El Mercado

With much of Sunday morning being spent at Sea World, we really didn't have much time left on our mini vacay.
But we were all very hungry and there was one more spot we wanted to go,
the Riverwalk.

But like always, the girls had other plans.
The heat combined with riding on the rides was too much for them and they conked out on the short trip downtown.
Once again, we placed them in their stroller, but we knew that the Riverwalk was out.
With the rocky walking paths and stairs, it is not exactly the most stroller friendly place to walk around.

Instead, we made a change of plans and headed to El Mercado (the market).
This impromptu itinerary change was probably the best decision we made all weekend.
It truly was the highlight of our trip.

As you walk downtown and enter El Mercado, you get the feeling that you have been transported from the U.S. straight into Mexico.
The Spanish music is playing.
People are enjoying "street food".
There are cervezas (beer) for sale every few feet.
And the colors.
Oh my goodness, the colors are spectacular.

While we waited to be seated for our Mexican feast, we tried to find a cooler place for my sleeping girls.
So we sought the cool air of the indoor market.
After looking around a few minutes, we knew this was an experience that Lily and Sophia should not miss out on.
The shops were filled with traditional Mexican gifts.
Although still a little groggy, it didn't take long for the girls to wake when they saw what surrounded them.
"What is this place?' they asked.

Our next hour was spent looking and touching and experiencing the Mexican culture.
This is a part of my babies culture and they needed to experience it.
I feel everyone needs to experience it...

As we left, Lily pretty much summed up how we were all feeling,

"This was the best day ever!"

We all couldn't agree more.

Sea World

This mini trip to San Antonio was a great getaway for Joe and I, but we wanted it to be super fun for Lily and Sophia.
Two of our three days were spent at Sea World.
Day one was spent at their brand new water park.
We splashed in wave pools, my courageous girls rode on the water rides, and we swam under sting rays.
It was all pretty cool.
Then we dried off and wanted to walk around Sea World.
The girls had other plans.
After all of the water fun, they were pooped.
So they climbed in the stroller and slept.
It was much too hot to walk around, so we made an executive decision to come back the next morning.

I am so glad we did.
It was much cooler and the girls were wide awake...

First we enjoyed the dolphin show...

Then my little cuties went on the rides.
The first ride they chose was the Shamu Express.
It was a roller coaster...

They were each big enough to ride on it together which allowed Joe and I to watch from the sidelines...

We caught a glimpse of their faces as the roller coaster went around.
Sophia was laughing.
Lily looked terrified.
I was worried there would be tears as they got off the ride, but they were happy as could be...

The next ride they chose was a little more tame.
The merry-go-round...

Then it was time to ride the Rockin' Abby Cadabby ride...

The girls were acting fearless as they tried each new ride.
For Lily to ride a roller coaster was a pretty big deal.
She is not generally known to be as fearless as we all know Sophia to be.
So why not try out the mini ferris wheel next?
I mean really, what is there to be afraid of?

At first it was just Sophia and Lily on the ride.
Then someone got a teensy bit scared...

But was much better after daddy joined the fun...

Who knew Sea World would bring so much out of my girls?
It was definitely fun for the whole family.
Ferris wheel and all.

Texas Cousins

Before Arkansas and Houston, San Antonio was our home.
We love getting back there because San Antonio is a city so rich in tradition and it brings back a lot of great  memories of our short time there.
Not to mention, the food is delicious.

From Houston, San Antonio is a mere two and a half hour drive.
Not too bad considering we used to make a two hour drive from Little Rock to Memphis just to go to Costco.

The proximity of this fun city made it easy for us to choose San Antonio as a mini summer vacation destination.
An added bonus was that Joe's cousin, Patrick and his family live there.

So we made a dinner date at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.
The parents chatted and the mini cousins had the chance to get to know each other a little better...

By nights end, these Murphy kids were inseparable.
As I believe it should be with cousins.

#1 Readers

I have always been a bit of a reading nerd.
Many of my most favorite gifts growing up were my Sweet Valley High and Babysitter's Club books.
Every day while walking to my cousin's house on the way to school, I would read.
That's right, reading WHILE walking.
(And to think, my husband calls me clutzy.
Hmph, I'd like to see him try that one.)

I have tried since a very young age to infuse the love of reading into my children.
Since they were itty bitty, we would read books every night before bed.
We would snuggle and read stories about Elmo and princesses.

Story time is still a nightly ritual, but it has since evolved quite a bit.
Elmo books are no longer in our library for bedtime reading.
Instead they have been replaced by Pinkalicious, Purplicious and Junie B. Jones.
I now have a four year old who has memorized many of the stories and a six year old who can read the stories to us.

So imagine our excitement when this little family of readers discovered the Summer Reading Club at the local library.
For every five books they read or were read to them, they would get a prize.
The main goal was to read 20 books.
Sign us up!

I believe the task of reading 20 books was supposed to last most of the summer, but like I said, we love to read.
Needless to say, it only took a week.

Off to the library we went to claim the prizes.
The girl's each decorated a name tag to put on the wall to show their goal was met...

They claimed their prizes of a pencil, a bookmark and a certificate.

But the prize they most longed for was shiny and gold...

I am so proud of my #1 Readers!

Sweet and Sassy

Our time in Texas has been short, but already my outgoing little ones are busily making friends.
The timing of meeting such friend has been perfect because now they get to celebrate Miss Ella's 7th birthday.
Ella chose to do her birthday in high style at Sweet and Sassy Salon.
The girls got make-up, hair done, nails done and were even in a fashion show.
Now tell me, what 4 and 6 year olds don't like that?
My girl's were in their element...

Happy Birthday Ella!

Thank you for letting us get all dolled up with you.

Baby 3: Boy or Girl?

This morning was spent with the girls making signs.
I had an idea of how I wanted to announce baby #3's gender, but I needed Lily and Sophia's help.

So each girl got to color two signs.
One was for them and the other was for either their "little brother" or "little sister".
Sophia opted to color the "Little Sister" sign, while Lily chose to color the "Little Brother" sign.

Three o'clock couldn't come fast enough for us.
Joe met us at the doctor's office, where the big reveal was set to take place.
The ultrasound tech asked us what we thought our little one was going to be.
Given the differences between this pregnancy and my other two, I was 99.9% sure it was a boy.
I have craved nothing but meat and potatoes this time around.
Unlike with the girl's where I craved ice cream and sweets.

Lily and Sophia were also thinking boy.
But what they kept telling people when asked was,
"It doesn't matter if it's a girl or a boy.  We just want a healthy baby."
Truer words were never spoken.

Joe was the only one convinced that he was destined to have all girls.

After 15 minutes of baby being stubborn (i.e. ankles crossed, flipped over with back to camera, etc), we finally got our big reveal...

Joe was right.
The balance of estrogen to testosterone got even greater.
Poor Joe doesn't stand a chance.
But he is excited.
Just as my two "Big Sisters" are excited to meet their "Little Sister".

Take your time little one!
Just know that we can't wait to meet you,
Our little Madelon Rose.

Independence Day

It's the Fourth!
For us, that means BBQ-ing, swimming and watching fireworks.
It's all about celebrating the red, white and blue.
And honestly, have those three colors ever looked cuter?...

Have a Happy Fourth of July!