Happy Father's Day

Father's day weekend was a blast!!!   We went out to Lake Whitney with the Graygor's.  Rented condos in White Bluff and Saturday rented a boat on Lake Whitney.  We had too much fun.

Blonde, beautifully bronzed and couldn't be happier, now that's the life!!

The boys tubed together until Christian fell off.  I think it scared him that we had to leave him in the water while we circled to come get him.  He thought we were leaving him.  He tried another time, but bit the dust again, and that was the end of tubing for Christian.  Will however, was the tubing king!!

I got on the tube, well let me clarify, I tried 3 times to get on the tube, so that Caroline and I could go together.  I embarrassed myself completely, but on the third time I did make it, and she would have tubed all day!!  Thankfully, the camera card was full and we couldn't get any pictures of my embarrassing acts!!!  Yeah!!

Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband!!  Our kids could not have a better daddy!!  We love you!

Tello

For starters, I feel a little anxiety being a “guest” blogger, but I guess I should get over it since every Thursday I will be venting…I mean enlightening everyone with the tails of Christian, Caroline, and Will’s Summer Fun . So, we are coming to the end of Summer Fun week 1, and we started the journey with 1 Adult and 3 children, and I just did a head count and everyone is accounted for and alive.

Monday was the first day and it was a smooth day full of giggles and excitement. I sat down with the kids gave the speech of rules, expectations, and consequences, you know the good stuff, everyone said “Yes Tello we understand”.  I feel great about our talk so know it's time to start the fun stuff. We all go swimming at my place, and I had to throw out some pool rules and Caroline looks at me assuming she is in trouble and says “Tello please don’t take away my bread”.  I laugh, and remember the earlier conversation about consequences when I told them that if they didn’t follow directions or behave something they like or an activity they were doing would be taken away.  Little C thought taking away her bread would be the worst consequence for her.


Tuesday was a super breezy day as I have only one child which is Will. They are right about “one is like none, and two is like ten”.  It’s surprising how much you can get accomplished with just one child during the day.  Will did give me some words of wisdom “girls are nothing but trouble”.


Wednesday, or better known as Wet Wednesday, was a splash…literally! Three children in tow to the Dallas Zoo, fun and hot day saw many animals, boys talked about killing the big animals and eating them for dinner, had a sno-cone, saw some more animals, had lunch, and then the splashing began! It was pouring rain on us, and the boys loved it. We were on our way to the car which was parked in the furthest lot from the zoo, of course because I wouldn’t have it any other way. As we are walking I just start to laugh because we are soaked to the bone and Caroline says to me “Tello this isn’t a funny matter” because she is so angry she is wet. We make it to the car and everyone is buckled in,  and it feels like my car is a pool with all the water that is in it. The boys and I are still laughing and thinking this is the funniest thing ever and then Caroline, still mad, chimes in “don’t look at me anyone I'm not pretty!”  This, of course,  leads to the boys mocking her and the longest car ride ever!


Today we played it safe and only did indoor activities.  This morning was reading and school work and then we went to the Science and History Museum, and then lunch at Papas Burgers. We get home and Christian says “Tello can we please rest before we go to another activity” and Caroline seconds that.  Now my two friends are awake and downstairs in their pajamas asking where are we going next…..more Summer Fun to cont…

First Day of Summer Vacation

The kids have been counting down the days until school was over and summer vacation can begin.  Well, we finally made it.  Every summer until this one, the kids just continued on at whatever school they had been attending.  This one will be a little bit different.  I'm working 3 days a week and taking Tuesday's and Friday's off to play with the kids.  Our fabulous babysitter, Roxanne is watching our two kids, plus one, Christian's buddy Will Graygor, on the days that Will's mom and I work.  

My goal for my two days off is to #1 not work, #2 spend the whole day playing with the kids, #3 keep them busy and wear them out!!  First day, we went to the gym and worked out, came home played games, ate lunch, went to Creative Hands and painted ceramics.  One the way home from Creative Hands I look in the back seat to find.....

Mission Accomplished!!

Today is the second day of summer vacation.  Went to the gym, came home rode bikes down to the park and played.  Came home, had lunch, everyone got a shower, 30 minute timeout in their rooms for arguing all morning.  Next thing I know, they are out.  As I'm blogging this, they have been asleep for 3 hours!!! 

I'm loving this summer vacation.  

Stay tuned for our guest blogger, Roxy, as she tells the tale of her adventures with two six year olds, and one 4 year old in the next 11 weeks.

Kindergarten Graduation

It's official, we have a graduate!!  Kindergarten that is..  It was a big day, all the grandparents were in attendance.  Christian got to lead the procession of all three classes.  They had white lines on the floor so that the kids knew exactly where to walk, but they were walking that line like it was a prison lineup.  Don't cross the white line!!!

He takes his duties as the procession leader very seriously!!  Mrs. Grant told the class that if they goofed around during the ceremony, their mom's would be embarrassed. 

We absolutely loved Mrs. Grant.  She runs a tight ship, and she expects a lot from these kids.  When she thinks the parents are doing a little too much for them, she doesn't hesitate to let you know that they are completely capable of, carrying their own backpacks, lunch boxes, and walking themselves to class.  Unlike my son, I didn't need to be told twice!!  Reminds me of growing up with my brother, only now he's my son!!

Lazy Sunday

We needed a little family time with no schedule and nowhere to be, on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  So, what would we do....... paint, on the back fence.

Washable paint of course!! 

Randy got in on the action too...

I mean is this straight out of Leave it Beaver or what???

What's a little painting without some paint ball....

An hours worth of painting for two hours worth of clean up.  Who's idea was this anyway??

My boy

Pretty much everyone that reads my blog is aware of Christian's potty issue.  I know that one day he is going to read this entry and be upset with me for writing it, but I just don't ever want to forget it, so I'm blogging it.  This whole thing started out as a medical problem, chronic constipation, but now it really is just a confidence problem.  He just doesn't think he can do it, and this is how I know.

 We took his underwear away about six weeks ago and he can earn them back by staying clean all day.   That decision was really hard for me, but ultimately it has made the whole problem easier to deal with.  Of course, it's getting pretty dang hot lately and chaffing is happening.  He's walking around saddle soar with a pretty good rash.  One night he was very soar, and I told him it was happening because he wasn't staying dry, and that it would just continue to get worse over the summer.  He melted down, but this time to himself.  He was crying and talking to himself, basically beating himself up over not being like other kids.  I went into his room to check on him and he asked me to leave.  I closed the door but listened from the outside.  He was praying asking God to help him be like other kids and pay attention to his body.  When he came out of his room, I was still lingering pretending to busy myself in his bathroom, I asked him if he prayed, and he said yes.  When I tucked him into bed, he was still crying off and on.  I asked him if he believed that God would help him and he said yes.  I told him to just listen to his body, believe that he can do it, and make the right choice.  Then he said, but what if I have the ball?  You see, that is the problem right there.  He doesn't want to stop what he's doing and he waits so long that he has accidents.  I told him he either has to make the choice to wear a diaper or stop playing for a minute to take care of it.  It's simply a bad habit at this point, but I do think we are finally making some progress, but watching him struggle is really tough. 

We all have our own issues in our own lives, this is Christian's.   I sometimes think that he was sent to me to teach me lessons, one after another.  I have my own issues with my weight and sometimes I think I have a confidence issue also, thinking that I need a pill, weight loss surgery or specific diet plan, when really I just have a bad habit and I need to believe in myself, and make a better choice.  Sometimes I wish that the apple fell a little further from the tree.

Birthday girl

Happy Birthday Miss Muffett!!!!  Caroline has been counting down the days to her birthday, because the rest of us already had ours this year.  She was more excited to have her turn and become a big 4 years old, than all of us put together.  So, in pure Schlieker children fashion her birthday celebration lasted for a week.  Here's the story.....

Birthday waffles for breakfast and a big wish....

She wouldn't tell me what she wished for but I have a idea that it had a little something to do with this...

Oh yes  friends, that is a super tricked out, all the bells and whistles Disney princess bicycle.  She needed a horn and a bell so that the whole neighborhood will know she's riding down the street.  Oh, and I failed to mention the purse on the front, so that she can take her animals for a ride. 

Lunchtime, we celebrated with her class in high style.  Now don't be jealous that you missed out on this fine cuisine, McDonald's and cupcakes.

  Her actual birthday was on Tuesday, but we had her Princess tea-party on Saturday at Chelsea's.  This is the ultimate in girly girl parties, so it was right up her alley.

Each guest got their nails and makeup done....

Next, they dressed in party dresses with accessories of course...

Caroline declared that this should be a girls only, no boys allowed party, with one exception...

Christian was just watching patiently and overseeing the nails and makeup with the girls

until his cousin Knox, otherwise known as, partner in crime arrived. 

Then they decided to get in on the action....

Each princess was crowned and appointed to the royal court...

After the crowning ceremony, it was time for the tea party...

Then, because we hadn't quite had enough sugar..  Princess Caroline said, "let there be cake", and so it was.

What would a princess party be without a parade, lead by the birthday girl herself....

I had as much fun as she did!! It was the perfect end to a perfect birthday week for my sweet Caroline!! 

Caroline your sweet spirit and gentle nature are contagious.  You have this big personality, and yet just enough timidness to keep you innocent and sweet.  You are so beautiful and have an inner confidence that runs deep.   I have grown to love your hair, though I must admit it was touch and go for me, but it makes your look so unique and unforgettable.  I know that letting you spread your wings will be much harder for me with you, than with your brother.  Your future is bright, baby girl and I'm ready for the ride!! 

I love you, Mommy.

The Delivery

We've been keeping a watchful eye out waiting for the eggs to hatch, but apparently not close enough, because the next thing we know we hear chirping and this is what we found....

Two little doves.  They must have hatched a week or so before, because there is no way those two little things came out of those tiny eggs.  I think I remember saying something like that about the two little humans that came out of me!!  Caroline is distressed, she said "are they gone forever", with her bottom lip quivering.  She would be scarred for life if she knew what her father and brother do to little precious doves.  We better keep that one a secret.  Shhhhhhh......

Little visitor

We have a little friend that comes to see us for a short stay every spring.  This year I got her on film.

She is working on a very important project.  Two projects in fact.....

She sits and carefully guards her eggs.  When she thinks we are getting too close she flies away and watches from a eave of the house behind us.  It really is fascinating to watch and the kids feel like little mother hens.

Just a little bit of nature for your spring enjoyment!

Busy day

Saturday's are NOT a day of rest for us!!!  The day started out just as I had suspected, the kids slept in on a day when we had to be out of the house by 9:15!!!  Caroline had a dance performance at Mayfest and we had to do "dance hair and makeup". 


She loves doing makeup, only problem is she thinks she can actually "do" it!!!  I swear it takes longer to get her hair and makeup ready than it does mine!!  The song they danced too was called, "take my picture", so I did.

This is Caroline's best girlfriend Nina

My Favorite picture of all!!  Randy loving on her and letting her know what a good job she did! This one's gonna get framed.

It was a beautiful day for Mayfest and we were able to stay and play for a little while....

but not for long.  Christian's allergies were eating him up.  We had to leave and get him home for some allergy medicine, because we still had a baseball game to play.  Here's the highlights.....

It was a great day, everybody was hungry, tired and dirty!!  After dinner the kids got their jammies on and laid down for a movie in our bed.  Next thing I know, this is what I see....

that's approximately 120 pounds of dead weight to carry upstairs.  No thank you, I think I'll sleep upstairs instead.  Besides looks like they drooled on my pillow!! Night night little monkey's!!