Our staycation 2010

Originally we planned to take the kids to the fabulous windy city for a week away. We love Chicago and wanted to share it with the kids! We really want them to see how great it is and love it just as much as we do.However, we also had some things around the house that we needed and wanted to do. Paint the bedroom, make and paint the playroom, put up a fence, have a weekend get-a-way for my and the hubby, and perhaps acquire matching furniture for the living room! whew! well, we decided that we would stay here in the STL, get some projects done here and

take the kids to some local attractions. We accomplished everything on out list.

We painted our bedroom a beautiful shade of green:

The playroom is now a playroom and a nice sunny yellow. Yes, this is the only picture I have to show what color it is! look behind the adorable children and see the sunny yellow!

The swing set is out of the box and up for the kids, their playhouse was delivered pre-assembled too!

the assembly team!

taking it for a test drive!

The fence is up!! We love the fence!! Ok - this is the fence truck - but trust me, the fence is up!!

We shopped and bought a new computer (YEAH!) - no pictures of it but this post was typed on it! And we bought a new computer desk, tv stand and medium bookshelf that match. no pictures of that either!

It was not all about the house though. We took the kids out for lots of fun days as well. We went to Gus' for lunch with Tia, Aly, Jade and Bella. Sorry, no pictures of that! Luckily Tia had the

mini van so Mia, Luca and myself could all squeeze in! i think it was Lucas' first time have a Gus' hot dog and he loved it!

We went to the children's garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The kids loved it. They could run and explore, and there was a splash area at the end.

We took a day out to join the Harris family for some swimming fun at Aquaport, which was so much fun! We did discover that the kids need more exposure to the water as they were not completely a fan of the water!!

lucas taking his time getting in the water

they only picture I have of Mia there! yikes!

Overall, it was the best decision and we had the best time! We were able to enjoy each other and accomplish SO MUCH!

Fuss-a-licious

Lucas is definitely fuss-a-licious!

boys only!

Recently we were invited to a play date with a fellow mom friend, Trish. Trish was pregnant with Robbie when I was pregnant with Lucas. Trish was due about 2 weeks after me. While I delivered Lucas at 39 2/7 weeks, Trish delivered Robbie at 26 weeks. 26 weeks. She had just had her big ultrasound, just passed the half way point. You can read her story here. It is pretty remarkable, her journey. And equally remarkable is Robbie!! He is a fighter, has had an amazing journey, and is one of the cutest boys I have ever seen. Want to see for yourself? go here!

I purposely planned this play date when Mia had school and I could arrange to have her picked

up. why? because as kid #2, Lucas gets shuffled around a lot. He tags along a lot too, to things that are more interesting for Amelia, to her friends houses, to her gymnastics class. I think he deserved his own play date, with another boy no less.

Trish and I attempted to go to a splash pad for our play date, only to have it postponed for ear infections (Robbie) and slight fever (Lucas). Attempt two we decided should be indoors, so we went to Monkey Joe's! I thought it would be a hit with the boys, but it was just the opposite.

Robbie was far more tolerant of the bounce pads than Lucas. he cried and then climbed out. Robbie did stay in for a few minutes! Mostly, they ran around and we chased them and tried to corral them in the same general direction so we could at least stand and talk to each other. After the play date, we went to a local Thai place for lunch. Yummy pad thai, chicken satay, gyoza's...mmmm. I love Thai food and although this place is no Thai House (columbia, il), it curbs the crave! All in all, not a bad morning! The boys had a good time and so did I. Here are a few

photos I managed to get between the talking, corralling and eating! enjoy!!

As far as Lucas would get in!

Robbie!

get me out of here!

I make the bounce pad look good.....

It can't be possible....

two.

my baby is turning 2. It is heart breaking and exciting at the same time. I love watching him learn new words, experience new things, grow and change before my eyes. He is the sweetest boy, will walk by and freely give kisses and hugs. On occasion, I miss this little cubby bear of a boy. We welcomed him into our family on August 18, 2008 at 10:55. He was 9lbs 13oz and 21 1/4 inches. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Fast forward to two, Lucas is running and climbing on everything. His favorite thing to climb on is the kitchen table and stand there. He is saying about 45 words and is putting some together for 2 word sentences. He loves buzz lightyear. I bought him some Buzz jammies and he will point to him and say "busth". Lucas is also jumping with both feet off the floor, kicks the soccer ball and has one heck of an arm on him. We are working on colors and puzzles. I am hoping to find a library program to put him in while amelia is at school so he can have some learning time as well. His most favorite thing ever is his fussy. He prefers to have one in his mouth and one in each hand! and he loves his stuffed animals. he has EMS bear that he got from the EMS crew at SLCH, his bunny bear that he got when he was born, glowee monkey, flatopotomus and his elephant pillow. At last check he was 34 inches and 34 pounds! He has one 2 yr molar and one on the way. I think he has been trying to cut them since he was 18 months. Thank goodness they are almost in! He is such a happy, happy boy!

Lucas, you are an amazing boy and I am so glad you are mine!

Happy Birthday Sweet Lou

Mia-style*

Amelia has discovered so you think you can dance. she loves it! She watches it so intently and wants to mimic everything they do. She does a great job for a 4 yr old with no dance lessons yet. We will be enrolling her this fall. I think she will love it.

*pictures coming soon!

Argh

We had some Pirates in our midst. Love, love them dressed at pirates - can't decide which one is cuter!

a face off! argh!

Captain Lou

the fearless mia rose

part pirate, part fairy dancer

partying with the princess'

For Mia's fourth birthday party, she decided that she wanted a princess party! Decorations were bought, a fabulous cake was made (thanks Lisa!) and costumes were put on. The girls had a ball and looking back at the pictures, everyone one of them looked ADORABLE! they laughed, played and waved their magic wands. It was a wonderful day with some wonderful girls!

decorations!

the fantastic cake!

magic wands

nothing better than little girls dressed up playing ring around the rosie!

all the beautiful princesses!

a new bike!

two arms full of love

i love this picture. my mom, enjoying her grandson and her great-granddaughter. I am so lucky to have her, and love every minute she gets to spend with my kids. I wasn't lucky enough to have grandparents growing up. My kids have 2 sets. I hope they know how lucky they are!!

Amelia Rose

Four of my favorite pictures from her 1st four years.

Amelia turns four!!

With each birthday celebrated, I always find it hard to believe that another year has passed. Three was such a fun age - learning how to ride a bike, going to pre-school for the first time, learning her abc's, counting, so many, many things!! With all the fun things that three has shown us, we can;t wait to see what the next year holds for us!

happy fourth birthday amelia rose, happy birthday beautiful girl.

no birthday spankings here, just a happy birthday toe-biting for the birthday girl!

Four and excited!!

The morning of Amelia's birthday, we invited our friends angela and madison to go for a spa day! We got our nails painted and then went out to eat! After lunch, Amelia enjoyed her 2nd ice cream cone. Yes, that's right her 2nd cone. No, not just that day. ever. allow me to pause so you can regain your composure. ok? so yes, it was her 2nd ice cream cone ever. Can you tell how much she is enjoying it? I don't really know what this is her second cone, why she hasn't had more. it just was!

4th of july

We went to spend the 4th with Darrin's parents this year. The kids had a great time playing int he water. Lance grilled pork loins and shish kabobs. I think the best part was when someone thought it would be great fun to give Amelia the hose. yes, that would be Amelia the 3 yr old! when is that ever a good idea?? At first we had a no squirting adults rule. And that worked for a while - until someone decided that it would be fun to squirt Nana. That quickly evolved into all the adults and Lucas being held hos.tage in the garage by the 3 yr old with a hose! It was pretty funny watching Amelia gilggle and laugh that no one could leave. Especially her Nana who kept saying "i have to get out, i have to use the bathroom". It was a great day! We ended it with a trip to Sauget to watch the fireworks at the Arch. We loved the fireworks! Poor Lucas missed out, he was asleep in the back seat.

heat-wave

The heat here is St. Louis hit early this summer and has yet to leave. We took the kids to get sno-cones tonight. Amelia insists on calling them Ice-cones! She decided she wanted a Barbi and Lucas settled for a Shrek! Afterwards we took a stroll over to the park for some slide and swing fun. Great, great night!

july 4th

We spent the 4th with Darrin's parents. We had a lot of fun. the kids swam, ate bbq, ran around and played, swam some more, and played with the hose. At some point, Amelia learned how to operate the hose. The garage has 3 exits - she managed to hold us captive by trying to squirt us any time we attempted to leave! Especially nana who was trying to get into the house to use the facilities! Ok - i may have been hiding out there telling her which way to squirt the hose to hit nana! it was a great time!!

finger painting

I found this product for Lucas awhile ago. While Mia was staying with her Nana one weekend, I got them out and let Lucas have at it. he loved it! he was confused at first as to what it was, but he picked it up fast and made some wonderful keepsakes. I think one may be a masterpiece! It is one of my go-to gifts now!

Future All-Star

When out and about with Lucas, we are almost guaranteed to get a comment on how big he is. And he is! he is about 4-5 lbs lighter than Amelia and only about 4-5 inches shorter. They are exactly 25 months apart. Usually following the comments of how big he is comes "he's going to be football" player one day. umm......not if I have anything to do with it...lol! it would make his Pop oh so happy, but I would prefer he play baseball! I think he would make a great first basemen!

Batter up!

A switch hitter!

Father's Day