It's 9:15AM. I've cleaned up 3 potty training messes already and changed the sheets from a night time accident. Colton just came out of time out for hitting and its one of those mornings where I walk by my bedroom and see the sunlight shining in and I just want to flop on my bed and crack open a book and stay there, with my door closed and my ears shut for the rest of the day. However, that is not reality. Hopefully Colton's bladder is empty at least for awhile. We read scriptures this morning and that felt good. Lydia and Colton are getting along very well today and Colton just said "I won't hit anymore Mommy." in a very convincing, remorseful voice. There is still a potential filled day and the sun IS shining. I think we will make cupcakes. Since I can't have my book and solitude, I will certainly settle for the crazy joy that a certain 4-year-old and 2-year-old provide. Motherhood is what I chose to do and there are times I think I don't like it, but when I look for the joy, I find it. Because even though it is no fun to put Colton in his room for a time out, it sure is great when he gives me a hug and says, "Sorry Mommy." Wish me luck for the rest of the day. I hope I can keep this positive perspective up!

Thanks Grandpa!

Grandpa, Thanks for the $5! It has brought much happiness. Check out my cool new Lightning McQueen shades! I still can't quite figure out how to get them on right.
Yo Grandpa- Thanks for the cool Tinkerbell shades. I'll sale you some shoes anytime, but only if you sleep with them like I do with my new sunglasses.
These are our serious shots.
I had to do a serious shot too because Colton wouldn't cooperate.
Check ya later.

Nice Enough to Play Outside

Oh how we have missed the playground!
I have not missed the sand, but Lydia has.
The bike! Wow was he ever glad to be back in that seat! (Lydia is trying to teach him how to pedal- rather than just scoot.)
I love being outside! This photo captures the true Lydia. What you see here is what you get.

Championships!

Mike is playing in the championships for his league in intramural basketball. He did well tonight and his team will move onto the next round!
He made this basket! Whoo Hoo!

Fun day at the Museum

Can I just say it is AWESOME living an hour away from the biggest children's museum in the world? This was our family fun day for February. Where else can you see two dinosaurs peeking into a building?
Where can you go fishing without a permit?
Where can you work at an animal rescue center without a license?

Where can you chase trains that run along the ceiling over and over and over?
Where can you dig for dinosaurs?
Where can you ride a carousal?
Where can you meet Dora?
And wave hello with Diego.
And when else will Mom let you sit in the front seat and drive?
Only at the Children's Museum!
Whew! It was a fun and tiring day!

Frosty is dead

For those of you who voted in our poll about Frosty's death, I relate the sad news that Frosty is no more. He could not stand the 40 degree weather. (Literally) Though we are sad for the loss of Frosty, BRING ON THE SUNSHINE!

Arrgghh Matey

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A pirates life for me! With the new year, I want to do a Family Fun Day once every month. For January, we went to Buckaneer Bay- a splash park attached to a local hotel. As you can see, there is a pirate theme. Water slides, tunnels, cannons that shoot water, treasure chests that dump water, and even alligators that shoot even more water. If you like water or pirates, this is your place. We happen to like both, so we had a grand time.
Colton was cold for the first half of our visit, but by the end he thought the water slide was fun.
Lydia went down the pirate ship slides tirelessly, but there was one slide that wrapped around the outside of the building that you had to be 48" tall for. Lydia was excited because she was 'almost tall enough' ha ha. I don't think she is going to grow quite as fast as she thinks. Mike and I enjoyed the big slide though. The best part was the big splash Mike made at the end. Very cool to a 4 and 2-year-old.
The hot tub wasn't left out. It was Colton's base camp for quite awhile.

It was a great family fun day. The water was shallow enough for the kids to touch throughout the pool, so we didn't worry about them too much, which was nice. Can't wait to do this again next year.