A New Used Play Set

Last Friday we had our play set installed. We bought it from a friend for a really good deal and the manufacturer took it down at her house and reassembled it at ours! It was perfect timing for it to go in since the weather finally turned. We had a great weekend playing on it in the backyard!

The completed project:

 Dane patiently waiting for his play set to be finished. He kept asking the guys putting it together "you guys almost finished yet?" Probably slightly rude but thankfully they took it in stride and chuckled over it.

 Kale playing on the tire swing....

 Had such a fun, relaxing weekend partly due to this set.

We also had the opportunity to fully experience living in town. We walked to parks and to get some frozen yogurt and Dane rode his bike for miles.

Our Boys

On Wednesday evening we had Dane's parent teacher conference. His teacher gave him a glowing report! He does need to work on his numbers...he can count but doesn't know them by sight. She also told us that we have an "exceptionally" energetic child so we need to find things to completely exhaust his muscles so that it's easier for him to sit still and let his mind take over. So I am not quite sure what more to do to exhaust his muscles but we will try! She gave us more of his art work at his conference and here is one that had Cameron and I laughing (she writes down what each child says as they are creating things)....

This is Dane's arc. It is likely hard to read what is written in the corner but here is what he had to say:

"Well, first day Jesus died on the cross. Then big thunderstorms passed over. BAM! BOOM! Then a monkey got out and escaped."

And now you have an example of how this child's mind works. Things like this come out of his mouth all the time.

Last Tuesday evening, we went to Uno's with some friends to do a night of making our own pizzas. 

Kale & Kendall just ate the cheese as soon as it was put on the table. We had to ask for more. Kale is 9 weeks older than Kendall and they are 2 little monkeys. She actually climbs more than he does so they had to be strapped down!

 Dane did a fairly good job making his pizza but he only put about 4 pieces of shredded cheese on it. So I helped him cover it.

 The entire group...CHAOS! Four 4 year olds, Three 2 year olds, An almost 2 year old and a 1 year old. I don't think we'll voluntarily do this with all the kids again anytime soon. Maybe with just the 4 year olds!

But they had fun!

Our little fish

The boys started swimming lessons again yesterday. They are both total water bugs but Kale has no fear and doesn't mind going under and dumping buckets of water over his head. Dane, on the other hand, puts his chin in the water when his instructors ask him to get his face wet. He has learned to keep his mouth shut and even knows how to spit it out if it sneaks in, instead of gagging on it like he used to do. Baby steps, right? There is an outdoor community pool that they will be taking lessons at this summer, but for now we're indoors at the park district pool. Dane is in a class of 4 kiddos with 2 instructors and Kale still has to go in with either Cameron or I. He has to be 3 to go in "alone".

Kale...totally relaxed in the water:

 He was laughing and squealing so loudly that it echoed in the pool!

 And Dane...anxiously waiting to really get in the water.

 He was all smiles the entire time he was in the water.

Gold Club 2013 - Nevis, West Indies

Last Tuesday, April 9th Cameron and I boarded a plane at 5:30am to attend his awards trip in Nevis, West Indies. For anyone who isn't sure where that is (most don't)...it is down near St. Kitts and St. Thomas just a bit southeast of Haiti / Dominican Republic. We had a great time on this trip as we always do. It's fun to celebrate his team making this trip...only sales people that are at 100% or over of their quota are able to go. Most companies have cut trips like this out of their budget so we're always questioning whether Intercall will continue this tradition...thankfully, so far they have. We have been on some amazing trips with his company. It gets easier every year to leave the boys since they are getting older and I think they did pretty well this time. We are able to facetime with them so that helps that we do get to see them everyday. A huge thanks to Teresa, Tim and my mom for taking care of them while we were gone.

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Kale's First Trip to the ER

Kale had his first trip to the ER last evening. When we got home on Saturday night, both boys were in bed. Kale woke up on Sunday and looked pale and kind of sat around and wasn't interested in breakfast...see where I am going with this? He started vomiting at around 1pm and he wouldn't drink anything. He only vomited 4 times but couldn't even keep water down. We called the pediatrician at 7pm and they told us to take him to the ER for fluids because he had not had a wet diaper all day. So I am sure you can guess the rest. The hooked up the IV and he fell asleep while they pumped him full of fluid and anti vomiting meds. He perked right up and then he got a popsicle. Still looking a bit pale, but much perkier they sent us home at 11:30pm.

Not feeling well at all, this was what he looked like just as they started the IV.

 After receiving his fluids and anti vomiting meds...looking much better.

 He ATTACKED the popsicle, poor little man was so hungry.

I am happy to report that he is currently sacked out on the couch. He fell asleep after chasing bubbles outside for about 15 minutes. He is definitely feeling much better! Feel free to pray that the rest of us stay healthy!

Easter Weekend

Dane had spring break last week so we had plans to head to Leesburg for a few days. Our trip was pushed back by one day due to a strange cold and fever that hit Dane on Wednesday morning. Of course...our boys haven't really been sick all winter long but when we plan to go back to visit family something hits. He only had a temp on Wednesday morning and then it was gone. We left Thursday morning to head to Leesburg.

While we were at home for an extra day, we tried a new Easter egg coloring technique...with shaving cream and food coloring. It was fun!

With a pile of shaving cream & food coloring:

 Rolling the egg around...

 The end result (except the blue, green and yellow eggs):

On Sunday Mom, Jeff & Christy hosted an Easter extravaganza for the entire Kaiser side of the family complete with an Easter egg hunt!

Ready....

 Set....

 Go....

 Big brother helping little brother.

 Enjoying some of their loot:

Barrett & Kale coloring together:

 And super shades back at home in Illinois!

The time is always way too short when we're back in Indiana visiting but it was so great to see everyone at Easter for a little while! And ladies...when are we planning that trip to Mexico??