What a Merry Christmas it was

It all started at 8 AM, yes that's right we have three kids under 4 and they weren't up until 8 AM. I made chocolate chip pancakes (a new tradition) and most everyone enjoyed them. Then we opened presents. I have to admit that although I love getting gifts, I loved seeing our kids open theirs. It's become so much more about them than me this year and I'm thankful for that. When Alexandra opened her Ariel tent, Sebastian said, "That's Awesome". I thought that was great. We headed over to my dad's for a few more presents and then off to my step-mom's sisters for dinner. It was all so yummy as usual. Then, we put three very tired kids in the van and headed over to see my mom. I think the kids had a great time all around. Poor Atticus, he only got about an hour of sleep all day. I'm liking the new traditions we are starting with the kids. Paul is too. He mentioned that to me today. As I left my mom today I told her I was so tried and our house was a mess and that i had to go home to it. She said some day my house would be totally clean but the kids would be gone and I would only have these times as memories. She's right, these days do seem to go by fast even though they are so tiring! :) Merry Christmas!

Tackle it Saturday thanks for Brother Chas

I got a comment that my brother wanted to see old Bobbi Vila's finished kitchen. See as My reader you get what you ask for if I can. So here you go!

Vote for me and Sebastian

Holiday cheer photo contest

Nothing says holiday cheer like a toddler with chocolate all over his face. You can go and vote for my photo in the contest at Write from Karen.

My favorite time this year

As 2007 comes to a close and with lots of snow on the ground, I've thought some about this summer. How I got a swing set for the kids at a garage sale for $15 and how many times each day I would say ok a few more pushes and mommy is done. Since we've started Sebastian's therapy, it's come to my attention that he really needs the swing stimulation. I'm glad I did that every day into November so we could meet that need at home. I also think about taking a walk this summer with Alexandra and walking by a "big" school and talking to her about that. It'll be next fall when she starts kindergarten. I also think about Atticus crawling on the driveway this summer and then later this fall chasing Alexandra and Sebastian around the driveway on two feet. I will cherish those lazy summer days watching the kids in the pool and me sitting in the chair in the shade. Ah, only a few more months and we'll be a back there.

This post is a part of the Mamablogga December Writing Group Project. You can get more info on that here.

Another blow to Sebastian's development

On Wednesday we had our final evaluation with the Kalamazoo County Early on program. Although Sebastian has made great strides in the areas of speech and emotional development, he is still struggling with his gross motor skills and his fine motor skills. He's also having trouble with what they call motor mapping, pretty much where you give him a task, and he can't complete it without you showing him how to do it. Also, he's still having trouble eating and trying new foods. They are recommending he get a new evaluation with the next program for his age called the PET program. I thought we were making good progress and although we are in some areas he's still struggling with the physical stuff. We have many options as to what kind of treatment to proceed with. I'll keep updating you on his progress. My goal right now is to work really hard in the next 2 1/2 years so that when he starts school no one will ever know what kind of struggles he's had.

Another awesome contest at 5minutesformom

I would love to win the latest prize pack that 5minutesformom.com is giving away. It's from Parents magazine and it's a ton of toys. If you'd like to check out Parent's magazine here the link. Wish me luck!

Tackle it Tuesday

Ok, so I'm still in the process of tackling but I thought I'd give some kudos to myself for most of this tackle done. We decided to paint the kitchen after 7 years the week before we're having 10 of Paul's co-workers over. The first set of pics are of the kitchen before we scraped the border off and then with the border off. I'm working on the banana nut shade today and will finish this later this week.

A field trip to the Library

Today Alexandra's preschool class went to the Parchment Library. They had two stories and then a craft. The craft was so clever. It was an upside down ice cream cone. The kids covered it with frosting and then put m and m's and other candy on it for decoration. This is Alexandra's you see pictured here. A fine christmas tree and she got to eat it when we got home. Even better!

Merry Christmas from the Erbe Elves

Check out this link and see us as elves. The kids cracked up when they saw this! It's pretty cute!

The weather forcasters seem to be right this time

As I look out my window, I see a lot of white stuff coming down from the sky. In the last month the weather people have predicted that we'd get some significant snow fall. It hasn't happened. They are saying we'll probably get 2-3 inches tonight and it looks like they are probably right. I have to admit that it's pretty cool when we get snow in the evening and over night. We wake up and all the ground is covered in white. It looks all clean and new. With all the snow coming it makes be thankful that I don't have to go out in it tonight and hopefully by church tomorrow they have the roads cleaned off. Ah, whenever this happens I do need to remember that we choose to live in Michigan.

Merry Christmas from the Erbe's

In very traditional fair, the Erbe family wishes you a very merry Christmas.

A trip down a bouncy slide

We decided to take the kids to bounceland on Friday instead of going shopping. Other than Atticus, everyone had a great time. Even me as you can see.!

Just a couple of the things I'm Thankful for

These three kids are only three things in a long list of things I'm thankful for today! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sebastian's Veggie Tales song

I don't have words to describe this. That's all I have to say.

Alexandra's Thanksgiving Song(s)?

At Preschool, they have been singing Thanksgiving songs. As she was eating dinner she started singing. I'm glad I had the camera close, it's too funny! How many versions are there? I'm not sure.

Sebatian's OT appointment

Yesterday we had another OT yesterday with "Dr. Joann". He now gets really excited to go see her because it's so much fun. He was very focused which was good she got to see the lack of dominance in his sides. He doesn't cross over his body to color or to do anything. She gave me some tips on how to help us establish his right side as his dominant side. He's starting to jump from an inch of the ground. He's kicking better and communicating so much better. She says as we start to meet his sensory issues he'll develop physically and verbally. As I've said before it's like he's come alive. It's very cool. So needless to say the appointments are going really good.

Timing is everything, right?

Today there came some finality to a situation that I thought was dead a long time ago but today it was really done. In the midst of the decision I got to air my thoughts and feelings about the situation. I feel good about that but with other factors involved I'm struggling with feeling like I've been doing something for 10 years and what do I have to show for it. I shouldn't look at it that way but that's where I'm at right now. It sucks the way certain situations are handled and I don't like being treated the way I was treated. I deserve better. I'm trying to focus on that and not on the negative. I also think this is for the best, God knows that but I'm still mourning it. I'm also frustrated that I haven't been able to gain any new work on the website front despite my best efforts. This is just one of those days where I'm glad tomorrow will different.

Yesterday we had people over for home group. Alexandra came home from School and asked if we were having a party. I said no, we're not having a party. She said "Why did you clean up the season room". I said very stunned, "Because it was dirty". I laughed later when I told Paul because she's right, I only clean the three season room when we are having people over. Isn't that horrible. Who can I blame for that??? Just kidding Mom and Dad! Love ya!

Under the sea

I love these moments. They are all standing up dancing to something. Hopefully the video isn't too dark to see.

Crossing the picket line

I know it's a weird title but one of my friends wanted to know if my reality show took a break because of the writers strike. I have no comment, other than one of my other friends always knows when we're sick or really busy because I don't blog. That's pretty much it. After the chest colds we had, I got a head cold and now everybody's got. Also lots of things have been broken around there. A car, a dryer, an outlet in the bathroom. The list goes on and on. I think we're starting to get better. Alexandra still has this nasty cough but she's getting better. We got the car fixed but now the van is acting up. The dryer is Erin's dryer downstairs and we have a line on another dryer that we will hopefully get soon. Sebastian's language has just amazed me. The other night he was up, talking when Paul and I went to bed. I went in and asked him what was wrong. He told me he was cold. I asked if he wanted warmer pj's. He said yes. I was amazed that he could tell me he was cold. Last night at the bookmobile he saw a sign on the door that said "push here" and he spelled all the letters. I am just amazed and thankful for the progress he has made. I guess that's enough up date for now.