Monday Madness

Today our Mom&Me group planned to go to The Game for some morning playtime. For some reason, they never opened. While we were sitting in the parking lot thinking of "Plan B" (MacDonald's playland), our friend Tarra offered that we go to her gym and let the kids all run around in there. What a GREAT idea she had. They LOVED it!!

Julia has fun swinging in this cushion!

Ry is a ball of laughter...

...a rolling ball of laughter that is, thanks to Aunt Krista and Tyler!

Ty is ready to hit the trampoline with me! =)

Sad Day

Our morning started fun...the kids BOTH slept in (thank you, daylight savings time!) and we met Jeff's family for coffee up at Sacred Grounds.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL (this was right before all the rain/wind tornados began sweeping through IL).  

I then got a text message with information that changed this wonderful day into one of saddness...we received word that there had been a shooting at Maryville Baptist Church, which is also where the kids attend preschool.

In case you haven't had the news on today, my sister sums up this senseless tragedy on her blog, or you can see a news story here. 

A 27 yr old man walked into the church and fired shots at Pastor Fred.  His gun jammed, and some men from the church tackled the man to the ground (and were inflicted with knive wounds during this struggle).  I keep thinking of that guy...WHY would he do this???  I know he and his family need prayers too..it is just hard to be in the place to want to lift him up.  

Please pray for Pastor Fred's wife and daughters, and the church family at MBC. Pastor Fred's wife, Cindy, is also the sister of our favorite photographer, Will Jackson (what a small world!).  

The verse I keep repeating in my head as I ask "Why?" is this: Proverbs: 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Kidmania

Tomorrow is a HUGE kids resale event at EHS called Kidmania from 8am-noon. (Please come if you are in the area!!! It is such a fun morning!) I have a booth to sell some of our kids clothes and toys and such. Here is one LARGE item we are selling...so if anyone wants it before I sell it tomorrow, let me know! It's the Fisher Price sports center, yours for $25.(It is currently selling for $179 at Walmart).

Basketball hoop and hole to throw a football through or pitch a baseball at...

And golf, of course...

These side things that are down right now fold up for storing...I just couldn't figure out how to do it. I'm challenged in that department! =) Once when we had a new stroller and I went to the mall with my friend Em, we couldn't figure out how to get it folded up. We had to take the headrests off the back seats to get it in like that. Now THAT was a funny memory. I wish I could at least say it was when I was a new mom, but it was after Julia was born! =) Anyway, I digress...

Let me know by this evening if you are interested, or I'll go ahead and sell it tomorrow. We don't have the hockey sticks or balls that came with this anymore. We've just been using regular balls.

Dancing Ryan

Our dancing king is back in action!

Dancing Julia

...and we must give baby sister her fair share of "airtime" or the union will be all over me! =)

So Silly!

So, Jeff bought me this little video camera that he said is MUCH easier to operate than our other one. I LOVE it. It's about the size of my cell phone, and has a little USB that pops out so I can just upload straight to the blog. Talk about awesome for a technology-challenged girl!
(See, so easy I can drive and record at the same time!)
Ry was playing his computer in the car this morning on the way to preschool and was cracking up. He'd laugh and say "Well, that is SO SILLY!!" It was like he was auditioning to be the Fisher Price "Laugh & Learn" poster-child! Of course, by the time I started taping him, he stopped. But you'll get the idea...

Cutest Dress Ever!

I just ordered the CUTEST dress from Etsy and had to share...and bonus perk, REVERSIBLE. Isn't that adorable?! I love it...and the fact, we spill lunch down one side (quite likely!), flip it inside out and voila..the party never has to stop. =)

Wedding Pics - 25 yrs later

My sister Krista posted some pics from our parents wedding on her blog. I wanted to link to them to share. FUN!

Ryan Freeze Dancing

He must have been tired-- he's not nearly his crazy dancing self!

Julia Steals Ice Cream

After dinner Jeff was standing at the counter with the ice cream. He set it down and walked away to discipline Ryan for something. Neither of us noticed Julia walk over and take matters into her own hands. I forget she can reach things on the edge of the counters these days if she has enough motivation!

Happy Anniversary!

This afternoon we celebrated my parents 25th wedding anniversary. For those of you who don't know our "story" we are a bit like the Brady Bunch. (If you are doing the math and wondering why the kids came before the wedding...when they got married we were 4,5,6,and 7...can you even imagine the chaos around the house?!?!)

The Conway Bunch. =)

Again, is it POSSIBLE to get a photo where two children are looking at the camera?!?

No DJ necessary; Ty and Julia show off their dance moves.

Monkey Joe's

Today our Mom&Me group went to a fun new indoor playground in Fairview Heights called Monkey Joe's.

Julia learned how to jump with both feet off the ground a month or so ago, and the "newness" still has not worn off. I'll often catch her saying "Jump, jump!" as she goes up and down. Naturally, she thought today's activity was SUPER.

Ry decides that maybe the slide is just too high and he comes running down the ladder.

We met Danielle there, a photographer who noticed my camera. She shot a few shots to test out our lens. Julia was not cooperating (and that is an understatement!) for this photo opp, but she still got a few cute ones!

Girl/Boy Differences

Ryan and Julia have spent much of their free time this week playing in the dollhouse. It is so interesting how differently they play! Here, Julia has the family all set up enjoying a meal.

And while she has moved the furniture out of the respective bedrooms, it is fairly organized.

Ryan takes kid sister from the nice meal and poses her on the roof, from which she jumped shortly after I snapped this pic.

Then a huge rock lands in the kitchen (thank you Ryan) and a monster truck drives through, stopping moments before hitting baby brother. I think baby was only spared because Julia started screaming at Ry at this point...and she can scream pretty loudly. =)

Job Perks

Every job has it's perks. Today, I am SO appreciating one of the SAHM perks...it is BEAUTIFUL outside. You know those days..the first great warm spring days where you just want to stay outside and revel in the amazing fact that you don't need to be wearing a coat? The fact it doesn't take 10 minutes to put on socks, shoes, coats, hats, gloves, etc. on the little people. The freedom to just walk out the door as is!?!
I remember in my "last life" when I had my "real job" (you know, the one that required heels, pantyhose and lipstick?!) going out for lunch on these days and being sad to not have the freedom to just spend the rest of the day outside...SO, we are taking full advantage of today!

She can actually reach the pedals now! Such a big girl. We had her 2 year old checkup this morning. 32 lbs puts her in the 95% for weight, and she is 90% for height. She's a "healthy solid girl" were the actual words the Dr. said. What every mother wants to hear about her little girl..uh, sorta! =)

Crazy for peppers

I pulled out these peppers as an ingredient in something I was cooking. Julia was sitting at the counter and said "Apple, Mommy." I said, "No, red and green pepper." And the next thing I knew, she took a big bite out of it. And liked it...and kept on eating.

Of course, Ryan wanted in on the action too. It is funny, when Julia was chomping away like it was candy, he didn't want to miss out!