trip to memphis: memphis zoo

Tuesday, we drove the girls down to the zoo. We all had a great time. You would think that the zoo with all the different exotic animals would be interesting, but my children would rather hang out with the farm animals.

I love this pic of Jason and Emma. We have the same pic of them together in the same pose at the zoo when Emma was 9 months old.

Ava and Daddy

I would love to say that Ava was enthralled by the animals in the water, but she really thought that her reflection was way cooler.

The girls were actually still for a second, literally only a second

My 3 favorite people

Emma's friend

Emma in an egg. Ironically, that is her initials EGS. Egs is in an Egg. (sorry, inside joke with the hubby)

Ava with her duck. Right now, the only animal sound she knows is a duck and she shouts it loud and proud when she sees one!


I think this face is saying it's time to go.

trip to memphis: swimming and chuck e. cheese

The girls and I packed it up last week and drove to Memphis for a week and a half. We had so much fun seeing friends and family. Unfortunately for us, the rain had made the weather cooler than usual and Nana's pool took a temperature dive as well. We love to spend our time at Nana's pool during the summer, but this time we had to settle for only swimming a couple of times. The first time we tried it the girls were just shaking! Here's some after swimming pics.

Nana trying to warm up Ava

Emma shivering in her Little Mermaid towel

For lunch we met up with Grammy, Aunt Bekah , Aunt Anna and Ella at Chuck E. Cheese, Emma's favorite place to be. This is, of course, my least favorite place:) Emma and Ava cry and scream because they do not want to eat when there is way too much fun to be had, and then I have to drag my kids out the door kicking and screaming because they could party all day at Chuck E. Cheese. The girls were running around so fast that I was only able to get a few pics of Ava.

Spaghetti Night!

Last night we had spaghetti for dinner. Ava was eating like such a big girl! She was using her fork and doing a good job at getting the food in her mouth. Of course, as soon as we grabbed the camera she stopped eating with her fork.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Emma!

My big girl is 3! This year I completely fell behind on the planning of her birthday party because of the move. So we asked her what she would like to do for her birthday. She said Chuck E. Cheese. Not my favorite place by any means, but it is her birthday. We told her she could invite one special friend, however, she informed us that she had 2 special friends, Nash and Hannah. So on Emma's birthday we all met at Chuck E. Cheese for a little pizza and games. After that we headed to the house for cake and presents.

It's never too early to learn

As we were cleaning up after dinner, Emma said that she wanted to help wash dishes. No time like the present to learn especially since I detest doing dishes. First, I told her to help me clear the table. So she went to the table, grabbed her father's glass and threw it into the sink breaking it into many tiny pieces. I decided then that she could "wash" the dishes. She kept saying "scrub, scrub, scrub" and telling me that she was a "big helper." So sweet. Too bad when she is actually old enough to have chores, I am sure this will all quickly change. I especially love the last picture. I think Emma's face says it all. I'm sure I'll be seeing this face again in about 10 years!

Family Friday

I love our family Fridays. Usually, we just spend the time hanging around the house doing nothing which is absolutely wonderful. We started out the morning playing outside before it got too hot. The girls had so much fun seesawing with each other. I love that Ava is finally getting to the point age-wise where Emma and her can play together. So the girls played today and we did yardwork. I love the fact that we actually have real grass (with no fire ants) and real flower beds:) It's the small things in life that make me happy!

Emma's B-Day Celebration at School

Today at school, Emma's class celebrated her birthday. Sadly, I couldn't be there because Ava was home sick with a lovely green nose and cough. But SuperDad stepped in and brought cupcakes to her class during snack time. I love the pics of Emma being such a big helper passing out plates to all of her friend. I think its time to put a little of that into action at home:)

4th of July Parade

Oh the joys of potty training...

I think I just need a moment to vent. I am so sick of potty training! Emma is going to be 3 this month and is still not potty trained. I have tried for over a year, testing to see if she's ready off and on. Well now I have decided no matter what we do, we will get potty trained this time around! I have to admit it. Emma is a little like me... well, maybe a lot like me. She is so stubborn. So you take a stubborn kid who could care less if she rolls around in a dirty diaper, and you have problems with potty training.
We're making progress I have to say. One major problem I have though is getting her to go around other people. Like at Mother's Day Out or church, she will not tell anyone that she has to go, or when her teachers try to get her to go she becomes all shy. So I'm open for suggestions. Anyone? I can't be around her forever to take her to the potty!
Now Ava has shown an interest in potty training. Yes, 14 months old and she's more interested than Emma. She claps when she hears Emma go potty. (Yes, that's right. It's a real family affair.) She also thinks she deserves an M&M when Emma goes potty. And to my great delight, she no longer wants to wear a diaper. Yesterday I was getting ready when Emma goes running down the hall yelling that Baby Sis had poo-pooed. I told her that I would be there in a minute to change her. After a minute I realized that Emma never comes to tell me things like that so I went running down the hall only to meet Ava halfway wearing no diaper. Needless to say, I have a huge stain on my playroom floor the size of a dinner plate. Good times.