Family Fun

Jason and I have ALWAYS enjoyed going to amusement parks and riding all of the rides. It is something we have always done and have ALWAYS loved doing! Thankfully, our minis love amusement parks as much as we do! Anthony is a trip! He loves all the fast and scary rides. The faster the better :) No fear with that boy. He wants to ride the HUGE roller coasters and is so sad that he is not quite big enough (I am internally sighing in relief because I have no clue how I would handle that!) Madison likes all the rides too, but she gets a bit nervous when they go a little too fast or a little too high! Though she enjoyed every second of her first "real" roller coaster experience! We were all so excited to visit Hershey Park during their Spring in the Park days as none of us had ever been! It was such a beautiful Spring day and we could not have asked for a better day together as a family! I am very much looking forward to our season passes to Dutch Wonderland this year! I foresee many hours hopping from ride to ride laughing and creating memories with my family!

He did not want to ride the "baby" carousel, but he did for his sister...

Strike a pose...

A little unsure at first, but fits of giggles by the end!

Harold the helicopter was sung LOUD and PROUD!

My happy boys! <3

Up close and PERSONAL! Their zoo was so fun! The animals were SO ACTIVE! It was an INSTANT hit with my kiddos! :)

Wordless Wednesday: This is how we roll!

My official "bad guy catcher"!

For more WW: Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus,  MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

JumpStart 3D Virtual World Review and GIVEAWAY!

JumpStart.com has an awesome EDUCATIONAL gaming world for kids to explore, play, and learn!  The first is an area called Story Land which is aimed at 3-5 year olds. For children in kindergarten to 2nd grade, there is Adventure Land and Marine Land, an underwater adventure. A fourth area, Future Land, is targeted for kids from 3rd to 5th grade. JumpStart just released a Dragon Sanctuary where kids can hatch, raise, train, then release their dragons! How cool is that?!?

JumpStart has given me a membership and the kids and I have enjoyed playing in their virtual world! Anthony LOVES all of the games. He has explored this virtual world a lot! Computer time is one of his favorites, and I like that he enjoys these learning games. He has explored every inch of Story Land, geared towards children ages 3-5. All the games in Story Land require mouse use only; which is great if your kids are not using the key board yet! There were some long load times (a minute or so), but if you know my son patience is something he needs to work on and surprisingly he did wait patiently!

Anthony spent a lot of his playing time in the Learning House. The games were fun and he had no clue he was learning while he played! I love hearing his excitement when he completes a level and earns a reward! I think one of his favorites is the connect the stars game in The Learning House. He loved all the games in the Learning House! He also really liked the Tiki Dune Buggy game.

I think technology can be a great learning tool for kids! We have many of the JumpStart programs on both the computer and Wii and my kids LOVE playing them. I prefer these types of games because they are learning while playing! Any opportunity for learning is a plus in my book!


JumpStart.com offers some games for free, but for a small fee you can have access to tons more! The games are almost endless! Another bonus of membership is that you have access to 4 downlaodable JumpStart games that you can play anytime and anywhere!

Jumpstart has offered one of my readers a 3 month JumpStart membership! This way your kids can have as much learning fun as mine! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me what your kids like playing on the computer!! ! I will select a winner on Wednesday May 5, 2010! So check out JumpStart and enter now!

Disclosure: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

A sight to be seen.....

As I walked past my bathroom this evening I happened to see both of my children going potty...

The problem? They were going at the SAME time in the SAME potty! Madison had the front and Anthony had the back...

The part I find most disturbing?!? The fact that it seems so natural like they have been doing it for years.... What ever will they do next!

Boys will be boys!

As we were eating dinner, Anthony was doing an exceptional job eating. He was even usinghis NAPKIN! Of course I had to compliment him being as he usually has the worst table manners EVAH!

Me: Anthony what great table manners you are using. I love that you are using your napkin!
Ant: Fanks mom! I just am putting it in the front...
Me: (slightly confused) you mean in your lap?
Ant: No just in the front.
Me: Where?

At this point he stands up and pulls his napkin out of his UNDERWEAR! ewwwwww!

(and yes, as usual he was in his underwear. My kids do wear clothes I swear!)

You know you have a problem when....

while standing in a busy checkout line at the grocery store your beautiful three year old looks up at you with her big brown eyes and asks, "Mommy is there a baby in your belly?"

Your cheeks flush bright red and you instantly peek to see who has heard these terrible words as you laugh and say "No, mommy doesn't have a baby in her belly silly!"

The perplexed three year old, wise in her short years, says, "But mommy your belly is gettin' bigger!?!"

OUCH! Talk about wanting to D.I.E! Sadly, I have been thinking the belly has been shrinking...

It was fun while it lasted...

We signed Anthony up for T-Ball this spring and we (Jason and I) were so excited.... Anthony was, how should I put it, eh. He could have cared less about playing. We thought once he got started he would understand what T-Ball was and enjoy playing. Yeah, not. So. Much! We get a MAJOR FAIL on this one...

The first practice he showed a bit of interest, but he really only wanted to play with his friend and his friend was playing ball. His friend was not at the other practices and Anthony chose to sit in the dirt, pick flowers, and did I mention the crying? I guess he did not get the memo: There is NO crying in baseball! lol

In a seriousness, Ant is just not ready. He was crying to leave practice last night, so I took him home. There is no sense in fighting him. It is supposed to be fun!!! As I was leaving the couch suggested in the nicest way possible that we may want to try again next year.... lol

I won't lie, it made me cry, but in all honesty, Jason and I had discussed pulling him over the weekend. Really, it is for the best. I just feel sad because I want him to have all the experiences and opportunities available. You know what I mean?!  I just want him to be able to focus so that he does not miss out on things in the future... He is 4 (and an immature 4) and I have seen so much improvement in him in the last year, I just hope he continues to improve and that those listening ears start working!!!

Interested in his parting words as we drove away from the field?

"Mommy, I fink maybe next year I will listen to the coach. I just don't like listening to him today..."

This boy just may be the death of me! Thank goodness he's cute! lol

Watching a train instead of his team! lol My silly boy!!!

Madison-isms

On the way to the gym I was eating my breakfast in the car because I was late as usual... Of course my astute little princess instantly noticed I was eating...

Mad: Mommy, whatcha eatin'
Me: A Fiber Bar...
Mad: Oooohhhh... (lomg pause) Dat helps you go to poop. Riiight?

***

As we observed a turtle exhibit at the zoo, Madison made some interesting observations...

Mad: Mommy! Mommy! A tutle! See him?
Me: I do! He is so big...
Mad: Mommy why hims not movin? Why hims head not dere?
Me: He's sleeping be...
Mad: (interupting) No, hims dead I fink. Look! Mommy a snake..... (and off she ran)

Wordless Wednesday: Happiness Captured

For more WW: Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus,  MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

Par-tay in da house!

I FINALLY downloaded the pics from Madison's party and I wanted to share! Her birthday party was a great success and I think fun was had by all! Madison enjoyed every second!

On Mad's actual birthday, we spent the day at the park! Madison spent most of the time in her favorite spot, the swings! It was a great day, but she was looking forward to her Strawberry Shortcake party with her "fwends"! :)

I think the party turned out great. (aside from the fact that my camera broke mid party and most of my pictures turned out poorly!) As the kids arrived they got tatted up with some strawberry shortcake tattoos (and some monster trucks for boys)! Then they ate lunch. We had pizza and all kinds of goodies. I had dipped strawberries in chocolate and the were SO good! I also dipped strawberry marshmallows and topped them with  strawberry whoppers. They were a big hit!

Next up, the kids colored inserts for their strawberry pots and planted strawberry plants. (Ours already have a TON of strawberries! I hope everyone's fared as well) We also played pin the jewel on Strawberry Shortcake.  After the planned activities the kids were off and played until it was time to go! It was a super day and we are so thankful for everyone coming and celebrating Madison's 3rd birthday with us!

 Madison's favorite past time: Swinging!

 My pretty marshmallows

 Coloring the strawberry pot insert

 Make a wish baby girl!

 A berry sweet and happy birthday girl!

A weekend away....

Last weekend, my parents so graciously kept our kiddies and Jason and I headed down to Charleston, SC... Don't get me wrong, I missed my minis, BUT it was so nice to have some time with just Jason again... It had been FAR too long!

The trip was off to a rough start though! First, Anthony injured his head.... Then, my bestie (who was watching our pooch) accidentally flushed our house keys down the toilet!!! After digging for it (YIKES) and a call to the plumber, she found an extra spare set hanging on my fridge! Jason and I were a bit leary to go... We were waiting the third thing to go wrong! Eventually we left Myrtle Beach and my babes and headed south....
Our hotel was awesome and the weekend was perfect!

We ate at some GREAT restaurants that did NOT have a kids menu and there were NO crayons in sight!
We slept in and did not have to get up before the sun! Oh how I miss sleeping in!!!!
We shopped leisurely and made some FAB purchases (though my jeans were a size that must not be named....)
We went on a cheesy (but fun) ghost tour...
and we COCKTAILED (quite a bit actually)

We were so excited to see the kids on Sunday and we all enjoyed Easter with my family... Egg hunting, swimming, golf cart riding, and lots of yummy food eating! It was great :)

It was a fantastic weekend and we have vowed to do it more often (get ready mom, 'cuz here they come)!!!

Boom Boom Pow...

Picture this:
You have just spent 9, yes I said 9, hours in the car and are completely exhausted.... After chatting it up and relaxing with your parents; you, your husband, and two small children collapse into bed. Your mother has taken an Advil PM.... Just as you were about to close your eye: WHACK!!!!

And then the screams begin! I flip on the light and see blood spurting out of my sons head. It is running down his face. I instantly scoop him up and run for a towel... All the while yelling for my mom to take me to the hospital. We were a wreck... I was a blubbering idiot. My mother was a nervous nelly, and my son was a basket case. Anthony cracked his head on the corner of the nightstand as he was jumping up to scare us.... Or so he says!



As we sat in the ER, we all calmed down and were as cool as cucumbers when Anthony got called back.  The doc scrubbed the wound and examined it and spared us the agony of staples (Thank Goodness) Apparently head wounds bleed.... A LOT! So we were sent on our merry way. Back to my parents and back to the land of dreams. Our weekend away started off with a BANG.... literally!

car ride home

the day after... TOTALLY fine!

If you give a mommy a bag...

If you give a mommy a bag,
She will remember to head outside to pick up the dog poop.

Once outside, she will pick up a pile and children will ask her for some bubbles.
So inside she goes!

As she reaches for the bubbles, 2 bottles of glitter fall to the floor! Upon inspection mommy sees that they remained intact, (Whew!!!)  so she continues to dig for the bubble blowers.

As she digs, a little boy enters and quietly OPENS BOTH glitter bottles and proceeds to run through the house sprinkling glitter in his wake!

After a stern warning, mommy sends the little boy outside with the bubbles, and heads for the vacuum...

While she vacuums up piles of glitter, she spies a lone puzzle piece and returns it to its lost home!

Once the vacuuming is complete (10 minutes TOPS have passed), mommy fixes the children lunch and goes outside to get them...

Upon walking outside mommy sees that the little boy and girl have made a HUGE potion making mess with the bubbles, sand, and water!
Mommy somehow keeps her cool and sends the kids in for lunch while she cleans up yet another mess!

However, the messes did not end as a silly little boy got ketchup ALL over the fabric chairs! This time she did yell, and sent the children to the playroom while she scrubbed her BRAND new chair!

Once the scrubbing was done (2 minutes later), Mommy finds the children filling their mouths with juice and spitting the juice into play cups. Most of the juice missed the target and ended up all over the already stained carpet!

Mommy and her minis clean it up and finally head back outside to play...

Once outside mommy spies a bag and remembers to finally clean up the dog poop! True story!

****

This was my day today! The first mess began at 9 and I finally finished cleaning the poop at 4:30!