End of the soccer season

Carter had his last soccer game on Sunday. They technically have one more game but we won't be able to make it.  The whole family went out to the game to watch it.  It has been a bit of a rough season for their new team.  Most of the boys hadn't really played soccer so there was a pretty big learning curve.  Chad was helping coach the team this season and it was decently stressful.  Carter really enjoyed it but was sad that they kept losing.  Before his last game we talked to him about being more aggressive and hustling and reminded him that even if they didn't win their last game as long as he gave his best he should be happy.  He played a great game and we saw a lot of improvement in him.  He really did hustle and work hard and you could tell he was happy with how he played.  they did lose the game 2-1 but they were playing against what looked like 7th graders, so for that they did a great job.  I took a few pictures at the last game but I also got the professional pictures we ordered. (I am not normally one to order those pictures but I wanted each kid to have one sport with a professional picture, more for scrap booking purposes.)

my cute soccer player

these are the only team members that got their picture taken :(

one last practice before the game

Chad defending Carter

Carter's cheering squad

another fan

ready for his last game

a quick team shot before they got their snack

Apple Orchard Time

Callan got to have his first official field trip to the apple orchard last Thursday.  He has gone with Camden before during one of his preschool field trips but it was his first official field trip.  This year due to new government regulations, parents can no longer drive other students on a school field trip. So for our small preschool to still have field trips they had to shut the school down for the day and make it optional for students to show up at the field trip site.  This means most parents come on the field trip which makes things a lot more chaotic but this was the only way they can make it work. (otherwise they can pay to have a bus/van take the kids but it is too expensive for our small school)
Anyway we drove up with Callan's friends and their moms in one van and had a beautiful  day to be there.  The mosquitoes were bad for some reason but we brought bug spray and seemed to be ok.  We got to take a hay rack ride out to the area to pick apples and then we also got to pick some raspberries and eat them.  Then the kids get to pick out a pumpkin (from a selection the owners have set up). We had a snack and got to learn about some plants and seeds that they have around the orchard.  The kids love opening up pods and seeing the seeds inside.  There are some tunnels they can walk through and of course a playground to play on when the official field trip was done.  On our way out I bought the 3 boys a little raspberry lemonade slushie from inside the barn. It was a fun little trip.

Callan, Reid and Brooks

picking his first apple

trying to find apples he can reach

Callan, Brooks and Sutton ready to head back to the tractor 

raspberry picking 

he was a little hesitant at first to eat it straight from the plant but one he did he loved it

pulling the berries off

eating the berries (they were very yummy)

he found his pumpkin

class picture

finding seeds inside of a pod

play time

these 3 buds!

us on the hay ride

Doctor stats age 4 and 7

I took Callan in for his 4 year well child check on Monday. He was a little concerned going in because he was with Camden during his kindergarten check when he got shots so he was apprehensive and shy for most of the visit.  However he checked out great and passed all the test.  He had height 41.5 inches (77%), weight 37lbs (60%), vision, hearing and vitals done. Blood pressure was 93/58 and pulse was 92. He enjoyed doing the vision and hearing screen the most.  He even got a surprise when Dr. Davis brought in his big superman for Callan to see, and put a gown on him so that he could be a patient too!  Callan was happy to walk out with a clean bill of health and of course 2 stickers.

ready with our paper work

blood pressure

weight

height (he says he is for sure tall enough for disney)

vision test

hearing test

saying hi to superman

dual patients

Carter had his appointment on Thursday.  They skip every other year now so it has been two years since he has seen Dr. Davis.  Unfortunately the office was running really behind and we had to wait more than an hour past our schedule time!  With three kids in tow that is never a good thing.  I had to work that night so Chad had to meet me at the office and swap places so that I could go into work.  Carter had a good visit and was also given a good bill of health. He was 48.25 inches tall (54%) and was 49.5lbs (41%). His BP was 102/66 and pulse of 88.  The doctor talked with Carter about school and emphasized listening to his parents and only having to be told once to do something.  Hopefully that sticks. :)  Everything else checked out. We were able to get Carter the flu mist and Camden too! Now the kids are vaccinated and we didn't have to go in extra.  It was actually the first time in Carter's life he got any sort of flu vaccine due to his previous egg allergy they would not allow it.  Lucky him, he is now able.  (thanks to Chad for taking these pictures for me)

Carter's weight check

getting his blood pressure taken

getting checked out by Dr. Davis

3 squirrely boys waiting to go home after a long appointment

Four is Fantastic!

The highly anticipated day has finally arrived and our youngest child turned 4!  He has been asking and waiting for the day to finally come.  I am amazed at how fast 4 years have come and gone.  He is growing up so fast!  The best news is that he had several days of celebration and think he is pretty happy with the outcome.  It started on Thursday with a preschool celebration.  He asked me to bring mustache cupcakes and chocolate milk, so I obliged. Then he came home and his friend Brooks (and his mom and brother) came over for lunch to finish off that special day.  Then on Friday he had his annual birthday lunch with grandma Ellen where he chose to go to McDonalds (go figure), get an ice cream cone and then to the party store where he got a balloon.  He choose teenage mutant ninja turtles this year.  Then this morning he was showered with birthday wishes from his brothers and us and he got to pick out his birthday donuts.  Then the rest of the day was fairly typical (cleaning, and knocking things off the to-do list) until dinner time when he got to choose and special dinner.  He chose Red Robin and loved it when they sang to him.  He (and his brothers) ate all of the birthday sundae! Chad got a special alcoholic shake as well.  Then I tried to trick him into thinking a trip to Sam's club would be super fun but he didn't buy it. We did stop off there for a quick milk and fruit grab before heading home to play bomber land on the Wii as a family, per his request.  He won a few rounds and was very excited about that (since he usually doesn't do too well).  Then we shut it off and watched the last 15 minutes of Alvin and the Chipmunks on TV before they boys headed to bed for a 3 man sleepover in the bunk beds.  I asked him if he had a good birthday and he said yes. So I guess that is all that matters.  Here are some pictures of all that fun!

by his birthday sign at preschool

two of his best buds

playing at school

the cupcakes. i was just going to do yellow (because that is his favorite color) frosting and just the mustaches, but then i remember i had eyes to use up and then it just got worse from there. i added a brown sprinkle for eye brows, a red hot for the nose, and then frosting for the mouth. they are pretty freaky looking but Iiguess the kids loved them.  he also gave out mustache braclets

the class enjoying the snack

silly birthday boy!

eating ice cream with grandma ellen on friday

birthday donut. he chose a cherry frosted cake donut and then had part of a glazed

i put all the kids to work this afternoon, and these two learned how to wipe down the bathroom. their work quality is poor but i hope with enough practice it will get better

he was dancing to shake if off again (donning his crown)

brotherly love

waiting for his pizza to come

a birthday pic with mom

one with dad

and one with red robin

these 3 make me smile (and go a little crazy)

dinner has arrived

they birthday singers

ready for his treat. he ate the cherry and then gagged and said it was spicy

chad got an adult shake as well. the  Beam-n-Bacon Boozy shake. it was pretty good. i just had a small taste

these balloons are one of the reasons they choose red robin