Bounce House

The other day I was talking with my neighbor, and some how it came up that Bobby and I had gone shopping on Black Friday. I told her about all the great deals, but how we were bummed - we had wanted to get a bouncer for the kids that was 70% off but by the time we got to the front of the line it had sold out. Turns out she had a bouncer, and they only used it a few times, and she wanted to get rid of it. So, yesterday she dropped it off. I had planned on putting it up in the garage, but it fits in the family room too, and now I can make dinner while they bounce themselves silly:)

Learning Resources ABC Chalk Talk Electronic Learning Chalkboard

As you may remember a few weeks ago I was asked if I'd like to do a review of a product from CSN store.com After spending hours searching through their enormous selection of product, I finally decided to try out the ABC Talking Chalk Board
After letting my kiddos play and explore with it, I am VERY happy with my choice:)
When I look at toys for my kids, there are always a few things that I look for
1 - Will they like it
2 - Is it educational AND fun
3 - How easy will it be to store
4 - How many will be able to enjoy it (my 5 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old or baby)

This product turned out to be ideal.
The kids really enjoyed playing with it. It has a ton of games that teach letter recognition and sound, shapes, colors, numbers and spelling. It has a section with music as well.
The box said it was for children 3 and older, however Briley (2) was able to enjoy it as well with the help of her brothers. We used it to "play school". I set it up on the wall (it has holes for hanging, but did not come with things to hang it with so I used ribbon). Brock used the super cute pointer that came with it - that was their favorite part I think:) He led his "class" through the activities and helped Dane (3) and Briley (2) play the games.
As far as storing the product goes, that I was very happy with. Even though it is large, it folds down flat like a blanket and was very easy to store, even with the removable chalk board in place.
I would definitely recommend this product to a friend. As a former teacher, I know the best way for a child to truly master something is when they are able to teach it to another child. I don't think it will be long before Dane is able to be the teacher too:)

Movies

So last weekend Bobby and I decided to take the kids to the movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Oh what a spectical we were:) I had Caed in my arms, with a blanket to cuddle and nurse under, then the diaper bag, and then Briley on my other hip - because once we entered she refused to hold her brothers hands and wanted to run wild - NOT okay in a crowded movie theater. Then there was Bobby - 5 drinks, three hot dogs, one thing of nachos and a pretzel. Not to mention the other two kiddos holding onto his legs:) By the time we actually made it to our seats, we were down $76 and dripping with swet. Boy times have sure changed... I remember when we used to go see a movie we actually wanted to see for $12 and didn't have to get up 3 times to take kids potty and change diapers:) But we wouldn't change it for the world. The kids LOVE going to the movies, and they were all great - even Caed:)

Rainy Day Bingo

Oh what to do on another rainy day?!?! Bingo of course:) There's nothin' like the power of a Bingo game with Cheerios - that way Mommy can make dinner. Brock LOVES being the card reader and helping Bri and Dane find the correct color and shape. Caed cheered them on from the side:)

Off the Charts:)

Today, Caed had his 4 months Dr. appointment and shots - no fun:( But I am proud to say my boy is off the charts - weighing in at a wopin' 18 lbs and 8 oz. and 27 inches long! He's the biggest Hartz of them all:) At this rate, I think he's going to end up being 7 feet tall and 300 lbs?!?!?

Sofa Sleding

Our new way to entertain ourselves when we are too sick to go to church and super board at home (they've got horrible chest colds and coughs:(

Look who's 4 months!!

More Brody

Isn't he just beautiful!!!!!!

Brody Nathaniel Hicks!!!!!

Yeah!!!! Brody was born yesterday, and baby and mommy are doing great!!!!! Praise the Lord - and yes, I am still crying as I type this:) I am sooooo excited about this little miracle!! Here are a few pics of him with his Grammy and his great Grandma. I promise more to come:)

Please Pray

Tomorrow morning at 9 am, Brody Nathaniel will be born. Please keep Brad Amber and Brody all in your prayers:) We ARE SO SO SO SO SO excited to meet this little miracle from God:)

Brothers

Briley#%$@&^%#

So my kiddos are kind of korkey sometimes. As you may remember from past posts, Briley LOVES sticking things up her nose(and occasionally in her ears). Thank God she doesn't do it all the time anymore - now it's just once in a while, but there was a time I couldn't leave the house without a small flashlight and tweezers in order to dig what ever it was out. Gross, I know. Oh and Dane.... he used to bite his toenails - thank God we are finally past that one. I honestly could go on and on with the ridiculous stuff they do. However recently Briley has started the worst habit of all - She RIPS her clothes. She gets bored in her car seat, and starts pulling on ruffles, leggings, bows what ever until it rips!!! I swear it is almost enough to make me cuss!!! Unfortunately we aren't in line for hand-me-downs so I have to buy all her clothes, and I can't sew!! This behavior has to stop now, before she starts looking homeless with all her ripped clothing!!

Thank God for California weather:)

Even though it's January, it was so nice outside on Sunday, we decided to go to Grammy's to play outside. We blew bubbles (I think Briley ended up with more bubble juice in her mouth, than anything else:). We played with Grammy's new bunny and kitten - they are really the next door neighbors new pets, but they spend more time in my mom's yard than their own... We even flagged down the ice cream man and had Popsicles:) Mr. Caed also had his first ride in a swing...he LOVED it. I have to admit, it got us all excited about summer - the kids kept turning on the hose and wanted to play in the water - it wasn't quite warm enough for that... too bad.

The Count Down is on!!!! Only 7 more days!!!!

My sister-in-law just called me this morning, and her doctor has decided to move her delivery up a week. They don't want her to go into labor after having gone through such a major C-section with Nathan, so they've decided to deliver Brody at 37 weeks... That is this coming Monday, the 18th!!! We are so so so excited to meet this little miracle. Please keep them both, mommy and baby in your prayers.

On a sad note... no, we still have not found Snack:(

Snack

Please pray for our little cat. He's an indoor cat, and the other night he got out. We have looked and looked and looked for him. We've put fliers in all our neighbors mail boxes and around our neighborhood. He hasn't come home and we can't find him. I'm devastated. I love that cat. We've had him for 7 years, and we got him when he was just a few weeks old. The kids love him too - so do our dogs who have been looking for him all over the house:( There is ALOT of wildlife around our house, and I'm so afraid something got him.

Guess where we're going?!?

If you guessed gymnastics, you're right. Last night the kids started gymnastics. Brock has been in a class before, but not since Briley was born. I was so excited when I realized that on Thursday nights they have a 5 year old class, a 3 year old class and a Mommy and Me two year old classall at the same time. I can strap Caed to my tummy in his carrier, and everyone gets to do gymnastics:) The kids had a blast. Can you tell they were excited?:)

Merry Late Christmas:)

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I love all the time with family,the excitement in my kids, and celebrating the birth of my Lord. This year was so much fun. The kids are old enough now to really be excited for Christmas. The last few years now that they are getting a bit older, I've felt really challenged to make sure they don't get lost in the decorations, Santa and all the presents and lose the true meaning of Christmas.
I try to do as much as I can to keep them reminded and focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus. We talk about it, we have a Nativity that we set up and play with, we make a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake, we attend Christmas Eve service, sing Jesus Happy Birthday. What do you do with your family to help your kids stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas? I'd love some other ideas:)