Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Great Outdoors

Of all the areas to play in our yard the kids seem to gravitate to the front flowerbed, which isn't much of a flowerbed at all. Ellie loves to chew on the rocks. Riley likes to "plow" the dirt with a mop. He got quiet this morning when he was playing around the holly bush and I got nervous he was eating them. When I got close I asked him what he was doing and he said he was cleaning the bush, pulling all the holly berries off! Sure enough, as I looked at the ground it was covered with little red berries.






Monday, August 22, 2011

A Little Bit of Ellie

For the last couple of months we have been trying to wean Ellie off of her pacifier during naps and at bedtime. It was going pretty well. But, I'm a weak willed Mommy and when my baby girl cries I just want to comfort her anyway I can. So, least to say she is still getting it at nap time. :-) Ellie is quite creative though and found this lternative to a pacifier. Do you remember the small Tupperware playsets with the pitcher, plates and cups. I had them growing up and now my kids are playing with it. Ellie has turned the lid of the pitcher into her personal pacifier. Smart girl!




Monday, August 15, 2011

An August Update

These pictures are all from July when my parents came for a visit. My mom captured all the photos, which is why she isn't in any. We had a great time together. The kids got to play in the pool, Riley enjoyed some Poppy time, we had our first taste of corn on the cob for the summer and got to have a couple fires with smores!








Wednesday, August 3, 2011

It Turned Out Great!

This day turned out great! Last night I went to bed early with a migraine. Yuck. I'm sick of them and the way they effect not only me but the whole family. This morning I woke up with the same migraine but some high powered incredibly expensive medicine eventually helped.
But, all things considered it was a wonderful day. I survived the morning, the kids took great naps, which gave me some much needed quiet time and then Griff got home before Riley even woke up! And then it got fun. :-)
On a whim (and thanks to a coupon) we decided to all go out to dinner. I thought I may be asking for another migraine taking two kids out to a restaurant but they were so well behaved and enjoyable it was incredible. They were full of giggles the whole meal, Riley said "please" and "thank you" without being prompted, the kids ate well, nothing was spilled, there was no screaming, no one asked us to leave the building, and some older women at another table told us how wonderful they thought our kids were. Now, all of that makes this Mommy really proud. I think the highlight of the meal for me was when Riley found out he was getting ice cream. He raised his hands in sheer delight and excitedly said, "ICE CREAM!" He as on cloud nine. And when the ice cream sundae arrived with whip cream and chocolate chips and smiled with delight. In true Riley fashion he picked the chocolate chips off first and then moved on to the whip cream but he also willing shared it with Griff. "You want some, Daddy?" It was the sweetest thing ever and just made my heart melt. He would take a few bites himself and then share with Griff. And the sweet boy cried when it was all gone.
After the incredibly successful dinner we decided to head to Lowes to look at a couple things. Riley was excited to ride on a "mow-mow" and Ellie just loves being in the cart and looking at everything. Once inside I had to go to the restroom, and as I was walking back out to find them I could hear Riley yelling, "Mommy, where are you?" It's nice to know I was missed. :-) We finished looking at stuff and were heading out the door and Riley was waving to everyone and Ellie was blowing kisses. Seriously, what has gotten into my kids? Whatever it is I love it!
We came back home, put diapers and jammies on, brushed teeth and then Ellie went to bed. Riley wanted to read to us so we got to hear his version of one of his Sesame Street books. We eventually told him, "Good night", turned off the light and shut the door.
Now, Griff lays on the couch with his Bible open but eyes closes, clearly sleeping, as he has been for the last thirty minutes or so. It's been a long day for all of us. It started a little harder than most days but I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and mercy, because this day turned out great!