Choo Choo Train Cookies

It's girl-scout season again, and they're out in full force preying on... well, everybody! This year, they've ditched the door-to-door strategy, seeking out a new catch and release program, cleverly tricking innocent consumers into multiple purchases. We've all seen it.. week after week the troupes patiently wait outside of grocery stores, posed to strike those who have just placed a fresh $20, cash back from their weekly food shopping, into their wallets.

I have to admit, I've fallen victim to this scam on several occasions. Most recently, purchasing their new Lemon Chalet Cremes. Turns out, William (as well as Ryan) love them! Personally, I’m not a fan of the lemon flavoring in baked goods, but William can’t get enough. He calls them “Choo Choo Train” cookies. He thinks the design on the cookie looks like a choo choo train. I guess it does, kinda.

The next time I see those dreaded girl scouts, I’ll have to get William another box. :)

"I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you..."

Megan is growing like a weed. So much, in fact, that we've had to get new car seats for her because her legs are too long! This weekend, we went to BJs and picked out a couple of car seats and installed them.

This morning, on the drive into daycare, Ryan noticed that the new car seat puts Megan closer to William... allowing them to reach each other in the back seat. So now it has started. Day 1 of using the new car seat, Megan has already stolen some of William's items, causing him to complain "Megan took my blanket!", and William is able to steal toys and blankets from Megan as well.

I guess, pretty soon Ryan and I will have to start using the age-old response: "I'll turn this car around, right now!"

Chimney Rock Park

We wanted to get out of the house on this three-day weekend, and on the recommendation of a friend, we decided to visit Chimney Rock Park. check it out: chimneyrockpark.com

Located in the NC mountains (close to Ashville), it was beautiful! We hiked two trails that were approved for smaller children. William had a great time. He had lots of room to run and throw rocks. We also went into a few tourist caves, which William loved.

The fresh air was nice, and on the way home, both kids slept. A perfect outing for a winter weekend.

Click here: To see a gallery of all Chimney Rock Park pictures.

Megan's Milestones

Megan hit a milestone recently. She is now capable of sitting up on her own.

For all of you new parents out there, let me tell you, this is one of the best milestones to reach. Now there is no more preparing a seat for her before you put her down, everywhere is a seat!!

Not My Favorite

While William was devouring all the candy he got from daycare yesterday, he opened up a package of Necco Sweetheart Candy Hearts. You know the kind.. tastes like dried cement and has little messages like "be mine" and "puppy love" written on them.

Anyway, so William opens a package and crunches one up. He's got this not-so-sure look on his face, but still says "Mmm. This is good." He takes another one... still not yet smiling but assures himself again "Yeah. This is good." After the third one he hands me the package and tells us that this is not his favorite. ha ha ha.. I hear you kid! I'm not sure who's eating those things, but they are nasty!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, Everybody!!!!

This morning started with a box of Godiva Chocolates from Ryan (awwwe), and cards from the kids! William was excited to pass out his "Cars" themed valentines at daycare today. Hopefully he won't get too much candy from school. He's going to be wired tonight, I just know it!

Finally, SLEEP!

For the first time since Megan was born, we had a completely UNINTURRUPTED night of sleep!! Normally, even if Megan doesn’t wake up to eat until 4 or 5AM, she wakes up a few times and we have to put the pacifier back in her mouth. Last night we didn't have to get up at all! We woke up at 5:30AM w/the alarm and didn’t hear from her until 6AM!!

I’m praying that it’s not a fluke. Please let this period of getting no sleep be over… Ryan and I need it for our sanity.

Butterscotch

As a reward system to re-enforce potty training, William gets a dum-dums lollipop if he goes all day without an accident. The motivation seems to be working. He enjoys his treat on the drive home from school.

Yesterday he got a butterscotch lollipop. He asked what the flavor was and repeated the name a few times, but ten or so minutes later he must have drooled on himself because he said that he had “spidercrotch” on his neck. Ha ha ha.

You can see for yourself at the Dum-Dums website, "spidercrotch" is not an official flavor: http://www.dumdumpops.com/

Early To Bed

All this week, William has asked to go to bed after dinner. (between 6:30PM & 7PM). The night he asked at 6:30, we asked him to play until at least 7PM. He did and at 7PM, we asked if he still wanted to go to bed and he said “yes”.

We talked to William's teachers at daycare to see if he’s skipping naps. They say that he’s napping well, but he’s been playing with the bigger kids and playing really hard. I guess he won’t stop running. I suppose it’s ok for him to go to bed early, but it’s just odd.. I’ve never heard of a 3 year old asking to go to bed. Let's hope he's not getting sick!

The Greatest Show on Earth

This groundhog's day marked William's very first trip to the Circus! We went with our friends Dylan and Tiffany. It was a very entertaining show - I'd definitely recommend it to anyone with kids. But watch out for the concessions! We purchased a bag of cotton candy for $12!!!! ONE BAG! And the guy who sat behind us bought a snow cone for $15!!!!! CRAZY! I guess it's what to expect for a day out with circus folk... (small hands).

Anyway, William's favorite part was when the top clown/acrobat guy climbed up this really tall pole. He and a female acrobat swayed up there while performing death-defying feats - and it ended with them sliding down the poles upside-down. I think William really thought they were going to hit the ground. Of course, they stopped themselves inches before the bottom.

Personally, I like the tigers because... well.. big kitties! Although, they all looked pretty irritated to be in the show - they sure are beautiful animals.

See more pictures, click here: Gallary of William's 1st Circus

Yummy.... peas

Megan has gone through her fruits and has now started veggies. She did well last week with Sweet Potato, but now is onto Peas! Yummy.


See more pictures, click here: Gallary of Megan Eating Peas

Look who's sitting up!

At almost six months, Megan is starting to sit up on her own!

She still needs a little back support, and she doesn't stay up for long before she starts to sway, but it's a start! William likes to see her fall down (and from the looks of it, she likes to see William fall too!!).

To see more pictures, click here: Gallary of Megan Sitting Up

Happy Birthday William!!!

This past January 26th, William celebrated his 3rd birthday! Oh boy, did we have a lot of fun.

The weekend started with the arrival of Grandma and Grandpa Cunningham, shortly followed by Grandma and Grandpa Geibel. Since William wanted to invite friends from daycare to his birthday this year, Ryan and I decided to host a party at the Gymboree.

They Gymboree was a great time. We had the place to ourselves and a facilitator was there to help us get all the children involved in fun activities. She was very energetic. We played for about an hour, and then spent thirty minutes eating cake and ice-cream. When we got home, we opened all of William's presents. This year, he made out like a bandit!

At the end of the day, we were all exhausted (including Megan!). All in all, there were about 10 friends that helped us celebrate William's birthday. I'm so glad everyone could make it. We all had a lot of fun.

To see more pictures, click here: See Gallary of William's Birthday