One busy week after another

This summer has been flying by! I can't believe it is almost August. This last week was Harley's 4th birthday. I can't believe how old he is. I watched the movie Marley and Me and that dog sure reminded me of Harley in a lot of ways and made me realize just how much I love him! Gave me a new appreciation for him since watching it which I'm sure Harley is enjoying! We celebrated Harley's birthday by getting him some cookies, a toy, and a walk that morning.
The following day Alyssa and I headed down to Vancouver, WA to go to her cousin Nolan's second birthday! He is turning into the cutest little man! The party was great, as always, and we enjoyed lots of good food and company. Alyssa seemed to be enjoying herself for she didn't nap at all except maybe 45min or so. Alyssa found Nolan's other grandmothers, Maureen, purse and took her cigarettes out. She decided to start chewing on them. It didn't seem to bother her too much and I'm not sure exactly how much she even got in her mouth but it was kind of funny and the purse got put away. Thanks Maureen : )
We ended up staying at a Hotel and swimming that night. We had a blast. Amanda, Nolan, and a friend of Amanda's from high school came over and we went swimming for about an hour or so. Afterwards Alyssa was exhausted and went straight to bed after her bath.
Yesterday Nicole came over and hung out with us for the day. We went to Mukilteo and went to the park by the water. We ended up not staying too long because surprisingly it was a little chilly. Both of us were starving so we headed into Snohomish and went to the Pie Shop and had lunch and pie. Yes, I had pie too. I actually bought one and have been eating it! Sorry, Mom! After Alyssa's nap we went up to Lavender Hills Farm right up the road from us. It's such a beautiful place. Alyssa ran around and I bought some lavender.
This next week is going to be busy as well. Alyssa's swim lessons start up and she has them twice a week through the end of August. She has a birthday party to go to on Wednesday, another children's concert and possibly Jetty Island. I'm still a little undecided if I'm going to go or not.

Kangaroo Farm

So a week ago Alyssa and I went to the Outback Christmas Tree and Kangaroo Farm in Arlington. It was a fun day. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect there but was very amazed at all the animals and how we got to feed and pet them. Alyssa didn't do much of the feeding because she kept trying to put it in her mouth! The only animals that we weren't allowed to pet or feed were the ostriches and the mini pony, named Oreo, because they bite.

There were no baby kangaroos that we got to see because the one that was there was down in the pouch of the mama. There was a baby donkey which was so cute. Alyssa like always loved the goats and enjoyed petting them.

After the tour we took off, while the rest of our group hung out and and had a picnic. It was very warm out and Alyssa was ready to head home and take a much needed nap!

If your ever in the area this is somewhere I would really recommend going. There are so many different kinds of animals there. There are lemurs, llamas, alpacas, osteriches, kangaroos, turtles, peacocks, roosters and chickens and horses just to name a few!

Sprinkler fun

The other day Cory and Alyssa were outside hanging out while I cooked dinner. Cory had the sprinkler on watering the lawn. Alyssa was running around and decided to go up to the sprinkler but as the water came towards her she ran away. This became a fun little game for her with the sprinkler winning.

A lefty and Recess Monkey

So this last week Alyssa and I have tried to get back into the swing of things and back on our schedule of things. One of the things that I have been working on is getting her to walk on the grass. Yes, that's what I said grass! For some reason she hasn't liked it but the other day she decided it was OK and took off on it and I haven't been able to stop her since!

We were at the store the other day and I bought some color crayons because of all things I did not have any! So we came home and colored. She enjoyed it. She would color, put it in her mouth and color again. What I found the most interesting though is she will pick up with either hand but if it's in her right hand she will than switch to her left and color. A possible lefty, just like her mom!

Today we went and saw a local band called Recess Monkey. They are three male teachers who got together and now tour around putting on shows for kids. It was a fun time. Alyssa especially liked the hokey pokey when she was jumping or I was helping her jump. If anyone is interested here is their website: http://www.recessmonkeytown.com/ It's definitely worth checking out if your in the area.

Next week we are going to an ice cream parlor and tour and the Kangaroo Farm. She also has two birthday party's to attend in the next two weeks as well as her swim lessons that start back up at the end of this month. What a busy little girl!

The week leading up to July 4th

On the 4th of July Alyssa returned from spending a week in Longview with both sets of Grandparents. Although Cory and I had a busy and fun week we sure did miss her and were ready for her to return home! She had a great time spending time with family and going to the parks. It was really hot down there which she probably didn't enjoy too much but she got to play in the pool that her grandma had bought her. Along with getting spoiled by everyone else...I think she has a couple people wrapped around her finger.
Earlier in the week Cory and I headed back down to Sand Lakes Oregon to ride the quads again with a good friend of ours. It was fantastic! I love it down there and can't wait to go back. We were down there for two and a half days, the weather was great but extremely windy. When returned home Cory and I spent two days golfing, dinner out, a movie, nice weather, and some quite time alone!

On the 4th of July we had some family and friends over and had a great BBQ. We had salmon and a country boil, which consists of potatoes, corn, sausage, and shell fish. Also several salads and fruit which was all wonderful. We all headed out front around dusk and started watching the neighborhood fireworks show. We than watched the Tulalip show and the Everett show since we have a great view of the sound from our house we can see them clearly. We are pretty spoiled because we also get to watch the fireworks from the Aquasox stadium as well! I doubt we will ever go anywhere to watch a show again, especially since we don't have to fight any traffic or crowds.

All in all it was a good, fun week and I'm sorry to see it come to an end!

Painted house

We have been busy this last week or I should say our neighbor has been busy painting our house. We were gonna just touch it up but after looking at it and Cheryl's offer we decided to get the whole thing done, especially since it really needed it!

I can't find at this time the before pictures but here is what it looks like now. I love it! It's almost like getting a new house. It looks so classy and makes a huge difference.

Father's Day Weekend and Golf

On Father's Day weekend Alyssa and I were supposed to go to Longview but since she got sick we stayed around the house. Cory was gone working Mariner's all weekend and didn't get home until Sunday evening. I made him his favorite dinner and he received his present, golf shirts. He was exhausted from the long work week he had. We will be going down to Longview on Sunday so we will be able to see our dad's so all is not lost.

Monday I went out and played my first round of golf. I was so nervous at first. By the third hole I had relaxed and was having a great time. I have been taking lessons and love them, my instructor is very cool and has helped me out a lot. I told him that I was playing at the last lesson I took and he asked me if I had practiced putting or anything. I said "no" and he laughed and just told me good luck but it was a good course to learn on that we were gonna play. I think Cory was even impressed when I came home and showed him what I had learned, he joked and said my swing was better than his! Anyways back to the game. My score wasn't the best but whose is on their first time right!? Cory and I went out and I got some clothes and shoes since my game wasn't gonna be pretty I might as well be. Such a poser I am but hopefully that will soon change. I did have some great shots and others not so great but again I am learning and having a blast! I never thought I would have enjoyed it this much but I'm so excited that Cory and I now can do it together and at places all over! We are going back out this next week to play again and I can't wait. I'm addicted!!! I think I started out with the right attitude with it as well....it's just fun and not to get frustrated. I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of my sand wedge! I never thought I would say that.

Alyssa is doing better from her ear infections. We had a little set back with it, not a major one but she broke out in a rash from it. She looked horrible. It was literally all over her body! I took her in and they figure she is allergic to sulfur based med's. Poor girl. The doctor told me to stop giving it to her and it should clear up and if not to give her benedryl but only if it didn't clear up. It's now mostly gone, thank goodness and her ears are doing good as well. She is headed down to L0ngview on Sunday with us and is going to stay the week with back and forth between grandparent's. and will be brought back up on the 4th. I'm sure she will have a wonderful time!

Cory and I are going back down to Sand Lakes to ride the quads and than home to play golf and enjoy our alone time! I can't wait. Although I will miss little one I really need a vacation. Hopefully that doesn't sound too bad!

The last week

This last week has been hard for Alyssa. She has two ear infections. We had gone down to Longview last weekend for a golf tournament Cory was in, they took 3rd place, and Alyssa had got sick. At first I thought she was just teething because she had a runny nose, and that's what happens with her every time. Saturday night she woke up and had a horrible sounding cough and threw up. Yes, I'm officially mom now that I have been thrown up on and it wasn't spit up! I thought she might have croup because of the sound of the cough, so my mom and I ran a hot shower and sat in the bathroom with her. We did that a couple times that night with none of us getting much sleep. The next day she sounded better but could tell she still wasn't well. We headed home and she slept the whole way home and pretty much the rest of the day.
I ended up taking her to the doctor on Monday and found out she has two ear infections. Cory and I had just been talking about how lucky we have been with her health. We jinxed us! I felt horrible for her and wished I could do something to make it go away, now! She is on antibiotics and the doctor wants to see her in two weeks. She has been pretty much sleeping the whole day but feeling like crap I don't blame her.
As for us, we have been busy. I have started golf lessons and love them and I'm actually playing for the first time on Monday. I'm scared to death!!!! Oh well, at least I will look good. Cory and I went out and I got some golf clothes. I'm alright with being a poser at this time. In a week we are heading back down to the Oregon Coast to ride the quads. I can't wait!!! Cory will be on vacation and doesn't go back to work until after the 4th of July.
Other than that, that's about all that is going on with us........

WARNING: Toddler coming through....

So this last week has been very entertaining with Alyssa. Until now I haven't bothered baby proofing the kitchen cabinets because she hasn't been too interested in opening them. This last week she has been all about them. Now, there are only two cabinets that she really likes, the one under the sink and the cabinet with all of her dishes. The one under the sink obviously concerned me but the other one just annoyed me more than anything. I found some great locks that you didn't have to drill into the cabinets and were magnetic, so I purchased a few of these to hold her at bay. After we got them installed she tried to open them and was very upset that they would not open.

Parents: 1 Alyssa: 0

Now it may seem foolish that I put one on the cabinet with her stuff in it but for me it was about cleaning it all up. I hate messes and for me everything has it's place and the floor is not it! So I guess I'm a mean mom but she will get over it and grow up fine.

Later on in the week we were doing stuff at the house and Alyssa proceeded to take this floor lamp that she likes to hit the wall with and throw it on the floor. It broke! Cory and I both heard this loud crash and a few seconds later she started crying. She wasn't hurt at all just startled but what a mess it left us with. This is something that she always gets in trouble with and knows this is not OK to do, or at least should be now. Off to the store I went to see if I could find a shade that would work.

Another little incident that happened was she broke me cell phone. I was out to breakfast that morning with some friends and was letting her play with it. They were saying how they couldn't believe how I would let her do that. I laughed and said "oh well....I have insurance on it." Later that day I had put a large glass of water on the table where my cell phone was. I had got up to go do something and than got busy cleaning and forgot all about it. I heard a strange sound followed by some crying. I went into see what happened and saw she was standing in a puddle of water and her feet wet. She wasn't happy about it. Well I wasn't happy about the phone, couches, and floor being all wet! I was praying the phone would still work, but no it was all jacked up! I knew I had insurance on it so I wasn't all to worried just annoyed I had to deal with it. What an ordeal it turned into. That insurance really isn't all it's cracked up to be I think.

Hopefully the rest of the week turns out to be uneventful!