Happy Late (Very Late) Father's Day!

Father's Day has come and gone and I find myself behind on things again. Disappointing F-Day for Jim, but I am sure he's getting used to it. He did get to take a 3+ hour nap. What more can a dad ask for? We started the day watching the new "Alice In Wonderland" - as soon as it came on Zoe had to put her Alice costume on, followed by me doing her hair. These opportunities with Zoe don't present themselves too often so it was fun. Unlucky girl inherited my hair, so the locks lasted all of about 20 minutes.

Lots of pictures from outside, lots of sunshine and heat just how we like it. We didn't get "big slide" out this weekend, but we blew up Dexter's baby pool which he loved. It was hard to keep the other two out. Against my better judgement I made a water slide out of the playground slide. It was really fast and Zoe hit the ground hard a few times before she figured out to put her feet down first. Next time I'm going to put a slip in slide at the end of it - that's if Jim doesn't read this post first and not let me.

Kellan had his last day of 1st grade on Tuesday. I asked one of his teachers if he graduated and her reply was "He would pass on charm alone." Not sure if that's what I was looking to hear, but it is nice to know he's liked by all and he really is a good kid. His class had a poetry reading. His poem was about his two best friends. I still need to download the video and will post soon. Listening to the kids was one of the funniest 20 minutes I've ever experienced - topics ranged from friends to family, animals to sports and then took a turn for the worse by some with death and destruction. Definitely some classics. Kellan's grades weren't as good as they were last semester and he ended on a low note as far as reading. I bought him a clip lamp for his bed and he's been an avid reader these last few nights. We're hoping he'll keep it up since he does enjoy it; we'll be helping him throughout the summer.

Jim's home now with the three of them for the next five weeks, wish him luck, wish us all luck. He's already had two other kids (at the same time) over to play and will be managing five at a time at least once a week.

I spent about an hour weeding in the rocks one afternoon. I was worried Dexter would have a rock in his mouth every other minute. It didn't take him long to stop putting them in, he kept himself occupied by just piling them on the pavement. I think walking is going to come sooner than later, he's learned to do the crab crawl and stays off his poor little knees a lot now.

This is the same slide Auntie Karen gave Kellan for his first birthday; it's making its rounds with all the kids.

Loving the watermelon

Last Kid's Quote:

Kellan had a situation in a public bathroom, so Jim followed him in...

Kellan: "Run"

Dexter and Kellan "playing" the Wii. / Summer Fun

Vacations Underway

A lot of happenings over the last couple of weeks. I think we are all finally healthy, a bit sleep deprived, but no more hacking. Dexter had to take two different antibiotics for his ear infection.

Jim went on this summer's baseball trip two weekends ago. He and his friend, Chris, went to Kansas City then drove to St. Louis. Other than Jim being sick, they had a great time. In the mean time, I survived four days, three nights with the kids. I told Jim he was fired when he came home, I'd much rather have his job. I guess, easy for me to say after a few days vs. seven years. The kids were great, Dexter had one bad night, but him and Zoe let me nap the next day. I think it was the first time I've had four days in a row off, without being sick and without going on an airplane. It was very nice.

Kellan had his first baseball game. Unfortunately Jim missed it since he was out of town. They won in grand fashion. I was thoroughly impressed with the huge strides they made from playing last year - they actually could field and knew where to make plays. Their second game only went a couple of innings due to thunder and lightning, the third game was rained out. We're going to be playing baseball all summer at this rate.

Zoe finished her first year at pre-school. The school had a two and a half hour party after school. It was mostly for the kids going on to kindergarten. Sad for Zoe since she's only one of a few kids staying back another year. Her "best" friends all graduated. She will be by far one of the biggest kids, most people were shocked she's only four and a half.

We finally turned the air condition on...for a week. This weekend we had hail and fifty degree temps. Will it ever stop? We're back to 80's and 90's this week.

I feel like I have lots of funny stories, but as usual none come to mind. Dexter is becoming more and more independent by the day. I can't believe his first birthday is right around the corner. Still no first steps. He's a crazy little eater, loves to be outside and go swimming, and I dare to say back to sleeping through the night now that his ears have cleared (I'm sure I just jinxed us).

Happy to see Dad after his trip. Mean mom makes him cry when it's nap time. I think he was very happy to see Daddy. Definitely a time I'll never forget.

Nacho picnic.

Time for a bigger hat; I can't believe it lasted as long as it did.

Watching Kellan's baseball game.

After Kellan's game, Zoe decided to put on Kellan's uniform. This is her impersonating Kellan.

I think this may be the only picture I have of Dexter sleeping since he was an infant. We had to wake him up to go somewhere so figured I'd sneak a picture first. We were going to Zoe's cooking class which was canceled, but we were never called. Now I know how Jim and all the other parents feel about having to wake a sleeping baby. I was so mad since he was still a sick little guy.

Will the touching ever end?

Ditto from above.

Fascinated by Kellan playing the Wii.

How can one look so happy and the other look so scared?

Happy Big 5 B-Day Monty!

We can't believe Monty Pope is 5 years old. Wish we could be there to celebrate! Love & miss you! Instead you get this video that we just realized we could do on the computer (Dexter just got back from the doctor w/a double ear infection). Your present will be in the mail soon, of course late. Sorry buddy!

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."