Waterpark Mania

Waterpark Video

Ever since LTD started wearing goggles and began swimming lessons, they are wild about water. Dave and I decided to take a mini-vacation (an overnight) with the kiddos and head 35 minutes south to Owatonna to a well-known water park that was highly suggested by a dear friend of ours. It features small crowds, affordable prices (Kids Eat Free), and an overall fun time for families. We had an absolute BLAST!! Our suite featured 2 rooms; one with a king bed for 2 worn out parents and the other had bunk beds for the kiddos. The bunks were great for climbing and playing on but when it came time to actually sleeping, they much preferred to cuddle up together in their sleeping bags on the floor in the middle of the room. (note to self: SO relieved and grateful we opted to skip bunk beds for their new big kid beds at home). LTD swam hard and we basically had the entire park to ourselves the whole time we were there (Thursday night). The pool also had some big water slides that the kiddos had so much fun on - but we never got a chance to capture any of it on film (probably had something to do with having our hands full with 3 wild munchkins anxious to get to the top of the slide saying "Let's do it again, Daddy!!). We swam, sang, danced, had pillow fights, enjoyed a delicious dinner in the dining room (LTD especially loved the free ice cream), played fun games in the arcade, swam some more, and Dave and I even had time for a movie after the kiddos zonked out for the night (Silence of the Lambs - how romantic!!). We really had a nice time and look forward to going back again with some friends in the fall.

The video features a few moments leading up to and during our trip including: their new song "We're going to the water park" which they made up and sang the night before we left; time in the pool, the pillow fight, and dancing on the bed. We had to omit Taylor's dance since she has this thing about being naked - not good when sharing videos with others. Of course, she had to do the twist in the nude. Our little exhibitionist!!

Singing Babes Video

Can you tell, we love to sing?

Mother's Day was especially spectacular for me this year. Not only did LTD make me the most adorable mini-flower pots (with their photos) and special cards with their little handprints, but I was privileged to share that special day with somebody I adore - my own mother. My mom and Jon were in Mpls for 4 full days and LTD were in high heaven. They always love visits from their grandmas and grandpas - they were also able to spend time with "Papa & Gamma" Clark one week previous which they were super excited about. Now, all they are talking about is when they get to go to North Dakota again to see all their grandmas and papas!!

As each day passes, I look with amazement at our children. They just crack me up! They are just so animated and innocent and I wish I could have the video running all day long and capture alot more of those moments. Lindsey has an art for "correcting" not only her siblings, but her mom and dad too. Today she told me that the baby geese are not called "baby geese" (like I called them when we drove by a pond); they are gosslings. AND, dolphins are not fish, they are mammals (as I read a book about dolphins). Taylor LOVES animals and tonight we were playing in a park across the street and she ran right up to a 100 lb dog and hugged him - thankfully he was a gentle giant. I think she gets that from me. Dylan has a blast playing soccer at the field across the street and his little legs move about 100mph. He is REALLY good at it!! He also thrives on riding his tricycle up and down hills and gets going as fast as he can and just screams at the top of his lungs (with glee! and the hugest smile covers his face). Guess where he gets all that from?

Mother's Day Tea at KPT

LTD partake in a preschool program 1x weekly called, Kids' Peace Time. They go to "school" for 4-1/2 hours on Mondays and just love it. Last week they had "Mom's Tea Time" in honor of Mother's Day and all the children sang some songs, and then we all shared cookies and tea together. It was so sweet and adorable and Dave even got a chance to come with to watch them perform. Dylan sang loudly after he got warmed up but Lindsey & Taylor were more interested in lifting up their skirts and staring at all the people watching. We managed to capture some fun "school" photos in front of the church after tea (Taylor on top).

April 2008

April is kind of a blur for me, as many days or weeks can be. Dave and I had bought LTD goggles right after our trip to MX and they have taken to water like fish now that they have them. They LOVE swimming and they spend a great deal of their time under water vs. above. The lifeguard at our health club was amazed at how well they do in the water and said she has 6 yr olds that don't do that well. This is funny to hear since they have never had a swimming lesson but are enrolled to begin in May.

We've always marveled at some of the things that come from the mouths of babes! Here is just a sampling of a few cute ones that I managed to write down:

• Lindsey - "Dylan & Taylor, what color is the road?(pauses waiting for an answer). When they both say "black", she authoritatively states, "correct!"
• Lindsey - "My belly is full" (as she lifts up her shirt to show her belly after eating)
• Lindsey - "Mommy, your hair is beautiful!"
• Taylor - "I'm not a fish, I'm a scubadiver!" (when we tell her she swims like a fish)
• Taylor - "Mommy, it's going to be ok" (as she holds my face as I am exhausted during the bedtime process and she has to go potty, AGAIN!)
• Taylor - "Daddy, can you pull Cinderella from behind my ear?" (her Polly Pocket Cinderalla was MIA. Dave always pretends to perform magic and find things behind their ears, except this time he couldn't pull off the magic trick with Cinderella missing)
• Dylan - "Lindsey, get me my blankie, I'm busy right now!" (as he sits in my lap during storytime at bedtime)
• Dylan - "Come on lady, get moving!" (to the car in front of us at a traffic light that turned green - wonder where he gets this from?)
• Dylan - "Buckle your seatbelts; we're going on a roller coaster ride!" (as I was driving down a hill near our home)

Never a dull moment!!

Easter Morning Bike Ride Video

When it's cold outside like it was on Easter morning, Camp Clark brings it indoors; zoom zoom zoom!!!

March 2008

Dave and I went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for an entire week!!! This was our first trip since our honeymoon almost 4 years ago. The kiddos were very excited that mom & dad were going scuba diving with Nemo and Dory. They were also really happy that Papa & Grandma Good came to stay with them for a whole week! Wouldn't you know, Dylan had a bad fall the day we left and cracked his head open and ended up with a nasty scar (his first of many we are sure). While we were gone, the kiddos marched upstairs and got their swimsuits on (Dylan put on one of the girls suits) and came down and told Papa & Grandma they were going scuba diving. How cute is that! We had a fantastic time but really missed LTD in a BIG WAY!! As souvenirs, we bought sombreros, ocean magnets and snorkels & goggles for LTD and Kahlua for Grandma (we thought she might need it after a week with the munchkins). When we got home, we had an official Potty Party for Taylor!! We baked cupcakes and LTD decorated them. Sugar Police (aka Dad) made sure they were rationed on how much frosting they could use to decorate. They each got a candle to blow out and Taylor beamed from ear to ear as we sang out the Potty Song (Here's to sister Taylor.....!). Only one left to go and by the looks of it, it may be quite some time. He doesn't seem to mind running around with poop or pee in his underwear or pull-ups. We are back to diapers since we are sick of accidents in his "supposed" big boy underwear. I guess it's just not his time to shine, yet.

February 2008

It's the month of LOVE and our kiddos exude it. We are embarking on lots of independence from all three. Taylor is still the most fiercely independent & prefers to do everything herself. Sometimes she dresses 3x daily just to prove she can do it all by herself. Getting out the door takes MUCH longer since they like to put on their own coats, hats, mittens & shoes. Dylan still likes us to help him as much as possible but we are encouraging him to do it himself. We let them pick out their own pajamas each night and inevitably, they want to wear Dylan's PJ's (and his big boy underwear). Taylor has picked up potty training again now that she knows she can have a potty party AND Papa & Grandma Good are coming to town so she can show them what a big girl she is. Plus, she likes our potty song: "Here's to sister Lindsey, sister Lindsey, sister Lindsey; Here's to sister Lindsey she's potty trained now; she pees & she poos & she wipes & she flushes; here's to sister Lindsey, she's potty trained now!". Dylan has learned how to spin out with his low-profile tricycle cruising around the corners in the house . He is a speed demon and can immediately take off cruising again after a spin-out. Lindsey saw how much fun it was and she too picked up the skill. Dylan is still the master but Lindsey is not far behind. Taylor is more interested in her Cinderella (Polly Pocket) mini doll and baby dolls. Lindsey adores painting and coloring and they all like to play with moon sand, although mom doesn't appreciate it as much (very messy to clean up!). They have so much fun at gymnastics and are picking up new skills (their mini trampoline with a bar is now their make-shift bar they swing around at home to practice). Favorite playtime activities include lots of reading, playing a good game of chase, being thrown in the air by dad, dancing to music, riding their tricycles and hide-n-seek. Dad likes to play the Big Bad Wolf and they are the 3 Little Pigs who run into their playhouse and hide. Lots of belly laughs!! Lindsey likes to hold their hands and lead them whenever she can. Taylor likes to be babied by Lindsey, and Dylan is working on his sharing skills (has a hard time with this one, especially his cars, trucks and balls).

January 2008

Lindsey is officially potty trained but Taylor & Dylan reverted back after starting out strong in October 2007. We had a big potty party for Lindsey by baking a cake & letting all 3 frost it. Lindsey got to blow out the candles though - she is such a BIG girl now! LTD started gymnastics (or as they call it, "nastics!") this month and are in a class with their friend Luke and their cousin Anna. They absolutely LOVE it! Their favorite tricks are somersaults, attempted cartwheels, the bars and the swinging rope and of course, the trampoline.

Brief Update through 2007

LTD turned 3 in December which started a whole new chapter to our book "The Adventures of Camp Clark", Chapter 3 - "The "Challenging Three's!!!". We never really experienced the Terrible 2's as some do but are convinced the 3's are going to be a wild ride since they are becoming more independent, vocal and letting their true personalities shine through, BRIGHTLY! Lindsey is their fearless leader and KIA (know-it-all) and likes to take care of Taylor & Dylan. Of course, she is the oldest - by one minute. We call her the mother hen because she is always looking after them. She is full of love and smiles and is extremely witty, especially when it comes to negotiating with her siblings. She enjoys coloring, swimming, playing mommy, configuring puzzles, watching videos (when allowed), and bath time. Taylor is our "fiercely independent" peanut but likes the extra attention from her brother and sister. Although she is the quieter of the trio, her infamous smirk tells the true story of how she can be quite the little "instigator" yet act all sweet & innocent when mom & dad come around the corner to see what's going on. She has an amazingly creative imagination and can play very easily on her own,she adores baby dolls and animals but especially likes to be cuddled and sang to. She is tiny but amazingly tough with very little fear!! Dylan is our little joker. He ALWAYS has a smile on his face and likes to get the laughs whenever he can. Dave thinks he takes after me in the "volume" dept since he is VERY loud. But, he truly is a "mini me" of his dad with the exception of his blue eyes and blonde hair. He has a knack for throwing things, getting into places he shouldn't be and making lots of noise. Yet, he is a little lover and enjoys giving and receiving hugs. He is affectionate but tough and especially enjoys cars, trucks, balls, his trike, tractors, fire trucks, police cars and garbage trucks - a typical boy!! We love them SO much for the little people they are and for teaching us what's most important in life.

A few photos from the past!

Today is our First Day of our New Blog!!

So here we are - our first blog! For the sake of documenting just a few fun moments from the past, I will refer back to my handwritten journal, starting with January 2008, and include a few fun photos from each month as well. For alot more photos, please click on our link to KodakGallery provided in this Blog in the right column under "kodakgallery".