Friday, December 20, 2013

Rewind to July 2013

We spent almost a week at the beginning of July in Winter Park, Colorado with my dad's side of the family. We got to see many of our Arizona family members and Iowa family members. We left on July 4th, stayed at my mom's for a night, then on through most of Nebraska and stayed there for a night. Of course, staying in a hotel and swimming in the pool there was a huge plus for Elena and Maren.


At the 4th of July parade in Niles


 Catching candy



 We stopped just outside Des Moines for lunch and found this. We thought about putting it on our Christmas cards this year... ha ha... maybe another year.


 We bribed Elena with a cookie for this picture.


The Fam

 At the ski resort at Winter Park

 We celebrated Aunt Rhodie's 70th birthday six months early in true Hulse Family fashion - by being a little crazy. Auntie loved it, of course! There were even a few men bold enough to play along. Where is Uncle Al?





Elena, cousin Sydney, and Maren

We spent a day at the ski lodge - the entire day! Who knew there would be so much to do at a ski lodge in July! The grounds and flowers were beautiful, as seen above. 


 Uncle Al got his time in playing with nieces and his granddaughter


 Of course, Aunt Rhodie, too!


 We have another picture like this with Jordan or Jayden from a few years ago...
We took the ski lift to the top of the mountain and had lunch up there. It was pretty chilly, so we took a few pictures and headed back down.
Need I say breathtaking scenery?

 There were all kinds of little shops and places to play around the resort. The kids enjoyed climbing on this.


 Bungie jumping on trampolines for kids


 There was an alpine slide that we went down several times. This little one spent most of the trip sleep deprived... as evidenced here as she fell asleep on the way to the top of the alpine slide on the ski lift.


 Not sure who enjoyed that slide the most... the kiddos or Kirk!


 My lovely aunts and uncles and a cousin that joined us for a night



 This was from a concert in the park we went to one night. 
Apparently I did not get any pictures of all the little cousins dancing, but did snap a few of Lucie, Sara, Aunt Liz...


 Aunt Sally, Uncle Pete, Heather and Bob and Dave in the background...
(clearly it was not very warm there!)


Hmmm... was this "To Market To Market" or something else, Aunt Rhoda? 

This was really a fantastic trip. We had such a great time that Little MIS Maren had a meltdown when we were packing up our condo to leave. She did not want to leave! Said she would miss her room! We really did have a lovely time. My favorite part? For sure family dinners. Each night we met at Aunt Vicki and Uncle Bill's condo and had dinner. Thanks to our fabulous cooks, Aunt Vicki and Aunt Sally, who put hours and hours in planning and shopping and cooking. These, I am sure are the times that my children will remember most, and that I know I will. Just gathering as a family, praying together and getting to be together, not to mention the delicious food! 
I also have to say that swimming in the club swimming pool while looking at the snow on the mountains was a real trip for me. And I only stayed in the heated pool - it was not warm - the AZ crew did not even swim!
Too bad we have to wait three years to do this again. But you can count us in for the next one for sure!

Monday, October 7, 2013

A Rare Sentiment

Elena is a tough kid. She also has it tough some days. Lately she is asking me all the time, "Why do I get hurt all the time???" "Why am I the only one who has all these owies???" And it is through tears, through exasperation, through wails of anguish that I hear these words. Today it was after she tripped in the minivan, going toward her seat in the back and she fell on her pinkie finger, smashed it into the plastic side of the vehicle next to her seat. The hard part is that often she won't let me touch it or even see it so I feel completely helpless to help her at all. And I wish I had an answer she could understand about why she falls a lot, why she trips over things (chair legs, my feet, cracks in the sidewalk) but it is hard to understand that your body's signals don't always get to the right place when they are sent. Especially when you are four. And a half.
Lots of times I feel like the things I do go unnoticed. Today she gave me hope that the many hours I have spent researching, talking, writing, calling, finding resources and processing with friends and Ryann will one day all pay off and she will know how worth it she is by all these things.
Maren actually started this. I was getting Maren dressed, trying to get them to hurry to get them to Elena's field trip to the fire department on time. (There were a few graces I thanked God for as I realized we did not have to be there till 15 minutes later than I originally thought and that there was a pair of Maren's socks on the table so I did not have to run all the way upstairs to get them - some days it is just the little things that get you through!) So I am pulling Maren's pants on her and she leans over and kisses me. Right on the face. I stopped and looked at her and said: " That just made my day!" My children are not kissy types. We do not teach them to exchange kisses with anyone else and don't push it on them at all. This is probably a lot me - I am a germophobe about that and I hated kissing adults as a kid. So this was quite a rare treat, completely out of the blue. I have to ask for kisses if I want them. I kiss them, but rarely on the mouth.
Elena was right there with us and all of a sudden she comes over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. Then she kisses me on the other cheek. Then she kisses me two more times. I think I am dumbfounded, as I can recall all the times the Elena has voluntarily kissed me. The first time was shortly after she had turned two.
I think I asked her what all the kisses were for this morning. You know what she said?
"For my mama for taking good care of me when I was sick."
I am speechless, wordless, even now, thinking about it. Such a sentiment coming from Elena, a realization and a showing of affection and recognition of heartfelt positive emotion directed at Kirk or I... such a rarity. Such a diamond. A treasure that cannot be measured. That gives me strength to do it all again tomorrow.

Monday, September 30, 2013

June Catch Up

So I am really, really behind in my blog. And this was supposed to be my remedy to not having scrapbooked for the last year and a half!

There were a few things I wanted to add to June. One was some pictures from before they started their first dance class.






The other thing that I missed was that we spent several days at Meme and Tim's. We went to the Vinton Farmer's Market one evening and they had a pretend cow that the girls got to "milk." You can see Maren's feet underneath it. Somehow I lost the pictures of her milking the cow. It even mooed. It was fun to see their reactions to that. I love that we get to do these things and be out in the country with them.
 


 This was in the storefront window of a shop in Vinton. Love it.


 Maren and I on the Heartland Chiropractic Float in the Johnston Green Days Parade. 
It rained on us at the end. The kiddos had a great time throwing lollipops to the crowd, and of course, they loved the balloons. Elena had a great time walking at the back of the float with Danny. We also got to meet Valerie's niece, Maren. Thanks to Val for inviting us! And thanks to Mom for loaning us your car. 


 Maren and Danny on the John Deere rider at Danny's house.


Maren driving solo

It really was a fun trip. The first "road trip" I have taken with Elena and Maren and I. And there was no tv for them to watch. We had to keep ourselves entertained the old fashioned way on our drive to DSM. I really enjoyed that time, as I love short car trips like that and it was fun to do that with them. We were all excited and we got there just in time for the parade. 



September 30: A Few Words About Maren
I have to say that this month, this last week, has shown a big change in Little MIS. She has been attached to me at the shoulder, waist and hip for the last 3 years and three months. Aunt Rhoda even asked me recently if they had detached themselves at all. I had gotten a little fed up with it a few months ago and was kind of annoyed and then it hit me that this was it, the final hurrah, and one day this little baby would not need me like that anymore. So I decided to indulge her, and when she asks to be carried I carry her unless I just can't. And this Saturday, the final hurrah was final. She spent the entire morning playing with Elena and our two-three neighbor kids - in and out of their houses, yards, running all around and having a great time. She hardly came back to me once. It hit me a little bit hard as I watched her running around. For the longest time she has stayed so close to me and/or kept coming back and she truly is my baby as she is the second and last. But she has been in preschool with Ms. Diane for almost four weeks now and there was a big shift this last week. She told me on Wednesday: "I love going to preschool!! Ms. Diane is the best teacher in the whole world!" She sang as she ran through the kitchen excitedly and we gathered her things to go to the school. I love hearing this. But I am also sad to see my baby girl become my little girl. Bittersweet. 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

More June Activities


Just a few things I forgot about June... it was a busier month than I remembered! We spent Father's Day weekend partly at my mom's and partly at my dad's. We flew to Meme's and then borrowed her car to drive to my Grandpa Bob's. We worked in conjunction with Uncle Rob and Aunt Tara and went and got some flowers for Dad. I decided to go close to naptime. Not the greatest timing. Elena decided to stay at Grandpa's and watch shows while Maren came with me. The poor child passed out in the frozen food section of WalMart (remember the no nap thing!!!) and I ended up carrying her and pushing her all the way across the store to the garden section because I was afraid she was going to smack her head on the cart. A wonderful young man helped me get everything in the car while Maren continued to sleep on my arms and in the car seat. I am not a WalMart shopper, but I have to say this turned out to be a experience I would tell people about!
Back at Grandpa's, he helped clean out many of his pots and I planted snapdragons and some other flowers that I do not know what they are called in six giant pots. It was fun doing it, and Dad has something nice to look at every time he comes in or goes out of his house. GREAT idea, Aunt Tara!

We also got to see Valerie, Nick and Danny for a while that weekend, too. We got to visit their chickens, ride Danny's little John Deere vehicle and visit for a while, always a big upper for all of us. We stayed in a hotel that weekend, too. The girls thought that was great fun. It has been quite a while since we had stayed in a hotel. Elena loved having her own queen sized bed and Maren enjoyed sleeping right next to me. And I next to her. :) 
We unfortunately did not get to see Kirk on Father's Day, but he got a nice relaxing weekend with the house all to himself, which he appreciates. So that was a Father's Day gift in itself. 

The other big thing was that Maren and Elena started ballet and tap classes. This is from their first class. It is a lot of fun to watch them. Most of the parents wait outside the room but they both wanted me in there and the teacher is fine with it, so I stayed, especially since Maren has not taken classes by herself yet. It is so fun to watch little girls do tap and ballet. Elena and Maren love it. 







Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Thought from Ashlee's Blog

Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them.  You will want to change them when you realize that each thought creates according to its own nature.  Remember the the law works at all times and that you are always demonstrating according to the kind of thoughts you habitually entertain.  Therefore, start now to think only those thoughts that will bring you health and happiness.                                                                                                      --Paramahansa Yogananda

June

A Little Rain






Still Arizona girls at heart, these two love to don their raincoats, rain boots and umbrellas when it rains. 



A Visit From Friends


On June 2nd, Crystal, Jeff, Maliyah, and Zavier made a trip to Chicago. They stayed at our house for a night and we got to watch all the kids play together. We went into the City on Monday, met Kirk for lunch and went to see the Bean. We had a great time visiting; it was just too short!




This picture is fuzzy but I love seeing the interactions between them... Maren watching Zavier crash into the bean bag and Elena reaching for Maliyah's hand.


Festival at Winnetka

One Saturday, we headed out for a festival with rides, slides, treats, swings, bounce houses and pony rides!





I even got to go on one of the roller coasters with Elena and Maren.


Finishing off the day with ice cream cones at the park



Maren's 3rd Birthday

 Maren turned 3 on June 24th. We had a small gathering at our house on Saturday, June 22nd with Meme and Tim, Auntie Beth and Nikki, Chris, Maggie and Ryan. We ate outside and then moved inside for the balloon man to come and do his show.

Maren and her Doc McStuffins doll


The first balloon creature was the Little Mermaid, made for the Birthday Girl



The kids were mesmerized by his abilities to twist and create balloons. 


He made Elena a huge octopus. 
Inspired by her FAVORITE show, "Octonauts!"


By the end, Maren was very, very, very tired. She was all partied out. 



A Day at Navy Pier

Since we had some visitors and we had not been in the City too much yet this summer, we decided to head to Navy Pier. We had a nice little walk and then found the carousel. Of course, we had to ride the carousel!




 Kirk and Tim rode in one car on the giant ferris wheel and the ladies all rode in the next car. Elena and Maren could not quite figure out what they were doing in the next car and not in ours.


 Beth and I on the Pier


Maren does not always like her hair brushed but today the polka dot girl let Tim brush her hair.


Thursday, July 18, 2013

May 2013

 Unbelievably gorgeous spring on our street



 Maren stopped taking naps last October. Right before we went to Hawaii, she started napping again. Of course, that went away with our trip, but once in a while, when she is super exhausted, she will still nap. And if you put her in the car she will be out in two minutes!! 
On this day she was calling me from her room (so I thought!) where she was supposed to be having quiet time. I was in the basement with Elena, who was asleep. All of a sudden, Maren got quiet. Mother's intuition told me I had better go check on her. This is what I found. I do not know how one falls asleep on the stairs... but I guess if you are tired enough! And, yes, the child has no clothes on.




Mother's Day presentation at preschool 



 Elena and classmates




Playdate at Naomi's house, a classmate of Elena's 




 A little pre-summer fun with the sprinkler. These girls could not wait to get their swimsuits on. They spent a couple hours out there. I was surprised it entertained them for the whole afternoon. Arizona girls at heart. 



 Isn't she beautiful?



Like sister, like sister. 
At our new favorite park in Morton Grove



A late evening trip to Home Depot to find some spring flowers. I love it when they let me put their hair in pigtails and here E actually has a ponytail. SO cute!


Baby and Jocelyn like to travel with us. These sisters are great mommies already.



Poor Maren... this no nap thing is just exhausting. This is just sad, she looks so pitiful! And she looks like Al Bundy with her hands in her pants, but her "security blanket" or alternative to thumb sucking is a finger in the belly button. So that is what she is doing here. 






 Elena with Miss Diane at her preschool graduation on May 17. I don't think they quite grasp that it is over... she did not want to go! Even though there was ice cream! Somehow the time after spring break got difficult for Elena at school, though we never found out why. She just did not want to go anymore. 


 Maren, Elena, Mia and Kailey from preschool
Elena hooked onto Mia the first week or so of school because Mia is Maliyah's, Elena's best friend's, nickname. Mia just adored Maren, was always trying to kiss her and touch her, which Maren never liked! And then one day Mia called Maren a baby - oh, boy, the wrong thing to say! 



 A little too much fun with chocolate pudding... and one of Elena's famous faces 



We love to dance in the kitchen. Elena usually likes to run in circles... but this time she let me dip her. Their favorite song is "Springsteen." Wonder why. 

I also got to spend 48 hours in Phoenix in May for a trial. I did not get to spend near as much time visiting people as I would have liked. The trial took longer than expected. I was so happy to be able to go and visit those I could. It felt like going home and it made me quite homesick for Phoenix and Arizona. And, of course, all my family and friends, not to mention my old job and colleagues. I did, however, get to see all the nonsense surrounding the Jodi Arias trial firsthand, as that was the building where the trial was. Quite a spectacle.

May was a good month.