Zoe's Pre-K Field Trip to the Fry's Grocery Store

In October Zoe's preschool class got to take a field trip to the local grocery store to learn how they work.

While sitting in the tooth paste isle the children learned the rules of good teeth brushing . They got to visit the produce department and test some of the apples customers can buy.
Next they visited the "COLD" foods. Zoe got the see the packing area for all the dairy products and experience how chilly it is in there.

They stopped in the cereal isle and learned about sugar in cereals and how to make good choices for breakfast. In the meat department they were able to taste some lunchmeat and cheeses. They eneded the tour getting to play cashier and checkout a few items.

I think all the children had a good time. To view additional pictures visit our Flickr website here.

Katie Crawls

Today it is official - Katie can crawl. She has been up on her hands and knees and rocking for a while now.  She has even moved backwards some, but today she figured out how to move forward. Zoe encouraged her a lot with her stuffed animals. She started not feeling well yesterday and didn't have a great night, so I was surprised to see her eager to play and move this afternoon. Zoe was so excited to see her crawling. She has been asking me just about since Katie was born if she could crawl yet. I absolutely love to watch my girls together and see how much they love each other.

Grandparents Day 2012

Grandparents Day was this past weekend. Yesterday at preschool they invited the grandparents to come for a celebration with the children. Sophia's was first thing in the morning and Mimi went with her, while Zoe's was at the end of the class time. Papa Crowley and Mimi went to hers. I heard they had a good time.

John and I were out of town this weekend while Zoe and Sophia were with Mimi. We came home last night and Zoe started singing for us. It was so cute we decided to record it this morning so that all the grandparents can enjoy them. They both seemed a little camera shy, but loved doing it. Enjoy!

Rainy Day Fun

Yesterday after preschool Zoe, Sophie and their friend, Jaimin, had so much fun playing in the rain. My friend Tasha took them down to the park in our neighborhood to let them run through the "puddles" and play in the rain while I finished packing for our weekend trip to Pinetop. Here are a few photos Tasha took for me. Let me just say, they were soaking wet with huge smiles when they came home.

Thanks Tasha!

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag...

Zoe has been saying the Pledge of Allegiance for a couple weeks now, but Sophie came home today from preschool saying it. She doesn't say all of it in the video - must be stage fright.

A New Addition

Sophia got a pet fish for her birthday from her Mimi.  Caleb and Marissa have a fish named Sparkle that Mimi was fish sitting while the Meisters were on their three week road trip this summer. They got to see Sparkle a lot during that three week period. Mimi thought they would enjoy a fish of their own and we agreed.

When asked what we should name our fish the girls both said Sparkle. We had to explain that this is not Sparkle and that Sparkle lives with Caleb and Marissa so we needed to pick a new name. After some discussion and suggestions the girls landed on Ollie.

So far Ollie is the best pet ever!!! The girls love to watch him and beg to feed him every morning. 

Ollie

All About Me

Zoe and Sophia's first homework assignments from preschool this year was to complete a poster that the teachers sent home. Zoe had to do one of these last year. I let them decorate them just how they wanted, except for the frames around the pictures (guess I felt the need to pretend I was scrapbooking).

I read the questions to them and let them tell me what to write down. Sophia needed a little help clarifying the questions with some examples but Zoe was able to answer everything. It was fun to do with them and see what their little minds think. Sophia has been saying for months she wants to be a doctor so that was no surprise to us. Zoe begged to paint so she used watercolors to add her personal touch.

Giggles

During lunch yesterday I couldn't help but laugh myself while watching the girls. Take a look at the video.

Resemblance

Our three girls.  There is some resemblance, but they are each their own. Katie is much bigger than Zoe and Sophie were at 6 months, though you can't really tell from these pictures. They all have some rolls. So cute!

Katie - 6  months

Zoe - 6 months

Sophie - 6 months

Sisterly love

Zoe at 4 years, Sophia at nearly 3 years and Katie at 6 months

I have found it very difficult, especially since we had Katie, to keep up with pictures and blogging, so this weekend we tried to get some pictures of the girls. I have been amazed and so very blessed by the love all three girls have for each other. From the moment Katie was born, Zoe and Sophie have loved her and want to be with her. They are so helpful in playing with her and getting Mom things to help take care of her. When she cries (which is rare), Sophie says " Mom Katie needs you, she's hungry". Zoe and Sophie most of the time play very well together.

Our girls are growing up so fast!

To see all the pictures click here.

Preschool Starts

Today marked the start of preschool (3yr class) for Sophie and Pre-K for Zoe. They were both so excited to go back to preschool today. Last week we went to meet their teachers and they got comfortable in their new classrooms. Last night we spent some time getting their backpacks ready and talking about today.

Zoe showed up in our room this morning about 6:30am already dressed and ready for school. Sophie wasn't so eager and woke up a little later than normal. This year they don't start at the same time : Zoe starts at 8:30am and Sophie at 9am. John will take Zoe on his way to work most days and I get to take Sophie. Zoe was really excited daddy is going to take her to school. 

Their first day went really well. Both went into class with no problem and didn't even say bye to mom. That is success in my book. It is hard to believe this is Zoe's last year before kindergarten. 

Camping with Dad: Take One

John took Zoe and Sophia camping for the first time by himself this past weekend. This was Sophia's first time camping and Zoe hadn't been since she was 5 months old. This turned out to be a father and daughter/son camping trip.

The lineup was:
Brent with Caleb and Marissa
John with Sophia, Zoe and Lily (our dog)
Shane with Kyle, Trenton, and Ryan
Linda

Due to the recent bear attacks in northern Arizona the guys opted for a spot in southern Arizona. The drive ended up being about 4 hours but John said the kids did great. They left on Friday afternoon. Ended up getting to the campsite after dark so setting up the tents was exciting. The girls were tired but did well. They had the most fun playing in the hammocks all weekend, finding sticks, and hiking.

To view all the pictures click here.

Sophia's Tubes and Adenoidectomy

This morning we took Sophie to the Banner Desert Surgery Center to have her non-functioning ear tubes removed, a new set put in and to have her adenoids removed.

Long story short her tubes were no longer functioning and she has had 6 ear infections since November with 2 being in the warmer months. So perfect candidate for not only a new set of tubes but also to have her adenoids removed. The doctor told us that research has shown if they remove the enlarged adenoids that her chances of having a 3rd set of tubes is significantly less.

The adenoids usually is enlarged in children with recurrent ear infections like her. When it is enlarged, it blocks the eustachian tubes from being able to drain properly resulting in bacteria remaining in the middle ear and it becoming infected.

Sophie sleeping in recovery

When Dr. McKenna performed the surgery, he said she did have fluid in both ears and the adenoids were enlarged as he suspected. Surgery last about 45 minutes and went well. We were in recovery with her for about 2 1/2 hours. She was not settling very well so they gave her some additional Demerol twice which eventually made her go back to sleep. Her face and tongue were pretty swollen which made it had for her to communicate at all. She eventually woke up enough and took a couple of sips of apple juice so they would let us go home with her.

She has been a real trooper all day long. I was amazed with her not being able to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the surgery how well she did. Praise the Lord for a successful surgery and her recovery.

She actually ate pizza tonight. I was amazed. I really thought about noon today that she wouldn't end up eating at all today but she had some pudding, yogurt ice cream and even pizza. Way to go!

She was pretty tired all of today so we will see how she is after a good night sleep.

Sophie sleeping on the couch

Sophie in the car on the way home

Katie gets her ear tubes

On Saturday Katie had surgery to insert tubes into both of her ears. She is pretty young to have the surgery. Her doctor said he has done children as young as 2 months but it isn't often a 4-month-old needs tubes. She had her 3rd ear infection on our Texas trip so we all felt it was time to have tubes. It really helped Sophie with her ear infections when she got them a couple of years ago.

Katie wasn't allowed to eat for 8 hours prior to the surgery. John and I were a little nervous about that since she is still solely breastfed and still eats once in the middle of the night. She did great. Surgery was scheduled for 7am so I fed her at 10:30pm Friday night. She woke up a little fussy shortly before we were ready to leave the surgery center about 5:30am. She did amazing not being able to eat and being awake. She actually fell back asleep in my arms while the doctor was briefing us on what was going to happen.

From the time they took her back for surgery to the time Dr. McKenna came out was only 10 minutes. He had mentioned he would work as quickly as he could because he wanted her out as briefly as possible. She had general anesthesia and he said children her age go to sleep very quickly but can also decline really quickly if they don't handle it well so he wanted it as brief as possible. By the time we were done talking with the doctor she was in recovery waking up and crying. It isn't fun when a child comes out of anesthesia because they are really disoriented. Dr. McKenna said he removed a lot of thick mucus from her ear so she will be able to hear better. They let us leave within 15 minutes in recovery and she finally calmed down once we were in the car. She slept a lot the rest of the day. What a trooper!

Dental visits

Sophie getting her teeth cleaned

Today I took Zoe and Sophia to the dentist. This was Zoe's 3rd or 4th visit. She had a couple early visits due to her chipped front tooth. She got her teeth cleaned and did really well. Clean teeth and no cavities.

Sophie went with us to the dentist about 6 months ago for the first time and barely allowed the doctor to look at her teeth. This time she was such a big girl and let them clean her teeth and then take a good look at all of them.

I was so proud of both of them. Katie also did great waiting for her sisters to be done.

Easter Activities

Zoe and Sophie started talking about Easter coming about two weeks before it arrived this year. Our neighbor Matthew putting out his blow up Easter Bunny helped the excitement, as well as reading and talking about it at home and at preschool. Every time we left the house Sophie would be extremely disappointed that the Easter Bunny was not up. On the rare occasion that we were leaving the house after dark and he was up she would get so excited.

It was fun watching them get excited about bunnies and eggs this year, but it is very important to us that they understand the real reason for Easter. Zoe surprised me one morning when we were talking about Easter and she (without prompt) told me ...
"Jesus was on the cross, then his friends put him in a cave, and then he came back to life and we celebrate him."

Zoe and Sophia were out from preschool on Good Friday. We spent part of the morning at the doctor with Sophie because she had an ear infection, and then spent the rest of the morning with our friends Tasha, Jaimin, and Serena decorating eggs. This was the first time all three of us had decorated eggs. Linda (John's mom) kept Katie at home so I could have some time with the two older girls. Zoe and Sophie had a good time and did a great job with their eggs. After their exhausting efforts to decorate eggs they children relaxed on the couch watching Hop.


On Easter after church John's mom and sister's family came over to celebrate with us. We had a fabulous dinner followed by a chocolate brownie Easter Bunny and eggs in a nest. We played some cards while the kids played and then had an Easter egg hunt in the back yard. We hid some of the eggs so well we couldn't remember where they all were. Marissa eventually found all of them. It was a great day with family relaxing and remembering the sacrifice Jesus made so that we can live.

To view all our Easter pictures click here. 

Zoe turns 4!

This year Zoe started talking about her birthday back in December when some of her friends where turning 4. Last year was fun because she started understanding her birthday, but this year was even better because she was able to help plan her birthday. She decided on a Tangled theme and picked the big Disney princess castle bounce house instead of the other choice of Toy Story. Daddy is coming around to the idea of Princess stuff around our house. She has started to get into dress up and reading stories about some of the Disney princesses in the last several months. 

She helped make her invite list this year which is why we had 13 children. She decided who from preschool and church she wanted to invite. She is very excited about her friends these days and unfortunately has started to distinguish between her friends and Sophie's friends.

The pinata was a big hit again. Zoe helped me stuff it full of candy and prizes a few days before the party and then made sure to tell me to put it up where Sophie can't get into it. She knows her sister well. By the time we got to presents she was a little overwhelmed I think. She had so much fun. After all her friends left she had fun playing with her older cousins on both sides of the family. She played the Wii with my brothers boys until bedtime and was sad she had to say goodbye and goodnight but took now time to fall asleep (in moms bed). Successful and fun day sums it up!

On her actual birthday she started out the day at preschool and taking cupcakes to share with her class. When I picked her up she was beaming and wanted me to notice her birthday crown her teacher had given her. She was so cute with it on. After nap she helped me decorate her cupcakes with family for dinner. Then we headed to Peter Piper Pizza to meet Papa, Nana, Mimi and grandma for dinner and a some games. 

Looking back over the last year I am in awe of how much she has not only physically grown but emotionally and intellectually grown. She can recognize hers and sisters names, recognize some other words, write her name and several other letters, recognizes all her letters and know the sounds, can count to at least 25 on her own, can express her feeling and starting to articulate some of her feelings, and has grown out of all her clothes. 

To view all the pictures of her birthday festivities click here. 

Welcome baby Katie

Kathryn Charlotte Broom joined our family on January 22, 2012 at 10:03am. She came exactly 1 week early which we are very thankful for since she weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 20 inches long.

She has been such a good baby this last week home with her. Zoe and Sophie are in love with their sister. They want her to go everywhere with them. They want to hold her a lot and Zoe just sits and watches her frequently. They have been very sweet with her.

I am a week late getting this out but it has been a little hectic around here. I'll write more hopefully in the coming days.

To see pictures of Katie click here.

Fit for a baby

As we rapidly approach the end of this pregnancy we have been working a lot on getting the room ready for this little girl. We decided to give up our dedicated guest room for the baby to have her own room.

Months ago I started thinking about what kind of room I wanted to create for this baby. Thanks to John's stepmom Sharon, (aka Mama Shar), we got a starting point with fabric when she was visiting in October. She volunteered to make the bumper pad for the crib which is a big deal since our crib is the one John's dad built when John was a baby and is not a standard size. She went home with some fabric to make the bumper pad and I kept some of it to make a few pillows to coordinate. She did an amazing job and shipped them to us. Decor somewhat underway.....

Now, what to do with all the furniture in the room. The queen size bed departed for my parents guest bedroom in early December, and Zoe got the twin size & trundle from their house. The Cedar hope chest my parents gave me in high school remains in the room. The rocking chair my parents had when I was little made its way from their house to the baby's room. Some of the other pieces from the room made their way to Goodwill while a couple others are still trying to find a home in our garage. We finally got the crib set up the week before Christmas and my dad generously took a day off from work to come paint the room for me which was a surprise for John. A surprise for John because he has been working soooo much the last 4 months that I wanted to take something off his list of "things to do" so that he wouldn't have to find time to do it. We did manage to surprise him. Zoe even made him close his eyes when he came up the stairs as she guided him in the room and said "Surprise!" as she flung her arms out. Thanks Dad!

I eventually decided on a wall decal for her room, and after much searching online, got one ordered just before Christmas. John and I started working on getting it on the wall while he was home after Christmas. We finally finished the last of the decal on Sunday with Zoe helping John put up the last flying bird. I have to say we both are very happy with the way it came out and had a lot of fun doing it together.

I made the Cornice board for the window and the bed skirt over the weekend and John put it all together to have a completed room ....finally.

To view all the pictures click here.