"A" is for Alex...and Activities.

Well I am finally learning the secret to surviving Toddlerhood with the big "A"- and that secret is "Activities!" This little buddy needs constant things to do to keep him (and momma!) happy.

Today it seems was a turning point, my little buckaroo was all smiles and giggles as he helped me put away the dishes (we have finally given him access to the kitchen, gulp) and then he did his first ever craft day with big sis.

Here a few pics of my picasso. He managed to keep most marker drawing confined to paper and legs!

Durango, Thomas the Train and Traveling with a Two Year Old

We went to Durango this past weekend. All in all a fun but always an adventure when traveling with one under two. The hotel was Alex's favorite part of the vacation, specifically opening and shutting ALL of the doors (Sorry to our neighbors!)



Maybe a future photographer???



Here we are- a family shot after a long night(Alex wanted to go home and Grace was too excited to sleep). I think we all look pretty good after no sleep!

The Paperwork Blues

As we move to a new adoption agency we have to update our homestudy. So much paperwork. We go in for a discussion of what this will mean. This is one of the hardest parts of building our family through adoption. We pray that we will move through this final step in our family building swiftly. Its been a long, hard journey.

Knock on the Noggin'

No pics today. We went to one of our favorite places yesterday as a fam, a local youth ranch. Grace got to ride her favorite horse, provided she did her chores (clean up after the horses, crush cans, etc.). GGYR is a pretty amazing place- all non-profit, ranch stuff for the kiddos - what a great experience!

Unfortunatly while we were there I receive a bit of a boo-boo. Chad and Grace were scoopin' poop from the horses (after a wonderful ride!) and I was watching Alex in the playhouse "saloon". Alex decided it was great fun to run out of the saloon- full speed-toward the porch and lower step. His full speed is like superman warp speed in a toddler body. He, of course, did not realize what he was doing but I raced after him.

"Alex!!!" I cried- and promptly hit my head on the saloon door on the way out in an attempt to get Alex. Stars- I saw stars! They were pretty and pink and sparkly! It seems I was going at my own mommy 'warp speed' and didn't realize the saloon door was actually about 4 inches lower than my head. Thus a huge goose egg resulted. I don't believe GGYR ever anticipated me or Alex or our antics of leaving the saloon. I'd better be careful next time...and limit Alex's interactions at the ranch until after he is 2 1/2!

Of course, Grace could not be persuaded to stop scooping so there I sat in the saloon with my goose egg and my 2 year old and my father who came on the trip saying "You know, the door to my shed is low too, that is why I have a sign that says 'watch you're head!' on the way out! You should really watch where you are going, Jenn." Gee...thanks dad I never thought of that as I barreled toward my son!

Great day but bad bump. Chad says if I wear my wedding Tiara around he wont even notice it. Great idea. Can I be queen of the house for a day w/ no chores???!!! Ahhh, such is life!

Darn you, kitchenaid mixer!

Wouldn't you know it, my kitchenaid mixer broke just as I was making the icing for my mom's cake. The machine started to spew oil right into the batch of icing. So I had to throw the whole batch out and make buttercream icing- BY HAND. not fun! At least the cake was still good, even if the icing was lumpy this time! Happy birthday, mom!

It's time for the great whale!

Grace and Alex's first day in the whale pool. It was a little cold but they wanted to stay in, even when their lips started turning a bit blue!