Granny Time

My mom made a little visit over this past weekend. We love having visitors, especially our grandmas & our grandpa. They always give the girls their full attention, which Livi & Hannah love every minute of. This particular trip, my mom was able to visit Hannah's preschool and was also allowed into her dance class. Hannah has been talking about showing each of them off to grandma for weeks.

Thanks Grandma for the dance picture. Since Chiki & I are parents, we have to wait to see her at the next performance

Proud Hannah & Grandma at preschool

Next, Hannah requested that we go to the zoo. We go there on a weekly basis, and love to show it off to any who want to attend. Since I am TERRIFIED of snakes, I refuse to take the girls into the aquarium when I am alone with them. So, Hannah kept insisting my mom take her into where the snakes are (Livi was throwing one of many tantrums and had to stay out with me). My mom said they walked in, Hannah saw the first snake and came running out. What can I say, other then that's my girl. I am getting the heepy creepies just talking about the nasty things. 

It just happened to be school day at the zoo, so there were many, many, many kids running around. Between all of the kids, the many meltdowns that Hannah had, and the many tantrums Livi threw ... me and my mom still managed to get in some good laughs and had a great time.

Hannah & Grandma in front of the giraffes

Hannah & Livi playing the African drums

We spent Grandma's last day, at one of the malls. Shopping is always fun, right? Well it should be fun, but this leads me into one of my biggest issues right now ... mega tantrums in public. My youngest Olivia seems to be throwing them everywhere we go, and the day we went to the mall just happened to be chuck full of them. I know every child goes through this "terrible two" stage at one point, but these tantrums are awful. She refuses to wear her monkey, knows how to get out of her stroller when buckled in, and will not allow anyone to carry her. This causes a huge problem when we are in a busy environment, which is basically everywhere we go. If anyone tries to pick her up she thrashes her body around, screams at the top of her lungs, and hits. So, so stressful. Anyhow, back to shopping. We had great success and went home with many bags

How can such a sweet little person, create such a ruckus??

Mom, we were sad to see you go :(  Thanks for the nice adult conversations, the emotional support (handling Livi in public), the good laughs, and the much needed helping hand with the girls who I know loved every moment of it!  Come back real soon!!

A Litttle R and R With Some Friends

Since my mom was in town, Chiki & I were able to go out with some friends over the weekend.  We had a blast cooking it up at the Melting Pot.  What's not to love about that place ... you get a little bit of salt & a whole lot of sugar!  

YUMMY!

I have a new found love ... Banana Foster Chocolate.  White chocolate, with brown sugar and pieces of banana

Fish Anyone??

So apparently, out of the last batch of fish we purchased ... one of them just happened to be pregnant.  The only word I can think of right now, is WOW.  Our fish population has more then doubled since this morning, and continues to keep growing with each hour.  

Since the fish are Chiki's project, he will be so excited to come home to a trillion fish.  Most of which are going to have to be taken out.  Have fun Chiki, and I hope that you really enjoy your newest project!!

10 Years Later

Columbine High School  

It has been 10 years today, since the Columbine Massacre.  Chiki & I have a friend, who at the time was attending this particular high school and was directly affected.  I just wanted to say, Matt we are very proud of you.  We will never understand what you went through or what you think about each year on April 20th, but you are a strong person and this experience has made you an even greater person then you were before.  

How Old Is Too Old?

A group of us moms were talking one day, at one of Hannah's lessons.  One of the moms, mentioned that she was really sad and can't believe how fast her baby is growing up.  One of the other moms, asked how come she was so sad and what had happened.  "Well," she said, "we just took Brynlee out of her crib and put her into a big girl bed."  Did I mention that Brynlee is Hannah's age, which is 4 1/2 year old?  When I heard that, I about fell off my seat and was trying so hard to not let my chin drop.   Now I know, every situation is different and that every parent has their own way of doing things.  Heck, some may believe that me & Chiki switched our girls from crib to starter bed, too early.  As soon as they turned one, the crib rails came down.  

This particular mom is also always complaining about how timid both her girls are when her & her husband are not around.  She is always pointing out how social Hannah is, and how she "so badly wants her girls to be like that."  Part of me can't help but think that her babying isn't helping the situation.   I am no parenting pro by any means but can't help but be proud of how Hannah & Olivia can go anywhere, without mom & dad.  What are you feelings on the matter?  Do you feel that babying your child holds them back??