Cheer Clinic

Last Thursday at the Nixa Invitational basketball game the girls got to show off their skills learned at the cheer clinic the prior weekend during halftime of the game. And their Papa & LaLa and their two cousins came along to watch.




Stacking the megaphones they received at the game.










Jaidyn and Addy both had "Tropical" spirit days at school this week. They wore Hawaiian beach theme shirts, sunglasses and lei's. And we even had beautiful 60+ degree weather to go with them. However now it is back in the upper 30's and we are expecting a wintry ice mix with snow for the next couple of days. And Tuesday looks to be the worst day so more than likely Baby Boy C is going to make his grand debut in some unpleasant travel weather for visitors. Hopefully our commute early Tuesday morning won't be affected.

~ Caring Kid & 100th Day ~

Jaidyn celebrated her 100th day of Kindergarten on Monday at school. Some of the days activities consisted of making a fruit loop necklace with 100 fruit loops that they could snack on all day (she made it home with 4 left), an "I'm 100 Days Smarter" crown, eating treats that everyone brought in (Jaidyn brought 100 mini marshmallows), and wearing her 100th Day t-shirt that she made.


I'm not at all crafty, but on Sunday afternoon we managed to find some craft stuff around the house and attached it all with a glue gun. I am not sure what the other kids in class came up with, but Jaidyn was happy with her creation so that's all that matters.



While Levi napped, our afternoon turned in to a mini crafting session of hot gluing, stickers, and painting.






Heading out the door on her 100th Day of Kindergarten!!



And this morning, Jaidyn was recognized for the Caring Kid Award of Integrity for the month of January. Her teacher picked her to receive this. We are so proud of her. Wes, Addy, & Levi got to go to her assembly today, while I attended my doctor's appointment. Here she is showing of her Nixa Elementary Caring Kid necklace.


And after watching Peter Pan today, Addy (Peter Pan) & Levi (Captain Hook) had a battle of their own...



And today's last doctor appointment before the big day next Tuesday went well. We are still right on track to induce on Tuesday morning. I filled out my admittance paperwork this afternoon so that I won't have to worry about that Tuesday morning. I also found out I have to attend a one hour epidural interview class. Seriously?? This will be the third time choosing this type of anestesia, I really don't think at this point that it is necessary to sit through this. Blah!

False Alarm

Yesterday I started getting fairly routine contractions and they lasted all afternoon and in to the early evening hours so I assumed that maybe they weren't just Braxton Hicks and actually the real thing. I made it uncomfortably through church last night and I finally started getting some of those last minute things done...laundry folded and put away, dishwasher loaded, all trash taken out of bathroom, desk organized...just in case. We put the grandparents on standby so that they wouldn't be alarmed to be receiving a phone call from us in the middle of the night. I took a hot shower and laid down in bed for awhile as sometimes this is supposed to help subside the contractions...and it worked. So apparently they weren't the real thing, but they really felt like the start of the real ones, much like the ones that I experienced with Jaidyn. Maybe I am just overly anxious...:) So as of today, 9 more days until the 1st of February.


I had to beg Wes to paint my toenails so I wouldn't have ugly toes in the hospital...Big Mistake! His toenail painting skills are horrific and after two I had him get the polish remover. I ended up doing it myself and being that I can barely reach my toes they don't look good, but anything looks better than the painting they first were receiving.

ETA: Jaidyn just woke up and was extremely disappointed to see Wes and I still home. She was hoping to see one of her grandparents and getting to take a trip to the hospital this morning.

Snow Day!!

This was the girls first official snow day of the school year. I received an automated call around 5:30 announcing the cancellation of school so we were all able to sleep in a little and enjoy the morning at a relaxed pace. Thankfully, Wes has an evening shift tonight for work so he was able to take the kids outside for some morning snow play time. I never made it out of the garage and only went that far to get some pictures and take some video. I did have hot chocolate waiting for when they decided they had had enough of the cold and wanted to come back in. I'm just not a fan of the cold and with my watermelon sized belly there always seems to be a draft coming in under my shirt and coat.


Jaidyn and Levi hung out in front of the kitchen window for a while to watch the snow fall.


Addy found a cozy spot on the couch to watch some Disney Channel.


All bundled up!!




Snowballs in hand!!


Climbing back up the hill.


Jaidyn eating snow!


Brrr! Everyone has rosy cheeks!


Jaidyn showed Daddy and Levi how to make coffee filter snowflakes like she did at school last week. We now have the fridge decorated in festive snowflakes!

On Tuesday, we had girls night out. Jaidyn had received tickets to the Strega Nona musical as a reward from the summer reading program. So Nana, Jaidyn, Addy and I enjoyed an evening eating out at the Red Robin and watching the show. The girls loved it!! Since they enjoyed it so much, we have purchased tickets to the upcoming Beauty & The Beast Broadway musical coming up before Valentine's Day for the entire family (I am hoping our soon-to-be newest addition will cooperate for the evening). Nana & Papa are going to join us too...I wonder if Nana has told Papa about his Valentine's Day surprise? I am sure he wouldn't want anything more than attending a musical. :)


Jaidyn's teacher helped her check out the Strega Nona book from the school library and Nana read it to them before we left.



Feasting at the Red Robin

Just a few more pics from the week...

I am trying to bribe Levi with Disney Cars to get him to sit on the potty. He'll sit but is still unsuccessful with getting any in the potty.


The kids were able to attend a Richland friend's birthday party at Jump Mania. It is always so much fun getting see everyone. They played so hard which can be noted by their sweaty hot cheeks.


Jaidyn lost her other front tooth...just hearing her talk sometimes is kind of funny. And Addy is about fed up with Jaidyn racking up all the dough from the tooth fairy and has started trying to wiggle her front teeth.


Ever wonder what "Tourist Dorothy" would look like? Addy had black socks on with her outfit for preschool and later that evening when she changed in to dress-up clothes she came upstairs to show us how cute she looked (Or at least she thought she was cute). Wes and I laughing at her didn't go over so well.


Wes took the kids to Bass Pro one afternoon so I could get out and about and run errands kid free. He bought them all a hat. Levi wouldn't cooperate for a picture, but he sure looks cute in his.

~ Staying Indoors ~

Due to the cold temps, especially with the bitter wind earlier in the week and the tiny bit of snow we received, I took advantage of every opportunity to stay inside. Unless it was getting out to take or pick up the girls from school or to get groceries, most of the week was spent at home. Wes worked some odd hours this week, so he was able to help me with some of the school trips, which was nice.

This past Tuesday I had my weekly doctor's appointment. I haven't progressed any (other than I gained 3 pounds in one week, Ugh!) and Baby Boy C is still hanging out way high, so February 1st still looks to be the date. Him hanging out so high would explain the horrible burning sensation that I am feeling on my tummy just underneath my chest. It just feels like someone is constantly pulling and stretching the skin right there and it is painful at times. Only 16 more days...I can handle it, but then I am sure there will be other pains to take it's place.

Today I braved the mall with both Levi and Addy to use some of my Christmas money to buy a new purse and wallet. I was in dire need...my current one had cracked straps and strings hanging off it. It has found a lovely new home straight in the trash can. And even know it wasn't the most enjoyable shopping trip, I managed to find a purse I love at the expense of using the bribery of taking several trips up and down the escalators to get them to cooperate and follow me around to several stores while I made my decision. Levi kept saying, "Whoa, that was fun!" and then point to the other side so we could do it again.

Addy has also qualified for speech therapy services at her new preschool. She starts next week and will be doing two sessions weekly while she is at preschool. I am so glad as I really think this will boost her confidence. She will be doing it with another girl from her class and I am sure she will think she is getting special treatment getting to go do something different than most of her class.


Painting kept them busy for at least an hour while I continued to tally receipts, etc. to file our taxes this year. I'm trying to get it all finished before February 1 so that all I have to do is add W2's and other tax info that comes in the mail between now and then. Now that Levi's adoption is finalized we can apply for the Adoption Tax Credit! Woohoo!! And on a political note...I knew I liked President Obama for a reason...as it was his staff and his new health care reform bill that kept the adoption tax credit around for adoptive parents (not only kept it, but increased it and made it a refundable tax credit). This makes adoption a viable option for many families who may otherwise be unable to afford to adopt and help place children in homes from both foster care and places around the world. So while the health care bill isn't perfect, it is a start in the right direction.



Addy thinks that she is a real-life musketeer. You should see her spin moves before whacking Levi with the sword...


And then magically she transforms from a fierce musketeer to a sweet princess.


I love trying to fix dinner alongside Levi drumming on the bowls I have set out.


Why can't Levi and Addy find an activity like Jaidyn? So quietly playing on her Nintendo DS.

~ Welcome 2011 ~

I'm thinking that the girls just looked darling headed out to school this morning. If only I had a pair of animal print pants for Levi!! Ha! Addy has been wanting to wear her hair in pigtails a lot lately. She looks quite spunky sporting the pigtails.



Yesterday Addy didn't have preschool so she and Levi spent the morning playing dress-up. Levi has some boyish dress-up clothes but always seems to go for the Snow White dress or the Wizard of Oz Dorothy. He does make a pretty Asian Dorothy...scary!!


And I am down to the last month before Baby Boy C makes his arrival and have started the weekly baby doctor appointments. I gave my doctor the "I am a planner and always have a plan with everything written in my calendar" sob story and he just laughed and said, "oh, you are one of those and I would hate for you to be stressed out on delivery day" so we set February 1st for Baby Boy C to make his debut unless of course he would come on his own before then. It's only a few days early from my due date, but I'll take it. And I like seeing that date in red lettering in my planner. :)

2010 Christmas

While Christmas almost seemed rushed because of our move, the days that we spent celebrating with our families was nice and relaxing. The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy activities as planned.

Grandma Penny came early to do Christmas at our house with the kids. Spreading our Christmases out really lets the kids enjoy their gifts and time with each of the families.

She made each of the kids an apron and pot holder set...perfect for her visits as she is the cookie making queen!





MIZ-ZOU!!! Go Missouri Tigers!






The kids were so funny crawling in the cabinet. I am sure I will always enjoy this picture as they seem to grow so fast and it won't be long before these days that they can squeeze into these places will be over.


Our new house...the sun was in our eyes so I am not sure if any of our eyes were actually open.


Papa and Nana spent the night at our house as the building of the dog house was much more of a task than he had planned for. The kids took advantage of all the cuddle time the next morning.


Cowboy Levi on his stick horse...Giddy-up!!


The girls and I enjoyed putting all of the Lego City Advent Calendar pieces together. Two hours later...we took the kids out in their pajamas to look at Christmas lights. Addy and Levi fell asleep about 15 minutes in to the drive. We stopped at a gas station to get a fountain drink because Jaidyn was thirsty and she and Wes went in to get it. Meanwhile, I locked the van doors because Wes left it running with Levi, Addy and I in it. Friends pulled up beside me so I got out and shut the door, thus locking Levi and Addy in the van. To make a long story short...despite the knocking on the windows, rocking the van, or honking the horn of the friends truck we were unsuccessful in waking up Addy to reach up and unlock the van door. Freezing outside for about 30 minutes we had to wait until the tow truck arrived for his 15 seconds of magic to unlock the doors.

Christmas at Papa and Nana's







Approximately 5 more weeks before Baby Boy Collins arrival!


Wes told Jaidyn that if she pulled her front top tooth he would give her $5. That's all it took as she pulled it within about 2 minutes (maybe next time he should check his cash flow before making any promises as he neither he or I had $5 and he had to take a loan out from Nana). And Grandpa Plassmeyer also pulled out $5 from his pocket (I should have been sending my teeth to his tooth fairy and my dad said the most he ever got was a dime). Jaidyn really made out well with this tooth since it was Christmas Eve and both Santa and the Tooth Fairy were visiting our house.



Christmas morning at our house.

Looking for tags with their names on them so they can continue to stack on their pile.


Jaidyn and her new DS from Santa...Santa was a little late (very late) in getting this gift and had to order it Dec. 23rd with overnight shipping. The one game cartridge ordered was missing from our porch when we returned home Christmas Eve night...Ray had drug it off the porch and chewed the box leaving the game out in the freezing rain and snow all night. Thankfully, the game was still in the plastic wrap and wasn't ruined.


All of the twisties and taping of every single child gift is so annoying. It takes forever to remove something from the box.

Christmas at Papa JR's and Lala's House.





The Thomas The Train wooden track set was a huge hit with the boys. We only opened and set up one and considering they are both only two years old, they were really good about sharing it.

I need to get out and run some errands as the temperature is supposed to drop from about 60's to below 30 degrees in the next few hours. Wes is working a late shift tonight so the kids and I will be ringing in 2011 together, which probably means a couple of redbox movies and in bed and asleep by 10:00. Sounds exciting, huh! Happy New Year!