The Target Trip That Never Was........

It started off like any other day. We got up...had breakfast....took some donuts to our friend Katy and her new baby brother Thomas. We had a great play date...for hours, thank goodness. Virginia was adamant about holding this baby. I looked at my friend Kristina and she said it was ok. So here we were.....she did a good job and was VERY proud of herself. He is not even a month old mind you....

What fun....a baby! Poor guy....he got man handled but survived.

Then we played outside...where John proceeded to take all of the sand out of the box....

My point clearly...

Then we went to Target. I guess it was a bad call on my part. I wanted to check out the shirts and dresses with my recently acquired end of the year Target gift cards. Oops. So it started out pretty well. They loved the carts at Costco, probably because everything at Costco is bigger and they can both get in the same one. That is not the case at Target. But we found this two seater. Now imagine me on the floor of Target, in a skirt, trying to convince both that this is the way to go. I even got in it. In a skirt. Sorry folks.

I heard myself saying, "This is happening kids. We are going through Target." Finally, I had one taker. John got in and settled down. Then Virginia reluctantly followed. They loved the first few minutes and I could tell by the "Weeee" and "Faster Mommy!" moments. But then came the "OUT MOMMY!!!" time. So I did what any parent would never do and I let them out with the speech about how they need to stay with me or hold my hand. Big mistake. There goes John.....down the aisles...with me following with this cart/two seater ride. And of course Virginia. Those of you that see her regularly know she is not that fast. I am yelling, "Come on Virginia....keep up!!!" Luckily, I could see his red shirt and here his pretzels jiggling in his cup. And thank goodness that Target was completely empty. He bolted down the clothes into the men's department where he proceeded to crack himself up while hiding and knock down all of the socks. Well, maybe not all of them but so many a Target associate needed to come for backup.

I got him and told him that he needed to hold my hand. And he was on the floor in hysterics. Not crying but laughing. And then there's Virginia saying "SHHHH...Mommy...John is hiding!" Then we were good. So I got ballsy and went to look at purses and jewelry. Looking back it was a clear what-was-I-thinking-moment. About this time is when they found all of the necklaces...took them off and John (who is stronger than I am) particularly loved one. So much so that it had 4 strings of beads and all of a sudden, one string is now done and all of the beads are in the floor. What to do? What to do? So I did what any respectable mother would do, looked around and quietly placed it on the jewelry counter.

Then my conscience, or realizing there are cameras in Target, whatever...you decide....got the better of me and I scooped up all of the beads, which are now all running across a glass jewelry case and collected the remains of this once cute necklace. I forced myself to go to the Guest Services area and fess up. It went something like, "Look, I am 100% ashamed but my kid just broke this necklace....and I know the right thing to do is pay for it." She was so nice and let us off. Maybe it was the sneaky look in John's eyes or she just plain felt bad for me. But obviously, we left the Target at that moment with nothing to say for ourselves and I have learned a lesson. We are fully not ready to be let out of the cart in Target. And I get it, who doesn't love it..........

Happy Father's Day

Nothing says Happy Father's Day like going to the track and teaching your kids how to bet on horses.......

This was John the whole time...running away from us. It was quite the show.

But a happy Daddy it produced....we love you!!!!!!

Happy Summer!

We wrapped up another school year today! The babies have been off for almost two weeks but now we can be home to enjoy them! Thank you so much to Granny B and Grandma for doing the daytime these past two weeks. And thank goodness Grandma took some pictures or we would have nothing to share this week! Here's to long days...the pool...no schedules...and sleeping in! Bring it on summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bubbles at it again!

Hello? She can make anything a phone. Hold all my calls.....

John loves to help me pick flowers. Such a sweetheart.

A play date with our neighbor Nikki....someone else to play bubbles with!

Virginia really does love to play diaper changing. John is the latest victim. Again.

Hilarious.

Thank you Grandma and Granddaddy for our new table for the upcoming birthday! It was super fun to put together and a great time to play with.

John with a power tool...

Busy Weeks

We have been so super busy these last few weeks....I guess that is what the end of school does to you...to really make you appreciate your summer. Our daycare has been closed for good reasons! Happy Graduation Megan! Happy Wedding Michelle! We will plan to go visit Grandma and Ginger over the summer but since Wednesday...these kids have been on summer vacation! Luckily, we had Granny B in to help until today and Grandma is on her way to us for the week. And come Friday it is summer for us! Yippee!!

Bubbles are winning out as our new favorite thing to do!

This was my treat this morning on the deck to remind me that in just a few short weeks (really 16 days but who is counting), Joe and I will be off to Hawaii for a free trip! So fun!

Fun Facts Part 7

Fun Facts about Virginia:
*She says complete sentences that surprise us daily. Even sassy ones.
*Recently at daycare, I asked for goodbye kisses and she responded with "You can go now..."
*She sings her ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, Ring Around the Rosy, and finally count to 10 and beyond starting with 1!
*When asked what she wants for dinner, her go to response is "Chicken"...
*Virginia naturally goes to dolls, dress up things, and phones.
*Upon seeing a calculator, she calls out "Cell phone!"
*When she wakes up from nap, she calls out this on the monitor...."Mommy! Mommy! I want my Daddy."
*We recently started using their preemie for clothes for the baby dolls. This causes a tear in my eye often.
*She is a natural helper. Her favorite phrase now is "I want to help...." and when I am changing John she is all in our business to report if he peed or pooped. And then she gets a wipe and tries to wipe his poop. Great, right? Always when she puts the wipe down on the carpet....
*She is adament about picking her own shoes. One day she had on an adorable pink and blue outfit. The kind for sandal wearing. And she refused to wear anything but her tennis shoes. So I made Joe put them on. I just could not do it. She ultimately looked like an 80's-movie-working-woman-in-NYC-hightailing-it-to-work-with-her-suit-on-and-her-tennis-shoes. Blah.

Fun Facts about John:
*He really is saying more words and sentences. We crack up at him often.
*He is super at saying goodbye and waving to strangers.
*He can hum the tune of ABCs and you do really know what he is saying.
*When asked what he wants for dinner, his go to response is "Milk." Obviously.
*John picks blocks, cars, and outside as his favorite hobbies.
*When he wakes up from nap, it is destruction time. Everything out of the crib, the lamp on the floor, the monitor in his bed, and the wall art skewed to the side.
*He thinks it is hilarious to get his temperature taken. Not in the mouth or armpit. You know where.
*And somehow he learned to pee in the corner of his room. On the carpet.
*John has no concern of clothes, shoes, or anyone's personal space. That kid just wants to play and eat.
*He is pulling hair at daycare. He is somewhat responding to timeout. At home, when he is put in timeout, he laughs until you actually leave him and then he gets very upset.

*They both automatically choose pink things for Virginia and blue for John.
*They prefer outside sprinklers and water to a bath these days.
*We are on pacifiers only at nap time and in the car. I really need to drop the car.
*They are talking to each other more. YAY! But mostly it is "Go away John!" or "No sir John!" or "That's mine!" followed by "I had it!"
*They will kiss each other and hug on demand. Nice work!
*Both love to play Night Night. They demand pillows and covers. When Virginia decides to get up, she says "I waked up Mommy!" This is a good sign for toddler beds. Or is it.