Day 1 - grandpa Heidt+ cousins

After a full day of camp, we got to spend some time with Grandpa Heidt and our cousins! We just love being able to spend time with these cousins! The kids played and played until we dragged them away to eat dinner.


One minute we were eating pizza and the next minute I turned to see Gemma fast asleep on the table. She was passed out and done. I tried to gently wake her without any success.

Funny story now that wasn't funny at the time:

We were leaving and I packed up all of our belongings before scooping Gemma up. She woke up a little and then I thought she went back to sleep. Just as we walked through the doors out of the restaurant, Gemma's entire body stiffened and she began to scream. It startled me and I had to work to not drop what I was carrying (pizza box, purse, sleep heavy 3 year old).

I set Gemma down on the cement outside the restaurant and she refused to put weight on one of her feet. She kept screaming. My guess is that she fell asleep with one foot tucked under her backside and the foot fell asleep. When she straightened her leg, it hurt a lot, which was a surprising and somewhat frightening way to wake up.

I heard sirens and I looked up to see 2 police cars turn into the parking lot. I scooped Gemma up and hurried to get William and Amelia out of the way, as I could hear more sirens approaching. Emergency workers should worry about quickly getting to an emergency, not about little kids in the middle of a parking lot.

Gemma was still screaming. The first two police officers ran into the restaurant (I have no idea what happened inside that required emergency response, it isn't that big of a place). The second set of officers parked and got out of the car. They walked toward the building, and quickly detoured to my car in response to Gemma's screams. One of the officers asked me a question I could hear due to the crying. He repeated himself. He was inquiring if we were okay. Gemma was still crying huge crocodile tears and sobbing loud enough to...well, loudly. I reassured the officer everything was ok and I had everything under control. As he walked away, I could tell my the look on his face that he didn't believe me completely about having this under control. This is the piece that now makes me giggle.

I got everyone loaded into the van just as the fire engine pulled into the lot and parked right behind me. Which meant we were blocked in with a wailing preschooler in the backseat. It wasn't long before William and Amelia were begging to get out of the car.

Lucky, the emergency inside didn't require the fire truck and they left quickly, which allowed us to leave after only a few minutes.

Quarry Hill, part 1

The kids were so excited about their Quarry Hill week. We got there a little early and were delighted to find lots of wild life to greet us. Mama Duck and her babies, a pair of mallards out for a walk and a herd of turtles were just waiting to say good morning to us as we walked around the pond (we were early).

Summer vacation 2015

Whew! We have been running like crazy since the Fourth of July. I finally have 20 minutes to sit and put some thoughts down. I'm terribly behind - I have a 15 day trip to Minnesota to talk about as well as the first days of school.

We had swimming lessons and fun with friends in the middle of July. I did a little bit of presenting for the state of Missouri.

The last week of July, I had the kids signed up for Quarry Hill nature camp as I did last year. The kids enjoyed themselves so much, everyone was eager to do it again this year.

The Sunday before camp, John loaded the van and I drove the three kids on my own to Minnesota. They did very well in the car, despite some heavy rain.

Gemma dances

She is a dancing maniac!

Gemma dances

To grandpa's band

Gemma's favorite number

Gemma is so so pleased to be 3! It has become her favorite number. She would now like 3 of everything. There needs to be 3 strawberries on her plate. She would like 3 spoons to eat her cereal with. She would like to check out 3 books from the library and go down the slide 3 times.

At dinner in the last week, she wasn't eating, but playing with her food. I told her she needed to eat 1 more bite of something (I suspect a vegetable) on her plate. I was confused when she started crying. After she calmed down, she was able to tell me she was mad about taking 1 bite. She is 3! Now! She wanted to take 3 more bites!

Who can argue with that?

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Gemma works the system

This post mentions potty training. There aren't many details, but I wanted to warn you. It is a pretty funny story that illustrates how smart our little girl is, but if bathroom talk makes you uncomfortable, then don't read.


Gemma is working hard at potty training. She is doing so well! Everyone else is helping too by encouraging and celebrating with her success. There have been a number of dance party celebrations in our living room to celebrate her success.

Briefly, every time she has a success, she is rewarded with praise and a small treat.

She quickly mastered the pee portion and has been dry since the end of May. We quit "treating" her for the pee as it wasn't needed.

The other part (poop), has been harder until this week. Suddenly something has clicked and we are having more success. Not tally there, but so so close (I will write another post soon about this. I have many feelings.).

Treats are very much used when she manages to accomplish poop on the potty.

Friday night at dinner, Gemma picked at her food. She didn't eat much, which has become a trend for her lately. William and Amelia finished well before her and had a small treat before leaving the table.

Gemma saw their treats and asked for hers. I reminded her that she needed to eat her healthy fruit and vegetable before she could have a treat. She surveyed her plate and then announced she needed to go potty.

As I was helping her in the bathroom, she matter of factly said, "if I make poop, then I can have a treat."

So, our little smartie figured out that she didn't need to eat her dinner to get a treat.

3 years old and already working the system.


** she did poop. And I did give her a treat. I knew you would want to know that. I am so ready to be done with diapers.

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