Giving Praise Where Praise is Due

So, I have to just say that I have two of the coolest parents EVER!! They both DROVE up this week in order to watch my kids for 3 full days while I attended a Photography Conference here in Vegas. They did everything and more...I still keep finding little surprises they did for us. Like weeding our yard, doing dishes and laundry, taking the kids on a mini shopping spree to DIs (just for fun!!), stocking me up for Easter and a million other things!! It was the most wonderful thing in the world knowing that my kids were not only in good hands- but in GREAT hands. The kids both cried when they realized that Grandma & Grampy had left (If the kids were given a choice...I think I would rank behind those two). So they just deserve a little credit for doing so much to make this transition for us possible. We love them so very much!!

All Wrapped Up

I just saw this picture as I was doing the other posts and thought it was funny. We were cleaning out a room when we came upon some plastic wrap that we had used during moving! So what does Vern do...he ties up the kids with it of course!! And the kids loved it!! They were so bummed when they realized it was all gone. I'm still not sure who was having more fun, the kids or Vern!! They're lucky to have auch a fun daddy!

Caught In The Act

We were having a meeting in our kitchen this morning, and when it was done I walked into the office to find Tyler coloring his hands with a Sharpie. Of course I have told him a million times that we don't color on our bodies, and he's usually pretty good- so I couldn't help but laugh that his one attempt at serious body art had to be permanent. He has been so upset realizing that it's not all coming off. He's afraid that he'll have black hands forever!! And instead of being a wonderfully sweet, sympathetic mom- I can't stop myself from laughing each time I see his creatively painted hands. Needless to say- I think we won't have to worry about that happening again...at least not with Tyler!! (the pictures are before and after washing his hands...and they are still quite black!! haha!!)

Our Little Rascal

The other day I was at my OB appointment, and on the way home my babysitter called wondering how long it would be till I got home. I thought that it was a little weird that she was so antsy...that was until I realized that she was calling from outside of my house. Yep- you got it!! They had all been outside playing until Hannah decided to go inside and lock the door. Of course, the babysitter and Tyler tried to get her to open it, but she just stood at the window laughing and waving. By the time I got home, though, she had decided to unlock the door and let them all back in. What a stinker!! I couldn't help but laugh...but it's easier to laugh when you're not the one locked out!! (this is her new hideous face she makes when we tell her to smile...I hope she grows out of this!!)

The Flour Game

Okay- so this was so much fun. Vern remembered this game that they used to play with his mom...The Flour Game. What you do is you make a flour tower (by packing flour tightly in a bowl and then dumping it onto a plate). On the top of the tower, you place a penny. Then you go around the circle and take turns cutting pieces of the flour tower off with a knife. The person who makes the cut that causes the penny to fall, has to get the penny out of the flour with their teeth. This has become a family favorite...we even did it with some friends and now it's one of their favorites too!! So much fun- give it a try!!

It's a Girl

Well, I'm sure you're all anxiously waiting to find out what we're having (just teasing -since we're not around, I bet most of you are saying to yourselves, "Oh yeah- I forgot Jessica was pregnant!"). Anyways, as you can tell from the title, we just found out that we are going to be having another girl (YEAH!!). Vern couldn't come to the ultrasound, so I kept Tyler home from school so that he could join me. And, except for being a little impatient at how long it was taking to find out if it was a brother or a sister, he did really well and thought the whole thing was pretty cool. That was, of course, until we told him he was going to be having another sister. His face just dropped and he looked so bummed. It took a little bit before I managed to convince him that having 2 sisters was a fun thing. I think he was more appeased by the idea that maybe the next one will be a brother. Either way, he has already started picking out names and talking about his 2 sisters. And, for me, it helps lessen the anxiety of number 3 by starting to piece together an identity for this being that will supposedly turn my life upside down!! Now it's on to picking out names!! (suggestions welcome!!)

Baby News

Well, as my friend Stephanie likes to remind me...I still have forever until the baby comes. But I just had a checkup today and found out that I have longer than planned. Apparently, it's standard procedure to do a c-section 1 week before the due date. I know that's early for most of you, but Ty and Hannah were both 3 weeks early (yes, I was spoiled). An extra 2 weeks seems long, and especially because then I risk going into labor (OUCH!!). I don't know how you real women do it- I have made it my mission in life never to experience labor. Hopefully we make it easily to 39 weeks. Labor + c-section is not something I care to know firsthand!!