Saturday was Fun Day

Ever feel like you don't do anything super fun? Sometimes I feel like I am awesome, totally fun mom. And others, I feel like all I do is tell them to clean their room & quit giving me attitude.

 

Every once in a while, I need to just have a totally kick-ass super fun day planned for my kids for no reason at all. Saturday was the day, friends.

 

After dance classes, we headed to our little local zoo for some fun. It's no secret, I love the zoo. I would go all the time. I could watch the animals for hours. It's been big news that our zoo is going to have penguins this year. Sadly, it was still under construction, so not yet. But we will be back.

 

My girls had a blast. And that is what I set out for.

 

Rachel was seriously scared of the bald eagles. Maybe I have passed on my fear of birds to her.

 

 

We watched the wolves for quite a while. This one, Tillie, kept walking right up to the glass. Olivia that it was awesome.

 

Of course, we couldn't NOT visit the petting zoo. I want a little baby pygmy goat so bad. I have Olivia convinced we need one. So maybe she can work on her Dad to get him to comply. They are adorable.

 

We rode the little train, mostly to get out of the rain that had started. It was spitting just enough to make you mad.

Ok, so both of these pictures crack me up. You would think I made them put their heads in there. On the contrary, it was totally their ideas. They just made these awful depressed faces when I went to take the picture.

 

 

And when we all needed to use the restroom, Mr Peacock was strutting his stuff. Needless to say, we didn't get into the facilities. Please notice the unimpressed lady peacock up by the fence rail. She clearly doesn't care. It made me and another mom laugh.

 

And this here wallaby was ginormous. I don't know if its a girl and she's prego, or what. But this little thing was moving around a little rough like.

 

As luck would have it, there is a strategically placed HUGE playground right at the zoo exit. The girls had a ball there.

surprised me by being a little dare devil by climbing the rock wall like 8 times.



 

oh the squeals of laughter, it was awesome.

 

And we finished our little outing up with a late lunch at steak n shake. Always a crowd pleaser.

 

Once home, the girls sweet-talked their Dad into taking them swimming at the local hotel. Both Olivia & Rachel declared Saturday as the best day ever.

 

Sometimes, we are fun parents.

photo dump

we have all been fighting the sickness...going from winter coats, to no coats, to rain coats, back to winter coats, back to no coats -- has struck us all down with the sickness of 2013.

 

i went to the dr saturday - after a week of feeling crummy.

olivia went to the dr yesterday - after a weekend of feeling crummy.

jarrett has yes to go to the dr - but he is feeling crummy.

rachel was with me when i went to the dr & hit her head on the chair there, such is the life.

 

here are some pictures from my instagram...no real update. maybe, just maybe, i will get my real camera out sometime in the near future. in the meantime, this will have to suffice.

 

at the dr pre-head injury

breakfast date saturday

my drugs. i'm on steroids. and pissed off about it.

the girls picked all the dandelions for me. i spent the day covered up in my snuggie.

sunshine and fresh air sunday morning. dark hair for me again...dyed it that morning.

i missed seeing sidewalk chalk creations. it's a true sign of spring.

rachel draws windows/squares on everything. so coloring the bricks in this fashion is so her.

sunday afternoon olivia got some new clothes. she is thrilled. they are day-glow & i think you could see her in the dark in this outfit.

monday morning dr visit for Liv. sinus infections suck.

the Rachey girl playing outside monday evening. she wouldn't stop running for the pictures.

looking sad about going to daycare one day last week.

getting all gussied up for a date with her Owen.

putting on a concert.

right by our house Thursday evening. lots & lots of rain in the past week caused a waterfall of sorts.

sometimes she requests to be held like a baby.

The Sunroof - Makes us Just Like Famous People

Spring. Sunshine. Cruising around town with the sunroof open.

 

I think 2 weeks ago, we took dinner to my brother on his break at 7:00 pm (working 2nd shift doesn't seem like much fun). While in the parking lot waiting Olivia says she has always wanted to stand up & put her head out of the sunroof. I say go for it.

 

It was the best thing that has ever happened to her. She loved it. She says "I feel like a famous person in a limo, mom. They do this in movies." Yes, they do babe. Yes, they do.

 

 

Rachel on the other hand, not so much a fan of the sunroof being open. Photographic proof. Taken over my shoulder while at the stoplight. And I am so glad I did. I laugh every.single.time. I look at it.

 

I wish you all could hear the creep-tastic weird giggle she was doing. Clearly, she looks horrified. But has this crazy smile. It's just plain awesome.

 

 

Oh I love Spring. 

Weekend o' Fun

This weekend was exactly what I needed.

 

Saturday, I got all gussied up for my cousin Derek's wedding. Zebra dress that Jar deemed "too loud for a wedding" is what I wore.

 

not really sure what I am looking at, but this pic was taken for Amber so she could see my dress prior to the wedding.

 

Jarrett got all fancy like too.

my arm looks super huge at this angle, thanks to our very short 5 yr old photographer. I need a taller photographer.

 

The wedding & reception were in Champaign - sans children. It was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining ceremonies, ever.

 

Derek & Megan wrote their own vows. When we were to the point in the ceremony to exchange their vows, the minister realized he didn't have them with him. He said "this have never happened before. you aren't going to believe this. I'll be right back". He straight up left the sanctuary, and went to his office to retrieve the vows. All the while, remaining mic'ed up. I might go to hell for this, but I was really really hoping he would say something like "where the hell are they?" or "son of a bitch, they were right here". But no such luck. Just some heavy breathing. Found out he had to go outside & into a different building to get to his office.

 

Here is what we all did while the minister was gone. See everyone in the bridal party laughing. And I wasn't the only one who took a pic - thanks, Amber.

 

Here are most of the ladies - my cousins & cousin-in-laws.

 

L to R: Ashley, me, Amber, Sarah, April, Kristen, & Hilary

 

The reception was so much fun!

Jar is not impressed with me.

 

There was a dude in a kilt. I saw him at the church...might I add it was like 40 mph wind gusts. So a dude in a kilt is a pretty ballsy move, literally. I creepy text pic'ed him to send to my friends.

 

There was not only delicious cupcakes!!!! But there was ice cream. In fact, it was a full on sundae bar. This is my first of two ice creams of the night.

 

There was a photo booth. BEST.THING.EVER.

Village People Style...We have everything but the construction worker.

Levi had to ask me how to do duck lips.

 Sunday wasn't too shabby either. It was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS outside! We watched Ellis for Kyle. This 3 kids business was pretty easy.

 

 

 We all went to my Mom & Dad's for Easter a week late. Here are all the kiddos lined up for the hunt.

See, absolutely gorgeous out.

 

I broke out capris & flip flops. LOVE. I even got a little hint of a sunburn on my arms.

 

And see that green grass coming back. FINALLY!!!!

 

This weekend was EXACTLY what I needed. Time with friends. Time with other adults. Dancing. Getting all dressed up. Laughing way too loud. Getting the church laughs -- at a church. Ice cream. Cake. Fun. Sunshine. Vitamin D. Flip flops. Family. Pork chops on the grill. More dancing. Singing. More laughing.

 

Spring is here. And I am so excited.