I always knew this one was trouble...

We went out to run some errands this morning after Frances got on the bus.  We headed to Target to get Benjamin's new car seat and a couple other things we needed.   Then we had to go buy an A/C adapter for the kids' night light. I bought them a really cool Discovery Kids night light at Roses for $10 around Christmas time.  Well let me tell you, it has been EATING batteries ever since!  Even with rechargeables, I feel like I am changing the batteries every night. Last night I had finally gotten all three kids in bed and I had just put my feet up on the couch when Henry came to tell me that the night light had gone out.  Well that was the last straw-I went out to get an A/C adapter today!  I had planned to go out to Radio Shack since we were near the mall, but wouldn't you know that the mall wasn't even open yet!  What has my life become that we are out and about before the stores even open!!
Anyway, we were waiting outside the store and Henry saw the Merry-Go-Round.  He asked if he could have a ride and I decided to be nice (for once).  I put in the dollar and hopped on with Benjamin.  Both boys seemed to really enjoy it.  I was worried that Benjamin was going to throw a fit when I put him back in the stroller.   However, he wasn't the one with trouble up his sleeve.  Henry wanted to go again and I said "no."  So while I was buckling Benjamin into the stroller, my sneaky almost-4-year-old got into my purse, took out my credit card and tried to stick it in the dollar slot on the machine!!!  STINKER! Then he tried to climb on with another kid who was getting on.  I decided that was sort of a "fruit from the poison tree" kind of scenario and pulled him off. Then we headed to Radio Shack to buy an adapter, made a quick stop at the bank (where there was a very tired looking man, who apologized for yawning because he isn't usually up before 12.  PUH-LEASE!) and headed home.  All before 10:30!
And the adapter needed for our $10 night light??  Yeah--$25!!  Seriously?!

Saturday at the Park

We had some nice weather this weekend that was not too hot or too cold. After Henry sort of took a morning nap, he, Frances and I walked up to the playground at the church a block up the street. Frances pushed the stroller like a good big sister. She played on the big ship while Henry played in one of the tubes. He enjoyed the rocks quite a bit, and only tried to eat one of them!!
We left the playground to go home and get ready to pick up our Angel Food Order. If you have not tried this, yet-do it!! The food is great quality and very affordable. They aim to feed a family of four for one week for $30. We spread the food out and use other staples and we can make it last a whole month. We got a fresh fruit and vegetable box for $18. It included a seedless watermelon, a fresh pineapple (so juicy!), six potatoes, four oranges, two bunches of carrots, 6 ears of corn, and 4 onions. YUM!
After all the shopping and menu planning we decided to go out to eat! Pam had given me a gift certificate to Rack 'em, Smack 'em. It is a steak and rib place in Verona. The food was good and Henry enjoyed using the windowsill for his plate. We got back from dinner and decided to take a walk through the cemetery down the street. Frances got to chase a few bunnies-she is getting really good at it. After all that we put the kids to bed and went to bed ourselves. I love Saturdays when Ken gets off early!!

Julie's wedding

This weekend Frances and I were honored to participate in our friend Julie's wedding to Chris. Frances was the flower girl and I was a bridesmaid. She did an AWESOME job. We started the wedding weekend out with Frances' first manicure. She picked a sparkly yellow color to match her flower girl dress. She enjoyed being a "big girl" and getting her nails done. She sat remarkably still for the whole experience. It is worth $5 to take her for a manicure every Saturday morning, so she will sit still and I could read a book!! Hmmm....

After the manicure, we went to a tea party downtown. Frances picked out a very pretty flower cup. We had a delicious salad, chicken sandwiches, squash soup (that I really did eat-in front of witnesses, mom!), and scones and hot tea for dessert. She was quite the little lady throughout, and all the other women commented on how well she behaved. She made me very proud.

We had to go shoe shopping after the tea party, because as it turns out Frances' shoes were three sizes too small! Oops! She is quite glad to have new Disney Princess sandals and I am glad that her size was on sale for $9!!

We picked up Henry from Day Care and then picked up Ken at home to go to the rehearsal and dinner. Afterwards, Frances and Henry both passed out from a long day. I took care of a last few wedding details and collected my stuff for Saturday morning.
My Henry alarm went off at 5:30 on Saturday morning and after a shower for me and a bath for Frances, we headed over to the hotel to get ready. We got our hair and makeup done and the headed over to the church. I actually remembered to get myself in a photo, so I can remember what I look like all cleaned up! Frances is a bit pouty because she burned her leg on a curling iron at the hotel, but one Care Bears band-aid later, she was a happy camper again.






Obviously, I didn't have a way to hold the camera during the ceremony, but I did get a shot of Frances afterwards standing on the altar. Sorry about the strange expression. She doesn't like to pose for pictures without hamming it up.

After the wedding, Frances got her first Limo ride (and Mommy's first one as well). She was quite excited with a big grin on her face the whole time. She danced throughout the whole reception. I'll get the videos up later. Henry enjoyed the music as well and tried to crawl onto the dance floor several times. We left the reception at about 6:30 and headed home. Here is my little Princess after a 12 hour day!

A busy Saturday

Today was quite a busy day, but it started out very nicely. I slept in until 7am!! Frances and I woke up at about the same time. She was excited to watch a new Rapunzel video I found for her. Henry slept VERY late today. I think he woke up around 8!! We all had breakfast and then played our new favorite game: Cinderella. How to play? I set the timer for 15 minutes and we clean the house like Cinderella for that whole time. Frances plays very well and I get to get a little bit of the house cleaned.
I had to meet Paula at Costco to buy supplies for the Senior brunch at church tomorrow, so I headed out with the kids. We bought our supplies and then I delivered them to the church. They were just finishing the yard sale and Fred invited me to look through all the stuff that no one bought. There were a ton of Fisher Price toys!! I packed the car as full as I could get it and headed home. Frances put on her bathing suit and helped me wash all the new toys and we went in for lunch.
Heidy met us at 3:00 to pack up the toys to go to daycare and then head over to pick up the food we got through Angel Food Ministries. You should seriously check this group out. The food we got was awesome. I am very excited about the apple pie. Frances likes the chicken nuggets (they are just like the kind at Burger King). While we were dropping off the food at the day care, Rolando invited Frances over to swim in his pool.
We went home and fed Henry and headed back out. Frances and Rolando played in the pool while Heidy and I laughed at them. Henry went in the pool twice, but he got splashed in the face and then he was done with that! They had a really good time and then Heidy made us all dinner. Henry fell asleep in the car on the way home because he was so exhausted and now Frances is playing with a toy castle that I said she could keep from the yard sale.
It was an exhausting day, but in a good way. Heidy took pictures of the kids, so hopefully I will be able to post some soon.