Sean and Aleece

When Aleece was pregnant with Kalven she took fish oil extract along with all the other vitamins.  Fish oil was suggested because it is supposed to give a boost to the kids intelligence.  In the case of Kalven it seems to have worked.  This kid is smart.  he figures things out, on his own and quickly.

Leif has a toy that is a “ball popper”.  It has a tray at the top that funnels down to a tube with a fan.  There are these small light-weight balls that work with it.  When it is on the balls are propelled by the fan and pop up out of the center of the tray and then land back down on the tray to be funneled back through the tube with the fan.  It’s a fun little toy, but sometimes the ball bounces out of the tray and does not get funneled back into the tube.  Kalven has not only figured out that he has to go get the wayward ball he is smart enough to know if one more went missing while he was away and will look around for it.  Kalven has also figured out that if there are less than 3 balls in the toy the balls will not pop out.  Sometimes he just takes away enough balls so it all stops and then puts more in to start it back up again.

That’s not the only thing.  Kalven has learned how to “play” us.  If we are not fast enough to attend to his needs he will crumple on the floor and cry, knowing that we will come to him faster.  How do I know he is playing us?  Because I have seen Kalven’s face when Aleece picked him up and even though he still makes crying noises he is smiling.

Kalven is also doing great at walking, it’s his favorite thing to do.  But since this kid is so smart he will walk around looking for new and interesting things, like photo albums, books, food, his brother.  Once he has found those things he goes and plays with them.

Kalven also does not like to stop moving.  Sure you can hold him, but that does not last long.  Soon he is squirming to get down and he will just move, crawl, walk, roll, whatever, he just wants to move.  Usually that’s not such a big deal but at times like the baptism we attended last Sunday it can be difficult, he just wants to get up where the action is and see what’s going on.

Oh and at Kalvens 1 year checkup he is a full 21.12 lbs and 30 inches tall.

Kalven has turned 1.  It has been a whole year already, wow time goes fast.  This past weekend we had a birthday party for Kalven, wanna see some pictures?  I thought so.

First thing Kalven noticed was the balloons.

After the balloons it was time for a dip in the pool

Kalven loves the “So Big” game, you know, the one where you ask “How big is Kalven?” and then you raise his hands up high and say “SSOOO BIG!”

Grandma with her two grandkids.

Kalven found a toy.  Nope, this is not a new toy, we have had this one for a while.  Kalven was just excited to have it.

Time for dinner, hot dogs!

Auntie Anne with Kalven.

Leif conned Chris into playing in the sprinkler.

THis is Kalvens best bud, Asher.

Birthday cake before we let the birthday boy dig in.

…And now Kalven gets to dig in.

Leif is waiting for some cake.

Ah, finallt delivered!

Kalven gets some cake too, after all it is his birthday.

Present time, present time, open them up and see what’s in side!

Asher wanted to try the slide, after all the big kids were using it and having so much fun.  Chris is giving Asher a little instruction on the proper use of a slide.

Wow, all that playing makes Asher pretty thirsty.

Kalven is playing with some of the new toys now.

Asher snuck back into the pool after he was all dried off.  I guess no one checked with him if he was done swimming yet.

Another round of So Big.

Kalven is all tuckered out, but what a fun time he had!

There are tons more pictures up in our online gallery, feel free to go check them out.

Our vacation actually started on Friday Aug 1, in the afternoon.  We had an overnight babysitter for the kids and Aleece and I went to see a concert at the Zoo.  If you have never been to a concert at the Zoo you really should go.  It’s a nice small amphitheater so pretty much any seat in the house is a good one.  On Saturday Aleece and I went tubing down the Cannon river with some friends, I burned my shoulders a bit and Aleece burned her ankles.  It was a great time.  Sunday was time to play at grandma and grandpas house but otherwise pretty quiet.

Monday started the busy vacation madness.  Here is a picture of the schedule we had planned.

Not much room in there, but man it was a good time.  I set a goal for myself to post an update after each day and by the 3rd day I was wondering if it was too much.  But I made it through and am glad I did.

After this busy week Aleece and I managed to get a overnight babysitter for the kids this past Sat.  We ran some errands, saw a movie, went out for drinks and dinner, and pretty much took it easy.  Sunday had a birthday party for one of the kids of Aleece’s friend, but again was a rest day.  We did go to the park and a walk but nothing too exciting.

This really was a fun week.  I do not think we would have had as much fun if we would have packed the kids up and drove somewhere.  I sure hope Aleece is doing ok with the kids today, we don’t have exciting stuff planned like last week and the kids might retaliate.

I think the week has caught up with us.  Everyone is in good moods, but we all seem a little tired.  Still the Children’s Museum was a lot of fun today.  Leif was a little overwhelmed when we first got there, just too much to do.  But just like a little trooper he dived in and started enjoying himself.

First stop was a warehouse play area.  Leif loved taking the blocks and loading onto the receiving ramp.

Kalven helped too.

Then on to the water area to play with boats.

The forest area was next.  It came complete with a anthill area that had lots and lots of tunnels.

We stopped by the roof top play area.

It had a sand box to play in.

After the museum we picked up lunch and went home to eat.  After lunch we all went down for a little nap, and boy did we all need naps!  The rest of the afternoon was spent taking it easy and just playing around the house.

Tomorrow…rest.

Today’s activities were a little turned around compared to the last 3 days.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we had our activities in the morning and early afternoon and the kids had early bed times.  Today we took it easy this morning and had the main activity at night.

This morning we went to the park and had breakfast then played on the playground a bit.  We walked around the lake twice and Leif and I made a sand castle.  Well, ok…I made the sand castle and Leif just threw rocks and sand in the lake, but he WAS close to me when I was building.  While we were at the park the puppet wagon stopped by and gave a show.  After the show we went home and had lunch then put the kids down for a nap.

After the nap we went to our main activity of the day…

The county fair again.

On Tuesday we went to the fair in the morning.  We looked at animals and exhibits.  But by the time any vendors or rides opened up the kids pretty much had it.  That was ok, Aleece and I had planned on that.  That’s why we went to the fair tonight.  By giving the kids a quiet morning and making sure they got naps we were able to go to the fair later in the day and the kids could survive.

My parents met us at the fair, of course as soon as the kids saw grandma and grandpa they RAN to them.

The very first thing Leif wanted to do was play a game.  He even won a prize!

Now for the rides.  The green bug is first.

Look!  It’s that hottie in the sunglasses again!  Man I am luck to have her follow me around.

Next ride was some race cars.

Then a spinning barrel thing.  Leif looks a little scared in that picture, but let me tell you he really was not scared at all.  He loved it!

Leif was too short to ride the dragon roller coaster alone so I got to ride with him.

On to the bug ride, this one is different…it is red, not green.

Ah, inflatable slides.  Those things are fun.

Leif does not have fear.  If those other kids are too slow to go down Leif pushes right past them, but he pushes politely.

Climbing back up for another turn.

Wow, this was a very tiring day.  Very fun, but tireing.  When we got home it took Kalven about 15 min to be in bed asleep and Leif was downstairs watching TV for 35 min before he asked to go to bed.

Tomorrow…the childrens museum.

Today we went to the zoo.  We have zoo memberships and have been there many times before, but really…can you ever go to the zoo TOO much?  I don’t think so.  The animals alone put on a different show each day!

We started off with a visit to the water park area.  Leif likes the shooting jets of water that come from the ground.

Kalven liked the water jets too.

When we stopped by the otters it was feeding time.

The walkway around the new bear exhibit has a part where you can see in real close but without any fences obstructing your view.

Along the pathway there are steam vents.  Leif is feeling the steam here.  The part that you can not see is the steam, it was there, just really lightly.

Over at the bear viewing area Leif had a race with the bear.

Leif won!

But Leif is a good sport and gives the bear a hug and a pat on the head.

The bear liked Leif so much that he climbed up on the rock just like Leif.

Bear snuggle.

Kalven liked the bears too.

The snow leopards are still a little shy, but they were out and about a bit.

The tiger was sleepy from all it’s night duties.

Leif and I are looking for more tigers.

Kalven is happy no matter what, as long as he has a snack.

Feeding goats at the petting farm.

My family is a bunch of chickens!

Leif likes to play with those chicks!

Here we are at the bird show.

Aleece and Leif went to sit in the crowd to get a good view.

Snack time for Kalven again.

Leif was worried that Kalven and I were not having as much fun as he was, so he had Aleece come up and join us.

Kalven was mad that Leif blocked his view.

We basically took the afternoon off after the zoo.  The last 2 days both kids were just exhausted by 5pm so today we thought we would have a quiet afternoon and let the kids take a nap and get all rested up.  Aleece and I were happy with a rest too.

Tomorrow…The county fair again, this time it’s rides at night.

Today was the second day of our family vacation.  The big event of today was the Dakota County Fair.  We arrived that the fair at 9:00am so we could walk through the 4H barns as or before the judging occurred.  We did not watch the judging, we just took advantage of it so we could see the animals at their best.

First was the bunnies.

Everyone liked them, especially mommy!

Grandpa is giving bunny wisdom to Kalven.

Then a walk through the cow barn.

Had to get a picture next to the shark.

See that really IS Leif.

Grandpa helps Leif drive a tractor.

Now on to a petting barn, new baby chicks were the first thing Leif wanted to play with.

Kalven liked the horse,

and goat.

Leif liked the goat too.

See the goat eating the stroller?

Leif also likes feeding the rooster wood chips.

Time for a climbing break.

And look at that cute hottie in the shades!

There was a puppet show, don’t interrupt Leif while he is watching or he will make sure to tell you where his attention lies!

After trying to get some naps in we got some ice scream and went to the park.

Played in the water,

and slid down the slide.

There really is nothing better than spending all day playing with your kids.

Tomorrow…the Zoo!

Aleece and I decided that this years family vacation would be spent around home. Not because of expensive gas prices or anything, but mainly because a 1 year old and 3 year old are just too much work to take on a long trip that Aleece and I would not have fun and the kids would not care. So we are doing fun stuff all within short distance to our house.

Today’s main event was Underwaterworld and the park at the Mall of America. For those that do not know, Underwaterworld is a aquarium that is in the basement of the Mall of America.

Leif is watching a huge turtle swim around in it’s tank.

Kalven was more interested in the texture of the wall.

Leif likes the baby alligators so much he kissed the tank.

Here is a pirate ship play area.  Leif wanted to climb over the edge and jump off.  I had to tell him no.

After Underwaterworld we had lunch then we went to the amusement park at the mall.  Leif got to ride the trucks ride, he liked it so much he went twice.

They also had a Blues Clues ride.  Blues Clues is a show on TV and is probably Leif’s most FAVORITEST shows in the whole wide world!

And as you might have guessed after all this the kids were pretty shot.  We went home and put them down for a nap.  The rest of the day was spend playing in the back yeard, grilling hamburgers, and watching movies.

Tomorrows big event… Dakota County Fair!

We have a refrigerator that has the freezer on the bottom and the fridge on top. It’s nice because the lowest thing in the fridge is only waist level, easy to locate stuff. However this configuration is not so friendly to kids. Leif has found this out many times when he has been excited to get some milk or apple juice. Just like a normal kid, when he gets excited he will jump around a lot not really looking where he is or where he is going. Well, with a fridge door that starts at about waist height for adults it also starts at head level for kids. Leif has bonked his head on the door many times.

That’s how we started the “Watch your head” statements whenever we open the fridge. Leif has learned that when we are in the kitchen and he hears “Watch your head” he will immediately drop to the floor and wait for us to tell him it’s ok to get up. It works great. If I open the oven and tell Leif to watch out, he will drop to the floor. If I open the dishwasher and tell him to watch out and be careful, he will drop to the floor. I have even had him drop to the floor at my parents house when opening their fridge, and they have a side by side model so the door is just an inch above the floor. But we rarley have a bonked head.

Kalven on the other hand has not learned the “Watch your head” significance yet. He will real soon though, every day I watch the space between the bottom of the door and the top of his head shrink.

Tonight Leif and Kalven were playing a favorite game. I like to call it the “Call Of The Wild”. Wanna know the rules for the game? Here they are:

1. Scream at the top of your lungs.
2. Wait for sibling to scream at the top of his lungs.
3. Laugh.
4. Repeat.

I had Kalven sitting in his chair and Leif was in the living room playing. Someone started the game, I am not sure who, but soon there was scream, laugh, scream, laugh… Thankfully they were not running through the rules too fast so it was actually pretty funny and cute. Leif would wonder around the living room playing with other toys at the same time, he can multi-task. Kalven just sat watching where Leif would go and respond to him. I could not stop them, they both enjoyed it too much.

Ok so I enjoyed watching them too.