Playing Tag

I was tagged by Abby, my cousin's wife - and here's how it goes. I have to name five things that I can't live without. Only the rules are that it can't be a person, it has to be something material that actually makes your life easier and it can't be something in general - it must be specific.

1. My gym clothes - even if I don't make it to yoga or pilates, they're very comfortable to wear! They make life easier by putting me in the fitness mindset and can double for an outfit if I choose not to change my clothes post workout.
2. My flip flops (sorry for copying, Abby - but I'm there with you!) - I have two pairs - one Nike that molds to my feet and a pair of Chaco's that have AWESOME arch support! I took my Nike's to Six Flags (the second trip that landed us in St. Louis) because they were so comfortable. These are very handy on gym days, I just slip 'em on and I'm out the door.
3. Puzzle Books - Sudoku or the Variety Puzzles...just give me a pencil and one of these and I'm entertained! They make life easier for me by feeding my brain and also works to calm my nerves.
4. My Soaps - General Hospital, General Hospital:Nightshift, Guiding Light, Days of Our Lives, and now All My Children (thanks go Gus & Harley leaving GL)...this is my escape from reality! Everyone's life is easier when they can escape briefly.
5. My scrapbooking supplies - even if I don't make/find the time to sit down to engage, I LOVE just looking at all my supplies! They make life easier by making plain albums seem AWESOME and creative when pages are completed

Now it's my turn to tag fellow bloggers...feel free to accept the challenge/invite or decline - no pressure! My chosen bloggers are Brooke, Annie, Amy, Gina, and Tiffany - good luck ladies!

Sweet Moments

Tonight I was watching "The Pacifier" while rocking Morgan. She's been really clingy lately so I finally put everything else aside and just sat and held her. It wasn't until she turned around, put her head on my chest, and fell right to sleep that I realized how precious this time is. I realized in that moment how much I missed just holding her. Sometimes I'm so "busy" that I forget she still needs to be held and cuddled, even if she isn't an infant anymore. It's amazing what side-tracks me now that she's no longer 100% dependent on me...guess it's a reality check to make sure she still gets some of my undivided attention. This was such a sweet moment.

Kolton finally did it!!

BEFORE

AFTER


Isn't he handsome? I know his daddy will be happy to know that mop is now tamed!!

Art Time

New Menu Item

Morgan is not a very good eater, in fact she rarely eats. She likes chocolate milk, pretzels, cookies, crackers (most varieties), and gummy fruit snacks...not much else. Today she shared a PB&J sandwich at the pool with her friend Emily and I was in shock - very impressed! I had tried feeding her those many times, but she always refused. So after her nap I had a PB&J sandwich waiting for her. When she saw it, she quickly grabbed it and started chomping away. As you can see, she ate quite a bit of the 1/2 sandwich I made. At this point, every bite counts - so I consider it a success. I read once that toddlers only need to eat about 1 Tablespoon of food per year in age at each meal - so if I can get 2 Tbsp down her...it's a major win!!! I've been supplementing a lot of Pediasure lately, so this might help us out. Not only are PB&J's easier on the budget, it will give her some added fat that she so desperately needs. She has finally hit 27 pounds and is about 36" tall. I just hope this phase lasts longer than most - she usually shows interest for a day or two and then no more. Tomorrow I may try cutting it into triangles or using cookie cutters to make other shapes - whatever it takes to keep her interested!!!

Books & Blanket

I caught her just a moment too late...she had been riding on her scooter with her blanket over her head - it was hilarious! Then she saw me pick up the camera and headed to the book shelves.

Multi-tasking!

Morgan has learned to brush her teeth while catching up on the latest news!!

Scooby Ride

I almost forgot to include these. They're somewhat blurry, but oh well! Morgan was so afraid that she'd get wet that she sat on my lap and I had to hold her ears for about 1/3 of the ride, until she realized she wasn't going to get wet. Then she wanted me to use the blaster gun to hit all the targets.


Kolton didn't want to ride, so he waited by the stroller.

Bev's expression is priceless!!

Trip Cut Short

We had planned on staying until Sunday so that we could visit the Zoo and the Arch, but unfortunately in the wee hours of Saturday morning a couple of people (out of the party of 8) got sick and we decided to all hit the road and head to our own homes. It was good to hook up with good friends, we enjoyed ourselves while it lasted.

I have to say that the kids did very well on our 7 hour drive, especially Morgan. Morgan is not the best traveler and can sometimes cry half the way to Birmingham to see my sister, which is only two hours away! She only fussed once on the way home and it only lasted 10-20 minutes! The boys were also very well behaved and LOTS of help. Kolton was my navigator on the way there, reading the directions off the Mapquest print-out, while Kaden was in charge of the cooler and passing around food and drinks.

Thunder River

This was the final ride, and it was only the twins. Bev, Alicia, Morgan, and I all sat at the shooters with our quarters ready to spray them. This is the ride that traumatized Morgan, but she was sure excited to push the button to spray Bubbies, Angelica, and Carlos!! It's not the clearest picture, but the boys seem to be thrilled about being sprayed!

Carousel and Hanging Out

Morgan wouldn't ride any rides for ME, but Bev scooped her up from the stroller and she did fine riding this! Way to go, Bev!


A storm rolled through and they had to shut down the rides for a few minutes...we saw a few rain drops and heard lots of thunder, but it didn't last long. So we took a nice break to just sit and enjoy the relief from the heat.

After naps

These aren't real clear, but it's the boys on the Log Flume.

Again, not clear, but it's Bev and her girls.

Here's Morgan watching them on the Log Flume, she had fun watching all the logs fall!

The attendant at the top of the Log Flume was fanning himself due to the heat, and Morgan thought he was waving at her! Too funny!

Mid-day

We headed back to the hotel for lunch and naps, here the girls are chummier.


While the little ones napped (and Kolton rested), Bev took the other three to Hurricane Harbor - the water park side of Six Flags. Kolton missed out, but his tummy wasn't feeling so well.

More Fun

The older kids came to the little people area and rode this ride - my boys are not really roller coaster fans. I'm hoping one day they will be. I suppose I should take comfort in the fact that they're not dare-devils!

Morgan does LOVE "Teedy Bud" so she did get close for this picture.

We attempted the Tidal Wave, but Morgan wouldn't ride...so I got to take Alicia a second time. Thank goodness one of the 2-year olds was a great sport, I needed that cooling down!

The kids aired out on the swings after riding the Tidal Wave a few times. The lines were amazingly short, so there was no more than a 10 minute wait on any of the rides.

Fun at the Forest

Alicia was the only brave one to ride - Morgan is still traumatized from the last Six Flags trip!

Six Flags, St. Louis

Once we entered, we split up. Bev took the bigger kids to find a couple of rides and I took the little girls to the playground (Bugs Bunny National Park). It was so hot, we were dripping with sweat within 10 minutes of entering!

Looney Toons Breakfast

As we were heading down for breakfast at the hotel, we noticed Sylvester. Alicia and Morgan were a bit afraid of the characters, so this was the best we could get. Morgan eventually started giving High-5's.

Me & Morgan, Sylvester, Alicia & Bev

Kolton, Carlos, Sylvester, Angelica & Kaden

Carlos, Daffy & Kaden

St. Louis Weekend

My friend, Bev, met us in St. Louis for a fun extended weekend. Her children are the same ages as mine! Alicia is 2 and Carlos & Angelica are 10 year old twins!

Hello hugs at the hotel...Morgan is hugging Alicia. Alicia is not too sure of Morgan yet at this point, but she did LOVE her shoes!


Kaden, Kolton & Carlos at the pool.

Alicia, Angelica, & Morgan at the pool.

The little girls getting ready for bed. It was a long day of traveling.

4th of July

The kids and I went down to the clubhouse for the annual fireworks display and met up with the neighbors - we've adopted each other as family.

Here's the kids before the show. Morgan was in her PJ's because I knew it would be too late when we got home to wrestle her down.

Morgan and Blakely were too cute not to take a picture of!

Kolton went and bought Morgan a pickle for 25 cents!! She sat on my lap during the entire show - frightened at first saying "HOLD ME, HOLD ME...I GO BYE-BYE", but warmed up to the fireworks.