Blog Book!!

For almost a year now I have been trying to figure out a way to preserve all of my blog entries. I love going back and reading old posts, seeing what my kids were up to, what they looked like, what our lives were like. I had contemplated several times just printing off all the pages but with all the pictures I had it would have been a massive task! I finally just goggled if you could turn your blog into a book and to my surprise there are 2 websites that do it!! The first is some company out of Germany. The prices are in euros and of course you have to pay for shipping so I decided that although it was VERY user friendly, it wasn't my best option. I decided to preserve all my wonderfully written, grammatically correct blog posts, I would use blurb book! You just go to their website, download the free software and start a new book. Its an option right off the bat...thank you for being user friendly. It takes a long time to upload the posts and I am not sure how user friendly actually compiling the book will be but I will hopefully find out soon. This is such a wonderful find!

Tummy Time

Benjamin is getting stronger by the day, he is starting to be able to lift his upper body off the floor during tummy time! To make his workout more entertaining I like to put toys in front of him to look at. Here are a couple of pictures of my little man working on his muscles.

 What are you looking at Jesse?

 Thats right, you will bow down before me or else I will drool on you

 OK, maybe that was a bit harsh, lets be friends please

ooo, trains! I can't wait to eat you

Family Pictures

 It is no secret that I am obsessed with pictures. Every holiday and family gathering I always try to get pictures of the family, kids, me and the kids etc...it NEVER works. I told Uncle Jordan the only goal of this party was to get 1 picture that I like and he did a great job, I got several! We used balloons as bribery but I don't care about my parenting techniques, I got some very cute pictures:)

 Our second Eberhardt family photo...we really need to work on taking more of these

 Me and my two boys...yes I planned for them to be matching, don't judge

 Mommy and Annie Kat!!!

 All three of my babies, I seriously just blinked and had 3 kids, where does the time go

 Grandma and the birthday boy!

Grandma and Baby Benjamin

Happy Birthday!

 On Monday by baby boy, Elias Jerome turned 4! I know every parent says this but time really does fly by. Elias was born on Wednesday March 26th at 8:16am after 28 long hours of labor. He weighed a whopping 10lbs and was 23 inches long. Today he is a tall skinny kid who loves to run and play with his trains. I can't believe how much older he seems this year then last, it's amazing what a year of therapy and school can do for a kid! I love him so much and it was a delight to see the joy on his face when his long awaited birthday finally came. We have 3 kids and while the kids are young (and I can still get away with it) I have decided to forgo any formal party and just do family, home made cake etc. We held Elias's shindig on Sunday evening. On a side note, we actually got some great shots of the kids/parents. I had so many that I decided to dedicate a separate post to them so those will be up tomorrow!

 Uncle Jordan frosting the rainbow chip birthday cake

 Elias' cake that Mommy and Uncle Jordan made for him( Daddy was sleeping , he had to work that night)

 Blowing out all 4 of those candles. He was so proud that he was 4!

 Tearing open every present in sight before really even looking at them! Notice Christmas wrapping paper...saving money here people.

 Grandma showing Annie her new baseball glove while Benjamin looks curiously at his ladybug toy

 The bane of my existence that night...a giant Thomas lego set thanks to woot...it took forever to put together!

 Annie playing withy play dough that Aunt Nikki bought for the kids

 The start of this massive project

 Elias wanting the project to be done already!

 Not even close yet....

 The guys left me alone to tend to the babies and the Thomas toy while they participated in the all important fantasy baseball draft...thanks guys

the next morning it's FINALLY  finished!! Elias was so excited that he told me he was too sick to go to school and he was just going to stay home and play with Thomas. I made him go to school anyways and good thing he did because he got to eat cupcakes and celebrate his big birthday with his classmates!

Getting Involved

This week Brandon and I decided it was finally time to get Annie and Elias involved in some spring activities. We are both so busy during the fall and winter with work,school and coaching we couldn't find the time to get them in anything. My parents will be here next week so I decided to enroll Annie in morning gymnastics. My dad will watch Mr. Benjamin while Annie is with me at gymnastics(Elias will be at school through May). Today was our first class and I was very worried. Annie is a wild child to say the least but she did great! She listened to her coach wonderfully and had so much fun! Watching her have fun was great but my favorite part of the day was definitely watching her get dressed in her little leo and matching shorts..ahh memories.
When we moved into this house I remember standing on the front lawn with Brandon looking onto the soccer fields saying "When Elias turns 4 we are going to go skipping across that street to soccer practice with him" I can not believe the time is finally here! We went and registered him yesterday then went to scheels and bought him some soccer shoes, balls, shin guards and socks. As you know Elias has sensory issues so Brandon has been working with him every day to get used to all the new equipment so that when soccer practice starts on the 9th, Elias is used to it all. Brandon is hoping to coach the team and I can't wait to watch my little man run all over that field!

 Annie in her little leo!!!!!

 My sweet girl all ready to start gymnastics

 I may have had to bribe her with a M&M to put on her loe...

 My soon to be soccer star

This picture doesn't really belong but I love how Annie looks like she is straight out of the 80's. I bet I had outfits similar to this when I was her age...I should see if I can dig any of those up.

Spring Time

As promised the weather has warmed up rather nicely! Benjamin and I have enjoyed daily runs as well as family outings to the courtyard and park. Our schedule these last few days has been pretty nice. We wake up hand out play inside until lunch, I put the kids down then Benjamin and I go for a run ( Brandon is home but sleeping so I open the door to our room and the kids know if they wake up and I am not on the couch to wake up daddy, it has yet to happen. It is awesome to be able to work out during nap time, when Brandon was on days the only time I could was after 6pm..I am really like this whole midnight shift thing) Anyways, once the kids wake up its pretty much outside time until I have to make dinner, they come in side play with daddy, eat then its back outside for more fun. Next week it is supposed to be back down in the 50's which is still warm enough to be outside but maybe not for hours upon hours at a time. I love the spring! Especially this spring since its not sopping wet. 

 Benjamin taking a nice long nap in the shade while Annie Elias and I played in the yard

 A little snack time in the wagon, Annie finally agreed to take off her coat, poor girl was sweating

 CHEESE!! I love crackers

 My wonderful view. Benjamin sleeping and Annie and Elias having a snack in the wagon. To be honest I was kinda bored, this having 3 kids thing is a breeze...so far

 Annie relaxing a little in the warm sun

 AFTER we got back inside Annie decided she would wear sunglasses, I wish my kids would wear them outside more!

So happy to be outside!

GO SIOUX

This weekend the Sioux played in the final 5 hockey tournament. The Sioux were down 0-3 so I decided after Benjamin's bath to get him dressed in his Sioux sleeper and hat. As a side note EVERY single game Benjamin and I attended this winter we won, basketball and hockey. Immediately upon getting him dressed the Sioux scored a goal. By the time he had finished his dinner we were tied at 3-3 and went on to win the game 6-3.. I guess he really is their good luck charm!

 Before his bath, the Sioux were still loosing

 He was still pretty happy though, he was chillin with Mickey and the snowman waiting for brother and sister to get out of the bath so he could have his turn

 Sad Benjamin..I can't believe the Sioux are loosing

 NO NO NO why are they loosing

 Hmm? They scored..I must be good luck

 All this scoring is making me tired, wake me up when we win

We won! I will celebrate by going to sleep

Splish Splash

After some of the water that the snow left behind evaporated, the family headed out for yet another walk. Benjamin slept most of the trip again while Annie and Elias had a grand ole time. We made it around our townhome complex without getting into any huge puddles...until it was time to check the mail. A small lake has formed around our mail box and Annie and Elias had so much fun splashing and running back and forth. They were soaking wet. We had to take off their clothes in the garage and get them right int the washer, they got dressed in nice dry clothes and cuddled up under the covers while Daddy and I cleaned up the wet mess. 

 The kids holding on to me begging to go outside.

 So I wrapped up Benjamin and off we headed...have I mentioned how much I love my wrap!!

 Elias holding Annie's hand

 Playing on the hill

 Holding hands again

 Annie really loves her brother so much! Elias humors her by holding her hand and giving her hugs

 found a puddle Annie, lets go!!

 The lake in front of our mail box

 So much water!

All nice and dry now, snuggling under a blankie