Our Weekend

Friday we had some friends over for the day!  Their mom had baby number 5.  We were on back up duty for when she actually went into labor and Grandma was home when it happened so we didn't get the kids.  Well.  The kids thought they should get a day over so we made it happen.

Crafting with 6 kids.

Lunch with 7.

 We had a ton of fun and kept busy.  I even managed to get some things done and no one killed each other.  Winning.

Saturday morning was the first day of u-pick for Red Havens.  Auntie wanted to can peaches this year.  We all carted off to the peach orchard.  It had poured the night before and morning of.  Adelyn was the only one who thought to suggest rain boots.  She was right.  We were all glad we had them.  

Ohhhh they tasted so good.

The kids, Auntie and all our loot.

My littlest monkey.

Adelyn::7.5 years old

Since I am a blogger slacker and didn't do posts for Adelyn, Brecken and Joelle on their birthday's...I am doing them on their half birthday's.

Oh this girl.  I can't believe she is going to be in 2nd grade.  I was remarking on this to Eric and he said he keeps trying to sign her in, in Kindergarten, at church.  HA.  She is such a sweet girl. 90% of the time.  The other 10%?  Watch out.  She has too much of her momma in her.  Kinda scares me.  And kinda makes me feel bad for my parents.

- 54lbs, 60th percentile for weight

-50.5in, 95th percentile for weight.  Still our tall, tall girl. (these are both from her 7 year visit)

-she wears a medium or size 8.

-size 2 shoe

-her hair is almost down to her butt

-loves anything artsy.  She is constantly drawing pictures.

-adores Lego's.  She has to read for 20 minutes a day for school.  I give her 2 "optional 20 minute reading" assignments in her book and when she x's off 10 of those, I give her $5.  Yes, I am bribing my child.  My mother would (literally) be proud.  She's saving for Lego's.

-she is so particular.  SO PARTICULAR.  Everything has to be just so.

-she adores collecting rocks.  She always has a pile for me to "put on my windowsill in the kitchen."

-she is constantly hungry.  CONSTANTLY.

-she says the funniest things.  She always has and, apparently, always will.

-she still hates new things.  She doesn't like change.

-she can be super sensitive.  She cries when Lincoln gets shots.

-she loves cooking and baking.  It is actually becoming fun with her in the kitchen and not such a chore.

-she does NOT like "wiggly clothes"
-she is such a lover.  She's always helping the kids out.
-she is such a helper to me.  It's amazing.
-she has grown so much in her reading.  I am proud.
-she is so kind to her friends
-she loves food
-she is super opinionated
-she loves TV

Interview::

What's your name:: Adelyn

How old are you:: 7...and a half

What's your favorite color:: purple and pink

What is your favorite animal:: zebras and butterflies

What do you want to do when you grow up:: be a momma and bake cupcakes at home and be a librarian

What is your favorite movie:: Home

What is your favorite book:: Magic Tree House

What makes you happy:: Going to the zoo

What makes you sad:: When you yell at me  ...Apparently this is a recurring theme.

What is your favorite food:: Spaghetti and Meatballs and Pizza

What food is gross:: Potato Soup

What is your favorite song:: Jesus Loves Me

What games do you like to play:: Beat the Parents

What's your favorite subject in school:: Explode the Code and Spelling

And Then My Baby Turned 2

I can not believe my last baby turned 2.  Actually I can.  Because these things keep happening.

Four things to note.

1.  I taught him to say "Me Baby!"  when someone asks how old he is.  He's very proud.  And so am I.

2.  My wise grandmother told me I need to let him grow up.  Wise advice from a dear lady who turned 89 this year.
3.  He's no longer a baby.  2 is officially toddler age.  But he will ALWAYS be my baby.

4.  He never actually turned two until 11:40 PM something.

The end.

In true Fitzgerald fashion, Brecken got sick on Saturday.  Lincoln's birthday and birthday party was Sunday.  He just had a fever of 103.  He rarely gets sick and when he does, he just, usually, needs to let his fever burn off.  So we prayed and hoped all day Saturday it would be gone Sunday.  And no one else got it.

Sunday morning dawned and he was fever free.  We decided to skip church (because of said previous fever) and head out for breakfast.  Daddy wanted to go to Wolfgang's.  So we did.

Sweet baby boy enjoying eggs, toast and sausage patties.

 My sister asked if the camera was working.  I told her to take a picture and see.  Always a good one.

Reading cards with his Momma

Cute summer clothes and cars from Uncle Steve and Auntie Carol

Bouncy ride on toy from Uncle Scott, Lynn and boys

Lock puzzles and gear puzzles from Auntie and Sean.  Everyone laughed hysterically about the locks puzzle.  Listen.  He can already do most locks.  And if he can't do it, he sits there and tries to figure it out until he can.  AND he hates inside toys.  We went to the library the other day and he actually sat and played with these.  So I texted Rach and said "THESE!!!"  She bought them.

Oma and Brecken.  Such a sweet picture.  And, for pete's sake, Brecken looks OLD.

Opening his money from Great Grandpa and Grandma

Balance bike from Papa and Nana!!

Opening his truck from Papa and Grandma.  He loooooooves his Cozy Coupe.  A friend has this truck and it sits slightly taller and is bigger than the Cozy Coupe.  Perfect for his birthday.

This is the bouncy ride on toy.  I saw it at the flea market in Shipse and inquired about it's durability.  It's made out of recycled tires so, apparently, very durable.  I was encouraged to hop on and try it out.  So I did.  It didn't break.  Good enough for us.  ;)

His new truck also has a trunk.  The kids were wheeling him around in it.

THE cake.  I've wanted to make this cake for a while.  The only person who loves rainbows and might pick it, is Adelyn.  And she hates frosting.  I tried to get her to let me make it for her past birthday.  I even told her I would decorate the outside in a rainbow of Skittles.  No go.  She chose an ice cream bar.  So I made it for someone who can't quite choose their own birthday cake yet.  {Insert laughing while crying emoticon}

I love this picture.

He loved the attention.

Ohhhhhhh.  Eric loved alll the "Ohhhh's and Ahhhhh's" from people :)

Y'all.  I had to make this cake {somewhat} GF AND DF.  There is really no good GF box mix.  So I made it using Einkorn.  I started Friday, just in case things went South.  It was the best cake I've ever had.  Soooo good.  And everything is DF.  Woot.

No, he didn't eat it all.  He ate the ice cream and some of the cake.  Then he wanted to go "Side."  Outside.

She was a beauty.

I was making lunch {on the 18th} and heard the words "Happy Birthday!!" coming from the table.  I turned around and said "Who said that?!"  It was Lincoln.  Seriously.  He was singing Happy Birthday plain as day.  That kid blows my socks off.

Brecken and Joelle::5.5 years old

Brecken

-at 5 you weighed 40lbs 9ozs

-at 5 you were 43in tall

-you were 5T clothes/XS

-size 11 shoe

-still nap {nearly} every single day, with no signs of giving it up

-sleep 8-7:30

-you are our pickiest eater.  You remind me {in so many ways} of your Uncle Josh it drives me batty.  Marianne made a broccoli slaw while we were in NC.  I, per usual, said you had to try it.  Marianne said Josh had to try it.  You both had the same look on your face while your fork was in front of your mouth and you both, LITERALLY, made the exact same face when you tasted it and were disgusted.  We all laughed.  You CAN pack it in.  There are plenty of times when I am amazed at what you eat.  Then there are other times you will be served supper and declare you are not eating.  And you will be completely fine until morning.

-you are the most sensitive to smells.  Maybe that has something to do with being a picky eater?

-you are also the most sensitive to noises.  You will quickly plug your ears if something bothers you.  Like your sisters screaming.  

-you are also the kindest and most sensitive to other's feelings.  We are constantly asking ourselves what we did wrong with the girls.  You are the sweetest.  

-you win "Most Sensitive"  :)  It's not a bad thing.

-you are also the most whiny.  Oh.my.word.  I think we have tried every single punishment under the sun.  Positive AND Negative.  We finally have just gone with "Whiners go to their rooms."  That is really the only thing I've seen improvement with.

-you adore Legos.  You take them apart and put them together and take them apart and put them together.  And get this?!  You play with them.  {Adelyn doesn't really do this-she looks at them}

-you are a wild thing.  You love doing flips on the trampoline.  The girls are repeatedly amazed at you.  There are several times I look out the window and find you scaling the swing set.  I fear for your life.

-you love doing tricks on your bike and scooter

-you adore fishing and taught yourself to cast.  You are quite impressive.

-you can't wait to "move to the country and ride a dirtbike."  Someday, my child, someday.

-you are great at math and good at writing.  Reading and sounding things out?  You may be "our late learner" with those things.  As much as I want to pull my hair out, I will probably be really thankful we homeschool simply for this.

-you can't wait for Lincoln to be big so you can wrestle him and play hard with him.  He is currently sporting quite the shiner for wrestling with both you and Joelle.  Both of you are laying claim to his black eye.

Interview::

What's your name:: Brecken

How old are you:: 5

What's your favorite color:: green and blue

What is your favorite animal:: lions

What do you want to do when you grow up:: a cowboy and a fireman

What is your favorite movie:: Planes

What is your favorite book:: Spiderman

What makes you happy:: Bringing us special places and going fishing with Papa

What makes you sad:: If we don't go somewhere

What is your favorite food:: Cheesy Potatoes and Corn and Mac and Cheese

What food is gross:: Roasted Broccoli

What is your favorite song:: Funny songs

What games do you like to play:: Monopoly

What's your favorite subject in school:: Math and letter games (Get Ready for the Code)

Joelle
-at 5 weighed 45lbs 9ozs
-at 5 you were 46in tall
-wear a size 6 or a small
-size 13 shoe
-still nap {nearly} every single day
-sleep 8 to 7:30-9 every day.  You are the only one who likes to sleep in.
-you are the best garbage disposal.  You complain the least about food.
-we also {lovingly} refer to you as a squirrel.  There are crumbs everywhere and all over your face.
-you love, love, love animals.  LOVE.  All you want is a big stuffed sheep for your birthday.  That's it.  Last year, it was a bear.  I am completely convinced you will do something with animals someday.  And so are you ;)
-you are so smart.  It blows me away.  I was holding you back for reading.  In attempts at teaching both you and Brecken at the same time.  I need to just let y'all do things at your own pace.  Potty training was the same thing.  He was ready, you weren't.  Reading?  You are SO ready.  He is not.  We've been in school for 4 weeks now and you are just blowing through the books.
-now your writing?  It is actually really good.  But it's a process.  I was teaching little a's the other day and we had to keep practicing because they kept looking like balloons.
-you are the easiest child.  Eric and I say that and then just look at each other in amazement.  We never thought that we would see the day.  With that being said, when you want to be heard, you are HEARD.  Also, when you want something, holy dog with a bone.
-we moved Adelyn back downstairs.  As much as everyone loves it, it just doesn't work.  She wakes up to early and has no where to go.  So we promised her sleepovers and said back downstairs with you.  Once a week, she sleeps with you guys.  After that, you started having a hard time sleeping in your room.  I'm not sure why and I don't even think the two are related.  We decided to push your bed and Brecken's together and you were both so excited.  You promptly said "Now you won't have to check on me every night!"  Wahoo.  It did fix all our nighttime problems.
-you love giving and getting hugs and kisses
-you ADORE holding babies.  You think they are the best.
-you have the most stuffed animals of anyone I know.  You collect them.  And if I even mention donating some, bring on the tears.
-you are always moving and dancing and skipping somewhere
-you have the strangest love affair with public bathrooms.  Everywhere we go, you want to check them out.  So gross.  We make sure you pee before we go and really try to NOT let you go.
-you are so tall.  I think you are going to be taller than Adelyn.

Interview::

What's your name:: Joelle

How old are you:: 5 and a half

What's your favorite color:: purple and pink and green

What is your favorite animal:: sheep

What do you want to do when you grow up:: a zookeeper

What is your favorite movie:: Frozen

What is your favorite book:: About sheep and owls

What makes you happy:: When Mommy takes us somewhere and she gives us ice cream

What makes you sad:: When Mommy yells at me  (Fail Whale)

What is your favorite food:: Pizza and Macaroni and cheese

What food is gross:: Cooked Pineapple

What is your favorite song:: Happy Songs

What games do you like to play:: Candyland

What's your favorite subject in school:: Math

Strawberry Picking

Monday morning, you know, the morning after we drove 17 hours, I decided to go strawberry picking.  Because it was peak berry season.  And I can not miss it.  ;)

We tried Beard's this year.  The berries were 50 cents cheaper a pound.  So I felt like it was worth it.  But then the ladies were really rude.  Apparently this is not uncommon.  But the berries are beautiful.  So.  I don't know where I will go next year.  Haha.

I had these two beauties helping me.  They do actually help!  People don't believe me, but it's true.  We picked 87 pounds.  Hopefully they last us until next June.  We have never made it before but last year I "only" picked 50 pounds.  We may have better luck this year.

 

Fresh strawberry pie.  So good.

North Carolina Days 9 and 10

Since the previous 8 days have been swimming in poop, there is no reason why day 9 wouldn't start out the same way.  At 5:30, I hear Lincoln wake up.  I smell an awful smell.  I go get him.  I realize he is ooooooozing in poop.  Just oozing.  It got everywhere.  It was also all over the pack n play.  All over like it's never been all over our stuff before.  We are predictable.

We wanted to see Uncle Josh and Auntie Marianne's planes.  Pretty little ladies.

They DO love each other. ;)

Rides in the Tug.

Never leave without snacks for Lincoln.  Never.

We stopped someone to get a picture of all of us.

Climbing.  Always climbing.

After the planes, we did a lot of packing, some more swimming and we left for home around 6.  Lincoln didn't take a nap so we were planning on him zonking right away.  Well.  He did.  Then he woke up 45 minutes later and the screaming started.  And continued.  And didn't stop.  Rach and I just looked at each like oooohhhhh my word.  I think we thought we were going to die.  Thankfully he stopped around 11 and didn't really cry the rest of the way.  Around 11, we stopped at a gas station to get gas, nurse the wailer and take kids to the bathroom.  Shortly before then we heard "Mommy....I thought I had to fart.  And I pooped."  In the car.  Can I tell you the last time someone had an accident in the car?  3 years ago when we potty-trained B and J.  And nobody has ever crapped their pants in the car.  So said child got their undies thrown away in the bathroom trash, a diaper strapped on and the other child that had serious bathroom issues also got a diaper "just in case."  Because Momma can't handle crap in the car.

Thankfully, my sister got amazing sleep all week.  I drop from 6:30-11 and Rach drove from 11-6 the next morning.  We stopped for snacks and bathroom breaks.  This is what I got::

Michigan!!!!  Never have two people been more thankful for state lines.

2,229 miles and we are home again!!! I wanted one last picture and Adelyn said "Oh great. You just had to use your China stick again."