Nickelodeon Universe

A couple months ago I was making one of my many runs to the paper store for some supplies for PD&P. I apparently had a bunch of projects I was working on, because when the lady at the counter rang up my total she said "That will be $309.84." Yikes. That's one big bill at the paper store. Wish I had a new wardrobe to show for it!

But then she continued and totally made me feel better about my purchase by telling me for every $150 you spent at the mall you get a free all day ride wristband. So we scheduled a day Dad could come with us, dropped Becks off at Patti's (believe me, he was NOT sad about that!), and took off for Nickelodeon World.

We had such a fun day...Tate especially rode lots of rides, and Ava a bunch that she had previously been scared of when she was there with Rach and B.

It was kind of funny to us that as much as we go to the MOA, we never venture through the park. I have been in there only a couple of times. While it would be expensive if we had all had to pay, it was a totally fun and inexpensive thing to do with little kids. I think the kids fell asleep before we left the parking garage!

****NOTE...please notice Avery's beautiful hair in these pics. It was the last day she had all of her hair. More about our little hair dresser in the next post.

The Newman Cafe

Last week it rained, which meant no going outside. So I used the opportunity to do something I had been wanting to do with the kids for a long time. They LOVE to play restaurant with their play food in the basement, so we set up our very own "Newman Cafe" for Daddy. It was pretty hilarious because they took it sooooo seriously.

First we made the menu...


and our official sign to tell Daddy where he had come...


then my little chefs started to cook...


and then we decided who would do what and practiced what they were going to say...

and we waited for daddy...

and we practiced...

and we waited...

for what seemed like FOREVER...

then finally we finally heard the garage door!


After Tate took Daddy's drink order Avery asked if he'd like a salad and even remembered to ask what kind of dressing (bleu cheese, of course!)


Tate took the order for the main course and dessert and then we enjoyed supper together...
Newman, party of 5...

The food was fantastic, the service was first class and the clean up crew wasn't bad either...

After it was all done, I was going to throw away the menu that had gotten dirty and Tate screamed "No! We need that for next time!" I explained that we could print a new one. It was so so fun and none of us can wait to visit The Newman Cafe again. In the meantime the head chef would like a night off. Ha!

Easter Weekend

The kids and I spent from last Wednesday night through Sunday (Eric joined us Friday night) at the farm for Easter. Although we couldn't get a good pic on Easter to save our lives, here are a few from the weekend...

Avery had pretty bad tonsilitis, but after a trip to the clinic and some ammoxicillan (which we found out yesterday that she has developed an allergy to after breaking out into hives all over her body, fun fun) she enjoyed the rest of the weekend! We had lots of fun playing with cousins and grandparents.

Please continue to pray for Eric's grandma...we visited with her in the hospital when we were home and she was in very good spirits, but we know she is tired of all this.

Captain Averypants

A week and a half ago we ran out of diapers. I mean down to ZERO. So I sent Eric to the store and Ave ran around naked while he was gone. I told her that if she had to go she HAD to go on the toilet.

After lots of consideration and a few tears, she finally did it.

I told her she could wear underwear the next day (but was NOT holding my breath at this point, because we've been there, done that).

The next morning she woke up dry, asked for underwear, and hasn't looked back.

I just can't figure out where she got this wildly independent and stubborn streak...

but just proves that when she decides she is ready, she can do anything. Watch out world. :)