Flag football

Hut, hut, hike! A couple action shots from Cohen playing flag football in October. He loved it!

Apple Orchard

My blogging has certainly not been consistent as of late. Since I’m hoping to use this blog as a scrapbook of sorts I’m trying my hardest to get back into it. One thing I realized is that my blogging has changed. I get around to posting about bigger events eventually but there are many moments that I’d like to remember or pictures I’d like to share that don’t have a big story with them. I wondered why I quit sharing those and then it hit me. I use my phone for pictures a lot more than I do our big camera. There are so many moments/events/pictures that just sit in a folder on my computer. I’m going to attempt to go back and post those. I love looking back on blog posts and I know my kids will treasure it when they get older. So enjoy some old stuff while I try to keep up on the current stuff too.
Look at the memory I found from way back in October. We went as a family with some of our framily to the apple orchard. The last time we went was way back in 2011. Cohen was only a couple months old and it was a chilly day so we didn’t stay long. I think it made us less excited for a return trip. This trip was the exact opposite. It was a gorgeous fall day. We spent a good amount of time there and did pretty much everything the orchard had to offer. There was a playground, pony rides, a corn maze, apple launching, and animals to see/pet. They also had an old fire engine to climb around. The kids also took their own tractor ride around the orchard.

Can’t forget all the apple fun though. We took the time to wait in line to be able to taste all the apples. Ate apple cider donuts and drank apple cider. And of course the part I was most excited for…apple picking. After tasting all the apples we knew which ones we were going to pick. The kids did a great job and we all enjoyed a little freebie apple while we were picking. (The mom in me first felt bad since what message is that sending my kids. But when you see everyone else eating one I figured it’s probably included in the price per pound…if not just let me think that)

It was a fun day indeed. You can always tell a ton of fun was had when one of the kids falls asleep on your lap at lunch.

Metal Mouth

There’s no denying this girl is growing up. Don’t let the pajama’s fool you (it was spirit week). If a mouth full of metal doesn’t prove it I don’t know what does.

She actually doesn’t have a full mouth of metal just yet. The dentist had informed us pretty early on that she would most likely need two rounds of braces since she had a cross bite. So she suggested we go to the orthodontist earlier rather than later to get their opinion. Sevea had her first appointment back in December where they said she did indeed need braces to fix her cross bite. They like to start treatment on this type of issue earlier since treatment can be more successful. Leaving a cross bite can also create issues like TMJ, uneven jaw growth, and even simple issues with just talking and chewing. So even though she has a lot of permanent adult teeth to come in yet, they went ahead and placed braces on the top four teeth and the back molars. Treatment will take a year and it is very likely she’ll need another round of braces later on when she has all her adult teeth.

I went and got her from school before lunch so she could have a good filling meal before her appointment. I think it helped her nerves some but she still wasn’t looking forward to it. We were honest with her about what to expect so I think she actually went in expecting worse. But she totally rocked her appointment. She left excited and begged to go back to school to be able to show her friends (instead she has to wait a whole week since they started spring break). She’s done great with them so far which is very surprising because she can be our “sensitive” one when it comes to getting hurt or being in pain. I can barely brush her hair for goodness sake.

I’m hoping the pain stays minimal and we don’t actually have to resort to having ice cream nightly ;)

This is the year

Sevea is 8 years old. Actually 8 1/2 to be more exact. She still has training wheels on her bike. I know many kids at half her age that got rid of training wheels. I was almost certain she’d go to college with training wheels. But she has decided with our encouragement that this is the year to give them up. She wants to go faster. She is more confident on her bike. Now we just have to stick with it and I’m sure she’ll be zooming around without them in no time. We took advantage of an exceptionally warm February day to give it a go. She did ok. Certainly not able to actually go on her own yet but she didn’t give up right away. Next time I think we’ll head to an empty parking lot for a little more space to practice. Plus a new bike might be in her future as well. This is her year.

Double Daughter Daddy Dance

A month ago Troy had the pleasure of escorting these two beautiful girls to Lifetime for a night of dancing and other fun. Sevea loved it so much last year that she couldn’t wait to go again this year. Brynna, well, she loves any excuse to wear a dress. (Can you believe the weather this day in February was so warm that she wasn’t even cold taking pictures with just this tank top dress on?) It was a fun night for all three.

Since Troy took Brynna this year I was very excited for a mommy/son date. Cohen chose to go to the Lego Batman movie and end the night with McDonalds. Sounded like a perfect plan to me. We both enjoyed the movie and it was crazy to me how different it felt just the two of us. Definitely something we need to remember and spend more one on one time with each of them.

Best thing I loved about this night…the photo shoot. I’ll never get tired of seeing the pure excitement and happiness on their faces. Well and I actually get a picture with my kid. I’ll have to insist on getting one with all three next year. Unless you count this one…which I guess shows the true side of being a mom.

Giddy up

Dad needed another workout that day anyway.