Cereal

As I said earlier, I am horrible at making my kids use utensils to eat with.  However, I have really been trying to get them to use them as much as possible.  So, this weekend we tried eating cereal (with milk!!).  And...they actually did pretty well.  I was terrified that they would try to dump their bowls over, but they were so excited at the new challenge that they didn't even think about that.  They sat in their chairs for 20-30 minutes eating and having so much fun!!  We'll see how it goes once the newness has warn off!



Oops...this clearly isn't a picture of cereal eating...don't know how this got mixed in, but I love it, so I'll keep it on here!



Isabella...mastering the spoon!

Leah..at first she kept trying to sneak her hand in...

But, then got the spoon thing down...

Only Isabella would pose while eating cereal!

DO-A

OK, so I am officially a failure (again!)...I have finally given in!  My kids are officially TV watchers!  Uggghh...I HATE to say that.  I have been ADAMANT about the fact that I do not want my kids watching ANY TV until they turn 2.  Others have told me that I should lighten up but that is what the doctor recommends.  That is what the "experts"recommend.  So that is what I was going to do! Period!  Exclamation mark!  No exceptions!

Well...that was before my kids turned 20 months and decided they needed my attention EVERY second of EVERY minute that I am around them...especially around dinner time when they start to get hungry and tired.  I can't get up to go to the bathroom without them FREAKING out!  So...in order to get dinner made at night, I have decided that Dora (or Do-A as the kids scream whenever she comes on the TV) will grace our presence for up to 30 minutes so that I can get dinner ready.  (Why Dora?  They have a Dora book that they LOVE and the first time I turned it on the TV they were very excited to see her move around.  They even climbed up behind the TV to see where she was coming from... have to admit..that was VERY cute!) 

 Ugghh...did I mention that I am a failure.  I hate that I am "that mom" that parks her kids in front of the TV so that I can get something accomplished.  I would have judged a mom that does that a few months ago.  I wasn't going to be that mom.  I was going to calmly teach my children that they need to find things (books, educational games, push-ups..whatever) to occupy their time while Mommy makes dinner.  So...I tried that.  For weeks.  And guess what...it wasn't working and I was going crazy.  But guess what did work...Do-A!  Do-A!  D0-AAAAA!

So, I conceded...Yuck!

The good thing is...after about 5-10 minutes, they usually turn the TV off themselves, say "all-done" and find something else to play with.  I think they just need a few minutes to focus on something other than me and then they are fine and can go back to playing on their own.

So...judge me as you wish...I would be judging me if I were you...but I have come to terms with my failure...

Hi, My name is Tricia and my kids are TV watchers!!

First Family Hike

On July 4th, we took our first family hike.  The girls really seemed to like it.  They love to walk and run, and they love obstacles, so this was a perfect activity for them!  We went to Gambrill state park in Frederick and did a mile long path.  They lasted a long time...probably more than 3/4 of a mile before they wanted a break for a little.  I am excited to take them there again!  It was a good way to get out energy too...they slept GREAT last night :)

(Oh...and I KNOW that we need better hiking shoes...thanks Mom for being the first one to point that out!)



We went to the playground before heading out for the hike




The girls did this on their own...they love to hold hands all of the sudden!





Checking out the trail




A little break on the rocks





Daddy & Leah





At home before we left





Bella tried to sit on a sharp rock.  Whoops!




Daddy and his girls



Looking for bugs



Cesar went on a ride after our hike!



Outer Banks 2011

Last week we headed down to the Outer Banks for a week with the Hudson and Watkins families!  It was so nice to get away and spend time with family.  We had so many good times (and a few bad...like the fact that the girls were obsessed with Demi and wouldn't leave her alone, the fact that they learned to whine incessantly and still are working on not doing that, and the fact that I got a sinus infection our last couple days there).  Otherwise...we had a great time and created some awesome memories! As usual, we went a little overboard with the pictures and this isn't even all of them :)

One of the few times the girls weren't pawing at Demi when she was around

I think Kai must have had a poopy diaper :)

Buddies!

Story time with the big girls

Breakfast on Day 1

Daddy sharing his breakfast on the deck with the girls and Kai

My beautiful niece



Absolutely adorable...she should SO be a baby model



Snack time at the pool

Leah LOVED the pool and spending time with Daddy!

Isabella liked it sometimes...but preferred to stay on the deck and play

Daddy is SO much fun!

Isabella on the deck...very happy!

And getting splashed by Daddy

Ahhh ha ha...I laugh every time I see this...hope my kids never need glasses

Leah

Isabella

Breakfast with the cousins

And..of course..Isabella is the non-conformist!

Leah Grace on the beach

Cesar loved to make holes for the girls

On our way down to the pool

Family Train!

Didn't let the beach get in the way of their shoe obsession

Isabella

Leah

Leah playing ball with Dean and Devin

Look at the ball...Devin's got some skills!

Sharing :)

Leah is absolutely the alpha sister!  She is IN CHARGE!

Popsicle time!

The incredible Hulk!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!
"More Please!"

sword fighting with popsicles

What a cutie!

Winding down for the night!

Learning colors with Grandma

Car trip to the beach

They LOVED the water...they dragged us down there anytime they could.

Not really sure what they are looking for :)

Bobbing for sand crabs

Daddy & Leah sharing a snack

Me and my Leah Grace

Trying to pose with two squirmers

Cesar showing off his new swim trunks :)

Isabella lounging in the sun

This was our first day on the beach...they liked the sand.

Monkey Face

Isabella and Daddy sharing a snack the day before vacation