Rain Rain Go Away

It was a rainy boring weekend here and Matt was off at a golf tournement, so the kids and I did a lot of hanging out. We (gasp) watched a lot of Elmo and Barney, ate a lot of junk and were generally pretty lazy. Adam did help with the laundry :) I did three loads of kids laundry Saturday and folded it all in peace while the kids were playing. After all that folding, I took a short break and came back to Adam throwing clothes everywhere. He was very intent on making sure they were dispursed throughout the room and no pile remained intact. Picture worthy for sure.

Since we were stuck inside and going stir crazy I did what any mother would do - I checked Craigslist for stuff. I found a good condition train table about 5 minutes from my house! They emailed me back quickly and we were off on a field trip to pick up our new train table. Since it was around 4pm I got the bright idea to also head to the McDonalds playland. This was not a good idea. After 2.5 minutes of playing, the tornado sirens started. We were ushered into the public bathroom with about 15 other folks to wait out the storm. 10 minutes later they let us out. We played for 5 more minutes before the sirens went off again and we were treated to another bathroom visit.After that - I called it done and carried my crew kicking and screaming out of the McDonalds.

Our train table has at least been a hit.

A princess party and baseball game.

We had a princess birthday party to go to this weekend. The girls got all dressed up and were so very cute. Hannah was heading straight to the baseball game with her dad. I think her choice of outfit is great! She was so excited for weeks and it was finally here.

The girls had an awesome time at the party. Layla found some nail polish and put it on her lips - very stylish.

They got their faces painted. Hannah chose a cardinal to support the team - even cuter than her outift alone.

Layla got a crown and loved it. She is a princess.

Then there was a magic show. Our girls were so into it. They played along and yelled out answers. It is easy to see they will not be shy people.

They ran and ran and ran after eating some lunch. Layla played swords with the boys.

Then the princess had to go home. We tried to get 12 people ages 5 and under to take a picture. Not easy or really possible.

But Spongebob was next to arrive for some picture taking. It was very sweet to see Hannah so excited. Layla said hi and then went back to playing.

Hannah and Dad had to take off to make it for first pitch. They were both very excited.

Layla was wiped out (it was well after nap time) and slept on the way home. She looked so peaceful and sweet.

Sunday we stayed home with our very overtired crew.

What's new?

Adam has started throwing what I would consider "2 year-old fits". This could mean we will end fit throwing sooner, or we are in big trouble. Layla is officially baboo free. She hasn't seen a paci since Saturday morning when they all disappeared. It was a rough couple of days, but is getting better. She also learned to "pump" on the swing. She is almost too good at it and gets going way too high. Very exciting stuff.

Our bubble machine got used outside for the first time. Big Big hit. Wow - these things are awesome.

We have new rubber swingset mulch. This should keep our playground area from becoming a swamp and it provides padding for falls. It is made out of recycled tires - very cool.

Hannah can write her lower case alphabet and read about 100 words so that is great. She has an actual graduation from preschool coming up. We are very excited.

All good new things.

Adam - 18 months

Adam had his 18 month visit this week. He was 35.5 inches tall (97%) and 26 lbs (60%). The doctor is so surprised at his height because the longer he stays in this %, the more likely he is going to be a very tall dude. We shall see. He was so sweet and relaxed during our 45 minute wait in the exam room, but screamed bloody murder as soon as the doctor walked in. Turns out he also had a raging ear infection (I had guess that based on his bad night before). Anyway - he kicked the Denver screening's butt again and is way ahead on his skills. He got 2 shots and we were on our way. He doesn't go back until he is two.

Adam is all about being outside these days. He is very coordinated and can climb and play as well as the girls. He falls down a lot, but rarely cries - he is very tough. He talks in one and two words mostly, but will surprise you with a sentence now and then. It is very cute. He no longer gets a nightime bottle, but it didn't seem to bother him at all. He is just a big boy!

Our Easter (in about 47,000 pictures. Hope you have time to hang.)

Saturday afternoon we colored the eggs. It was a semi-disaster as Layla is not capable of not touching the dye or the newly dyed eggs. We made it and our whopping 12 eggs were colored. That night we painted our colored eggs with sparkly egg paint. This brilliant idea was mine and sounded like fun, but it oh so was not really. The packaging said it should not stain skin and clothes to which I kindly reply "B.S. - like hell it doesn't".

So we were all stained and our eggs were beautiful. Layla's arms are still some shade of magenta today BTW.

Morning came and it was hunting time! Hannah loves a good hunt. Too bad we hid the same 30 eggs in the same place as last year. Her hunt was rather so-so.

Adam could smell the candy so he crapped out after one egg which he tried to eat for the next 5 minutes. Everyone found their baskets and were all happy with their candy breakfast.

After they came off their sugar high, we were all a bit cranky so we had some bubble time.

Everyone loves bubble time.

And then we started our daily wardrobe changes.

After naps, we headed to Grandma's for the big egg hunt. This was the best shot I could get of my three. Not awesome.

The girls will pose for me though.

Adam played a hearty game of open door/close door.

Layla posed by the big bunny who she is finally taller than.

Adam kept a safe distance. That bunny is kind of creepy.

Layla did ok during the hunt. She was helped along by Grandma, but really she just wanted a couple of eggs full of candy to enjoy.

Hannah and Sophia had a great time and scored about 60 eggs each. They always have a great time and this might have been the only time I saw Hannah while we were there.

Layla must have spotted a really cool egg :)

Adam didn't want anything to do with the egg hunt. He wanted to walk up and down this hill. So be it little man - you are in charge.

Here is Hannah with her very heavy sack of sugar and cavities.

And one more of the little man enjoying his freedom. And the single picture of a very tired mama before I took my crew home for dinner and tubs. Everyone was in a great mood after some food that wasn't chocolate covered or pure sugar. At 8:00pm they are all sound asleep and dreaming of a candy-filled tomorrow.

I am having a glass of wine. Hope your Easter was awesome.

Zoo

We decided to brave the crowds and head to the zoo yesterday with the kids. It was crazy crowded, but we arrived early and had a great visit. The kids got to ride the carousel twice, we saw some big cats, rode the train and walked through the Rivers Edge (elephants and such). Two hours and no fits - it was awesome. Everyone stayed awake on the way home, ate McDonalds for lunch and took long naps. It was a Good Friday.

We joined the zoo this year so we will be back often.....for two hours at a time.