Grandparents

Derek was out of town all last week for work and Punky had a week off from preschool.  So, we decided to take a last minute mid-week trip to visit the grandparents.  (I don't know about you, but I can't sit at home with two crazy kids, no plans, and no help, or I'd go insane).  Our time with Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Max was fun, yet relaxed. 

We watched TV (while Grandpa napped with a pig on his shoulder).

We made cookies.

On Wednesday afternoon, the weather was gorgeous.  We went on a little walk and hardly needed coats and hats.  Halfway down the driveway, Buddy remembered the last time we were at Grandma's and went a walk to visit the neighbor's cows.  From the back of the wagon, we could hear Buddy MOOing.  Cute!

On Wednesday night, it snowed.  So, we played in the snow on Thursday.  Punky ventured farther away from the house than she ever had before, telling Grandpa that he was supposed to follow her footprints.  She made snow angels, snowballs and tiny snowmen.  Buddy waddled around in his snowsuit and never let go of his bucket and shovel.  I couldn't get him to stop eating the snow.  Punky and Buddy LOVED playing in the snow. 

I snuck away while Buddy was taking a nap and practiced taking photos with my new camera. 

We took the long way home on Friday and stopped to visit Grandma Trudi and Grandpa Scott.  We met them for a quick lunch and then decided to stay for supper since they both had to go back to work. 

While they were working, we went to visit Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma.

 
I am so glad we were able to take a break from our usual routine, leave town and spend time with lots of grandparents.  Our schedule is getting busier and busier and if I ever land a job (keep your fingers crossed), it is going to be difficult to do fun things like this in the future.

MOA

Yesterday we met Auntie Shannon, Abby, Leah and Leah's friend at the Mall of America for a fun-filled day.  Leah's birthday is coming up and instead of a party, she got to invite a friend to come with her to the MOA.  We spent the day doing all the things that a 9-year old (and a 15 year old and a 3 year old and an 18 month old) would want to do. 

We started the morning out at the American Girl Store.  Punky was very reserved, quiet and timid at the "doll store."  I haven't figured out why yet, but I am thinking one of two things.  She has become a little more shy and clingy ever since starting preschool.  Maybe that was it?  Derek and I also had a little talk to her the day before about how the mall was very big and she should always stay by Mommy or Auntie.  Was she scared?

Holding Hands while waiting in line

Buddy, on the other hand, was a little maniac.  He did not want to play with the dolls.  Not even this little guy who looked just like him.

After pushing the doll away many times, he finally found a way to entertain himself.  He stood in the display area and "jumped" down over and over again.

Our next stop was Nickelodeon Universe.  I think Punky (and Buddy!) had just as much fun walking through the crowds while I was trying to find the ticket booth.  They saw (pictures of) characters from all the shows we hardly ever get to watch, since we don't even have Nick Jr. at home.  But, they had so much fun pointing out all their favorites!  Linny!  Tuck!  Ming Ming!  Dora!  Boots!  (Buddy can even say Boots now.) Swiper!  Kai Lan!  Sponge Bob!  We chose a Wonder Pets ride for Punky and a Blues Clues ride for Buddy.  It was their first time going on rides, aside from the Carousel or Giant Slide.  There were big smiles on both kids!  I think a summer day spent at Valleyfair is in our future.

 

After the rides, we ate some greasy food court pizza while Leah, her friend and Auntie ate at the American Girl cafe.  We met back up afterwards at the Lego store.  Everyone was exhausted at that point, but we made sure to stop off at a few clothes stores for Abby before heading home.  Abby was a BIG help to me the whole day.  She sat with Buddy while Punky and I waited in line for her Wonder Pets ride.  She stayed with Buddy while Punky and I waited in another line for the bathroom.  And she watched both kids while I waited in yet another line to get our lunch.  I don't think I would've been able to do it without Abby's help.  

I had hoped the kids would fall asleep in the car and I could carry them up to their rooms for the rest of the afternoon.  But that didn't happen.  Punky chatted the whole way home and never fell asleep.  Buddy fell asleep before we left the parking ramp, but woke up as we were pulling into the garage.  They were both exhausted from the busy day, so we went to bed early.  It was a fun, exciting day but I don't think I'll be ready for another trip to the Mall of America for another year or two.  

Auntie wanted me to add a picture of Punky wearing the hat she made and the scarf Abby made.

          

Happy Valentine's Day

Lazy Sunday

Since there was no church school this week, we decided to make today a lazy day at home.  (We didn't know if Punky would freak out because she had to go to the "big church" and pretty much wanted to avoid it.)  We all stayed in our jammies the whole day.  While Derek made bacon and eggs for breakfast, Punky parked herself in front of the TV and Buddy climbed into his high chair by himself and waited for his food.

 

We love bacon!

 
After breakfast, I snuck upstairs and cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed and did some organizing.  I headed back downstairs a little before lunch, it was nice to get some things done without interruption!  During Buddy's naptime, Punky had a little bit of quiet time and then did puzzles and made her Daddy a valentine project. 

We played Sesame Street Bingo after Buddy woke up.  Buddy has been obsessed with Elmo lately, so even though he didn't actually play, he was able to participate by pointing to each character as we called their names out.  He did pretty good!   

Then we ate supper and gave the kids a bath.  It was a nice relaxing day at home.  I got the house clean for the week (fingers crossed it lasts that long) and Derek managed to read an entire (400+ page) book today.  Now it's back to another busy week with work, preschool and volunteering!

I do!

Buddy has been learning so many new words lately.  For almost 17 months, I think he has quite a few words.  He says:  yes, no, more, this, that, up, hi, bye-bye, mama, dada, sissy (kind of), Elmo, apple, ball, uh-oh, please, and cheese (for the camera), in addition to many animal sounds.  This week Buddy added a new phrase to his repertoire, "I do!".  If you ask Buddy a question (Who wants a snack?, Who wants to take a bath?, Who wants to go outside?), he'll raise his hand up high and enthusiastically say "I do!".  We seriously need to stop bugging the kid with so many questions, but I just can't help it, he's too cute!