first day jitters

Carolyn had her first day of preschool up here in Iowa. Boy is it an adjustment. She rode the bus the first two days but then we pulled her from the route because she was on it the second day for 45 minutes before coming home...and that's way too long in my book. But other than that, we're learning the ropes and having a good time doing so. She just might the cutest preschooler I know!

The circus is in town!

Wow, a BiG Wednesday night this week with the arrival of the circus. With something family-friendly in Keokuk, we decided to treat the kids to the night in the big tent. Of course we had cotton candy and watched the crazy acts including this teenage boy fit himself in a box (Carolyn said that couldn't be healthy...lol) and motorcycles flipping on cables. Not too shabby for a one ring circus and some good family memories.

Swim Lesson finale!

Well both children were signed up for swim lessons but only one made it through. Jonathan gave up after two days. I don't think the class setting was for him. Carolyn, on the other hand, loved it. On the last day (Friday) she got to jump off the diving board and while she stood there for a few minutes debating and flapping her arms, she did it and LOVED IT! After two or three more times she finally let someone else take a turn. A thrill addict already!

Tag you're it!

I've now been tagged by my bloggin' friend Roxie with 4 questions to answer and 4 people to pass this along to!!So here we go...............

1. 4 things I look forward to:
1. Jellystone
2. Scrapbooking with Sarah
3. Spending time with my family
4. alone time

2. 4 things I did yesterday:
1. Vaccumed
2. Swim lessons
3. Ordered more photos to scrapbook
4. Talked to Sarah

3. 4 things I wish I could do:
1. Get more alone time (or couple time..either)
2. Take my husband's house worry away (we're hoping to sell a home in PA)
3. Go on a vacation with my family
4. figure out a way to make money at home and still be with the kiddos

4. 4 shows I have watched:
1. Criminal Minds
2. Food Network
3. Caillou (does watching shows with my kiddos count???)
4. ahhh CSI: Miami

Now comes my nominations of 4 people:
Beth,
Meagan,
Sarah
Erin

Carolyn's birthday cake

I can't believe that I've forgotten to post Carolyn's 4th birthday cake. It was a lot of fun to pull this idea off for her. She loved Cinderella last year but she was WAY impressed with Ariel this year. She couldn't wait to show her friends at the party. I only had to do Ariel like 5 or 6 times before being satisifed with her. My favorite is Sebastian...so cute. Anyway, wanted to share.

And the blog award goes too...

So I was informed I recieved a Blog Award from Jen Mueller, roommate of my mother's womb and mother to two of my favorite newphews. Her blog is http://www.mueller-time.blogspot.com/

The rules are:

1) Accept the award, and post a link on your blog with the person name and blog who granted the award.

2) Pass the award to 10 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Contact the choosen 10 to pass this along.

Here is my list of blogs I love to check out for a variety of reasons.

1)http://www.charmcitycakes.com/blog

2)http://www.cookiemadness.net/

3)http://bethym99.blogspot.com/

4)http://cakefun.blogspot.com/

5)http://aliedwards.typepad.com/

6)http://cookinglight.typepad.com/

7)http://www.babyhomepages.net/babyschmitt/

8)http://www.theilen.blogspot.com/

9)http://www.babycheapskate.com/

10)http://blog.cakelove.com/

A place to call home

Oh so with a toddler again, comes all the little toys. Jonathan's room here was getting out of control so one weekend when my father came up we built a shelving unit for Jonathan's room. It's roughly 3 foot by 4 foot and we chose red and blue for typical boy colors. I painted the trim khaki and I think it turned out nice. so roughly $50 in supplies (man that wood is expensive at full price!) and now each cubby is full. But thankfully all the little toys are up off the floor so the only things left are the Little People's zoo and farm. It really completes the room. Just wanted to share.

Branching out

We found this really neat park over in Illinois and the kids loved it. All the climbing equipment was wooden and in shapes of transportation like planes, trains, tractors (did you think I was going write automobiles...carefully you'd be dating yourself!) BUT there was a pick up truck.... Anyway, snagged some great pics of the children but the funniest has to be their sudden urge to play with a tree...I guess that was after an hour or better but all the same...plenty of stuff to keep them busy and they choose a tree.

Days at the parks

There might not be too much to do in the town but there sure all lots of parks to venture out to on beautiful days. The children are playing so well together, really depending on eachother for child interaction, and that need is so refreshing to see. In one morning, we hit 6 different parks around town; some we stayed only a few minutes for various reasons, and some much longer. The children are really starting to adjust well with sleeping much better and smiling more often.

A new adventure!

Geodes + deer + a new house = a new adventure for the Zelkovich family. Our house looks like a barn and on the left there is a matching garage. It's funny. Almost every night we see deer in the backyard now that the grass is growing and hardly being cut (hint hint honey)! Geodes are the special things here. Pretty much they are rocks with mineral formations inside that look like crystals. Carolyn loves hitting them with hammers and taking the crystals out like little treasures. It's funny. We're right at the nook of the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers now. It's pretty country up here and the smaller town life hopefully will suit us soon.

My baby turns 2!

Jonathan had his second birthday right before we moved.
Complete with a balloon artist, lots of friends and family and a Curious George birthday cake. He seemed to have a good time with lots of smiles and it was a great way to wrap up our time in St. Louis.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Well it's nearly Christmas time and I have so many picture updates yet we've been trying to work out a virus program that will allow me to post pictures again. Anyway, Jonathan is so trying to talk clearly and Carolyn is unbelieveably excited about Santa Claus. All she can talk about is getting a rock and roll star guitar...thankfully, Santa is indeed bringing this request. Other than that, life is crazy fun. I'll post pics soon...hopefully!

First day of school

Well I survived...no tears and Carolyn loved it! She came home and I asked how as school and she put two thumbs up and yelled "School is Cool." Obviously something the teacher worked on with the students. LOL. But the day before school, we went apple picking and Carolyn picked her teacher the biggest apple I've ever seen and her teacher said it was the biggest she has ever seen too. And Carolyn's response..."It's juicy too!" Her teacher responded with a big "I Bet" gave her a huge and showed her the way to the classroom. The second photo is of Carolyn running out to greet me after school. What a big girl we have now!

Our newest cousin

Dylan Christopher Meier entered the family tree on July 2, 2008. Elle and Dane are in love with their angel boy. Carolyn, of course, was all over Dylan at first sight. Jonathan just wanted to see how well his hand worked by "patting" Dylan but he did go in for a kiss too. We can't wait to see Dylan's personality develop as he gets older and starts to really play hard with his three older boy cousins. XOXO

Summer fun

We've been so busy this summer playing with the cousins and meeting new friends all over town. Other than the ever popular zoo, we've been to the Missouri Botantical Gardens several times and saved a weekend to head out to the country for some relaxing summer fun with the new see saw at Grams and Gramps house. Carolyn is fearless this summer and Jonathan is right by her side, although judging by his photo in the Garden's children's tree, he is a bit more cautious.

Another great day at the Zoo!

It might be overkill but on Sunday we went to the Zoo as a family and had the cousins join us for the fun. We got there early so the carousel was free and the kids rode it two or three times before venturing off to the penguins and train. Another beautiful day and the most memorable weekend of my motherhood.

First school picnic

Well Carolyn had her first school picnic. Different than most by offering bubbles and dry, colored rice tables to play with, she had a blast. She even got to walk across the stage and recieve her hat and new bookbag, loaded with school supplies for the Fall. She is very much looking forward to school .

One Amazing day

So Friday was quite possibly the best day of my life. We (a friend and I)started the day at the Zoo watching the children discover new things. Jonathan rode the train for the first time and LOVED it and he also was fascinated with seeing the animals which was awesome to see as a mother. Then Carolyn was having a great time with friends and loved the beautiful outdoors. Later that evening, Evan and I celebrated our 6th anniversary with a dinner cruise down the Mississippi river at sunset and had an amazing time dancing on the top deck of the boat ALONE as we pushed off and the sun set. Why others didn't get the idea not to eat right away and watch the setting sun over the arch grounds and glissening on the river, I have no idea. The weather was perfect. The day was perfect.