The Many Faces of Christian Bear

It worked like a charm!

Remember that crib tent that I purchased recently? Well, in case a few of you mothers out there were wondering if it's worth the $$, I'm here to tell you IT IS! The odd thing is that it has totally deterred her from climbing completely. She will now play in her pack-n-play long enough for me to do housework, she doesn't get up in the dining room chairs, and she is staying completely away from the stairs. I don't know how or why...I just know it worked! Now I can breathe a sigh of relief--that is until she discovers some other way to raise my blood pressure. :)

The Many Faces of Cati Claire

*side note* The way I do these is I take as many pics in a few seconds as I can. They are not posed--I think that's what makes them so darn fun! :)

Happy Birthday!

Today is a big day for 2 special people:

*singing*

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Uncle Nathan---
Happy Birthday to you!!

We love you very much Nate and hope you have a great day! Come by and see us when you get a chance!

A big HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY to Miss Alexis Crum (Caroline's little friend--Jill & Steve's daughter). We were invited to her birthday party this afternoon, and it was just adorable--princess themed. The food was great and the cake was so cool! Alexis, we can't wait to see how you and Caroline grow up together over the years. Thank you for inviting us to your party! Much love to you, your mommy, and your daddy!

By Request....

I will be doing a few posts exactly like the previous one. Look out bloggerworld, each member of the Haskell household will have their own chance to shine with "the many faces of"...so be watching for it!:)

The Many Faces Of Caroline Sunshine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD/PAPPAW!!

*Singing*

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Biiiirrrrttthhhdddaaaaaayyy dear Daaaaaaaaddd...
Happy Birthday toooooooo yooooouuuu!

We actually had Dad's party last night. It was a total hoot! Mom got the idea to do a redneck themed party, and she totally did it up right. I made a slide show to make it easier to view all of the pictures, since I did go crazy and take a ton. Really, it was one of the most fun parties I have attended. As you will see, we played really cool games--toilet paper throwing, Spam carving, and whoopee cushion sitting. Dad, we love you very much and hope you have a great day!

2 Newbies

We got 2 new things in the Haskell household this past week--both of which excited me beyond words. The 1st item is called the Crib Tent II. I highly recommend it if you have a small child that likes to climb. I decided on the tent because I'm really not ready to let Caroline wander around her room or possibly the upstairs while we all sleep. She really got mad about it at first. It completely surrounds the inside and top of the crib so she isn't able to throw things out, pull things in, stick any of her limbs through the slats, or crawl out. It took about an hour to assemble and attach, but it was WELL worth it!
The 2nd item is for me---a new electric violin!! I have been wanting one for a very long time. Since I have been blessed with the opportunity to play with PCF's worship team, I have found that having an electric violin will come in handy more now than ever. There is a cool story behind it: I began asking God about a month ago for the money to get this. I knew that there was not going to be a way to do it unless He provided for it. One night, God promised me that I would get the money in the mail. I didn't know how or when, but I kept praying it through. Finally, about a week ago, I received a random check in the mail for the exact amount that I needed to purchase the violin. I was thrilled to pieces! It just goes to show that if you have faith and ask, He is faithful to provide. I can't wait until it's my team's turn to play in church again. I'm totally itching to try it out! (Yes, it's a mint green color, and I am totally in love with it!)

What Is It With Child #3?

When I was pregnant with Caroline and the sonographer told me I was having a little girl, I instantly thought she would be as easygoing and compliant as Caitlin was. Someone forgot to inform Caroline of that though. I can honestly say that she has been my biggest challenge. She does things that the other two never even thought of doing. John wonders why the house isn't as clean as we'd both like it to be--and he wonders why I'm pulling my hair out on a daily basis.
Caroline has these things in her favor: she's tall, she's not afraid of ANYTHING, and she has an older brother to teach her things. Those are NOT in my favor--did I mention that?
Here is what I'm dealing with:
Remember how I blogged recently about Caroline falling and hitting her mouth on the dining room chair? Oh it's only gotten worse now. She learned how to get out of the pack-n-play, I caught her sitting on top of the wooden kitchen set that the kids got for Christmas, she scales the stairs when I'm not looking (and yes, I put a baby gate up there too but she figured out how to climb over that), and now for the grand finale---she learned how to get out of her crib!!! I was downstairs early this morning making breakfast and getting the other two kids ready, when I heard a loud THUD from upstairs. That's right, she climbed out of the crib, fell on her bottom, and was sitting there crying when I came in the room. SHEESH! Needless to say, I will be making a trip to Babies R Us today for either a crib tent or a new baby gate for her room. I love her to pieces, but I have a feeling I won't be getting much done around the house while she's awake. Little does she know what she has coming---next I'm going to get the monkey backpack and put the tail around the dining room table leg so she can't escape. Maybe that way I can at least potty without worrying about her falling off of something. Ok, so now I'm including some pics of the Valentine's Day overalls that I made for her. Isn't she cute?!?

Back on Track

I have been going through blog withdrawals! We had probably the most insane/busy/tiring week in our lives this past week. Where to begin? Let's start with the children, shall we? :-)
Caitlin finished up her Kids Inc. basketball session this past Sunday. Her team only won 2 games, but they improved a ton over the entire course of practices and games. She loved playing and looks forward to signing up again in the spring. She also wants to try softball, so I'm sure that's next. Caitlin also had a major project due this past Friday--a report on foxes that had to include a setup of a fox and his natural habitat inside a cardboard box. Thankfully Daddy found what she needed in time!
Caroline pulled a real doozy on Friday. She has been climbing up in the dining room chairs and stealing apples from the fruit bowl on the table. Fun trick. She did so in front of me, and I went ahead and let her sit in the chair and eat it while I talked to my brother on the phone. As I ended the conversation and turned to lay the phone down, she tried to get out of the chair. She slipped, fell, and hit her face on the corner of the chair---AND she bit completely through her chin (right underneath her bottom lip). I was horrified! Thank goodness Jill and Steve were home and could come help me out. Needless to say, we didn't take her anywhere---but, she has a dental appointment already this week, so I'll mention it to them when I take her in. :) All teeth are still intact, so no worries. Caroline is now climbing EVERYTHING. I can't use the pack-n-play anymore because she figured out how to get out! Sheesh!
Christian has been the only easygoing one lately. Nothing to report for him---just that he is as healthy as a horse, which is a huge answer to prayer!
As for Momma and Daddy---I was down for the count with the flu from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening. I have now fully recovered and am back in the swing of things. John fought flu-like symptoms on Thursday evening, but with a lot of powerful prayer, he was perfectly fine by Friday morning. Yeah! Now if we can get through Valentine's and the rest of this month, we'll be good! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

It'll be a while...

...before the Haskell family has anything to blog about. Some of us are finally recovering and others are just beginning the battle against flu-like symptoms. Please pray that we are able to conquer this quickly! Much love.

Car Conversation

Apparently our car is the best place for conversations. We seem to really get some talking accomplished on our way from Point A to Point B. Tonight was no different. We were all coming home from an uneventful trip to Wal-Mart (yes, I know--very rare) when I posed this question:
"Christian, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Well, I want to be a firefighter man....and a police man," he said.
"Ok Caitlin, your turn. What do you want to be when you grow up?" I quizzed.
Before she could even get a word out, my darling little funnyman has his say. "Sissy, I think you want to be a princess."
John and I broke out in full belly laughter.
"You know, Christian, I can't be a princess. They don't get paid very well---and I don't think your answer was very funny," she responded.
More laughing.
Christian continues on his roll. "Momma, I think when you grow up you're gonna be as big as a house!" Gee thanks there buddy. Way to make a momma feel loved! :)
Caitlin was in hysterics.
Christian piped up once more. "Hey Daddy, when are you gonna grow up?"
I thought I was gonna pee my pants from laughing. John just smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "Christian, I really hope I never have to grow up," he said with a laugh.
Caitlin waited until we were piling out of the car to tell me that she would like to be a dentist. I think she was in fear of what her darling little brother would say to that one. Honestly, I don't blame her for waiting!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Caroline's little friend Mason who turned 1 today! He had such a cute party. The theme was rebel/biker and the attire was black t-shirts, jeans, and doo rags. I swear, they had a completely packed house! There were SO MANY kids running around, I lost mine half the time. :) Thank you to Mason's parents, Keri and Cameron for having us over, and Mason--we hope you have a wonderful 1st year!

I'd pitch a fit too...

...if I was having this bad of a hair day! :)
This is just your smile for the end of the week--hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Go Patriots! (just had to throw that in there)