Hide and Seek

If you've been a parent or are currently parenting I am sure you can relate to what's been happening in our house lately.

Joe, Reese and I will be enjoying some quality family time and before we realize it Miss Reese has vanished. You know the vanishing toddler act? The one where .5 seconds ago you saw them and then you're looking at each other going, "Where did she go?" You can't hear her so you know she's up to something and it's probably no good. So you both split up for "the search."

Well this happened to us the other morning. Joe rounded the hallway corner and said, "Honey, I found her! Come look!"

Busted! This girl loves a full laundry basket to play in.

And look at that face! Now tell me...how are we suppose to ever get mad at that mischievous, beautiful, and sweet face? Beats me!

I keep telling myself one day I'll miss these sweet moments and I am sure I will, but for now the hide and seek game is exhausting on this momma! How can something so young and small be so fast?

Again, Beats Me!

Born to be Wild

Lyrics by: Steppenwolf


Get your motor running,

head out on the highway,

Looking for adventure 

in whatever comes our way.

Yeah, darling, gonna make it happen,

take the world in a lovely embrace.

Fire all of your guns at once and explode into space!

Reese has a new ride! 

She's getting wild on her Smart Trike.

The way she was born to be.

Evening in the Park

Last Sunday Joe, Reese, and I went to the Downtown Park to picnic and play. We started out at the Splash Pad where Reese had a blast getting so very

Wet!

Wet!

Wet!

Then it was off to explore the gardens and waterways around the Crystal Bridge. Reese couldn't believe her eyes when we stumbled upon some ducks that were playing one of her favorite games. 

Can you guess which one?

Peek-A-

BOO!

 

Peek-A-

BOO!

Those ducks were sure cracking us up. Reese kept saying kack! kack! (her version of quack! quack!) I'm on the fence right now as to whether I should ever correct her, because her version of duck noises is so much cuter in my opinion.

To end our evening in the park we just strolled around seeing what else it had to offer.

One treasure we found along the way was a long wading pool.

Reese loved lying in it,

walking in it,

giggling in it,

and just being plain silly.

If you haven't had an Evening in the Park yet I strongly recommend it! They are even offering FREE concerts in the Park's awesome amphitheater. The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. every Sunday through summer. Check out this website for more info!

Hopefully you have An Evening in the Park soon, too.
We might even see ya around!

Adoption

A few Sundays ago Joe took Reese to PetSmart to pick up some dog food for our two dogs Tucker and Bella. Here's a snapshot of them with me a few days before Miss Reese was born.

They're great dogs and they're so kind and patient with Reese which makes them really great dogs. However, having two really great dogs and a really great daugther is a bit a handful at times. It's not too much to handle, but I don't need any additional canine kiddos added to the mix ifyouknowwhatI'msayin'.

Joe and Reese had been gone on their PetSmart trip for quite awhile so I decided to call to make sure they were ok. When Joe picks up he apologized and said he had totally forgotten Sunday was PetSmart's Adoption Day and he took Reese on a side trip to visit and pet all the dogs. Here are some pictures off Joe's I-Phone from their little excursion.

Joe said she had a blast visiting and talking with the animals. I always feel so bad for the pets up for adoption. Joe adopted Tucker from an animal shelter and together we adopted Bella so I am all for adopting animals in need, but again I don't need anything else added to my  responsibility plate right now ifyoustillknowwhatI'msayin'. 

I always thought Joe felt the same way, so when he tells me he and Reese adopted a dog on their outing I am speechless. Not for long though. Pretty soon I say something like, "WHAT! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME SANDERS!" To which he replied by saying something like, "You'll see honey, we're pulling into the driveway now."

Let me introduce you to the newest member of our family...

our stuffed yorkie (without a name yet)! Apparently, Joe took Reese on another side trip to Target to pick up this low maintanence beauty. She doesn't bark or shed or need to be potty trained. She even lets Reese comb her to death (I guess not really since she's not technically alive but you know what I mean).

Best of all this new addition to our family makes this girl happy. And Mommy's happy, too.

Well played Joe.

Now for a name??

Suggestions please!

Then and Now

Today isn't my exact anniversary of becoming a stay at home mom, but it's certainly close. Let's take a look back at what Reese was up to then and now.

Then her exersaucer was a favorite play time activity.

So was rolling around on a blanket.

Now she really enjoys swinging.

The higher and faster--the better--in her opinion.

and pretty much getting into ev-ery-thing. Sigh.

Then she absolutely hated being in the pool.

Now she loves it.

Then she had to be spoon fed.

Now she proudly feeds herself.

Sometimes with her bestie right by her side.

Wow! What a difference a year can make!

So, how has my life changed from then to now?

Let's break it down...

Then I took care of, disciplined, and educated 25+ children; Now it's only 1.

Then I planned lessons; Now I plan play dates.

Then I was lucky to have 10 minutes for lunch; Now it's unlimited.

Then I drove to work; Now I drive to run errands.

It's not all roses and rainbows though folks...

Then I buzzed the office if a child puked, pooped, or peed on themselves; Now I am the cleaner upper.

Then I was guaranteed to have some sort of adult interaction throughout the day; Now there's no guarantee.

Then I woke up early on workdays; Now I wake up early everyday.

So...If I had to choose then or now?

I'd choose NOW! 

Why you ask? 

Then I was happy with my career; Now I'm even happier.

Then I thought mostly of my well being; Now it's her's.

Then I dreamt of being a Mom; Now I am Reese's Mommy.

Best and hardest job in the world!

The perfect job for me. 

Then and Now.

Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day we went to Grand Lake for an extended weekend. Reese was able to spend some quality time with her Grandma and

Grandpa Sanders.

Her and Daddy played tetherball.

Reese loves time with her Daddy.

She actually did take a few hits at it though.

Basketball seemed to be where her real interest lied.

She's a girl after her Daddy's heart alright.

That was until youknowwhat walked by.

DOG!!!

Reese enjoyed our boat rides but hated wearing the required lifejacket. What kid likes them though?

Once the boat started rocking--sleep came a knockin'.

Family Picture attempt # 1

# 2

# 3...oh well maybe next year!

The highlight for me was meeting a day old baby goat.

This family we met has a farm and one of their goats had babies so they decided to take one of the new goats with them. Apparently the mama goat wasn't feeding the baby and so they needed to bottle feed it for it to survive. 

It was so precious. It kept sucking on my neck. 

Reese was in goat petting heaven.

We made some great food at the lake, too. Reese's corn on the cob eating skills are better than ever. I guess she'll be ready for the State Fair 2012. 

Now that's a girl after her Momma's heart.

She's the best Mother's Day gift ever!

The Louis Vuitton purse was a close second though.