Tessa spent the night at Omi's on Tuesday and had a fun day going to the Aquarium (including the Dolphin show) and swimming at the pool. Mom apprently stopped at the gas station to fill up and Tessa asked her if she was going inside, and Mom said that no she was just filling up and would be right there. Tessa sais "If you go to the gas station and you go inside and leave me in the car, the police will come and arrest you!"
That's right Tessa, you keep Omi on her toes. Funny thing is that I have absolutely no clue where she heard or picked that up from. Maybe they discussed it at school since it's so hot and they are trying to teach kids to remind their parents not to leave them in the car. She just cracks me up.
7.12.2012
7.03.2012
Chip off the old block
It appears that Tessa has some amazing math skills. Recently she was talking about our family and she said "There are two boys and two girls and that's four. Then we have Dixie, Sassafras and Gretchen and that's Seven" I was so impressed by this but then she said "Then with Omi and Opa that's.......nine" She was doing the math in her head fairly quickly.
Recently they've been doing a lot of number related concepts (ie which one is larger, what number is between these two numbers, etc) Her teacher noted that she had done an exceptional job and that these were fairly advanced exercises. I'll post some pictures of he worksheets, but she just amazes me. AND I'm glad she's good at math, I love math.
Recently they've been doing a lot of number related concepts (ie which one is larger, what number is between these two numbers, etc) Her teacher noted that she had done an exceptional job and that these were fairly advanced exercises. I'll post some pictures of he worksheets, but she just amazes me. AND I'm glad she's good at math, I love math.
6.25.2012
Rhinoceros Beetle
What in the hell? Apparently there are these GINORMOUS beetles called Rhinoceros Beetles. The like wooded areas and for some reason I have NEVER EVER seen one until recently.......where I've seen four now.....ALL on my back deck. Our daycare saw one as well and took a picture. I've been scouring the internet for Southern Infestations but all I can find is that they apparently make great pet beetles. Yeah, that's right, I said PET beetles. I have no idea what possesses any sane person to try to domesticate a beetle.
According to my research, they tend to me nocturnal, they fly and apparently are not good at landing. They live for about 24-30 months, but most of that (~18mo) is spent in the larvae state. Another gross fact that you dooms-day preppers might want to note is that in the larvae state they have an extremely high protein percentage (40%) which is much higher than chicken or steak. The males have horns that are just for show (HAHAHA go figure) and for fighting other males (again, not surprised by this fact that seems to permeate ALL make species on this planet. They don't bite or sting, which per my google sources is another reason they make good pets.
I've included two pictures I took this evening so you can see the scale (pardon the trim-work which is in dire need of repair)
According to my research, they tend to me nocturnal, they fly and apparently are not good at landing. They live for about 24-30 months, but most of that (~18mo) is spent in the larvae state. Another gross fact that you dooms-day preppers might want to note is that in the larvae state they have an extremely high protein percentage (40%) which is much higher than chicken or steak. The males have horns that are just for show (HAHAHA go figure) and for fighting other males (again, not surprised by this fact that seems to permeate ALL make species on this planet. They don't bite or sting, which per my google sources is another reason they make good pets.
I've included two pictures I took this evening so you can see the scale (pardon the trim-work which is in dire need of repair)
Summer Fun
This looks like SOOOOOO much fun, wish my fat butt wouldn't crush the sweet little baby pool. And again, I know I have said/blogged this before, but I am SO glad Mike splurged on the $40 baby pool with the slide! I would have bought the $20 one, but the kids have the best time on the slide.
Sweet Sassafras.......
Fun morning at the big pool, followed by long nap, and a long wake-up time from said nap = LOT'S of cuddles for Mommy.
Sweet Sassafras.......
Fun morning at the big pool, followed by long nap, and a long wake-up time from said nap = LOT'S of cuddles for Mommy.
6.18.2012
And so it begins......
Saturday morning one of my nightmares....OK, nightmare is a little dramatic...how about a not so pleasant dream was realized. Ever since Tessa was born, I had these weird, very realistic dreams, that one of the kids would walk into my room in the middle of the night....but they were in a crib and shouldn't be able to get out. Once you get over the whole I'm-freak-out-about-SIDS-issue, cribs are awesome. The babies love them, Mommies know their babies are safe and snuggled up with their precious blankets and stuffed animals. I know if Ellis wakes up crying, he usually goes back to sleep and I don't need to worry. When Tessa was still in her crib, I knew I could take a quick shower while she still talked to herself before she got really demanding.
Although Tessa certainly had the skills, she never climbed out of her crib. My crib is low to the floor so I never worried about physical harm, just unattended toddler was all I worried about. She climbed out of a pack-a-play up in the mountains during nap time, so we put her in the big bed where she slept perfectly. Ellis had just been born and we needed to move her to her big girl bed anyways (already set-up in her room). As soon as we got home, I moved the crib back into the nursery and Tessa has slept in her big girl bed ever since. For about a year, we used a gate in front of her door as well. Again, she could easily climb it and she tried it a couple of times, but on the 2nd time she got her little tow pinched and never tried again. We finally took the gate off last year since she was potty trained and needed to go potty sometimes, etc.
We've casually discussed Ellis moving to a big boy bed. There's no rush since we don't need the crib and he loves his crib and is a great sleeper. He's also never tried to climb out of it...............until now!
So, back to Saturday morning. Mike was still working so I was home by myself with the kids. Tessa had woken up and came into my room at 5:00am and gone back to sleep (anytime after 5:00 she can stay in our room, before that it's back to her room). Something woke me up. It was one of those noises you think you hear but then aren't sure if it was in a dream. I thought it sounded like a door handle, but Tessa was right next to me. Then I heard some other noises and thought maybe Gretchen was on the roof of the front porch and scratching at the bedroom window, but then I realized she was sleeping at the foot of the bed. Maybe it was squirrels or birds flitting around outside. Then I heard "Boingggggg, Boingggggggg, Boingggggg" and I knew immediately and jumped up. I opened Ellis' door and he was standing there with his big, goofy grin playing with the door stop in his room. I asked him "Did you climb out of your bed" and he said "No" Crazy Moose! It just surprised me because he hadn't been awake for a while with me ignoring him and he wasn't calling my name. He just climbed out, tried to open the door (that's what woke me) and then played with some stuff in his room, looked out the window, and then found the door stop. Luckily he hasn't done it again, but I'm on total red alert now and every time I hear a noise or hear him wake I am wide awake. I try to go in right away to put him back to sleep so he doesn't get into a habit of climbing out, but it looks like we are going to have to buy some big boy furniture sooner rather than later.
Although Tessa certainly had the skills, she never climbed out of her crib. My crib is low to the floor so I never worried about physical harm, just unattended toddler was all I worried about. She climbed out of a pack-a-play up in the mountains during nap time, so we put her in the big bed where she slept perfectly. Ellis had just been born and we needed to move her to her big girl bed anyways (already set-up in her room). As soon as we got home, I moved the crib back into the nursery and Tessa has slept in her big girl bed ever since. For about a year, we used a gate in front of her door as well. Again, she could easily climb it and she tried it a couple of times, but on the 2nd time she got her little tow pinched and never tried again. We finally took the gate off last year since she was potty trained and needed to go potty sometimes, etc.
We've casually discussed Ellis moving to a big boy bed. There's no rush since we don't need the crib and he loves his crib and is a great sleeper. He's also never tried to climb out of it...............until now!
So, back to Saturday morning. Mike was still working so I was home by myself with the kids. Tessa had woken up and came into my room at 5:00am and gone back to sleep (anytime after 5:00 she can stay in our room, before that it's back to her room). Something woke me up. It was one of those noises you think you hear but then aren't sure if it was in a dream. I thought it sounded like a door handle, but Tessa was right next to me. Then I heard some other noises and thought maybe Gretchen was on the roof of the front porch and scratching at the bedroom window, but then I realized she was sleeping at the foot of the bed. Maybe it was squirrels or birds flitting around outside. Then I heard "Boingggggg, Boingggggggg, Boingggggg" and I knew immediately and jumped up. I opened Ellis' door and he was standing there with his big, goofy grin playing with the door stop in his room. I asked him "Did you climb out of your bed" and he said "No" Crazy Moose! It just surprised me because he hadn't been awake for a while with me ignoring him and he wasn't calling my name. He just climbed out, tried to open the door (that's what woke me) and then played with some stuff in his room, looked out the window, and then found the door stop. Luckily he hasn't done it again, but I'm on total red alert now and every time I hear a noise or hear him wake I am wide awake. I try to go in right away to put him back to sleep so he doesn't get into a habit of climbing out, but it looks like we are going to have to buy some big boy furniture sooner rather than later.
6.12.2012
Sweet Memories
One of the sweet little memories I have from Jekyll was on Sunday while I was working at the Conference, Mike and my mo brought the kids by our booth. All of the sudden I hear this familiar "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" and Tessa comes barreling down towards me with arms outstretched, wearing her cute little blue sear-sucker summer dress and she was just so excited to see me. Then I heard another familiar "Mommy, Mommy" and here comes Ellis. I guess since I'm with them most of the time, I rarely get those excited to see me moments (like Daddy gets every Friday night when he comes home). It was just really sweet. Ellis was so excited about the Turtles they had visited at the Turtle Center. Tessa was showing me all the cool little give-aways she had received from other vendors. But it was just so cool how excited they were to see me, and I was so proud to show them off.
6.06.2012
Jekyll Island
OK - I was TERRIBLE this year about taking pictures while in Jekyll. It's so beautiful there, but somehow I just keep forgetting to take pictures. Next time (hopefully I will get to go again) I will take my camera out one day while the kids are napping and just go to town.
We had a wonderful time. I drove down with my parents and the kids and Mike drove down on Saturday since he was coming from Nashville. Had a fun dinner at the Wharf in Jekyll Friday night. My Dad's co-worker Carla and her family were there and Tessa really loved playing with Evan and Katy. When the band started, Katy and Tessa out-danced everyone there. We spent Saturday morning at the pool then everyone took a nice long nap.
We agreed to a Baby-Sitting swap with Carla and Ben, so the first night Carla and Ben went out while we watched the kids and then Mike and I had a really nice, grown-up dinner with Mom and Dad the next night. It worked out great. Our rooms were right across from Carla and Ben so that made it super easy. Tropical Storm Beryl was approaching so we got a little bit of pool time Sunday morning. I had to "work" at the GAPPA Conference Sunday afternoon and the spouses (Mike, Omi, and Ben) took the kids to the Turtle Rescue Center. I think after the pool, this was Ellis' favorite. He still talks about the Turtles. Beryl came ashore Sunday night, although there was minimal damage and some minor flooding, there was spanish moss every where. It's amazing to see the pristine grounds one day and then covered the next.
All in all it was a great trip and can't wait for next year.
Here a few of the pics......
Ellis in the pool with Opa, blowing bubbles. Ellis did awesome. It was his real first time as a grown-up swimming in the pool(he's only 2, but last year he was too young to really swim). He had so much fun and was just paddling his little butt all by himself.
Tessa's Fabulous Purple Birthday Cake for her Jekyll Island Birthday Party.
Her new buddy, Evan. She's totally in love with him and keeps calling him her cousin. She also liked that he knew how to navigate the iPad on his own. Also, thank you Carla and Ben as Tessa now wants her own iPad. I explained that Evan doesn't have his own, it was his Daddy's.
We had a wonderful time. I drove down with my parents and the kids and Mike drove down on Saturday since he was coming from Nashville. Had a fun dinner at the Wharf in Jekyll Friday night. My Dad's co-worker Carla and her family were there and Tessa really loved playing with Evan and Katy. When the band started, Katy and Tessa out-danced everyone there. We spent Saturday morning at the pool then everyone took a nice long nap.
We agreed to a Baby-Sitting swap with Carla and Ben, so the first night Carla and Ben went out while we watched the kids and then Mike and I had a really nice, grown-up dinner with Mom and Dad the next night. It worked out great. Our rooms were right across from Carla and Ben so that made it super easy. Tropical Storm Beryl was approaching so we got a little bit of pool time Sunday morning. I had to "work" at the GAPPA Conference Sunday afternoon and the spouses (Mike, Omi, and Ben) took the kids to the Turtle Rescue Center. I think after the pool, this was Ellis' favorite. He still talks about the Turtles. Beryl came ashore Sunday night, although there was minimal damage and some minor flooding, there was spanish moss every where. It's amazing to see the pristine grounds one day and then covered the next.
All in all it was a great trip and can't wait for next year.
Here a few of the pics......
Ellis in the pool with Opa, blowing bubbles. Ellis did awesome. It was his real first time as a grown-up swimming in the pool(he's only 2, but last year he was too young to really swim). He had so much fun and was just paddling his little butt all by himself.
Tessa's Fabulous Purple Birthday Cake for her Jekyll Island Birthday Party.
Her new buddy, Evan. She's totally in love with him and keeps calling him her cousin. She also liked that he knew how to navigate the iPad on his own. Also, thank you Carla and Ben as Tessa now wants her own iPad. I explained that Evan doesn't have his own, it was his Daddy's.
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