How can this be?

I have no idea how this happened. How did Braden turn 5? I feel like I just rocked him to sleep and put him in his crib, and now he's getting ready to go to Kindergarten in the fall! It makes me want to tear up just thinking of how fast my "baby" has grown and how big he is getting (and I actually did a little crying - I blame it on the pregnancy hormones!).

Thinking about growing up always makes this song come to mind. So, of course when I found the lyrics, I figured I should post them. And more than one tear fell as I read them. Enjoy reading them as you think about your little ones. I know I'll be thinking of mine today.

Happy 5th Birthday to the one who will always be "little" to me.

"Let them be Little" by Lonestar

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

We love you Braden!!

Happy New Year!

Since it has become tradition to spend NYE with the Rodgers family (since it's hard to find a sitter and sometimes it's just too much work) we headed to Fairfield to party down. Sticking to tradition we made way too much food. The kids played with new toys for a few hours and then we gave them baths and attempted to put them to bed before midnight. Kendall was quiet but didn't fall asleep until after 11:00. Jackson and Braden declared that this was the worst New Year's Eve party ever because they didn't get to stay up until midnight. Technically, Braden was awake, but we didn't let him come downstairs with us! The adults rang in the new year by watching the ball drop and then playing Twilight Scene It and attempting to play euchre...not as easy as one would think! We were home by 2:30 and the kids were up by 8:20. How do they survive on such little sleep???? Anyway...we had a great time and will probably do something similar to ring in 2011, only this time there will be more kids! We told the kids on Christmas day that we were going to have a baby, so by this time next year he/she will be around six months old!


We are getting ready to celebrate Mimi's birthday at our house. Happy Birthday, Mimi!!! Until the next blog marathon...this is Bethany. Over and out!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

While we try and try to teach our children that Christmas is about celebrating the gift of Jesus, the kids still want the presents. This year, Braden did seem to understand that the gifts were given because of the gifts given to Baby Jesus when he was born to show Him love. But...that didn't stop him or slow him down from ripping into his pile from Santa. The kids were both very excited this year. Kendall sort of got it last year, but this year she could hardly wait to get out of bed to check out what was by the tree. Our gift was that the kids slept until 8:00 (late in our house) and waited patiently to open gifts. Braden was super excited about all of his trains and tracks as well as his new toothbrushes. Kendall liked her new easel and roller skates. The kids played well all morning. We ate a big brunch with Mimi, Papa, Uncle Nana, Amelia and Addy. More playing and then it was nap time. We spent the rest of the day playing with new toys and spending time with family...my favorite way to spend Jesus' birthday!

Christmas Eve

We spent the morning hanging around the house and then after naps we got ready for church. The mass started at 4:00, but it is so popular that we arrived at 3:15 (thanks to Gunkle and Lissa we had good seats). The kids were really good considering mass lasted until about 5:15. After that we headed back to get the presents before heading to Brighton for some delicious lasagna. After we forced the kids to eat (I hated waiting when I was a kid, but I am much older and wiser and now see the reasoning behind eating first and opening later) we headed downstairs to a MOUNTAIN of presents (mostly for the 4 grandkids). The kids sort of took turns opening presents, but mostly Braden thought he should open a gift after every person. Whatever. The presents got opened and everyone seemed happy with their loot. The kids played, took a bath, and then we headed home to get ready for Santa to visit!!!

Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa Riechmann

We traveled up north to Carrollton to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Riechmann. Grandma Riechmann made a YUMMY roast (which Mommy requested) and too much other yummy stuff. We ate till we couldn't eat another bite and then we started ripping into the presents (or the kids did). Braden and Kendall (and us too) were completely spoiled. Braden loved his Buzz Lightyear and Kendall loved her Barbie Thumbelina. We played for a while and then they had fun in the shower. Grandma and Grandpa don't have a tub, so the kids love to sit under the shower. They are a hoot to watch! By the time we got home the kids were tired. We went to bed and got ready to do it all over again the next day (in Brighton)!

Riechmann/Rodgers Christmas

As we usually do, we got together with the Rodgers family to exchange gifts for the kids. Braden loves to get a present for his "Bro" and Kendall enjoyed getting a gift for Olivia as well. Braden was there when I was wrapping Jackson's gift and saw what it was. He promised he wouldn't tell Jackson what it was (we learned last year that the boys have a hard time keeping gifts a secret). I shouldn't have believed him. He did tell Jackson what it was, but Jack was still glad to have his Buzz Lightyear. Olivia enjoyed her princess roller skates and storyreader book. Braden loved his new Batcave and Kendall was ecstatic with her new princess dress-up trunk. The kids had fun playing with their new toys for about an hour and then it was bedtime...we're tired (at least Mommy and Daddy are!)!

A Visit with Santa

Our friends, Kate and John, arranged for Santa to come to their house a few days early to make sure all the kids were ready for his visit. We were invited and went along to see Santa. The kids (and adults) were in awe! He had a small toy for each child which they received when they sat on his lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Braden said he wanted trains and Kendall wanted princesses. I'm sure Santa already knew that, but it never hurts to tell him one more time! A good time was had by all of the kids and adults. Santa reminded the kids to be good because he was still watching them to make sure they stayed on the nice list. This worked for our kids for about...45 minutes!

Christmas Program

This was the second year our kids have participated in their daycare and preschool Christmas programs. The church where the program was held was packed! Kendall and her "class" sang Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and the 5 Days of Christmas (12 is too many for 2-year-olds!). She was cute, but took to climbing on the stairs like most of the other kids in her class and showing everyone her tights and diaper. But she looked cute doing it!

Braden's daycare class sang the Reindeer Hokey Pokey and his preschool class did Silent Night (with sign language), Away in the Manger, and a Candy Cane poem. He was cute and spent most of his time looking at his family and playing with his antlers. All in all it was a cute program and we look forward to Kendall's next year (Braden will be in Kindergarten...tear, tear)!

Wild Lights

My mom and dad called and asked us to go to the Wild Lights at the zoo. We quickly agreed! The kids had gone when they were really little a few years ago, but Dustin and I had never gone. We loaded up in the Tahoe and headed to STL. It was pretty cold, but we found some hot chocolate and warmed up by walking around. The kids enjoyed the lights as well as the annoying, I mean wonderful, strobe light that Mimi bought even though Mama said "no." I guess that's what Mimi's are for!

EHS Christmas Play

We have a girl down the street who babysits for us from time to time. She was the lead in the annual High School Christmas Play. She asked if the kids would want to come and we agreed. So, on a rainy Saturday afternoon we took the kids to see their first play. Braden kept calling it a movie, and rather than keep explaining we just let him call it that. Hannah was great and the kids really enjoyed the sing-a-long at the end. They looked scared the whole time, but talked about how fun it was!

Breakfast with Santa

This was the second year we did a breakfast with Santa at our church, but it was Kendall and Daddy's first time. We got up and dressed and headed out to eat pancakes with the youth group from St. Mary's. The kids ate well (because they actually like pancakes) and sat on Santa's lap with no problem. Afterwards we made crafts and got faces painted. They enjoyed it and I think they will look forward to it again next year!