The first page of book candidates. mmmm....the brownies! (why do they have to be so good?)
This was a strawberry from the fruit plate. I thought it was one of the most perfect berries I have ever seen.
Book club was great last Thursday! We first discussed our book we had read for April, Sarah by Orson Scott Card. I have to say I did not love this book and had some issues with the whole (historical fiction). I did like Fire of the Covenant which was also historical fiction so I don't know why this book rubbed me the wrong way but, it did. I have to report all of the ladies in the group really liked the book so maybe I was just not on the right wave length. I really do love book club! It has been such a great outlet for me and really helps me to keep reading, which I do love to do.
We then moved onto picking books for our upcoming year! This was great fun. There are so many wonderful books out there. By the end of the night we had a list of over thirty books to vote on! I am now working on calculating the ballots. I do still have some absentee ballots out there so this will be very interesting and I will keep you posted. Thanks to the blog designer as he had five little girls to take to dinner, the park, and Grandma's...he's the best! And, not to mention all his computer editing and ballot making :)
Ava, Vivi and the pet dogs. Vivien getting tired of posing already...Ava holding strong. Ava still workin it...Vivi giving "bored picture face" Vivien feeling done with posing...Ava still holding strong. Vivien needing a nap after all the picture taking. Oh "the child has had enough" (another family motto by the way...hehe) Ava giving up she has posed long enough with Vivi's incompetence!
Why must I procrastinate everything? I have lots of ladies coming to my house in yes, just 3 hours...and I'm on the computer!! I need to be cleaning, getting my refreshments done, setting up for book club, treadmilling...Darn! Well, here I go really fast... This is my little girls, doing their favorite past time dressing up, dressing up, dressing up! Then I always get the "take our picture thing"(sorry for the bad writing I'm just trying to hurry, hurry) (yes, Lexi another family motto), she told me today how we have a million...I like the family motto and yes, we have a few... I think I will make this his a different post another day. Anyway! Here is the picture succession we had the other day. Wish me luck with book club!
Guess who earned straight "4"s or straight "A"s at our house last term? We have a new tradition going on and this is how it goes...you earn straight "4"s and it's a dinner out for you! You pick where you want to go, you order what ever you want, and...you go alone (no siblings) just you and mom and dad! Sounds pretty good to me. Lilli was our first recipient. We had a really fun night out. She chose to go to Mimi's and ordered a turkey dinner and one amazing looking brownie sundae. We all had a great time and I must say I am really looking forward to some more straight "4"s at our house. Good job Lilli. Thank you for doing your best work!
Well, after seeing the picture on my previous "Slacker" post, Lexi was horrified that I would dare put up such a picture! She said "Mom did you have to put up an exercise picture?" she was very sad, and did not get my point of posting such a picture at ALL! Anyway, I wanted to report back that yesterday I had made great strides in trying to change my slacker ways. I put myself on a stringent, timed, ridiculous schedule. I must say I did have some success. My main goal was to pick Ava up from preschool having myself "put together". So, I did have success at this one task. I also... got three different people to school, fed two people breakfast, washed dishes, cleaned kitchen, made beds, changed the baby who had pooped through and onto everything, put my left contact in 42 times as it was causing me annoying pain, treadmilled (yes my own made up word) in record time for me, 2.25 miles in 30 minutes...now, I know this is no great feat but to me it was record time. Keep in mind this is all before picking up the child at 11:30 A.M. Yes, this is shocking considering the morning person I am not.
Now, I must give half of my credit to these two little darlings who all complied to my silly schedule without making a fuss, not even one tantrum out of you know who, my tantrum queen. And yea to good baby who sat in her exersaucer, without one complaint and kindly cheered my treadmilling on. I suppose Tivo and Dragon Tales also deserve a percentage there...but then there's none left for me! Oh Well! The biggest Dragon Tales fan in history. My nice baby.
So, for the honest part of yesterday, my good, nice, baby who was good for so long...about 11:00 A.M. was really hungry, tired, and ready for a nap. Unfortunately, my regimented schedule just did not have a slot in it for feeding and napping. So, baby did without :( . Next, I was 7 minutes late for Ava's preschool pickup. By the time I got there everyone was gone so I couldn't even show all the mom's "hey I don't always look like that scary lady"! UHHH!! And, not to mention that I did dry my hair once I got home for the picture. So technically, I was not "totally put together".
My learned experience from yesterday taught me: I can get certain things done, in a certain order if I sacrifice certain things. My baby's meal not an option,but sitting on the couch for a good 1/2 hour to "wake up" could in my future be an option. I realized all my days don't have to be slacker days. So, this is good I think. Would I want to continue my stringent, timed, ridiculous schedule everyday? Absolutely not! I am grateful for what I learned and I think it gave me the confidence boost I needed. I am glad that in the future I know I can have some ridiculous, stringent days. I have to say though, when it comes down to it my nature is too darn rebellious to live my life that way everyday! I have got to have time to smell those roses, lick the frosting bowl, watch Dragon Tales for 15 minutes, and yes, feed my hungry, yummy, baby! Some of those days just gotta be Slackers!
Thank you Grandma! We love our beautiful new bedspreads! Ava and Vivien feeling so excited to have there beds made like "big girls" Ava Vivi
We had a wonderful surprise in the mail the other day... the excitement filled the house as the girls announced "a package Mom, a package!" I didn't know if the excitement could be contained. We decided that we would clean the bedroom before any packaging was opened. This was a great motivator! To the girls great surprise they found new bedspreads for their beds. There eyes and hands could hardly be held off and everyone wanted to touch them. Of course, me being the person that I am was a little freaked out and had everyone wash, wash, soap and water no Purel. The bedding was so clean and soft and lovely, I looked over at Lexi and Lilli's bedding and realized what was in store for these in the future...I was sad...but, got over it, because this is what seems to happen to things when children are involved. Besides, it will be fun to watch these get all the enjoyment that is in store for them. So, we had a terrific time setting up the "new beds". The girls have really loved them this far. I also have loved seeing the room now completely put together. I think they match the girls room perfectly and really add to our Mary Engelbreit theme. Thanks to Grandma for all of her help in our efforts to find the right fit!
Nicolette getting ready to try rice cereal for the first time.
Nicolette thinking "this is nastier than I thought it would be" "Well, maybe it's not that bad!" "Well, it really is that bad...and just too much work...bring on the milk" My sleeping 6-month old.
Well, I did take these pictures on Nicolette's 6-month old birthday. The girls were all quite disappointed we weren't having a birthday cake, but they got over it. I truly can't believe it has been an entire six months. I don't know where the time has gone or how this baby is getting too old so fast. I feel sad to know only six more months and we will be doing birthday cake! Nicolette has been a wonderful joy to our family and we all love her immensely. Happy Birthday Baby!
I was so impressed with Lisa See’s novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Her wonderful woven story took me on a reading journey and introduced me to such rich characters, that I read this book in three days.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a powerful story about relationships, regrets, and life-long friendships. While set in a traditional Chinese world, almost anyone can relate to the themes and emotions in this book.
The story is told through the eyes of Lily, the main character of the book. She starts her tale as a young, young girl before her feet were bound by her mother. Through Lisa Sees beautiful writing I felt like I had been there with Lily experiencing this horror. She tells of her life-long relationship with Snowflower , who is her main source of any real relationship for her life.
I am grateful that I was able to acquaint myself with this extremely talented writer, just through her talent of writing. I will seek out this author again and am excited to read more of her works. I definitely recommend.
This family photo is pretty darn good for us! Beggers can't be choosers and there are just too many of us to get everyone to smile and look at the camera at the same time! Nicolette loving grass! Ava my only willing picture participant. A VERY typical Erickson girl photo. No smiles allowed in this group! Easter morning. Vivien feeling happy. Ava on the bridge
Coloring Easter eggs with cousins. Lexi Lilli Vivien Ava
We had a great Easter. Not only did we celebrate Easter Sunday with family, we also got to go to the baby blessing of our new niece and cousin Ella. The day was very busy but, the food was great and the company wonderful! It was fun to be home for Easter. There was a bit of sadness and tantrums ( not from me of course, well maybe me just a bit) the girls had a hard time that evening as it was time to pack up and head home. Lexi was trying to convince Doug that the weather was too terrible for driving and we better stay an extra day...well, this didn't fly at all! We headed home extremely late and Doug drove us home safe and sound. (I am sure from some help from up above as well.)
Lexi enjoying her swimming flip hair. I Love, Love this picture of Vivien and Aunt Karla The girls hanging out in the spa. Aunt LaRae and Nicolette Cute Baby Ben Lexi is thinking" how much chlorine did Poppy add to this water? My eyes are burning out of my head!
The girls had such a great time with their cousins in the pool. We got plenty of swim time in and that was so great! Thanks to all for helping me in the watching of the swimmers.
My homely real picture :( is this really what I look like? Oh...reality hurts! My attempt at letting go of my superficialness is really hurting! My mother suggested I let it go...I always listen to my mother:)
So, I have heard that I am slacking on my blogging duties. And, I must agree! I have to preface this with yes, I love my baby...but, ever since her arrival it seems I have turned into a slacker! It took till baby number five and here I am now, a classified slacker! It's all sad and true and very unfortunate. I used to be the tell me when and where and I will be there. Me forget an appointment? Never. I am miss let me schedule that and take care of that for ya. Well, this is how I once saw myself some might disagree but nevertheless this was my picture of myself. Well, this has all gone out the window and flew across America. Lately, I have been thinking I need a time diary not a food diary...and a personal assistant, cook and nanny would be helpful too. I feel I am constantly running, constantly late and constantly forgetful! Did all of these babies truly kill off my brain cells? I am starting to believe this to be true. I so want to get it all done and yet I never do! Is this just the way life is? Do I need to take a course in home management? Am I really this kind of a failure? I hate to admit this all but, hey it's true! I can never accomplish in a day what I intend to accomplish. I am constantly running around looking like this! :( My mother would be horrified as she never ran around with out make up and showers and she always looked pretty and put together! What happened to me? I know this picture is quite homely, but maybe this shock of putting it out there will help me with my scheduling? I want to do my running around put together! So, I feel the need to be real and this is as real as it gets! Now, I am not trying to be sad and depressing just real. I still have hope and everyday I keep hoping I will do better. Isn't that what we are all trying to do, just to be a bit better.
This kid is something! I really feel she has an interesting life ahead. and maybe a career as an ENT physician. I suppose she is needing some attention... I have been on the computer for awhile now and she keeps sticking her finger in my ear! It is really starting to hurt!! She says there is "kickies"in there..whatever! I keep dodging her and she is saying to "keep it steady" what would I do without this kid for excitement..everybody keep it steady I said.
I can't even believe we left for spring break a week ago today! The time has really gone so fast I am truly amazed! It has been great to be home and get to visit with most all my family. Something occurred to me as I was packing everyone up to "go back home to my moms". I realized this, going back home to where I grew up is my home and will always be, but it is not my children's home. It is strange to think that my children and I will always have different ideas about what back home means.
Now, I had great intentions of blogging every day while at my moms. I thought this would be a great way to remember our fun week. Plus, Doug could look at the blog and see what we were doing each day. Wouldn't that be fun? Unfortunately, this didn't seem to happen. So, I am going to catch everyone up with a quick summary of our week.
Our week started with...yes, a very, very, CRANKY Nicolette! (I know this is hard to believe, yet it is true)I just kept thinking...what is wrong with my nice baby? Where did she go? Then, I realized as she was chewing on anything and everything that she was teething! And, she now has two bottom teeth poking up! I can't even believe how quick that one happened. My little newborn keeps trying to grow up. Next, we have pretty much had a constant party this entire week! The girls have had a blast and we have loved seeing and spending time with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents.
It started last Saturday with the Phantom of the Opera! This was beyond amazing if you can just imagine! It was a total thrill and I just left thinking ,"when can I see that again?" Lexi got to go at the last minute and it was an amazing opportunity for her and she could hardly take it all in. I highly recommend anyone going if the chance ever becomes available. We then went on to family dinners, lots of swimming, spring fling party , Easter egg hunt, dinners out, late nights, visits with old friends, and definitely too much eating!
It is sad to think the party is soon ending but, every party must eventually come to an end. I guesss. And, we still have Easter egg coloring, more swimming, a baby blessing, and Easter to celebrate! We thank everyone for an awesome spring break!
The first page of book candidates.
mmmm....the brownies! (why do they have to be so good?)
This was a strawberry from the fruit plate. I thought it was one of the most perfect berries I have ever seen.
