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About Me
My name is Tami and I live in central Illinois with my husband, Larry and three children, Caleb (5), Camden (3) and Emma Grace (10 months). I hope you'll enjoy reading about my life as a wife/mother and about our family's adventures.
Fun on the 4th
Our family had a great 4th of July.
(This was the best picture I got of all three kids. Emma always tries to crawl to the camera, so I had the boys hold her back)
Our morning was spent just hanging around the house. In the afternoon we went to a cookout at my cousin’s house. Caleb and Camden spent most of our time their on the trampoline. Camden liked it the most when no one else was on it, but they both had fun. There was also the annual food fight with jello (which we did not participate in) and a dunk tank.
When we got home, we made homemade ice cream and did some fireworks (the grocery store kind). The boys have fun doing the pop-its. Caleb and daddy spent quite a bit of time outside with this activity. After the ice cream and fireworks, we down to the park to grab a good spot to watch our town fireworks. We always go a little early, so that the kids can run around.
Once the fireworks started, Camden was planted in my lap crying that he wanted to go home. Caleb and Emma enjoyed them more than Camden. Emma clapped whenever the sky was lit up and Caleb had the biggest smile on his face the entire time watching them.
All in all a good day.
Tags: 4th of July, fireworks, cookout
Alpaca’s and Gardening
This week Caleb and Camden had their first field trip for the summer session of preschool. They went to the Alpaca Farm outside of town. This was one of the best field trips we have gone on. It is right up there with the Ropp Dairy Farm.
The alpaca’s really liked the children and we were even able to pet one named Josephina.
The week before our field trip, one of the alpaca’s had a baby. She was 17 pounds when she was born and is gaining about 1 pound a day. She was so cute.
On Tuesday, we went out to my dad’s so that the boys could help plant the garden. This is something they help with every year. They even have their own gardening tools that we bring along. They planted tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers. They each have a special tomato plant that they are in charge of. When we go out to visit, they will get to water it and help pick the tomatoes when they are ripe. They are so excited about helping again this year.
Tags: field trip, Alpaca farm, gardening, preschool
Happy Father’s Day
We had a great Father’s Day weekend.
On Friday, Caleb and Camden came home from preschool with their Father’s Day gifts for daddy. They had made cards with a “My Dad is #1″ pin on them. They were so cute and so proud to give their gifts to their daddy.
On Saturday, we had a family reunion for my husband’s side of the family. It was a great time to see family that we don’t see often enough. The kids played in the pool and sprinkler all day and came home with a little sunburn. Camden was so busy playing in the water, that he even skipped lunch.
On Sunday, we gave daddy his Father’s Day gift and cards. We got him an iPod Touch this year, that he is quite proud of already. He has been wanting one for quite awhile and we decided to splurge on him this year.
Camden, Daddy and Caleb
Daddy with baby Emma
Tags: Father’s Day, iPod Touch, family reunion
Weekend at the Park
We had a wonderful family weekend.
On Friday night, we had family movie night and watched Shrek the Third. It was a really funny movie and we all enjoyed it. We also had our traditional popcorn and hot chocolate (made in my new Bodum chocolate pot).
On Saturday morning, I went downtown to the farmer’s market with a friend. We had a great time just looking around and buying a few things. I bought this great sweet basil vinaigrette and some local honey. I am going to use the vinaigrette to marinate chicken this week for dinner.
After I got home, my husband and I took the kids to Anderson Park to play for awhile. This is one of our favorite parks and we try to go often.
Camden climbing up a ladder
Caleb drumming
Emma on the swing for the first time
The kids had a great time playing and running around on all of the playground equipment. When we were getting ready to leave daddy and Camden decided to race to the car.
And the winner was…
Camden
That evening we went to dinner at Chili’s with my in-laws. And for dessert we dug into a molten chocolate cake. YUM!
Tags: family, children, Anderson Park, Shrek the Third, Bodum Chocolate Pot
End of School Program and Field Trip
This past Monday was Caleb’s end of year program for preschool. Even though he is 5, he will be going back to preschool for one more year, instead of entering kindergarten, in the 5 pre-k class. He is pretty excited, especially since a friend from this past year will be in class with him. We will have two kids in preschool this next year, Camden will be in the 3’s class in the fall.
The end of year program/graduation is such a big production at our school. Caleb is such a ham on stage and had a great time singing the songs with his friends.
Caleb singing with his friends
Also this week was the final field trip. It is always out of town and most of the parents go along. We went to Monticello Railway Museum this year. We got to tour the museum, which was a train that you walked through and the volunteers explained what the different cars were used for. The boys especially liked the postal car. There is an arm that would swing out of the car and pick up mail from towns that the train did not stop at.
Caleb and Ben on the train
Then we got to take a train ride into town, have lunch at the park and a train ride back to the museum. The kids and parents had a great time on our last field trip of the school year.
Caleb riding the train
Caleb at the park
Caleb had such a great experience this year and learned so much. I can hardly wait to see how much he progresses this next year in anticipation of starting kindergarten.
Tags: Monticello Railway Museum, preschool, field trip
Happy Birthday Caleb!
I can hardly believe that you are 5 today. You were born on a Saturday and so I have been reliving the day you were born in detail. What sweet memories.
Some of your favorite things are superheroes, Star Wars, playing with cars, reading books, quesadillas, popcorn and hot chocolate, family movie night, your little brother Camden and your baby sister Emma.
You are such a snuggle bug. Since you were a few weeks old you have sucked on your two middle fingers while playing with my hair. The two always go together. It is your comfort. You are starting to do this less and it makes me sad. It is our special time together.
You are just finishing up your second year of preschool and love it. You have a great time learning and playing with all of your friends.
Today on your birthday we are having a small family birthday party and then going to Famous Dave’s for dinner.
Happy 5th Birthday, Caleb!
Caleb as a newborn
Caleb eating at Cold Stone Creamery
Tags: Happy 5th Birthday
Feeding the Horses
Our family went to my parent’s on Saturday afternoon for the first family cookout of the year. We had a great time with the whole family and the boys enjoyed playing with their cousins. One of the favorite activities when we head to my parent’s house is feeding the horses. There is a stable and a huge pasture behind the house. My niece coaxed the horses to the fence with carrots and the kids enjoyed feeding them.
Camden calling the horses
Caleb feeding the horses
Tags: horses. cookout, family, family cookout
Happy Birthday Camden!
It just seems like yesterday that you were born. And, now you are my big 3 year old who can hardly wait to start preschool like his big brother.
Some of your favorite things are trains (especially Thomas and Percy), coloring, drawing, puzzles, peanut butter and jelly, reading books, your big brother Caleb and your baby sister Emma, being mommy’s big helper and McDonald’s.
You are such a happy child, always with a huge smile on your face. You are also very free with your affection, never letting anyone leave the house without a kiss AND a hug.
Today on your birthday, we are having pancakes (at your request), opening your birthday gifts and then we will surprise you with a visit to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream after.
Happy 3rd Birthday, my Camden!
Camden as a newborn
Camden, daddy and Caleb
Tags: Happy 3rd Birthday
Family Fun Weekend
We were supposed to go out of town this weekend, but a serious of miscommunications made us stay in town instead. So, my husband and I decided to have some fun family time with the kids this weekend. On Friday night, we had homemade pizza, watched 101 Dalmations, ate homemade popcorn and hot chocolate.
On Saturday, we took the kids to the Children’s Discovery Museum and then went to dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse.
On Sunday, we went to church and just hung around the house the rest of the day. The big hit of the day was a picnic for dinner. When my husband asked Caleb what his favorite part of the day was, he said “The picnic”. Something so simple, makes them so happy and makes such great memories.
Tags: family time, Children’s Discovery Museum, children, family movie night, 101 Dalmations
Easter Celebrations
Our family had a great Easter weekend. We tried to emphasize for the kids that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ, mixed in with a few family favorite Easter activities.
On Friday, we had a few friends over to color eggs. This is the first time we have done this in a couple of years and the kids had a great time.
We hid the Easter baskets for the boys and then they went to find them. They were very excited about the little toys to play with. They also got one egg filled with M&M’s.
At church, there was a children’s choir this year and so Caleb sang on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
I had planned on doing the Resurrection Eggs this year with the kids, but time got away from us. It will be something that we incorporate next year, along with a couple of other ideas I found that I thing my children will enjoy.
Tags: Easter, Easter baskets, coloring eggs
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Miscellaneous
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