Grandma & Grandpa Arrive

Sunday evening Grandma Joy and Grandpa Pat arrived at the house and the kids went nuts!! With in 15 minutes Hannah had Grandma on the couch tickling (a long time past time of my Mom's side of the family). Eli was content to just lay out on Grandpa. My parents are here to help me with a few projects around the house since Ben has been away from home a lot recently for work. It is quite difficult to get large projects done with little helpers getting into everything!

Eli lounging on Grandpa

Eli trying to get in on the tickling action
Relaxing, laid back

Hannah is in heaven, nothing better than Phineas and Ferb on the boob tube while getting tickles.

Lego Skills

I love to watch Hannah's progress as she grows. Just a few months ago she was trying so hard to build things with legos and really couldn't get the result she wanted. Now she has a house with a bush and a tree along with a stable for her horse. It is amazing to watch their minds grow.

Saturday in Prairieville

Saturday morning we had planned on working around the house trying to catch up on some of the projects that I just can't get done by myself with two kids, but that plan fell was thrown out the window when one of our oldest friends called and invited us to their house for the day. So we packed up and headed to Prairieville (near Baton Rouge, about an hour away). The day was wonderful! The kids played outside almost all day. Hannah was filthier than she has ever been in her life. She already adored her Uncle Kevin, and soon fell in love with Miss Madame (as Hannah called Aunt TT). Kevin and TT are much more laid back than I and Hannah was able to let loose and have a great time. The company was awesome, the food was delicious, and I can't wait to spend another day with our friends. Thank you for the invite Kevin, TT, Taya, Little Man, and Colt!

Uncle Kevin, Taya, Little Man, and TT chillin on the couch after a long day outside.

Eli torturing Angel. He was obsessed with the small dogs since he could actually pick them up.
Hannah playing with Cowboy.

Eli loved the cars that Aunt TT had in the house. He played with this one for about 2 hours.
Little Man likes getting his picture taken.

Hannah and Taya playing.

Hannah loved this adventure.

Uncle Kevin and Aunt TT own a miniature horse named Rocket. They took all the kids for a buggy ride.

Great picture of Colt and Little Man

Eli all red and hot from being outside.

More horse rides.

Mean Mommy School

Growing up, whenever we questioned our Mom about why we couldn't do this or that or the other she would always respond, "because I went to Mean Mommy School and graduated top of my class." I didn't laugh then. I believed her. But now I laugh often because I say this to Hannah nearly three times a day. I believe Hannah has been pondering this response for some time, because during the past few weeks she has mentioned it several times. A few days ago she actually walked up to me and said, "I don't want you to go to Mean Mommy School anymore." My response, "I wouldn't need to go if you and your brother would listen, follow directions, and do things the very first time you are asked." She frowned and walked away.

WELL, apparently Mean Mommy School has come up a few times with other people. She mentioned it to another Mom at one of our play dates, and had a discussion with Mrs. Kim about it last night. It seems that Hannah really wishes I wouldn't go to Mean Mommy School anymore. I guess that means I'm doing my job as a parent right.

A Monster

Tuesday evening Hannah went across the street to visit Mrs. Kim and her turtles. Hannah loves Mrs. Kim, she especially loves the turtles! When 7:30pm came I headed across the street to tell Hannah it was time to head home. I wasn't prepared for the melt down that ensued. Mrs. Kim, not realizing what time it was, had invited Hannah to stay over for a bit and watch the College World Series (LSU was playing), and I walked up right has the two were walking through the back gate to head into the house. Hannah lost it. She started crying and threw herself into a chair in the garage. I'm not sure how, but I kept my cool, realizing that she was very tired from a very full day. Finally, Mrs. Kim invited her to come over the next evening and watch the next game with her. Hannah still was not pleased, but when I told her that I would drag her home if she didn't start straightening up, she walked reluctantly. Once in the house it was more crying because I wanted her to take a bath. And then while undressing her, she informed me that I was a monster. "Really," I replied, "a monster, huh?" "NO, You're a REAL monster!!!" She yelled. Again, not sure how, but I kept my cool and started scrubbing her. After about five minutes, she had calmed down, and all on her own she looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I'm really sorry I called you a Monster." At that moment, I felt like a good Mom. I didn't have to tell her to apologize, she knew what she said was wrong.

After bath she called Mrs. Kim and apologized for her behavior and told her that she was very excited about watching the baseball game with her the next evening. I was very proud of her that night. She is really growing up on me!

Gym Rompers

Friday morning we headed to Gym Rompers in New Orleans with our Mommy Group. I wasn't sure what to expect since we've never been to Gym Rompers, but I am very happy we went. The room was an old basketball gym filled with climbing toys galore. Hannah and Eli were in heaven and all Mommy had to do was sit back and watch. After about an hour of play, we sat in a circle for music time. Eli wasn't having any of that sit still stuff and kept right on climbing, but Hannah really enjoyed the different songs, instruments, and puppets. To top it all off, we had pizza for lunch. What a great morning!

Eli with his buddy Roman jumping on the trampoline.

Hannah and Eli hiding in the big cylinder.

Hannah decided she was in charge of passing out the balls. Eli trying to figure out how to climb the ladder and hold the ball.
Just Cute!!

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the landing, it was priceless!

She loved the trampoline.

No problems with self esteem....

I was talking on the phone this afternoon to my Mom while Hannah played on the computer. I was telling my Mom all about the art work Hannah was creating on Nick Jr when I made a comment regarding how funny Hannah was. All of a sudden Hannah turned in the computer chair and said, "No, I'm a genius and I have a plan." Lord help us all.

Super Eli

Hannah spent this weekend at Grandma Margaret's for which I am grateful for. Normally I don't like her to be gone for very long because I miss her, but I really needed a break. At first Eli seemed upset that Hannah wasn't around, but then it dawned on him that he had free reign in her room AND he had Mommy to himself. We had a great time just hanging out, watering the yard, and bike riding around the neighborhood. It was a nice weekend. I think I will have to find a way to do something like that with just me and Hannah some time.

During our time together, Eli revealed to me a wonderful trick Hannah must have shown him. How to climb and stand on the arm of the couch, then jump off onto the couch. Ben's gonna love this! (NOT!) (There are way too many pictures of this, but I've been playing with my Dad's new camera and all the pictures come out so good!)

Friday Play Date

Friday we headed to Amy's house to hang out with the Castillo's and the Dominach's. I was a little hesitant to go since Eli hasn't been sleeping well and I was beat, but I am so glad I decided to go. Hannah had a blast! The kids played in the pool, played play dough, and then everyone dressed up as super heroes. (Hannah was the super Cheerleader! Too cute.) Both kids fell asleep during the car ride home and even stayed asleep once we arrived home. If that's not evidence of a great day, I don't know what is!

Batman Aidan, Spiderman Xander, Superman Seth, and Cheerleader Hannah

First Time Out

Eli experienced his first time out today. For hitting. Ben has said for several weeks now that it was time to introduce the chair. I don't think it had the same impact on Eli that it had on Hannah. She hates to sit still. Eli just looked at me like, "Yeah, AND?" I also made him apologize and give hugs and kisses. Hopefully he will begin to understand that hitting is not proper behavior. Wish me luck!

Guess What Eli had for dinner?

Yep, a banana. Imagine that. I held my ground though. We had spaghetti and crescent rolls. I told him he would not have any bread if he did not at least take one bite of spaghetti. Needless to add, he didn't get any bread.

Play date with the Cousins

Hannah and Eli's cousins, Sara and Jennifer, came over this morning while their Mom ran an errand. Hannah was very excited they came over to play and they jumped from one activity to the other like little tornadoes.

WE HAD A FASHION SHOW
WE HAD a Play Dough SESSION

A CHOCOLATE MILK PRINCESS TEA PARTY

WITH CRUMPETS

Here, Eli just blew up his diaper, and everyone was covering their noses and mouths and going "EWWWW" loudly. Just thought it was funny since it happened when all the girls were trying to act all lady like.

And we ended the afternoon by taking the girls home and swimming in their pool for about an hour. I'm exhausted just reading all of this and I actually did it all today!!! We had a lot of fun and hope the girls come back to see us again soon!

Art Day

Yesterday we were supposed to head to a Father's Day Play date with our Mommy's Group, but I wasn't feeling 100% after 3 days of a stomach bug, so we decided to stay home. Since Hannah wasn't going to get her art fix (she truly believes she's an artist) at someone Else's house I felt it important to let her try some art here at home. I even braved letting Eli get involved!!!

First agenda, what type of art did Hannah want to conquer today?? I would never have guessed create hands prints out of play dough! She has such a creative mind. Since I didn't trust Eli not to chow down on the play dough while I wasn't looking he was only allowed to color. This was the second time I attempted this with him. The first was an absolute disaster. This time went much more smoothly. He really tried to color and actually lasted about 15 minutes before putting even one crayon in his mouth. Now that's progress!

Eli trying his best to draw. He did a great job!

Don't worry Grandpa, he didn't actually touch the camera!

Hannah's finished product.

Eli's first masterpiece!