THE bike:
P.S. BJ has been taught well by his Dad and gave his old bike to Anika. I've converted it to a pink bike, now she just has to get taller so she can reach the ground on it.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
My kids have the best Daddy
My kids really have the best, most thoughtful Daddy. A couple of months back, BJ had finally saved up enough quarters from collecting trash to buy his bike (Brandon's idea). He was so excited to pick out his bike after working so hard for it. Brandon and he spent some time on the internet deciding which one would be the best, and found one they liked at Toys R Us. (Sidenote: I love online shopping- Amazon was how I did most of my Christmas shopping last year, but there is something very important and more special in letting a kid shop at a store.) BJ and I planned to have a lunch date with Daddy to pick up the bike- making it very special- putting an invite on his google calendar (that he uses for work and other life events) for a family lunch meeting to discuss the acquisition of transportation for BJ. He accepted our invite and the kids and I went out to run an errand before our "meeting time." Brandon, however, made sure he got to Toys R Us before we were able to for a meeting of his own. You see, BJ had saved up a lot of money, enough to buy A bike, just not the one he had picked out. And someday he will learn that different things cost different amounts, but that was not the lesson Brandon had planned for today. He went in and spoke with the manager about paying for part of the bike ourselves, but without BJ realizing he did that. So when we got to Toys R Us, BJ proudly walked back to the bikes- picked his out and started walking toward the register. He dumped his ziplock baggie on the counter and started to arrange his money. Brandon directed him to start making piles of quarters for dollars while he slyly swiped his card. The sweet manager then gave BJ the total remaining and he and B counted out the total. He was so proud riding the bike out of the store and told everyone in the neighborhood about how he saved up $70 but the bike was only $60 so he got to keep some. Someday we'll tell him the true story (especially because his numbers are all off) but for now I smile and know that my kids have the best Dad.
THE bike:
Outside Toys R Us
THE bike:
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Photo dump #1
Kids playing hospital/doctor
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Another Overdue Update
I'm convinced that life is always hectic and crazy, it just changes and you adapt. So it is crazy here, as always, but it is way overdue for an update.
BJ is growing like crazy, both physically and in maturity. He still has his moments, but he is definitely growing up. He can't wait to start kindergarten in a little over a month. He will be going M,W, and F (2 and a 1/2 days total). At the end of the school year we were attending many fesitivites he felt were the end of preschool and the beginning of kindergarten and was frequently confused on when the transition really happened. After a kindergarten meeting at school he asked "so do I go to kindergarten tomorrow then?" He is thrilled. There are so many moments I look at him and he looks so "grown up" compared to the cute preschooler I've known. He loves playing outside, any sports, helping Daddy with the car (hopefully to be finished or driveable for the first day of school), working out with Mommy (he has quite the passion for running on the "treadmiller" and pushing the limits on his speed- he is currently up to a quick 8.9 mph sprint), and playing with his sister. He attended Spanish camp earlier this summer so likes to pull out Spanish words here and there, but insists he didn't learn any new ones, just ones I had taught him previously. His goal for the summer is to be able to swim a far enough distance to go down the waterslide at our outdoor pool, and he is well on his way- working hard at swimming lessons in the lap pool. He also is preoccupied with time lately, and knowing exactly what time he needs to do things at. He has figured out that if he gets down for a nap lately (yes he still naps most days at least an hour), that we make him stay in his bed later (and "change his numbers" on a card that dictates when he can read and play quietly and get up), so is vigilant about getting to naptime on time (even if it means going by himself). Medically, we have "finished" the workup our docs think is appropriate for his gut stuff, so we are left with "idopathic" (meaning we don't know) problems and just to stay on Miralax indefinitely. He did get his big bike (with his hard earned money-which was a sweet story I should share later) and has been biking a lot- even teaching himself "tricks."
Anika is qutie the little spit fire, who keeps us all on our toes. She is anxiously awaiting her birthdat ad has been tellig people for months that she is starting to be 3. She loves babydolls, being big, pink and purple (and orange, white, and blue- in that order), "I spy", riding her brother's scooter (she is wicked fast), fruit, bread, and "tandy" (candy). She varies on a daily basis whether she is big or a baby, and will correct you when you get it wrong. She cracks us up with her comments, especially her "oh yeah" that she interjects after almost everything. Her eyes are huge when she is excited or proud of herself. She tries so hard to be big like her brother, that sometimes she moves to the next step of things early. At church, she moves to the next room at 3, but has been in there for months because she enjoys the bigger kid activites (and fruit snacks), but will climb in the baby swing for tens of minutes at a time if you let her. She likes to give hugs and multiple kinds of kisses (butterfly, eskimo, and her made up bird kisses). She has been in her big girl bed since Christmas and has only fallen out once or twice, and different to BJ who would cry and run toward the door, she cries and crawls back in bed to go to sleep. She likes to tell you secrets quitely in your ear and then blurt out loudly verbatim what she just told you. She is constantly saying things that are hysterical, but I'm drawing a blank recalling them right now.
I'll try to post pics later, when I can figure out how to get them from my phone or tablet to blogspot.
BJ is growing like crazy, both physically and in maturity. He still has his moments, but he is definitely growing up. He can't wait to start kindergarten in a little over a month. He will be going M,W, and F (2 and a 1/2 days total). At the end of the school year we were attending many fesitivites he felt were the end of preschool and the beginning of kindergarten and was frequently confused on when the transition really happened. After a kindergarten meeting at school he asked "so do I go to kindergarten tomorrow then?" He is thrilled. There are so many moments I look at him and he looks so "grown up" compared to the cute preschooler I've known. He loves playing outside, any sports, helping Daddy with the car (hopefully to be finished or driveable for the first day of school), working out with Mommy (he has quite the passion for running on the "treadmiller" and pushing the limits on his speed- he is currently up to a quick 8.9 mph sprint), and playing with his sister. He attended Spanish camp earlier this summer so likes to pull out Spanish words here and there, but insists he didn't learn any new ones, just ones I had taught him previously. His goal for the summer is to be able to swim a far enough distance to go down the waterslide at our outdoor pool, and he is well on his way- working hard at swimming lessons in the lap pool. He also is preoccupied with time lately, and knowing exactly what time he needs to do things at. He has figured out that if he gets down for a nap lately (yes he still naps most days at least an hour), that we make him stay in his bed later (and "change his numbers" on a card that dictates when he can read and play quietly and get up), so is vigilant about getting to naptime on time (even if it means going by himself). Medically, we have "finished" the workup our docs think is appropriate for his gut stuff, so we are left with "idopathic" (meaning we don't know) problems and just to stay on Miralax indefinitely. He did get his big bike (with his hard earned money-which was a sweet story I should share later) and has been biking a lot- even teaching himself "tricks."
Anika is qutie the little spit fire, who keeps us all on our toes. She is anxiously awaiting her birthdat ad has been tellig people for months that she is starting to be 3. She loves babydolls, being big, pink and purple (and orange, white, and blue- in that order), "I spy", riding her brother's scooter (she is wicked fast), fruit, bread, and "tandy" (candy). She varies on a daily basis whether she is big or a baby, and will correct you when you get it wrong. She cracks us up with her comments, especially her "oh yeah" that she interjects after almost everything. Her eyes are huge when she is excited or proud of herself. She tries so hard to be big like her brother, that sometimes she moves to the next step of things early. At church, she moves to the next room at 3, but has been in there for months because she enjoys the bigger kid activites (and fruit snacks), but will climb in the baby swing for tens of minutes at a time if you let her. She likes to give hugs and multiple kinds of kisses (butterfly, eskimo, and her made up bird kisses). She has been in her big girl bed since Christmas and has only fallen out once or twice, and different to BJ who would cry and run toward the door, she cries and crawls back in bed to go to sleep. She likes to tell you secrets quitely in your ear and then blurt out loudly verbatim what she just told you. She is constantly saying things that are hysterical, but I'm drawing a blank recalling them right now.
I'll try to post pics later, when I can figure out how to get them from my phone or tablet to blogspot.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
A morning with a 2 year old
Anika has been cracking us up lately. This morning alone she has said quite a few funny things.
Brandon let me sleep in while he got up with the kids. Later, after I got out of the shower, Anika came up to check on me. "Can you come downstairs with me?" she asked. I told her no, I was getting ready. Later when I did go downstairs she responded "Mom, don't go downstairs, I'm not there!!"
I also heard her and BJ having a loud discussion and the 2 of them ran in. "I'm lying!!" she announced loudly. BJ started to tell of the unfairness that she was telling him what to do. I cut him off and said, what is going on? He said "I don't know, she just yelled at me she was going to go tell mom" (Glad she was going to tell on herself!)
We've been working on saying please here at the house, so will frequently tell her no if she doesn't ask nicely. She decided she needed clean socks so ran upstairs to get them and came back with tights. She struggled putting them on, and started to ask for help. We said no since she didn't say please, and she lay on the ground, crying "but I have naked feet!!"
BJ has been working around the house for extra quarters, saving up for a bigger bike. His plan is to give Anika his old one, after a coat of pink spray paint. On the way back from church she announced that she would like to "run to Target with Daddy." I asked her what she needed there and she responded "my new pink bike, I have enough pennies, yeah"
Despite all the reminders and repeating yourself I feel like we do at this stage, it sure is funny.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Emerging personalities
BJ is definitely growing up. Such a sweet boy at times (and others a serious terror). But I love the moments of responsibility or sweetness. Tonight he informed me that they used M & M's at school for graphing. "Everyone else ate theirs at school Mom, but I didn't because they had peanuts in them, so I brought them home for you to take to work" Melt my heart sweet boy, saving your candy for me. (Let me clarify, his school is nut free, the M & M's were just processed in a factory that also process peanuts, so his sweet teachers told him safer to not eat them.) They were in a baggie, waiting to be taken to work with his mom. (We let him eat and enjoy every last one for being so responsible).
Tonight he asked for some felt to make Anika a new lovey (her blankets that she adores and sleeps with every night)- he carefully cut it out and glued little tabs on the edges so it will look like her others.
Sadly, we had to make a change with our au pairs and had to ask Paola to leave. The kids adored her and will really miss playing with her. They were heartbroken not to be able to say goodbye, so BJ wanted me to send her a message that said "I wish you could stay forever, goodbye" What sweet hearted little boy!
Anika continues to crack us up at her 2 year old comments. One of her favorite conversations includes "me want to tell you about my day" "Ok Anika, tell me about your day, what did you do?" "Go to the swimming pool" (this is said on a daily occurrence even though we go maybe once every 2 months or so). "Anika, you didn't go to the swimming pool today, do you want to go?" "Please-o, please-o, please-o" Her other favorite things to talk about is her status in her age. If you ask her how old she is, she will respond with a variety of things "5" "4" "1" but hardly ever "2." One of her other favorites is telling us she is a baby. "I'm a baby" all day long. If you ask her if she is a baby girl or our special girl, she will respond "I'm just a baby!" (Unless of course she is playing with baby Ray, her favorite doll, and then she is a mommy!)
Love seeing their beautiful personalities bloom!
Another quick note, we have a new au pair that so far is amazing. Her name is Carolin, and she comes from Germany via New Jersey. The kids love her, and she is already picking up on the schedules and expectations around here.
Anyway, that's it for tonight- hopefully I'll blog sooner than a month from now!
Tonight he asked for some felt to make Anika a new lovey (her blankets that she adores and sleeps with every night)- he carefully cut it out and glued little tabs on the edges so it will look like her others.
Sadly, we had to make a change with our au pairs and had to ask Paola to leave. The kids adored her and will really miss playing with her. They were heartbroken not to be able to say goodbye, so BJ wanted me to send her a message that said "I wish you could stay forever, goodbye" What sweet hearted little boy!
Anika continues to crack us up at her 2 year old comments. One of her favorite conversations includes "me want to tell you about my day" "Ok Anika, tell me about your day, what did you do?" "Go to the swimming pool" (this is said on a daily occurrence even though we go maybe once every 2 months or so). "Anika, you didn't go to the swimming pool today, do you want to go?" "Please-o, please-o, please-o" Her other favorite things to talk about is her status in her age. If you ask her how old she is, she will respond with a variety of things "5" "4" "1" but hardly ever "2." One of her other favorites is telling us she is a baby. "I'm a baby" all day long. If you ask her if she is a baby girl or our special girl, she will respond "I'm just a baby!" (Unless of course she is playing with baby Ray, her favorite doll, and then she is a mommy!)
Love seeing their beautiful personalities bloom!
Another quick note, we have a new au pair that so far is amazing. Her name is Carolin, and she comes from Germany via New Jersey. The kids love her, and she is already picking up on the schedules and expectations around here.
Anyway, that's it for tonight- hopefully I'll blog sooner than a month from now!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Christmas Letter/Late New Year's Letter
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's (Belated),
Just didn't get a chance to pound out a quick Christmas letter until now, so enjoy, even if it is late, and not sent out in envelopes.
Brandon is still enjoying his job at Hoerbiger, despite the frequent travel. He has become very used to showing us his hotel rooms at night via Skype. He spends his free time playing with the kids, working on the Nova, researching for the Nova, and keeping us in line with Dave Ramsey. He and BJ are best buds, and Brandon walks him to school every day he can. Anika has him wrapped around her little finger, (but he still will discipline when needed) and she requests being able to snuggle with Daddy every night before bed.
Cassi continues to work 3 days a week at Aspen Family Care. She enjoys the balance this affords her, giving her extra time to be home with the kids. She continues to like to work out, especially at her new favorite gym, OrangeTheory. She ran 10 races this last year- a combination of duathlons, sprint triathlons, and 5K's. She loves to make yummy healthy food for her family, spend time with girlfriends, and reading books. She had a blast this year with Brandon celebrating their 10 year anniversary in Puerto Rico, sleeping in, the beach, hiking through a rainforest, and old San Juan. Thanks to Grammy and Papa for keeping the kids SUPER busy for a week, so that when they had a chance to Skype, BJ said "Do we have to Skype with you now, or can I keep playing please."
BJ turned 5 this year. He is growing in leaps and bounds, and frequently thinks he is in charge around here. He learned to ride his bike, build tons of Legos, and continues to work on letters, numbers, and reading and writing at preschool 3 days a week. He had a blast on his soccer team this last year, doing 2 seasons with the same group of boys and his favorite coach, Coach Clinefelter. He loves to go camping, playing outside, and helping Daddy work on the Nova. He is extremely knowledgable about every make and model of Matchbox cars he owns (and that is a lot). (He is very concerned that you know that he loves to play legos.) We have struggled a bit with his health lately, but will hopefully soon have answers. Nothing serious but lots of little "frustrations."
Anika, 2, is our crazy girl. (Per BJ, she drives us crazy by being a pest). She loves anything her brother loves including cars, playing outside, and riding on scooters. She loves to go on walks to preschool to sneak away from mom and play for a few minutes at school. She spends many hours playing with "Baby Ray" being quite the caretaker for her doll. She frequently requests a trip to the swimming pool, soccer game, and to be big. She has transitioned to a big girl bed at Christmas, and is fully potty trained except naps and overnight. This year has been a transition in childcare also, as we said goodbye to Angie after almost 2 years and invited Paola from Colombia to come help us with the kids. We were especially nervous how Anika would react, never having a caregiver other than Angie. However, both kids really enjoy Paola, but were still excited to have a visit from Angie at Christmas.
We are so thankful and blessed by all of you, our friends and family, but more so, God, who continues to orchestrate our lives in ways we could never imagine!
Love,
The Workmans
Just didn't get a chance to pound out a quick Christmas letter until now, so enjoy, even if it is late, and not sent out in envelopes.
Brandon is still enjoying his job at Hoerbiger, despite the frequent travel. He has become very used to showing us his hotel rooms at night via Skype. He spends his free time playing with the kids, working on the Nova, researching for the Nova, and keeping us in line with Dave Ramsey. He and BJ are best buds, and Brandon walks him to school every day he can. Anika has him wrapped around her little finger, (but he still will discipline when needed) and she requests being able to snuggle with Daddy every night before bed.
Cassi continues to work 3 days a week at Aspen Family Care. She enjoys the balance this affords her, giving her extra time to be home with the kids. She continues to like to work out, especially at her new favorite gym, OrangeTheory. She ran 10 races this last year- a combination of duathlons, sprint triathlons, and 5K's. She loves to make yummy healthy food for her family, spend time with girlfriends, and reading books. She had a blast this year with Brandon celebrating their 10 year anniversary in Puerto Rico, sleeping in, the beach, hiking through a rainforest, and old San Juan. Thanks to Grammy and Papa for keeping the kids SUPER busy for a week, so that when they had a chance to Skype, BJ said "Do we have to Skype with you now, or can I keep playing please."
BJ turned 5 this year. He is growing in leaps and bounds, and frequently thinks he is in charge around here. He learned to ride his bike, build tons of Legos, and continues to work on letters, numbers, and reading and writing at preschool 3 days a week. He had a blast on his soccer team this last year, doing 2 seasons with the same group of boys and his favorite coach, Coach Clinefelter. He loves to go camping, playing outside, and helping Daddy work on the Nova. He is extremely knowledgable about every make and model of Matchbox cars he owns (and that is a lot). (He is very concerned that you know that he loves to play legos.) We have struggled a bit with his health lately, but will hopefully soon have answers. Nothing serious but lots of little "frustrations."
Anika, 2, is our crazy girl. (Per BJ, she drives us crazy by being a pest). She loves anything her brother loves including cars, playing outside, and riding on scooters. She loves to go on walks to preschool to sneak away from mom and play for a few minutes at school. She spends many hours playing with "Baby Ray" being quite the caretaker for her doll. She frequently requests a trip to the swimming pool, soccer game, and to be big. She has transitioned to a big girl bed at Christmas, and is fully potty trained except naps and overnight. This year has been a transition in childcare also, as we said goodbye to Angie after almost 2 years and invited Paola from Colombia to come help us with the kids. We were especially nervous how Anika would react, never having a caregiver other than Angie. However, both kids really enjoy Paola, but were still excited to have a visit from Angie at Christmas.
We are so thankful and blessed by all of you, our friends and family, but more so, God, who continues to orchestrate our lives in ways we could never imagine!
Love,
The Workmans
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
BJ at 5. . .
Nicknames: Beej, little man, stinker, lovebug, bug, Captain, bud, Stink, Little stink, Bugaboo
Weight & Height: growing like a weed, 44 lbs?
Hair: Blonde, getting darker :(
Favorite foods: "hot dog, mac and cheese"
Favorite toys: "scooter, race track, CDA van, little cars, bike, fire truck"
Favorite stuffed animal: "Husker pillow pet, Braveheart the bear"
Favorite animal: "bear"
Bedtime: 8 p.m.
Wake-up time: 6:30 a.m.- as soon as his "Ok to wake" clock turns green
Naps: one nap a day for 2 hours, pretty much every day
Favorite person: "Daddy and Paola, and Grammy and Pop and Mommy and Anika when she's not stealing things"
Latest Accomplishment: sat for 2 hours with Daddy assembling his first (208) lego creation, passing his first swimming lesson class, being more aggressive on the soccer field, going to his first movie in the theater
Likes: "play with Daddy and Paola, and with Mommy" "playing with firetruck, house house" ride bike/scooter, soccer, coloring
Likes: "play with Daddy and Paola, and with Mommy" "playing with firetruck, house house" ride bike/scooter, soccer, coloring
Dislikes:"I don't know anything I don't like" "purple lettuce" green beans, black beans, not getting to choose, finding self control
What he is saying:
What gets said about BJ most often: how well mannered he is for everyone else
Fears: "monsters" "nights" "robots"
Health: DON'T ASK :) only allergy left if peanuts, although he's not doing dairy currently given his gut situation
What he wants to be when he grows up: "work with Daddy"
How he's like Daddy:he likes Mommy, has a mischievous grin at times, loves to "drive the car", wants to do EVERYTHING Daddy does
How he's like Mommy: his coloring, his hugs, love of cuddling, short fuse for frustration
How he's like Mommy: his coloring, his hugs, love of cuddling, short fuse for frustration
Funny things he's done lately: Instructing his sister "This is a no for safety reasons Anika" , saying " You can't sleep all day, because you'll be starving for breakfast and lunch at the same time."
Sweet things lately; 1. Daddy night so BJ had been exited about a popsicle all day. Brandon cut a popsicle in three for BJ, Daddy, and Anika. Anika dropped hers and was upset. BJ said. "That's ok, that happens sometimes. You can have mine" and handed her the popsicle.
2. Mom, I want to snuggle with you all day long. 3. Love hearing "Anika, can I play babies with you?"
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