Interview with Reese

I saw this cute interview on Pinterest and thought that it would be a fun thing to do this with the kids.  I started with Reese yesterday while she was eating lunch.

What is your name?  Reesie

How old are you? 2, my birthday is August 25 (she is very anxious to turn 3 - and since she wears a size 4T because she's so tall, most people don't think she's only 2!)

What is your favorite color? Pink and Purple

Who is your best friend? Wyatt

What is your favorite animal? Minnie Mouse

What do you want to be when you grow-up? A doctor

What is your favorite Movie? Winnie the Pooh

What is your favorite book? A dog book

What makes you happy? A surprise

What makes you sad? Wyatt bothering me

What is your favorite food to eat? Grapes

What is your favorite song to sing?  "Mean" (Taylor Swift)

What games do you like to play? Princess Doctors (I have no idea what Princess Doctors is.  She and Wyatt like to pretend that they're at the doctor.  But I've never seen princesses mixed in!)

Weekly iPurge

The pictures on my phone are usually pretty random - but I take a lot to send to Brian throughout the day.  He misses so much when he's gone from 8:30 to 7:30 six days a week, so it's nice to be able to keep him updated on what goes on without calling 50 times (though I do call a lot), and it gives him a chance to see the kids.

 On Wednesday night, Brian went to see Captain America (again) with Dave.  After the kids went to bed I started packing up baby clothes.  This is the "keep" box.  Just in case.  Or so I can make a baby quilt out of them one day :).  This is just newborn and 3 months - and I purged a lot of stuff!

 This was what was waiting for Brian on Wednesday night.  Our TV died after a power outage last Sunday, and we had the Geek Squad come out to take a look.  We expected for our lamp to be out, and for  them to replace it (it happened frequently with our old TV).  Instead, the "Geek" (he was the nicest guy) saw a yellow spot on our screen for the two seconds it stayed on.  I guess it would have been more expensive to replace the parts than it would have been to just refund our money - because they refunded the money!  Amazing! When Brian bought our old TV in 2004 (it was his "big purchase" when he bought the old house) they were much more expensive than they are now.  And they're better quality.  And, we got this TV for free and still have money sitting on a gift card.  I will never buy another piece of electronic equipment from another store (not that I really did anyway, but you get the point)!

 Wyatt was writing various letters on the Magna Doodle the other day. When I asked what he was doing, he told me he was signing Hudson up for baby sign language class! 

This picture was totally taken just to send to Daddy.  Wyatt caught a fly in this little toy last night  On purpose.  He is obsessed with getting flies out of the house.  He's back on the hunt again today, but he told me that he needs a piece of food to make the fly come in so he can trap it.  I don't know where he gets this stuff?

And another tidbit from Wyatt - he saw that I got new jammies for Reese last night and then came up to me and asked, "Hey Mommy, did you buy those jammies at the store, or did you order them online?"  Seriously, they pay attention to everything!

The Movies

The kids were both so excited when we told them that we were taking them to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie.  I was a little concerned because they both love the show My Friends Tigger & Pooh, but Reese loves Darby and Buster (Darby is the "new" Christopher Robin) the best.  Since the new movie features Christopher Robin, I didn't know how she would react (and I was also concerned about her ability to stay quiet).

Brian and I are "movie people."  Back when we were dating it was not uncommon for us to see two movies in a weekend.  On more than one rainy day, we just saw movies back to back to back.  That doesn't happen anymore :).  But we do love to go when we get the chance!  Which is why we've seen Bridesmaids, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and Captain America in the last three weeks.  And we'll probably go to the movies tonight, too!  We're really looking forward to being able to take the kids more as they get older (although some of the movies that they make for kids today are a little too rude, so we need to be cautious!).

Wyatt is apparently a movie expert (he's been to the free movies with Brian many times), so I guess he thought he would lead the way!

 Posing for her "first movie" picture!

I took this during the movie with my phone.  She was just too cute taking a sip of her drink and watching that silly old bear!

 They were both so good!  They both talked some, but it's a kids movie - not a big deal. They really liked the movie, and even though there was one kind of scary part, it didn't freak them out.  I'm glad we went to see it though, because it's probably one of the best movies for little ones - no guns, fighting, rude humor or suggestive characters.  Seriously, a breath of fresh air!

And after all that wholesomeness - Wyatt wanted his picture taken by the Captain America poster.  I will never be able to get the super hero fanatic out of this boy - even if I don't let him see this for a very long time!

Zoo Trip!

The kids chose to go to the zoo on Brian's Monday off.  I have to say that I was incredibly impressed that we got out the door and made it to the zoo 15 minutes before it opened.  We are rarely early (or even on time) to anything!

Hudson and I got dressed in our new Derek Jeter shirts!

 It is so much easier to do things when Brian comes along!  Looking back on Wyatt and Reese - Wyatt was out of his stroller and walking or being carried around the zoo when he was really young.  With Reese, we waited until she was a bit older because it just seemed crazy to let both of them walk.  We decided that we would let Hudson be out of his stroller as much as possible on this trip - and he LOVED it!

 This is a little boy who really misses his Daddy during the summer months!  He didn't want to leave his side all day.

 Seriously, how many pictures am I going to have of Wyatt stopping to look at maps?  He does is everywhere!

 I guess Hudson wanted an up close view of the new birds!

 The orangutans were still asleep when the zoo opened - but they were right up against the glass.  Wyatt really liked getting close to them!

 This little guy came right up to the glass to say hello to Reese and Hudson (Reese, by the way, wanted nothing to do with getting her pictures taken on Monday)!

 My 4 otters!

 Hudson really liked the otters!  They were very active,  running around and swimming everywhere!  I think he's copying me...



We had a really great day!  We spent 2 hours at the zoo (before it got too hot) and then came home for naps (and Brian and I both got to take one, too).  Brian's mom came over to watch Hudson and we took Wyatt and Reese to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie (I'll post more about that later).  We picked up Hudson, went to Target to get a few things and then stopped at the Skinny Dip for some frozen yogurt.  The kids were so good all day.  I know that being out and about all day can be a little crazy for little ones, but we try to cram as much fun into one day as we can when Daddy's off of work.  I am probably the only person on the planet looking forward to our fall schedule - school, weekends off for Brian, fall weather and fall activities!  Sign me up!

Who Knew?

You can take kids to the pool, the waterpark, or Busch Gardens,

 but sometimes,

 it's good, old fashioned fun,

 like running through (or standing in front of) sprinklers,

 That is the most fun,

 on a really, really, really hot summer day!

Swim Lessons and Other Randomness

We had another week of swim lessons this week.  Wyatt worked really hard to try to get his Station 4 sticker (but didn't this week), and Reese is super close to getting her Station 2 sticker - but she won't blow bubbles. I can tell she's driving her instructor nuts, because that is the only thing holding her back!

I can't believe how well Wyatt is doing swimming on his own.  He is just becoming a little fish.  It cracks me up (and makes me happy) that he will only swim without a life jacket in this pool.  When we swim at Didi and Pop Pop's pool he wants nothing to do with having it off!

Here's Reesie, trying to blow bubbles, again.  The kid that is sitting on the edge did not stop screaming on Monday.  Reese called him "The Screaming Kid" for the rest of the week.  She is so funny!

Action shot of her jumping in!

Another one of her "things" - she can't stand water in her face, so when they have to kick she turns her face away.

I am currently investigating getting a zoom lens for my camera because we need it!  I love the pictures my camera takes, but for things like swimming lessons and sports I just can't get the picture close enough. I signed Wyatt up for fall tee ball on Friday night, and Reese is going to play soccer (fortunately her soccer is only on Mondays and there are no tee ball games on Mondays- so this works out well). I need a zoom lens so I can take pictures up close!  I asked Wyatt if he wanted to play soccer, but he said no.  I guess he didn't buy into World Cup fever...

Weekly iPurge

On Tuesday afternoon the kids woke up from naps running wild.  We went to Sonic for happy hour to get out of the house and cool off! I love, love, love their Diet Coke with vanilla. LOVE.  I let the kids get orange slushes and they really liked them.  A lot.  (So much in fact, that we used them as bribes for good behaviour when we took them to get their pictures taken!)

 The kids and I went out to lunch at Chili's the other day with my mom and sister. The kids loved the mac and cheese and I got my old favorite food - chicken crispers with fries and cinnamon apples.  In high school this was a staple meal for my friend Carolyn and I!  I worked at Chili's waiting tables and bartending for a couple of years, and I just loved their food.  Of course, I was running around like a crazy person then, so I didn't have to worry about what I ate.  Now?  Not so much.

 Reese is such a silly kid.  She likes variety in her meal choices, and she was just sick of having waffles for breakfast - so she asked for peanut butter and jelly!

 Brian and Wyatt's Derek Jeter shirts finally came and Wyatt wanted to show his off - and then proclaimed it be "too big!"

Reese called me into the living room because she was "having surgery" - I'm not sure I would trust that doctor!  Hudson is totally addicted to standing right now - he loves to creep on the couch or even just have his hands held.  His balance is also getting so good.  I just can't believe how big he is getting!

 Wyatt and Reese wanted to make "crafts for Daddy," so I let them use their safety scissors.  Wyatt is so good with his (I guess a year of school helps with that) and Reese is slowly learning!

It has been so hot here lately and all we've wanted to do is stay inside.  We've gone swimming at my parents' house a lot, but even then it's still unbearable if you aren't in the water.  I think we're heading back again this afternoon!

Pinnable Me: Home Organization

I am linking up with Stefanie's blog again for Pinnable Me Friday!  It would be impossible for me to tell you how many great ideas I have gotten from Pinterest.  I am totally a person who stockpiles magazines because there are design ideas, organizational ideas, or recipes that I like - but I have nothing to do with them!  I hate having lots of extra paper around the house - and Pinterest saves me there, for sure!

So, I shared a few weeks ago that I am trying really, really hard to get organized.  I honestly feel like I fall way short organizationally when it comes to laundry (clean and dirty) and our daily schedules.  Until now Wyatt has been the kid with the "busy schedule" with school, sports and play dates, but now Reese is also about to start school and play soccer so I need to keep a good schedule for everyone!  When it comes to that, I love this daily organization chart:

Source: lifes-a-journal.com via Brittney on Pinterest

I just love, love this quick storage for gift wrap and ribbon. I have no idea what to do with it - and I hate to use one role and throw it out.  And I love to reuse gift bags!

Source: bhg.com via Brittney on Pinterest

Okay, when it comes to my laundry room - well, it's big enough.  At our old house, I had a Harry Potter style cupboard under the stairs as a laundry room.  Here, I have a room that is large - but I'm clueless about what to do with it!  I want to paint it and make it nice, kind of like this:

Source: google.ca via Brittney on Pinterest

But when it comes to dirty and clean laundry - I LOVE this.  Right now everyone has their own hamper in their room -I really like washing the kids clothes separately becaise makes it's easier to stain check the clothes and put them away.  The problem is that keeping everything in bedrooms isn't working out too well.

Source: ana-white.com via Brittney on Pinterest

Finally - we really need to get rid of things.  I don't really hold a lot of sentimental value to "stuff."  There are some things that I'll keep forever - maybe the kids' bassinet or a few other things - but I can take pictures of things and remember them that way, too.  This is where Brian and I have a difference of opinion.  He likes to keep things.  Or hold onto them in case we sell them one day.  I think some things can be donated or put out on the street on Tuesday! Ha!  I usually wait for him to come around and then junk it.  I would really like to do this:

Source: littlelucylu.com via Brittney on Pinterest

and then have a garage sale, or donate stuff, or junk it!  I'd like to get this house in tip top shape before school starts!

Bike Ride with Daddy!

We had enough time before the movie on Sunday for Brian to take Reese for her first bike ride.   We bought this seat for Wyatt, but it has not been used enough!  We'd like to get more active in general, so I'm hoping she gets to take more rides with Brian (and then Hudson of course)!  I say "with Brian" because I am way too klutzy to be allowed to carry our kids on a bike!

 The "before" pose.  Adorable!

 In case you can't tell - she was excited!

 Loving it!

They took a nice long ride around the neighborhood, and she had such a good time!  As they were leaving the court I heard her say, "I love you, Daddy!"  So sweet!

Our Weekend!

We had such a good time this weekend!  On Friday, my mom and dad took the two big kids for a few hours so I could run errands get a few things done around the house!  It was so nice to just have that time with Hudson, and to be able to get things done, too! I remember when it was just us and Wyatt, it took so long to get used to not being able to just walk out the door without making sure everything was ready for the baby.  Now that there are three kids - taking just one of them out is like a special treat!

On Friday night I fought the urge to watch the series finale of Friday Night Lights, and Brian and I watched Part One of Harry Potter and  the Deathly Hallows again.  I really am such a Harry Potter geek (I mean, I've perused J.K. Rowling's website a time or two to find spoilers before books came out), and I was so looking forward to seeing Part Two!

On Saturday the kids and I spent the morning at home and then went to a birthday party for our neighbor Gavin at The Little Gym in the afternoon.  They had SUCH a good time!  It flew by, and I was so happy that I didn't have to chase the kids around!

Of course, Wyatt wasn't happy that he had to leave the gym section for pizza and cake.  I think he was really upset about the group picture, but he was definitely pouting in the lobby for a few minutes!

 Reese LOVED the party - she had a great time!

The kids and I had came home and played outside, and they all went to bed super early!  Brian and I went outside and hung out in the court with our neighbors for a bit - our kids were the only ones in bed so we definitely got to relax a bit!

Wyatt went to Busch Gardens with Mimi and Baba and Allison and the kids on Sunday, so I took Reese and Hudson to the waterpark to visit Brian.  Reese had fun, but I don't think she knew what to do without Wyatt! 

 Hudson loves water.  Bathtime is his favorite time of day, so he had a great time in the baby jumpers!

 Reese was ready to leave within an hour.  I think she missed Wyatt, wanted a snack, and really wanted to see her Daddy.  This girl cracks me up!

 Before we left we went to say good bye to Brian, which resulted in a few office antics!

 

On Sunday night we went to see Part Two - and it was phenomenal.  There were one or two things that weren't necessarily consistent with the book, but it was so good.  It was by far the best Harry Potter movie, and I have loved them all (except Prisoner of Azkban, which is actually my favorite book).  I just loved it!  It was so nice to be able to get out and see the movie the weekend it came out.  But now I feel like Harry Potter is just over - and I need to find a new series or something to get into.  Anyone have any suggestions :)?