Sea World

Quick note before the Sea World post. We were sick the week after my parents left and bored because we couldn't play with others so we made bird feeders. Pine cones covered in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.

Llivy loved making them and here is her finished product. a string goes around the top and it hangs in the tree.
First lesson learned. Do all projects outside. I was not thinking when we started and are at the kitchen table as you can see. She loved doing it but wiped her hands off in between each hand full of bird seed she put on top of the pine cone. Birdseed all over the place. Lots and lots of it.

Rrachel enjoyed it but not as much. She did some tasting of the bird seed and got upset when I wiped her mouth out. then there was crying from then on. Oh well. It went ok I guess. We went to Sea World for the weekend and when we got back Pebbles had ripped a few of them off the tree and eaten all the peanut butter off of them. I don't know why I even try sometimes!

We went to Sea World in San Antonio the weekend before their birthday. Kind of for their birthday but they don't get that so really we just went to go. It was a lot of fun with them because they got so excited to see all the "dolphins." Everything was a dolphin. Shamu, the real dolphins, belugas, and sea lions were all called dolphins. Sometimes sea lions got called seals if they were lucky.

Rachel excitedly pointing out the whale every time she saw it. And Livy said "I no know" or "I no know see" every time they went under water! That is her "I dont know" but her don't sounds pretty close to no. It is really funny and cute to hear but she had the broken record thing going on with that phrase through the whole show.

This was at the Shamu show and they loved it. They actually liked the pre-show better when they whales were just swimming around all over.

Classic picture! So cute! She was in awe the first few times she saw them.

Rachel having a blast with daddy.

Doing smores at the hotel that night. Eric burning his marshmallow. The girls loved holding the sticks and ate a little chocolate but not a real smore.

They did great on the drive to San Antonio and loved the elevators in the hotel. There weren't many people in the hotel or Sea World so it was perfect for us. And they slept pretty good too. They got up early but napped and went to sleep really good. First hotel stay for them and I was very happy with how it went. The girls were sad we didn't get to go swimming. No indoor pool and it was super windy and kind of chilly that weekend so no swimming for us.

Second day at Sea World. They loved these characters more than the real animals. I wish I had gotten it on video but when Shamu when by Livy got down from the table we were sitting at and started chasing him. It was pretty funny.

Eric with the sharks. It was fun to go on our first family "vacation." and we worked our patience well with each other. He was calm and patient when I was not and vice versa. It's nice having a reminder to just chill sometimes.

Watch your fingers Rachel!

Livy with the fish.

Best part of Sea World in my opinion is the dolphin feeding. They come right up to you and you can touch them. So cool. The girls loved feeding them and seeing them but obviously couldn't understand how cool it was that they were so close. Livy was a little scared to get too close to them. Mostly just liked to stand next to me and chuck fish in the water.

Rachel loved it. And so did mommy and daddy. Cheers after every fish that we fed them.

Picture time with their favorite character.

A little disappointed in the rides/stuff for little kids. That is probably why kids under 3 are free. This was the only ride they could go on. Livy had a few crying fits when she couldn't go on the small roller coaster or train as she thought it was. But she had fun in teacup ferris wheel thing. Only cried/whined for 15 minutes while waiting in line while repeating "I turn" every time someone in front of us would get on. I am sure they would have had a lot more fun in the summer when the water stuff is turned on and they could play there too. All together it was a fun weekend. Really glad we ended up going!

Some of Our Favorite People

My parents and my sister came to visit us for 4 days on 2/16. It was a miracle-no delays or lost baggage! I think this was the first time that has ever happened to them since I have lived here! It was another wonderful trip and so fun to have them here. I love seeing the girls with their grandparents. It is so cool how they know them even though they live so far away. All of our frequent trips definitely pay off. Livy was sick the whole time with a fever and urinary tract infection but was feeling a little better the last day of their trip. We went to the zoo, hung out, ate good food, and they got the girls a kitchen for their 2nd birthday. Dad and Eric were just so happy to put all 300 of its pieces together for them! Thanks dad and Eric. Sorry about that!

Livy watching the elephants.

 Animal watching.

Seeing the giraffes was their favorite animal at the zoo but always their favorite thing to do is the carousel. Once they spotted it we couldn't look at anything else without them crying!


Livy being forced to take another picture!

Park time. We went to play and visit my parents favorite Texas ducks and rats! At Meyer park they have those huge rat things in the lake that run up to you for food. my parents love them! Just kidding, they of course think they are totally gross but it is a big joke around here that we have to go feed the rats when they come to TX.

Mom and her girls, me...

and Hannie

Eeveryone getting a good laugh at Livy because she was having a fit. No one wanted to smile for pictures this day.

Aunt Hannie and her nieces who love love love her and follow her everywhere and copy everything she does! Hannie is also the best baby sitter there is! She was such a big help keeping an eye on them and helping them. They "call" Hannah all the time on their phones!

Hannah getting a spin around too!

Rachel about to get spun.

Rae Rae and her best buddy Pop pop.

Walking around the water fountains at the temple. The girls love the temple. They like to call any really big building the temple but at least they are learning.

Snuggle time.

Stories and hugs!

We always love when grandma, pop pop and Hannie come to visit us. they girls are so happy and were actually crying when they left this time. they love playing with Hannah and following her around. it was great to have them here and just hang out. they got their fill of their favorite Texas foods, Papasitos (2x), Chick fil A and BBQ baked potatoes. All great things they don't have in NY. Can't wait until we get to see you guys again! We miss you and love you!

Valentine's Day

I know it has almost been a month since Valentine's Day and I am way behind. I have about three more posts to catch up until I am current. I don't know why I seemed to have less time than normal this past month and didn't get it done. So I am on my way to catching up.

Being bribed with M&M's to get to sit still for pictures. Not a great picture but I had to show the whole adorable v-day outfit from Grandma!


Best one I got of both of them together. It is a very difficult task now a days to get them both to smile together for me.

One smiles....

or the other!

Wednesday thru Saturday that week Eric was away so it was just me and the girls. Alan was gone too so we had Grandma Brenda's help a lot which was a wonderful treat!

Here she comes, get ready for a hug!

Before making cookies at April's with their cousins. Livy liked the rolling pin the best. Rachel wasn't interested very much in the whole process. I thought it was a fun v-day thing to do! thanks April! We missed Eric but had fun without him! The girls got to eat candy all day with their new pez dispensers and I got a free time treat from Brenda who took them Saturday morning so I could go and shop! Thanks so much Brenda for all of your help!

Crap, Friends, Cheese and Pebbles

These are the things that make our days go smoothly. Livy has the duck and paci to the left and everything else is Rachel's.

Rachel always has lots of stuff with her. Like my mom tried to tell Eric, some kids are just collectors. That's Rachel. Livy is content to have her duck and paci. She rubs it on her nose and it comforts her. Rachel used to be content with just her cat but not anymore. She has to have her two babies with her, the pink bottle with the whole in the middle, and they their blankets too.

And this is everywhere she goes. To bed, to the car, upstairs, around the house, etc. so of course it is a pain in the butt when trying to leave the house. We tell her to leave the blankets and she will do that willingly. Then Eric always says "you have too much crap" or something to that effect. And guess what Rachel says now. When she is getting all her stuff together and trying to pick it up she says "crap, crap, crap, crap" for everything she picks up! It is seriously hilarious to hear her because it usually sounds like "cwap" and it is just funny but I try not to let her hear me laugh. And of course I tell her not to say that! :) Luckily Livy hasn't picked up on it yet!

Last night she gave me all of her stuff to hold and sat next to me and said "friends, Niny (Livy) too, friends." so I guess that's what we are now, friends. It was really cute though. And all of us "friends" sat together for a picture. Pebbles is Livy's second best friend now too. She loves playing with Pebbles and is always running around the house with her and playing ball.

Livy and Pebbles are buddies. she hugs her all the time and always shares her snack with Pebbles, even before she eats any. So cute. There she is rubbing her duck on her nose. She offers it to me and Eric all the time in case we want to rub ducky on our nose too. A rubby she calls it.

I can't just take a picture of Livy any more either. I say "cheese Livy" and she smiles and then says "cheese ducky and cheese paci" and both have to have their own pictures. This is "cheese paci."

One of the precious babies

Ducky's cheese

Another one of ducky's pictures. This one taken for her baby book to show her favorite things.

Livy has been Rachel's keeper the past week. She shushes her all the time when Rachel gets loud. points her finger at her, tells her no, and quiet. Repeatedly until she stops or I tell both of them to stop. At least she stopped calling her bad girl. The shushing I don't mind. It's pretty funny.

Rachel's new face for when I say "cheese."

Just cheesing it up for the camera!

Friends!

Now about Pebbles. Dogs are not loyal. I thought they were but Pebbles has proven me wrong. I am the only one who feeds her, walks her, bathes her, gives her treats, brushes her or takes care of her in any way, OK except for Livy, but this is just between Eric and I. And Eric does nothing for her, no good food, no playing, no walks. anyway, it doesn't seem to matter. Whenever Eric and I are kidding around and I poke, hit (not a real hit), touch him or even hug him she starts growling at me. She has to stand in between our legs if he hugs me or kisses me. We have him fake "attack" me and nothing. All she does is growl and bark at me if I touch him. Eric thinks it is hysterical and I have to laugh too at the whole thing. Oh well. Better luck next time I guess!

Up and Down and Flipped Around

To start, sorry no fun pictures this week. Just words. Last week was a down week. I felt like I was loosing my mind with two almost two year olds who don't listen to a thing I say. After 500 times of telling them not to touch the dog food bowls I find them together hovered over the dog bowl with mouths full of food. OK, either laugh now or make the gross face. I have gotten both reactions. And mine at the time was a full fury of anger towards my beautiful little girls. I don't know why I was so enraged but I just was. I yelled and tried to punish them in a time out corner but they don't seem to get it still. They sat for a while and then straight to bed. Then I cried. I was mad that they don't listen to me and I was mostly mad at myself for being so mad at them. Why did it make me so mad? I know they aren't even two yet and I know that not listening is what that age does best. I happened to be texting my cousin right after and she was the first one to laugh at them. OK, now almost a week later I can kind of see the humor in it but mostly I am just grossed out. And no I didn't snap a picture before I cleaned their mouths out. Silly me, I wasn't thinking of the photo op! They there was a few more days of anger for non listening and bad behaving children. The good news is that I have finally gotten control of myself and I am not getting mad anymore. I am happy to say that I feel much better this week, not overwhelmed, and we are happy. I just felt like I was loosing it and totally out of control and like the worst mom ever. So that was up and down.

Flipped around. That is about the girls. Two posts ago was about how Livy was testing me. Now it's Rachel. Most of last week was her acting out and Livy was so sweet and caring. She shares, gives Rachel anything she wants if Rachel cries, gives Rachel her snack first, etc. Such a sweetie. And Rachel is pushing, crying, and hanging on me. No terrible temper tantrums but still and intense switch. At least they switch so one is up and one is down and not both down at the same time. But they are wonderful little girls and always make me smile.

They both love reading books right now, the same ones over and over and over again but good that they want to read. Favorite books are the I Spy books. All Rachel wants to eat is junk food. She ate cheese doodles for dinner last night. Livy likes all food and will eat her main food as well as her snack. Rachel is also attached to Eric when he gets home. Cries when he leaves the room. Livy is totally into me kissing her boo boo. She always comes over to me with her boo boo and a little kiss sends her on her way. Rachel doesn't even try and do it. She doesn't care. They love to sing church songs and their favorites are I Love to See the Temple and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. Livy always wants me to see that she has done something so she comes right in my face and says "Mommy I do it." So proud of everything she does! Rachel's favorite thing to say is "I don't want it." A different version of no. And the funniest thing she says is "I do yips." Guesses on the translation....she means she will zipper it. All I say is "zip" when I do her pajamas. And that is what she started saying to me when we put the pajamas on.

Glad to be feeling happier and more in control, or accepting of the uncontrolled craziness. Hope you are having an up week too!