Keeping up with the Pedersen's

Catching Up

2017-02-21T20:30:00.000-06:00

Ella is now in 1st grade. Lydia is in third grade. Grace already in 4th grade. Grace now insists that everyone calls her Gracie. They really grow up fast! Gracie now does basket ball,(Hawks) soft ball, and girl scouts (juniors). Lydia does gymnastics, girl scouts,(brownies) and a little bit of soft ball. Ella enjoys dance, gymnastics,softball, basket ball, and girl scouts (daisies). All my girls love to sing on the karaoke. They love family time and learning. Gracie's favorite school subject is reading. Lydia loves math and not a huge fan of reading. Ella enjoys reading just as much as I love all of them (a lot!!!). I'm guessing it's all Gracie that made Ella enjoy reading as much as she does. Gracie can get a little bossy at times. Ella can also get bossy from time to time. Lydia is probably the least bossy but still a little bossy.

Fall & Halloween

2012-11-05T15:34:00.004-06:00

Gotta love that Lydia scream!

Ella is on a mission. Don't break that focus.

Ella's Birthday

2012-11-05T14:31:00.002-06:00

How old are you Ella?

Sneaking a lick of frosting. Busted!

Singing happy birthday to Ella on her 3rd birthday.

Padwan training

2012-11-05T13:07:00.000-06:00

Grace and Lydia partook in Padwan training. They weren't really all that excited about it. In face, Grace and Lydia were particularly irritated that the Stormtroopers kept pointing their blasters at them.

It did eventually pay off when Lydia's classmate hosted a Star Wars birthday party. Lydia knew what to expect. She was a little worried, though, when the birthday boy arrived dressed as Darth Vadar. She didn't want to have fight him twice.

First Days of Preschool, School, and Bus Pickup

2012-11-05T12:53:00.002-06:00

Grace's first day of Kindergarten was a half-day. Mom brought her in mid-day and the bus brought her home.

Grace was waiting with her sisters and friends.

And Grace posed with her new teacher, a very energetic and ambitious Mrs. Wenzel.

Grace has grown to thoroughly enjoy her bus rides. On the one time she missed her bus, Grace insisted Mom driver her to school via the bus route.

Lydia's first day of preschool coincided with Grace's first bus pick-up. So, Dad stuck around for the morning show.

Of course, Ella insisted she was part of the show today too. Back-pack and all.

The girls got an early start as teacher's pet by assembling gift bags including a chocolate, golden apple.

What's posing without a silly picture? And what's a silly picture without sticking out your tongue or putting fingers in their mouths?

Grace loves to sit on knees while Mom or Dad crouch. (And there is little easier way to tip us over than the same move.)

Lydia is just so good and posing for pictures. It's almost impossible to take a bad one.

Lydia with her teachers, Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. Cummings.

Can't you just see the trouble brewing with this pair: Lydia & Steph. Oh, this is going to be an exciting year.

Christy's Still a Dirty Girl

2012-11-04T22:46:00.000-06:00

Since the Dirty Girl came back to Wisconsin, Christy went back. And her support team came with. Lydia was exceptionally adverse to the concept last year. Though she isn't ready to embrace the idea, or a filthy finisher, she is warming up.

We chased the foursome for the first few obstacles. But then a tired meltdown and much needed potty break ended our chase. I pulled the rip cord and parked us at the finish. That's okay, it gave the kids time to play in the field, bond, and for Grace to woo.

Kiss anyone? No. No one.

Summer Dance

2012-11-04T21:58:00.001-06:00

Our girls continue to enjoy dance classes. This summer featured two new instructors who took a more laid back, laissez faire. approach. None of the students seemed to learn as much as sessions past. But that didn't much change their enthusiasm.

Home Alone, Plus One: Third Full Day

2012-11-04T15:18:00.003-06:00

The party never ends when mom is out of town. (I'll regret writing that later.) Grandma came down on Sunday. We need her help Monday evening but why not get some bonus time? Both grandkids and Grandma approve.

And when Grandma comes, she comes to party. "Let's go to Stonefire Pizza!" she says. What kid would say no to all you can eat pizza, soda (two days in a row?) and ice cream. And they've got toys? Heck yeah!

Home Alone: Second Full Day

2012-11-03T22:54:00.002-05:00

And so the adventure continued. I aspired for four stops but only two worked. The ladies slept in so we got a late start; so the second stop had to go. No worries; I doubted a cheese outlet would have been too interesting. The fourth stop had to go because the girls had a melt down. Seemed out of the blue. They were well behaved and quiet excited. Grace pinched her fingers and then all three fell apart. No worries; the fourth would have been a low key, perhaps also uninteresting.

Now that I've bored you, let's get back to the start. Certainly, Mom wouldn't have approved. The first weekend after Halloween? We go to a candy warehouse? Really? Of course! What else is a dad to do? Lest we forget the most important rule of the weekend.

Ella was not enthused with the samplings. After trying a salt water taffy, which she finished, she said, "Don't ever go back there, ever, never again." There was no mistaking her displeasure.

Okay, so what's less appropriate than a candy warehouse after Halloween? A brewery! With endless supplies of soda! Who's got two thumbs and is the world's best dad? This guy!!

Lydia insisted on any cup trick she could think of.

One oddity: coming to sprecher as the older, more mature (I know, really, I'm more mature?!) customer than the rest of the crowd, made for a couple odd observations. One of which was one person in a group of girls (eventually seated behind Grace) stole Grace's chair while we were in the bathroom. And, despite Grace, Lydia, and I being quite vocal about rudeness, not one of them offered an apology. Then, oddly, they asked I take their picture. Not recognizing I had a much better camera than their point-n-shoot, proceed to describe how to use theirs. That was just odd.

We did bring home some loot to share with Mom. Belly flops, smoothest, creamiest salt water taffy I've ever had, sodas and a case of my favorite Sprecher, Abbey Triple.

This time, the dance videos uploaded! You can all enjoy the show.

Home Alone: First Full Day

2012-11-02T18:57:00.005-05:00

Of course today was smooth. But I got the fun of teasing mom the wheels came off. Everyone was up in time. Christy had per-approved the outfits, but Lydia and Ella audibled. Fortunately, everyone wanted a headband. Unfortunately, both girls with tights got holes in them.

But I planned out the meals, bought groceries (need to head back for fruit and milk), got an hour in at the gym, picked up some movies at the library, hosted a playdate, helped Lydia and her playdate do homework, and enjoyed a frozen pizza dinner with my ladies.

And, an added perk, I got a personalized show from my three favorite entertainers. (Though the video won't load, you can probably imagine how Grace, Lydia, and Ella dressed up, danced, and sang.)

Now it's another Barbie movie night, joined by our neighbor.

But even the ladies found Barbie boring and started making hand-traced turkey pictures.

Tomorrow is planned. Christy may be jealous. I'll post pictures and updates.

Home Alone: First Night

2012-11-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

So Mom is on her way to Houston and left Dad home with the ladies. So far we've kept it simple, a spaghetti dinner, brownie (right at the start), toe nail polish (Dad excluded) and a Barbie movie of Lydia's choosing.

And only one rule.

Don't tell mom anything!

Adventures in T-Ball

2012-07-06T21:47:00.001-05:00

We are in the middle of t-ball season. I am grateful that Paul has both Grace and Lydia on a team. One would think that I have it easier since I only have one of the kids to watch... If you believe that, then you may not have met Ella. Paired with her friend and partner in trouble, Emily, an hour is a long time!

Both Grace and Lydia are enjoying the sport. Thankfully we haven't had any games when it's been sweltering into the 100s... yet.

Lydia at bat

Lydia on base.

I love that she holds onto her helmet with her fingers the entire time she is on base.

Preschool Graduation

2012-06-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's official! Grace graduated from her amazing preschool and is moving on to Kindergarten. I have to admit I was a little bit concerned about Grace starting preschool last September. She had never been away from home for so long. And she didn't know anyone at her new preschool.

Thankfully Grace was quick to make friends and to say that she loved the structure that preschool provided would be a huge understatement. I am so thankful that so many of Grace's friends are going to the same elementary school including her best friends.

Grace singing their songs at graduation.

Getting her diploma!

One of the great things about the preschool is that they have small class sizes and a great teacher to child ratio! Grace adored her teachers. She is a little bummed that she will have to get on the bus before we bring Lydia to school next year so she won't have the chance to see her old teachers. (I'm not too worried though. We happen to see her teacher at Target from time to time).

Grace and her amazing teachers.

Grace and her best friend

My little graduate

Grace and her pal, Grace Grace is excited that she will get to ride the bus to school everyday with her sweet friend.

Soccer Lip

2012-06-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

It took me a little bit to figure out why Lydia's lower lip was red for part of the spring. Then I figured it out as I was looking through pictures one night. She bites her lower lip while she plays soccer. I think only soccer. Soccer season has passed and so has the red lower lip. Apparently t-ball isn't nearly as stressful!

Happy Mother's Day!

2012-06-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!! The girls showered me with super sweet gifts! Top secret gifts that had to be hidden and rehidden often to ensure that they weren't discovered before Mother's Day! Paul took the girls to the store in morning to make a cake for Grandma Pedersen and a big cookie for me! Thanks girls & Paul! You always make me feel so special!

After School Fun

2012-06-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

What do you do when school gets done and the kids haven't spent enough time with their pals? Have a play date to enjoy the gorgeous weather!! I love that all three of my girls have such great pals to hang out with all the time. I love that most of Grace's pals from school are going to go to kindergarten with her at the same elementary school!

Grace swinging!!

Popsicles!!

My cutie!

Ella is always unphased by all the older kids!

Happy Morning!

2012-06-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

On a random spring morning when I was moving winter clothes to the basement and getting the summer wardrobes in line, the girls discovered the most AMAZING things ever! Sparkly bright tutus skirts! They decided that they needed to wear them right now!! Who cares that it was old outside. They wanted a photoshoot.

... well everyone but Ella who clearly wasn't buying this crazy idea of her sisters.

But then, Ella's favorite friend stopped in for a visit!! She sure does love her partner in crime!

Spring Soccer

2012-06-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Grace and Lydia are both in soccer this spring. Paul, Ella and I have cheered from the sidelines in all kinds of weather. After a cold soccer season last year, I was not going to sign up for another year of cold Saturday mornings outside. But then after a warm winter and summer, I caved. Low and behold, soccer season started and a week into the season, we were again sitting on the sidelines in sleet and freezing 30 degree temperatures. Brrr!! It's all worth it to watch my soccer stars!!

Grace!!

Lydia and Grandpa Rudy

Grace and her best friend B.

Lydia watching from the sidelines.

Great stop Lydia!

2012-06-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

We have been enjoying some great spring weather this year! I have been busy keeping up with these crazy kids!!

Grace talking to her friends.

Ella swinging upside down.

Ella has moved way beyond the baby swing this year. She is trying to keep up with her older sisters.

April wrap up

2012-06-08T16:29:00.001-05:00

A normal day entails lots of reading. Grace has always enjoyed reading books, but now that she is reading books on her own, she will go off on her own to read by herself. Many times her sisters like to hang out with her. It's not uncommon to find these three cuties curled up on the sofa in the pjs morning reading a stack of books!

Lots to read today!

We went to the Dells over spring break. Ella didn't like that I made her sit in the tube with a bottom. She would have preferred to just jump on in and try to swim by herself.

Happy Easter - continued

2012-06-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Grace trying to get an egg! JUMP!!

Whoa! This baskets heavy!

Happy Easter Mom and Dad! (Don't they look like they've had too much sugar)!!

Add Grandma and Grandpa's house

Paul and his favorite girls. :)

Run!!! Eggs!!

Easter

2012-06-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Easter was a busy flurry of activities as usual. We had egg hunts in the village and at the area YMCA. We also celebrated with many of the girls friends with a HUGE egg hunt at the house. Hundreds and hundreds of eggs. Then we wrapped up the week long celebration with Easter at our house, Grandma Linda and Grandpa Rudy's, and the Murphys!

Ella found an egg!! Now what?!

My little bunnies!

Chillin' with the bunny.

Eggs? Where?

Grace and Maggie went for the eggs up high.

Ella liked to follow her friend Grace.

Dance Recital

2012-06-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Whoa! For the first time all three girls were in dance. Three costumes, three heads of hair, three pairs of tights, three pairs of ballet shoes and lots of glitter, bobby pins, hair spray... All three girls did amazing on stage. I have to admit, I had some concerns about Ella. She isn't usually a camera or spotlight loving child. She hid on her birthday when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She's in a parent-child class and her dance teacher wanted the moms to go on stage with the girls. The moms vetoed that suggestion. We were determined to NOT be on stage.

Pre-show hugs

Ella dancing to the Jungle Book

Grace dancing to Beauty and the Beast


Lydia dancing to Cinderella with her best friends. (Cassie, Lydia, Breanna and Stephanie).

Happy Spring

2012-06-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Spring has never started so nicely! On the first day of spring this year, we have temperatures in the 80s!! A welcome sight after any winter, even a mild one like we've had this year. It's been recorded that we've had the warmest spring and winter on record. I'm glad that we've been able to enjoy so much of the amazing weather.

Ella being silly.

Swimming on the first day of spring.

Watch out! Ella's driving.

Circus Day

2012-06-05T21:27:00.002-05:00

Yep, we're still behind. I have hopes of catching up soon. However, our summer seems to be in full swing and we've been busy spending lots of time outside. It doesn't help that the little down time that we've seemed to get while Ella napped is diminishing as Ella is ready to give up my daily hour or two of ~~quiet~~ less noise.

Lydia riding the ponies next to Haley.

Grace and Uncle Mike

Lydia looking up at the elephants.

Tigers!!

Elephant