Back On Duty!

Daddy charged the police cruiser so the kids were back to catching bad guys tonight!

 

Splash All Day

Since Little Bear had camp this morning, I used the opportunity to get some shopping done with two kids vs. three. Pudge has been so excited about the fact that he is going to be starting "pwescoo" (preschool) this year. While in The Children's Place, he noticed the book bag that he just HAD TO HAVE! From in the front of the double stroller, he started pointing and saying "A doggy book bag! I neeeeeeeed it! For pwescoo! Pweeeeease!". How could I say no? He was so happy that he then wore it in the store while still in the stroller and only agreed to take it off so that I could buy it.

After that, we decided to spend the rest of the time before we could pick Little Bear up from camp at the plaza's spray fountain. So, we went back to the car to change Pudge into his bathing suit (Pequeño was sleeping in the stroller) and spent the next hour or so watching him play in the water.

When we picked up Little Bear, I told him that we could check out a new (different) spray area. So we ate a snack (apples, raisins, and pretzels) in the car while we drove there. I was surprised by how nice this splash park turned out to be and the fact that there was a park with jungle gyms there as well. 

The kids were begging to get out of the car before we were parked! So, we got them all (Pequeño was awake by now) changed into their bathing suits, put on more sunscreen, grabbed towels from the back of the van, and headed over. 

At first, Little Bear wasn't too sure about getting his face wet and would stay where the water only sprayed low. Then Pudge started running through the "car wash" and Little Bear decided that it looked like a lot of fun. After that, he had no fear. Both older boys kept running over to where our towels were hanging to dry their faces but would immediately run back to get soaked again. Pequeño had a great time splashing around and getting sprayed. He didn't really like when his hair/face got wet though. Pudge loved every part of it. When it was time to go, the older two were already asking if we could come back another time.

 

 

 

 

 

Dorney Day

Since Grandma was going to be staying at our house this weekend, we decided to spend all of Saturday at Dorney.

We ate breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bagels, fruit) at our house around 8:30 and then started getting ready to leave. Papa Bear needed to shower (Yes, he showers immediately before going somewhere that he fully plans on getting sticky, gross, and dirty...Don't ask me why.), the diaper-bag needed an inventory check and slight restocking, Little Bear couldn't find his shoes, a car seat needed to be put in the car (none of those fancy stow and go seats for us... You'll find me awkwardly hefting bucket seats into place instead.), and car-seats needed to be rearranged. So, around 10:30/10:45, we were ready to go. Luckily, the trip is a short one. 

When we first got there, Little Bear decided that he wasn't going to go. Papa Bear told him that was fine but that we were all going and closed the door. Little Bear's tune changed immediately and we were ready to start the fun. 

Our first stop was Planet Snoopy. The kids weren't sure where to go first. Little Bear made the decision for them and he and Pudge went on a flying school bus ride which would later then out to be Pudge's favorite ride. 

Then they went on a little Farris wheel while Pequeño and I looked on. 

 

 

Then off for some pictures with Snoopy and Woodstock.  Pudge didn't want his picture taken because he wanted the pretend cookie that Snoopy was holding. 

Then Grandma, all three boys, and I went on a little car ride. Pequeño loved it (the other boys did too) and was happily babbling and playing with the steering wheel for the entire ride. (*I'm hoping to insert pictures from Papa Bear's phone here later...)

Off for more rides,

Photo booths (*pictures to insert eventually),

Meeting Snoopy,

a late lunch at Chickies and Pete's which was pretty good, some face-painting (a definite highlight of the trip) 

an awesome show with bike tricks and gymnastics (The kids were in awe the entire time and we plan to see it again!)

The kids were so excited to be able to give some of the people high-fives after the show and Little Bear said "If I keep exercising, maybe I can do that! I can already lift up my basketball hoop!" (The basketball hoop lifting has been a very exciting accomplishment lately an is mentioned often.) One trickster got a double high-five!

Pequeño took a small nap and snack while the kids, Papa Bear, and Grandma went on a few more rides. 

After a break for Rita's Italian ice (Swedish Fish and Blue Raspberry), a train ride, and ride around the carousel, we headed home around 7:45pm. 

We ended the fun with a pizza, chit-chatting about everything that we did that day, and then headed to bed.

Cleaning Day

It's Cleaning Day (Although, really, isn't every day?) and even Pudge is in the clean up spirit! Well, kinda. He saw me scrubbing the counters and asked if he could clean his house. So, armed with a spray bottle full of water, a cleaning cloth, and a freeze pop, he spent the next few minutes scrubbing the playhouse before deciding that it was more fun to play with the messy chalk.

Fish and Chips

The kids and I had bought walleye at the farmer's market and Papa Bear immediately wanted to use it to make Fish & Chips. So tonight, he filleted and beer battered the fish and then chopped and fried some yukon gold potatoes to make fries. Then we steamed wax beans and corn on the cob

The kids all loved it. Little Bear wasn't too sure about the wax beans but soon he started dipping then in ketchup and asked for more! Pudge loved the corn on the cob and Papa Bear taught him how to eat it like a typewriter (complete with the "Ding!" at the end of each row). Pequeño had a little variation of everything (pureed corn & beans, fish without breading, and the inside of the fries) and was grunting for more before his tray was empty.

Let Them Play in the Rain!

The storm was brewing while the kids were outside decorating the deck with chalk. So when the rain started to fall, we checked for thunder and lightning and said "Play while it's calm!"

Little Bear and Pudge had a blast. Once they saw that there was no way to save their chalk masterpiece, they were running around and catching the rain in their mouths while we sang "If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, Oh what a rain that would be!" (Thank you Barney...)

The storm ended up passing by without any thunder or lighting so the kids were able to stay outside for a little while longer after it passed. I think that Little Bear was hoping that another set of storm clouds would pass by so he could have another chance to dance in the rain!

Today's good

Days like today (the 8th anniversary of my cousin Dulcey's death), it's hard to remember the good things. But thanks to my munchkins and wonderful husband, we had quite a few good things happen today.

The kids and I spent the afternoon at one of the farmers markets and stocked up on lots of goodies.

Then later tonight Little Bear and I watched the township's fireworks from our deck while the younger kids slept.

Then, Papa Bear came home after the kids were asleep bearing a gift of mini roses.