peeps and prepping

All Roo wanted for Thanksgiving dinner was Nannie's macaroni and cheese and some Peeps.

All either of the RGs really wanted was to get the show on the road and get to the McGrands' house.

At 8am, Em was fully dressed, toys in backpack and ready.

We weren't planning to leave until the work day was over for J. After 5pm. She was not pleased.

It was a long day of waiting.

At 5pm they changed into their jamma socks and loaded into the wagon.

Because the backpacks alone weren't a big enough hint.

At 6 we loaded up everything we owned.

We need a bigger boat.

Happy 36

J turned 36 last week while he was away for work travel. Em sang a little song and we sent it to him first thing that morning.

The rest of the celebration was saved for his return.

Em and Roo helped make cupcakes for their Daddy. And picked out a special card.

We're mad for princesses these days, so no other card would do.

Inside, Em wrote love and her name.

Roo refused to write her name. Instead she wanted to sign it with her alter ego name of the week. Then, she agreed to actually write her name.

Can you see the alias? That's a T, a tiny W, an I and a CH. Someone is a SYTYCD fan.

At the end of the weekend, we blew up balloons, put on our party frocks (ok, just Em did that) and put a candled cupcake in a go-cup.

And took it all to the airport to pick up our Prince Charming.

We love our daddy! He's the real Prince Charming for these three girls.

Happy 36 and many more!

World of Wonderland

The Rowdy Girls have been counting down to this weekend. For two weeks now, Em has asked 'what number is today?' And finally, we got to number 1. The day we departed for Sea World!

Em and Roo brought their A game and had a fabulous day playing in the water park, seeing their favorite exhibits and catching the new season of shows.

Bonuses included the new baby killer whale and the baby beluga whales!

We overnighted and had a pretty restful evening at our hotel. I must say that travel with the RGs has definitely become easier as they've gotten older. This time around, we all stayed in the same room, no suite. The girls slept cosily in their PeaPods next to our bed and the 4 of us got a solid 10 hours of sleep. Not too shabby. And it made for happy campers the next day.

Which brings us to Morgan's Wonderland. This is a new park developed specifically for special needs kiddos. Some of the most appealing places for us were the sensory village, water works and awesome playgrounds with 360 degree swings. Even though the high hit 100 degrees, the park just didn't feel that warm. Shade everywhere, misters and fans for all the outdoor activities and nicely air conditioned indoor features, too. One of our favorite things was the limited number of people allowed inside. So, nothing gets too crowded. Once we got on a ride, if the girls wanted to go again, we just stayed on and rode some more. No exiting and waiting in line for a second turn. Really, we could have stayed all day. And we'll definitely be back to this amazing place. It's sort of the best children's museum/playground/amusement park ever.

sister trips

Dear Em and Roo,

I bailed on you last weekend and left you with your Daddy for 4 days. Y'all had a blast.

He's still recovering.

I did a little something I've always wanted to do... a trip to NYC with my sisters.

Your aunts Becky, Joy and Kaki and I flew in from our respective parts of the country and met up in the big apple for some long overdue time together. It was pretty amazing and we packed a lot into our stay... Broadway, shopping, central park, museums, lots of eating and sight seeing, catching up and laughing.

I missed you two a lot, but y'all had birthday parties to attend and jumpy houses to conquer.

I hope that in 20 years, y'all are meeting up with each other and your cousins in fun places and doing the same sort of thing.

I hope that in 20 years your aunts and I are meeting up in a different location from you and your cousins... and still doing our thing, too.

schtuff

J is traveling for work, so we're in hold-down-the-fort mode at the moment. So, while the entertainment continues, the documentation of said entertainment is lagging.

For posterity, and possibly your amusement, here is the schtuff that's going on right now.

1. J is traveling. I mentioned that already, right? It's significant.

2. In his place, the gross slimy green guy on the Mucinex commercial came to stay. Currently, he's taken up residence on Roo's face.

3. We went to the doctor today for Roo. This visit was spurred by her early dismissal from preschool yesterday. Because her eyes were oozing so much, the snot was sticking in her hair. Ew.

4. We were just at the doctor last week for Em.

5. Em was incredibly excited to be returning to the doctor. She was all prepared to get weighed, listened to, and stickered.

6. Roo was not excited, nor cooperative. She kicked our doctor in the boob while getting her nose looked at.

7. Roo has another sinus infection, plus a surprise ear infection. And.

8. She got a referral to an ear/nose/throat doctor to get her adenoids checked.

9. So, 50% of all preschoolers do not snore every night? That's not normal?

10. The doctor said Roo should be feeling well enough to go to school tomorrow. J is traveling. I know, I already said that.

Monday to Monday

After a busy week of travel and followed by a week of recovery, I'm finally putting together the highlight reel.

Monday (6-29-09)
Uncle Mike was in town for work. But, he had to eat sometime. So glad we got to see him!

Tuesday
Rainy day. We met up with new friends at an indoor playscape.
The highlight, for the RGs, were the 'rainbow cookies'.

Wednesday
Appointments for Roo. Working from home for Daddy. Laundry. Laundry. Packing. Exciting.

Thursday
Library storytime in the morning with new friends.
Road trip to Lubbock in the afternoon/evening/night. Really long.

Friday
Got a new dog.
And took a bath. That's right. No baths on Thursday.
I've got lots of fond memories of the bathtub at Nana's house.
Wonder where those Pillsbury dough boy toys are. Becky, Joy, Kak, Tracie? Do y'all remember those?

Saturday
Low key Independence Day with family. Good times.
Mostly.

Sunday
Apple picking attempt in the morning. Thwarted by a late freeze and a hail storm.

Still fun thanks to good friends.

Then, calzones from One Guy.
More sweet friends that evening. We had such a great time!

Monday
A few final hours with Nana.
And the awesome toys she saved from Grandpa's and Aunt Tracie's childhood.
And then the slightly less long drive home.

the long road home

Traveling home from our Christmas celebrations was the least exciting part of the holiday. We were loaded for bear and grouchy. The girls snoozed off and on. Mostly off. And highly protested being in their car seats for 6+ hours.

The lone piece of entertainment was driving down the main drag of this little town and snapping pictures of the businesses names.

click on the pictures to embiggen


Be very careful which establishment gets your child during the morning drop-off.

The girls were pretty excited to be back in their own beds, but bored to tears to leave all the extended family behind. The following 2-3 days were not a lot of fun. There were a lot of tears, screams and whines. And wailing for Mammaw! Marmee! Grandpa!...
A dear friend says they call this the grandma hangover. Exactly right.