Because even Superheroes call their grandmas

Today started out with a fantastic thunderstorm and because they have recently decided that storms are scarey, today we played superhero while we waited out the storm. Bub is much more sensitive to those types of things, Bug was never scared until he was, he constantly says "Thunder scary! Mommy save Bubba".

After zooming around, Bub got the toy phone and said, "Hello! Grandma?? I Super Grover!! ZOOM!" Love my two superheroes.

Grandpa Jim came to town

We had such a great few days with Grandpa Jim as he came to visit. Bug and Bub were so excited that Grandpa Jim was coming, and squealed with delight when he got here. We had a lot of fun going to the children's museum and the Miller outdoor theatre to see a children's theater presentation of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Bug did great, Bub lost interest after about 15 minutes ... ). They sure do love their grandpa though and were very sad to see him go. Later!! See you soon (as Bub would say).

$70 roll of tape and Frozen on Ice

April 17, 2015

Today we went to Target for packing tape to mail a box for AJ and of course left with over $70 of randomness. I swear that place is a black hole for money. The kiddos did come out with some pretty sweet shades though. Bug was so excited to find Frozen sunglasses and I was just glad to get Bub a pair that were not pink or polka dot.

We took the kids also to Frozen on Ice today. AJ got us pretty awesome seats on the first day tickets went for sale and was able to take the afternoon off to go see the show as a family. It was so fun to see how excited they got when all the characters came out. Bub was obsessed with the Nemo and Dori skaters and kept saying goodbye to them, even when we were far out in the parking lot. Bug of course loved it and sat attentive for the entire show. Bub did really well all things considered, though he did of course try to lick the ground and other gross things. All boy that one. There are sadly no pictures to document, but there was a happy little Olaf and Elsa who very much enjoyed the show!

School

The kids go to a mother's day out "school" two days a week. It is a nice break for me to be able to get errands done and a wonderful opportunity for them to interact with other kids in a semi-learning environment. This MDO is set up such that all the extra activities (lunch, naps, general play time) are combined with all the classes. This means Pumpkin can keep a close eye on baby brother. Her teachers always tell me how loving and amazing she is with him, making sure he doesn't go down the slides if they are hot, finding the toys he likes, and over all just mothering him. She still is a bit sad when she is dropped off, but there are no tears, and she no longer holds her blankie all morning. I am so happy we found a place so close with such loving teachers that is set up in a way that helps Pumpkin to feel safe and more in control.

Bub recently has decided he isn't a fan of MDO and screams... a lot .... when he is dropped off. Thankfully he only has a fit for a few minutes and then plays happily all day. His teachers always comment on how he is such a good eater and very smart and good at puzzles and communicating. My tubby little genius :)

What do you mean I can't sweep anymore!

Little Ballerina

April 14, 2015

Bug is really starting to enjoy her dance classes and has started practicing for her recital next month. She likes to inform everyone she talks to about her class than she is having a recital so her grandma can come visit her. I love that she is starting to come out of her shell a bit each day and that she is learning to follow instructions and dance with all her "friends".

Happy Sibling Day

April 10, 2015

I have been so fortunate to have 3 siblings that I not only love because we are related, but that I actually enjoy being real friends with. The older we've gotten, the more blessed I feel. I so wish we all lived close together, but cherish the times we do get to spend together.

It is so fun and special for me to watch as these two grow up and show each other so much love and support. Bug is so helpful and truly loves her little brother. Bub idolizes her and tries to do and say everything she does. They've started to really enjoy playing with each other and while of course they fight, the happy times more than make up for the bickering. I am so excited to see how they become even closer the older they get and continue to love and support one another.

Duck lips. His latest, I am over this face. 

Hurray for warmer weather

April 8, 2015 

We had such a cold winter (for Houston anyway), and it's seemed to drag on forever! Thankfully, the heat is starting to return. I know I will be hating the humidity come July and August, but for now I am just happy to be able to get out of the house.

Somebody wasn't having it.

Good weather means lots of park time again. Specifically after / during Pumpkin's ballet class. Bug is obsessed with the big kid swings, and is somewhat learning how to pump herself. She mostly just wants to be pushed though :). Bub is a crazy little guy, very aggressive and I have to make sure he doesn't hit / push / punch / scream at any poor soul who accidentally gets in his way. Oy. Hopefully this phase is short lived.

You sit here mama.

Bug is such a little momma and loves to teach and help her brother. She was so sweet with him and her scooter.

An eventful Saturday

This past Saturday was very eventful to say the least. We started out with a trip to Memorial Park (or the Green Park, as Pumpkin likes to call it). Both kids love this park, and when I have an extra set of hands (in this case AJ) it makes keeping track of them both much less stressful since it's pretty big and has no fences to keep Bubba in :)

After the park, we stopped by River Oaks donuts for the obligatory Saturday Donut run. Bug nearly died of excitement as they had a purple donut. Seriously, she screamed in joy. All the workers laughed at her enthusiasm. I anticipate her requesting to go there from now on lol.

After a quick stop off at Costco and Honey Baked to get food for Easter dinner, we returned home to listen to conference and enjoy a picnic on the back patio. 

For the past few weeks AJ has been researching minivans. Not because our family is growing anytime soon, but because our current brood makes it so we can't take anyone with us if we currently go anywhere (poor Brianne was smooshed in the back to Galveston last week and I'm sure her hip went numb!). During the kids nap time, AJ pumped his search up a notch and before I knew it he had negotiated a new minivan and trade in for my CR-V. As soon as the kids were awake we schlepped them down the 45 minutes or so to the middle of nowhere to save a few thousand dollars and after 3 hours of waiting for the slowest sales team, we had a new van, had traded in our old car and were off to dinner. 

He woke up early from his nap in such a good mood so we were playing outside while we waited for AJ to get back so we could go pick up the new car.

He saw a plane. He loves planes so much.

He is obsessed with cookie monster. Here he is saying "Cookie!! Om nom nom!!"

To help pass the time, we let him sit in the drivers seat and 'drive' this has proved to be a huge pain however, as now every time we get in the car he throws a huge fit when i won't let him drive.

This is the face of a kid who just waited 3 hours mostly patiently for the sales people to get there act together and finally take our money so we could leave.

So far I like the extra space and the potential for taking people with me on little road trips. Bug is in love with the car and has been telling all sorts of random strangers about our new car and every time we get in she gets all happy and says, "I'm so glad we got this new car. It is so wonderful." She particularly loves the fact that she can shut her door on her own by simply pulling the lever (she will tell you all about it).