Our monkey

One of the highlights of turning 5 for Avery was that she was now allowed to do the monkey bars at school.  In fact two days after turning five she came home with large blisters across the inside of her hands.  The culprit - the monkey bars. 

This girl loves to climb on just about anything and her upper body strength gives her the ability to cross these bars without any hesitation.  Good thing she has an awesome dad who loves to do projects, especially those that allow him to build.  This past weekend these were put up in no time and our little monkey was swinging away.  

Magnets wiped the hard drive...

It's true.  Sat afternoon the kids and I washed my car while Wes painted the new monkey bars that he built for Avery.  It was a beautiful day.... pleasant temps and bright sunshine.  After washing the car I stayed out to vaccuum the inside and the kids went in the house.  When I came inside a little while later I found 3 large magnets that the kids got as Valentines gifts, ones that sizzle when you put them together, sitting on the computer.  At the time I was exhausted... I had done 9.5 miles that morning, played a game of laser tag, sold Girl Scout cookies with Avery and washed the car.  I wasn't thinking really clearly and my mind was set on laying down for a bit and taking a nap.  Fast forward a few hours to after we got home from eating out and Wes attempted to turn on the computer... no luck, just a blank screen.  He wasn't very happy with me when I told him about where I found the magnets.  Looks like the magnets wiped our laptop clean..... 

Stormy morning....

Sometimes I need to have a morning like today to remind me that most mornings really aren't that tough when it comes to getting me and kids kids up, dressed and out the door.  Here's a quick recap:

It started out on a very positive note.  I woke up before my alarm and actually felt like getting out of bed (opposed to hitting snooze 2-3 times).  Up I went and was greeted by the sound of rain, glorious rain.  After a quick shower I heard my phone ringing and it was Wes calling to recommend that I move my car into the garage (it usually stays outside) because he had been looking at the radar at work and it looked like stormy weather would be hitting our area about the time we usually load up to leave for school.  Sweet thought... looking out for his wife and kiddos on a stormy morning....  probably didn't want us going to work/school looking like drenched puppies. So I moved Wes's big truck out of the garage and my vehicle back in.  Easy enough.
Fast forward about 45 minutes...  Power went out, but the kids were dressed, cereal was eaten, backpacks were ready and there was a break in the downpour rain.  We still had to walk under the breezeway so a break meant no sideways rain.   That was my cue to put it into high gear and get us to the car.  Kids grabbed their rain coats and I grabbed my purse, gym bag, 3 backpacks, camera bag for the Penguin play, and another bag full of penguin accessories.  Out the door we went, to the garage to load up and be on our way. 
I grabbed my garage door opener, garage door didn't move.  I tried several times.... no luck.  Tried the opener mounted on the wall, still no luck.  Light bulb then goes off  in my head - no electricity, no automatic garage door. 
Next step, call Wes to figure out how to get garage door open with out the opener.  I knew there was a way.  My phone, where was my phone?  In my gym bag?  In my purse?  In the penguin bag?  Did I leave it in the house?  Crap... I couldn't find my phone.  I go serach in the car and then inside at the possible spots I would have set it down.  No luck.  So I have to start the computer, log on, connect to the internet, and email Wes to please call my phone in hopes that I'd hear it.  The title of that email was "PLEASE HELP".  Avery heard the phone ringing in my gym bag. 
Called Wes and my instructions were to pull the string at the top and disengage the garage door so that I could lift it, but the garage door could be kind of heavy so I'd need to make sure it went all the way to the top and make sure not to let it drop.  Argh.  I wasn't sure I had the whole disengage concept down but I was sure that there was no way I was lifting the door by myself.
By this time the kids were riding scooters around the car in the garage and I was on the verge of tears from frustration.  This kind of felt like a dream.
Next step, call the inlaws to at least get the kids to school.  A&A  had a penguin play scheduled that morning and I wanted them to get there to be ready for that.   Plus all their questions were adding to my frustration.  I made the call and wanted to run back inside to grab a jacket.  Key... Keys... where were my keys to get in the house?  Good thing we had a spare outside. 
Mimi and Popo came quickly and Popo double checked the disengage on the garage door and then the three of us lifted it up.  Winds up it wasn't that heavy, just needed that extra boost to get it started.  They took the kids to school and I searched the house briefly for my keys.  My car key is separate so I knew I could at least get to work so after a few minutes of key searching in the house I just left.  I needed to get out. It had been a rough morning and it was only 9am...

Baby Shower for Baby Kemper

 Candice show casing the cake!

 My "shower" idea from Pinterest.  These were over the cake and appetizers.  I don't have the solid white background that makes this decoration really stand out like in the picture I saw, but it still had a great affect at the party and received several compliments. 

 Caroline, Baby Kemper's other awesome aunt.  This kids will be surrounded by lots of awesome people!  I caught her in mid-bite of eating the delicious cake.

 So it's not the greatest photo, but here a shot of the Kemper girls.

"Wishes For Baby" this was another Pinterest idea.  We all filled out different wishes for Baby Kemper, something Candice will have to share with our niece/nephew in the future.

Shower Wrap Up:  I went in with 6 other ladies to host a baby shower for our future niece/nephew.  Candice let me take the lead on organizing so I offered to open up our home for the occasion and we had a Sunday afternoon shower with cake/punch/and other yummies.  I enjoy hostessing and opening up our home, though Wes may not enjoy all the prep work in involves.  We had a great turn out and Candice received lots of baby necessities and a few non-necessities that were simply adorable.  We can't wait to meet this new addition to our family.  March 8th can't get here soon enough.

Ready...set... go....

We've had a few (much needed) down weeks in the Maurer household.  We're back to somewhat of a morning routine and homework is back to a priority in the evenings.  We've even made it  point to sit down together at the dinner table and have helpings from all the essential food groups on our plates.
But, the down time will not last long.  Spring is creeping up and we are already seeing our calendars fill up.  Just this week I signed Avery & Austin up for tball and of course both mom and dad had to fill out volunteer forms so that we can help coach.  Wednesday our Girl Scout Daisy started selling the beloved girl scout cookie so we are selling everything we can so that we don't have to sit outside of Wal-Mart and sell.  Anyone out there want some Thin Mints!?!  Then I had an out of body experience the other day and thought that to really get myself back into running I should sign up for a half marathon.  Once I came back to my normal self and realized I actually committed and signed up, I panicked, but I will handle it.  The run is March 4th!  
Let's not forget that we will be welcoming a niece or nephew into the family soon and Wes and I are nearing our 10 yr anniversary.  Good times!  Let the fun begin.

Happy Friday!

Song request of the morning...

I downloaded a bunch of songs from iTunes this past weekend, some new and some oldies that I remember listening to with my mom in her car growing up.  The kids love listening to music on the way to school and taking turns with their requests. You can bet Avery will pick something by Taylor Swift, Caleb loves Toby Keith's "Should Have Been a Cowboy" and Austin likes anything upbeat.  Right now the obsession is "Red Solo Cup".  The song makes me laugh everytime I hear it and think how incredibly simple minded it is and then it remains in my head for the next hour. 
On the way to school this morning, Caleb screamed, "Mama, I want to listen to Fruit Loops!"  I was baffled.  "Fruit Loops?"  "Yeah, you know that song Fruit Loops"  Avery helped me out.  "Mama, I think he means Foot Loose!"  Ahhh.... 

Dear Avery...

Dear Avery,
You make me laugh, you make me smile, and sometimes you flat wear me out!  I love having a little girl and look forward to our day long shopping trips, mom-daughter talks and dressing you up for your first homecoming dance.  However, I don't look forward to the tears and drama.  I have been desperately seeking an online medical journal that tells me a girl's moodiness peaks at the age of 5.  I haven't been able to find it just yet.  Just tonight you came home in a bit of a sassy mood and had to be redirected after you sassed back at your dad.  Then there were the tears because you didn't want to finish your supper.  You clearly wanted nothing to do with the vegetable food group.  After we were finished and you took your plate to the sink, you let us know that you wanted to take a bath and you wanted to be alone.  When Caleb wanted to get in the tub, the water works started back up because you were no longer able to enjoy your alone time.  You then proceeded to lecture Caleb for at least 15 minutes.  Your dad and I listened to your rant and questioned how we will get through the teenage years.  I will pray for lots of patience understanding and maybe your own room at Toppe's for those times you just want to be alone. 
Love,
Mom

First Post of 2012

I am quite disappointed in my lack of blogging... I think the holidays wore me down.  My motivation to do much of anything has been very poor, but hopefully that will be turning around.  A&A&C headed back to school this week.  We've had to get back into our morning routine to get us out of the door on time.  We are already seeing the homework increase for our Kindergarteners.  I am amazed at how far they are progressing in their reading.  Avery is outstanding and reading pages faster than she can turn them.  Austin is having a little bit of a tougher time, but continues to improve with more practice.  He continues to impress us with his drawing skills.  He draws a better shark than I do! 
Happy 2012 to all of you who keep up with Maurer Party of Five!  I'm sure there will be lots of great posts coming your way as we have a great outlook for the year ahead.