Hello Again

Happy for warm weather!

It's been awhile since our last post. Things have been crazy, but more so it was because I was really sick and tried to work through it for a week, which made me worse. I spent a week sleeping in the basement since I coughed 24 hrs a day. I even went to the doctor and got antibiotics which says a lot for me. Luckily, it was a good sleeping week for the kids since Jim got full day/night shift.

Zoe's last day of school is on June 1st. Most of the kids, in fact I think all but one, are going on to kindergarten, so she's been a bit sad. Hopefully her class for next year will have kids that will be moving on with her. Her and Jim started "cooking" classes a couple Fridays ago. The first Friday I was home sick and I watched Dexter. This past Friday he went to the day care at the recreation center where they take the class. It was the first time he was away from us, and he cried :( He never cries.

Kellan started baseball; practices twice a week until his first game on June 5th. Jim is coaching again this year. Their name is the "Vipers". It's coach pitch...from 40 ft away. It's hard for us to imagine the kids are going to hit the ball, but they're doing well.

I don't think Dexter's hit anymore milestones. He'll free stand for a moment or two before he realizes he's not holding on to anything then will drop to the floor. He also learned how to go down the stairs. It's pretty funny he just slides down on his stomach. I have never seen a kid (at least compared to the other two) who plays so well by himself and I mean for an hour he will just go from toy to toy, room to room entertaining himself. He really enjoys cheese.

Showing off her gymnastics moves. Ouch.

Eating carrots.

"Let me out"

"They always have to touch me"

Someone can't keep her hands off of him...and it's not always with the best intentions.

Duke's first time (in his life) in the front yard. We got him a long leash. He really didn't seem to care.

Last Kid's Quote

Any time Jim eats something from a restaurant:

Kellan: "It's like man vs. food"

Dexter's way of letting us know he's "all done" and spitting out his food has not gotten old..at least for him.

2 In / 2 Out

A few milestones have been reached since our last post. Dexter had his 9 month birthday on the 27th. He's down a bit in the weight department, had a tough couple weeks teething and an ear infection. He's still doing great & doctor had no concerns. Now if Jim will just stop saying "He's going to be a little guy" - I'm OK with that, I really don't want him to get any bigger than he is now.

Weight - 17.5 lbs, 8%

Height - 28.5 inches, 55%

In addition to the big 9 mo, Dexter's bottom two teeth finally surfaced, he started in on some solid food, grew out of his bathtub and his infant car seat. The car seat has held all 5 Munholland kids, plus one of my friends, I don't think too many infant car seats see that kind of mileage. Any takers before we finally give it up? Oh, so sad, I'm not ready to give any of it up yet!

In the big kid bathtub

While Dexter gained two teeth, Kellan lost two teeth...in one day.

We had to move Zoe's gymnastics class to Monday's at 4:30 since she will have pre-school four days a week starting in August. We had to jump at the chance to get her in so we had to switch sooner than later. I'm excited because now I can attend the last 30 minutes.

The weather here has been crazy. We had one nice weekend two weeks ago, followed by snow that same Friday. Kellan's school was even dismissed early because of it, more snow this week, today was OK, but snow in the forecast for Cinco de Mayo. We made it back to the pool for the first time in awhile. Hard to believe our outside pool will open in three weeks even though it's so cold still.

The kids have been asking for Jim to make Ratatouille since they saw the movie years ago, well this was the weekend. How many people guess they ate this?

Last kid's quote

After Zoe took a poop and Jim entered the bathroom:

Zoe: "Welcome to my world."

Spring WA Trip

We made our trek to WA last week, headed out on Wed and returned on Sunday, needless to say not long enough. The weather cooperated and we only had one rainy day. I took less pictures than I typically do, so not sure what's up with that...I didn't even realize how few I had until I went to type up this post. Very disappointed. I didn't even get any of Amber with Reina and baby Gabriela. We did get some professional pictures done of the kids and cousin Monty - they turned out really great and I'll see how they look scanning and posting (probably won't happen).

Kellan, Jim and Papa Frankie made it out to the state capitol in Olympia. Jim did take quite a few pictures there.








Kellan was so excited to discussion his four passions of Legos, Star Wars, Star Wars' Legos and Lego Star Wars Wii with Monty, whom shares the same passions. It was tough getting the kids on the plane and Zoe is still talking about wanting to move back to "her home" in WA. Never enough time...

Easter

There are days when we wish we could...put them behind bars

We are off to WA on Wednesday. I thought I better get "Easter" posted before then. We spent Sat. dying eggs...the kids dyed all their eggs and when Jim went to do the last one, he dropped it...and realized it wasn't hard boiled. Since the Easter Bunny hides the dyed eggs at our house we figured it wasn't a good idea to leave them out in case one were to break. After dinner we went for round two of dying, which was Ok by the kids. The Easter Bunny has also hid toys in previous years, so with that expectation the kids were very, very excited for Sunday. They woke up early, hunted for eggs and toys and played until it was time to go to Uncle Tom and Aunt Jan's house for round two of egg hunting. We finally had some nice weather and though it was really windy they enjoyed time in the hot tub too.

Getting into everything and anything...

Mini-me

"He's not a toy" is repeated many times throughout the day

Dexter is pretty content with just watching & hanging out (for now), granted we can't play games on the floor anymore.

Yes, they are dorks. They don't stand a chance.

Last Kid's Quote

We constantly have music playing in the house/car. We don't always realize the kids are listening until we hear them arguing over song lyrics. In Kellan's room singing The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop" (or Rob Zombie's version):

Zoe (singing): "Hey ho, let's go. Shoot him in the background."

Kellan: "You are singing it wrong. Hey ho, let's go, shoot him in the back now."

Zoe: "No Kellan, shoot him in the background."

Kellan (singing): "Shoot him in the back now."

Zoe (still singing but a lot louder): "SHOOT HIM IN THE BACKGROUND"

This went on and on until Kellan finally asked what the words were.