Donna's Sprinkle

Susan and I hosted a "Sprinkle" for little Donn-A. She was schedule to deliver baby #2 on St. Patrick's Day so we thought that would be a perfect theme. :)

All the girls . . .

She doesn't look too thrilled about the hangers. . .
Apparently it was the candy she wanted!
Keeping her feet up! She was contracting through the entire shower. :)

We can't wait to meet the new baby Arnold!

Rough Creek Lodge

We took a quick family vacation (my Christmas gift) to Rough Creek Lodge which is in Glen Rose, TX. It was beautiful and peaceful - exactly what I needed and wanted.

The day we arrived, our room wasn't quite ready for check in so we had a picnic out by the pools and let the kids play.

The room was still not ready so we decided to take the kids to Fossil Rim which was about 5-10 minutes away. Madelyn had been when she was about 18 mo - 2 years old and it was Marek's first time. It is quite an experience and I recommend it to everyone. The weather was perfect for riding through the park with the windows down.

One bag of food allowed per car and it's plenty. We wanted to make sure we saved enough for the giraffes which are at the end. . .

The animals are not shy or at all modest. They will stick their big 'ol heads right into your car window to get some food!

At one point Marek was a little overwhelmed by all the animals and their aggressiveness so he hid under daddy's seat!

Hello, Mr. Zebra!

Marek directing daddy on where to go . . .

BLUE 32! BLUE 32! HUT HUT!!

There was a children's petting zoo about half way through the park. We got out to stretch our legs and check out the animals. Madelyn is so much like me. She was so worried about stepping in animal poop! Here she is treading lightly and checking her feet after every step . . .

We finally made it to the giraffes! They are so beautiful, tall, and graceful. They walk right up to your car and bring their large heads down with their looooong necks and gently take the food from your hand. This made Marek a little nervous . . .

Look how enormous their heads are! I think this was a toddler giraffe, too. They're so huge!

Mean, mean, mean. KEEP YOUR WINDOWS UP when you see the Ostriches. They will pluck your finger off!! I'm very serious. They look so prehistoric and pissed.

Fossil Rim was a huge success.

Two sleepers.

After their brief car snoozes, we got our precious babies all dressed and ready for dinner.

Our attempt at a family photo. It was hard enough to get the kids to sit for 10 seconds so we decided not to snap another. :)

After dinner they serve a plate of marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and sticks for the kids! That's right - s'more time! There was a burn ban in that county so we weren't able to use the large fire pit but these small ones were perfect.

Madelyn taking her first bite!

Marek didn't want to wait for the roasting, the graham and chocolate. He dug right into that warm marshmallow!

They were so good.

This was the sad, pathetic face I got when I told her no more s'mores. It's so hard to say "no" to them!

She was just fine seconds later. :)

The next morning - Madelyn sipping her tea. She's such a little lady. I love my girl.

We caught a TON of fish. We brought our own poles but they have poles, bait, instructions, etc. It was so fun!

There was so much for the kids to do there. They found these bikes and just hopped on and started riding.

Jumping on the trampoline . . .

There was also a zip line but it wasn't really up and running any of the times we were out there. No skin off my back - I was relaxing!

Daddy and the kids took a dip in the hot tub while I hit the treadmill just next door.

On Friday, we drove around the property and looked at some of the cabins. They had this cute little playground and kids play cottage so we stopped for a bit to let the kids play before heading home.

What a great Christmas present. Originally, Mari was going to come with us Wed - Fri and take the kids home while Tom and I stayed through the weekend. When we thought we were buying the house, we canceled our weekend. It was just fine with me - it was nice to still have the entire weekend to rest and play with my babies.

Thanks, daddy, for my wonderful Christmas present.

Sharing

We had cake left over from Valentine's day. Daddy was eating the last piece and he was bombarded with sticky faces and spoons. He shouldn't make it look so good. :)

Daddy doesn't look too happy about sharing here . . .

Try as you may - they'll find a way to reach it . . .

They always win.

See, looking at his sweet face enjoying every last lick of the spoon is so worth it.

Potty Training Round 1

So we've tried to get Marek accustomed to wearing big boy pants so that it makes him feel big and grown up. Maybe that will get him to start going pee pee on the potty. :)

He looks so darn cute in them!!

Valentine's with BJ

Brian and Jessica were at Madelyn's birthday celebration and came back that evening to celebrate Valentine's Day with us! The boys cooked dinner for Jessica and I. Tommy is known to cook for me once a year - always on Valentine's day. This tradition started when we got married. He takes it very seriously and makes very elaborate meals. Our first year of marriage, he made me Lobster Ravioli. It was my favorite dish from our honeymoon in Anguilla at this fabulous Italian restaurant on the beach. Not just store bought ravioli - he bought LIVE lobster, made the noodles and stuffed them with his Lobster creation. It was amazing.

Back to 2009 . . . watching these boys cook and move (a bit clumsily) around the kitchen was a treat. :)

They made this incredible seafood pasta dish which I couldn't have any of. :) Just couldn't - tune into April Blogs.

Marek was a bit nervous of the Crawfish in the trash. After I showed him that they were not moving, he held one (a bit relunctantly).

Tom and Brian working ferverishly in the kitchen. I looked on as my kitchen turned into a disaster area!
Don't they look like they're having so much fun!

Jessica and I didn't want to get in the way . . .

They worked so hard!

I'll end with Brian's "check me out" pose . . .
I had just the pasta and it turned out great!! ;) Everything looked so perfect. Thank you, boys, for a very special and memorable Valentine's Day Dinner.

My Precious Valentine Turns 5

Seriously - where did the last 5 years go. Not funny. I can't believe my little baby girl turned 5 today. I remember those hazy days of being in the hospital trying to deliver her - arrive at the hospital on a Tuesday, kept overnight for a 24 hour urine catch (lovely - testing for pre-eclamsia), induced on Wednesday, and giving birth via c-section on that blistery cold and snowy Saturday, February 14, 2004. She really is my funny little Valentine. I feel like I had known her my whole life instantly. Of course that's what she looks like, I thought then and still do today.

Madelyn -you are my precious little people pleaser which you get from your mommy. Always asking if you're making good choices. You have your daddy's wicked art talents and I pray his math skills. Unfortunately you also inherited from him his focus (or most times lack there of). If it's the television or a video game- no problem - you're glued much like daddy. If it's cleaning or any other chore or mommy's voice, it takes asking you a few times before you hear me. :) But you are undoubtedly the sweetest and most thoughtful child I've ever known. I love you so much my darling angel face.

The Princess Cake I made - that's an actual Sleeping Beauty Barbie in there. :)

Madelyn posing with her favorite Princess.

Papa and Nana were the first to arrive. They are SO punctual!

The other Princesses and Princes began to arrive . . .

We had an arts and crafts table set up (this is a great idea for birthday parties, by the way)

Nana assisting in the craft projects . . .

I started the tradition a couple years ago of giving every child their own individual cupcakes with a candle. This helps with crowd control around the birthday girl and her cake and the kids love it. :)

Five. She turned five. This means Kindergarten, losing teeth, so many changes . . .

The other Princess with the candle . . .

Cutting into the poor Barbie! (No Barbies were injured for these photos)

So excited about all of her gifts!

The opening of gifts frenzy . . .

Happy 5th birthday my dear.