Monday, March 21, 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Sweet Moments

This is what I saw earlier this afternoon. Gemma was at a play-date, but Spencer and Gianna decided to pass the time reading!



Indoor Soccer

Spencer isn't really into sports. However, we can't just let him read books and play with his Legos all day long. When Gemma asked to play volleyball, I found out they had indoor soccer leagues too. I didn't really ask Spencer if he wanted to play - I just told him.

When he found out that David was going to coach, he warmed up to the idea a little more. : )

Today was the second game of the session (it's 6 weeks long). David has reserves this weekend and wasn't sure if he would be able to make the game....but he did! Spencer was so excited that he could make it and the kids thought it was cool that he was in uniform.

Here's my little soccer player running up the field.
And here an action shot! I think the boy in blue actually kicked the ball - I'm just glad Spencer was giving it his all!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Field Trip

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a field trip to the Minnesota Zoo with Spencer. The weather was perfect (in the 50's), though most of the time we were indoors. Either way, it was such a treat to spend time with Spencer!
Here is my group of boys (there was another mom in our group) at Discovery Bay waiting for our trip on the Monorail.

We were able to see so many animals because of the Monorail. The kids loved it! I love this bear. I think he had recently woken up because we saw him stretching - too cute! Besides, doesn't his expression scream, "I need coffee..."??

I loved the camels! This one was trying to get a snack from the bark on the trees, but I guess the zookeeper decided to prevent that from happening. All of the trees were covered in mesh.
Another shot of our group - we were exploring some of the outside exhibits before lunch.

After lunch we found this deck and stayed outside for about 10 minutes enjoying the sun until we had to go to a class to learn about the tropical rain forests.
The class was our last stop at the zoo. We learned about the rain-forests and why they are important to us....even all the way in Minnesota. We also had the opportunity to see two animals from the rain-forest; the first was a Hissing Cockroach from Madagascar (I took a photo, but it was blurry) and then we saw this lizard. Apparently it's called a "Skank". The only time I've heard that word, it's been used in a very derogatory context, so I may have chuckled when the instructor said it. : )

I had a great time and was so happy to spend the day with my favorite boy!

(Special thanks to Evelyn for keeping Gianna so I could attend the field trip!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Bump, Set, Spike!

A few weeks ago Gemma noticed a posting at the Rec Center (where she does dance) for volleyball and asked if she could sign-up. Normally, David and I don't like the kids having more than one activity at a time, but now that they are getting a little older and it's only a 6 week season, we decided to relax our rule.

Monday night was her first game - and she did great!
I am so proud of Gemma's willingness to try something she's never done before and put 110% effort into it!
Can't wait for her next game next week!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Round 2


Gemma is on round two of anti-biotics for strep throat.

She finished 10 days of amoxicillin on Sunday and started complaining about her throat again yesterday. The school nurse called at noon today (I was planning on taking her to the doctor after school) and said her throat didn't look good and a lot of children were having bouts with a second round of strep throat.

Let's hope this medicine does the trick!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Thankful

Gianna has been eating lunch while sitting on the living room floor with a breakfast tray for the last few weeks. Sometimes she watches cartoons, other days she just listens to the radio (like today).

However, when I placed the tray in front of her today, she said something that she hasn't said before...."Thanks, cooker". I guess she thinks I'm her "staff".

At least she remembered to be thankful!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Girls Night Out

Friday night, the girls and I went to see Disney Princesses on Ice (thanks to Bamma)! I think this is the first time that we've truly had a girls night out! Here we are before leaving for the show - I love how it looks like Gemma is trying to push Gianna out of the picture. Nothing but love in this house!
When we arrived, we took our seats - which happened to be just steps away from the ice! The girls - especially Gemma, couldn't believe how great our seats were. And in just a few minutes the show opened with Aladdin and Jasmine. Please note Gianna's pose - she thinks she's a model!
The girls had a great time and couldn't take their eyes off of the show. I couldn't help but watch them and see their excitement.
I was able to get a few shots of the show. Here is my favorite Disney Princess - Belle.
Ariel has always been another one of my favorites. Gemma really likes her too.
After Ariel performed there was an intermission. We wandered around and found a stand that had a bunch of unnecessary and overpriced junk for sale. Under orders (and financing) from Bamma, each child was to get a toy of their choice....

They each chose a light up toy - Gemma was picked an Ariel wand and Gianna chose Cinderella, which happens to be her favorite. After spending $40 (which was about $30 more than I would be willing to pay), we walked back to our seats to finish up the show.

They saved the best for last....Cinderella! Gianna was over the moon with her - I thought her little arm was going to fall off from all of the waving!

The show was great and the girls had so much fun. Within 20 minutes of leaving the show and getting to the car, Gianna was sound asleep. I was able to get her in the house, in her bed and change her into pajamas WITHOUT waking her! I'm sure she had some sweet dreams!

Can't wait for another Girls Night Out!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bad Blogger

Ok, so I've been a horrible blogger the past few months.

I'll try to fix that with this post...

A couple of weekends ago, David and I went to Las Vegas to meet up with his best friend from childhood and wife so the boys could celebrate their 40th birthdays. It was the first time for us in Vegas and we had a great time.

We gambled (and lost), ate, saw shows, visited The Hoover Dam and walked the strip - twice. We had great weather and even better company - and thanks to my mom and Evelyn we knew our little ones were safe and sound at home.

Here are some photos from our fun-filled weekend....

Waiting for our flight out of MSP.
In our room at The Venetian.
Us at The Price Is Right! Not a great photo, but David won $10 gift card!

Us with performers in The Venetian - we are INDOORS in this photo!
Waiting for The Penn&Teller show to begin.
Meet and greet after the show!
Us with Teller and David's best-friend and his wife.
In Mc Donald's - as close as I'll get to Old Blue Eyes!

Our tour bus stopped at the famous Vegas sign for a photo-op.
The Hoover Dam. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
David is standing in Nevada taking a photo of me in Arizona.
A ceiling in the Bellagio. Just beautiful! It's all Venetian glass!

David on The Brooklyn Bridge
Me trying to pose like Marie Osmond in the photo over my head.
Hello Kitty and me - this was for Gianna.
On top of The Eiffel Tower
Waiting for our ride back to the airport.