Minnesota Barlows

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Winter Days!

Winter started out slow and warm. I wondered if it was just going to be one of those more mild years. Then the middle of January rolled in and with it came a very angry Father Winter. We have had days with -50 windchills, many snow storms, and 8 snow days...and it's only February. But life keeps going, and here's what we've been up to lately...

Prom pose!

Orthopedic Department annual holiday party.

Lots of skiing this year.

Kylie and Halle.

Brooks and Jon.

Twinning sisters!

Brooks' kindergarten classes performed The Gingerbread Man.

Kylie had her first piano performance.

She played "Joy to the World" at her piano teacher's church.

Quinn and Emme shopping at Target.

Baby Boy Barlow!

Due May 24th!

We went to Annie with the Camps and Yuans.

Our friend, Mark Morrey and his daughter, Shea, were the stars of the show!

The adult Barlows saw "Elf the Musical" at the Ordway.

We rode the Jolly Trolley around Rochester.

We sang Christmas carols at a nursing home in Rochester with friends.

This was a fun event organized by our friends, the Sviggums.

We saw the "real" Santa!

Barlow baking day!

Christmas at the Kings.

Quinn got a new car!

Brooks' favorite shirt of the season!

Merry Christmas 2018!

Matching Barlow cousins!

Kylie and Brooks' gingerbread houses.

We spend New Year's Eve alone.

Kylie and Quinn both had a stomach bug. :(

Meanwhile, Jon was at the Rose Bowl!

Go Buckeyes!

New bathrobes from G&G Barlow.

Sweet Quinn.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Brooks' reindeer creation.

Climber baby!

We went bowling with the Ortho Trauma Team and their families!

Ring around the rosey.

One of many snow days!

Quinn likes to mimic Kylie and Brooks.

One of her recent favorite activities is doing homework.

Happy Valentine's Day from our little loves!

Happy 6th Birthday, Brooksie Boy!

Sweet gifts from the Flores boys!

Opening gifts.

He got a razor scooter!

Cake!

Brooks had a combined birthday party with his best buddy, Bennett, at the sledding hill.

We had a perfect day of sledding, snacking, and eating cake!

Brooks is a sweet boy with a sensitive heart and a little bit of a silly side. He is coming out of his shell and is starting to be less anxious in new situations. He is kind, caring, loving and hard-working. He always puts in his best effort and we couldn't be more proud of him!

Here are some of his favorite things:

Favorite color: red

Favorite animal: monkey

Favorite TV show: "How to Train Your Dragon"

Favorite food: spaghetti and meatballs

Favorite toy: remote control car

Favorite lunch: pancakes

Favorite outfit: athletic clothes

Favorite snack: goldfish

Favorite song: "Gingerbread Man"

Favorite book: "Dick and Jane

Best friend: Bennett and Javier and Jose

Favorite holiday: Easter

Favorite season: winter

Favorite sport: wrestling and hockey

Favorite school subject: PE

Favorite thing to do outside: play with friends

Favorite thing to do at school: play with friends

What do you want to be when you grow up? wrestler and hockey player

Birthday dinner: Noodles (the restaurant)

Some more of his favorite things include...playing with Kylie and Quinn, building with legos, learning about animals/dinosaurs/aliens, watching TV shows, reading books, doing science experiments, hanging out with Jon, running, wrestling, hockey, soccer, skiing, exploring in the woods, playing in the snow, all kinds of fruits, peanut butter and nutella, exercising with Jon or me, and visiting his cousins!

A few things that he dislikes...new social situations, playing alone, being told no, admitting he was wrong, saying sorry, practicing things that are hard, picking up his toys, corn (he still has a true aversion), nightmares, wearing pajamas, swimming without goggles, and disappointing anyone.

As far as milestones go, Brooks has started reading this year. He can count into the several hundreds, do basic addition and subtraction, count coins, and is starting to tell time. He is almost completely self-sufficient and can brush his teeth, get dressed, put on all of his outerwear, make himself breakfast, pick up his toys, and get himself water. He seems to be fairly athletic. He likes to wrestle, and works hard to not get stuck on his back. He is a fast runner, and can ride a bike without training wheels. He likes hockey and has become a fairly proficient ice skater.

Brooks weighs around 45 pounds, and is about 47 inches tall (1 inch too short for many of the best rollercoasters). Brooks wears size small or 6 clothes, and size 12 shoes.

We are so blessed to be Brooks' mom and dad!

Happy 8th Birthday, Kylie Bean!

Happy 8th Birthday to Kylie Bean!

Baking Birthday Party with friends!

We decorated aprons, chef hats and mini cakes.

Opening gifts.

She got an Easy Bake Oven.

Celebrating Kylie and Brooks together at the Barlow's!

Kylie is sweet, loving, caring, and extremely hard-working. She is an amazing big sister and wonderful helper! She puts in her best effort in everything she tries, and is filled with joy in everything she does! We are truly blessed!

I asked Kylie about some of her favorite things again. Here are some of her answers:

Favorite color: blue

Favorite animal: cheetah

Favorite TV show: "How to Train Your Dragon"

Favorite movie: "Jungle Book"

Favorite food: corn other than candy

Favorite drink: apple juice

Favorite toy: Rebecca (AG)

Favorite lunch: french toast sticks at school

Favorite outfit: any comfy, athletic clothes

Favorite snack: oreos

Favorite song: "Dibs" by Kelsea Ballerini

Favorite book: "Sisters Grimm" or "Warriors"

Best friends: Annabelle, Halle, Emma, Maclaren, Grace, and Charlie

Favorite holiday: Easter
Favorite school subject: reading and writing

Favorite thing to do outside: play with Brooks

Favorite thing to do at school: play with friends after lunch

Favorite thing to take to bed with you: Hedwig

What do you want to be when you grow up? actress, ballerina, gymnast

What did you eat for dinner on your birthday? Chester's

A few other things she likes...Reading, writing, doing math, playing board games and card games, playing make believe games with friends, basketball, tennis, soccer, gymnastics, eating dessert (especially chocolate), making crafts, painting, riding the bike, going to the park, helping out around the house, and playing with her friends.

A few things that she dislikes...Saying good-bye to visitors, getting in trouble (which doesn't happen too often), brussels sprouts, raspberries, blackberries, and most melons, wearing jeans, and having her hair combed.

I'm trying to think of a few milestones over the past year. They are harder to track now that she's growing up. She is reading well and completely independently. According to her teacher, she is reading at a third to fourth grade level. She is trying to teach herself multiplication and division. It is fun to watch her learn and grow. It won't be long before I won't be of much help to her anymore!

As far as gross motor skills, she is working on becoming better at different skills through sports and activities. She is currently playing basketball, tennis and gymnastics. She will continue with tennis and start soccer again this spring. She is growing in her skill in all of those sports. We also have a family ski pass this year, and she has been enjoying downhill skiing. She started piano over the summer, and has made progress on that as well.

Kylie still likes her sleep (thank you Barlow genes), and sleeps from about 8:00pm-7:30am. She goes to school from 9:00am-3:35pm. She rides the bus home and generally gets home around 4:00pm. She eats well, and willingly tries most foods! She likes both school hot lunches and cold lunches from home. She has lost at least 8 teeth. They are all growing in, and it has become clear that she will definitely need braces someday! :)

She recently weighed in at 66 pounds, and she is about 55 inches (4'7") tall. She is wearing mostly size medium or 7-8 clothes, and size 2 in shoes.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Orlando Vacation #1

In October, we were lucky enough to tag along with Jon on a conference in Orlando, Florida. While we mostly hung out by the pool and enjoyed the warm sunshine, we did spend a day and a half at Disney. First, we went to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. We decided that is the way to do the Magic Kingdom. It was only in the evening, and they only let a certain number of guest in. The lines were short, and they gave out TONS of free candy! We also went to Epcot for a day. They were having their International Food and Wine Festival at the time. It was so fun to try all the different foods. It was definitely the favorite spot for the adults! :)