Fun Day at Grandpa and Paula's

Another busy weekend for us! We had a great Saturday spent in Elwood (see posts below), and today we took our last summer trip to Grandpa and Paula's. The girls enjoyed the beach, swimming, and playing in the sand. Rowe had a ton of fun in her diaper in the water and in the little floaty-boat. After a delicious lunch, we all went out on the boat. Rowe was so tired, and we think hungry, that she wasn't happy unless we were going really fast. Finally when we stopped to swim with Grandpa and Paula's neighbors--Mike, Dani, and Demi, we took Rowe's life-preserver off (as it was making her way too hot) and got her all naked and sat her on the end of the boat...which she LOVED! Delaney was amazing, jumping off the boats and swimming back and forth between G&P's boat and the neighbor's. Kate enjoyed all the toys Demi had on her boat. You can tell how scared she still is of the water (since her incident earlier this summer). I really hope she can overcome this fear in the future. Hopefully swim lessons next year will help. Sadly, with our crazy schedule this summer...we weren't able to participate in them this year.

Carnival Fun

We went back to Elwood, a small town about 20 minutes south-east of where we live. They had a carnival set up next to the park we went to today, and the girls wanted to go so bad. So, after Rowe's nap, we got back in the car, bought 20 tickets and rode a few rides, got some ice cream, and headed home.

The girls were a little intimidated by the bigger rides, so they started off with a 'kiddie' ride. The look of pure boredom on Delaney's face is priceless. Next they went on my favorite...the giant slide. Delaney was nervous, but I think she didn't want to be shown up by her little sister. Next was a boring train and then the Tilt-A-Whirl. Girls had fun, Rowe liked the scenery, and Pete left with a headache. Ah, family fun!

Elwood's Children's Garden Project

Today the girls and I went to Elwood to enjoy The Children's Garden Project with a good friend from school and her two-year-old son, Jen and Caleb. This park has no playground, but is filled with so many things to do: a sandbox, playhouse, checkers, tic-tac-toe, a hay farm, a pond, gardens, the yellow-brick road, a maze, and so much more. We had so much fun. THANKS JEN AND CALEB!!! Can't wait to hang out again, and more often. I think the most time was spent in the "hay farm" area.

Ah, my favorite spot (insert sarcastic voice here)...the sandbox. At least they had fun!

Delaney enjoying the garden path.

He is SUCH a cute boy! But, he's very shy and I honestly don't think he made one sound the entire two hours we were there!

Rowena enjoying a bench outside of the "Three Bears" cabin.

Rowena enjoying a ride as Kate drives the tractor

Mmmmm...hay!

Counting the frogs in the pond. They were a bit tricky to find, but we counted 6!

Kate enjoyed "Sunflower Alley"...especially the wind chimes!

Kate playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Jen (I didn't get a picture of Delaney playing, but she was the one who dominated the board!!!).

The beautiful flower garden...there were so many, and they were all very neat!

Finding our way through the maze...

Planting in Peter Rabbit's garden

Kate loved the butterfly seat

9/11/01...Eight Years Later, We Remember

Today I am taking time to love my family a little more. For all of those innocent victims that lost their lives 8 years ago today, to all those families and friends that will forever mourn, for all the heros that were so courageous to help save lives and sadly lost their own, and to those who survived. We will forever remember 9/11/01.

Snail Ride

Thanks to Katie, Rowena has a new ride! Katie found it under the stairs (in their toy-storage) and was all excited to have Rowena ride it. Obviously, she loved it...until I tried giving Katie the camera and took my eye off of her, and she fell off. Oops! As you can see by the last picture, she didn't like that part.

Rowe's New Digs

Since Rowena is getting bigger and playing more and more, we created a fun little "Play Area" for her. She has her pack-n-play in which is can play with all of her toys without worry of Riggs, or her sisters. There is also her little ride-on snail, swing, and activity table. She loves her area. There is also her megasaucer in there too. Oddly, I'm a bit jealous. As you can see, it seems like Katherine might be as well...

Delaney: The Body-Marker Artist

Delaney wanted to bring her markers on a long car ride to color during the trip. On the way there, she occupied herself with watching the movie and coloring. On the ride home, however, she was so very quiet, and I don't think she watched any of the movie. Upon arriving home...this is what I found, and realized why she was so quiet!Finger nails: colored. Knee: colored. Arm: colored.

FABULOUS!

Mess? They Think Not...

As you look at this, you might think "WoW! What a mess." However, this is what Delaney and Katie refer to as "FUN!" They take out all of their stuffed animals, and play with them. They're one of the few kids I know that actually play with their stuffed animals and not just use them as a dust collector. I think it's great.

GREAT NEWS!

Well, Pete just let me know that he got an email today telling him he won 2010 South African World Cup Lotto. That's right! We are so excited and couldn't be happier. I mean, what are the odds...We are beyond lucky! Hear our screams of joy as we quit our jobs and school and travel around the world. We'll post pictures, so stay tuned...

Katie's First Day of Preschool

Today was Katie's first day of preschool. She couldn't wait to go back. Delaney has been in school for two weeks now, and I think Kate was getting a little antsy to go. She was pretty excited today. She couldn't wait to wear a dress to school--I have a feeling it will be a daily thing for her. She has the same teacher as she did last year: Mrs. Lewis, but she is in a different classroom. I'm glad of that because she associates the other classroom with being 3.

She'll be going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-11:30, and Delaney is gone from 8:30-12. Pretty good timing. I'm thinking Rowena will nap from about 9:15-11:15 and that gives me Wednesday and Friday mornings to do home- and housework. Not bad, huh?

Kate was a pro at school today. She went right to her favorite toys while I filled out paperwork...the kitchen/house. She's so darn cute. She cleaned up really well, got a stamp, and we listened to the story: "I Love School."