Chalk Talk @ the Library

June 16th, 2009

I like to think that I've been keeping the boys busy this summer (translation: trying not to go crazy myself). Included in our weekly outings to Target and the Farmer's Market is our weekly outing to the Library. Our *NEW* Library opened at the beginning of the summer, and has been wonderful! They have activities every Tuesday and Saturday~ we've been to Music, Magic, and Reading with Ponies... and I've forgotten my camera at everyone one of them.

But not this time!

After reading stories about sidewalk chalk and the fun you can create with it, we all went outside to participate in the activity portion.

This is were things got interesting...

Nolan has textural issues... he doesn't like the feel of certain things. Sidewalk chalk is one of those things. After the initial fight of getting him to hold it, Nolan took to the idea of drawing on the sidewalk. He was really enjoying it too! So I pulled out my camera and took some great shots of the kids.

You know how things tend to happen when you don't keep an eye on your toddler? I really should have learned by now not to turn my back, but I was taking pictures... but Nolan had my full attention when he started throwing up the chalk that he'd just eaten. Being the mother that I am, my first instinct was to catch the throw-up so it didn't get all over. My next instinct was to reach in his mouth and make sure he wasn't choking. Things only a mother would do!

Thank heavens Gina was there. She kept an eye on Ian, Brennan, and Dylan while I carried Nolan into the bathroom to clean him up. Instead of helping me by holding still, he was more interested in the mini-toilet they have for children. So while I'm washing my hands in the sink, Nolan is washing his in the nifty little potty. Such a boy!

This Week's Major Events

At the Borchert house, we had two major events happen this past week.

1st- Ian started rolling over (first from him back to tummy and now tummy to back)

2nd- Brennan lost not one, but two teeth!

Monday June 8th, I pulled out the top tooth after a few weeks of it being really, really loose.

Wednesday June 10th, the other top tooth was pulled out as well. As you can see, Brennan is now missing 3 teeth. Doesn't he look so big?

Funny Story

If you didn't already know, our friends from Illinois just moved out here and now live just around the block. It's been lots of fun having them around. Brennan, Caleb, and Gabe play really well together and Bella and Nolan just try to mimic what they see. Anyway, a funny thing happened on Friday night, which led to an even funnier thing today.

Friday, the Hansen's came over to play Settlers and Ticket to Ride, which was lots of fun. The only problem was that they were here until 11. Caleb and Bella had crashed on the couch while we played, but Caleb is WAY to big to carry home, so we woke him up to walk. About 5 minutes after they left, Gina called to say that Caleb, in his semi conscience state, had mistakenly put on my sneakers instead of his own (I guess the kid has really big feet for a 9 yr old). We had a great laugh over that one.

So today, they decided to bring my shoes back. When they got here, the kids decided to go to the back yard to play. Brennan and Gabe were being super helpful with Nolan and Bella and even put him in his bucket swing. After putting him in backwards, Brennan was tugging on Nolan's arms while Gabe was trying to pull out his feet so they could turn him around. (It was really funny to watch). When they finally got him out, B was holding Nolan by the armpits, with Nolan's shirt all lifted up nearly over his head. The next thing you know, Gabe is correcting Nolan's dress with "Nolan, pull your shirt down. Your GARMENTS (onesie) are showing."

(So I know that you'll only get this if your familiar with LDS things, so sorry Don... I know it's not as funny to you as it was to me and Gina!)

Chunky Monkey

I realize that most of you may not be interested in this part, but I need to write it down somewhere and this is the place I go to find the info about my boys that I need to remember.

Ian's 4 month stats:
Height: 25 1/2 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 16 lb 12 oz (80th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17 inches

Now for the other good stuff... Pictures! If you click on the link below, it will take you to Ian's 4 month pictures that I had taken today. And I know that I'm just a mom, but I think that my chunky monkey is super cute!

https://www.searsphotos.com/?shareid=S206868828lCK6V3F8X24

The Hermitage

While Heidi was here, she wanted to take her kids to see The Hermitage. The Hermitage is the home of President and General Andrew Jackson. I remember going to historical sites with my mother when I was younger and this reminded me just how much I really liked it!

The Hermitage consists of the house (not really a country house~ more like a mansion {and I know I didn't get a great picture of it..sorry}), the gardens (where Jackson's tomb is located), a few slave quarters, and the 1,000 acre cotton plantation (which is now fields for cattle and grass). I was a little apprehensive about taking the little ones at first, but they were great as long as we kept moving. It was really interesting to learn about the lives of the people who lived with and worked for Jackson. I can't believe that they considered this (Nashville) the West! Brennan found the farm fascinating, Nolan loved the tour of the mansion by the ladies dressed in period apparel, and Ian was just happy to be outside in the fresh air. Micaela and Jessica read everything they could about all of the pictures and artifacts while Marissa and Brennan followed the tour through the audio headsets we were given. All said, the Hermitage was a great activity for the family. I know that I'm turning into my mother because going to historical sites is something that I really think that I could get into!

Everyone listening to the audio tour.

Jessica learning about the clothes the Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel wore to to ball thrown in honor of him.

Marissa and Brennan in front of the carriage that was considered the finest form of transportation for that era. Looked really uncomfortable to me!

The tomb of Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel.

Brennan and Marissa in front of one of the many magnolia trees in bloom.

Nolan and Ian just enjoying the ride.

Streets of Indian Lake

I love being back in the South~ one of the many reasons is because they have great outdoor fountains and parks for the kids to play in. We found a great fountain at the Streets of Indian Lake, which is an outdoor shopping center. The first few times we've gone, I've forgotten my camera... yuck. So when we decided to take Heidi and her kids with us, I actually remembered to take my camera. Here are some of my favorite pictures from that day:

After playing in the fountain for an hour or so, we decided to go to Marble Slab to get some yummy ice cream. I'd forgotten Nolan's swim diaper, so he was just wearing his trunks...bad idea. When we got inside, I guess that the air conditioning was too much for sweet Nolan and he peed on their floor... luckily it just looked like water from his swim trunks and I just wiped it up with the beach towel. Oh, the things we do for our kids!

Gigi & Gram

I'm a little behind in posting the pictures... sorry!

Back in May, we traveled to Little Rock to visit Papa and Gigi and our sweet Gram. I didn't get any pictures of E with Papa (he loved to laugh with him), but I did get some good pictures of Ian with Gram (even though she didn't want to be in them) and Gigi.

Gigi just loves the boys and hates when we have to leave. She loves holding Ian and he just loves to be held. Gigi is looking forward to the end of July when we are taking Brennan and Dylan to Disney World and she and Papa are babysitting Nolan and Ian.

Gram didn't want any pictures taken of her and I don't really know why. Ian loved her! She is the best Gram ever. She invited us over for dinner and made home-cooked fried chicken and gravy.... super yummy! She even made my favorite chocolate cake~ Gram is the best!