Mari is Five at Mall of America

Mari turned five on the 26th and all she really wanted to do was to go to Mall of America. Of course that was such a horrible thing :) It was a wonderful day. We stayed at Aimee's house the night before and in the morning Mari had her "birthday roll" for breakfast. Next we played a little game of "hot and cold" for Mari to find one of her presents.

We had lunch at one of the food courts and I made a brownie cake instead of a regular cake. What the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets.

Grandma and Grandpa Nordlund had her pick out something at Build a Bear, Whiskers the Kitty. She was so very serious about making her kitty. She loved it too.

We also spent a lot of time at Nickeledon Universe. She loved the swings and the roller coaster! She hated (as did her mom and little sister) the log ride. I really thought she would hate the roller coaster after going on the log ride, but nope. She absolutely loved it! I think she and Kyle went on in 5 or 6 times!

Considering the early morning (5 for some of us), we had a wonderful day and actually a really fun ride home. We've been without a DVD player for the car for a while now so we have to "old school" it. We listened to music, sang songs and laughed. Well, one of us slept most of the way! Happy Birthday Mariana Jo!

Blessings!

This week my blessing is, Mari! My wonderful girl turned five yesterday! It was such a fun day. She loves the Mall of America so we decided to head on down there for the day. We had a great time going on rides (except the log ride, she hates it!), especially the roller coaster! We also went to Build A Bear where she picked out at cat, Whiskers. She had such a wonderful time.

Years ago, in my teens, I was told that I would never be able to have any children at all. So what a shock that we found out that, yes, in fact I am able to! So you can imagine what a beautiful blessing and gift she (and all of our girls) is to us! I think back now to the first time I held her in my arms. That feeling is something that can hardly be explained. It's amazing! The love, excitement, happiness and overwhelming...fear! I think all parents have that fear. Fear of them hurting, getting lost or even worse. It really helps to be able to put all of that burden upon our Lord and Savior!

We are so beyond blessed to have this girl. She is kind, giving, loving and so many more things! We are excited to watch her grow up and see what Jesus has in store for her!

The Zoo

We were able to head over to the Whapeton Zoo last Saturday. We went with our friends and neighbors, the Millers. What a time we had. Five girls, one boy and four adults. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the animals they had. The kids had a wonderful time being able to be outside enjoying the sunshine and the animals. What a great zoo for families. Not too big where you don't get to see any animals and where the kids can run up ahead and you can still hear them. Not too small where there's hardly anything to see. We are looking forward to our next visit.

The Start of Fall

Going through clothes is not one of my favorite things to do. It always sounds like a good idea. Putting away clothes from the previous season and getting out the ones for the new. I always forget how much stuff we really have. I kept telling Kyle that I have no idea what Mattea is going to wear this fall and winter. I was kept saying that she was born in a different season than Mari and Nadia and nothing will fit her. God always has a plan. Both Mari and Nadia were bigger than Mattea at this age so all of their clothes from the fall of their birth year are bigger than average, which means, all of their clothes fit Mattea! That means, A TON OF CLOTHES!!!

Now Nadia is slightly smaller at three than Mari, but close enough to fit into the clothes that Mari had. I need to remember that Mari has a lot of clothes from the past. It's a little ridiculous I have to say. Going through the bins for the two little ones was crazy. Pulling out pants, shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, sweaters...etc. I am almost embarrassed by how much we have. It really makes me realize how much we have to be thankful for. Not everyone can say that they have too many clothes for their kids. I think that as I put these piles of clothes away that I need to be thankful for the gifts, hand-me-downs and the ability to shop as opposed to the dread that usually comes!

Now there is a bonus that comes with having three girls. We definitely get use out of the clothes! What the oldest wears, the middle ones wears, and the baby. And I have to admit, there are a few outfits that I can't wait for them to wear. I'll be honest. There is some sinful pride to some of the outfits. Hmmmm....is that wrong? I'm guessing so. I don't think that God gave people the ability to make cute clothes for my pride and vanity of my young.

Ah, well. Here are some pictures of the craziness....Enjoy the change of season!

Blessings

Today my blessings post is going to be all about my second born. I want you to understand, I love all my girls the same. All three of them are wonderful gifts from God. I love waking up every morning to have them around. I just want you all to understand Nadia.

Nadia, this girl can make you laugh your head off one minute, make you want to kick yourself in the pants another and possible cry with frustration the next. As I type this she is sitting next to me coloring "chocolate chips." Obsessed with the movie "Tangled" and trying to "help" when it works out to her benefit.

I'm trying to eat some trail mix and she keeps putting her grimy little paws into the bag and grabbing them and trying to feed me. The volume of her voice is amazing. You look at her and think that this sweet innocent face couldn't possibly be loud and stinkery (is that a word?). The things this girl talks about are hilarious. Half the time we have no idea what she's talking about. She talks so fast. So much like her mother! I absolutely love this girl and can't imagine life without her. God has given us such a wonderful blessing in her!

Firsts, Sucessess and Just Plain Cute!

Mari started her very first day of school yesterday. It was quite the production. Mostly due to my desire to make her first day a big deal. She woke up way too early, at least for the Pevestorf household. She wakes us up at 6:45 am ready to start her day! Mom had to take pictures of almost every aspect of getting ready. I was nice and didn't post the pictures of her getting dressed.

Here's our girl eating a nice "healthy" bowl of cereal and an apple. At least the apple helped her start her day off right. I love the look in her eye's. It's a tired anxious look.

Here we are all dressed and ready to go. She actually let me flat iron her hair. I had to convince her that I will not be doing this every day. Most days we'll be lucky to brush it!

Here she is in her classroom in front of her little cubby. She was excited, shy and nervous.

We have had a wonderful and successful week of potty training! Nadia, as of today, has gone seven days with no accidents!!!! A huge accomplishment for us. She is now going to the potty without being told. She is amazing. I thought we wouldn't be to this point for at least another month. I'm sure that we'll have accidents here and there, but, By George, I think she's got it!

I just couldn't resist this sweet picture of Mattea. She's in the snugglie with Dad. She loves being in there and being so cozy. She is such a good little baby. Smiles and coos and laughs! What a joy she brings to our family!

Exciting But Busy Week

We have had quite the week! We have had a lot going on with each kid. I have been working on something with each girl this week. It may not have been the smartest thing, but none the less...

Mari had her Pre-K orientation yesterday. She loved seeing her teacher, Mrs. Walters. She told her that if Grandma Becky ever drops her off or picks her up they'll have to make sure that they don't talk too much! I have also been teaching Mari to tie her shoes. Mari being Mari only had to do it 5 times before she got it! The only thing she needs to work on is getting it tight. She loves learning new things.

I had planned on potty training Nadia while I was pregnant with Mattea, but since I was on bed rest that never happened. Then we moved in with my parents for a while and that didn't seem like a good time and then finally on to our new house. With all the new changes we wanted to wait until things settled down. We have had a strange week of potty training but I think we have got it down! She is finally going!!! Yesterday was the first day that we had no accidents at all! It was a wonderful day! She's such a funny thing too. She tells me when she can't poop that it's still sleeping. Then when she does poop she says it's awake. Also, when she's pooping she'll say, after she gets out one little turd, "I need to get the rest of the brother's and sister's out." What a nut!

We have been talking a for a while about putting Mattea in her crib and to have her learn to fall asleep on her own. I hate it! We probably should have done all of this sooner, but again, with everything happening we waited. So now this week we have been doing the horrible "cry it out" method. Thankfully we only had one day of it! She is such a wonderful baby. She's easy and happy and such a wonderful blessing!

Blessings

I am starting my blessings blog while Mattea is napping...BLESSING!!! Hopefully I'll be able to finish it before she wakes up!

As I sit here thinking of all the wonderful blessing the Lord has given it's hard to focus on one. Now yesterday I would have had a hard time thinking of any! Isn't it amazing how each day brings something different into our lives and how from day to day you can feel one extreme or the other? I am blessed to be able to be thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally. No matter my mood, happy, sad, angry or crabby!

I am blessed with three beautiful daughters. On "those days" (you know the days I am talking about) I need to remember that God has blessed me so much with them. They are loving, sweet, fun girls that I love to be with.

My wonderful husband. He puts up with my craziness and always supports me in that! He works hard for our family and loves me unconditionally.