Ryan had a few days off of work so we took a mini vacation to St. Louis. We weren't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a great couple of days!
The drive took about 4 hours (not factoring in the potty stops we had to make) & the kids did a great job. When we got to St. Louie (the kids found this pronunciation HILARIOUS!), we went straight to the Arch. Up we went and they loooooooved it! The Arch was a BIG topic of conversation before, during, & after this trip. We traveled to the top in a little "egg pod" and were blessed with clear skies. It was cool to see the skyline and the Mighty Mississippi! After the Arch we drove to the hotel & had dinner in our room then hit the hay.
The next morning we woke up, had a quick breakfast at the hotel, & headed to the St. Louis zoo. WOW! It was a great zoo! Austin enjoyed seeing the rhinos & the bears. Caitlin loved the giraffes. They got to pet guinea pigs, bunnies, & goats in the Children's Zoo...it was so cute to watch them with the animals. Also in the goat pen we got to see some classic comedy...goats would steal papers from unsuspecting people's pockets & bags and chomp away. One guy was even chasing the goat thief...not sure what he thought he was going to do, but he couldn't catch the goat anyway. That was funny to see.
After the zoo the kids took a "car nap" and Ryan & I were able to drive around and check out the neighborhoods. Next time we WILL be visiting "The Hill"...St. Louie's Little Italy. Ahh, but not this time. Instead, for dinner we headed to some place that was like a way better version of Chuck E. Cheese. The food was awful but the kids had a blast playing all the games...mini bowling, pop-a-shot, skee ball, driving games. At first Caitlin was puzzled about the tickets coming from the games, but once I showed her the prize counter & explained how we would turn in our tickets for prizes, it was ON! She was obsessed with getting as many tickets as possible. She ended up with about 500 tickets and was able to get a boatload of junk toys. :) Austin had about 400 tickets and got his fair share of junk toys too!
On Thursday we got up, had breakfast, & packed up. We thought we would stop at one more fun place before hitting the road. We went to City Museum which looked very cool but Ry & I decided it was more for older kids. So we drove to Magic House...the Children's Museum. It was great & the kids had a blast. The exhibits were awesome...Caitlin loved the exhibit with separating recyclables and dumping them in the recycling truck and Austin put on a hard hat, grabbed an empty spray bottle & cloth & starting cleaning the SMART car that they had. He was on a mission....even crawling inside the car to detail it. :) The funniest was when a girl put her foot on the bumper and he immediately went over, pretend sprayed, & wiped off the offending footprint! They also had slides, a water table, a sand table, a replica of the Oval Office/Congress/Courtroom, a house under construction, a beanstalk to climb...it was a great museum & definitely tired the kids out.
Then we were on our way home. It was a great time of reconnection for our family!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Schnipkes are coming! The Schnipkes are coming!
Yesterday we were very lucky to have a short visit from some very dear friends. Carrie, Andy, & their ADORABLE twins, Ben & Kate came over! We haven't seen them in ages so it was great to catch up. The kids got along sooooo well & it was fun to see them playing together. Ben & Kate are a year younger than Austin & Caitlin so it was like a flashback for me & a flashforward for Carrie. :)
Austin gave Ben one of his basketball cards which is how he demonstrates love for ya nowadays...he even left one for the Easter Bunny!!! LOL Caitlin was the perfect little hostess...showing Kate around & basically never leaving her side! They spent a lot of time playing with the princesses & the Cinderella castle...imagine that? :)
It was a great (but too short) visit and we look forward to doing it again soon!
Austin gave Ben one of his basketball cards which is how he demonstrates love for ya nowadays...he even left one for the Easter Bunny!!! LOL Caitlin was the perfect little hostess...showing Kate around & basically never leaving her side! They spent a lot of time playing with the princesses & the Cinderella castle...imagine that? :)
It was a great (but too short) visit and we look forward to doing it again soon!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
And Another Thing...
Before playing "water park", they got into the red velvet cupcakes I made them as a little treat yesterday...they each scarfed down two!!!!!!!!!!
It's What I Get for Thinkin'...
Just the other day I was thinking about how fortunate we were that our kids didn't do anything destructive like flushing random objects down the toilet or stopping up the bathroom sinks. This will prove that God has a sense of humor....
You know it is not going to be good when your husband yells "KIM, COME DOWNSTAIRS & BRING EVERY TOWEL WE HAVE!!!!" at 5:30 in the morning.
Well, it wasn't good. Wasn't good at all!
The kids had done one of their infamous night wakings and were in the mood for fun. So what is super fun for kids? WATER. These two hooligans were naked and spraying themselves with the sprayer from the kitchen sink. There was water ALL OVER our kitchen floor, dripping down & into the cabinets, all over the counter, under the stove...swimsuits were tossed aside on the kitchen floor!
After a lengthy cleaning process, Ryan went upstairs to talk to the culprits. When asked why they would do something like that, here's what they told him...Caitlin said, "Daddy, we were playing water park!" Austin said, "I was typing on the computer & washing the dishes!"
Today HAS to get better....right?
You know it is not going to be good when your husband yells "KIM, COME DOWNSTAIRS & BRING EVERY TOWEL WE HAVE!!!!" at 5:30 in the morning.
Well, it wasn't good. Wasn't good at all!
The kids had done one of their infamous night wakings and were in the mood for fun. So what is super fun for kids? WATER. These two hooligans were naked and spraying themselves with the sprayer from the kitchen sink. There was water ALL OVER our kitchen floor, dripping down & into the cabinets, all over the counter, under the stove...swimsuits were tossed aside on the kitchen floor!
After a lengthy cleaning process, Ryan went upstairs to talk to the culprits. When asked why they would do something like that, here's what they told him...Caitlin said, "Daddy, we were playing water park!" Austin said, "I was typing on the computer & washing the dishes!"
Today HAS to get better....right?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Catching Up is Hard to Do
SO FUNNY! We are playing outside right now...the kids are having a good time together playing make believe with their sandbox & playset. Anyway, we hear a loud boom & then I see some fireworks go off down the street (who knew Easter was the official start of fireworks season?!)...Austin immediately plugs his ears with his fingers and hollers, "MOM, IT'S JULY!" I got a good laugh outta that. Caitlin just asked Austin, "Did you see the fireworks? Were they gorgeous?" Now she is informing him that the rain will make it "wet sand" and they can build a sandcastle..."Let's just wait here for it (the rain)" she says. lol
Caitlin just blew her whistle & shouted, "Attention RAIN! Go away!"
Yesterday was a seriously NON traditional Easter. At 5:30, we were awoken by a sweet, excited little boy who said, "Mommy, I think the Easter bunny came. I'm not sure if he brought me a book and a big chocolate bunny, and some Tootsie Rolls (of course "he" brought all that....Austin MUST be clairvoyant!)...so Austin woke up Caitlin & we all trounced downstairs to check out the baskets. By about 6:30 everybody had dozed off but alas it was time for me to get up to get ready for church. A & C fell asleep in the car on the way...
Church service was incredible...by the end both Ryan & I were misty-eyed (ok, I had big fat tears rolling down my face, but whatever). I have never attended an Easter service at Grace and NOT cried. Austin came out of GKC & told us about the "mean guys" putting a "thorn crown" on Jesus and "it hurted him very much".
After church, the kids & Ryan had a brief nap before we headed to downtown Indy & Bracket Town. I was certain Austin would love it because it had to do with the Final Four...but CAITLIN was the one who embraced the experience! I have a ton of great pics of her...pretending to cut down the nets after a Final Four victory, posing in cut outs of various college athletes (track, skiing, water polo, gymnastics), making a hockey goal, enjoying the bounce house...Austin was reluctant to do most of the activities...he DID shoot a couple hoops, participated in a lay-up line, and tried his hand at hockey & soccer. Caitlin also wanted to try the Home Run Derby, but we weren't in the mood to have our SUPER coordinated daughter knocked unconscious by a baseball... :)
After a couple hours, we headed back to "Daddy's Work" to get situated for the big Pacers game. Austin was excited to see the "Wockets" (Rockets) because he never saw them play before. This boy LOVES watching basketball. He just sits & chows on Goldfish & tells Ryan the score. His fave players are Roy Hibbert (the other day he requested his name be changed to "Roy Hibbert"), Mike Dun-LEAVY (emphasis on the 2nd half), and Tyler Hansborough. Caitlin wants to walk all over the arena & see the sights. We went to Starbucks, to our "secret room" for employee families...we love the fruit tray & complementary beverages & the comfy couches & private restrooms, Caitlin got to hug Boomer. Then we came and sat down with the boys...and patiently waited for the game to end (mommy had a SERIOUSLY bad headache by that time).
The kids fell asleep quickly (and so did the parents)!
Gonna go enjoy some conversation with the kiddos on the porch......
Caitlin just blew her whistle & shouted, "Attention RAIN! Go away!"
Yesterday was a seriously NON traditional Easter. At 5:30, we were awoken by a sweet, excited little boy who said, "Mommy, I think the Easter bunny came. I'm not sure if he brought me a book and a big chocolate bunny, and some Tootsie Rolls (of course "he" brought all that....Austin MUST be clairvoyant!)...so Austin woke up Caitlin & we all trounced downstairs to check out the baskets. By about 6:30 everybody had dozed off but alas it was time for me to get up to get ready for church. A & C fell asleep in the car on the way...
Church service was incredible...by the end both Ryan & I were misty-eyed (ok, I had big fat tears rolling down my face, but whatever). I have never attended an Easter service at Grace and NOT cried. Austin came out of GKC & told us about the "mean guys" putting a "thorn crown" on Jesus and "it hurted him very much".
After church, the kids & Ryan had a brief nap before we headed to downtown Indy & Bracket Town. I was certain Austin would love it because it had to do with the Final Four...but CAITLIN was the one who embraced the experience! I have a ton of great pics of her...pretending to cut down the nets after a Final Four victory, posing in cut outs of various college athletes (track, skiing, water polo, gymnastics), making a hockey goal, enjoying the bounce house...Austin was reluctant to do most of the activities...he DID shoot a couple hoops, participated in a lay-up line, and tried his hand at hockey & soccer. Caitlin also wanted to try the Home Run Derby, but we weren't in the mood to have our SUPER coordinated daughter knocked unconscious by a baseball... :)
After a couple hours, we headed back to "Daddy's Work" to get situated for the big Pacers game. Austin was excited to see the "Wockets" (Rockets) because he never saw them play before. This boy LOVES watching basketball. He just sits & chows on Goldfish & tells Ryan the score. His fave players are Roy Hibbert (the other day he requested his name be changed to "Roy Hibbert"), Mike Dun-LEAVY (emphasis on the 2nd half), and Tyler Hansborough. Caitlin wants to walk all over the arena & see the sights. We went to Starbucks, to our "secret room" for employee families...we love the fruit tray & complementary beverages & the comfy couches & private restrooms, Caitlin got to hug Boomer. Then we came and sat down with the boys...and patiently waited for the game to end (mommy had a SERIOUSLY bad headache by that time).
The kids fell asleep quickly (and so did the parents)!
Gonna go enjoy some conversation with the kiddos on the porch......
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
More Funny Stuff...
I often email myself (and Ryan) some of the funny things the kids do and say so I can remember to blog them. Here are some that I came across tonight...sorry for the funky layout at the end...i copy & pasted to save time but something went haywire and now i'm tired...
They saw the bus come this morning and austin asked "will we ride that bus?" i said yes. then caitlin said, "austin will you sit by me?" he said "no, i think i will sit by may." then she says, "but i want to sit by her!" so austin says,"hey i have an idea. i can sit on may's lap and you can sit beside her!" yeah, i think may will really go for that one when she is in 3rd grade and they are in kdg! soooooo funny!
we're doing caitlin's homework & she finished the page before austin. she says, "mommy i finished coloring in all my items." items? she's hilarious!!!
why did the cocker spaniel and the rooster squeak? asked caitlin. nobody had an answer (not even her!!!)
They saw the bus come this morning and austin asked "will we ride that bus?" i said yes. then caitlin said, "austin will you sit by me?" he said "no, i think i will sit by may." then she says, "but i want to sit by her!" so austin says,"hey i have an idea. i can sit on may's lap and you can sit beside her!" yeah, i think may will really go for that one when she is in 3rd grade and they are in kdg! soooooo funny!
we're doing caitlin's homework & she finished the page before austin. she says, "mommy i finished coloring in all my items." items? she's hilarious!!!
why did the cocker spaniel and the rooster squeak? asked caitlin. nobody had an answer (not even her!!!)
while coloring with markers...caitlin, "mommy what color do you want me to use for you?" me: "oh i don't know. what colors do you have?" caitlin names them all. me: "hmmm, aqua sounds pretty." caitlin: "i'll pick purple. that's the one i like."
did i expect anything different??? not really!
i spy with my little eye something dark (yelled by austin from his room to caitlin in her room during nap time)
i spy with my big eye... (how caitlin says it...last night during story)
Playing hockey w princess clothes & golf clubs. we are the yellow jackets and the green jackets! GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL! caitlin: "at the end i spray sparkles around the goal. i'm spreading fairy dust all around the court"
caitlin (turning golf club upside down): "austin, wanna play little old lady?"
Catching Up...
Caitlin: "Mom! There is a bug in here! There. I deaded it! No, it's still moving! Mom, will you dead it?" After I said "No" she called to Austin..."Austin, come down here and see this strange bug!" Austin hollers down, "Can I dead it?" FYI...the bug was released back into the wild. :)
On a bike ride the other day Austin stopped a few feet ahead of us, parked his bike in the middle of the sidewalk, and ran back to tell Caitlin something. I asked what he was doing...."Mom I have to tell Caitlin something! Caitlin! Why did the chicken cross the road?" After he got a laugh, he ran back to his bike to continue on...
On the same bike ride, Caitlin really utilized her coordination...let's see...she fell over her bike while WALKING next to it! And she mowed down someone's bike that was parked on the sidewalk. Why go around it really?! I swear it was one of the funniest things ever! She just looked at me and said, "I couldn't stop in time." :) Ya think?
At a playground recently, Austin must have read my mind...he said, "Can we go now? These boys are being wild!" We were outta there!
Two of their favorite jokes? Knock Knock. Who's there? Dwayne. Dwayne who? Dwayne the bathtub, I'm dwowning! (my favorite joke from childhood!) The other is the knock knock joke where you keep saying banana and then switch to orange for the punchline of "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
If the kids have all of their "pets" together it is called "Petville"! :)
Yesterday we ventured to Barnes & Noble so I could have some coffee and Austin & Caitlin could have a little treat (a red velvet cupcake!). After we indulged, we went back to the kids' section and these two were SOOOO FUNNY with the little stage! They just hopped right up and began acting out stories from books that they randomly pulled from the shelf. Austin brought over 2 stuffed dragons for "the watchers" (audience) and Caitlin introduced the show by saying (LOUDLY) "Ladies & Gentlemen! Boys & Girls! Welcome to the Princess Show!" We were the only ones back there besides and employee who was dusting & restocking shelves. She got quite a laugh listening to them. We stayed there for about an hour doing that!
Now they are talking about the "evil plum" while playing in the bathtub!
Last week we were at Aunt Bubbles' house visiting because they "skipped naps". The kids were watching her dog, Harley while they were laying on the floor. Caitlin just blurts out, "Look Austin! He has a penis too!" Then she started saying, "He's pooping!" But she realized it was something else...so of course asked about it. I tried to get out of it by saying, "Oh that's just another part of his penis." But that wasn't cutting it for our kids. They REALLY wanted to know & Aunt Bubbles wasn't helping me weasel out of it either (Thanks a lot Bubs! :) ). So I said, "Those are called his testicles." Well, they now swear they are called TEXTicles. Nice...TEXTicles.
We have had a few days of beautiful weather! Today it was at least the upper 60s and the whole neighborhood was outside! We did a little bubble blowing & sidewalk chalking then went for a scooter ride. I ended up carrying Caitlin's scooter while Austin zoomed ahead of us. That kid is FAST! I think we'll be sticking to bike rides from now on...
The kids are excited about Daddy's birthday and the fact that he will be in town for 3 whole weeks after Friday. That is going to be awesome!!!! We have a lot to do around here and it is so nice to be all together for an extended period of time again.
Time to get the kiddies ready for bed...school in the morning!
On a bike ride the other day Austin stopped a few feet ahead of us, parked his bike in the middle of the sidewalk, and ran back to tell Caitlin something. I asked what he was doing...."Mom I have to tell Caitlin something! Caitlin! Why did the chicken cross the road?" After he got a laugh, he ran back to his bike to continue on...
On the same bike ride, Caitlin really utilized her coordination...let's see...she fell over her bike while WALKING next to it! And she mowed down someone's bike that was parked on the sidewalk. Why go around it really?! I swear it was one of the funniest things ever! She just looked at me and said, "I couldn't stop in time." :) Ya think?
At a playground recently, Austin must have read my mind...he said, "Can we go now? These boys are being wild!" We were outta there!
Two of their favorite jokes? Knock Knock. Who's there? Dwayne. Dwayne who? Dwayne the bathtub, I'm dwowning! (my favorite joke from childhood!) The other is the knock knock joke where you keep saying banana and then switch to orange for the punchline of "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
If the kids have all of their "pets" together it is called "Petville"! :)
Yesterday we ventured to Barnes & Noble so I could have some coffee and Austin & Caitlin could have a little treat (a red velvet cupcake!). After we indulged, we went back to the kids' section and these two were SOOOO FUNNY with the little stage! They just hopped right up and began acting out stories from books that they randomly pulled from the shelf. Austin brought over 2 stuffed dragons for "the watchers" (audience) and Caitlin introduced the show by saying (LOUDLY) "Ladies & Gentlemen! Boys & Girls! Welcome to the Princess Show!" We were the only ones back there besides and employee who was dusting & restocking shelves. She got quite a laugh listening to them. We stayed there for about an hour doing that!
Now they are talking about the "evil plum" while playing in the bathtub!
Last week we were at Aunt Bubbles' house visiting because they "skipped naps". The kids were watching her dog, Harley while they were laying on the floor. Caitlin just blurts out, "Look Austin! He has a penis too!" Then she started saying, "He's pooping!" But she realized it was something else...so of course asked about it. I tried to get out of it by saying, "Oh that's just another part of his penis." But that wasn't cutting it for our kids. They REALLY wanted to know & Aunt Bubbles wasn't helping me weasel out of it either (Thanks a lot Bubs! :) ). So I said, "Those are called his testicles." Well, they now swear they are called TEXTicles. Nice...TEXTicles.
We have had a few days of beautiful weather! Today it was at least the upper 60s and the whole neighborhood was outside! We did a little bubble blowing & sidewalk chalking then went for a scooter ride. I ended up carrying Caitlin's scooter while Austin zoomed ahead of us. That kid is FAST! I think we'll be sticking to bike rides from now on...
The kids are excited about Daddy's birthday and the fact that he will be in town for 3 whole weeks after Friday. That is going to be awesome!!!! We have a lot to do around here and it is so nice to be all together for an extended period of time again.
Time to get the kiddies ready for bed...school in the morning!
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