Fun in the sun

I truly think that I will have to return to work just to get some much needed rest. Yesterday, we accomplished Chuck E. Cheese, Build A Bear (Sweet Pea chose a monkey and Pumpkin Pie chose a doll with purple, curly hair), then we got milkshakes. We made it to the zoo by about 1:30 and traversed the whole thing, including a couple of pictures of Beavers for someone special. Sweet Pea is a more thoughtful child. As we were looking at the turtles, she asked if we could have a turtle. I did not respond quickly, which obviously left just enough time for her to plot. Her next statement, "If we get a whole bunch of turtles and put them in the yard, dad won't have to mow ever, ever again." Dad was impressed by this logic; I was not. We simply said that we would check in to that and moved on. The girls loved the butterfly gardens but neither one could be still long enough to allow a butterfly to land on them. After completing our zoo journey, in the smothering heat, we went to the movies. We watched Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl Story. I highly recommend it but I have loved all of the American Girl movies so far. The girls really liked it as well but I am the only one that cried (I'm a sap). Sweet Pea did laugh out loud at one of the sweet moments towards the end because she said that it made her happy. This is the first time she has shown any significant emotions towards a movie. After the long day, I still managed to come home and do laundry. Matt was sweet enough to unpack some of the stuff and assist with the girls getting cleaned and ready for today's activities. Right now, we are looking at Dollywood and Shopping but we are not positive of what we will do with the rest of the day right now. Saturday, we are going fishing (if everything works as planned). I promise to post more soon and hopefully a couple of pictures to display our journey.

Busy, busy, busy!

Wow, I feel like I have done this before. We have been very busy with a week that we made no plans for. My grandfather is back in the hospital again (so please keep him in your prayers). Friday, we stayed at home and got a few things done that I had been putting off. Saturday, a friend came to visit. We went out to dinner with another set of friends. After dinner, the kids played together and then my mother-in-law came to visit (on her way back from the family vacation). Today, we completed the monthly grocery run and man, groceries are getting more expensive.
The girls are doing wonderfully. Sweet Pea's newest word is "awesome." She also likes to say, "that is the most awesomest." Pumpkin Pie has made some progress with some problems that she has been dealing with and I am so happy about that. I think that despite the upcoming adolescence, and her current sassiness, we are closer than ever. I really am looking forward to her going through puberty and growing up into a wonderful young lady. Sweet Pea is another story. I am starting to get baby fever and I really wish that she was just a little bit smaller and a little less independent.
The girls have not been in a funny mood lately. We are taking a mini-vacation at the end of this week and have lots of fun things planned (Chuck E. Cheese, Dollywood, Putt-Putt, Zoo, and much more). The girls are excited and I have to admit that I am really looking forward to it as well. Pray for some funny events this week!

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was mine and Matt's six year anniversary. I can't believe that it has been six years since I walked down the aisle and said "I do" to the perfect man. What, no one laughed! It's not always been easy but it sure has been worth the journey and I look forward to a lifetime with Matt. He is wonderful in so many ways.

Speaking of wonderful, tomorrow is a Happy three year anniversary for two wonderful friends: Brad and Shannon! Happy Anniversary guys! I'm so glad to have a couple that I enjoy hanging out with just as much as Matt enjoys hanging out with. I hope you two have a wonderful day today and wish you many more years together.

Happy Independence Day

Wow, what a week and it is only Saturday! Thursday night, Matt's mom stayed all night and left early Friday morning to head out on the Ehresman family vacation. I am so thankful we are not going this year, despite missing the family. I don't think a 10 hour drive to go camping is my cup of tea. I'm just not an outdoor kind of girl and my girls are not either.
Friday, Brad, Shannon, and Beans came over to play in the water (we will go to the splash pad soon). The kids had a lot of fun. Sweet Pea gave up her fight early on and requested to go inside and lay down (she did proceed to fall asleep soon after). The girls watched fireworks last night from the kitchen because it was storming here. Pumpkin Pie fell asleep sitting up in the kitchen chair. I did get a couple of cute pictures of it. She was absolutely exhausted. Both girls slept until about 8:00 this morning, which is a miracle in this house.
Today, we are going out to eat to celebrate our 6 year anniversary. Big shout out to Brad and Shannon who will also be celebrating their anniversary! They are kind enough to trade out babysitting so we can have a meal without the kids (the second meal without the kids since Sweet Pea was born over 4 1/2 years ago). So this is a huge treat for us! That and I get to play with Beans later- we are going to work on learning to Moo for the Chick-Fil-A contest next week! We are also expecting a visit from my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins today and cannot wait to see them because they live over two hours away and only get to see them about once a month. Tomorrow, we will try to slow down and not do so much.
Forgot to mention that we made homemade ice cream for the first time on Wednesday with the girls. The chocolate ice cream was delicious but it came from a mix. Today, we are attempting homemade lemon ice cream from my Mamaw's recipe and I am very hopeful that it will be almost as yummy as hers. Yes, Brad we are making a gallon of it so there will be plenty for you!
I hope everyone had a great fourth of July!

Not for young eyes/ears

We were out Friday night, running an errand. While waiting for an appointment, Sweet Pea was playing with an animal puzzle. She was pretending that the animals were real and having me talk with each one. She brought over a parrot puzzle piece and pretended that he was pecking me on the shoulder. I commented, "He's pecking me." Sweet Pea replies, "Don't worry, his pecker isn't that big."

You do the math!

Matt and I were conversing with Pumpkin Pie tonight regarding a concern that she has. Pumpkin Pie commented that she trusts me more than she does her dad. Of course, her dad asks her what makes her trust me more than him. She replies, "Mom's a therapist; you work at (insert company name here). You do the math!" I attempted to hold in my laughter, but my eyes started watering. Matt did not find it amusing. I, on the other hand, could not be more proud that my daughter holds my job (which makes quite a bit less than my husband) at a higher standard than her dad's. She really is improving on the kiss butt factor.

Busy, busy, busy!

This week has been so hectic thus far... sorry for not posting more. Sweet Pea has been in a foul mood this week and I almost guarantee that if I charted it, I would be able to identify a cycle (every four weeks, she seems to go through a moody phase). Pumpkin Pie is doing wonderful right now, except for the minor things that all kids go through. We recently had a discussion about the name brand clothing and how clothing does not make a person pretty. It makes me wonder if I have encouraged her to be shallow but then I think, nahhh, she's a kid! Of course, I also couldn't take any of the blame for any "faults". I'm still working on getting the pictures ready for the kitchen and will post a picture of them when I get them done.
On a happier note, we completed our examination for our accreditation at work today. I'm so thankful to have that done. However, we will not know how we did (done, just for Shannon) for several weeks.