Wet, rainy, miserable! This weather has been putting a damper on our outdoor fun. Kale's "sheep" and "horses" are not enjoying it either and are probably starving since Kale has not been out to do "chores" much lately!
We had a wonderful Easter weekend and the sun even managed to make an appearance on Sunday allowing Kale to get his traditional tractor ride and Ava on her first of many! She loved it. I FORGOT my camera, which I CANNOT believe but don't worry-- I borrowed Grandma's I just don't have any to post right now!
We celebrated Jake's third birthday. Buzz Lightyear is quite popular this year along with the rest of the Toy Story gang. Jake and Kale really do have a lot of fun together. But they act like brothers rather than cousins. We parents find ourselves refereeing alot. Things go much better if we leave the room and hope for the best! We enjoyed helping him celebrate although Kale is really hoping his birthday will come quickly! Here is a funny Jake conversation.
Me: (we were just about to leave to go outside) Jake, have you gone to the bathroom?
Jake: Ya, last reek.
Me: Last Week?
Jake: Ya
Me: Okay, you're good.
Here are the two michevious ones.... love these pictures. I can see in their eyes they have an agenda!




What's Ava up to? Well she has ALOT to say and we have no idea what she is talking about. The conversations used to be entertaining but now we are getting to the point where our responses back to her must not be relevant to the message she is attempting to convey. She can become irritable with you rather quickly if you don't do what she asks. Now, if we only knew what she wanted! She IS starting to point at things when she blabs about them so there is now a very small chance you just might have an idea of where the conversation is headed but usually not... She recently has developed and new hobby. screaming...loud screaming. This is a hilarious activity that we at one time found quite comical as well. Not so much anymore. :)
She is also up and down the stairs several times a day. She has mastered the art of bringing things with her to different levels of the house and hiding them...making it a crap shoot to find any missing item. Yesterday, however, I lost HER. This is where I found her. Kale thought it was so funny he had to join the fun!

Hey at least she found the pink plug I had been looking for... maybe it was in the dryer?!?!
And FINALLY, at 14 months, I can say she sleeps like a champ! Usually around 13 hours straight making for a much more well rested family!
Kale (aka, Bill, as he would prefer to be called) has been working on using a kind voice and saying "ok". I will keep you posted on that progress :). He keeps us very very busy and engages in many insightful conversations. Here is one I had with him in the car today:

Kale: Was I in your uterus when you played with your basketball team? (referring to high school)
Me: No.
Kale: (gasp) Where was I?
Me: You weren't created yet.
Kale: (LONG pause) well...talk to me about that?
Me: You were just a twinkle in my eye.
Kale: What? your eye? I thought I started like an egg.
Me: what?
Kale: Did I start like a little chicken in a egg?
Me: No. Remember mammals don't lay eggs.
Kale: I wasn't an egg (in a confused voice).
Me: (thinking omg where is this conversation going I am NOT ready for this) actually yes there is an egg involved but not like a chicken egg... its....uh.. uh
Kale: (interrupting) is there milk in coconuts?
Me: YES! Lets talk about coconuts!

He also continues to be very interested in being different kinds of "workermen" throughout the day. This results in at least 6-8 FULL wardrobe changes and a lot of laundry. He has been trained to but his dirty clothes (that was one he wore one outfit a day) straight into the hamper.... just can't win, can I? :)
Joe brought Kale and Ava to visit my classroom today. We happened to have inside recess because of the lovely weather and Kale got to stay and play. Kale didn't want to leave and it was neat to see some of my students being some "brotherly" to Kale and showing him around. I was glad Kale could make it while there were kids there. He always asks about the kids I teach. I did tell Joe to bathe them both in hand sanitizer as they left though! :)

Spring!

Things have been hopping around here. Since I last blogged (sorry it's been awhile for those following our action packed life ;)) I had spring break. It was a nice relaxing week with the kids. We were planning on a trip to Minneapolis but it would've been rushed AND judging by how much Ava likes her carseat, we decided a relaxing week at home would be just as enjoyable. Instead, I took Kale to his first live producation, Madagascar. He loved it.


We did make a trip back to Northwest Iowa, but that was about the extent of our travels. Our nephew, Landyn, was baptized and we got to meet the newest Schueller, Macie! This is the best I could do for a picture. Hopefully, a better one next time everyone is together.


The following weekend was Joe's birthday. I decided I was going to attempt to pull off a surprise. I knew he was suspicious (i guess, anyone in law enforcement who was any good at their job would be, right?)but, apparently, he knew from the first day I started inviting people. I guess, in the madness of sending facebook messages and emails I ended up inviting him to his own party! ugh! Oh well, he acted surprised...so I am counting it as successful. Lots of running around for me though..still sweating! And with all that work..no pictures! Can you believe it?! But here is one of the yummy Birthday cake!


The kids have been LOVING the weather we have been having. Today it was 82! Even busted out the sunblock today! We have been going on LOTS of walks, picnics in the backyard, grilling, and bike rides. I can almost taste summer!
Ava hates her carseat....and i mean really hates...BUT we have discovered she loves it with the windows down. So, if we can drive 3 hours with the windows down it should make for a much more pleasant trip to Grandma and Grandpa's! The warm weather MUST stay!
She was laughing and screaming in this picture!

Along with springtime come the owies! Ava got her first wound on the driveway. She is pretty sure-footed these days.... except for when it comes to running down inclined driveways. Poor babe! There were tears at first. But with a little distraction she forgot about it and hasn't complained since. Tough cookie.

Kale has been enjoying just being able to walk outside without getting all bundled too. Lately he has been feeding his "sheep" and "horses" every morning in the backyard right after breakfast. If he waits any longer than that they get too "frisky" and next week he is going to start "shearing". And we all know "that's a really tough job." He's even has been dressing the part lately. It is not surprising to see Cowboy Kale in our front yard, chaps and all. ( I tell you what, Halloween costumes are worth EVERY penny! Just buy them big enough the can wear them for years! Kale has worn all of his many many many times and would wear them to church if we let him!) People used to ask about them "whats the occassion?" "costume party?"... now no one bats an eye! It's almost expected! :)