No! I Don't Wan To!

...a common phrase out of Miss Sassy-pants Kelsey's mouth lately. So we looked at where/who she could be hearing this from (because it isn't from us!). And I remember my friend telling me Caillou "taught" her son to be whiny. I thought, hmmm, how could that be? But then Kelsey started saying lines from the Caillou cartoon before the characters said them and I was all what the? Needless to say, Caillou has taken a break from our household since we returned from vacation. She still asks for him and I tell her that he's taking a nap so we can't watch him. It's kinda working for now - we let her watch cute problem solving, friendly shows like Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Little Einsteins.

Drew is our clown, always showing off trying to get a rise out of people. I often find them in the play room with Kelsey just giggling away at whatever silly thing Drew is doing. He was acting crazy in front of his cousins Ella and Braden on Saturday at a graduation party. He also thought he was pretty funny calling Craig "Grandma" Friday night when he put them to bed. Craig would say, "night Drew." And Drew would get a sneaky grin on his face and say, "night Grandma." Oh that kid, he's a ham!

Annnnnnnnndddddd brown cat is missing. I propped the screen door open Wednesday night, trying to get the kids in the house after softball and up to the bathtub and into bed AND it was already 7:30 (haha). Well, I never shut the screen door or closed the inside door properly. Our other cat (Wriggs) was acting all weird Thursday morning and we thought that maybe brown cat just got locked in a room. No such luck - we haven't seen or heard him since.

Aiden giving Drew a ride in the Power Wheel.

(Sigh) Kelsey's going to learn to hold her own with all these boys!

She accessorized her outfit as we were walking around Old Navy Sunday.

Crayons and Shopping

I know I only worked 2 days last week after vacation but I was exhausted! Why is it that you need a vacation after your vacation?? Thankfully the school year is over for Craig so his schedule is a little more relaxed. We played a lot outside this weekend since the weather was gorgeous. We also took the kids out for a pre-Father's Day dinner Saturday night; it's nice to find a place that has outdoor seating, which helps entertain the kids a little longer. There is a fine line of how long the kids will sit in their seats though and then they want to get out and explore.

Drew's newest thing is peeling the paper off of the crayons. And he's not happy until it is all off. At the restaurant that is how we kept him interested in sitting in his seat - after he peeled all of his crayons, we gave him Kelsey's. And last night when we were outside, we found him peeling the bark off of a stick. He has also became a little parrot. He repeats any new word I say to him, where Kelsey is constantly asking, "whassat, momma?" and then repeats what I say. And Kelsey now tells me she wants to go shopping! She opened the door last night and said, "come mom, I wan shopping!" I always thought about having a little sidekick but I didn't think she'd start this young:)

Oh yea, mowing the lawn.

Every time I try to take a pic of them, they look away!
(These 2 are from Father's Day)

Beautiful Disaster

We had a bit of a chaotic beginning to our vacation Friday but once we began our drive to Mexico Saturday morning, it was all good (albeit HOT! It was 109 in Phoenix Friday!) We had 3 lazy pool days, catching rays, walking the beach, consuming more tacos (and beer) than acceptable. The reason for this journey into Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) was to see Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, a band we have followed for around 8 years. We have made 4 previous trips to this part of Mexico for the band's annual outdoor concert (we also see them about twice a year, whenever the tour makes it to Milwaukee). The no-schedule-nap-before-we-head-out-for-dinner was welcomed with open arms:)

Looking out the patio from our condo

Can you tell which couple had a day and a half extra in the sun??

View from the restaurant looking back towards the resort

 

 The kids stayed home with "Aunie Sarah" and grandma. I was anxious about things I have never worried about before when travelling and then, that's when I realized the difference between travelling in your 20's and travelling as parent/mom. Only our email would work in this part of Mexico but when the email each day read, "The kids had a good day and played hard. Please enjoy your vacation and don't worry about us" it made relaxing and napping (I had forgotten what those were) more doable. We both took the day off today to recollect our lives, house, spend some time with the kids before the "grind" begins again tomorrow.

Silly kids playing in the cedar closet, making nests out of the sweaters.

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

We are taking our first vacation since getting pregnant, leaving the kids at home. Every day I've been telling Kelsey that Auntie "Sarah" is coming when mom and dad go buh-bye (she says Sarah instead of Tara). Then she furrows her brows together and says, "no Sarah". Then I tell her Sarah is going to stay with them and play and watch Caillou and share snacks, ok? OK! she yells back. It is certainly more stressful on me to leave than for the kids or Aunt Tara :)

It is also Craig's last day of school, which snuck up on both of us. This school year has had a totally different feel and I know Craig was less stressed and enjoyed teaching again.

Bring on the hot sun and the cold drinks! See you next week!

I leave you with this silly picture of Kelsey after bath time last night

The Grass is Greener

Who knew watching grass grow, cutting the lawn would be such a topic of conversation in our house? Well, Craig is mildly obsessed with it actually. It really started last year when we had the side yard graded to slope to the street to prevent any more flooding. Then he talked my ear off about new sprouts of grass and how much he had to water. This year it is more about the grass but also he purchased an edging tool as a birthday gift. He's been pointing out the grass to the kids (they don't care) and this morning he told me the only reason the curtains were open so early was so we (he) could admire his handy-work. I'm giving him some props today because he seems awfully proud!

And it seems the Kelsey is indeed calling Drew "Share". She'll ask me where dad is and then where share is. Umm...I don't get it. Until I realized that when they are fighting over a toy, I say, "Drew share." So I don't know if she is repeating what I say (because she's TOTALLY into that right now) or I'm confusing her with my words.



This picture is a big deal...because she had a pony tail in...because she NEVER lets
me put anything in her hair except a small clip or *small* side pony. She usually says, "oww, hert" and
pulls the hair pretty out and says, "no peetty".

Oh yea, we're drumming!

And looking under the couch for the kitty:)