Monday, November 28, 2011

Dallas is doing so well using the bathroom!  He has not had one accident while wearing underware since we started.  He doesn't want and will not use any potty but his little blue one.  Makes outings hard, but he seems to have great control.  I can't believe that in a years time I might be diaper bag free!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Our first movie

Rob and I love movies, our typical date night is movies and dinner or a movie and a drink if we are short on time (read, we are paying a sitter in $$$ instead of use of laundry facilities).

We went as a family to see the Muppet movie.  It was so good.  Lots of movie references, throwback songs, and jokes.  I recommend all ages will enjoy, especially if you love a good spontaneous song.

I am looking forward to many more years of movies as a family.  The kids did well, Noelle spent much of the time eating popcorn and sucking on her paci, Dallas and Em watched and also helped down the large popcorn!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

randoms for the week

Noelle and I have split two avocados already this week.  They were finally a reasonable price at the store, we eat them with a spoon right out of natures container.  Nobody else really cares for them, and I am fine with that, I don't have to share.

All three kids did take down two large cucumbers the other night.  I make this recipe about once a month, and cucumber adds crunch to the lettuce wraps, we leave off the mint.  Emily and Noelle love the meatballs.  I sliced up one cucumber for a little pre-dinner snack and it was gone in 3 minutes.

A house a block away had a big fire last night.  Weirdly Rob and I slept through it all, it started burning at 11:00 pm.  It is the talk of the neighborhood today.  The couple and their dog are safe, but could probably use some prayer, and a new house. 

Noelle is busy crawling around and around the house.  I think if finally have taught her not to use the dog water bowl as a bath tub.  I bet poor Bo has been parched lately.

Dallas has kept his cute little lightn McQueen underware dry all morning.  His is hitting 5 for 5 today, the downside is lots of Dora has been watched, a little too much tv for my taste, but he is very motivated by Dora?  eta: he stayed accident free all day!

Emily earned a Christmas themed piano book at piano lessons.  She has mastered piano and forte, knows all the key notes and how to write a quarter note differently if it is played with a right or left hand.  We are working on "Up on the Rooftop". 

Still looking for a piano.

Noelle decided it was time for me to scrub the kitchen floor, she empted a box of baking soda everywhere.
Rob has been really busy since we have gotten back from our little vacation.  He is working so hard for us, I love him for that.  He has some big things on the horizon!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Wedding

 My girls sporting the dresses I made them
I wanted a cute picture, we took this pose maybe 20 times!
 The centerpieces on the alter
 Dallas loving on Aunt Jen
 Emily hardly left the brides side
 My amazingly handsome groom!
 Mark and April during the reception

The wedding was great.  It went off without a hitch.  I took it all in, trying my hardest to take in the moment and keep the kiddo's fairly silent. (and from running up to hug April mid vows).  I had a bag of candy and fruit snacks that I was liberally dolling out.  Parenting with candy, keeping everyone happy was the mantra!  Dallas went through 2 Dum Dums, Noelle one, and Emily one. 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Batman is getting married

This morning all three of the little munchkins were playing together while I was putting away laundry.  The door to the bedroom was cracked a tad, it deters Noelle from crawling straight for the stairs, which are currently un-gated.  In the hallway I over hear this conversation.

"Batman, do you want to get married?"
"Sure, Batman always goes to weddings"
"Well, lets get ready, you change in this room and I will change in that room"
"You mean in married clothes?"
"YES, you have to wear married clothes and weddings."
"Noelle, that is for Batman and Cinderella Princess!"

I was dying to peek in there to see what was going on, but I was having too much fun eavesdropping.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Hotels

Besides the house we rented for our stay in Orlando, all of our other reservations came via priceline.com on the road.  Rob put me in charge, I think because he knows I like to score a good deal.  We stayed at 3 and 4 star hotels the entire trip for an average of $53/night.  I do love a good deal!  The house was also a decent deal considering we each had our own room, including Grandpa Dallas!

 Some of our hotels had kitchens like this, drool!
 The entry way to our house in Orlando, three bedrooms, three baths, and a washer/dryer + pool.  The kids bedroom was dripping in Mickey Mouse themed accents.  It was a fun place to stay!
 The kitchen, living room and pool at our house in Orlando
 Noelle liked to crawl to the full length mirrors and kiss the baby
 Real phones in the hotels made all the stays extra fun
 Some of our rooms had balconys
 The Hilton in Ocala, FL had a horse named Buddy
We also found a fountain in one lobby.  If I remember correctly $0.25 wishes were made since I didn't have any pennies.  I am so generous on vacation!

The drive

 Packing.... I only took three suitcase for all five of us, I was pretty proud of that since I was preparing for 2 wks on the road.  Then add in all the contingency stuff like snacks, nebulizer, stroller, baby carrier, laptop, camera, fleece jackets + hats/gloves, activites/books, cooler, and not to mention one whole bag contained diapers for two of us.  I thought I did pretty well.
 I read all four books in the Twilight series, the kids watched lots of movies, and drew tons
 The van aged some
 We saw pretty landscapes, or as Emily yells, "Bob Ross"
Noelle occupied her time working on her flexability
 Sometimes boredom ended in scenes like this, we also had many unsanctioned leg tattoos, and one incident of sporting a "hitler type" mustache for a day.
 The kids took pictures of the drive too.
 Self portraits
 Kentucky and Tennesse were breathtaking
Zoomed by the Arch