Happy Easter

The Raadt family had a great Easter weekend and we hope that you did too. This was Kyle's weekend to work, but it did not stop the kids and I from having a fun weekend in Stewartville with Papa Jim and "Ce-Ce" and Papa Larry. Our daycare was closed on Good Friday, so my mom - aka "CeCe" came over to Winona and took care of the kids in the afternoon while Kyle and I worked. Following work, the kids and I took her out to our new favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Micah got a taco with french fries, and Macey loved the chips and salsa!

Micah must have been excited about all of the upcoming weekend activities, because he was early to rise on Saturday morning! Fortunately, he is now at the age where he's a little more self-sufficient and is able to quietly watch episodes of Daniel Tiger with a dry bowl of cereal on the couch, as 5:30 is a bit early for Mom and Dad. The kids and I drove back to Stewartville on Saturday morning, picked up Papa and CeCe, and headed into an Easter Egg Hunt in Rochester. Okay, it wasn't really a hunt - it was more like a big square of roped off grass with probably 1000 eggs scattered around the inside. Once the  "ready...set...go" was said, the "hunt" lasted a total of 6 minutes, and each of the kids came out with a basket full of eggs.

The kids also got to meet the Easter bunny. Micah was willing to give high fives, but Macey wasn't a big fan. Following lunch and naps, Micah, Papa and I took a trip into Rochester to look at big boy bikes. After test driving a few bikes, we found a wonderful "motorcycle" that Micah can grow into. Even better, Toys R Us had a great trade in sale and we were able to get rid of an old, broken trike for $30 off of the bike.

Following a trip to the park, we went up to Grandpa Larry's and had an awesome ham dinner that he made for us. Kyle drove back after work and was able to join us. The kids were exhausted and were quick to fall asleep on Saturday night. Kyle and I were able to go out for a few hours at night! Altogether, it was a great fun-filled Saturday.

Kyle had to go back to Winona on Sunday morning for work, and the kids and I went to church with Papa and CeCe. The Easter bunny did not make it to our house this year. To some that may sound cruel, but neither Kyle nor I were raised with getting gifts from the Easter bunny. Our emphasis is for Micah and Macey to associate the meaning of Easter with the death and resurrection of Jesus. We have no problems if the kids choose to believe in the Easter bunny, but we don't want them to have the expectation that the Easter bunny brings them gifts each year. Yes, Micah coincidentally received a bike on Easter, but he knows that it's from us.

Micah and I made "Resurrection Rolls" on Easter. They were fun to make, tasted great, and were a great way to teach a 3 year old about the Easter Story. The marshmallow represents Jesus' body, melted butter and cinnamon/sugar represent anointing the body, and the crescent roll as the tomb. When baked the marshmallow melts and the "tomb" is empty. Micah loved them!

We did some shopping Easter afternoon and grill out with my parents before the kids and I returned to Winona on Sunday evening.

Micah and his new bike/"motorcycle"

We hope that you had a great Easter. We are so thankful for our immediate and extended families!

15/16 month

Miss Macey has been doing a lot of growing since her last update in December. In 2 weeks she will turn 16 months, and every morning Kyle and I look at each other and say, "she grew overnight, didn't she?" As hard as it is to acknowledge, but our baby girl has turned into a busy, active toddler. I'm able to get a few cuddles in per day, but most of the time she is go, go, go.

• Macey had a 15 month appointment about 3 weeks ago. She is a healthy, growing little girl. Her weight is currently 25# (80%), height 32.25" (95%) and head circumference 19" (95%)
• She's currently wearing 12-18 month clothing, barely! I refuse to buy any winter clothes that are 18-24 months, so she looks more like a stuffed little sausage these days.  She has a bunch of 18-24 month outfits that she (or mom) is anxious for her to wear, but this darn winter weather needs to go away.
• Wearing size 4 diapers, and size 4-5 shoes.
• Loves to eat and is generally a really good little eater. Some of her recent favorites have been strawberries, grapes, cheese, carbs, broccoli/cauliflower/peas/carrots and anything sweet. She needs to be eating when you eat, otherwise she is like a little puppy dog begging for handouts.
• Adios bottles! Macey transitioned to a sippy cup around her 1 year birthday. I was giving her a bottle of formula or warm water before bed at night, but she quickly transitioned herself off of it.
• She has been consistently sleeping 10-11 hours a night and takes a nap in the afternoon that's 1-2 hours long.
• She likes her pacifier and calls it "Beee-a". Soon, we will stop giving it to her during the day and reserve it only for bed time.
• She is a motor maniac! She loves to run and climb. She can no longer be out in our dining room without close supervision as she loves to climb on the chairs and then up on the table. I don't know how many times we've found her standing on our dining room table clapping. She knows "sit down", but loves to still test her boundaries. She's getting better at going up and down the stairs. She's close to jumping.
• She is resilient! Micah love to 'rough-house' and Macey is often his partner.  She takes so many falls, tackles, and spills throughout the day, but gets up and keeps trucking along.
• She loves to read, especially books about animals or babies.
• Is starting to say a lot of words - "Mmm-ka" (Micah), Dada, Mama, all-done, baby, puppy, kitty, ducky, beep-beep for car, "wa" (water), "beee-a" (paci), and cookie. A few days ago we were leaving daycare, and we passed a friend named Lila who was also being picked up. The entire way home, Macey could be heard saying "Hi Lila". She continues to sign "more."
• Loves to dance - both kids do!
• Starting to have tantrums. This usually happens when we coming in from playing outside or when something is taken away from her - usually a chair. She'll throw herself on the floor, cry, kick and scream like her big brother. Once Kyle and I walk away and ignore them, she'll stop.
• She has a lot to look forward to over the next few months. This weekend is Easter, and we plan to go back to Stewartville to spend time with my family and Grandpa Larry. She'll be old enough to participate in an Easter egg hunt. Next week she transitions from the infant room down to the toddler room at daycare. We are excited to travel up to Ely in May for Kyle's cousins wedding. We're looking forward to warmer weather, more evenings at the park in our neighborhood, and a few trips up North this summer.

Here are a few pictures from the past few months

One of her first ponytail days

Winter fun at the LaCrosse Children's Museum

Wacky hair day at daycare

Mismatch day at school

Haha - what my kitchen drawers look like when Macey helps me unload the dishwasher!