My New Favorite Toy

I found this double jogger stroller on Craigslist for $30 and I love it! We have taken it to the zoo, to the Mall, and I've tried to go walking with the kids as much as I can. My sole purpose of buying one was so that I could go walking (at my own pace, not that of a 2 year-old) with Ellie and Thomas in the stroller and Daniel in the backpack. This was one of the ways I'm hoping to shed some extra pounds. I figured that it was my pregnancies that packed on the pounds so those three little monsters can help me tone it down at little.

I feel sort of bad though...like I might be contributing to childhood obesity while I make them sit on their butts and offer them juice pouches and snacks just so they stay put. I justify it by telling them if they go for a walk with mom, then we can go play at the park. No really, they read books and play and run too as we go on our walks. We do what we have to, right?

And yes I know that Ellie is entirely too big for the stroller, she is the worlds largest 4-year-old. She is the in the 95% for a 6-year-old, but still as cute as can be!

Here I Come!

Just in the last couple of weeks Daniel has decided that he can walk, and that walking is an appropriate means of transportation. He's just the cutest little thing walking around. He tries so hard to keep up with Ellie and Thomas, I just know that he'll be running in no time.

The Cowboy Kids

In the last couple of weeks we have found ourselves at Bass Pro Shop two or three different occasions. Mostly out of boredom, I think. The one thing that the kids LOVE to play with, and ask for as soon as we pull in the parking lot is the "cowboy stuff." They think they are pretty cool strutting the sheriff hat and guns! And I do have to admit... they are stinkin' cute!

I loved this picture because Daniel looks just like my dad!

It's fun to watch them play at home too... everything they do is cowboy. They lasso each other with their jump ropes, chase each other with their guns, and ride anything and everything calling it their horse - including laundry baskets, the arm of the couch and even Heath. Heath is routinely corralled by the kids in hopes for a wild rodeo!

Country Music Hall of Fame

Saturday we finally made it to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It was really fascinating and quite interesting to step into the personal lifes of so many stars. We had to make our way through it pretty fast because of the kiddos...they were not so impressed as Heath and I were. But they were able to participate in a "petting zoo" with some instruments. Of course they thought they were pretty hot stuff playing some good ol' country music.

This video is just for you mom! I know that you'll love it!

Just Jumpin' Around

For the past few weeks I've felt like a shut-in. The weather here has been cold and we even had snow last week. So when a friend of mine asked if we were up for a play-date at our local BounceU, I couldn't resist. This place is full of those inflatable bounce toys! There were slides, trampolines, games and obstacle courses. It was a blast!

Ellie was a little cautious at first (no big surprise), but after the first slide down she was hooked. It was like she had completely switched roles with Thomas. She was running around so fast that I could hardly keep up. She was totally out of her shell, engaging in play with unknown children, going from one bounce house to another without a second thought, and she didn't even look back to see if Mom was keeping an eye on her. It was amazing...and Ellie would tell you the same thing. She is continually asking when we can go back.

Thomas had a ball! (no big surprise) He was into everything just as fast as his little legs could take him. He wanted to try everything, even things that you weren't suppose to....

...this is one of those basketball toss games. You make a basket and the ball comes down the hoop and through the net onto the other player's side. Well, I turn around and Thomas is INSIDE the net with his head sticking out of the basketball hoop, yelling "Hi, Mom!" He had a big smile on his face and I'm sure he was thinking, "Wow, this was easy!"

Daniel had a great time too. He probably enjoyed laughing at all the other kids as much as he did playing. I do love that he is becoming more capable and enjoys playing with the big kids.

We all had a great time and it was the perfect rainy day activity to get us out of the house.

Happy 1st Birthday

Daniel turned 1 last week! We celebrated at home with cupcakes, ice cream, birthday crowns and games. I just can't believe that my baby is already 1...he's so big! Daniel is so very smart and he mimics everyone and everything. He watches everything that Ellie and Thomas do, and of course will give it a try. He loves to play with his brother and sister. He has started to walk about 3-5 steps on his own. The cutest thing that he does right now, is when you ask him..."Are you a puppy dog?" he will start panting and crawling around the room. So CUTE!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!!

Snow Day!

We finally got snow! The kids were ecstatic when they woke up this morning to 3 inches of fresh snow. Now, I know that 3 inches isn't a lot, but for two kids who are use to living in the south...this was a BIG deal. We bundled everyone up and headed outside for some winter fun. We had snowball fights, snow angles and make-shift sledding (our sled was a cardboard diaper box, which worked surprisingly well).

I'm still not sure if Daniel had any fun, but at least he was a good sport.