Me and Maddie are going to get married." 

That was a couple of weeks ago.  Then, this morning, it happened. The proposal.  They were sitting on my bed getting ready for our school time when Nate looked at Maddie, put his arm around her and this is how it went down:

Nate: Maddie, do you want to marry me?
Maddie: Yes.
Nate: Good job.
Maddie: Now we're married.

So there you have it. Keeping it in the family. ;)


On a side note, I don't want to forget this comment either:

Nate had an ear infection and as we were leaving the doctor's office he asked where we were going. I told him the pharmacy. He replied, "where the cows are?". I couldn't stop laughing. Not that kind of "farm-acy" buddy.

Field Trip to the Fire Station

Our MOPS group went to the fire station for a field trip today. It was really interesting to see the station and learn all about the firefighters work and routines.  The kids enjoying climbing all over the trucks and stomping in the puddles on the garage floor.  When one of the firefighters suited up a lot of the kids were afraid. I never really thought about how scary it could be for a kid, but I guess that's why the fire department likes to invite groups in to take tours-so that kids will feel more comfortable with them and not hide in a case of a fire.  Maddie never did go near the guy but Nate warmed up after a little bit.  They were very excited to tell Daddy all about the fire trucks and they each got their own (sticker) badge!

We're Going Sledding!

This has been the worst winter, seeing more coldness and snow, that I have seen since I have moved to Indiana.  Excited to finally get some snow with the cold, however we would get a bunch of snow but it would be way too cold to go out and play in it.  So while we had a few days of playing in the snow, most of this winter has been too cold.  We have been wanting to take the kids sledding and they have been asking to go the minute the snow started falling but because of the temps, schedules, or health, we just haven't made it out to a hill.  Until today.  We chose a hill behind Clifty Elementary (recommended by some friends) and it was perfect for us and the kids. They could get up the hill on their own and it wasn't too steep that it would be too scary.  This was, after all, their FIRST real sledding experience. 

We climbed up the hill and Nate looked down and then looked up at Michael saying, "Are you sure about this, Dad?".  But all it took was one ride down and he was hooked.  A few rides with Dad later he was ready to go alone.  Maddie did really well too.  She only wanted to ride with Mommy and the first few we had to go slower, but a few rides in and she was squealing all the way down.

I cannot express how good I felt when we left.  To me, this is the perfect Saturday morning, spending time with my family having such a good time.  I wish I could "freeze" this memory. :)

Our First Trip the Movies

We received another winter storm on Tuesday afternoon, dumping a lot of snow, mixed with ice, on us.  So the next morning MOPS was cancelled as well as Bible study that evening. I was feeling pretty bummed about it and tired of being cooped up in the house, when Michael called and asked if I thought Maddie would sit through a movie.  Possibly.  Maybe I was just very hopeful and slightly lying to myself because I saw this as a chance to GET OUT and DO SOMETHING FUN. Oh yes, of course, she'll do great in the theater! Ha! Michael found out that the YES! Cinema downtown was playing "Free Birds" for a $1/person. I didn't hesitate. Yes! Let's do it! Even if it's a disaster it's only a buck!

Well, it wasn't a disaster at all.  Our little Maddie actually did quite well.  It was good the theater wasn't full, because she wanted to walk around a little bit and stand up and watch the movie a lot. But she did great not running around or yelling.  Nate did awesome.  It was wonderful to watch him watch the movie and see his reactions.  The ate up all the popcorn (minus the bit that was spilled on the floor) and we all really enjoyed our night out.  So even though Bible study was cancelled it turned out to be a great night and mark another "first" off the kids' list.

January Activities (and lack thereof)

As the month of January comes to an end, one thing comes to mind, COLD. Wow, it has been the coldest winter that I can remember in a long time, and definitely the coldest winter since I've moved to Indiana.  Because of the cold and/or snow A LOT of our normal activities have been cancelled (MOPS, Bible Study) and so we have spent more days at home than normal.  But we have had some fun days in January as well!

Jaime and the boys came up and we went to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch.  The kids had a blast playing the games and they even got to dance with Chuck E. the mouse (at the end he threw up a pile of tickets)! Afterwards we went to the Commons to play for a bit.  It was busier than normal due to the school break, so we didn't last super long there, but did come back to the house to play some more.  The kids were wiped out by the end of the day.  Now every time we pass Chuck E. Cheese the kids tell us all about going there with Lucas and Landon.  They loved it!

We also went up to Monkey Joe's (indoor bouncy house) with Helen and Mi Kayla.  The kids are really at a fun age to do this activity.  They can play on their own and Maddie isn't afraid of the big slides anymore and so she can "hang" with Nate the whole time.  Lots of fun and good to visit.

I  brought my camera to Monkey Joe's but didn't take one single picture (if you can imagine that!), but here is one from Chuck E Cheese's.

Bunk Beds

We bought bunk beds this summer, not really intending to use them until next summer.  Maddie just moved into a big girl bed not that long ago, and we didn't think she was ready to share a room yet.  So the bottom bunk stayed in her room and Nate got the loft bed in his.  However, we caved and gave in to the constant requests to share a room.  We didn't think she was ready and we were right, however the move was made and the bed wasn't going back.

While the transition has been less than smooth, with most nights moving Nate out of the room until they both fall asleep and then putting him back in bed, there's is something so sweet to checking on the kids and seeing them in the same room sleeping.  And last night was the first night that they both fell asleep in their beds.  Granted it took them awhile to settle down, but eventually they did, all on their own.  Victory! At least for one night.