The Day of Towers

Matt got to be Mr Mom quite a bit this weekend (I was helping with a baby shower Fri & Sat). He told me Saturday evening that he has a better appreciation of what I do during the day (and that I get anything done!) So, you can imagine that both Matt & I (esp. Matt!) were ready to get out of the house come Sunday morning. We are really wanting to get back to Burlington, IA where 11 more boxes have been planted. However, we've been told by the planter that she has more to plant...just needs time to get out to plant them! So, we will wait until those new ones are out. Instead we decided to drive to Peoria where Shorty had planted 3 new boxes at Tower Park. There were a few others that we hadn't been able to snag in previous visits...these boxes as well as finding some parks, seemed like a good idea for the day.

Potty break at Spoon River Rest Area - about an hour from the QC. It is a beautiful area and the rest area is a nice stop with small playground and lookout tower. The girls loved running ahead and getting to the top of the tower before we even started the climb!

Here is Maddie (being carried by Becki) - she was a bit scare of the heights.

Tower Park is a little neighborhood gem on the bluff in Peoria. We have been there one other time a few years ago (thanks to Shorty's first Tower box).

One guess as to who got wet...Luckily he didn't fall in, just splashed a bit!

Enjoying the view while riding the tower elevator.

Once up in the tower, we hunted for the Woodpecker...Matt was able to locate it, but not reached it (it was 7-8 feet off the ground). He grabbed Alex first, then Will, then Maddie (she ran as soon as she saw him coming towards her) and then Katie...all 4 kids FREAKED OUT when lifted on his shoulders! It was like watching cats clawing their owners before being placed in a bathtub! We finally decided to let Matt get on his knee and boost me up with interlaced fingers. It was pretty funny for Matt & I to watch their reactions - I am sure that most people around the tower area could hear us laughing...and the kids screaming!!

Trying to get a nice posed pic of the 4 kids...

...but settling for silly

Heading back to the elevator

Will & Maddie trying to "share" a window.

I started this a few years back with the girls...everytime we ride an elevator we jump just as the elevator gets to the floor we need...this helps the elevator land! Here are Katie & Alex helping it land.

We visited 2 more parks, ate our picnic lunch, found one more box while attempting 2 others and finished at Fondulac Park with 9 slides & a big playground!! For those keeping count, we are at 197 slides for the year!

Getting Away with My Hubby

Looking at the calendar and knowing the many commitments coming up the next 2 months, Matt & I decided to drive to Galena for some alone time...you know...that time when you aren't interrupted 100 times...no last second potty breaks...listening to adult music...cutting up food for myself ONLY - while it is still hot!! Oh, the thought alone is glorious!!

My parents graciously took all 4 kids for the day. Matt & I set out around 9:00. Once in Galena we reached our first destination, Vinny Vinnachi's Italian restaurant. The food & conversation were wonderful. Next stop was what we call the Christmas store. We looked around at all of the ornaments to find the "perfect" ornament for each child - we try to find an ornament that represents something special from the previous year. We finished our shopping and Matt checked on some of his boxes.

Maude has been busy planting boxes in Dubuque (about 20 minutes from Galena) so we drove there to find the 4 new boxes. I love Eagle Point Park - it is a beautiful park and it has such special memories for my family. As far back as I can remember, the Swartout reunion was held in Eagle Point Park...driving through the park to look for Maude's box was like driving back in time (funny thing...everything sure seems smaller!) . Funny thing though...all those years of going there, I don't EVER remember going to the fish pond, so Maude's box was extra special!

After finding the 4 boxes, we started to head back to the Quad Cities. We got into town and enjoyed our last few minutes of quiet eating a sandwich at Hungry Hobo. I love you Matt & I had a wonderful time with you! Hopefully we can do it again soon! : )

Double Trouble

Why is it that the only time my kids seem to get along is when they are doing things they shouldn't be doing...mainly at nap or bed time?? I put the twins down for a nap (I was even nice and gave them a few toys to play with in bed!), went to work on the computer for a bit...when I went to check on them, this is what I found!!!

Photo Shoot - Take 2

I made Matt go with me this time...it went a little bit better...still frustrating...but the pictures show different!!

A True Photo Shoot

I was naive and thought I would be able to get some good pictures of the kids last week...I definitely should have thought twice!! I think I MAYBE got one good picture...of Alex! Hope that you enjoy these!!

I would wave my hand to catch their attention and this is what I got back...you would think they have never had their picture taken!!

When asking Will to put his head up (rather than looking down...) this is what I got!

Katie, the model...Alex looking bored...Will wanting to run...Maddie picking bark off the tree...yep, those are my kids! I think they take after Matt! : )

This one is probably my favorite of the day...Will was doing something silly (of course, it wasn't silly to me at the time because of my utter frustration!), but all 3 girls looked at him and started laughing.

Whittens Visit

My sister, Debbie & her family were here to visit (from NC) the first part of the month. We were so excited to have time with them in the warm months - we usually only see them at Thanksgiving or Christmas. We were able to take advantage of some great weather and went to the zoo, John Deere Commons & the Mississippi Mist in Muscatine. Their time here was too short and definitely went too fast. I love you Deb and I miss you guys dearly!

The Train - the BEST part of the zoo!! Maddie & Will in back (with Emma sitting), Alex, Kayla Whitten & Katie in front.

Casey & Emma Whitten, Maddie, Will, Alex & Katie Hart, Kayla Whitten...Surprisingly we got this picture pretty fast - not too bad if I say so myself!!

Admiring the big "tractor" - Will Hart, Kayla Whitten, Alex & Maddie Hart, Judah Meek, Katie Hart & Emma Whitten

Mississippi Mist - I think all of the kids are in this picture minus Will & Casey.

First Day of School

I wish all mornings would go this smoothly...with much excitement & anticipation!! Katie & Alex were upstairs & dressed (with beds made) at 6:30 last Tuesday. The chart has been a big help as a motivator for the kids and a reminder of what needs to be done for me. Here are the girls as they were leaving for school...

waiting before the bell...

It will be an adjustment - esp. for Alex. She has been pretty tired and emotional this past week due to being at school all week. On a good note, I have noticed that her & Katie have been getting along pretty good!

Unpacking the Backpacks

We took the kids to school tonight for the annual "Unpack your Backpack" night. Held the night before school starts, this is an informal get together for students & teachers. Students are able to see their rooms, meet their teachers and unpack their school supplies. This eases the tension of the first day of school.

Katie holding Alex's hand as they enter the playground.

Will & Maddie - trying very hard to be patient & not get into trouble!
If you ask me in a few weeks if I am glad that school has started again...I will probably tell you yes (all too quickly). I have gotten used to having them home all summer - so for now, it is hard! There are so many reasons we decided to homeschool in the beginning and many of these reasons are why I have a heavy heart tonight about them starting school tomorrow.

Morning Check List

I finally got around to making the poster board / incentive check list. I know that mornings are going to be hard with all 4 going to school, especially since we aren't early risers. Instead of constantly harping on each kid to do this or that (or having something not done at all!), I wanted to make them responsible for getting themselves ready in the morning. Here is the finished product.

To say that the kids were excited would be an understatement. As soon as the chart was up, they all ran to finish their morning tasks so they could complete their portion of the chart. I am hopeful that this enthusiasm continues into some good habits!

Katie brushing her teeth

Alex & Maddie making their beds

That's my boy!! Look at him multi-tasking!!

Will placing his magnet on the chart after brushing his hair.