Water Babies

Hot August days call for cool water fun! Today the girls and I went on a wild adventure to the local water park. I decided that I was going to be brave and take them there without any additional help. Thankfully, the girls were extremely cooperative and we enjoyed another great summer day.

Lily was the first to spot the turtle and enjoyed taking a ride on it's back.

Sophia preferred the lily pad

Sophia took some time to people watch, which never gets old when you are at a water park in Arkansas!

The girls even took a break to share a snack

After two hours of sun, water, swimming and snacks, it was time to head home for some much needed naps.

Apparently Sophia liked the nap idea. She was only in the car for about two minutes before she was conked out!

Sweet little water babies!

Party On!

Who doesn't love a birthday party?? Especially when it's a princess themed party at the Museum of Discovery!

I told Lily that we would be going to a party for her friend from school. She was so excited and couldn't wait to do two things

1. See her best friend, Olive (who by the way, was NOT the birthday girl)

and

2. Eat cake!

It was her lucky day because she got to do both!

While listening to princess stories, Lily and Olive insisted on sitting next to each other and held hands.

When the stories were over, my two girls got crowns and were now birthday royalty!

Every princess needs a wand, so each of the kids got a chance to make one. Sophia couldn't be happier sitting at a table with all of the big kids and doing the same project they were.


Finally, it was time for the cupcakes!

Sophia made sure to get every last bit.

A party with good friends, princess stories, and cupcakes! What a wonderful day!

A Little Puzzled

I witnessed something last night and I just felt the need to brag about it, at least a little bit.

See this 24 piece puzzle...

Lily sat in the middle of the dining room and worked on it while Joe and I hung pictures

And guess what!?


She finished it all by herself!

Which got me thinking...

I'm not sure if we can call her a genius quite yet, but now the hair is beginning to make a little more sense.

Notice the resemblance??

Who's laughing now????

Our little ALBERTA EINSTEIN in the making!

The Windy City

A little over a month ago, we returned from our trip to Chicago. It was a trip we planned the last time we were there, two years before. I am not sure what it is I love so much about this great city that makes me want to go back so often. I did, after all, grow up just a short drive from another big city, San Francisco. But for those who have been to San Francisco, you know that there is great shopping and food, but it also seems a lot dirtier to me than Chicago. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy visiting SF and the Pier because nobody makes a better clam chowder in a bread bowl. Still, in the four times I have been to Chicago, the fact that this BIG city is so clean still amazes me.

I strongly believe that EVERYONE needs to visit Chicago at least once in their lifetime. To be honest, I am not sure I would have ever gone had I not known Joe. I guess that's just one more reason to be thankful that he came into my life! There is so much to do and eat here that the week we spent there still wasn't nearly enough time to do everything. Trust me, go check it out for yourself. You will love it and we would be more than happy to go back and show you the sights!

Wrigley Field (every true baseball fan needs to go to a game here)

Navy Pier


Chicago Skyline (some of it at least)

Each day in Chicago was wonderful and I can't wait to relive those days and post the pictures that we took!

Lost in Translation

Lily is at the age where she is so curious about everything around her and always has a question for you. Most of the time I am able to give her an answer to her question, but there are times that I am unable to give her an answer, mostly because she catches me off-guard and I simply do not know how to respond.

Last night was one of those nights.

I was getting the girls down to sleep, and after Sophia had fallen asleep, Lily told me she had to get up to go to the bathroom. I am not sure what it is about Lily going the bathroom, but this is the time she seems to enjoy asking those questions the most.

While I waited PATIENTLY for her to go, (and after she had asked me to squeeze her to help her go) she looked up at the towel on the shower door and asked, "Momma, how do you say white in Spanish?" I told her that the word for white is "blanco." Lily then repeats the word back saying "Blanco. That's right! It's blanco. Blanco." Now she is looking a little higher on the shower and notices the purple towel. I can see the wheels in her head turning and I just know she will ask me how to say "purple" in Spanish next.

"Momma."

"Yes, Lily." I just know what is coming.

"How do you say poop in Spanish?"

I am at a complete loss for words. That is not at all what I expected, but that's Lily for you. Always keeping you on your toes!

"I'm not sure. We will have to ask daddy tomorrow."

Joe, a little help please!

A Day of Rest

I LOVE SUNDAYS!!!

There is something about this day of the week that I look so forward to. It's as if there is an unspoken permission that each of us get to just laze about. We sleep in later, eat yummy breakfasts, and can stay in our pajamas all day if that's what we desire. More important than anything, is the quality time we seem to spend with our family on these Sundays.

On this particular Sunday morning, the girls allowed me to sleep in until 7:30 a.m., which is a change from the normal 7:00 a.m. wake-up call. After we left our cozy bed, we left the room and I locked the door behind us so that Joe could truly enjoy sleeping in. Lily wanted to make blueberry muffins for "Daddy" and then planned on bringing them to him and singing him the "Wake-up Song."

So that's what we did!



Lily pouring the mix into the bowl (and yes, it is from a box! I told you it was a day of rest.)




Carefully pouring in the milk




Sophia waiting to TASTE it, I mean STIR it




Mixing it up!




My personal taste testers!



Waking up daddy had never been more fun...or delicious! Happy Sunday!

Seeing Spots

After two long weeks of hard work, we have finally finished repainting the girls playroom. Joe was able to paint polka dots on the wall, which is something he has been wanting to do since we first moved in. And yes, those circles are painted on and not just decals. I got the furniture painted and Lily and Sophia got their room and toys back. When I asked Lily what she thought of her new room, she gasped and said, "Oh momma, it's so beautiful! This is my whole life! Thank you!" Then she gave me the biggest hug. It's good to know she appreciates the hard work.

Joe's polka dot wall

The repainted armoire


Sophia was just happy to get her monkey backpack out !

And Lily loved it so much, that she wanted to sleep in her new playroom!

Enjoy your new room girls, it was painted especially for you with a lot of love!