A Yellow St. Patrick's Day

Today the kids and I took our annual trip to the Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival. It was a very pleasant day, even though I am disappointed in the pictures- 90 photos and these were the best I could get!

We enjoyed a picnic lunch of butterfly shaped sandwiches under the big tree.
.......... This picnic blanket was the only way Ruby would sit down. She was a total diva and refused to sit on the grass to have her picture made.

This sums up Trip's cooperation for having his picture taken today. I also have a couple of pics with a finger up his nose. He's definitely becoming a true 2 yr. old boy.

We ended our day with a 1st time trip to the new Maggie Moo's. Ruby picked strawberry with white chocolate chips and Trip had banana (it was real banana not the fakey stuff) with marshmallows which was yum. I had red velvet with brownies that was absolutely sinful!............ and to make our already great day even better, Rex just called at 4:20 to say he was on his way home! Rexy home before 6:30- WOW!!

St. Patty's Party

Saturday night our Crosswalk Sunday morning class came over for a St. Patrick's Day party and we had THE BEST time! Thank you everyone for the yummy food, great laughs, and just overall fun evening. We'll definitely do it again next year.... ladies, we have a year to be thinking about our limericks!(each of the guys wrote a limerick about his wife and it was too funny.)

St. Patty's Party

The Zoo..........again

Ruby often asked to have her picture taken at random moments. Here, she wanted me to take a picture of her and Trip in the van. Trip wasn't really into that idea. I look forward to the day that they'll cooperate for photos at the same moment.

The lorikeets were out and about today and Bauer especially gotta a kick out of 'em. He giggled and giggled...... he didn't get his love of birds from Somer, though. =)

Preschool MANIA!!!

This morning I got up at 1 A.M. to get in line at 2nd Pres. for fall preschool registration which began at 5 a.m. When Kristen and I arrived around 1:35 this is what we found. Too funny!! The guy in the sleeping bag had been there since 5 p.m.!! We got there just in time because the line quickly began to grow right after we arrived. Kristen and I were #'s 7 & 8 on a list of about 50 but it was worth it. We got we wanted- the last 2 spots in the 4 yr. old class for Samuel and Ruby and the last spot in the 2 yr. old class for Trip! (If they didn't get in today they would have been put on the waiting list and probably would've gotten in later. It's just nice to know and not have to worry about it) Yippee!! ............ By the way, we didn't have to sit in the cold for 3 1/2 hours. Everyone just took a chair to hold their spot and then got back in their cars until it got close to 5.............. Now, I just have to get kindergarten figured out.

Gymnastics Play Date

Friday morning we went to the Maumelle Mommy & Me gymnastics play date. I thought Trip would particularly enjoy this since he's always watching Ruby have fun from afar and has never had a chance to check out the equipment for himself. As you can see, he loved it and was constantly on the move. This will definitely be a new monthly outing for us.

Ms. Independent

While I worked last Saturday, Ruby went into "cleaning mode." Rex said that she immaculately cleaned her room and the playroom (without being asked) and then she asked Rex if he was going to pick up his stuff. He told her "later" (no surprise there), so Ruby went on made up our bed. Then, on Sunday morning, before I even knew she was awake, I found Ruby who declared "I'm already dressed and ready for Bible class." Niiiiiiiice outfit! Fortunately it was really cold so she didn't mind putting a shirt on underneath that corduroy jumper and some tights instead of the hot pink socks. Way to be a big girl, Rubes!

Welcome, Baby Adyson

On Feb. 20th our friends and neighbors, the Brzezinski's, welcomed baby #3- a little girl named Adyson. She's sooooooo sweet and beautiful and to her mother's delight, a super laidback & go-with-the-flow baby. Welcome to the neighborhood, Adyson!

Valentines 2009

The Valentine "Fairy" brought each of the kids a balloon, kite, paint with water book, and a box of chocolates.

Getting to have 1 piece of chocolate for breakfast.

We went to the Maumelle Mommy and Me Valentine party and Ruby colored a picture with special markers that was turned into a plate. I explained to Ruby that she needed to make her picture extra special because it would be turned into a plate for her to eat on that we would keep forever. She still insisted that her Valentine plate needed a huge tomato with a butterfly on top. I was a little sad to pay $6 for this but it will be fun to have to remember this stage in years to come.

Trip Counts (for grandparents only)

This video is 4 minutes long so it's probably a little boring to most. This afternoon I discovered that Trip can count better than I realized. We just recently started working on 1,2,3 but today I overheard him trying to count his toy green beans. So cute!!

Be My Valentine

Check out that concentration. She focuses with her tongue like me.

Tonight Ruby signed Valentines from her and Trip for their friends at MDO tomorrow. It's endearing how excited kids get over a 4 in. piece of cardstock with a picture of one of their fave characters on it. i.e. Barbie and Thomas. Maybe I'll send my friends a Valentine with a picture of my favorite characters. Well, I guess my favorite characters would be Ruby and Trip........ and Rex! That's it!! I'm going to send a Valentine to everyone with a picture of Rex! Hee Hee. That would be GREAT!!

The Helpful Sister

Ruby "helps" Trip with his butterscotch pudding. What a "helpful" big sister!

Canaan & Macy

Yesterday afternoon, Amy called and asked if Canaan and Macy could hang with us today because her babysitter fell through. The rainy weather made for a perfect day for staying inside and catching up with old friends. At first, Ruby and Canaan had a tough time finding something to play that interested both of them. Ruby wanted to play house or Barbies and Canaan wanted to shoot baskets or play catch with the baseball. Finally, I remembered that Trip had a knight costume (thanks YaYa) and they played castle the rest of the afternoon. Canaan, You're supposed to save the princess not slay her!! =)

Rex the Pony

Friday was one of those nights when we just couldn't seem to get the kids moving to get ready for bed. Daddy offered a ride to the bathroom and suddenly getting their teeth brushed didn't sound so bad. Unfortunately, the pony ran out of steam just shy of the destination but the 20 ft. ride was still fun. Thanks, Daddy!

The Day's and the Dr.

Friday, we were just about to leave to meet the Day's at the zoo when Trip awoke from his nap with a 101.6 temp. and crying, "my ear! my ear!" which, thankfully, made it clear what the problem was. Somer and I hated to disappoint the girls by telling them at the last minute that they wouldn't be seeing each other so Som was kind enough to let Ruby tag along with them while I toted Trippy to the dr. As expected, both of Trip's ears were infected but, thanks to Somer, Vivian, and Bauer, the beautiful afternoon wasn't lost. As always, Ruby had a blast with Vivian. Thanks you so much, Sommy!!

Super Bowl XLIII Picnic

After a hectic weekend we decided to pass on the Crosswalk Super Bowl Party and have a quiet family party at home. I made up a tray of some kid-friendly junk food items and we had a picnic in front of the TV in the living room. We had chicken fries, pizza rolls, mozzarella sticks, Cheetohs and I threw in some grapes to keep from feeling completely guilty for giving my family junk. The kids even got the sugary Kool-Aid drinks that Ruby has often asked for when she spots them at the grocery store. Then we had Dibs (ice cream bites) for dessert. It was a really nice evening so we might make this a new family tradition. Back to the veggies tonight!

A Vivian Visit

Thursday after MDO we picked up Vivian and she spent the night and played with us on Friday. The girls were both soooooo excited they could hardly contain themselves! I just loved the sound of constant giggling in the house........ Vivian is crimping Ruby's hair. Check out those scrunchies! How do 3 yr. olds do the 80's so well?

All 3 kids slept together in Ruby's room. Luckily they had worn themselves out and went to sleep without much fuss.

The night was such a success that we've decided to make it a monthly event. Thanks Vivian for such a fun time! We love you!