Ready with no where to play

Sunday afternoon we decided to take the kids to Abbey's Playtown. We haven't been back since our first visit simply because of our schedule. We had such a wonderful time the last time so we were excited to take them again. We loaded them up in the car after nap and told them we were going to play. They were thrilled.

We drove out to Abbey's Playtown only to find them closed. Oh No! They had changed their hours and were now closed on Sundays. Crap, what do we do now. So we headed back to the interstate to find somewhere else to go play. We decided to try Chuck E Cheese as much as I dislike that place. We had already told them they were going to get to play so we had to come through with some thing. We pulled up and it looked like a concert was going on inside. The parking lot and surrounding streets were packed with cars. Dallas ran in to see if there was any point in getting the kids out of the car. He quickly returned mouthing, "No Way"!

We were on our way again but where to go. We finally ended up at the mall simply because we were out of options. We have been there several times before to play but it is not our favorite place. The play area is usually over run with older kids being wild. Of course their parents are no where to be found and neither is their common sense. Don't run a hundred miles an hour and jump over things with little kids on top. I will stop before I make myself angry. Anyway this particular time there were only a few big kids and they were behaving for the most part. There were more parents than usual walking around with their children as they played. Most just sit on the side and talk while oblivious to the where abouts or well being of their children. We can't do that! I follow one kid while Dallas follows the other and we switch when necessary. The kids enjoyed it.

Paigey heading under the tunnel.



Our kids don't mind other kids one bit. They just make their way through and go about their business.




Too bad you have to stage a picture to get one of them together. You wouldn't know if my husband could move faster. Ha!

Climbing good time.


Usually I don't let them run on the seating area but no one was sitting any where close and 4 other kids were doing it. They loved it so oh well.


We walked to the ice rink after playing and then got a bite to eat in the food court. Paige insisted we ride the horses which surprised me because she screamed and cried the first time we rode it. Dallas put Ethan on a horse and I attempted to put Paige on one. She kicked and screamed. So I put her on my lap and we sat on a bench. She was happy during the ride. She looked up and pointed smiling but the minute we got up to walk off she screamed again. I guess the horses are scary to her. Ethan rode his horse with no assistance and loved the entire ride. It was getting late so we headed home with two worn out kids.

Leatherman Reunion

Saturday, July 18th was the annual Leatherman reunion in Garner, Tx. This reunion is my Pap Paw's side of the family. We used to rent cabins and take campers for an entire weekend but as the years have past it has been condensed to a one day meeting. We have been going to Garner for a few years now and it seems to work out well for everyone. We arrived around 11 am and made our way in the building. Last year I had brought a big bag of toys for the kids and we kept them in a small room in the back of the building. I know that sounds horrible but you have to remember how many kids are at this reunion. All of our family except my little brother has a set of twins all under the age of 4. Every one but us has a singleton in addition to their twins. It is a lot of kids to get together that is for sure!

This year the kids were going to be even more mobile than they were last year so I came prepared. I brought puzzles, coloring books and pages, colors, books and balls. I brought anything I could think of to keep them busy. Aunt Wendy also brought coloring stuff, playdoh and stickers which the kids loved. There was a small kids table in the front of the meeting room so we set that up as the kid table. The kids immediately started asking for projects as soon as they saw every thing. First we colored...


Ethan, Jake and Paige. Abby, Dallas, Ethan and Paige. The other cousins were not here yet even though they live less than 10 minutes away. Ha!


Dallas and Abby are special buddies. Puzzle time!


Then it was time to run, jump and chase balls. Abby is a little gatherer. It cracks me up! She collects things and puts them in a pile claiming them to be hers. So cute!


The newest set of twins to join the group. Austin and Alex enjoying some chocolate.

Look at Abby's "lipstick".
We eventually ended up back in the tiny room coloring.


Look at those girls go! Another cousin tickling Jake.


That looks like fun... Abby's turn!


Austin and Alex walking together. I absolutely love this. Such a cute twin thing!


Ethan was getting tired can you tell.

They sat up the chairs for group pictures. Of course my brother's twins and ours thought the chairs were set up to run around. They had such a great time chasing after each other and screaming loudly until someone go hurt.

Right after I took this second picture Ethan ran smack into that table behind Wendy. He literally bounced off the table with his head. Poor baby screamed and screamed. It was almost time for us to go.


Now that is a family picture!


After group pictures and Paige was so ready to go home.

(Sorry the color of the pictures isn't that fantastic. It was either fix them all and you not see them for another month or quick fix them and be done with it. Quick fix won!)

Imagine Nation Anniversary

We have been attending Imagine Nation Center of Learning since March 16th of this year. We are daily amazed by how much the kids have learned and grown in the last four months. I can not begin to tell you all the wonderful aspects of our school. I will have to go into detail in another blog. The Center was only 9 months old and still brand new inside when we joined. Recently they had their one year anniversary and celebrated with a free swim day at Bad Konigshofen Family Aquatic Center . It is located about 2 minutes down Sublet from our house. We were thrilled with the location and price! I had never wanted to take the kids there before. I thought it was more for older children but it was perfect for young kids!

The pool was closed to the public and rented for our two daycare centers from 9:30 to 11:30 am. We arrived right on time and were ready to have fun. The picture quality is poor because I used a water proof camera instead of my expensive one. I almost lost the water camera and I would have died if anything happen to my good camera.


Everyone arriving... Ethan was quickly interested in the fountains. There was a large area of circles that shot water up at different times. This is where Ethan spent most of his time.


Then they had a large area that was about 1 1/2 feet deep for the little kids. The area was full of water spouts and sprinklers even water guns the kids could aim. The kids were uncomfortable at first with this area. They were not used to being able to stand up in the water. The feeling of swaying in the water was so foreign.


Ethan back at the fountains!

Our Director! She went and bought all this gear at Wal-Mart for the kids and most of the kids were terrified of her in the equipment. Ha! She is great. We love her!

Snack time. Swimming makes us so hungry.


Hunter trying to hug Paige as usual. Daddy playing with Paige over the wall.


Paige finally tried the fountains and she does NOT like water sprayed in her face.


Ethan- LOVES it! Daddy and Paige in the big pool which is what she liked best.


The kids were all starving and most parents forgot snacks. Imagine Nation bought every one pizza! The kids were all over the pizza and the giant anniversary cake. We did not eat cake it was way too close to nap time. :)


Paige's last attempt at the fountains... Ethan was standing in the fountains when they shut off. It was time to go home and he looked so disappointed. We will come back little boy. We headed home for nap and to relax for the rest of our day.

Playdate with the cousins

Saturday, July 11th we invited my family over for a play date. I absolutely love getting the kids together but due to schedules and distance we can't do it as often as I would like. John Mark was off work so I knew we had to take the opportunity to get together. I invited my Mom and younger brother too. Everyone came over around 10 am and we all hung out together until nap time. It was great fun to see the kids interacting!

Paige and Abby playing a song.


Little Miss Lily with Uncle Brandon looking on! She is so cute!


Grammie reading to Paige. The girls are more into coloring than the boys.


Stickers are fun for a girl or a boy. Jake was busy playing trucks in the living room.


Picking up colors is a group effort. This is how Lily naps half the time. She wears a little hat to block out the distractions and sleeps on Mommy. Isn't that the cutest thing!


The men laying in a sea of toys watching TV. Classic!


Uncle Dallas with Miss Lily.

I love the next group of photos. Ethan, Jake and Abby were playing chase around Aunt Wendy. They were running and screaming having a blast.

I love their hair blowing and feet flying mid run!

Paige did not get to play this game because she was in bed. Right before lunch, Paige started whining so I took her in the kitchen to get her some Tylenol. Maybe it was a tooth? She proceeded to throw up right on the island. I washed her off and gave her some medicine. I took her to our bedroom to lay down. I turned on cartoons and gave her a glass of Pedilight. I figured she could rest there until she fell asleep and I could hear her. She was sound asleep before long. It turned out to be a 24-48 hour tummy bug with fever. She was better in a day or so and then Ethan got it. Every one was feeling better before long.

I swear every time we are around my brother's kids one of my kids is sick or becomes sick. I just pray every time it happens that they don't get it so they will come back to visit us. :) Thanks for coming over every one! We will do it again soon!