Feeding the Giraffes

While the Martin Family was visiting, we headed to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. We had a blast, and I can't believe it has taken us this long to get up there. Just past the entrance to the zoo is a bridge, that puts you eye level with the giraffes. You can buy several crackers for $1 and feed them. It was really fun. They are so gentle....they just grab the crackers with their long, black tongues. Reagan didn't want to feed them, but stood right next to me to watch. Addison was so excited. She jumped up and down shouting about how fun it was and begging for more crackers. She loved it.

The entire zoo has tons for the kids to do....much more than we could get to in one day. In addition to all the animals, which are much more close-up than in most zoos, they had a sky ride, a playground, a carousel and train, and pony rides. I think we will be skipping the Denver Zoo next spring and getting our membership there for the next year.

Do you see Addison's pink Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sweatshirt that is at least 3 sizes to big? That thing cost us $35. Ouch!!! Somehow in my packing lunch, getting the kids ready and helping load the car, I forgot Addison's jacket. It was a chilly day and there was no way she was going to make it without one. I will be double-checking jackets in the future!

Martin Family Visit

Jeremy, Amy and Colden came to visit from Seattle for a long weekend! The group shot picture was a fail....maybe because we waited until 8:15 Sunday night to do it, but the visit was great. We had lots of time to chat and catch up, we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, played at the park, and feed the Martin's Chick-Fil-A and mexican food. The guys went to the Cowboys vs. Broncos game on Sunday afternoon and Amy and I took all 4 kids swimming. The girls loved their new friend Cole and they especially want to thank him for introducing them to their new favorite song, Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies". Martins, thanks for making the trip. We had a great time.

It's not for the faint of heart.

I couldn't help but smile last night, as poor Tommy got a big dose of what life in a house with 4 females, will often be like. He had been gone for several days on business. Between taking care of 3 girls by myself all day, nobody taking naps, getting up with the baby all night, and not sleeping well when he is not here, I am always exhausted at the end of those trips. And, last night, all 3 girls were over-tired as well....not the best combination.

He arrived home at 8:15.....15 minutes past bedtime, but nobody was asleep yet. All were emotional, tired and cranky. 3 out of 4 girls were crying....I won't tell you which 3 (just kidding, it actually wasn't me). He came in full of smiles and ready to rescue us, but we were a tough audience. He tried to make the girls laugh, but they just started at him. He tried to read them stories, but they just cried louder over who's story he would read first.

I bailed on him and went to the grocery store. But, I had a good laugh on the way there, thinking about how the poor guy feels dealing with all the "emotions" around here. Thankfully, when I got home, he had them all calm (not asleep, but calm). We had a good laugh about it all! And, I am just glad he is home. He's a good sport and I know he will always take good care of us, despite our irrational behaviors.

6 Months

My sweet Gracyn, how can you already be 6 months old? It seems like just yesterday, I was snuggling a tiny newborn in my hospital room. You are such a delight to our family, we are all just smitten with you! Your personality is so pleasant and sweet. You are happy to look around, study the world and play with your toys....as long as you have a blanket or your pink taggie to chew on. You laugh at your sisters, give Mommy and Daddy the hugest smiles, and follow Maggie dog all around with your big, blue eyes. You aren't shy with anyone, and most of the time, you will give anyone who talks to you a huge grin. You love to read books and listen to us sing you songs. You jump like crazy in the Jumperoo and you hang out happily in your saucer. Just in the last few weeks, nothing in your reach is safe. You ate my grocery list at Target a few days ago. You had it in your mouth, and sopping wet, quick as a flash. And, let the record show, today, on your six month birthday, you fussed at me for the first time, when I took something away. You are eating up all the baby food we will give you. Which, is how you got to a healthy 26 inches and 17 pounds. And, we are still working on sleeping through the night. Baby girl, you are so much fun. I am so glad you can just go with the flow and be apart of this family!!! We love you!!!

Are we at War....

This morning, while the baby was napping, I left the girls playing happily in their room and went to take a shower. A few minutes later, Addison was outside the shower door, and we had the following conversation....

Addison: Mommy, Reagan is saying mean things to me.
Me: What did she say?
Addison: Well, she called me a mean girl.
Me: Did you do something to make her say that?
Addison: I didn't mom, I didn't do anything, Reagan just started the whole Battle!!!

Hmm.....Guess I better get out of the shower, apparently there is a war taking place down the hall.

Thanks Miss Debra

The girls were delighted to find a package on the porch today from Pappy and Miss Debra. She sent them each pink rubber boots....horse heads on the front, tails on the back. Reagan yanked them right from the box and said, "These are my barn boots for Miss Debra's house." Addison and Reagan wore their boots for the rest of the day. Gracyn's won't fit until spring....when she is walking, but she like chewing on them now!

The life of the 3rd

No fancy bathseats or tub rings, we just hand her to Addison and she holds her while we soap her down.

All About the Benjamins

Addison has recently discovered the juvenile biography section in our local library. She loves the books about "real people" and chooses several each week. A few weeks ago, we were reading all about Ben Franklin. We usually all read together, so Reagan is getting her dose of biographies each time is is Sissy's turn to pick the book.

That explains why, while we were eating at a McDonald's recently, Reagan looked up at the flat screen hanging on the wall. There was a commercial playing for an investment company and it showed a picture of a $100 bill. My 2 year old, spoke up loudly and said, "Look, It's Mr. Ben Franklin!". I guess she is ahead of the game in the history department.

More basic things, however, we have to work on. Tonight when I asked her when her birthday was, she answered, "It's at Build-A-Bear!". And, when I ask her to spell her name she tells me, "R-E-A-Ging-Gong-Gang". We laugh at her, which makes her repeat these crazy answers even louder.....help me, I think I have a class clown on my hands.

Neighborhood Porch Crawl

This weekend our neighborhood said Good-Bye to summer with our first annual "Neighborhood Porch Crawl"! We were put in groups of 3 to host a 30 minute time in our yards. There were 6 stops total and each stop had a location theme. We provided an appetizer, drink and craft/game for the kids to go with our themes. The kids also had passports they were given at the beginning of the night, and they got a sticker at each stop to add to their passport.

Here we are, where it all began, in the Caribbean. They had a pirate theme, with pineapple, Pirate Booty and dip. The kids went fishing and then had to follow a map on a treasure hunt.

Our next stop was Switzerland, where I apparently took no pictures. There, we ate yummy chocolate fondue and the kids made their own Swiss flags.

The next stop was Hawaii! The served up some frozen blue drinks, with umbrellas, and delicious Hawaiian chicken and rice! The kids did the hula on the dance floor and then had a limbo contest.

The next stop was Mexico, which I missed because I headed home for a minute to feed Gracyn and put her down for a nap. Tommy is to blame for no pics this time! From what I heard, they had yummy street tacos and the kids played with a pinata!

Next stop was our house and our theme was Texas. We had little smokies and the kids had stick horse races. By this point, the kids are all wearing various pieces of costume.....including cowboy hats, hula skirts, and pirate patches. They were quite a sight, and any neighbors not participating, must have wondered what in the world was going on! My little Reagan took her stick-horse racing very seriously!

Finally the last stop was New Orleans. We ate Po-Boy sandwiches and the kids made Mardi Gras masks. Gracyn had a great time hanging out in the grass and munching on some beads. Uncle Mike ventured outside and got a taste of life in the suburbs!

We hung at the last stop until it got dark and cold. What a fun night!!! We live in the best neighborhood!

And, we're done! But, we partied hard....all the way up till 7:45!!!

Let's Bowl, Let's Bowl, Let's Rock-N-Roll

Can you name that musical? It is one of my all-time favorites, and that song was in my head all day on Friday, because the girls had a bowling party to go to. One of Addison's favorite school friends, and a fellow 3-girl family, invited us to a birthday party. Their mom was so sweet to have coloring and things set up for the younger siblings and pizza and cake for the whole family.
We had a blast watching Addison bowl....Reagan even snuck her way into the lanes before it was all over. Gracyn loved the people-watching, and we all had a great time. I think we will be heading back to the bowling alley soon.....seems like a great, fun family activity!

Well Hello World

Gracyn has a new view of the world this week! She has been working on sitting up for the past two weeks, but in the last few days, she has gotten it down! She can sit and play with toys for a long time, without falling over! And, at the same time, she has suddenly gotten amazing control of her hands. She is after everything....her toys, my food, her sister's hair, the dog.....anything she can get her hands on. Her most favorite toy to date, has been the stick-on name tag. I have been somewhere twice this week, that required me to wear a name-tag. It has been her great joy to rip it off, check it out, and try to eat it. I eventually take it away, stick it back on my shirt, and we repeat the process. Judging by the soaking wet shirt.....we may have teeth soon!

And, here is my girl when I put her down for her nap. I know, she looks anything but tired. She kicked her legs, flashed big flirty smiles, and turned her monkey music on....anything to keep me in the room. I eventually ducked out and as I type this I am listening through the monitor to her singing, talking and blowing raspberries! This is the new naptime routine. She plays herself to sleep.

And, finally, here she is with 2 of her biggest fans. They love their baby so much. The are the first ones to help her sit up, bring her toys to play with, or talk to her in bed, when she is supposed to be sleeping. They never complain about helping with her.....they just love her and are eager to be a part of everything.

A Question....

Disney fans, I need your help. We are all set to sail on our 3rd Disney Cruise in January. This time, we feel like the girls are ready to do a few days at the park in addition to the cruise....we have never done this before. We are going down 2 days early. One, will of course be Magic Kingdom. My question is for the 2nd day. It is January, so the waterparks are out. Do you like Animal Kingdom or Epcot? The girls will be 4, 2 and baby. What do you think offers the most for them. I would love to hear your thoughts, as I prepare to book that part of the trip. Thanks!

The Weekend

We laughed at this little girl's perfect Mohawk, which refuses to be brushed down.Addison took care of her little sister.

And, she wrestled her Daddy.

Gracyn practiced sitting up.

We read lots of stories.

The girl's snuggled.

We posed for pictures before church.

We wore our cute new Gymboree fall clothes.

We ate Ring Pops.

And, we visited Uncle Mike, before he moves away!