Just a few favorites!

My three precious gifts from God. Wow! I'm one lucky girl! Thank you Lord!

The Beach - RedRock Style

Question: How do you go to the beach in 90+ weather and keep two babies shaded and cool?

 Exactly.

Frama couldn't stop laughing about it! The kids enjoyed throwing rocks for the little time we were there really. Lets just say we flopped on the pick for the beach. A dead fish, lots of dead worms, and the smell was enough for me to dip my toes and call it a day. Plus a 30 minute wait at McDonalds to have the kiddos eat possibly 1 chicken nugget a piece makes for a fun afternoon! Am I right?  Well at least we got to see Aunt Kelsey, hang out with Shaye, gobble up some yummy cherry donuts, and score a couple steals from a garage sale.

Bucket List

So I don't know about you but we have some pretty lofty dreams for this summer. You know - a bucket list sort of thing. Since our kiddos are so little long vacations seem well impossible although we may tag along on a business trip to Detroit if we can talk T (D's business partner) into letting their family tag along as well. Our kiddos are all about the same age which means they are all bestest friends however, 6 kiddos in a hotel for a week could be interesting. So we will see. 

Nonetheless, Shadd and I made a list of some things that we absolutely must do this summer. Some of them are kinda cheesy but others are well a must for every summer. Does your family make a list like this?  A few we are gonna tackle are glow in the dark bowling, camping (maybe just in the backyard hence the nursing baby), swimming, drive-in-movie, adventureland, boating, nature walks, etc. The list has at least 50 things on it. Some small and some big. 

We checked one off last night...Catch Fireflies. 

Now, how do I do this??

Where are all the fireflies?

With the book

Shadd read a book a few nights ago all about fireflies. He's kinda my fact lover.  As soon as he and papa caught 2 last night, he kept telling Papa that we needed to put the jar in hot and cold water to watch the light brighten and fade. Of course, my dad hadn't read the book so he was confused. Shadd got the book and explained that when you put fireflies into a jar of cold water their light fades but in the warm water their lights get brighter. It was a little hard to tell since we only had two. Plus you kinda have to stay up late to catch those fireflies. 

He and Sis both had a blast though. In fact, we still have the jar of bugs in the living room. I don't think Shaddy wants to let them go. Maybe tonite. 

We also did a fire and smore roast - another one checked off the list! 

Potty training update...

So I am just about fed up with cleaning up pee from around my parents. I mean we have tried to stay outside as much as possible but with a 2 month old it is nearly impossible. Way too hot even though it really isn't too hot. You know.

drinking juice - her favorite! 

After only one success in 3 days and a lot of time spent on the potty chair - we went back to pull ups with potty breaks every 30 minutes or so throughout the day - at least when I remember to set the timer. She's getting close but Ells still hasn't made the connection that you need to sit on the potty before it starts to come out. No. Usually she just screams bloody murder "i pee or poopy (even when its just pee)" and runs toward me. Which would be an American's Funniest Video winner for sure. I'll do my best to describe it. Just imagine someone screaming as they run through a puddle on a slippery floor. Very comical to a onlooker I'm sure but to me - A Mess!

In due time I think she'll get it - at least my mom continues to remind me that. However, after mopping pretty much the whole house the past few days, I went to plastic undies this morning. That's a joke. I mean really - didn't hold in the potty and what it did was sure messy when you pull them down. Duh!

Even got to watch Tangled on the potty - dad's tactic to get catch her. She had an accident the moment he blinked he said. Gotta watch her like a hawk. 

So we will get it I'm sure. At least I pray we do for Ells sake and my sanity.

Side note...don't leave an underwearless girl and little boy outside for too long. I thought they were awfully quiet only to peek out the sliders to see two naked butts parading around on the trampoline. Of course, I told them that they could go to jail for indecent exposure and Shadd is now really scared of the police. Terrible I know, but what parent doesn't through out those kinda threats once in awhile.

The setup...

Sporting the undies - even outside

Thank goodness - not much action in the alley

The zoo

Last week we had the best day at the zoo. We got to meet up with some of our bestest friends from back home plus Aunt Kels and enjoy the beautiful morning at the zoo. Of course, there aren't a ton of animals at our small zoo but the kids sure had a blast and I think the mommas enjoyed chatting too. 

I can just say I'm blessed to have great mommy friends and even more blessed that my children have such well behaved, kind, loving friends as well. Great job to my fellow mom friends in raising kiddos that I would love to have my kids play with any day of the week! 

Enjoying the monkeys - one actually had fun playing peek a boo with these guys

Ells sporting her new TOMS - thanks to the bockes and kauffmans!  She loves them! My girl! 

The Monkeys - Shadd can't stop laughing about their pink butts - the mind of a 3 yr old I guess

the boys enjoying the seals

There goes one - they loved the show too

Can we all fit in here?

the crew minus the babies - 3 girls, 1 boy, &1 in the womb

Ells's favorite - the tiger

Finally a smile caught on camera, plus a teaser

Yes. Hard to believe but this smily boy is tough to catch when I have my camera out. I did get him with my phone the other day.

Today's been busy - working on potty training Ells. No successes before nap but I think she's getting it at least. Hoping for a great productive afternoon. At least we would love to go get ice cream cones at frostees. Her reward for a success. I think Shadd and I are more pumped about the possibility than she is!

Fun in the sun

We had the privilege of playing with our cousins this past weekend. It was so much fun! 

Say what?

The girls - sporting the diapers