Kid Funnies

Ben: "Do you know maple syrup comes from sap in a tree?"

Lily: "I know that, Papa told me."

Cora: "Actually, I learned that from Curious George."

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Hattie: "Mama! I forgot to do my avotions!!"

Translation: avotions=devotions

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Hattie (age 3): "He is risen!"

Mom: "He is risen indeed!!"

Hattie: "That's so important, I have to remember that in my brain!"

Mom: "He is risen!"

Hattie: "He is risen in oven!"

Ummmmm....so close!

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Hattie: "Mom, how do you say yes in Spanish?"

Mom: "Si"

Hattie: "How do you say one in English?"

Ummmmm....One.

The Three Muskateers

These three...

Most of the time they are inseparable. Where one goes, there are two following.

Giggles abound, squeals are intense, and the love is evident.

Except when they are scrapping...and they can do that to.

Seriously though, they have become the three muskateers and it is so cute.

Hattie used to be the little sister who would tag along and dream of being included with the "big girls", but now that she is growing up, they have all become best friends.

Yes, friends can argue from time-to-time and get a little grouchy, but they also have each other's backs, exhibit a fierce love for one another, and are creating life-long bonds between them. As a mother, it's a beautiful picture of family.

*dresses are from Cocoa Beach Surf Co. when we were there for our family vacation. I had bought them each similar dresses when I was in San Diego last year and they wore them until they were so crunchy they could practically stand up on their own. To say the dresses were loved is an understatement. I had to throw all three away due to holes or broken straps...luckily we found these cute ones to replace their beloved sundresses. I'm guessing these will get a lot of mileage this summer.

Sick Kiddies

Life just never really calms down around here. Jason and I spent the weekend and early part of this week caring for sick kiddos.

Lily and Cora started throwing up on Saturday night. Lily started the whole party off before we went to bed, and Cora decided to join in around 4am. Jason pulled their mattresses into our room and it was then dubbed "the infirmary" and off limits to others in the house. There wasn't a lick of sleep that night as he was holding a bowl for one or the other all throughout the night. I was informed that there was even a time when he was holding the bowl for Cora who was actively using it when he heard Lily call from the bathroom in a rather emergent tone "Dad...Dad, I need you!" which was followed by what he described as a "splash" sound. Eeeeewwww gross. Apparently she was literally standing right by the toilet with the lid *closed*. To say this man is a good dad and has an abundance of patience is an understatement. He did such a good job of taking care of the girls when they really needed someone to comfort them.

Where was I you ask? I was taking care of Hattie who seemed to have her own unrelated bug. She also came down with something on Saturday night. She was put to sleep and within an hour, she was awake and crying. I spent the night nursing a 101.6 fever for this poor girlie. We spent the next day camped out on the couch blowing her nose every .8 seconds. Her fever broke overnight and you would have no idea that the girl had ever been sick.

You can see the sick in her eyes.

Three sick kids...two different bugs. At the same time. So weird.

Cora and Lily are still upstairs feeling under the weather. They haven't thrown up since Sunday morning, but it is taking them some time to get back on their feet and have any sort of appetite. I've given them more bone broth and applesauce over the past two days!

To top things off, Jason left for TX today for work and will be gone until Friday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no one else comes down with this...especially me since I've got no back-up!

Remember to thank God for your health, we take it for granted!!

Valentine's Day 2017

Valentine's Day was pretty low key around Hubler Planet this year. And when I say "low key"...I really mean it.

Last year Jason and I really put forth a lot of effort. (No blog post since I was on a hiatus...you'll just have to take my word for it.) We had a scavenger hunt, board games, word finds, crossword puzzles, and all sorts of treats and special food. Then there was Valentine's Day 2015 and that was pretty fun too. So the kids were expecting big things from me this year.

But this year...well, this year was a flop. Jason worked late as he had a big project due at the office, in fact, he didn't get home until we were completely finished with our supper.

What I did manage to do was make a Korean meal...it's called Korean Royal Rice Cakes. Back in the Joseon Dynasty it was a meal prepared only for royalty...so my kids ate like kings and queens. ;)

Jason also picked up marble soda at the Korean Mart earlier in the week. Every one got their own flavor. It's named "marble soda" because there is a glass marble that seals the soda inside the bottle. You pop down the marble and it's ready to go.

I realized that I have 4 of the five kids pictured. In the interest of being transparent and showing off real life, Cora was busy throwing a fit so I didn't take her picture. She informed me that she didn't like the rice cakes, that they were too chewy, and she wanted to know exactly how much she had to eat.

You can't win them all.

Family Pictures 2017

A picture parade of my brood...I love them so much! And I'm so glad they indulge there mother some time behind the camera lens to capture them.

These pics make me sing.

This one is currently printed out as a 16 x 20...but I am really, really tempted to put it on a 20 x 30 canvas instead.

Hattie, 3 years old

Cora, 6 years old.

Lily, 8 years old

Ben, 10 years old

Ella, 12 years old.

The 5 that give me purpose in life.

Swan Lake Field Trip

After a busy week off which included Hattie's appointment with the Specialist that we have been waiting 7 months for,  a birthday party, dinner out with friends, and a host of other things, I am back to blogging and will update Hubler Planet over the next few days.

To start it off, Grammie planned a field trip for us! (Can I just say how much fun it was?!? Planning field trips is not my strength.) Swan Lake in Monticello is a place where trumpeter swans come to grab a bite to eat while they winter in MN. We watched as they were fed corn by the man who lives right along the river. It was really fun to see...and hear.

We returned back to Grammie's for lunch and art projects. Hattie made a few trumpeter swans out of construction paper, while the bigger kids made drawings of them.

This is the man who faithfully feeds the swans every day during the winter.

This little one got cold so we went back to the van where it was warm.

Wordless Wednesday

Here are a few more pics from our time at The Works Museum.

Sister Slumber Party

It was dark so please forgive the photography skills at work.

The girls have been asking begging Ella to let them have a slumber party in her room for a while now. Once she realized that the question wasn't going to go away anytime soon, she conceded.

Jason hauled in both Lily and Cora's mattresses from their beds and arranged them on the floor. Hattie slept up in the bed with Ella (which is one of her favorite places to sleep in all the world).

The girls were giddy and so excited. We said prayers and sang lullabies and then I kissed each head. They wanted me to vamoose out of there so they could have some good girl time before lights out.

About 25 minutes later I heard crying. About 10 minutes after that Ella and Hattie both appeared on the stairs. According to the eye-witnesses, Cora was upset and crying because she wanted Hattie to sleep down on the floor with her. Lily wasn't crying, but was near tears and upset because Hattie wasn't going to be sleeping next to her on the floor.

I know, right? Problems of the younger crowd.

I sighed and hauled myself off the sofa. I took a deep breath and entered the room. Cora was a disaster of tears and just couldn't calm herself down so I sent her to her room to take a breather until she was ready to talk. Hattie then started crying because she wanted Cora to be a part of the sleepover.

Honestly. I just scratched my head.

I was finally able to calm them all down and make them realize that if things didn't start to shape up there would be no sleepover at all. End of discussion.

I left the room and things seemed to turn around. When morning came, each one said the sleepover was a success, that they had so much fun, and that they can't wait to do it again.

I think I'm gonna need some time.

Christmas Break 2016

When you have a few weeks off of school, it's off to Grammie's house you go.

To snuggle.

And eat yummy snacks.

To watch movies.

And to do lots of reading.

Cause that's what this Grammie is good at. :)

Duluth Trip: Meeting Willow and Checking out Bentleyville

We loaded up the kids back on the first weekend of December and took a roadtrip up to Duluth.

We had a few reasons:

1. We had a new member of the family and we couldn't wait to meet her. Willow Noel was born November 23 and we couldn't wait to introduce ourselves. I also had the privilege of snapping a few newborn pics of the girlie and that was just way. too. fun. (I've forgotten how much I have missed using that creative side of myself)

2. So as not to be toooo overwhelming (we are a 3-ring circus at times) to a family who is just trying to find their new normal, we decided to get out of their hair and check out Bentleyville. It was a Saturday night at around 7:30 and we did NOT take this into consideration. There were so many people, you had to shuffle along like a herd of cattle. The weather was pretty chilly, but we dressed nice and warm...however the hot chocolate was a welcome sight to the kids. Well, that and the free cookies. :)

Lift Bridge all lit up 

Family Pic Take 1...hmmmm, missing Cora's face and I look completely weird. 

 Family Pic Take 2...Cora is missing all together...but at least my mouth is closed.

Family Pic Take 3....Whew...found Cora finally...sigh....sooooo blurry. 

Family Pic Take 4...Lost the dog-gone kid again. And Hattie is a blur.

There were about 5 more, but I'll spare you the torture.

Christmas Cookie Baking 2016

We. baked. entirely. too. many. cookies.

We still have tons of them.

It seemed like a lot about half way through baking them, but once finished it was a ridiculous amount.

The kids all had fun so I guess it was worth it.

Cookies that made the list this year:

Rolo Turtles
Lemon Cookies
Krumkake
Gingersnaps
Fudge
Spritz
Pretzel Rods dipped in chocolate and smothered with M&Ms.