About Us

My photo
We are the Lein Family. Kyle is the Daddy, Jean is the Mama, Asher is our big boy, and Livie is our sweet baby girl. We love friends, family, food, and the playground. And of course, we love our minivan.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Leins in 2012


Create a gorgeous, high quality wedding photo album at Shutterfly.com.



I haven't been very good about updating the blog but here is a Year in Review photo book that I made.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Take Me Out to the T-ball Game!

Tonite was Ash's first t-ball game.  T-ball is a pretty big deal here in Evansville.  I think there are 8 teams for 4-5 year olds.  So the park was hopping, the bats were cracking, and the t-ballers were doing their best to learn the game.

First up, a little catch with Dad.

The Kelley Green team was first in the field and Ash was a bit bashful, so he needed Dad to stand with him for support.  He didn't do too much fielding as most hits turned into a race for the ball and at least half ended in a pile of green shirts on the ground.

Every child gets to hit and the last batter runs all the way home.  So after the last yellow batter, the Kelley Greens were up to bat.

Ash waited patiently for his turn and litttle Liv had to join him.  She wanted to play so badly!  She almost couldn't bear to sit by me on the sidelines.  So while the team was waiting to hit, Liv jumped in and was just like one of the boys!

Ash's first at bat was a little different than he's used to.  At home we have a plastic bat and during the game they use a metal bat, so he wasn't used to the weight.  He hit the tee many times, but after an adjustment from Dad, he hit a great one.  He started to run.....after the ball!  Dad grabbed the bat and redirect him and away he went - super fast - to first base.  While he waited for the next little boy to hit, he regaled the first base coach (a grown up) with a tale from the t-ball field in our backyard.

The next little boy hit a line drive right between first and second bases so, on his way to second, Ash just scooped up the ball and kept on running.  I'm not sure anyone but me even noticed!  He stopped at second and the coach came to retrieve the ball.

Second to third went pretty well.  I was sitting just off the third base line so when he got to third base, we had a little chat.  He said, "Hey mom! I saw a helicopter!"  So much for having his head in the game!  ;)

The next stop was home and once there, he didn't really know what to do.  So he just stood there.  For a reeaaaaalllllyyyyy long time.  Once again Dad jumped in with the redirect and he was on his way.

The second inning found the Kelley Greens with a new game plan.  Instead of everyman for himself (and the ball) now they had to take turns fielding.  So rather than space them out around the field, they just stood in a line and the first person in line, got to retrieve the ball.  This worked awesome!  Everyone got a turn and no one got tackled!



So all in all it was an awesome night.  It was warm but breezy and the whole town was out for the games.  All of us Lein's are looking forward to the next one!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Rainy Day Sunshine



This kept us busy for an hour on a rainy day.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Boy


I went in to Ash's room the other day to put something away and this is what I found. He had made his bed and tucked in Brown Puppy all nice and snug. He doesn't care much about the living room, but he always wants his room to be nice and neat. He doesn't want "the girls" playing in there because they will make a big mess. Last time they made a "big mess" his blanket was part way off the bed and one toy was on the floor! Yikes!

A couple of times the living room has stayed clean all day because we were out and about or because we played downstairs. When this happens, Ash will say "Aren't we having a clean day Mommy?!"

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Conversations With Asher

9:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Here are a few things Ash has said already this morning.

Dora: Happy, happy birthday!
Asher: Thank you (in a quiet, appreciative voice)
Dora: Happy, happy birthday!
Asher: Thank you

Firetruck: Never play with matches.
Asher: Yes I WILL play with magnets! (indignant at the thought of being told not to!)

Asher: Mom, you did a great job putting this train set together! (sincere and innocent)

Asher: When do you think this frog will stop going in my mouth? (I believe he was referring to the frog in his throat.)

Monday, October 10, 2011

From the Pool to the Pumpkin Patch

All in one day! Such beautiful weather we've been having here in Wisconsin!
***Asher finds kitties wherever we go. I don't know if we'll be able to get away without having one in the next 15 years.***

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Royal Family

Today Asher has started saying "Thank you, Queen Mama" every time I do something for him. He says it with the sweetest little voice, without even a hint of sarcasm. I have to admit, I kinda like it!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Mary Jane Watson

Liv had a brush with Spiderman today. He showed up on the playground and Liv couldn't contain herself. He brushed past her a couple of times and she giggled excitedly! Then she started following him everywhere he went. He was very agile and climbed around just as you imagine Spiderman would. At first I thought Liv was in love at first sight. But on second thought, knowing my courageous and daring baby girl, I think she might want to BE Spiderman!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Happy Birthday Kiki!

Happy Birthday Kiki! We love you and can't wait for you to visit!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Roseola and the Playground

Sweet Liv has Roseola. She looks pretty rough but feels just fine. Pictures don't do the rash justice, but I'll share one anyway. For those who don't know, Roseola is a high temp for 3 days and then a rash that lasts 1-2 days. Kids with it feel fine and aren't contagious once the rash breaks out. We are keeping a low profile though, cuz if I saw a kid at storytime that had a rash all over their face the way Livie does, I'd be running for the door! Her meds didn't take away her double ear infection so she's on a stronger drug now for the next 9 days.

Today is the first real summer day - hot and sunny. We've been outside most of the morning, planting flowers and enjoying the playground. Both kids were peaches and kept their hats on the whole time!

Liv is going to be our dare devil! Ash has never liked the swings, but Liv loves them. Ash tried the bouncy teeter-totter today for literally one second, got scared, and wanted off. Liv would've ridden on it, higher and higher, all afternoon!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Enough for One Day

After an intense day, Ash crashed hard for his nap. Unfortunately his pull-up was not up to the task and he woke up after 40 minutes or so, soaked. He wasn't going back to sleep after changing his clothes and he was an emotional wreck from being tired and waking up like that. So we decided to give it a rest for the day and start fresh again tomorrow.

Success!

After a third accident we were about ready to throw in the towel. I was going to put Asher down for a nap and get Evansville's resident expert on the phone for advice. We gave it one last try before naptime and it was worth it!

It had been two hours and many gulps of lemonade since the last accident so I knew it was going to happen any minute. He sat on the little potty great for a few minutes, but then he started getting scared and tearful. He knew it was coming and it was weird and new for him. I felt so bad making him stay seated even though he was crying a bit. But then he did the sweetest thing. He started singing to himself to make himself feel better. He sang "My God is so big!" and that seemed to put him at ease. I started singing too and then tried to tickle the tinkle out of him. But that didn't work. It was getting really late so I told him it was time for a nap and we needed to put on a pull-up.

I left the bathroom to get the pull-up, then heard him yelling "look what I did, look what I did!!!" Sure enough he peed in the potty and he couldn't have been prouder! And neither could his Mama!

Boot Camp

Well, the big day has finally arrived. We started Potty Training Boot Camp at O700 hours this morning. The day started with a game of pretend with Ash's big floppy puppy. We put big kid underpants on him, gave him a drink, and took him through the potty process. Right off the bat Ash was excited and wanted to try. So we picked out some Thomas undies and went to sit on the potty. The seat was cold though, and Ash was not happy about that. He jumped off in a hurry, but we were able to get him to sit longer on his subsequent trips to the bathroom.

So far Ash has kept a good attitude. He's enjoying his salty snacks and lemonade, and is excited about the m&ms he gets when he has dry undies. But, of course, our regular little boy who does a number 2 right after breakfast every day, has not had to go yet. And, our little boy who seems to hold water like a camel, has already had two accidents. He has sat on the potty about 8 times now, with no luck.

I'm already ready to be done with this. But we will press on! Seeing his cute little butt in big boy undies is worth the effort. =) (I would've posted pics but the new computer is not cooperating)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Cabin Fever

We were bored. The kids were restless. We needed something new and fun. This is what we came up with.

Ash is closing his eyes to avoid looking at the camera. If you're wondering why you don't see more pics of him it's because they are almost impossible to get!