Do Over

Can you remember back to our first museum trip... it was a little bit of a nightmare. I probably picked the worst day of the year to go to the new children's museum. A rainy day on Spring Break.  What what I thinking?  Andrea invited us to give it another try this summer and we're so glad we did. 

The kids got to play in some of the areas that we didn't get to last time because of the crazy crowds. Reese and Campbell had fun stacking the blocks. Tucker had fun knocking them down.

Chris gave Reese a lecture about the boys before we left.  He practically gave her a can of mace to use if one of them tried to make a move.  It makes this picture of Reese trying to kiss Campbell that much funnier. 

Campbell and Tucker were totally drenched after playing in the splash area outside. 

Everyone just loved playing with scissors.  I better keep my scrapbook stuff out of reach for while.   

Tucker is going to be just like his daddy.  Always trying to figure out how things work. Always building things. He was really amazed at all the gadgets. If I don't watch out, he'll be taking my TV apart. 

What a perfect activity for a hot summer day... just stay away from this place on Spring Break. 

The Giggles

Who needs expensive toys when you have the trusty ol' knee horse??  I don't think I've ever heard Reese giggle so much.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

They took turns for at least 30 minutes and almost killed the horse.

Just Sit Right Back

We've spent some time on the lake this summer and the kids absolutely love it.  I wasn't sure how they'd react to having to wear life jackets the entire time, or how they'd do with the whole not being on land thing, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Every time we pass water now Reese says, "Lake. Boat on the lake."  I love that they're talking to us without us prompting them now. 

Brian and Jen invited us out on their boat Sunday night.  We packed a picnic and spent the evening relaxing with the fam.

Tucker with Paw Paw Jimmy (Brian's dad).  He pretty much ate the entire time we were on the boat.  First our food and then everyone else's. 

They especially loved that they could get down and run around.  We'll have to see if they'll go for a dip next time.

Weekly Funnies

The kids are constantly saying and doing things that make me laugh out loud.  And if I don't start writing them down, it will only be a matter of time before I forget the funny, adorable things they did when they were 2. Since this blog is meant to be a journal of our lives, I'm going to try to start recording these weekly funnies.
Here are a few of the top funnies this week:

1.  Reese learned my name this week and she thinks it's so funny to call me Angi instead of mommy.  She looked at me while playing with her blocks said out of no where, "I love you Angi".  Then she cracked up at herself.

2.  Tucker is such a good eater.  He'll devour just about anything which makes life at the dinner table pretty enjoyable.  Reese is usually pretty easy too, but every once in a while she boycotts what I make and doesn't want to eat.  We had hamburgers this week and Miss Priss refused to eat.  Tucker inhaled his so he got some chips (which Reese loves by the way).  I thought this would motivate the girl to eat but it just caused her brother to turn into a little sneak and pass her chips under the table.  Every time I looked up she was eating one.  They conspire against us, I'm tellin' you. 

3.  Reese is playing mommy these days.  To Tucker. To her dolls.  To whoever will let her boss and nurture them.  She was feeding her baby the other day and told me she was crynin (crying). I suggested that she sing to her to make her feel better.  Reese looked at me, looked down at her baby ever so sweetly and began singing her ABCs.  So stinkin' funny. 

And if this doesn't make you laugh, I don't know what will. 

The funnies make up for all the times they make me want to pull my hair out.   

Sunscreen Definitely Required

The Doyle Women took all the kids to Hawaiian Falls for a little splish splashin' today.  It was a HUGE hit with Reese and Tucker.  They both had fun... but by doing totally different things. Tucker was all over the park... running, splashing, climbing, sliding, making me chase him. I literally chased him around all day while Dana and my mom kept an eye on Reese for me.  She played happily in the shallow end of the wave pool, filling up her watering can and pouring it all over them while they relaxed in the sun.  So unfair... I totally picked the wrong kid to hang out with on this trip.   Do you know how not cute it is to chase a toddler around in a bathing suit?? It was worth it to see him having so much fun though.  He found a slide that he just couldn't get enough of.  Up the stairs. Down the slide. Repeat.  About 100 times. I got my workout and he had a blast.   

This is what summer days are supposed to look like...

I've been amazed at how great the kids have been when we've gone to the zoo, pool, water park, etc.  No meltdowns, tantrums or major fits (knock on wood).  They've been SO good to their mama this summer. I think I've had just as much fun as they have!

Zoo Memberships Rock

We're loving the Zoo memberships that Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids for their birthday.  Every time we go, they like it a little bit more and come home talking about  a few more animals.    Grandma joined in the fun today...

They like to climb up on the fences like the big kids to take a peek at the animals. 

They are really into fish and turtles right now so they especially love the MOLA (Museum of Living Art). The fact that this exhibit is entirely indoors makes me love it too.  I like the outdoors, but it was 96 degrees today people.     

We rode the carousel for the fist time today.  Reese said she wasn't going to ride, but had fun of course. 

Reese wasn't at all tired by the end.  Thanks for taking the day off and coming with us Grandma.  It was a blast!

Rainy Days = Crazy Kids

We've had an insane number of rainy days this summer so I've had to whip out my creative mom skills to come up with indoor activities for the kids.  We exhausted pretty much everything I had up my sleeve by the end of the 2nd day of rain.... painting, play dough, coloring, etc, etc, etc.  I'm addicted to crafting so I hit the blogs looking for some fun things to do and/or make with the kids.  I came across some fun mom blogs written by stay-at-homers that made me feel pretty inadequate.  There are some supermoms out there. Anyway, I came across this cute little fishing set idea and used my sewing scraps to whip one up for the kids...

I love the chubby little hand trying to snatch a fish in this picture.  I attached washers to the fish and put a magnet inside the worms.  Worked like a charm... they fished for over an hour off the back of the love seat. 

They are still loving it and haven't started using the poles as swords yet, so I'd say this one was a hit. 

Here Fishy Fishy

Reese and Tucker are blessed to have several aunts and uncles close by and they get to spend lots of time with them. This week we went swimming with Aunt Dana, to the zoo with Aunt Amber, and fed the fish with Aunt Jen Jen.  I love it that the kids know and love their aunts (and uncles too).  Anyway, Jennifer has a fish pond on the campus where she works so we had lunch with her and had a blast feeding the fish...

Surprisingly, I didn't have to coax Miss Priss into participating in this activity.  She loved it... used up all her fish food and moved on to Tucker's. 

It's close by, free and we get to hang out with Jennifer, so we'll try to make it a regular thing (well, at least until I have to go back to work. Boo.) Thanks Aunt Jen Jen!  We'll be back to play again next week.