The last two days have been really nice up here. It's been very windy but with the sun out we are taking advantage. So after a fun impromptu park play date Knox came home and decided he wanted to play out back. Which was fine by us until we saw him. This wasn't even really that bad compared to what he could look like. Honestly his pants were bad and shoes but since they were dark you don't get the full effect.
Awhile ago a friend and I both bought a Groupon for the Seattle Aquarium. It was a great deal, admission for one person. Our kids are free until the age of four so we needed to get to it since our girls birthdays were approaching quickly.
We picked the perfect day to go. After discussing what time and everything we would meet we decided to carpool which is always a lot more fun anyways. She came to my house bright and early and I drove down there. It worked out perfect putting the big girls in the back and the little men in the middle.
Once we got there and got everything situated we made our way over to the aquarium. The kids were so stinking cute all holding hands in a line.
Now the fun began! We made our way around looking at all the fish and the exhibits for awhile and then headed on back to watch the dive show.
Alyssa, Annabelle and Calvin all sat down in front and were intrigued. Well Calvin stayed for awhile and then decided Knox was having more fun running around so he joined in. Annabelle got one of her questions answered, which I can't remember what it was.
We continued on our journey looking at all the exhibits for some time. The biggest hit I think with the boys was the water fountain. We should have known.
After about two hours and a little melt down in the gift shop we made our way down the pier to go ride the carousel. The kids for the most part had fun but I had to hold Knox on there because there were no "seat belts" and he was so squirmy. Alyssa got nervous and was sliding off so I had to push her back up. Other than that it was a hit!
When we got done with it being such a nice day I hated to come back home so soon so we made our way over to one of our favorite spots, The Government Locks. Cory and I love going there especially on nice weekend days. It's kind of fun to listen to the arguments of people bringing their boats through.
We killed another hour and a half or so there and then headed back. We thought the kids would crash out on the way back but not so much only one did and it wasn't mine, rats! Anyways it was a great time and we look forward to doing many more outings like this, carpooling I mean.
Both my kids were in bad by 5:30 for the night and Cory and I enjoyed a nice evening to ourselves. I think we were actually able to watch a movie straight through!
Again this month has flew by me and I haven't been doing a good job of keeping up! With both kids actually taking a nap, a rare occurrence in this house, I'm going to try and get up to date some.
First of I had my bi-monthly dinner with two of my good friends. It's kind of hard for us to get together because of our schedules. Both of them have older kids involved in activities and then we all have younger ones as well as husbands with crazy schedules. When we do get together we really have a good time catching up. We tried a somewhat new restaurant and had a great time.
The next day was Superbowl. Our good friend was having a Superbowl/Birthday party that we went to and had a blast! All the kids played great together and the weather was perfect for play time outside that made it even better. As always I had fun chatting with the Besties and the guys enjoyed I think getting rid of us to the kitchen as they enjoyed the game in quite and the kids were in the back room playing.
First birthday party of the month done!
Cory and I got a babysitter and were actually able to go out with some friends for dinner and drinks. We have tried the whole babysitter thing before but for whatever reason it hasn't really worked out. We found on that a.) can drive! b.) actually picks up toys c.) has a personality and talks to you d.) enjoys the kids and dog. That all sounds probably silly but we have had some that have no personality at all doesn't pick up the toys etc. I don't expect them to clean the house or anything but it's nice to come back and they have actually picked them up!
Anyways we had a great time with out friends. We will definitely be using her again monthly if not more!
The second weekend this month we had another birthday party to go to. Our friends daughter was turning 2 and her party was at the YMCA. It was a lot of fun for the kids to go in there and run off their energy climbing all over the toys etc. After spending on hour or so in there we went and had food and cake. It was funny because Alyssa and her friend Alyssa were sitting next to each other and both of them just ate the icing off the cake. Alyssa loves cake she says but honestly it's the frosting she likes and not the cake. We were there for about two hours and then headed home. Another great party with the Besties under wraps.
The next day the kids had their Valentine Party. I have to say it was kind of a nightmare. Us adults had a great time hanging out but it was just one of those days when every kid was whiny and crying. Finally about two hours into it we called it a day. Thankfully it was another day I actually got two naps out of the kids! Looking back though I think Alyssa just layed there for an hour but she got some much needed quite time!
Along with all the other usual activities, gym, dance, preschool, and errands, we had a busy first two weeks. It was well worth it and the kids really enjoyed it too!
Wow January flew by! For a lot of people January can be a blah month but for me it's probably the most relaxing as far as there is normally nothing going on. I just got done doing our February calendar and between now and the middle of March there is only one free weekend and only a handful of dates with nothing going on. With saying that then we start up to April and May which are becoming busy with stuff then summer is here! We are a busy family and I like it. The one downfall of that though is my kids have become that way and LOVE going places they are huge "doers."
Let's see what all went on this last month. We got some snow that the kids liked to play in. Alyssa loved making snow angels and having snow ball fights. She was very upset though that dance was cancelled as well as preschool. She then wanted the snow to be gone but quickly forgot about it as she was having fun playing in it. It was nice because we still braved the roads and made it to the gym. I'm not going to talk too much about the snow because honestly it is what it is and it drives me crazy the people around here and their obsession with the weather. It lasted about a week so we had ample opportunity to play in it. Knox did take a few face plants in it because it was so deep and didn't like that much but other than that he was having a good time.
One of the snow days Cory decided to get out of the house with Alyssa and took her to see Beauty And The Beast in 3D. She of course was so excited to go which is funny to me because we have it on video and she watches it ALL the time. I know how she loves going to the movies and picking out a treat. I think it was a treat for all of us. Knox got to nap in peace, Alyssa got to watch a princess movie, Cory spend some time with his daughter, and I got to sit by the fire and watch it snow while reading, it was a priceless afternoon!
We had our normal play dates with the besties that are always fun to do and entertaining. I have been working out like crazy to accomplish my goal before our vacation. It's been nice because a few months back Alyssa won a gift certificate for gymnastics at the gym. Well it wasn't just for gymnastics, it was for the Kidz Fit program. Which consisted of some activity everyday and unlimited childcare! She loved it! Unfortunately it was just for the month it might be something I will do again once in the summer for her.
She is now in a new dance studio. The one she was in abruptly closed on us. Which was kind of annoying and stressful but everything worked out in the end. I'm planning on signing Knox up for a Mommy/Me soccer. I can't believe I am doing that. I hate soccer and always said I would never have my kids play but that boy has energy that is crazy. For someone too who only naps every other day if I'm lucky I need to find something for him to do. We will see I'm still thinking there has to be something else for me to do with him where I don't have to be out in the rain.
The kids are becoming more and more entertaining to watch interact with each other. We were in the doctors office the other day and Knox touched Alyssa and this is how it went
Alyssa: Stop touching me please
Knox: Why
Alyssa: Because
Knox: Why
Alyssa: Cuz that's why
Knox: Oh
The doctor was laughing at this. They have many cute conversations through the day. Their new thing is Knox has to walk everywhere when we get out of the car so Alyssa informs him that you have to hold hands in a parking lot and grabs his hand and off they go. It's really stinking cute.
Another conversation went something like this.
Alyssa: Knox I love you
Knox: Why
Alyssa: Because your my brother
Knox: Oh
She has also started calling him Knox Boy. Not sure where or why she came up with this but whatever. Knox if you haven't noticed his favorite thing to say right now is why? It's funny because his normal response after that is "Oh." He also loves yelling out "Here I come!" He is such a crack up. He points out every bus, police car, truck, and Subaru Outback on the road. The Subaru because that's what Nana Gail drives. He is honestly very accurate. The first time I thought it was a fluke but he does it every time. He will also see a car and say "beep beep."
Well that was January in a nut shell nothing earth shattering but it has come and gone and now we are here and getting into February!
