Pumpkin Painting

Now that it's getting closer to Halloween, I had the kids paint their pumpkins. Emmy made a cute little face on hers.

Spencer did his usual pile on the paint kind of thing. It was pretty funny and messy, messy, messy!

Happy 30th Birthday To Me!?

Two days ago I celebrated my 30th birthday. I'm officially OLD! I went shopping the day before my actual birthday to use some gift cards I received, and I thought that would be all I would do because Erik had to work the next day. To my complete surprise, I woke the next morning around 7 a.m. to the smell of bacon! Erik took the day off for my birthday without me even knowing it. He brought me flowers and breakfast in bed. It was then that he informed me that I would be spending the afternoon at the Red Rock Spa!!! I had a 50 min. facial and a 90 min. pedicure. It was the best spa ever and soooo relaxing that, believe it or not, the kids hardly even crossed my mind. I really NEEDED the pedicure too since the day before I ran 8 1/2 miles. Erik also downloaded some music, that I mentioned I wanted a while back, and had it ready to play for me when I got in the car. It was so sweet and thoughtful of him. He also baked my cake and made steaks, potatoes, and salad for dinner... yummy. And he had the kids color pictures for me while I was gone. It was supposed to be a surprise for after we ate our cake but Emmy told me as soon as I got home. She said "Mommy, we colored you pictures but it's a surprise. Daddy is hiding them." It was really funny because Erik talked to them for a long time about not telling me. It was an awesome day and I still can't believe that Erik pulled one over on me.

Playhouse Disney Live Show!

Last weekend Erik had to work, so I took the kids to the Playhouse Disney Live show at the Orleans Arena. Spencer and Emmy each got a baton after the show.

The baton lights up and looks really cool in the dark.

It was a great show for the kids. It was fun for me to watch them watch the show. The only characters I didn't get any good pictures of were Tiger, Pooh, and Darby. I think I'll get over it though.

Handy Manny

The Little Einsteins

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy

The whole gang

Spencer Update

I have recently been looking around for a fun class to start Spencer in. I wanted him to do Karate but he's not quite old enough yet. I think I am going to sign him up for t-ball or soccer. I'm not sure what he would think about either class, so I may try them both out for a day to see. He primarily uses his left hand so he may very well be the left handed pitcher I've always said he would be!!!

Like most boys his age, he loves playing with cars. If his cars aren't fast enough when he races them he tells me to throw them away; what a silly guy. I parked our car next to a red convertible corvette the other day and Spencer walked right over to look at it... just as Erik would do. I said "You like that car don't you". He said "Yep... drive it".

He's such a sweetheart to his big sister. Emmy will ask him to go pick up a toy for her and he'll do it, even if he's across the room involved in another activity. But he also knows just how to push her buttons at times. After all, that's what little brothers are really for!

He's very persistent which is for the most part a great quality to have. However, it does put him in "time out" quite a bit. He's just at that age now I guess.

He's a really funny little guy and he likes to make us laugh. Emmy always wants him to dance with her but his version of dancing just isn't quite the same. He likes to dance crazy and then throw himself down on the floor and roll around... it's so funny.

We are going to start potty training soon. Hopefully it goes well and he is trained in one day... in my dreams! He's showing all the signs that he's ready, so we went out and bought him his big guy underwear the other day. I let him pick them out which he thought was cool.

He's a smart little guy and is doing all the things a 2 yr. old should be doing at that age... and a few things he shouldn't : ) I'm really impressed with some of the things he knows and does. I'm not sure what he will be when he grows up but I just know it's going to be something really great.

I'll post more pictures soon!

Emily Update

Emmy has recently started a tap, ballet, and tumbling class which she absolutely loves. I have been wanting to start her in this class for a while now but decided to wait until she got bored at Gymboree. So last Thurs. was our last day at Gymboree and last Wed. was our first day at dance class. Emmy's dance teacher made a point to tell me as we were leaving that Emmy is an "excellent student". And several of the other mommy's there made comments to me on how well she was doing too. I am so impressed, but not surprised, on how well she follows instructions, and how focused and graceful she is. She really wants to go there to learn and not play around. Not that I would mind one bit if she did play around like some of the other little girls. It is SOOOO funny to watch some of the things they do. I really just wanted Emmy to have fun and meet some girls her age. Emmy really likes her teacher and so do I; she is so sweet and patient with all the kids. I will get pictures of Emmy all dressed up at her next class.

Emmy has really been enjoying riding her "big" bike, which I also need to get pictures of. Lately I have been getting on my bike to ride with her because she goes so fast that I can't keep up walking any more.

She has a few weird eating habits that totally gross Auntie Darcie out. But I really can't complain because both kids are pretty good eaters. Emmy likes to use pudding as a dip for chicken, and applesauce as a dip for chips. This morning she wanted some string cheese to put on her french toast sticks. I let her; it's gross but I keep my mouth shut about it. She has tried and likes chocolate covered espresso beans (I thought she would spit them out) and would drink coffee if I let her (not going to happen). She informed me the other day that when she's older she can have coffee... when she's 5. Funny girl.

Her coloring has really improved in the last few months. She really focuses now on staying in the lines. She has also started drawing people that actually look like people and can spell and write a few words. One day when we were coloring I asked to borrow the green crayon she was using, and she told me to be patient and wait my turn.

She is old enough now to understand when Erik and I are telling jokes or just being funny. She laughs with us and thinks we're silly.

She's starting to play with Barbies now and likes to dress them up and of course accessorize. I'm excited about that because I found some cool Barbie stuff I want to buy her for her birthday and Christmas. I can't believe she's going to be 4 yrs. old in a couple months.

I will do a "Spencer Update" in the next day or two!

Carnival pictures

San Antonio Trip (days 6 and 7)

Our last full day in SA we decided to take the kids bowling. This was Spencer's first time bowling; Emmy has been a few times already. As you can see in the picture above, she was cheering for herself after hitting several pins.

Emmy can now wear the lovely bowling shoes; Spencer will have to wait until his feet are a little bigger since the smallest size they have is a 9.

Spencer really wanted to do it all by himself, but we insisted on helping him carry the ball since he didn't have shoes on.

We also went to the park for a while. My kids love the swings and could swing all day if I let them.

We all decided to join them on the swings. I must admit I had fun too!

Emmy gets herself going so high now it makes me a little nervous.

Cutie Pie Emmy

Spencer found a small puddle of muddy water and rocks to play with; this made him so happy.

Big guy on the slide

Emmy's having a sip of water on the way down... it was pretty hot that day.

And on day 7 we flew back home. We had to get up at 4:30 a.m. so we were EXHAUSTED. The kids did great on both flights there and back; we got several compliments on how well-behaved they were. Although we had such a fun time on our trip, it is so nice to be home again (and have my king sized select comfort bed)!

P.S. Happy 32nd Birthday Auntie Darcie! Wow you're REALLY OLD!!! LUV YOU BUNCHES!