A Few Newborn Pics AND Our Weekly Meal Plan....

Here's this week's meal plan for our household. In between each day, you'll find some of Kate's newborn pics -- actually taken when she was 7 weeks old. Shannon of THIS PLACE did the pics....I think they turned out quite well!

Monday, September 17, 2012: Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tuesday, September 18, 2012: Meatballs in tomato sauce (using THIS SPICE), rolls, salad

Wednesday, September 19, 2012: Tater Tot Casserole with Green Beans

Thursday, September 20, 2012: Taco Lasagna, Corn on the Cob

Friday, September 21, 2012: Antonio's Pork Chops & Red Sauce (using THIS SPICE)

Saturday, September 22, 2012: Lunch: Rummage -- Supper: Pizza

Sunday, September 23, 2012: Lunch: Rummage -- Supper: Quesadilla Casserole (make cookies for our small group guys' meeting)

On the Kansas State Fair....

Last Saturday, the NOW four of us made our annual pilgrimage to the Kansas State Fair (Kate's first of many). Usually we go with my parents; however, their schedule didn't mesh with our schedule. So, the four of us simply went. (But, because Luke really wants to go with my dad -- Luke, Kate, my dad, and I will be returning to the fair later this week during a weekday...ssshhhh...Luke doesn't know this for sure yet -- though he's had a hint of information about it). Had it not been for the fact that we absolutely promised Luke a year ago that we'd go back (he had a GREAT time last year), I don't know if we would have tackled it this year with a 3-month old and all. But alas, we did it. This past Saturday had GORGEOUS weather; therefore, the fair was crowded. We parked A LONG ways off....We battled many crowds....But, it was a family memory that Marc and I will carry with us for the rest of our lives, I'm sure :) Here are a bunch of pics (and keep in mind that this was a very "Luke-Centered" trip to the fair; henceforth, there are MANY pics of Luke on some sort of equipment -- Luke's going to have a bit of a change in a few years when his little sister has an opinion. For the time being, however, Kate was simply along for the ride).

AND, the combines, tractors, lawnmowers, skid steers, and excavators....

AND, to prove Kate was still with us....

And, for you local readers....there was a bit of a local celebrity at the fair that day....Ross Janssen and his dog, Millie -- from Channel 12....For the second year in a row, Luke talked with Ross and petted Millie....

Marc & Luke rode the little train together while I sat on a bench and fed Kate (and consequently had a LOVELY conversation with an older woman -- LOVE when that happens)....

AND, we took a little stroll through some of the animal "barns."

While looking at cattle, I made the comment to Marc that I'd never seen such groomed cows (ready for showing). Marc simply made the statement that he was simply thinking about how good the cow would be on his plate....Marc -- always thinking about food :)

Was it crazy busy that day? YEP! Did it take some tactical planning to take a 3-month old and a 4 year-old to the crowded fair? YEP! Were Marc and I frustrated a time or two with Luke's whining? YEP! Was it worth it? YEP! FAMILY MEMORIES, I say! Will we be able to look back at that day fondly? I HOPE SO! (Actually, I already am now, and had it been that bad, I wouldn't be taking Luke and Kate back in a few days with my dad).

That previous pic was of our two strollers parked near some tractors. Yes, we could get a double stroller. Don't worry -- we will be -- most likely at Christmas! We're planning on purchasing a double jogging stroller. We'd purchase one that is compatible with infant carriers now, BUT our particular infant carrier is not compatible. Because Luke is 4 years old and often doesn't ride in a stroller anymore (the State Fair has A LOT of walking -- the stroller went for Luke), we're not planning on purchasing a double stroller that is NOT used for walking/running....(This entire last paragraph was to defend myself against any comments that might happen about us taking two separate strollers to the fair)....

Just a few pics to end this post....because I had them on my camera :)

Weekly Meal Plan AND Random Pics of Our Kiddos....

Only a day late, BUT still here, is the Friesen Family Weekly Meal Plan. Between each day's meal is a random pic of one of our kiddos from the last week....

Monday, September 10, 2012: Leftover Sloppy Joe Sandwiches from evening before

Tuesday, September 11, 2012: BBQ Meatballs, Cheesy Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday, September 12, 2012: Rummage

Thursday, September 13, 2012: Hot Dogs in crescent rolls (Pigs in a Blanket), Vegetable

Friday, September 14, 2012: Sarah's Spectacular Pasta

Saturday, September 15, 2012: Lunch -- Rummage -- Supper -- Pizza

Sunday, September 16, 2012: Lunch -- Rummage -- Supper -- Tortilla Roll-Ups....AND, I know that last pic wasn't of a kiddo....it was pic of an awesome sunflower field pic outside of our cozy little town. Since the sunflower is our state's flower, I thought I'd show it (added to the fact that a field of sunflowers is a pretty AWESOME part of God's creation)....

On Kate Being 3 Months....

The day that Luke started preschool, Kate turned a big ol' 3 months old! I say "big" because that's what she is (it sounds better than chunky though I have actually said that about my daughter). SO, here's the traditional pic in the chair.

AND, here is a pic of Luke and Kate that day....Luke LOVES his little sister (we'll see what he does once she starts getting into his things).

And, for memory's sake, here's a pic of Luke at 3 months....

Luke looks quite a bit smaller than Kate in that pic; however, it must have been the way that I took the picture. I found this picture -- taken of Luke the VERY next day. As you can see, he was a chunk as well....

AND, here is what Kate is doing at 3 months....1) Kate eats 6 times a day. I have her eating every 3 hours during the day. She is like clockwork. Generally, she's starting to act hungry around that time. If she is sleeping, yep, I'm one of "those moms" who wakes a sleeping baby to keep her on her schedule. My ultimate goal is to get enough full feedings in throughout the day to have her sleep at night. This Mama absolutely LOVES her sleep at night. Here's a pic of my mom with Kate just the other evening....

2) With sleep in mind, Kate sleeps around 10 hours per night. Nope, I don't get up with her anymore. She's done this for several weeks now. Yep, I'm loving the sleeping all night again. As I said before, though, she is like clockwork. She wakes up right around 7:00 each morning, almost on the dot, to eat. Here's a pic of Luke again -- at 3 months....I see MAJOR similarities between these siblings.

3) Kate talks A LOT -- must be the girl thing. I'd LOVE to know what she's thinking about, but I'm guessing it's not much right now. Kate is a absolute and complete "Mama's Girl." She seems to already have some stranger anxiety. SO ultimately, what I am saying is...if you try and hold her and she cries, don't think you're doing something wrong. She simply likes her Mama. Luke did this as well at this age, but Marc actually thinks that Kate is a bit "worse" about it. While it's good and sweet that she is comforted by her mother, sometimes it's a bit frustrating. Other people want to hold her (which I'm fine with), but I generally get her back crying.

On Luke Starting Preschool....

Today was a HUGE day in our household. Luke started preschool, and Kate turned 3 months old (will be a future post). This school year, Luke is attending Apple-A-Day Preschool, located at Newton's Presbyterian Manor. For the past two years, I have transported a friend's daughter to this preschool. During that two years, I have really liked what I have seen in the preschool and in the director and teacher. I feel extremely confident in Luke attending this preschool this year.

We've been talking about preschool for awhile now. Luke has known he'd be going, and he has been excited. For the last week of so, we've been counting the "number of sleeps" until preschool begins. This morning, he was VERY ready to go to preschool right when he got up. He wasted NO time eating breakfast and getting dressed (usually, Luke dawdles during this process). (And, as a side note, Luke received this very cute John Deere hat from my friend, Robin...it's been worn A LOT the last two days...VERY GOOD choice, Robin)....

I did the traditional pic on the first day of school. Luke's young enough that he happily obliged.

Marc came home from work just long enough to accompany Luke on his first day of preschool (Kate and I were also there). Marc and I figured it was most definitely worth the cost of gas and time spent to be with Luke on his first day. Unfortunately, when Marc was snapping this pic, it was BRIGHT outside. Though we love sunlight, this pic was hard on Luke.

I truly enjoyed watching Luke's confidence as we walked ahead of us down the hall toward his classroom.

There are hooks for each child's bag and coat (when cold out). Each child is assigned a number to use all year. Luke was assigned #6. (I realize this is probably not anything new to a preschool...Luke was just making a big deal later on in the day about he has #6)....It was very cute to me to watch him figure out where to put his bag.

Marc, Kate and I were able to leave with ZERO tears -- neither from Luke nor myself. Some would say, "Sarah -- get a grip....it's only preschool." That's right -- it's only preschool, but it's the first of many steps of Luke growing up. And, since I'm his mother, I will cry at times :) Today was a FULL day, and it was very busy. Being busy kept me from crying today, but know that I will shed tears over Luke going to preschool :) This last pic I took after climbing into the car after dropping Luke off. It's a picture of his all important little blanket and a couple of hats (signature to Luke). He wanted to take his little blanket (a.k.a. "Ah-Dah"). I told him, "No." Luke actually didn't dispute it, but he wanted it left right where he put it so he could have it right after preschool. I obliged. As far as the hats -- I simply didn't want him to have to worry about them all of the time nor did I want him to lose them.

Lastly -- a funny story....This past Saturday evening, we were over at another couple's house for supper. There were some toys available for Luke to play with (this couple is expecting their first child in November)....Luke did well and played nicely throughout the evening. Tuesday afternoon, after all of us getting up early for an appointment, Luke approached me in the living room and showed me what he brought home from the other evening. It was a little loader that didn't belong to him -- one he shouldn't have had at all in our home. SO, a lesson was to be learned. Taking something that doesn't belong us is wrong. SO, Luke, Kate, and I drove, late Tuesday afternoon, back out to this couple's house. Luke had to give the loader back and apologize for taking it. It took time out of our day and caused a later than normal supper. Was it worth it? I certainly hope a lesson was learned :) Here's a pic of Luke in the car....I LOVE it when he sleeps in the car....It's SO completely and utterly cute....even after he's taken something that doesn't belong to him and we're heading to a place so he can apologize.

Yep, little Luke is growing up -- in more ways than one....I hope it doesn't happen too fast, though :(