Stir-Crazy

I am going nuts with snow still on the ground and cold temperatures.  Thankfully I am not alone in my feelings.  This week Katie and I took our kids to the children's museum.  We were there from 11:00-3:15.  It was grand.  I did pay for it later that day with Bridget's nap, but it was a sacrifice well worth making.  

The next day Katie picked up Marshall and took him to the Gymboree Open Gym with her kids.  No pictures to document, but by all accounts, they had a good time.

This morning upon checking the weather I discovered highs approaching upper 30s and sun.  So we packed up and went to the zoo.  My kids ran their hearts out, Bridget, of course, without a coat.  

The zoo has two baby jaguar cubs.  Today was the first day we have seen them out.  They were sleeping at first, but we stayed in the big cat house for a while and soon they were running around and playing with each other.  The kids loved it.

Bridget isn't really into stopping for pictures...this is the best I could get. 

Here's to spring time!

March, In Like A Lion...

Well, March is here, and at least in Milwaukee it has come in like a lion.  Blah.  On February 27th we got hit with our biggest snowstorm of the winter season.  Where was this snow back in December when I was pining away for it?  No where to be found, that's for sure.  Now we are into March with inches upon inches of snow glaring at me every time I look out the window.  

The only bad thing about our trip to CA was now I am incredibly eager for warmer weather around these parts.  I long to be outside going on walks, blowing bubbles, having picnics, going to the zoo, parks, etc...I can barely wait.  But, despite all of my feelings, someone around here is having the time of his life in the snow, so that is good.  

And speaking of lions...March has brought us another lion...an almost two year old Bridget.  Oh boy.

Another fight over Sunday apparel.

Her show just ended.  :(

Disneyland!

About a month ago Richard and I made a fairly spontaneous decision (spontaneous for us) and decided to spend our life's savings (okay, not quite) and take a three day trip to Disneyland.  We talked Richard's parents into meeting us there and I'm so glad that they came.  They are such fun people, not to mention, the help of two more adults is invaluable in a place like Disneyland.  We flew out last Tuesday night, spent Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in Disneyland, and flew home on Saturday.  It was a whirlwind, but so fun.  Since we've been home Bridget has been consistently sleeping 13-15 hours at night and taking at least three hour naps every afternoon.  I wish I could do the same!

Marshall's favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story, and the Haunted Mansion (should I be concerned about this?!)

Bridget loved the carousels, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, and The Little Mermaid. 

Now for the picture overload...

Walking into the park our first morning there.  Marshall was ecstatic!

A wee bit nervous in this picture.  :)  My in-laws got pictures of all of us with Lightning McQueen; hopefully those turned out a little better.

Marshall's favorite ride, hands down.  We came home with that laser gun and he hasn't let go of it since.

You would never guess by looking at Bridget, but she was thrilled to be seeing Tigger and Pooh.  She even came home with a stuffed Tigger. 

A little R&R in the hotel room.  Marshall looks so grown up to me here.

I am noticing a theme here...Bridget seems to be happiest when she has food in her hand.

The Little Mermaid ride.  Bridget LOVED this and would say "Fish! Fish!" as soon as the building came into view.  This was one of my new-found favorites as well.

California Screamin'.  My mother-in-law did this crazy coaster all by herself.  Brave lady.

I treated Bridget to Captain Eo.  :)  My highlight of the trip; I can't say the same for her.

Splash Mountain was only open our last day there.  This was the one ride I was sad I couldn't go on because of being pregnant.  We'll just have to visit Disneyland again I guess!  Bob is the one with his hands raised, Becky is behind him, and Richard is in the back holding on to a terrified Marshall.  :)

Spur of the moment we decided to stay and watch the parade our last night there and I'm so glad we did!  I have never seen a more impressive parade.  Amazing costumes, great dancing, not to mention phenomenal floats.

Ah, it was a great time.  The night we got back Marshall kept insisting that we move to California so we could go to Disneyland every day.  I finally told him that even if we moved to California one day Richard would still have to work, Marshall would still go to school and we wouldn't be able to go to Disneyland every day.  He looked right at me and said, "That's a lie."  I wish he was right.

Days in Review

We've been having some memorable moments around here...

Friends and snow.

A lunch with just Bridget while Marshall was sleeping.  It was delightful.

Blanket cuddles. 

Bridget's first snow experience.  She's was so excited!

Notice her bare hands.  She lasted about ten minutes in mittens.  Crazy girl.

Shoveling with Daddy.

The fort of all forts.  Richard just came up with this idea on Saturday afternoon.  He and Marshall spent time designing it, buying supplies, and putting it together. 

As you can tell it takes up our entire living room.

The kids love it though and it has now provided three days of endless fun.

Bridget in protest.  Who needs to wear a dress to church?  Clearly not this girl; a onesie and tights will suffice.  Don't worry though, I did tackle her with a dress ten minutes before we walked out the door.  It was not a pretty sight.

Costco

Today I conquered one of my worst fears...

 

I went to Costco alone, with two kids.  

 

I have never been to Costco alone, either we all go together or Richard and Marshall make an outing of it, which they both love.  The thought of walking into that massive place without Richard intimidates me, which is why I have never gone without him. 

As the week wore on and we kept getting closer and closer to running out of toilet paper, Kleenex, diapers, and other things that we only buy at Costco I knew I would have to make this excursion by myself today because Richard is working.  I was not looking forward to it, especially knowing that I would have two kids with me.  Back in the summer I banned Marshall and Bridget from being in the store together for more than 15 minutes.

As I knew my dreaded Costco trip was drawing nearer I kept thinking about my dad who LOVES Costco.  My dad absolutely hates shopping, it has been known to stress him out so badly that he has come home and almost eaten through an entire pie.  Now if you know my dad and his very healthy eating habits this is hard to believe, but its true, there are witnesses.  Despite my dad's great disdain for stores and shopping he adores Costco.  The first time he shopped there, years ago, he spent $1000.  Yikes.  Granted my parents had five kids living at home at the time and four were boys, so this could be validated...maybe.  

This morning I bundled all of us up at 9:30 and we were out the door.  Within minutes of walking into Costco Marshall said, "Look at me."  I looked at him and saw a huge smile on his face.  I asked him if he was happy and he replied, "I'm smiling because I'm at Costco!"  He made me laugh out loud.

After making our way through just a few isles Marshall had finished the bag of pretzels I had given him to snack on.  He informed me that he was still hungry and I apologized for not bringing more food.  His immediate response was, "Did you know there are people here who give you free samples of food?"  Again, he made me laugh out loud.  Apparently he and Richard sample everything on their Saturday outings, which we proceeded to do.  Shy Marshall astounded me this morning as he asked every worker for their sample and thanked them after they gave him his desired food item.  This kid ate everything he was given, even things I was sure he would spit out.  He should eat all of his meals at Costco.  

Our shopping trip ended 90 minutes later and all three of us had smiles on our faces and full stomachs.  Not only had I survived my first solo Costco trip, but I had loved it.  Just being there makes me want to have seven kids so we can shop there on a weekly basis.  I also want Richard to make a lot more money so we can buy everything we sample.  

I think these monthly Costco runs may turn into an entire family outing.

Drumroll Please...