St George

Andy’s grandmother passed away last week so we braved the scorching heat so we could attend the funeral.  Unfortunately, it was not the happiest of reasons for a visit, but we know she is in a better place now and is without suffering and pain.  Fortunately, we were able to spend an extra few days down there instead of our usual quick weekend trip.  The girls did pretty good during the funeral, especially considering it was during nap time.  We explained to Abby that great grandma’s body was still here on earth and her spirit was in heaven with Jesus.  At the viewing she wanted to get up close to see great grandma; I guess she wanted to check things out and make sure it was how we explained it.  The rest of the day Abby proceeded to tell everyone that great grandma was dead.  After a long, hot day we let them release come energy at the luncheon.  They were in heaven running back and forth in the gym, even Grace tried to keep up with all the other kids.  Abby is always trying to do a funny face now and I couldn’t pass up this picture!

Since I am not a person who enjoys the scorching heat, Andy keeps telling me you just stay inside with the air conditioning on.  That’s great if you don’t have little kids getting restless from being inside all day so one morning we took the girls to the park before it became too unbearable outside.  Abby loves the slide especially when there is someone to race.  Grace discovered wood chips!

Abby also got some one on one time with mom and dad while Grace took a nap.  We took her to see Toy Story 3, cute movie.  We were warned that a couple of other kids have been scared by the monkey in it, but it didn’t seem to phase Abby; instead she was more worried about the fire almost burning up the toys.  She is always thinking about others and wants to make sure everyone is ok.

It’s always fun to watch the girls interact with their cousins.  Grace is interacting more and more too.  We went to the splash pad one night after it cooled down a little.  They were in heaven playing in the water and can’t wait to go back.

***Special News Report***

We interrupt your internet surfing to bring you this late breaking news.  Much to her parents relief, it has been reported that Abigail is now certifiably potty trained!  When asked what it took to finally get her to use the potty every time they replied a miracle.  Like all parents out there they tried everything anyone suggested…treats, bribes, prizes, stickers, you name it they did it.  They even went so far as to putting a bike on the line.  When the potty chart and bike prize looked as though it was going to go down the toilet with all the other attempts her parents were at a loss.  They said, “a bike is the one thing she has been asking for.”

Then the unthinkable happened.  By mere chance, the preschool this strong-willed, three year old will go to happens to be by her babysitter’s house.  By what seems like divine intervention, her mother waited to drop off the registration form until Abby could go with, hoping it would help get her excited about going to school.  It worked, Abby was excited about school, but soon learned she wouldn’t be able to go if she didn’t learn to go potty on the toilet.  This made her sad.  Out of her sadness rose an unbreakable resolve.  The next day Abby went poo poo on the potty and has gone on the potty ever since!  She was so excited and thrilled that now she can go to preschool.  It still took her two weeks to show her mommy and daddy she was serious about it and to earn her bike, but earn it she did!  A princess bike she picked out all by herself.  When asked what advice they would give to other parents trying to potty train they said unfortunately it is up to the child.  It will happen when the kid wants it to happen, but you can definitely facilitate it.  The trick is to find the one thing that motivates them enough…even if that is the idea of not being able to go to preschool!

Summer Time Week In Review

I can’t believe a solid month of summer has already passed.  It seems to go by even faster when every day is full of different summer activities on top of the normal routine stuff.  In the past week on top of me working a little extra and Andy’s side projects, we were able to cram in a lot of things.  One evening we went up the canyon with some friends to have dinner.  You can’t have a campfire without ’smores.  Abby had to hold both sticks at the same time and didn’t seem to care that she caught both marshmallows on fire.  In the excitement of preparing to go Abby informed me that once we climb all the way up the mountain she would tell me, “phew, I’m tired”.  The things she comes up with make me laugh.  Lately, she dictates our conversations and lets me know exactly what I have to say; if I happen to say it differently we have to start all over.  She also has taken to tell me what she is going to say once something happens–long before it happens, like the canyon incident.

We also went to the zoo.  Good thing we bought a pass this year because Abby has already learned where the zoo is and informs us this is the way to the zoo anytime we are driving in the vicinity of it.  We usually have a good time and she always loves to see the elephants, tigers, and the water world globe.  This time around she was a little sad that she spilled all of her goldfish on the ground while watching the baby elephant.  The 10 second rule might be just fine at home, but there isn’t even a 1 second rule at the zoo.  I thought the picture was too funny not to post.  Both girls were delighted to ride the “circus” (carousel).  Thankfully, Grace loved it and Abby wasn’t afraid of it this time.

We had another picnic at the park–this time with Andy.  He was a good sport about it too because I wanted to ride the bikes, but he didn’t.  He was a little  sore because he rode some trails that morning with friends up the canyon.  The girls would live at the park if I would let them.

How can you let a day of summer pass without a summer treat?  One of our favorites is bob’s.  How convenient that Bob’s Brainfreeze is right in our neighborhood!

Thankfully, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is the girls always love spending time reading.  It’s a nice activity to do in the comfort of air conditioning when it is too hot to enjoy things outside.  Grace has even taken to doing it on her own and has the special talent of being able to read upside down.

Two For One

It’s a two for one celebration at our house today, on top of it being father’s day it is Andy’s birthday.  31 and still going strong!  The girls love having a daddy who plays with them and I love having a husband who helps out.  Thanks for working hard, playing hard, and humoring me when I think know I am being hilarious!  We love you!

One Year Already!

I can’t believe Grace is already one.  It feels like it went faster than with Abby.  Everyone says it just gets faster with every child.  I can’t imagine what that must feel like because this last year flew by. She is staying steady with her stats at her well child check-ups, still going strong in the 90% and 95% for height and weight.  She measured 31 inches tall, 23.12 pounds and 46 cm head circumference.  I can’t believe how much she is growing.  Even though she is still my chunky monkey she is starting to thin out.  She is loosing the baby look more and more.  She has a mouth full of teeth and is getting even more.  She loves to stand up on her own and walk holding our hand.  She has ventured to take a few steps on her own, but still likes to get down and crawls when she really wants to get somewhere.  She loves watching and playing with Abby.  She also loves to be in whatever room we are in.  She has also become a little mimic and tries to copy what she sees.  She has taken to making this scrunchy face that I love.  She will look up and scrunch her face.  She still is content and happy most of the time, but has learned to make a lot of noise when she isn’t.  She usually wants to move all over the place, but will hold still if I read to her.  She loves books.  She and Abby can sit on the floor looking at books for hours.

To celebrate her birthday we let her demolish her birthday cake–a giant cupcake.  At first she was not happy, she just cried for a good five minutes.  I think it was because she tried to grab the candle and got the flame instead.  After a good cry and Abby showing her how it’s done she really got into it.

Not happy about this!

Abby helping her to get started by digging in herself.  Not to be shown up on her own birthday, Grace goes for it and even gets her feet involved!

Really digging in now!

“Now that was fun!”

After a bath to clean up we let her open presents.  She loved the paper and Abby loved opening them for her.

To end her birthday celebration on Saturday we turned her car seat around and took the girls to the zoo.  I think she loved facing forward more than we were happy to finally have her facing forward.  She couldn’t stop smiling on the way to the zoo.  We bought a year pass and were able to go in before it opened to the public.  It was a lot of fun.  It was nice to be there before it got too crowded and hot.  Plus, we were there when the animals were really active.  If you ever want to join us let me know, the girls love going there and we can get a guest in on our pass.

We’re a bunch of monkeys around here!

Wheeler Farm

The schools in our area are on a traditional schedule so the all neighborhood kids relish in a long summer break.  To my good fortune, there happens to be a mom who has it together and organized a weekly outing for everyone to participate in.  It’s really nice for me to break up our week and get together with other moms.  I have my hands full with my two girls and apparently other moms do too since we weren’t the only ones to show.  Thanks Angie for putting things together!

Before we got there Abby asked me the name of the park (I kept telling her we were going to the park) so when I told her wheeler farm she asked if there were animals there.  I told her I thought so, but wasn’t sure.  She proceeded to tell me she would ask the cowboy.  Lately, she has taken to asking anyone who works where we happen to be where things are.  At least she remembers her manners and says “Excuse me, where is…?”  She never found the cowboy to ask, but regardless found the animals.

Welcome To The Real World

This week my oldest nephew (and niece for that matter) graduated high school.  I can distinctively remember when he was born.  I was in middle school.  It seems like ages ago, yet I can’t believe he is old enough to graduate!  Congratulations Tyler, we love you!

Family Road Trip: Part Four

The final destination on our adventure was Grass Valley, CA…the place of Andy’s origin.  I hear my in-laws talk about this place often saying how great and beautiful it is; not that I doubted them, but from the way Andy talked about it I wondered a little.  The way Andy described this place was in terms of his house and his best friend’s house.  I can’t really blame him he was just a kid, but from his description all I could picture was two houses along a long dirt road separated by a chain linked fence.  Nothing to rave about it my book…but then I saw pictures on my sister-in-laws blog.  I couldn’t believe Andy hadn’t taken me there sooner so I told him we are adding Grass Valley to our road trip.  I am so glad too!  What a gorgeous place, my in-laws certainly were not exaggerating.

We stayed in a place that offered personal cabins.  It was awesome!  We loved it.  It could use a little cosmetic updating, but it was a blast.  We will definitely stay there next time.  There is even a waterfall on the property.  While we were there Andy’s only request was to see his best friend’s family and eat some pasties…check.  We also had a ride on John’s UTV, saw places from Andy’s childhood (like the barber shop where he always got his hair cut), Abby photographed some wildlife (her leopard), and we happened to be there during the Tour of California race.  What a great ending to our crazy adventure!

Family Road Trip: Part Three

The third pit stop on our road trip was Monterey Bay.  We spent most of our time at the aquarium which was awesome.   Abby was excited to touch the starfish and I was excited to touch the sting ray.  Andy reminisced about his 6th grade field trip and Grace loved all the action around her.  We missed the otter show, but were able to see the fish feeding.  That guy must love his job, diving down to feed fish–really feed fish and not just sprinkle flakes on top of the water.  Besides exploring the aquarium, we walked down cannery row.  Before we ventured on our road trip a friend recommend I read Cannery Row by John Steinbeck.  It was pretty fun walking down cannery row and seeing the places that inspired the book.  Thanks for the recommendation Callie!

Family Road Trip: Part Two

Our second stop was the bay area.  We stayed with some friends for a few days in Pleasanton.  It’s this quaint town outside of San Fransisco.  I loved it.  It was really nice to have a place to stay and our own personal tour guide.  Thanks Stacie and JJ!

Really it wouldn’t matter how much time you have, you never have enough time to do everything, but there were a few musts while we were there.  Andy wanted to see a Giants game.  That was fun and the stadium is awesome.  We had great seats–behind home plate and high enough to see everything.  How can you go to San Fransisco without going to fisherman’s wharf and pier 39 to eat sourdough bread?  And how can you go to pier 39 without stopping by Ghirardelli Square?  It’s a toss up which one I enjoyed more.  Since it’s a big city everything is packed in and there is no room to go out so the only option is to go up.  This creates some awesome architecture and some pretty fabulous houses.  Lombardi street was fun to drive down and the view was incredible.  The street performers were entertaining, but not as entertaining as watching your husband and 3 year old dance together to some random band.  And we even found time to play at a playground.

We also went to Muir Woods.  What a great place to go to if you live in the city and can’t get away.  As we walked through it it seemed so unreal that the city was right there.  It was beautiful and so peaceful.  Nature has such a calming effect about it.  We also took time to go to the jelly belly factory…and yes we walked out of there with a BIG bag of belly flops.