Happy Birthday Theo!

This past weekend was our nephew Theo's 3rd birthday.  So we packed up the clan and headed to Collinsville.

Betsy made a Rice Krispie train cake for the first party.  Theo loves Thomas the Train - and anything on wheels really.  The first part of the party was at the YMCA and they rented out the gymnastic room for us to play in.
Note to other parents:  Yes the foam pit looks fun to jump in, but if you do, jump close to the side, IT WILL SUCK YOU IN!  Being the fun kid at heart that I am at times still I took a running leap into the middle of the foam pit.  30 minutes later (covered in sweat) I finally managed to get out - with BJ's help to pull me up out of the pit (there should really be a ladder).  Adults can not walk on foam like kids, we can awkwardly try to and make no progress quickly.  Kids 6 and under think it's hilarious to watch an adult try to get out of the foam pit.  At this point and time, exhausted adult stuck in foam pit can resolve to start throwing foam at other kids laughing - it won't hurt them, just your pride.  Moral of the story, jump in by the side.

However it was a great time and we followed it up with a family dinner at the Bovee residence.  Of course Abby was asking about gymnastic lessons.  She was pretty amazing on the high balance beam and uneven bars.  Who knew?  She definitely does not get any of that talent from Tim or I.

I haven't had an Emma photo for a while and this kid seems to be changing and growing daily so had to get one in there.  She also had her first high chair experience with us.  Thankfully my purse fits perfectly behind her to help take up the extra space.  She loved being at the table with us and enjoyed crinkling a wrapper.  She did try to steal Megan's dinner (which you can see in the picture) a couple of times.  If I had to guess, she's going to enjoy learning how to eat.

5th day of Christmas (yes I am behind)

On the 5th Day of Christmas my husband gave to me:

5 INFECTED EARS!!!!!

4 brand new tires



3 new prescriptions
2 stinky pumpkins
and a toilet that runs by itself

On the 3rd Day of Christmas....

On the 3rd Day of Christmas my husband left for me:

3 new prescriptions
2 stinky pumpkins
and a toilet that runs by itself......

On the 2nd day of Christmas.....

On the 2nd day of Christmas my husband left for me:

Two stinky pumpkins
and a toilet that runs by itself

**Note:  pumpkins have now been removed (or hidden) from garage, however stink remains.

The 12 Days of Christmas

I've decided to try something for this Christmas season and do a little Schmidt version of the 12 days of Christmas.  Yes I do know the 12 days do not start until Christmas Day and go until Epiphany, and yes I am starting on the 12th instead of the 13th (which is debatable since it begins at sundown on Christmas Eve) but I know I will be challenged to complete the last couple of days so I thought I would get a start.  The days are dedicated to our everyday happenings in the Schmidt house.   Enjoy.

On the first day of Christmas my husband left for me:

A toilet that runs by itself.

A little closer to Christmas

This weekend provided a little R&R for the Schmidt girls to help recover from the CRUD of the previous weekend.  I can say that both Abby and Megan are both on the mend, but poor Emma is still miserable as last week and we'll probably have another follow up dr. appointment this week as we don't like to hear what's coming out of our poor baby.  We did get most of the rest of our Christmas decorations up however and just have to decorate one more tree tonight and put up the nativity scene and we can call it officially decorated.  We are going to continue to bake some more as the girls have asked for more Grandma Powers chocolate chip cookies - and who am I kidding, I want more too!  Then Abby brought home a recipe for Puppy Chow that they made in Kindergarten so we will be making our first attempt at that as well.

Saturday morning Emma got her local showing of "Dancing with the Stars"

Carrie Ann would say "I had to give a deduction for the lift".

We were going through our toys and found some old sun glasses that should fit Emma this summer - had to try them on.

We did get one tree decorated this weekend after much crying/arguing that their room had to be cleaned up before that could happen.

Friday night was Megan's"Cookies with Santa" preschool fundraiser so we decided to go since all kids had returned to school/daycare that day and survived.  This was our photo after we finally detached Emma's hand from Santa's beard.

And now Emma has entertainer herself with her shirt to give her belly photo.

"And I want a bear that you can write on and wash, Megan wants a pink car, and we don't know what Emma wants."

Picking our nose with Santa.

Megan and her best friend Emma

Making Snowman Socks - very creative idea!

It's crazy how quickly Christmas is sneaking up on us!  We still have a lot of shopping to do for exchange presents.  Thankfully Amazon.com is open 24 hours a day.

The Week of Christmas Crud

This past week has been miserable for the Schmidt kids.  They have managed to get an array of viruses that have all resulted in doctor visits, missed school, and sleepless nights for Tim and I.  But we will prevail!  Despite our fridge that looks like a pharmacy with prescriptions we have continued our Christmas preparation traditions - germs and all.

The stockings were hung by the "Chinese Cabinet" with care.......that's Abby's word for it.

Decorating Grandma Papke's molasses cookies

My frosting partner in crime finishing up the final cookies

A close up of our stockings with the new addition of Emma's.  All 3 are unique.

Abby and Megan reviewing their ornaments for their tree the weekend "THE CRUD" showed up

Even though under the weather Megan got to roll out the "leftover" small ball of dough until it was in pieces.  Also - Diet Coke and flour do not mix - the can was upright for that moment.

Getting our decorating on with Emma giving her comments

This year they were more careful with their decorating placements....at least to start with

"Hey you - I'm trying to dump sprinkles in the middle of cookies here!"

Even though all 3 kids are sick we are still enjoying ourselves.  Sam's Club appreciated my purchase of Kleenex, and I did seriously think about getting some "Boogie Wipes" with all the snot we have in our house but passed for now.  Our mornings and nights start/end with "Let me check your temperature" and "Did you take your medicine?"  I'm waiting for a safe disinfecting wipe to come out for kids that have to be reminded to wash their hands constantly - and then asked again if they used soap.  I could at least randomly swab them off.
We had an enjoyable night sitting around the table, listening to Christmas music, decorating cookies, and trying to not wince when the cookies were coughed or sneezed on.  It was perfect.
Frosting kills germs - right?