Cooler Weather

The temperature has dropped a few degrees finally!  Instead of HOT it's just hot, so we can spend more time riding bikes, playing at the playground/park, walking, & exploring!  If the mosquitos would go away then life would be great.

Imaginarium

The Imaginarium is a neat children's museum that we went to while in Florida.  The girls got to pet/hold a snake, toad, alligator, and a stingray.  Addison was super brave and HELD the snake!  I couldn't believe my eyes!  She also got to feed a stingray.  There was a dino exhibit where you could watch interactive movies, dig for dino fossils, play in a little dino land.  This place has everything and I'm pretty sure we will go back again!

Busch Gardens

We had a blast at Busch Gardens.  It was super hot, but we survived the heat.  Addison rode her first roller coaster, but wasn't a fan.  She said it went too fast!  I rode with her and must say that it was a little much for a 4 year old.  

The gourmet lunch with Elmo and Friends is worth every penny!  The food is okay, but the experience is priceless.  Nuggets, mac n cheese, rolls, fruit, potatoes, veggies, cupcakes = happy babies.  Addison LOVED visiting with the characters, but Alyssa insisted they all stay at arms length and not touch her.  I don't know why Zoe, Abby, & Grover are never at lunch.  It's always Bert, Ernie, Cookie, Elmo, & Big Bird.  The kids don't seem to mind though.

Watching the show!

I have a million pictures that I'd love to share, but I'm almost at the end of my rope with this joke of an Internet service!  It drives me crazy when I'm trying to upload pictures.  Sometimes I have to upload the SAME picture 20 times before it works.  

Big Girl Bed

Coming back from vacation it was the perfect time to create a new habit!  We converted the crib to a toddler bed for Alyssa!  The first 3 days I sat in the rocking chair in her room until she fell asleep in her new bed.  The 4th day she got in her bed and I left the room.  She whined off and on for about 15 minutes and then fell asleep.  This is huge progress considering I've been rocking her to sleep for a couple of months now!  When she got sick in June it totally messed up her going to sleep on her own and staying in her bed.

I have a swim noodle under the sheet on the edge of the mattress to keep her from rolling out.  So far it's worked well.

Potty training has been going great!  She still wears a diaper at night, but wakes up dry most of the time.

Florida Beach & Pool Time

We spent some time in Aunt Katie & Uncle Jimmy's pool last week.  I think the girls would spend every waking hour in a pool if they could!

Alyssa's bathing suits don't stay up on her skinny bottom now that she doesn't wear a swim diaper!  Notice the crack showing?

We went to the beach on a blustery day!  The wind was blowing and the waves crashing, but that didn't stop everyone from having a great time.  The girls played in the sand and didn't care much for the water.  Alyssa keeps telling me that she wants to go back to the beach!  Soon baby, soon!

Flying on an Airplane

The plane ride to Florida was easy peasy!  Addison sat by Blake and Alyssa sat by me across the aisle from them.  I was so relieved to be flying in ahead of the hurricane.  The timing was perfect.  Addison colored the whole time on the plane and Alyssa played on the iPad and napped.  She did great sitting in her own seat and wearing the seatbelt.  

Pizza & Stuff

A few weeks ago we enjoyed Johnny's Pizza while back home.  This pizza is a must every chance we get!

Buddy was super happy to see us and we were super happy to see him.  We all miss him so much and can't wait to move and get him back.  My dad is taking great care of him though, so that makes me feel a little better about being away from him.