Author: pazmeyer

happy hollows

Maeva had a princess birthday party to attend, so Stacy and I took Gwyneth, Eliana and Gabriela to Happy Hallows. It’s a wonderful amusement park just for little kids. The big girls had a blast riding rides together. They really bonded. Gwyneth was thrilled to be the gal in charge and Eliana happily followed her around. They were both in heaven!
playing pedicures

ready for her princess party

the g’s

Finally, time for Gwyneth to meet Gabriela! Gwyneth was so very excited for her trip. Our flight wasn’t until 3:30 but she packed her bag and was waiting by the garage door at 8 a.m! It was a long day for my poor girl….waiting, waiting, waiting. We finally made it to the airport, she dragged her own Lightning McQueen bag, and was perfection on the flight. I tell ya, my girls have this traveling thing down. 
Gwyneth was so excited to see her cousins, Auntie Stacy, Uncle Carl and YaYa. She even coerced her way into sleeping with YaYa the entire weekend. Such a lucky little girl!

happy birthday, jen

Technically, she doesn’t turn 40 until Thursday, but we surprised Jen with a little happy hour to celebrate her next decade of fun! Jen thought she was meeting Consuelo, Tammy, and I for dinner but I arranged for several of our friends to be there when she arrived. She was really surprised and we had a great time!
Happy Birthday, Jen!!

bears game

Today was the 1st Bears Packers showdown of the season. We pulled out our blue and orange and got pumped up for the game. We had quite a crew come over to watch (and trash talk…). We were joined by Don, Andrew, Hanna, Gus, Missi, Abe, Wendi, Hannah, and Ashton. 
Sadly, it’s another football season without Jess. Its still so disappointing. Our kids play so well together and Miss Hanna can now hang with the big boys (and girls). I wish she was here to see it. 
We missed the Tyler’s this week too. Sheila’s sister in law and nephew both passed away this month. Her sister in law had brain cancer and her nephew, just 21 years old, was killed in an oil rig explosion. My heart hurts for Sheila. I can’t wait to see her and give her a big hug. Hopefully its soon. Very soon. 
The Bears got a beat down this week. Luckily I picked against them (which I NEVER do) in my football pool. B won this week’s football pool, so I guess the week wasn’t a total loss. Now if only he will share his winnings with me….
The girls helped me set out the jelly beans. I asked Gwyneth if she ate any and she said “NO!” as blue slobber dripped down her chin. Hmmm….

Ready for some football. Too bad our lemonade is yellow. It gives the illusion we might not hate the Packers.

Hanna found a place to rest in the American Girl Doll bed. 

Rubbing in the Packers win. 

Big Hannah and Little Hanna playing hide and seek. 

Miss Gwyneth had a rough time with her pants today. She couldn’t keep them up, but wouldn’t change them. She showed off quite the plumbers crack through out the day. Oh, GG! 

Don and Hanna were not feeling well so Andrew had a sleepover with us. The kiddos went without naps today and played hard so they were pretty beat. They got baths, a snack, relaxed and watched the 1st 1/2 hour of Dumbo. My girls had never seen it and were quite entertained. (We ended up watching the rest of it the next night and I completely forgot about Dumbo getting drunk. A drunk, flying elephant….that’s a tough one to explain. I told them they would understand in college. wink, wink)

So very tired!

happy birthday, alex

Happy Birthday to Alex! Jen and Bill hosted a party for their little girl at their neighborhood club house. The kids had a blast playing with balloons, eating birthday cake and then heading over to the park. Alex and her brother Lance are in the same class as Annabelle, Gwyneth and Andrew at school. Once Hanna joins them our families will have taken over the Montessori class! Oh my. 

It appears that my children are beating the crap out of Don. He was really encouraging them to give him high 5’s….really….I promise.

swim lessons

Be Warned: Hard Core Bragging Ahead….
I am taking Annabelle, Andrew, Gwyneth, and Hanna to swim lessons every Monday and Wednesday. All at the same time. All four kids. Ages four, three, and one. To the pool. At The Same Time!  
Ok, so some women do this all the time. Some women have 10, 12, 19 kids and take them to the pool. (I’m calling B.S. on this one actually…..if I had 19 kids, I  would have a reality show and would never go anywhere by myself with the kids.). My point here is that some women are equipped for this, others are not. I do believe I fall in the latter category, so I’m just glad I survived! 
I’m bragging because it’s a lot of work getting four little kids to the pool. Its really hard to keep your eyes on four kids and I’m terrified of little kids near water. So, big thanks to their wonderful teachers and to the lifeguards for keeping them safe and keeping me calm. 
I’m not a martyr and I didn’t just do it for the bragging rights. I wanted to help Don while his nanny is on maternity leave. Most importantly, I love spending time with these four kids. I love watching them grow up together and build memories. Oh,………and sometimes it feels really darn good to be able to say “I did it!”. 

Time for a sleep over! Swimming and rough housing makes for four tired kiddos. They went to bed early and easy!

sunday funday

Welcome back Football Season. Oh, how we’ve missed you. It’s just not life at the Meyer House without gambling, trash talking and a long lazy Sunday in front of the tv cheering for our favorite team. We’re a Bronco house, first and foremost, but we do still pull out the Saints and Bears shirts too! 
The Hales’ joined us this week for a fun filled day. My girls adore Kaylee. Absolutely adore her. Lisa is one of my dearest friends, Don and B have been friends since 2nd grade, and our families just mesh so well together. I absolutely love days like these. Friends, food, football….what more could we ask for?

well check ups

I know some doctors don’t allow it, but our doctor lets us bring both girls in at the same time for their yearly check ups. I think this is helpful. I think taking them at the same time makes it easier. At least for scheduling. But I think they get each other wound up. And I think they act a little crazy together in that little patient room. And I think they crack each other up during the actual exam. But I only have to do it once a year, so yep it is nice to take them together. 
Annabelle is weighing in at a whopping 35 lbs and measure 40 1/4″. She has finally hit the 50th percentile!! That’s a big growth spurt for her. Gwyneth is weighing in at 32 lbs and is 38 1/4″. She is in the 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. Really, 75th percent for height? Well, she didn’t get that from me. 
Annabelle’s exam was first and we walked through the 4 year old checklist. She was asked to spell her name….which Gwyneth gladly did also. She was asked to draw some shapes and a stick figure….which Gwyneth gladly did also. She was asked to say her ABC’s, skip, and hop on one foot….which Gwyneth gladly did also. When it was Gwyneth’s turn to go through the 3 year old checklist, the doctor kinda tossed it aside and said “who needs the three old stuff, she’s already completed the 4 year old list!:” Funny little Gwyneth. 
All went well at the appointment. No new shots, except poor Gwyneth had to get her finger pricked to check her iron levels. Annabelle however has to see a ears, nose, and throat specialist. The girl has always been a snorer….very, very loud snorer. Her tonsils are huge and there is concern she has to strain to breathe because of how big they are. Rather than putting that extra stress on her lungs, we’re going to the ENT to see if her tonsils need to be taken out. Given my history of strep, maybe we can work out a buy one get one free tonsillectomy. 
Time to head to the doctor. 

pillow fort

Thursday night is dancing school night….just for Gwyneth. The girls were in the same class, but after spending so much time together in the same class at school, swimming lessons, and gymnastics, I realized it was time for them to have some activities on their own. This now means we’ll be spending two hours a week at dancing school, but it’s worth it to see them enjoying their time with friends and dancing their little brains out. 
Annabelle came with me this week for Gwyneth’s class. She sweetly sat and colored while Annabelle danced and when it was time for Gwyneth to change from ballet to tap shoes, she offered to help out her little sister. Gwyneth is doing great in her dance class – she cracks me up! I can’t wait to see them both perform at the holiday show this winter. 
After class, the girls spent their evening building a fort out of the all pillows from the couch and love seat. Of course when it was time for clean up, they were far too tired to put all those big heavy pillows back. Really? Who do they think they are messing with here? I invented that nonsense! Too tired for heavy pillows. PLEASE!