Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A Kid Again

I love feeling like a kid again and doing all of these fun activities. Big Joey and I  just started getting a peak at our days to come. The boys are becoming more flexible with travel and both are able to enjoy new adventures. I had no idea it was going to be this fun this early. Don't get me wrong, I am more tired and there is less time for things I used to do. However, I'm trying to cram it all in before they outgrow those phases.

 On the way to Grandma's Condo last weekend  we stopped by Taltree Arboretum and Gardens. It's located in Valpairaso, and it was just a small detour off of our way to New Buffalo, Michigan. Let me rewind by saying we had the worst car ride ever with the kid and we were desperately looking for a break and some fresh air. This place was perfect.
 We call Grandma's Condo "Grandma's Condo" because that's what the boys call it. It's located right on top of train tracks, which you'd think would be annoying, but for some reason it never gets old with the boys. Ray Ray can hear an engine minutes away, we all yell "Train!!", and run out to the front.

 I never thought I would be the type of mom that would encourage silly obsessions your kids have, but I am and I loooooove it!!!! We affordably dressed like The Wiggles for The Children's Museum Halloween Party for a total of $21 for all of us. We continue to have Wiggles performances all day long and we CANNOT WAIT for Halloween next week!!!!
 Last weekend we were able to enjoy our first stay at a hotel in French Lick, Indiana. I bought a Groupon a while ago for a one-night stay, 8 passes to the indoor water park, 4 passes to putt putt, 4 passes to lazer tag, a trip to the pumpkin patch with a kiddie zipline, hayride, and a pumpkin, and free breakfast all for $150. What a steal!!!! We dropped Louie off at Grandma's and took off. Wow, this place was perfect for little kids. The water park was only 10 rooms away from ours and we were able to do everything through our little wristband with a chip in it. We will be going back every year.
 Joey did all of the slides and had that crazy laugh throughout each one while I was screaming my head off. In the picture above do you see that big bowl with blue and yellow stripes??? It is like those funnels you put your coins down that go around a million times. Well, in a double tube, Joey and I would go straight down a super dark tunnel, go around this bowl a million times, then down another dark tunnel and ended up in some tidal waves. It was nuts!! I had no clue my timid 4 year old would love this, but he did!
 The toddler area above was perfect for the boys while Joey and I sat and relaxed. Did I mention there was an arcade room right outside the park where adults could grab a beer and pizza while watching some football? It was an unbelievable set up.

I am writing this blog from my bed. Unfortunately I caught the stomach flu somewhere and I've been in bed for about 30 hours now. I feel terrible...I caught the flu on big Joey's birthday. He had to come home from work early to take care of me and the kids and is now missing another day of work on what he calls The Greatest Day of The Year... the start of the World Series.. So I'd like to give a shout out to an amazing, hard-working, kind husband who continues to be our rock when we all feel defeated. Thank you for giving us such a beautiful life babe. Love you!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

All that I have....time for.

Grandma's Spiderman Birthday

Joey's first sport. Daddy coached. We scored twice... in the wrong goal.
 Sydney's 3rd birthday.
 Daddy's little girl.
 Joey's first field trip to Waterman's Pumpkin Patch.
 Joey's first pony ride... then an anaphlactic reaction. :)
 The kids. Ray's new smile. Awesome.
 Asking Mom why one of his Army men didn't have a head....
Ray still loves sugar, of course.