Our Week: Butterflies, Special Time, and Dinner On the Deck

We had such a busy week last week, that I only blogged once. Man, as these boys get older, nap less, and stay up later, it gets harder and harder to find time to blog! Nap time and after early bedtime was always my blogging time!

Still, I'll continue to blog when I can, because I do really enjoy it.

Last Sunday, we headed up to Grand Rapids to see the butterflies. This was the last week of the Butterfly exhibit and there were so many to see! Since moving here, it's something we've done every year and the boys always enjoy it.

As a side note: you know you have a big family when it is the same price or cheaper to buy a year long family pass than it is to pay for your family to enter one time! We often end up with a year's pass to the zoo, the Children's Museum, Meijer Garden's.... it's just something funny to me.

 

Up until last year they were scared that a butterfly might land on them (because occasionally they will). However this time, they were all hoping and praying that a butterfly would land on them!



Hence Colin, holding his finger out, trying to welcome a butterfly to land..... at first I couldn't figure out what he was doing! To his dismay, it didn't happen this time. :(

We also walked through some of the outdoor sculptures. I love the above picture.... how each one is following the next....Chris as the lead..... all my loves, all in a row, doing their thing.

Colin and Finn

Every couple days Finn will ask Colin, "Colin are you still my best friend?" To which Colin replies, "Yup".   "Okay good" Finn will say.

It was also a "special time" week. Chris and I make an effort to get "special time" with each child. Our house is busy and sometimes the little people talk over each other (with five young children, this just seems inevitable). Our intention during a child's "special time", is that they enjoy our undivided attention, feel special and well listened too. For us as parents, it's also so nice to be able to have that one on one time with them and get to know them a little better.

So, each night after dinner last week, either Chris or I took one of the (four older) boys for their special time.

Colin and Chris went to get haircuts and then out for ice cream.



On Tuesday, Carter and I went swimming and then out for ice cream. He talked non-stop, which I got such a kick out of and so enjoyed. I learned more about him. Such as, his favorite things to play these days, what he's most afraid of, and what he really thinks about going to preschool next year.

Everett and Chris went out to dinner together and apparently Everett sucked down the lemonade he ordered so fast, it was pretty unbelievable. Although we do take the boys out to restaurants, we don't usually allow them to order any drink besides water because it gets expensive. So- Everett was in heaven with his lemonade(s). Afterwards, they went for ice-cream.

Finn wanted nothing more than to go fishing with Chris, so although it was really my turn to have special time with him, I let the two of them go...... Finn got to use his new fishing pole and although they didn't catch anything, it wasn't really about the fish anyway.

And then before we knew it, it was the weekend! AND, it's Tulip Time! Tulip time is a big deal in Holland, Michigan. There are multiple parades, rides, music, dancing, events, petting zoos, fireworks, and of course, beautiful tulips everywhere you go! We've actually never really participated much in the Tulip Time festivities simply because the boys were always so little, but this year, we're dipping our toes in and checking things out.

Oh, and we ate out on the deck for the first time this season. That always feels so good!

I tried to use the timer to take this picture but it didn't really turn out. Trust me though, we are all there, outside on the deck and there's no snow and it's beautiful and we loved every minute of it!

Although we are without question, the loudest family in the neighborhood. :)

Hope you had a good weekend too!

Carter-Man

Tonight before bed, you were a complete mess. I think that you tripped on the rug between the bath and your room and it was over from there. You just couldn't get it together. Overtired + one boo boo too many= game over.

So I rocked you in the big green chair while nursing Owen. At first you were complaining that Owen was kicking you and bugging you and you still couldn't seem to settle yourself. Finally I asked if you had any ideas about how I could help you feel better and quietly, between sobs, you said, "Let's sing the Christmas tree song."

And so we did. On a hot, humid June night we rocked and sang, "Oh Christmas Tree". Owen, wide eyed in the dark room, just listened and kept drinking himself to sleep. He doesn't care what we sing so long as he's got the boobs.

Carter, you love singing 'Oh Christmas Tree' with me. Something about that song, maybe the rhythm of it? or perhaps a sweet memory of us singing it together? resonated with you and in turn the request for a rendition of 'Oh Christmas Tree' comes up from time to time.

It calmed you right away and soon you were asleep. So was Owen. I placed Owen in his crib and then  carried you carefully to your bed in your green zip up pjs and tucked you in. Just so you know, I'd sing 'Oh Christmas Tree' to you every night.

Last Friday it was your turn for "special time" with Mommy and Daddy. We took you out to breakfast and you chose the jelly filled donut and pancakes. We loved getting that time with you and love watching you grow!

Mommy, Daddy, Colin Special Time!

Before the triplets were born Chris and I vowed to make time to hang out just the three of us so that Colin continues to know how special he is to us. So today while my parents watched the babies, we headed off to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. I'd been before but Chris hadn't. I'm not sure who had more fun, Colin or Chris. Especially in the construction room!

We had such a good time together! In fact, it was all fun and games until we entered the water room. The museum provides cute little rain coats to use while playing. Still, somehow he managed to get completely soaked. Chris and I were oblivious of this fact until we left the room and noticed that his shirt, pants, socks and shoes were completely waterlogged. 

It was almost nap time anyway and clearly it was time to head home. There was really no other option but to take the wet pants, shirt, undershirt, socks and shoes off. We decided to put just his coat on and then drape Chris's coat over his legs because of course I didn't bring any change of clothes. He would have none of the coat being draped over his legs. Just preferred to head out sans pants. 

Alrighty then....

Off we went, through a surprisingly crowded Navy Pier, pushing a kid wearing only a winter coat and no pants. And there was snow on the ground outside. I tried to tell myself, "maybe people won't even notice", but they did! People were looking and one little girl even turned to her mother and said, "Mommy why is that boy a nudie?" Whatever that even means. 

We had a good laugh about it though and all that matters is Colin enjoyed himself. He was fast asleep before we even got out of the parking garage!