Addison's Day

Day 2 of Spring Break was all about Addison!  We stopped at Lamar's Donuts on the way to Child Prodigy and then dropped Lauren off.  Lauren was excited for her field trip to the movies but a little sad that she did not get to do to the Zoo with Addison and I today.  The donuts seemed to help. 

We got to the zoo as soon as it opened.  We purchased a platinum membership this year, which included unlimited rides on everything at the zoo (carousel, train, tram, boat and skyfari.) 

We hit the carousel first and then it was off to the monkeys.  After the monkeys we headed to Africa, but had to stop and see the elephants.  Addison still looks for Penny, the elephant who had a birthday celebration last year that we were at.  Complete with gifts for the elephants and cupcakes for the adults and kids.  I heard on the radio that Penny died over the winter.  She was 50 years old!  I did not tell the girls that.  They would be so sad. 

The skyfari over Africa is amazing.  You actually get to see animals in Africa if you go up on this! 

The next stop were the tigers and orangutans.  Again, Addison seems to love to go see the tigers. 

We also had to take a ride on the train.  We were able to see the kangaroos and camels from the train. 

We had an awesome morning at the zoo.  It is so much fun to hang out with the girls separately and give them my undivided attention. 

I was able to keep Addison awake on the way home, which meant a good nap at home and not a short nap in the car.  She wanted to sleep in Lauren's room on the floor.  Fine with me!  She slept for 1 1/2 hours this way (which is a great nap for Addison!)  We hung out after nap at home for a while and played and then went to pick Lauren up early from Child Prodigy.  Addison said "I want sissy.  Can we go pick up sissy."  Love, love, love how much these girls adore each other. 

Spring Break

We are loving the gorgeous weather this week.  I am so excited it is actually Spring like this Spring Break week.  I took today and the rest of the week off to spend with the girls and we had a great day today just the three of us! 

We started our morning with a stop at Starbucks (and we even got to go in!)  The girls enjoyed their coffee (whip cream) and I enjoyed mine. 

Our next stop was the money museum down at the Federal Bank.  It is a free exhibit, open Monday through Friday, that the girls seemed to enjoy today.  You walk through at your own pace, look at lots of money, do lots of reading (if you so desire) watch money go to the vault on scooters, make your own dollar, and even walk out of there with a bag of money (shredded of course!) 

Next stop, Daddy's work for lunch!  The girls love to go to Mark's office, and of course he loves to show off his girls.  They played around at this desk for a while before heading over to Planet Sub. 

After lunch it was time to head home and takes naps.  We all took a nap today!  When we woke up we went out to the lake to feed the buffalo and the deer.  Our one bag of carrots was gone very quickly! 

Since it was such a gorgeous day we headed to the park.  We actually went to two (well 3) different parks.  We started out at Legacy Park, then the girls had to go to the bathroom, so we headed the community center to use the bathroom.  We headed to the playground at the Preschool, but since it was in session this week (even though it is Spring Break) it was closed to the public.  The girls were so disappointed because they wanted to go to another park.  So we headed to park number 3, just a few miles from our house and played some more. 

They were so worn out tonight.  Lauren went to bed quickly and Addison cried for about 45 minutes...totally overtired.

Tomorrow it is Mommy and Addison day and Friday is Lauren and Mommy day.  I can't wait.  I have lots of fun things planned for both girls. 

(All of these pictures were taken with my I-phone using the Instagram app.) 

Wordless Wednesday

Love, Love, Love this weather!

Happy Birthday Nana B

So we totally surprised by Mom by being at the Mavericks game Sunday afternoon.  My parents are huge fans of the local hockey team, so my Dad arranged a suite for us all to enjoy the game.  We arrived a few minutes before game time and went straight to the suite.  My parents were in their normal seats and my Dad pointed us out to my Mom after he saw us.

Here we are, minus the big girls.  Lauren, Addison and Claire were too busy watching the action on the ice! 

My Dad even arranged for a cake and ice cream for us to enjoy after the second period. 

Happy Birthday!  The girls made Nana cards and I got her a gift certificate from the team store so she could buy more Mavericks apparel. 

When we walked in Lauren said "this is like our house.  It is so big!"  She started dancing and running around!  The suite was stocked with hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and chicken fingers.  The fridge was full of Pepsi products for us to enjoy.  There was a nice bar for the girls to sit at and eat and then leather seats for us to enjoy the game.  Oh and a TV too so we could watch the tournament brackets.  Go KU!  My parents brought their cow bells to ring when the Mavericks score, and the girls had fun with them.  My Mom said "you guys can take them home."  I said..."oh no..those are just for the game!"  Cow bells in my house...I don't think so!

Lauren really watched the game.  She gets into sporting events.  Claire and Addison just walked around, ate and played.  Between each period that was action on the ice.  Dancers, little league hockey players, contests and games.  It was fun. 

Mac even came to visit.  Totally freaked Claire out, but Lauren loved him (look at that smile on her face) and Addison was OK as long as she was on Nana's lap. 

After the game Nana took the girls down on the ice to walk around.  You could have gone ice skating afterwards, but we convinced the girls just to walk on the ice.  It was a great time, the girls had a blast, and we totally surprised my Mom.  I think she had a good birthday!  Thanks Dad for arranging all of it.  We can't wait to do it again. 

Addison...sick...again.

So she went from this....

to this...in about 24 hours. 

She was so sick Sunday and Monday.  She took a 5 hour nap Sunday afternoon and spiked a fever during the nap.  At 6:30 she asked to go back to bed, after only being awake 2 hours.  She did not eat lunch or dinner Sunday. 

Sunday night she went to bed at 6:30 and did not wake up Monday morning until about 9:30.  She threw up twice, mostly due to coughing.  Mark stayed home with her Monday and she was pitiful.  She slept 22 out of 32 hours from Sunday to Monday...

Her temperature got as high as 103 Monday afternoon and she threw up again, right before Mark was heading out the door to pick up Lauren from school.  When I got home I gave her some more Tylenol and she perked up around 6:30 Monday evening.  I stayed home with her Tuesday and we had a great day! 

Her appetite was back and she had mac and cheese for lunch. 

She hung out in her jammies most of the day, until we headed up to school to get Lauren.  Thankfully she turned a corner pretty quickly.  She felt pretty miserable on Sunday and Monday.  Oh, and today when I had to wake her up at 6:30 to get her ready, she was very grouchy with me and back to her old self. 

Lots of Stuff

So I am still trying to decide if I like my camera on my I-phone.  Last week I took an amazing picture of the sunset and uploaded it on the blog and it looked amazing...this is the 3rd time I have attempted to upload pictures from my I-phone from the weekend and I really don't like how any of them look :( 

They are a funky size and if I make them any bigger they get grainy...but, I want to remember the last few days and the fun our family has had. 

Thursday night started with an art fair at the school.  I love going to events at Lauren's school.  I love to see her talking to her teachers, looking for her friends, and marching proudly around her school looking for her art work for Addison and I to see.  She loves school and is so proud of her work. 

I took Friday off for several reasons.  First, I never get to take Friday's off.  The current position I am in at work just does not work out well, but it did this last week.  Second, Lauren has wanted me to go to lunch with her all year.  Since I work downtown it never works out to go to lunch, unless I take the whole day off.  Third, Lauren had an assembly at school.  She really wanted me to come...so I did. 

Parents are welcome to attend.  Several kids receive awards, so lots of parents and grandparents are there.  I got there before Lauren's class was in the gym.  She was the  for the day so I saw her as soon as she marched it.  Happy, excited, and thrilled to be the line leader.   

Lunch with her was awesome.  The school food was not too bad either :)  She was super excited, hugging me and thanking me several times for coming to the assembly and lunch with her.  Her little friends had so many questions for me while I was there.  Again, it was so great to see her interact with her friends, tell me where to go to get my lunch, where to put my tray when lunch was over, and a quick kiss and hug before she went back to her classroom. 

Then Mark and I enjoyed a quick weekend get away.  Shopping, lunch, dinner in the plaza, wine, hotel, bed, breakfast buffet, and back to the girls. 

Mark price lined a hotel and we got the Westin at Crown Center for a great deal.  The fountains were beautiful and the Christmas lights were still on the trees.  The weekend was short, but we still had fun.  The girls had a great time with Gramps and Nana, but were super excited to see us Sunday morning.

It was a great few days and weekend.  A much needed get away, here in town!

I-phone

I took this picture from my I-phone this week.  Amazing!

Wordless Wednesday

The Big 40

Our Brother in Law, Steve, turned 40 last week.  We have entered a new era of now having friends in their 40's and attending 40th birthday parties!  A few years back we went to a 40th birthday party of one of Mark's fraternity brothers, now Steve is our second!  Well actually 4th I guess...Mark's sister and brother are both over 40!  Anyway...enough worrying about being 40.  I have a few more years...Mark, not so much.  He will be 40 next summer! 

My sister, Jen, planned a fun event at a local BBQ restaurant.  After the KU WIN we headed down to the party.  We were a few minutes late, but no big deal.  Everyone was mingling and drinking and having fun. 

We Mark got Steve some blue jelly beans and labeled them Viagra (you know, the little blue pill!)  We were just going to get a few and put them in a little medicine bottle, but Mark decided to fill up a Gatorade bottle!  Steve's brother also got Steve some medicine for old people.  It was hilarious all the things he kept pulling out of the bag. 

Addison colored with Gramps while waiting for her food. 

Lauren hung out with Nana for a little while. 

Mark asked Steve if he could have some "magic jelly beans."  Which cracks me up since Mark is holding Sophie asking for Viagra jelly beans!  Sophie is such a great baby.  She never cries.  She lets everyone hold her and she is always happy.  She is almost 7 months old now. 

We were at the restaurant for almost 2 1/2 hours.  The girls did really good entertaining themselves for the most part.  They colored, ate, played with our I-phones (those things are amazing for the kids) played with the ice cubes in the cups, and climbed under the tables.  They were good for a while and then they began squealing in excitement.  You know, that high pitched squeal that girls do when they are excited...well if you have girls and more than one then you know.  That was our cue to leave.  The party was over!  Besides, it was past bedtime at that point! 

It was a fun night, especially after the KU win...did I mention that already?

Sisters

To Addison: I hope you get better Addison so you can go to school. 

$451....

$451 is my profit from the JBF Consignment Sale in Lee's Summit at John Knox Village.  It started last week on Thursday and ended Monday night at 8:00. 

The first short night of shopping I was so disappointed because I only sold 3 things and made $10.75. 

The second day I was up to $159, third day $270, fourth day $344 and my final profits were $451.  Can you believe that? 

If you are ready to get rid of your baby stuff this the sale to do.  Don't get me wrong.  It is a TON of work.  My first sale was back in the fall and I made over $200 and I thought that was great. 

Over the last 9 months Mark and I have sold almost every newborn/baby item that we own.  Over the summer we had a garage sale and it was a huge success. 

I still have the rocker from the nursery, a small swing that sits on the floor, and my breast pump.  I just can't seem to get rid of those newborn baby stuff. 

Over the last 9 months we made close to $2000 selling baby stuff/toys/clothes (and a few random things around the house at the garage sale.)  Most of the profit came from the garage sale, a few baby things on Craig's list, and of course the consignment sales. 

Mark is such an incredible husband and has told me that I can spend the money any way I like since I did MOST of the work with all these sales.  There was so much preparation for the consignment sales and of course the garage sale.  He helped tremendously at the garage sale and taking care of the girls when they were stalling at bedtime and I was knee deep in clothes, separating them, hanging them on hangers, tagging them, etc...

So if you are ready to sell baby and kids stuff just let me know.  I have several secrets to make it a huge success.  Good luck! 

Random Thoughts From the Weekend

Our Saturday mornings have been crazy for the last 6 weeks.  The girls have had swim lessons.  Addison at 8:00 and Lauren at 9:00...at 2 separate locations.

Addison loves the water and does not really need parent/tot lessons.  We only signed her up because Lauren was signed up. 

We had lunch at Target this weekend.  It really is the little things that make the girls think I am the best Mom ever.

I bought Easter outfits this weekend.  Addison got an adorable dress.  Not too frilly at all.  Lauren got a white skirt and a cute aqua top.  No dress for her.  Not even on Easter.  She will probably be wearing flip flops in Easter as well. 

Mark and I had dinner at The Melting Pot this weekend with our good friends The Wrights (Killian and Charley's parents.)  We love The Melting Pot.

I wondered through the Coach store before dinner. 

I did another consignment sale this past weekend.  Sold a ton of stuff.  My profit is over $451!

We enjoyed dinner at my Parent's house Sunday afternoon.  We celebrated February birthdays.  Mine, Lauren, Mama and Steve. 

I ate way too much dessert and junk this weekend. 

We finally made a decision on an electrician.  Now, we have to get the fans and light fixtures bought that we want updated. 

I am totally jealous that Mark is off on President's day and gets to spend the whole day with Lauren. 

Lauren has her well child check tomorrow.  I can't even believe she is 6 years old already. 

I am obsessed with House Hunters and can't wait for the new episodes this week. 

Like I said, random thoughts from the weekend.  No pictures.  Nothing really happened this weekend that was picture worthy.