Backpack, Car or Fish Food?

I realize that I promised a recipe with pictures today for no-bake granola bars, but something has come up in the Mikkelson household that has caused that post to be delayed. We have added two new members to our family. 


We go to a fabulous church. And the children's program? Forget about it {said in my best Joey Tribiani voice}. During the summer, the offer classes for preschoolers on Tuesday. Last week it was water day-lots of water guns, baby pools and an inflatable slide. Today, was all about reptiles. They were able to touch snakes, lizards, turtles and who knows what else. They do a craft project, have a snack that goes along with the lesson (last week they had cupcakes with blue frosting and goldfish to simulate the ocean, ya know, since Jesus walked on water:). Today was extra special. Each child, came home with a Betta fish. Yep, a fish. And when you have two preschoolers, ya get two fish. They sent home a bowl and some fish food to last a couple days too. I must say, watching me leave the church parking lot this morning was quite entertaining. I had two big fish bowls in boxes, Brody's backpack, his snake craft, Delaney's cup, Delaney's shoe (her flip flop broke during class) and then Brody's fish. And then, I had to get it all in the car. Comical, I promise.

She can hardly wait for her turn!

Yay!

So here we are. We have two fish. Brody is still going back and forth with names. It's consistently between Fish Food, Backpack, or Car- creative that one. And Delaney's fish is named Princess. Surprised?


We headed to Petco when Eric got home from work to get some gravel for the bowls and some conditioning stuff for the water. The kids love the pet store, it's quite funny and loud. When we got home, I let Eric take over the fish duties and said I needed to take pictures, but really I just did not want anything to do with the transfer. 

Maybe a little excited:)

Checking out Car, Backpack, or Fish Food...

Meet: Car or Backpack or Fish Food

There's Princess in there....waiting to transfer to her castle

Fancy, right?

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

We don't really have any room for Princess and Backpack, so they are currently residing on our table. Kinda gross, but oh well. So now, as we eat, this is what we look at:

Yep. I feel fancy. 

So there ya have it.

:)

President Delaney

I know I have been a bad blogger lately. I'm not quite sure why... maybe it's because nothing new has been going on, maybe it's because there are only so many ways to say the kids spent the morning fighting or that Brody dumped something on the floor.... but then I think, maybe I should blog, because MAYBE there are some moms out there that can keep it real with me a little bit. And maybe it would feel good to read something that made you feel a bit better about yourself as a mom, I know I like to read stuff like that!

End of rant.....

This past week my little girl went to Vacation Bible School at our church. I have to admit, I was really nervous. I have this weird way of analyzing everything and anything that could possibly go wrong. Like what if her shoes were hurting her feet (so I put a different pair in her backpack), or what if she has an accident (again an extra pair of chonies in her backpack), what if she decided she wanted to stay outside and hid up in the slide and no one found her (didn't happen), what if she couldn't get her shorts unbuttoned on her own, what if she cussed out a kid??? I mean really, the list went on and on and when I told Eric all my fears (thinking I would get some wonderful support and wisdom) he just rolled his eyes and walked away. Ugh. As if. Anyway, I should have known. I was worried about Delaney. Delaney Grace Mikkelson to be exact.... and she won't let you forget it. She had a blast! She went everyday from 8:45 - 12:00. Brody and I would say good-bye and we would just leave her there. The second we left her Brody would ask "Where Dada (that's how he says Delaney)?" and he would ask that until we picked her up. He did not like her empty car seat at all and if we went home, instead of running errands, he would cry when he realized she wasn't there. But don't be fooled.... the second they get in the car,  they were back at it again.

On Friday night she had a performance. I was freaking out (wait.... no way, shocking). I thought for sure she would freeze and start to cry as soon as she went on stage. In my head, this performance was going to determine the rest of her performance presence for the rest of her life.  Once again, I was wrong. She waited for what seemed like forever for her turn. She was so adorable. She was sitting in the pew next to Granddaddy and clapped and cheered for each group. When Pastor Glenn opened in prayer, she folded her little hands and closed her eyes as tight as she could and finished with a confident AMEN. *Tear. When her turn FINALLY arrived, she was ready. The second they called her group up on stage, she RAN up there! Not only did she run up there, but when she got on stage, she was all alone and waving at us. When the music started, she danced. Let me just say... the rhythm totally got her. She would randomly wave at us and when it was over, she proudly took a bow and blew kisses.

We made our way out to the ever important Panda (the theme of VBS was Pandamania) and one of the amazing teenage boy volunteers said, "Oh here comes the future President. President Delaney". He told us that was her nickname all week. The night wrapped up with snow cones and jumping castles. Perfect evening.

This is the AWESOME panda.... and that's the kid who called her President:)

Best buds, waiting for the train!

Gotta love a ghetto train- nothing like riding a barrel with wheels!

Delaney practicing her train sounds

Waiting and jamming

This is how Brody watched Delaney:)

She could not contain herself!

Brody was so excited that he was able to drop a bank into a box for a special offering. He gets to go to VBS next year!

All in all, the week was great. Delaney loved it and I am super proud!

Take 2!

Awhile back, before Brody was born, we decided to try Delaney at our church's nursery. Pantano Christian Church has a WONDERFUL children's program and I had no doubts about the care taking of my daughter. I DID, however, have doubts about how SHE would handle it! Turns out, I was right. She loved the class, until they took her on a walk in the buggy.... she decided that she needed a longer ride than what they thought. She cried and cried. Needless to say, we didn't take her back for a long time.

Her first try....

The BUGGY ( this was actually at the Easter service). Looks like a blast, huh?

Fast forward to NOW.... two kids to put in the nursery! I was a wreck, why I don't know. I know that the mom's understand. Eric WAS NOT understanding why I was so nervous, but he appeased me by helping out as much as he could. I took Delaney into the class, and there was Karen, a friend that I have known for awhile now. She is now the "head nursery person" for the 9:00 service. I was relieved. I knew that she would let me know if there was problem. Delaney went into the room without looking back (tear) and I went to take my other baby into another room. Brody was a trooper, I handed him to Karen (yes she came to both rooms) and off we went to church. There I was, sitting with my mom, dad, husband, step-daughter and step-son loaded with TWO pagers (in case the kids were having issues ) and thinking, "Boy, this hour is taking FOREVER". The service was over, no pages! We went to pick up the kids and they did great, Delaney even "colored" a picture.


I am so happy that we can go to church as a family. It has become a routine in our house and we love it....

The question is.... will next Sunday be a repeat?
Let's pray it will be!!!

My big girl.... going to church!

Monkey! He SO doesn't look like he's 51/2 months old!

Eric and Brody at the sign.... before church!

Yay! She did it! Here she is, ready to play!

The Mikkelsons....not our best picture, but it's a memory!