Fun in the Tub

Will is crazy about bath time, especially now that he is sitting up so confidently.  Yes, he has been sitting up for a while, but I'm a little slow in remembering to take pictures of bath time.  I always love the pics of each kid in the baby bathtub, before they transition to the regular tub.  They all loved the baby tub and baths in general...what's not to like about being able to splash to your heart's content and get mom and dad soaked.

7 Months Old

I was a bit distracted, or I procrastinated, or I just forgot...but anyway, I didn't get a 7 month picture of Will with the proper signage, so these cute pictures will have to do for this month's update.

Mr. Smiley is just as cute and lovable as ever.  He's over 20 pounds now, though I don't know his exact weight.  He's finally sleeping a little better at night, but he still usually wakes up once during the night because he's hungry and has a wet diaper.  He still just has the one tooth, but we can see the whites of two more starting to break through...OUCH!

He is trying his best to figure out crawling, though it's still way too early in my opinion.  Both Ellie and Max didn't crawl till 9 months, and since Will is probably my last baby, I'd be perfectly happy if he doesn't start crawling for another few months.  I just want to enjoy this fun stage as long as possible before he's on the move.  He can move from the sitting position, onto his belly to try to scoot around and get something, then back to sitting all on his own.  And it seems that once they can move from tummy back to sitting by themselves, it's just a matter of time before they connect all the movements and figure out crawling. 

Will loves to clap and play patty-cake.  He'll dance (bounce and wave arms around) when Ellie is performing a routine or listening to music.  And he is starting to really like tv.  I know, I know, he shouldn't be watching tv yet, but it's kind of hard to avoid when there are older siblings.  The tv is constantly on Disney, Nick Jr., or Sprout, and he is already picking his favorites.  His head whips around to watch as soon as he hears the songs for Backyardigans, the Wiggles, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Blues Clues.

Will is our lovable, squeezable, smoochable little guy!

Walk to End Alzheimer's

On September 17, we met at Busch Stadium to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  This is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts, as both Jason's Grandma and Grandpa Pohlman have been afflicted with this terrible disease.  Jason's Grandma lost her battle in June, and his Grandpa is still fighting it.

When Jason saw an announcement for the walk, we decided to put a little team together and make a very modest goal to raise $200.  Well, our little team turned into 20 people and we ended up raising close to $2,000, with the help and support of very generous friends and family!  

We were happy to contribute to this worthwhile cause if in just a small way, and it was lots of fun to participate in the walk.  I'm sure Jason will say that the coolest part was that the walk began and ended in Busch Stadium, including a final lap around the field.

During our final lap around the field, Jason's uncle, Scott, decided to go for the fly ball.  I can't believe I caught it with my camera.

Then of course, not to be outdone, Jason went for his own fly ball, with the appropriate sign in the background.  I'm sure he would want me to say that I was a little slow on the trigger and didn't snap the picture at the height of his jump.  He actually got a lot more air than it seems from this picture.

We've got our work cut out for us next year to try to top the amazing results of our inaugural year, but I'm sure we can do it.  Go Team Pohlman!

P.S. The Stroh's hat Jason is sporting is in honor of his Grandpa, but it still embarrasses the kids.  Aren't they too young to be embarrassed by their parents?

Tiny Dancer

After begging for months and me procrastinating for months, Ellie has finally started dance class.  She is taking a combined ballet / tap class, because that was what was offered at the studio we chose.  She was adamant that she only wanted to take ballet, but low and behold, she has found that tap is actually pretty fun too.  What's not to like about wearing shiny, cute shoes that make lots of cool noises when you walk across the floor.  Her class is pretty small, but she's making some great friends already.  We've already gotten the flier for her first recital which is not till June...they really plan ahead.  And I'm already dreading it a little.  I have visions of sitting in a theatre for hours and hours and hours watching routine after routine that all look pretty much the same.  Thankfully, some other moms who had girls in classes at the same studio last year have told me that their recitals are totally manageable - an hour and a half tops.  But I am a little excited to see Ellie girl all dressed up in her adorable costume, with a big smile on her face.  She's having a ball, and that's what is most important.

The Case of the Missing Birthday Present

Ellie has really been into scavenger / treasure hunts over the last year and told me 6 months ago that she wanted a treasure hunt for her birthday.  Remembering how much I loved scavenger hunts when I was kid, I thought it sounded like a great idea.  So as her birthday started to approach, I started thinking about clues.  I made myself focus on the party early in the summer so that I could have plenty of time to come up with some good clues...I would think about rhymes and puzzles on my commute into the office in the morning or when I was falling asleep at night and pray I was able to remember them long enough to write them down.  Judging by my daughter's reaction ("this was the best party ever"), I think it was a success.

The Invitation

We mailed the invites in a plain, brown envelope, to set the tone for the party.

Knowing that we would have about 10 kids at the party, I thought it would be best to split them into 2 teams.  I used the same brown envelopes for the clues and printed either a star or moon on each envelope to distinguish the teams.  The teams ended up being girls against boys...are we really getting into that stage already?  While both teams had the same clues, they were in a slightly different order to avoid traffic jams and fighting.

Before the hunt began, each kid got a notebook, pencil, and magnifying glass - the tools of a great detective.

Clue #1

The girls quickly found the first clue at the piano and with the help of their reader, Elizabeth, 

were on to Clue #2.

Clue #3

After finding Clue #4 on Ellie's bed, they headed back down stairs, to work on the next puzzle.

The boys worked hard on figuring out the clues. 

Clue #5

Clue #6

Clue #7 (one of my favorites)

Clue #8 (they had to put the puzzle together to lead them to the Gator in the garage)

Clue #9

Clue #10

Clue #11

Clue #12

The boys figures out the clue and headed for the biggest mirror in the house...and found...

Clue #13 (one of the hardest clues)

Jason always tells Ellie and Max that when the streetlights come on, it is time to go inside.  Ellie had no trouble with this clue, but it was a little tough for everyone else.  The boys finally found the streetlight, with some hinting.

Clue #14 (Max proved his worth to the boys' team by knowing exactly what and where this toy was)

Clue #15 - Another puzzle.

The girls huddled up to figure out the puzzle clue that would send them to search under the dining room table.

Clue #16

Apparently this clue was not hidden too well...both teams found it quickly.  (Please disregard our burnt up backyard.  It's been a hot summer).

Clue #17

Clue #18

Clue #19 (another one for Max to shine - this guy is on the dresser in Max's room)

Clue #20

Clue #21 - The Final Clue.

The girls found the final clue first, and then the race was on to solve the last puzzle.  They had to scratch out all the letters in the word BALL, then read the word that remained to find the location of the treasure...which took them to the dryer in the laundry room.

Everyone got little treasure chests filled with gold coins, compass rings, jewels, and other little toys.  The birthday girl got the big prize...her own ipod.  Sorry Kids, we couldn't get an ipod treasure for everyone...Now that would have been a party!

The awesome treasure chest birthday cake my mom made for the party.  Another amazing creation by Gran.

Ellie got tons of great gifts.  We have such generous family and friends.  

And the final fun for the day was a pinata (which we almost forgot about).  All the younger kids got a few swings at the ice cream cone, before handing the stick to the older kids. 

Candy Carnage

What a fun day!  I probably need to start thinking about new clues now, because I know Max is going to ask for his pirate treasure hunt birthday party soon.