A Kid Race

Leo and Charlie participated in the baby run...you can see Leo getting ready to go right there in front, he's the only little one in white!
I was unable to get any good action shots, but here's the duo at the finish line!

Sophia wastes no time as she takes off through the crowd and weaves her way in between and around the 'slow-pokes'

here she comes down the home stretch!

proud little girl!

Since I've been more into doing some 5Ks lately, Sophia has also taken an interest in running and racing. We invested in some nice tennis shoes for her so she could run races and she also uses them at soccer camp, so it was a good purchase! ;) She kept telling me she wanted to do a "kid race" so luckily I was able to find one. DeAnna Rose Farmstead hosts one every year and it was just adorable. The kids were split up into boy/girl age groups, except for the 2 and under crowd. They got to run with their parents and it was only a 100 yards. Leo was ready to go...until he spotted the chickens on the other side of then fence and then commenced to cry since daddy was making him run away from them! It was a little bit funny! With all the rain and commotion going on, Sophia was late to start her round (the boys were supposed to go first, so it was my fault, but I thought she had more time!) but I pushed her out onto the trail and she raced like a star. She actually did way better than I was expecting and actually had some strategy. She weaved her way through, passing a bunch of kids and she ran hard into the 1/8 mile finish line. It really was adorable.

Leo finally reunited with his chickens

The runners and their cheering squad. Leo is replenishing with some refreshing chocolate milk

We spent the remainder of the morning enjoying all the farmstead had to offer. The kids loved the tractor riding, we saw Olive being milked, fed some goats, played on the playground and even enjoyed a hot pretzel in front of the waterfall. Shelby and I are scheduled to do the "grown-up" race being sponsored by the farmstead in a few weeks, so more pics probably coming soon!

A Nice Little Day

this pretty much sums up the ball situation

peek-a-boo!



Little People on the Go!

sheep, pigs, and horses...oh my!

puzzle time!

We had a nice little day at home the other day. It was hot and we were tired and we just played the afternoon away! There was dress up, puzzle play, lots of Little People action, and of course book reading and cuddling! It was nice to see Leo actually play with the farm. I think it kept him occupied for about 15-20 minutes, a definite record!

Seussical the Musical

Mom and I took Sophia to Theatre in the Park this week to see Seussical the Musical. I was underwhelmed. I guess I was expecting a musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss to be sort of wild, crazy, funny, silly...but not so much. The sets were totally bland, the costumes were mediocre and Horton didn't have ears or a tail...I mean really??? Need we be that interpretive for a kid's play? The great revelation of the night was when Sophia looked at me and said, 'Mom, I don't think it's really them, I just think it's just people dressed up like them.'

Anyway, we left at intermission, mostly because Sophia was absolutely exhausted and I didn't feel the need to stay. She was only mildly following the plot and although she queried whether or not Horton would find the Whos after all, I filled her in that he would and she seemed happy enough with that, especially since she got a free glow stick on the way out.

Sanity Check

Looking this cute, I couldn't stay mad forever could I??

I'm feeling a lot better since Monday, and I appreciate the words of encouragement I got, thanks! Tuesday and Wednesday were only mediocre really, but by today I'm feeling like my old self, so I wanted to make sure to get some cute pics up! Oh and Kathleen, it really isn't that bad...most of the time! ;)

I bought these outfits in January on our cruise through St. Maarten. The gal who makes them had a booth set up and I absolutely fell in love. I know that most of you out there will probably agree with my husband that Leo's outfit is too girly, but honestly, I don't care. And I'm not cutting his hair yet either, so suck it. (hmm, by the sounds of things, maybe I am still bitter??;) These were their church outfits, where I might add they got many compliments. Sophia was in love with hers and Leo could honestly care less. They are roomy enough that we'll be able to wear them next summer too! Yay! Below are some more cute shots!

hugs and kisses! (even though they are kinda blurry, still adorable!)

I Live in a Crazy House

Seriously, I do. I think I just need to vent. Or maybe take a Valium. I'm truly not sure anymore. I love my children, a lot, I really truly do. They are both loving and sweet, inquisitive, and ornery and their smiles and hugs melt away my grump...usually...but some days (namely TODAY) I've hit my limit.

Leo is such a stinker. I cannot get anything done without him either trying to destroy it or something else in the process. Some of his favorite activities include starting the dishwasher or changing the setting while it's already in progress, climbing into the washing machine or dryer, with or without clothes, he's not preferential on that one, starting said machine or, again, changing the cycle midway through, pushing the stool over to the stove and banging on the burners, exploring the refrigerator, opening my make-up drawer and applying lipstick, and of course...trying to mount Walter and ride him into the great blue yonder. If one more person tells me that he's "all boy" I may have to smack them. This I know, what to do about it is driving me over the edge. He is also newly fascinated by the toilet. So, in addition to everything listed above, I found him this morning pulling the whole roll of toilet paper and dumping it into the toilet. Then he sat on it, like a big boy, but then proceeded to fall in so his shorts, that we had just put on, were then soaking wet.


Sophia is fairly self sufficient but of course wants my attention all the time. If this child was allowed to sleep in my bed and sit on my lap while she ate every meal she would do it. She does play nicely by herself and enjoys watching her shows, but she and Leo are already at constant odds about toys, food, behavior, whatever. Leo still isn't talking much (more on that soon) and she constantly reverts back into this annoying baby talk. I h.a.t.e it. With a passion. I get this is normal and all that crap, but I'm over it. I'm ready for her to move on and go back to her big girl ways. She is actually a very good big sister and does share reasonably well, but it's really hard when your brother bangs your guitar on the floor and tries to shove your balloon into his mouth and then when you retreat into your room for a moment of solace he is on the outside banging and screaming. I know how you feel, sweet daughter, this is my life every second of the day!


Just to further aggravate me, after I finally made it to the gym this morning, I decided that for everyone's sake I had to try and leave it all at the gym. I was a little slow to get going but realized that a good sweat and a nice accelerated heart beat would do me a world of good. So, I pushed that incline up a bit and unloaded for a full-on run. I'm doing good, feeling great, sweating a lot, when a small, gray haired woman appears at my side. Holding her towel and reveling in her judgment she points at the time clock on the treadmill (yes there is a 30 minute time limit when others are waiting and I was over that clearly I'm busy) and says, Excuse me, aren't you finished? with the flick of her finger from the clock to the floor I sort of stare at her in awe. Realizing that, No bitch, clearly I'm not, wasn't probably my best response, I simply got off and walked away.


I really had to mail some stuff, so against my better judgement I headed to the post office. I loathe the post office. There are always tons of people and no one moves quickly there. It is very cramped and I can only keep my children entertained for so long. I make my way up to the counter and in mid sentence I turn to see Leo destroying the card display. I mean he was right next to me and then whoosh...40 cards and envelopes on the floor. I sort of yelp, turn and run backwards toward the cards, sweep them up, but them back and haul his little tushie right back to the counter with me...trailing behind is Sophia saying well I was just looking at them! Trying to shush goody two-shoes I finally paid and was leaving when the nice postal worker looked at me and said, wow good for you, you sure do have a lot of patience. It was the nicest thing that happened to me yet. With tears in my eyes I said, Bless you for thinking that this looks like patience. On the sidewalk outside another man came up to me and said, don't worry, Mom they'll grow up. Shit. I must really look like hell today.


Please tell me it gets better...someone, anyone? Better?

The Latest Trick...

...the diving board!

this was her doing her "twisty move" off the end, so that's why it looks more flailing than it should!

I did it!

Bowling Time!

the favorite activity while waiting for your turn is to swing like a monkey on the railing...everyone loves that game!

Emma loves to be a helper for Leo!

YES!

We hit a local bowling alley for Preschool Bowling this week and Leo even had his first experience bowling, he did have quite a bit of help from Mommy, but still he had fun! We might go back there, it was a good deal for only $3 which included one game, shoes and a small drink.