Bear Hugs

 The girls have been wanting to go to Build A Bear for a really long time.  I figured with the boys gone this would be a great super special treat.  We had planned on going tomorrow but my phone was having issues and I had to go in to the Apple store for a support appointment so we moved bear making since we would be at the mall already.  They each got to pick a bear and an outfit.  I love how Lovebird was just as excited to do this for the mere fact that she knew her older sisters were excited about it so it must be cool.

We then came back home and watched Mary Poppins.  Everyone dozed on and off during the movie and got some much needed naps.  It was Mickey waffles for dinner which I made way too many of.  I keep forgetting that Prince Charming and B.W. are not eating and keep making way too much food.  But it looks like with all the leftovers I can put grocery shopping off for a few extra days!

Girls Only: Saturday

The boys are in California on an "All Guys" trip.  The girls are trying to keep busy at home.  We have a list of things to get done around the house and a list of fun things to do while they are gone.  Yesterday we did better on our fun list than we did on the To Do list.  It was extremely hot and we worked outside until about 10am and then came in.  Lovebird loved playing in the dirt while we tried to figure out what to plant where.  We did get the back deck planters done and now we just have the front planters and the container vegetable garden left.  Hopefully it cools down in the next few days so we can finish.

After everyone was bathed and showered. We relaxed around the house for a little bit while Lovebird took a nap and then we headed out.  First stop was Panera Bread for a late lunch.  I'm not sure if the weather really was soup kind of weather but the two older girls LOVE broccoli cheddar so there was no question what they would be eating.  Then we headed to Hobby Lobby, Target, and Home Depot.

When we were finally back home we broke out the fun activities and crafts we found at Hobby Lobby.  Balloons are always a hit!

This is Cuddlebug's concentration face.  They were trying to see how many balloons they could keep up in the air at one time.

Then it was time for some crafting fun.

Lovebird joined us and well.....she mostly just threw all the pieces all over the table but she still had a good time.  With a little help she finished her craft.

Curly Bear and Cuddlebug then made another craft while I tried to keep Lovebird happy and occupied.  She is really missing B.W. when it comes to play time.  I have caught her in his room numerous times looking for him.  She also has been singing a "Dada" song every time we go anywhere in the car.  I think she is hoping we are going to pick up the boys.  We ended the night with painting toenails and then had a light dinner.  We have many more fun activities planned and hopefully the next few days will be productive and most of all fun!

At the Car Wash

 Car washing has been a favorite activity so far this summer.  I pulled in and found a car wash party going on.  I barely was out of the van before they started on it.

"Surely Daddy didn't mean to wash all my cute little finger prints off the car.  I'll go make sure they get back on before he even pulls it back in the garage."

Weird?!?!

I have absolutely no idea why homeschoolers get the reputation of being "weird".  What?  You don't read hanging upside down?

Stubborn

Lovebird is definitely winning the award for "Most Stubborn" child.  She lives up to her names meaning of Princess.  She is now 18 months old and at her well baby check up was refusing to walk.  Now we knew she could do it.  We had seen her do it.  If she felt like it or something was being offered that she really wanted.  She also wasn't using as many words as she should have been.  Why use words when shrieking at the top of your lungs and pointing always gets an immediate response from an older sibling?  He asked me if I wanted to have a First Steps consultation.  Thankfully he's the father of 5 and really was relaxed about the whole thing and trusts my judgement.  I told him if she wasn't walking or talking more by 20 months then I would consider it.  I told him I think she is just stubborn and really just chooses not to walk and talk.  To which Lovebird immediately looked straight at him, smiled big, and shook her head yes!  He looked at me and said, "I would definitely agree.  I think she is fine."  Oh and she started to choose to walk and talk a few days after that appointment.  She obviously didn't want people to think she was not living up to what those medical books say she should be accomplishing.

This is her stubborn look caught on camera.

 

I FEEL HUGE!!!!!

I'm blaming it on the summer heat.  But I'm not sure if that is completely the culprit.  This pregnancy I feel H.U.G.E!!!!  I think part of the problem is I go to my closet and see all of my cute summer clothes........and know that unless I want to be one of those women who lets the world see their huge belly those clothes will more than likely stay on those hangers for the ENTIRE summer.  Just for the record, I do not think it is ever attractive to have your big pregnant belly sticking out.  I think another problem is I did a ton of ab work before I became pregnant and am now feeling the pain from it.  I guess I should say feeling all my hard work rip apart with every movement, kick, and flip.  But I can't wait until I can start working out like normal again and I can hope that we will be heading to either Florida or California this winter so I can take those favorite summer clothes off the hangers before next summer arrives.  And that concludes this pregnancy rant.  Sometimes it's good to let those frustrations out.  At least I know that it is always worth it in the end. {smile}