An Inward Conflict

As we entered Iowa City today, Katie says, "Dad look, an eagle!"

I glance out my window and see this;

"Uh, that's a pigeon Katie."

There is a pause, followed by "oh." I can hear the inner conflict my daughter was having . . . "I know what I see, but MY Dad says its something else."

So, I glance out the window again and see this;


Ah, we are in Hawkeye Country!!

To see other Herky on Parade pics check this site out http://flickr.com/photos/mizidymizark/tags/herkyonparade/

What a Smurfy Day

Today was to be warmer and we decided to head out for some letterboxing.

There were several indoor letterboxes we had our eyes on -- 5 in Washington, IA, 5 in Iowa City, IA & 4 in Solon, IA.

First we headed down to Washington. We didn't get far from home when Maddie started loosing it. It makes it hard when one of the kids start to lose it so close to home -- so tempting to turn around!

We decided (against our better judgment) to keep going.

As we drove down the temperature gage on the van kept climbing up and up.... upper 30's..... lower 40's!! WooHoo!!!

We looked at our clue sheets and found 2 letterboxes we would pass on the way and decided to stop.

The first was at a historic swinging bridge in Columbus Junction. This bridge first built in 1886 collapsed in 1920 & re-built in 1922 at a span of 262 feet!

Today the bridge was covered with snow & ice. We found the letterbox and yes, I did walk across the bridge. As I walked I thought about my Great Lakes Letterboxing Group talking about the scariest hikes in the world (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSv4LPlCodE), though this is a FAR cry from that hike, I think this is pretty impressive for Iowa.

From there we got a wonderful stamp from Maude in Ainsworth, you just have to read the poem in the clue for this box, its priceless. http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=91756

Then onto Washington where we found 3 of the 5 indoor boxes. We couldn't get 2 as one was inside an establishment that was closed on Saturdays. The other was just pulled this morning at the request of the owner.

I got this message from Maude when I got home,

". . .That's where I was -- just parking the car as you pulled away -- but my seat belt was stubborn, and by the time I jumped out and waved the letterbox, you were pulling around the corner. That was not your happy face I saw, either!"

LOL I can just imagine. Of course "not your happy face," was not because we couldn't find the box, rather it was a certain twin (to remain nameless) who had continually, without stopping, bugged the tar out of us practically since we left home.

In went the movie!!

We left Washington and stopped for another un-planned box. One we missed last week (on our way to the Cabin Fever Gathering), and this time with some ice chipping and snow removal we found "Star Trek: Spock" shivering in the cold.

Though, when we got to the future birthplace of Captain Kirk I noticed the temperature gage on the van read 50 degrees!!! A far cry of the -2 we had just last week.

On to Solon Public Library where ALL 4 of the kids decided to cause all sorts of shenanigans. Of course I wasn't all that much better with all my "Shhhh"-ing.

Other than racking up our counts, this day was really going to the dogs. Back in the van we popped in The Smurfs. You know, when I was a kid the Smurfs were my favorite cartoon. Now, as an adult, well, it just isn't the same.

I forgot that they use the word "smurf" in sentences. Such as: "just smurfy" or "smurftastic"or my personal favorite, "can you smurf me some coffee?"

Into the van we went, on to Iowa City Public Library. Twins stayed in the van with me and Becki & the girls went in . . . when they came out I could tell our day wasn't going to get any better.

We decided not to go to the Mall, as originally planned. We got some dinner and snagged one more box in a wonderful coffee shop before leaving town.

Smurfs accompanied us all the way home, leaving me to wonder if the normally cheerful word "smurfy" could be could be used in a negative form?

Funny thing though...a few weeks from now...we will have forgotten how horrible the day TRULY was...and we will excitedly pack up the van once again.

Potty Training

Too cute to pass up! Will has yet to show an interest in potty training...so I thought I would spur him on with some Thomas underwear. Boy oh Boy, was he excited!! It didn't help though...

Saying Goodbye to a Family member

We are in mourning this week...we are in the midst of the passing of our beloved double stroller. You see, this stroller is a part of our family and has been for the past 5 years. It is our life line to the outside world. Sadly, it no longer contains our children! The twins have decided that they like the freedom of running and walking! How dare they!!

All kidding aside, we have been weaning ourselves from the stroller the past few months and it is now a done deal. I tried to put the twins in it last week at the mall and they just climbed out.

We are excited about the fact that they are growing up and no longer need to stay in the stroller. However, they are 3...and there are 2 of them! We will learn to survive.

Here are the kids saying goodbye to our trusty friend!

Joke of the Day

Alex: "What does the belly button do with a armpit in it?"

Me: "I don't know, what does the belly button do with an armpit in it?"

Alex: "It tickles it." (Alex laughs uncontrollably for a minute) "Daddy, now you tell a joke . . . and make it a funny one."

Exchanges Galore

Exchanges were the highlight of the day today.

A few months ago I was informed of Letterboxers' Cabin Fever Cure gathering in Iowa City. Yes, an indoor event about an hour away. With winter being so intensely cold this year I signed myself and the girls up to attend.

I eagerly looked up other boxes in the immediate area that seemed doable in this cold & snow.

When we left our home I snapped this picture of the outside air temperature.


When we reached this certain little town in Iowa . . . the future birthplace of Captain Kirk!!

I snapped this picture of the outside air temp. just before I let the girls jump out for the photo opp.

At least the skies were blue & the sun was shining, as searching for the box was futile . . . nothing but snow and ice. It would have been impossible to retrieve the box without breaking it.

On to Kalona, where a large Amish community resides. Found the park, found the shelter, found the tree. The 40 degree weather of two days ago melted the snow out from under the tree. I dug all through the mulch in hopes of finding this box.


No luck!!

On we went for our third and final box before the gathering.

Cutting the details, we had no luck on this box either. Third strike . . . we were out.

We headed into Iowa City to the Public Library. Others were already there, even though we got there 1/2 hour early.

Of the 23 other people signed up for the gathering we had only met 3 of them before!! This meant I had a lot of new people to meet!!! :-)


I had a wonderful time with the girls. Skeeter carved her third stamp, I did a little carving myself. We found one of the 4 boxes hidden through out the library.

Bug-a-Boo is on a winning streak, if you recall she won a bird feeder at the Birds of a Feather Gathering this past June. Today she won a slab of PZ Kut -- that's my girl!! Winning carving medium for her papa :-)

We were planning on driving up to Solon, Iowa to find 4 more boxes at the library there, however, after driving around for an hour to find a Taco Bell we were ready to just head home -- oh, what did I have for dinner??
So, there you have it. A wonderful day of driving and exchanging!!

Family Movie Night

We had our first "official" family movie night. We put signs up on the outside door for Daddy and throughout the house. Here is Maddie ready to head down for the 5:45 showing of Wall-E.

The girls & I set up the ticket / concession table with signs and tickets. We made some popcorn and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, got some milk and candy for everyone and made a money box. The kids enjoyed the movie, as did Matt & I. We look forward to many more years of family movie nights.

The kids sitting in their "movie chairs" - lights on for previews & off for the movie!

Happy Birthday Maddie & Will

Maddie & Will turn 3 years old today. So hard to believe!! It seems like a few days ago that we brought them home from the hospital. I remember 3 years & one night ago...I was a BASKETCASE!!! I knew then that our lives would never be the same again. I didn't realize that the first year of their lives would be easier than their 2nd!!

We celebrated their birthday last night with family. Here are some pictures from their party...

Thomas the Train Cookie...

Cards made by Judah for the twins...

Blowing out the candles (with Judah's help)...

Opening presents (lots of trains & lincoln logs, Cubs cheerleader outfit, Spiderman jammies (with a cape!) and a minature cabbage patch kid)

Here we are this morning playing with their new train table (thanks Great Grandma). We are hoping to head out for lunch for one of their free kids meals that received for their birthday. We aren't sure where yet - this means we all have to get dressed and ready first!

Daddy & Will

Here are two special moments that Matt & Will shared together over the weekend...

Dressing Alike

I have been able to find some good clearance deals the past few days...being someone that can't wait for surprises...I gave the girls their new things now. It didn't help that they were with me and saw what I bought!

Matching Princess Jammies...

Matching Red Robes...

"matching" dresses...

We headed to Clinton, IA yesterday to celebrate our friend's little boy's 5th birthday (Happy Birthday Collin!). The party was held in a children's museum...so the kids had LOTS of fun. We saw them only long enough to feed them cake and take them potty! Katie & Alex gravitated towards the one room schoolhouse to play Little House on the Prairie...but they soon saw the "hospital" and from there on out, Katie walked with the aid of crutches. She got rather good at it too!

Alex enjoyed the John Deere ride on tractor, car & baby doll. She played lots of things though as we saw her running back and forth (from one play area to another) most of the day.

Maddie is playing in the kitchen area here. She liked the little car too as well as the trains.

The favorite of all day (for Maddie & Will...and Matt!) was the air tubes. Watch the videos and you will see why. Wouldn't it be fun to have one of these in your house??

We are getting ready to head over to Mom & Dad's for pizza, cake & ice cream for Maddie & Will's birthday. It will be a small family affair. With the bad weather & stomach flu that we have been fighting the past few weeks, we decided to keep it small. I will post pictures / videos of the party in a day or two.

Oh yeah! We snagged a new letterbox in the Quad Cities! Thanks to Krispy for braving the cold to plant "Adopt me". It is an adorable carve!

Snow Day

Yet again, we have been hit with another snow storm. The city schools did not close, but Alex's preschool did. This meant that we ended up with a snow day. Most days, I continue schooling for Katie (we seem to have days off for illness and play days to make up for the other days in school!), but today I decided early on that she would not be doing any school work. We had an easy day of TV and playing. The girls also helped me make cookies this afternoon. I think everyone enjoyed tasting the cookies!

Will ready for his nap - reading his new book to Froggie.

Alex tasting her homemade pretzel - she made it at Awana.

Alex's Preschool Program

We attended Alex's Christmas Program for preschool - almost a month late. It was postponed due to bad weather just before their Christmas break. Here is a clip from the program. We were so proud of our "shy" little Alex. She didn't miss a beat! Sorry for the movement on the video...With being sick this week, I asked Matt to charge up the camcorder battery. One thing he forgot to check was to see if there was a tape...so, we ended taping the program on the camera and ditched the camcorder. Yes, it has been a LONG week...

Pizza Night

We tried something that we haven't done in a long time. A year or so ago I made some pizza dough and let everyone make their own pizzas. The girls have asked a few times when we can do it again and I decided tonight would be a good one.

Well...I was wrong. It has been a long week with most of us having the stomach flu at some point. This means crabbiness & little patience. At some point Alex lost it and screamed and cried during most of the "ordeal". Maddie & Will were being good - but need I remind you that they are 2??? Katie also did a good job...Maybe it was me that is short on sleep and patience.

The pizzas were good and I am glad that we gave it a try. Hopefully next time it will be a better experience for everyone. (notice Alex in the background in the 3rd picture)

Some side notes...

Maddie & Matt visited the ER today. Maddie fell yesterday while dancing in the kitchen and hit (we assume) her shoulder. She has screamed whenever we go to pick her up and she favored it when lifting things, etc. We felt that she didn't break anything so we let it go overnight and found this morning that she seemed the same if not worse. After a call to her dr, we decided to take her to the ER. The dr there found no break (after xrays) and couldn't find anything wrong. They did see that she favored that arm though. So, as of right now, we are pampering her arm and praying that it heals quickly.

Will gave us a scare last week. He was in the laundry room with me while I was doing laundry and I left - not realizing that he was still in there. I went back down to get something from the pantry a few minutes later. Will had shut the door and locked himself inside. There was no way to get him out!! I called my parents - who happened to be down the hill at the mall - and they came up to try to help. We soon realized that they only way to get him out was through a way. I am so thankful that my dad is a plasterer!!! He took a utility knife to the wall and punched the wall out! We then sent Alex in to unlock the door. She (and my dad) were the hero of the day! Thanks Dad!...and thanks for fixing the wall so quickly.