The Fourth Birthday to REMEMBER!

Okay - so Monday (President's Day) was Carson's fourth birthday. We finally made it after the whole weekend of celebrating, he was thrilled to say that he was finally four. He was so pumped about his big day that the energy level was just exploding. J took the day off to spend with all of us in honor of Carson's day, Caitlin already had the day off with the exception of tennis, and little ornery Carly was ready to go. We were helping Lisa, Jade, and Josie gather their belongings when we heard a loud scream. The scream would be coming from the bathroom where Carson had just dashed off to shower with his dad. I thought to myself , "he could not possibly be in trouble on his birthday?" I ran in as I always do at the sound of the cry, and there was Jason holding naked Carson who just had a large toilet seat and toilet lid come crashing down on his most private area. There was swelling, blood, and a lot of tears. It was an unpleasant way to start the birthday. He said so many funny things about it after the pain had subsided (many hours later). I love how he told the story to many people but just kept it plain and simple.
This was just the beginning of injuries for the little man on his birthday. To keep a long story short, he fell through an opening in a dock (without water underneath) and hit his mouth on a boat on the way down. Thank goodness his foot caught him and thank goodness he is tough.
Happy birthday Carson J!

Things That I LOVE...

I was standing in the family room today watching the weather radar (anticipating the worst) and listening to the computer generated voice... Carson runs in from the kitchen and watches right along with me, and then says "is that God talking in there?" I love that...

This morning we were at Dr. Mike's office for Carly's millionth x-ray and the beep, beep, beep comes across their intercom/radio. Carson freezes and says, "is it going to flood?" Everyone laughed for a second, then stopped and wondered why an almost 4 year old would have that on his mind... (his trains are in the basement). I love his concern...

I love that tonight Caitlin said she was going to live by the 10 Commandments this week.

I love music, our kids love music... but I make music choices that other parents would probably cringe at, I love the top 40 music and so do my kids. We are great parents that teach right and wrong and the kids know that we don't use foul language or be rude to one another, but this is great... Carly first song that she can sing was a shocker to us because we do listen to a lot of children's music. The TV ads for the Grammy's came on during the news last week and she heard Katy Perry singing, she comes running around the corner in her 18 month old voice and sings, "I KISSED A GIRL." I know you are all cringing right now... It is not foul language or being rude. :)

I put Carly into the real bathtub tonight, she seemed so happy to be out of the kitchen sink for a bath. So tonight, I love trash bags to put around broken arms.

I know that one of my kids is going to be a meteorologist because they all watch the weather, even Carly. Carson builds a pillow shelter when he knows a storm is coming and Caitlin just prays. I love that my kids don't watch TV much, but when they do it is Mr. Rogers for Carson, and the Weather Channel for everyone!

I love that Carson is SO excited for his birthday!

Those are the "loves" that I could remember this evening... there will be plenty more to share as we get close to the "lover's day."

Classics from the Koomens

Some Of My Recent Favorite Pictures...

The Fabulous Trio...

Carly and Mommy

Carly chatting on the phone in desperate need of haircut!

Carson taking his very own snapshot of his cat...

The Innocent 4 Year Old...

My favorite face...

And another...

Carson's Big Four

This is just one of the many photos I shot for Carson's four year photo...

I Only Set the Camera Down for One MINUTE!

I am the mom with the camera in one hand and the video camera in the other. This while I am passing out snacks and retrieving toys, oh and trying to watch the basketball game of the eldest Koomen child. Today as I watched her play in her striped socks and green uniform she scored her first basket. She stole the ball and dribbled down court, shot the ball, and scored. This happened while the video camera lay on the chair beside me while I was trying the get the shoes and socks of the youngest Koomen child. :) It is in my memory at least, but it was sweet for Caitlin to have that happy feeling.

Her new favorite song is Love Story by Taylor Swift... she lights up when she hears it! I just had to put that in here, for my memory!

The Return of the "SMOOTH STREET"

For the longest time I did not have any requests for the "smooth street." I don't know if it was because it was snow/ice covered and it was no longer smooth, but thanks to the balmy 40 degrees the smooth street is back. It is the only other street in our neighborhood and it was paved last summer (remember I wrote about Carson and I watching all the heavy trucks doing the work?) so Carson insists that we drive that way home every time we enter the neighborhood. No matter what song is on, or what conversation is happening, there is a voice that radiates from the backseat as soon as we hit Woodworth, can we take the "smooth street?"

Did I mention it was 50 here today? Carson was shouting to the rooftops that is was shorts weather, and he was on the roof for a moment today... with his father who was taking the Christmas landing strip off the thawed roof. He was proud of his shorts and the fact that he could stand on the roof.

Some Current Fun Facts

Carly
- currently sporting a fiberglass cream colored cast that smells different each meal she has...
- the cast will be with us for another 3 weeks
- a "food sock" was developed since I could no longer face the yogurt smell in the cast (a week later)
- has been using her "buppy" (pacifier) a little too often since the break of the arm
- I could not face taking the "buppy" away at 18 months since she has an extra 3 pound weight to carry around.
- watching her try to eat a raisin with her right hand and she could not get the cast to her mouth was so cute... but so sad!
- does not use a blanket of choice, but uses three blankets to drag around...
- loves to push the baby in the stroller

Carson
- slightly getting excited about preschool and has decided to not cross it out for good
- still wearing shorts no matter what the temperature
- very sad that the snow will melt eventually
- loves toothpaste and loves to shop for it
- visited pediatric dentist today to go in next week to get two small fillings and sealants... :(
- still has his "big blue" a blanket grandma Kathie made for him when he was a baby
- he likes to feel the ties on the blanket
- wants it to be summer so he can jump on the trampoline, but still wants snow
- loves the computer and is able to navigate around his favorite websites (Webkinz, Playhouse Disney, Nick Jr.)
- loves to play the Wii on his own
- he can spell his name and starting to write it!!!
- still taking a nap about every other day

Caitlin
- still has her "blankie" and it is a must have
- "Cookie" is her stuffed Golden Retriever that is also a MUST have a night
- had her first UPWARD basketball game and did very well
- had a birthday movie and sleepover this weekend with Olivia
- was devastated at the thought of Philly being gone forever last week when he ran away :(
- has started the third quarted of first grade, hard stuff...
- doing great with Coach Hayes in tennis lessons, she will be a star someday...
- recent funny - "I am watching the lottery, no it is JOOOPERDY, you know WHEEL OF FORTUNE" that all came out in one breath!