Lots of Updates

It's been another busy week at Chez Dalrymple!  We've been swamped and super busy, hardly a spare moment to breathe, let alone blog.  So here we go... Tuesday was super busy.  We were at the gym by 9AM and I enjoyed my workout and alone time. Then Oma took the big boys home while I took Sean to his 4 month well visit (how is it that my "baby" is already 4 months old?!)  He was a trooper and did extremely well (though the shots did make him super fussy this time around.  He is 27 inches tall (off the charts again) and weighs 16lb 7.5oz (75-90%).  So that's our superstar!!

Then after a brief  lunch at home we all headed to the airport to pick up Jens.  Jack and Ewan loved checking out the planes, taxis and shuttle busses!  We had a great visit with Jens from Germany.  Jack and Ewan had a blast with him....playing football, storytime...  He will be missed.  Needless to say they also liked the yummy goodies he brought!

Wednesday we ran some errands, had lunch with Oma and Opa....  We all had dinner at Oma and Opa's too.  Nice not to have to cook now and then!

Then Thursday we took Jens back to the airport.  After we got home Jack and Ewan were extremely rotten.  Being stuck in the car so long didn't make for good moods (or good naps).  It was an extremely long day...I didn't even get a shower til 9:30 at night!

Today it was Ewan's turn at the doctor.  He went to the eye doctor....and I just barely survived.  This time I had all three kiddos with me.  We got there 15 minutes early to fill out our new patient paperwork.  What a waste....we had to wait forever anyway, didn't need to be there early.  We finally got to the exam room after waiting nearly 1hr 15min.  Not an easy task with three kids!  Luckily it all happened quickly once we got in.  So anyway, Ewan is having surgery (well actually more like a procedure) on March 18.  He's got a blocked tearduct, pretty much what we were expecting.  Oma will be out of town then so we'll see how Opa can handle the other two boys by himself!!! 

And then later this afternoon I'll be dropping off Jack and Ewan at Oma and Opa's so we can go look at a house again.  We liked it the first time and I'd like to look at it again, more closely this time without chasing Jack and Ewan.  We haven't found anything else yet (other than one that just went under contract)!

That about sums up our hectic lives.  Not much time to do anything fun as life is keeping us busy enough!!  Did I mention the blowout diapers Sean has been having lately??!!  Try taking three kids to the bathroom at a gas station!!!

Enjoying a story with Jens

Action Packed Weekend

Finally a moment to breathe after an extremely busy weekend!  Friday night we had friends over for dinner, conversation and play.  The boys all had a blast playing with their friend and staying up late.

Saturday morning the fun began....after of course Jack, Ewan and Sean were each up SEVERAL times during the night.  After breakfast we headed to EarthFare, World Market, Bev Mar and Harbor Freight.  What was supposed to be just a couple errands somehow turned into several!  Got home for lunch and then shortly after that it was nap time.

We had to wake up Jack and Ewan from nap to get them ready to go to the big game....USC vs. UK basketball.  We met some of Josh's college buddies at the game...and then it got very interesting.  We were getting our tickets scanned and they informed us we needed a ticket for Sean....policy that EVERYONE needs a ticket, EVEN lap babies.  Well that was news to us, especially since we have been to that very arena with Ewan as a lap baby and didn't need a ticket for him.  So.....since they already scanned two tickets I told Josh to go ahead and go in with Jack and Ewan.  I would go outside and try to buy an extra ticket.  (I did try to go through another line and got the same story)!

So Sean and I headed out, in the cold mind you.  Well it was a sold out game and nearly starting time.  I found one guy with four tickets but a family just got them.  That was the last person I saw with tickets....ALL GONE!!!  Just as I was about to give up I saw a guy come out of the arena holding a ticket and I ran up to him...it was for sale!!  Yeah!  I just beat out another guy trying to get it.  So I paid $25 for an $18 ticket....I would have paid much more to get in from the cold!!

We found our way to our seats and enjoyed the game.  All three boys had a fun time.  It was of course another late night for everyone.  Granted, we got home at a reasonable hour, but it took a while before they unwound and went to sleep.

Sunday....open house day.  Luckily we managed to sleep in....after of course everyone got up a couple times during the night.  So it was time to blitz clean after breakfast.  We managed to get it all done, even with the kiddos in our way.  We rushed to take Cosmo to Oma's, had a QUICK lunch at Wendy's (couldn't eat at home for fear of the mess Jack and Ewan would make) and were on our way to Sumter.

We toured FIVE houses in Sumter.  It was an ecclectic grouping of houses but interesting.  The two we really wanted to like we no good.  We liked features of several of them, but none of them had everything.  There is one that had great possibilities.  It's actually one that wasn't on our list to look at.  I saw it online and when the realtor mentioned it we decided to look....and we liked it.  It's not perfect, but what is.  It is prety much move in ready, just needs a garage for all Josh's tools and stuff!!

Jack and Ewan had a blast house hunting too.  They loved all the hardwood floors, especially in vacant houses where the echo was fabulous!!  We really enjoyed the historic district.  I like the idea of being able to walk to the park, preschool and even downtown.  Some issues of course are yard space, garage space and renovations. 

We looked at several other houses online when we got home and have a few more Josh may try to look at during the week.  The hunt continues, but I can only hope it will end soon.  I just want to move and be done with this all!  We'll see what we can find that fits our budget.  There are definitely some gorgeous houses, just expensive of course!!  Don't want one that needs too much renovation though either, the thought of all the work doesn't thrill me with three kids!

This one's for you Emmie M3!!

So I hear you've been wanting an update....needless to say life is hectic here but just for you I'll update.  It's been an absolutely miserable day so far so this should at least be a break from that.  Looking at the pics of my handsome hunks cheers me up!

This past Sunday Sean went in his jumperoo for the first time.  I think Jack and Ewan enjoyed it as much as he did!!  He doesn't jump all over in it yet as he can barely reach the ground, but he does like it.

AND....Ewan peed in his potty for the first time Sunday!!!  YEAH!!!  He also went again last night.  He is extremely resistant to using the potty so these were major victories!  He's still in the "getting acquainted with the potty" stage, not officially training yet.  Not sure when that will begin as he is very resistant.

We'll be looking at some houses in Sumter again Sunday so hopefully that will go well.  We're pretty sure two of them won't work, but the other two still have potential.  We're curious to see them in person.  Wish us luck, we really need to move and shorten Josh's commute!!!

Woops, I almost completely forgot....Sean also just rolled over for the first time this morning!!  My "little" guy is growing so fast, he's already almost four months old.

Get me a straight jacket!!!!!!

Today was absolutely insane and I'm barely surviving.  It's another snow day...or should I say ice covered snow.  So needless to say we can't play outside.  Josh is back at work and the boys were full of energy.  They drove me crazy all morning getting into trouble.  Some day they are just absolute devils and today is that day.

After lunch I was finally ready to break free....we ventured out to go to Bi-Lo.  Trouble began right in the parking lot.  Jack threw an iceball and hit me in the side of the face while I was getting Sean out of the car.  Not a pleasant beginning.  Then all of the big carts were covered in snow and ice so we used a regular cart.  Sean was sleeping in his car seat on the top of the cart, Jack was holding onto the front and Ewan the side of the cart.  Luckily it was a short list, but still I had to stop all the time and tell them to behave and stay out of trouble.  The store was out of the one thing we went there for so I figured I would get a rain check.  We finished our short list and went to the checkout.

That's when the fun really began.  I went to the self checkout since the other lines were busy and I only had a few items.  So while I am scanning an item Jack and Ewan knock the cart over on top of themselves and Sean's seat is partially knocked out.  Luckily Sean is fine, woke up but that's it.  Jack and Ewan are hysterical and Ewan had a small scratch.  They didn't get too much sympathy....if they listened and did as they were told this never would have happened.  After hugs and finally calming down they are good....ready to help again.  Jack knocked over the cart trying to get in it to pull items out.  Just trying to help, but not listening and obeying. 

After all this I just don't have the energy to get my raincheck for the hotdogs.  I'm ready to escape and pretend I was never there!!!!!  Jack had other plans though, he pulls the cart (with Sean in it) and heads out the wrong way. 

We finally make it home and it's naptime.  Major meltdown for Jack...because he is misbehaving and isn't allowed his firetruck in bed.  After MUCH WHINING they are finally all asleep. 

I now understand how moms can start drinking in the afternoon, or overindulge in sweets or junk food.  Don't worry....I'm only indulging in hot tea and a 100 calorie snack.  I'm behaving....though it is tempting not to!!

My little devils better wake up in a better mood and ready to behave or it's going to be  a very long time til Daddy gets home.

Snow Day

Winter Storm 2011!!!!  That's two storms in less than a month's time!  What an unusual happening in South Carolina.  We're thrilled though, that makes it a three day weekend for Josh!!  He got up this morning, took his shower and then assessed the weather.  There was snow on the ground and it was coming down pretty heavy, plus it was supposed to turn to ice later.  Just not worth going to work....so back to bed he went.

We took Jack and Ewan out in it to play and of course they liked it.  Well I should say Jack LOVED it, Ewan liked it for a couple minutes.  We drove up the hill in our neighborhood and they sledded down on their teeter totter!!  They also played with a friend who LOVED it too!!  Josh drove up and down the hill several times to make a great path for the sled, nice and slippery!

Ewan sat in the car for a while to stay warm, Sean napped in the sling and Jack sledded.  It was great fun for a while until Jack hit frozen cold meltdown.  We drove home and had hot chocolate.  It took Jack a good long while to stop whining and screaming but we're all fine now!  Once he warmed up finally he was ready to help Daddy make snow cream.

The boys are enjoying having Daddy home again (though he's in manland right now).  I'm glad he's home too.....all is good as long as we don't lose power.  We do still expect ice, so anything is possible.  Maybe we'll get out later to make a snowman, assuming it hasn't turned to ice.

Trip to the beach??  Or "sled" on the roof??!!

Cosmo helping make a sled run.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!

 Jack and his pal sledding down the road.

Making snow cream.

MMM, this is tasty.

Yummy!!

Veggie Eaters

I can now be proud of my little veggie eaters.  It's taken what seems like forever, but they really do like their veggies now.  It all began a couple months ago when I found a great frozen veggie blend at Kroger - yellow and orange carrots, green beans and red peppers.  They really seemed to like the color blend.  We also found purple carrots at the farmer's market, another big hit.

They just ate lots of veggies two nights in a row, yeah Jack and Ewan!!!  Jack even made the comment "last night I ate green and yellow and orange"!! It's all about the colors to them which is fine by me.  Jack was even so bold as to eat his veggies before his chicken. 

I'm proud that my guys finally eat veggies, even if it does take some bribery every now and then.  Last night we had a veggie/lentil soup.  Ewan would eat a bite of soup in order to get his bite of naan.  Sometimes that's what it takes, after all they do love their naan!  And good eaters they are...indian curry chicken, lentil soup etc.  I've definitely seen much worse eaters their age, glad I don't have to deal with that.  They eat what we eat and that's that (although recently we had a cabbage and beef casserole that Ewan truly did not like).

Life is otherwise the usual chaos around here!  Just keeping up with the three boys and being thankful we're healthy again.  Last week we got back to our "routine".  I was thrilled to get to the gym again.

Sorry Badgers

Sean tried his best...but just couldn't cheer on the Badgers to a win!!!

Flat Stanley

For nearly two weeks now we've had a houseguest....Flat Stanley.  Our niece Ashley sent us Flat Stanley as part of a school project.  We've had great fun with him, but now it's time to send him on his way to another adventurous location.  It was a tough decision (can't get it to Jens in time to take Stanley to the Super Bowl...that would have been FUN)...but we've decided to send him on his way to jolly old England.  We hope he has fun there with Mark, Vanessa and their three girls!!!

Hanging out on the fire truck at Edventure

See him going down the chimney??  Zoo Lights 2010

Zoo Lights with the whole gang!

Helping roast marshmallows at Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights

Checking out the Mars rover at The State Museum

The State Museum

Just hanging in our Christmas tree!!

Enjoying the highly unusual snow in South Carolina!!

2010 What a Year!!!!