{Tell Me About it Tuesday} Mama, You Can Do It!

Recently I read a blog post about how us mom's need to put on our swimsuits (I am so sorry I can't find it now) and get in the water with our kids.  How we just need to suck it up and do it.  Now, I have never been one to love how I look in a swimsuit, even when I was a size 10.  Well, I was uploading pictures from Keith's phone and I found these from last year and our 6 weeks in Wisconsin.  This quite possibly could be the worst I have ever looked in a swimsuit.  

I am not going to lie, I wish that we could do that every summer.  The reasons we were there stunk and the reason we had to stay weren't the best either.  It was hard to come home and get back in the swing of life.  

Auntie braved the lake water.  Auntie and I split kids.  It was nice to be able to one on one with the kids.  It made things much safer in my mind.  Little Mr is 18 months in these pictures.  Little Miss is 3.  

This was little Mr.'s first real trip to a beach.  When you live in Wisconsin lake beaches are what you get.  An ocean beach is much to far.  Lake beaches ... that's another story.  They are abundant.  

The only time she would actually look at the camera.  Oh and this suit still kinda fits her.  It's official her brother is going to out weigh her by the time she is 5.  

Quite possibly my favorite picture. 

Although I had hoped to get them to Atlanta or back up to Wisconsin this summer looking like it's not going to be in the cards.  We will be taking a long weekend for Labor Day to recharge our batteries in the mountains.

I am so looking forward to a weekend with just my loves.

Maybe we can hit a day trip to a local lake with a beach this weekend.  They are not as abundant in this part of Ohio.

Hickman Five Adventures: Touch A Truck

Driving to pick Daddy up from work one night we saw a sign.  What I was able to read on the sign as I was barreling around the corner ... "Touch a Truck Monday, June 6 or 9 Sharonville Convention Center".  That was enough for me.  It was a Monday in June and It was at the Sharonville Convention Center.  I hop on the site and get all the real information.  

I am thinking I will find a playdate for Little Miss and take Little Mister for some great Mommy and Mr time.  Couldn't find a playdate so Little Miss came with us.  We all had a great time.  We even met up with a friend from church and her little boy.  

Little Miss was in on the secrets of the day.  But I surprised them both with breakfast out before the event.  

Once we arrived we started on the Metro bus.  By far the cleanest Metro bus I have ever seen! Mr. didn't understand what was going on at first.  It didn't take him long to figure out he was getting to climb on EVERYTHING!

They are really into taking "PHOTO BOMB" pictures right now.  
And yes we are really just that silly!

Garbage Trucks

Construction Equipment

Fire Trucks

National Guard Equipment.  (The giant tow mater!)

Even a helicopter.

Little Mr. could not wait to tell Daddy all about his day.  Little Miss did great making the day about her little brother.  

I had posted the pictures on Facebook and the comments that I received prompted me to look up some more dates.  In my search I found this site that has some listed throughout the country.  

If you live in Southwest Ohio like us.  There are 3 more scheduled so don't miss out!

I love making memories with my little ones!

Wackadoodle Wednesday

Let me introduce {Wackadoodle Wednesday}.  This is a day that is a free for all.  It might be something crazy that I found on Pinterest.  It might be some silly thing my kids have said.  It might be a n almost Wordless Wednesday linky I joined.

Who knows!  It's just Wackadoodle!  In fact you can check out Touch of Home Learning's Wackadoodle Wednesday post over here.

Today's Wackadoodle Wednesday is all about where The Hickman Five have been hanging out lately.

The Zoo!

These faces are those of kids super excited for their surprise!  We didn't tell them the first time we went.  We also got a family pass so that we can go several times over the summer.  By this time we had already been invited 3 times!

The first time we all went.  It was great to have Daddy with us.  We will have all go again on a weekend really soon!

We have had some up close animal encounters.  We have learned what real animals look like when they are talked about in cartoons we watch.  Like a monitor lizard from Bubble Guppies.  

We will all enjoy the Carousal before the end of the summer.  I hope.

We spent a lot of time with the butterflies this morning.  One landed on little man's behind and one almost landed on little miss's arm.  

We are having a great time.  It's such a beautiful place.  

The best part is if we don't see everything in one day, it's okay.  We can stay until the kids are done and come back the next day if we want to.  

The Path We Are On

First of all I would like to extend a huge thank-you to all of you who have been praying and made even the smallest of donations to help get us up to Wisconsin.

We came up because my mom was in the hospital having heart problems.  She was having a test that would lead to her either having an angioplasty or not.  Good news was that she has no blockages in her heart.  Bad news is that she had a heart attack 6-8 weeks ago and didn't even know it.  The heart attack started a string of events leading up to her being in the hospital.  They have her on medication to get her back to "normal".

Life being the adventure it is.  Hubs lost his job the same day we had to leave.  Luckily we have our marketing consultant jobs that we can do anywhere.  We talked to our national sales director and we are able to work while we are here.

Hubs and I are able to take a lot of time to get work done because my parents are more than willing to babysit, as is my sister if she is available.  We have been able to reconnect as a couple and get a break, which also has been very, very needed.

There has been a dip in the good news, my mom had to go back to the hospital because her potassium levels are way too high.  The medications are affecting her kidneys and need to be adjusted.  Hopefully she will get to come home later today.

We have had some realizations while we have been here, that I might go into at a later time.  Prayers for health, wisdom, strength and patience are still appreciated.

Easter in Review

Last year we tried the whole big family Easter thing. Although pictures don't show it - it didn't go over well.  I wasn't happy because I planned a party and had to take the whole party to someone else's house.  I gave each person a list (since for whatever reason they insist on bringing things) and then others talked and said you bring this or that and switched things on their lists.  Resulting on things that I needed to make parts of the meal not being there to cook until 2 hours later.  It was a headache to say the least.  Oh and certain people didn't even want to be together and made it known they were not happy.

So, I gave up.  Easter is big for us.  We go to a very solemn Good Friday Service.  Then we CELEBRATE our risen Savior.

We partake in "secular" Easter fun - why?  Because it is fun!  God wants us to live JOYFUL lives. Look at their faces ... they are full of joy!

The joy of planting jelly beans so the Easter Bunny can find our house.

The joy of the Egg hunt.  You know that things are sticking when your 3 year old looks at you and says, we need to thank the Easter Bunny for all our eggs and lolly pops!

Then Easter morning (we did our egg hunt on Saturday because of predicted weather) the basket hunt.  

You further know it is okay to embrace the secular-ness of Easter when this happens.  

In the basket there is a crown.  (Because of Jesus, we can wear our crowns of righteousness.)  

Look Mommy, a crown!  I am a real princess now.  

Yes, you are a princess of the King of Kings.  The Easter Bunny gave you a crown to remember that today is the day Jesus went to Heaven.  (A 3 year old explanation of the resurrection.)

Later that day at church ... one of my friends -

I love your crown!

Thank you.

Are you a princess?

No, Jesus went to heaven.  

We shared Easter with our family, The Hickman Five.  We called Grandma and Grandpa and wished them a Happy Easter.  Little Miss talked to Grandpa and Little Mister talked to Grandma.  We also decided that God gave us REST.  So that is what we did, we rested.  There was no huge meal, there was no huge get together.  It was just what this Mama needed.  We had spaghetti.

I think it was a hit.

Growing up in Wisconsin we always had hats, mittens, winter coats, snow pants and boots … the works!  Playing in the snow was the highlight of the winter.  We would ask to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s more.  Yes, it was because the park behind their house had THE BEST SLEDDING HILL EVER.  

Well, winters in southwestern Ohio are much different than winters in Wisconsin.  Last year we never needed more than a slightly warm jacket.  This year it was looking like it was going to be more of the same.  It was a little colder, but would it really warrant the purchase of all the snow gear?

Then we were hit.  Sure it was March, but we got a snow storm.  I was not going to try and find snow gear at this point.  So I did the next best, maybe even better thing.  I brought the snow inside!

Not one time do I remember my mom bringing the snow inside!

It was a great sensory experience for both of them.  They got to play with toys in the snow that would not go outside.

Little Miss wanted to wear her gloves.

Little Mister wouldn’t let me get near him with them - or socks for that matter.

I got the idea from Exceptionalistic.  They made super cute snowmen.

Another friend put the snow in the tub and let her kids play in there with it.  They colored it with food coloring and melted the snow with water.  Another fun idea.

It was a huge hit and meltdown happened when it was time to put it away.  The meltdown led to Mama trying something else.

Look at the face.  I think it was a hit.

{My World Monday} Rolling with the Punches

It was another Christmas and new set of punches we needed to roll with.  We have not had a 'normal' Christmas since 2008.  2009 - 7 day old baby, 2010 - adjusting to the whole Christmas with more than just us, 2011 - 6 week old baby and now 2012 - far, far from normal.

I was updating pictures recently.  I was looking at the pictures from Christmas and said, "There is no way that any of these pictures will be seeing the light of day - at least the ones I am in."

Looking at these pictures I see - one tired mama.  Did I even put make-up on?  Did I even care?  Did I even want to be anywhere other than home?  For our Christmas celebrations I put on a game face and went about our day.  When we went home we put the kids to bed and crashed.    

But then I realized - when I got to the pictures of our Christmas morning - Little Miss and Little Mister will probably not remember this Christmas.  Little Mister doesn't even understand Santa.  Little Miss didn't get it that when she went to be Santa was supposed to come while she was sleeping.

Let's rewind just a little.

Christmas Eve Hubs and I were going on a date to a Christmas concert at our church.  I was feeling really yuck and debating not going.  He said, 'We need this, let's go and if we have to leave we will leave."  I get dressed, we drop the kids off at the in-laws and headed over to church.  Halfway through the concert I look at Hubs and say, "we need to go ... now."  We leave and head straight to the ER.

While at the ER I don't know which upset me more the fact that I was 'ruining' Christmas for our kids or that I was miscarrying our 3rd child.  None of our Christmas Eve traditions were happening.  Gifts weren't wrapped.  Nothing was ready for Christmas morning.  I still had hope that things would work out okay and I would get to go home.  Then I was told I had to stay overnight and I lost all hope.  Christmas was going to be ruined.  At least Hubs had gone home to put the kids to bed so they had something sort of normal.  Let's be honest, nothing was normal about that night.

Thank God that my bleeding had stopped enough and I was discharged at 9:30.  Now it was figuring out what were we going to do about Christmas morning.   I was not going to ruin Christmas for these two.

We came up with a plan on the way home.  I was going to go upstairs to wrap the gifts.  While I was up there Santa called and told Hubs that he had forgotten to pick up Eddie.  He asked if Hubs and Little Miss could put Eddie on the front stairs.  He would come and pick him up so Eddie the Elf could go home.  

To keep the kids busy Hubs kept them in the kitchen and let them have a cookie.  

I came down stairs to take a few pictures and Hubs moved them into the living room.  While in the living room Santa visited and picked up Eddie the Elf.  While he was there he left Little Miss and Little Mister's presents.

We decided to skip our big Christmas breakfast since it was so late.  We ate a small lunch and went down for nap - all 5 of us.

After nap we headed over to the in-laws for Christmas Dinner.  It was your typical holiday at the in-laws.  When we got home we all crashed.

I am thankful that we pulled together to get through.  The day after Christmas I told Hubs, this is my day to be sad and stay in bed.  I put on a strong enough front yesterday.  I let myself have that time to grieve.  Sure I still have my moments, but I am healing.  God is getting us through and for that I am thankful.  Next year I pray that Christmas is just 'normal'.

{almost} Wordless Wednesday - Pumpkin Farm

Little Mister:  So last year I guess I was also at this pumpkin farm.  I have no memories of such activities.  I liked chewing on the wood displays.  Mommy stopped me pretty quick, but I would not be stopped!  Have you found out that I LOVE WHEELS!  Oh Mommy sat me in one.  I could have stayed there all day!  Grandma did point out that I don't look like I feel very well, and that is true.  I am cutting 2 teeth at the same time! My 1 year molars - ack, I want a good night sleep.  I have had to wake Mommy up 2 night this week already.  According to the Scarecrow I am 2 feet 4 inches tall.  Mommy will be taking my picture in front of this guy every year.  She took sister's picture in front of it too.  She thinks it's a great idea.  She's pretty smart so I guess it is. 

Little Miss:  FINALLY!  We went to the pumpkin farm!  Even though Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let me ride the train I had a great time.  Daddy said the man was driving the train too fast and I was too small to ride.  So we played on all the structures instead.  I played hopscotch.  Mommy was so proud of me that I jumped on the numbers in order.  Even without her counting them for me.  I picked out my very own pumpkin this year.  Daddy let me pick out brother's too.  I got mad at the pumpkin farm though.  Some girl took brother's pumpkin right out of the stroller!  Her Mommy didn't make her give it back either.  She just took a picture of her carrying the pumpkin.  So I got to pick our a better one for him.  I had a lot of fun until we had to go home.  Mommy said we might get to go back.  That would be fun.

So last year Little Mister went with us to the pumpkin farm.
Top Row: 2011 tire taller than me/2012 tire still taller than me.
Bottom Row: 2011 I am wider than the tire/2012 I am still wider than the tire while carrying Little Mister.

PS - yes my children speak that well.  : D

{Review} Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta

Welcome to another installment of {Tell Me About it Tuesday}.  This is my home for reviews.  Lately I have been reviewing books and products.  Here is a different spin for you today.  If you live outside of the Greater Cincinnati area I apologize, this post will make your mouth water.

Today's review is of Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta.  We dined at Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta on Sunday - late afternoon, early evening.  Look at this place.  They really tried to make you feel like you were stepping out of Cincinnati and into Brooklyn New York.

I didn't take a picture, but there is even a Yankee's flag hanging on the wall.

Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta is a family owned business and you can tell it's not your chain pizza.  Fresh ingredients that are purchased locally.  The dough is truly hand-tossed, you can watch them do it.   Dine in, Delivery, or Carry Out - your choice.  Any will be worth it.  But you should stop in because the service is great.

Okay get on with it ... WHAT DID YOU EAT!

Well first of all what does a pizza crazy 2 year old order at a pizza place?  Cheese pizza (which is a whopping 10 inches by the way)?  Oh no, not today ... nope Little Miss decided it was time to order chicken tenders!  So we (Hubs tasted too) tasted them ... quite tasty.  Had it not been a pizza place and some other sports bar, I would have ordered them and enjoyed them right along with her. 

Hubs and I had these beauties ...

The cheese pizza is pretty self explanatory - Cheesy and delicious! The pieces are huge!  You can fold them in half and bite them that way. 

The Mattie - we ordered without green peppers.  Seeing that it had onions and mushrooms on it, I didn't try any.  However, Hubs loved it.

They brought us some white pizza's to try. - I had never tried a white pizza, and I probably would have never ordered either of these. 

Four Cheese - Garlic and Olive Oil base with mozzarella, ricotta, provolone and romano.  The ricotta makes it so creamy. 

White Dream - Garlic and Olive Oil base with tomatoes, broccoli, basil and ricotta.  Might just be the only way that I can get Hubs to eat broccoli. 

I would have been really missing out if I just overlooked these because they were white pizzas, or seemed to turn me off becuase of the amounts of veggies.  I was excited that we had some of this on left for lunch.  

Hubs had Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta before, but it was a first for me.  It was really good. 

Not only can you buy the whole pie, but you can even buy it by the slice.  What a perfect place to stop for lunch!  But if you are a Happy Hour type person, you can bring the whole family here.  They have some great happy hours drink specials (yes, they sell beer and wine). 

How much do you need to spend?  I found the prices to be very reasonable.  A speciality large pizza is around $20, the small speciality pizza's are $6.99.  The build your own pizza is very competitivly priced as well. 

Don't forget to finish off your dinner with one of these ...

(okay, I had to take it home, but ... so worth it!)  Creamy filling with a great sweet crunch. 

You can find Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta at 9797 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH.  You can also find them on Facebook. 

When you stop in tell them The Hickman Five sent you!


Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta did provide our lunch free of charge because of this review.  They were not promised positive feedback.  100% of these opinions are mine and the other members of The Hickman Five.

{Hickman Five Adventures} Free Style

Here at The Hickman Five we really do love us some free fun.  

Seeing that the weather broke we were able to enjoy us some park time.  

Now, this was last weekend and I think doing it again soon would be a great idea.  But I love seeing the interaction between Little Miss and "friends".  

Although I didn't take pictures - Little Miss started playing with a little boy, E.  E and Lil Miss would help each other up the structure to the slides then would race down, saying set go! at the top.  

They would run over to the ducks and ride the ducks - even though they are so stiff neither of their little bodies would make it work.  

They said bye to each other when it was time to leave.  It was really, really cute.  

Two weeks ago now we were able to get into the aquarium for free.  - Hubs had a work event at their that evening. 

So here is a review in pictures.  

We even won two door prizes.  One of which was $50 gift card to the grocery store! Score.  I got our week's worth of groceries for $25!

Forth of July Adventures

So I am behind on things.  Does this surprise any mom of 2 under 3?

I recently posted this page as a speed scrap.  Probably not my favorite page.  I will be making a few other pages to make the day complete.  Within the last few months I have discovered digital scrapbooking.  I love it!

This page highlights what we did on the Forth of July.  Little Miss loves parades.  So since her cousin was going to be walking in one we had to go to it.

We played on the grass while we waited.  

We hear the band!

They had horses!  

The last several parades that we went to did not have any horses.  

It was hot, but we had a great time.

That evening we had a indoor cookout and played with our indoor fireworks.