Just Peachy!

Have I ever mentioned that my kids could (or would, if I let them) live off of fruit? Ty took them to visit his family while I got a much needed break on Sunday. I took my "little" (she's 14) sister back-to-school shopping at the Michigan City Outlet Mall (where I actually did most of the shopping!!!) and he took them to the farm. While there they went "peach picking". They both love peaches, but I've never handed one to Lincoln whole. Ty did...and Lincoln LOVED it! Check out this video. He's really digging in!

The Kids Museum

This weekend was full of fun and things to do. Saturday we visited my Grandma in the hospital again (which, is not fun--please keep her in your prayers!!) then afterwards, since it's been pretty nasty here, Ty and I took the kids to the kids museum downtown. I LOVE taking them there--it's usually one of our fun winter activities, but we figured why not!? I absolutely love the museum and it keeps the kids occupied for hours! They switch the "theme" of the museum every 2 months, so it really keeps them interested! This month it was cars/trucks/trains.

Riley's new BIG girl bed

We moved Ri into a big girl bed a while back but finally got her a new bedroom set and bedding. I had the hardest time deciding what kind of stuff I wanted, but am happy how it turned out. I still need to get something for the walls.

On a somewhat different note, she is (and has been for a few months) staying in her room and not giving us a hard time with bedtime anymore. No crying, no fits, no excuses, etc. She may come out once(maybe twice), but other than that she stays in her room and plays or reads until she falls asleep. Almost every night she stays up for a good hour or so before actually falling asleep, but at least she's in her room, in her bed. What a difference that makes!

Although she sleeps in her bed, this is where I usually find her when she's not sleeping...

Lincoln @ 15 months

The last 15 months sure have gone by so quickly. What a joy Lincoln has been, he's added so much to our family.

Lincoln had his 15 month doctor's appt. last week and he checks out perfectly. 20 lbs. 3 oz and 29.5 inches. 7th percentile for weight, 9th for height. To me he doesn't look little, but when I see him next to my friend's babies who are close in age then he really looks small. Oh well, neither of our kids are going to be very big I don't think. He's eating like a champ so I, and the doctor's, are not concerned. He's got 11 teeth so far and is working on another one that will pop through anytime now. He still only says a couple of words, but does even more sign language. We've been working on that with him and he does it wonderfully. It does help him communicate with me which helps with frustration on both of our parts. He can also tell you where his nose and eyes are. He's also still wearing size 6-12 month clothes and a size 5 shoe.


Speaking of frustrations, he is the sweetest, most laid-back baby I've ever known until he gets mad or doesn't want to do something then LOOK OUT! Holy Cow this kid can throw and mean tantrum! Riley NEVER threw fits like like he does, so I'm still figuring out how to combat them...He mostly throws a fit when I change his diaper or when we open the front door and then shut it before he can get out. I'll take video of it sometime because it's almost comical, I have to remind myself not to laugh :).

He loves his nipper and I'm worried about the day I have to take it away. However, he does only have it at nap time and bedtime (ignore the above picture :)). Some of his favorite toys right now are the piggy bank, his Elmo and Grover figures, anything Little People, and any type of cars. He LOVES taking things out of something and putting them back, especially my tupperware. But, he doesn't usually put them all back and I end up picking up after him all day (Oh wait, I do that anyways...)



He and Riley play together SO WELL. I am so thankful for that. I don't know if their personalities compliment each other well or if it's just because they are still little, but they never ever fight. Riley has never hit him, or pushed him, or bit him, etc. She has taken his toys away, but afterwards (even before I have to tell her) says "I'm sorry Lincoln, here you go..." and gives it back. So sweet. I know their time will come, but I'm glad they love each other and play well. Wish I had an older sister like that...oh wait I did. (I was the mean, younger one :))


I love this little guy so much; love cuddling him, love kissing his cheeks, love the way he climbs all over me when I'm bending down to pick something up, love when he "sings" (screams) along with the Veggie Tales CD in the car, loves that he still puts his hands over his ears when playing peek-a-boo, love that he still sleeps in our room, loves that he dances when the PS3 comes on, loves that he grasps toys like he's never going to see them again, loves that if I leave that bathroom door open he ALWAYS pulls the entire roll of toilet paper off the roll, and loves that he loves his momma more than anyone else! I am truly blessed to be his mother, and am thankful for each day I get to raise my precious boy!

Long Overdue!

Ty and I were invited to a good friend of his' wedding over the weekend. We knew we wanted to go, but didn't know what to do with the kids. This past Thursday was our 4th wedding anniversary, so we decided to take the kids to my Dad's house just over an hour away and spend the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) with just each other. I absolutely love my kids and wouldn't change having them for anything, but man do I miss hanging out with just my husband! The last time we've been out together has been over a year, so I was thrilled to have him to myself! We went to the wedding on Saturday, went to the reception afterwards but left a little bit early so we could have some time to ourselves.


My husband is one awesome guy! I couldn't imagine my life without him. He's the most caring, loving, forgiving man that I know. He's the most wonderful father who loves his kids more than anything in the whole world. This weekend was going to be hard for me because I've never left the kids, let alone left them over-night but we knew it would be wonderful to spend some time alone. I mean, who doesn't need that, right?! I actually think Ty has a more difficult time leaving them than I do, but they were in good hands and despite our 6 phone calls home we knew they were being well taken care of! Thanks Papa and Nani (mostly Nani, since Papa was golfing :))!

Deer Forest

Growing up Ty and I both used to go to Deer Forest in Coloma. When our playgroup suggested we take our kids there too for an outing we jumped at the chance. I used to have so much fun and can still remember the commercials for the place "Feed the dear, ride the pony, feed the dear and ride again...". When we got there I noticed that they literally hadn't changed the place since I'd been there last, which was probably a good 15-20 years. It was pretty run down, but even though I noticed they kids didn't and they didn't care either. Both Riley and Lincoln had a lot of fun feeding the animals and looking at all the different animals! We packed a lunch and ate under the pavilion they had reserved for our group.

Most of our playgroup...missing 4 kiddos (I think).
Riley feeding the dear.

Petting the bunnies.

Riley swinging and Lincoln hanging out in the stroller.

The kids checking out the cougar in his cage.

This was when Riley kept telling me she wanted to hold the fox!

Riding the dragon.

Remember when I say that Riley runs off? She does a great job at holding my hand, but the second I let go of her hand she's long gone. Well, I knew I'd have to push the stroller, therefore I couldn't hold her hand. Yes, she could have sat in the double but I wanted her to be able to get out and explore. So, Mandy let me borrow her "Monkey backpack" for Riley so I could keep her close. I've always thought the "leash" was cruel, but it's so dangerous that Riley runs and I can't just leave Lincoln by himself to run after Riley. She actually didn't mind wearing it and did a great job staying by me. Here Riley was leaning to touch the water and Christy caught her by the monkey tail so she wouldn't fall in.

The kids really enjoyed feeding the horse! I was surprised Riley did it, but she really liked it. She kept saying "The horsey licked me"!

A day at the (Silver) Beach

This summer's weather as been so weird that we've only made it to the beach once! Our playgroup took a day trip to Silver Beach in St. Joe. Since I grew up going to that beach I was the tour guide. It's been years, literally probably 6 years since I've been, and as you can imagine a lot has changed since then. I decided to leave Lincoln home so I could focus all of my attention on Riley. She has a bad habit of "running off" if I take my eyes off of her for 2 seconds so I didn't think it was a good idea to have to watch two babies very closely especially around water. But, I have to admit I do love spending that one-on-one time that I get with each one of the kids when I get the chance.

It was the most perfect day for the beach, and we were obviously not the only ones who thought so...it was PACKED. I don't think I've ever seen it so busy, except on Venetian weekends. What a great day and great company we had!

Riley, for a second, forgot that she cannot swim like Kaitlyn and Kendyl. This picture (thanks Christy) was taken right before I had to jump in and "rescue her". (She just got scared, she wasn't in danger.) I didn't think she'd step foot in the water, hence no life jacket. After this scare though, she definitely didn't go back in...I think it may have scared her for life.

Binder Park Zoo

A summer is just not complete without at least one trip to the zoo. Kind of on a whim the other weekend Ty and I decided to take the kids. Riley was so excited to see the giraffes and elephants (we couldn't get through to her that there were NO elephants at this zoo). They have a "new" feature to their experience where they bring animals on the stage, talk about them and show off their "tricks". It will be a nice addition to the whole experience once they get the hang of things and the animals learn the ropes! We had a blast, always do at Binder.

We decided once we got there that the clouds looked dark and since we didn't want to miss Wild Africa we'd hop on the train and go there first. Riley could hardly stand it she was so excited to see and feed the giraffes. We got up there, bought some giraffe crackers and went to feed them. The second she saw them she was terrified! Literally terrified, crying and saying no and telling them to keep their "tongue away"! However, after about 5-6 minutes I coaxed her into at least feeding one. That was it, but she did it! Once we left she wanted to go back. Go figure...

We got through the entire zoo, except the petting zoo because it started to rain. No biggie since I'm sure we'll be going back again soon...

Sitting in anticipation about to enter the zoo.

Scoping out the vultures.

On the train to Wild Africa.

The Zoo Keepers showing off the animals. (This was the fox--which Riley said was her "most favorite animal")

Driving the jeep.

Feeding the giraffe!

Lincoln liked this little guy. When we put Riley up there to sit on him she screamed in fright and about jumped back into Ty's arms.

Deals

I found out this afternoon about a great deal going on until tonight (8/04--I think) and I took advantage of it! You have to have a LOT of coupons to do it and since I do, I got a lot of stuff. Here is what I got:

1 gallon of milk

36 boxes of cereal

6 Natural peanut butter jars

2 Mott's Applesauce

1 bunch of bananas

When you buy 6 boxes of Big G cereal you get a $2 off your next order and 2 coupons for a free gallon of milk. BUT, when you buy the milk it doesn't take off 1.98 (the price of milk at our Meijer) it takes off the entire 4.50...Great deal, wish I would have found out about it sooner.

I tried to break down how I did the deal but I had a lot of issues with the machines not working, so it was difficult to do. Some of my coupons didn't spit out of the machine, so I got cash back instead of the coupon. I paid 37.12 out of pocket, but got back 11 coupons for FREE gallons of milk AND 29.50 in coupons on my next purchase! So for all that's in the picture, plus 11 additional gallons of milk I paid (with coupons deducted) a whopping $7.62!!!

Also, just to make clear, my kids don't eat this kind of cereal because they don't know the difference and I wouldn't let them eat it if they wanted to, but I, on the other hand, could live off of it. I know it's so bad for me, but when it comes to eating I'm like a 10 year old. SO picky and I still always order chicken fingers when we go out to dinner...enough said I think :).