Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother Date Night

   It was a pretty last minute decision but we took Big Brother to the movies to see The Muppets Most Wanted. He was pretty excited and did well with the movie even though it was a pretty late showing for a 3 year old. He worked on his snack box and drank his blue icy. When the movie was done he wanted me to take his picture with some of the stand ups in the hallway. He got a little cranky at the end but it was a fun little date night for the three of us while Froggie stayed with my mom.

Holding our tickets

One of the Most Wanted

Captain America

Posing with Toothless

Visiting Daddy

     I had a dentist appointment today so afterwards we made a pit stop to visit Hubby in his office. The kids ran around and visited for a little bit before deciding that Hubby's desk was a nice place to hide and play. They didn't sit still for long but I thought it was adorable!

A nice little fort

Friday Lunch Date

     After work I typically head home with the kids so they can nap. Today, however, we decided to go visit with Hubby so he and I could get some lunch while the kids (who had already eaten) had some snacks. So we headed to Hubby's office to pick him up and then went across the street to Panera, which was delicious! The kids had a blast with their fruit cups, Froggie even tried to drink her fruit!

Froggie tried to keep me from going to work with the big kids.

Froggie with her Fruit.

     After we were done eating we returned Hubby to his office to finish working and headed to Target, since it's my favorite store and we were nearby. We didn't really need anything but I picked up a few things for Easter baskets, a care package and some toys for the kids just because. They were pretty well behaved until it was time to go and they started getting cranky. They really liked sitting side by side in the cart!

The kids in the monster cart at Target

Froggie giving her new fish "kisses". 

Coping with the Cold

     Brrrrrr… It's cold out there (notice the "feels like" temp! From 10:17pm Monday night)! We, like much of the nation, are experiencing some record lows for our area. I think this is the coldest it has been in this area in about 20 years. I remember school being cancelled once because of cold temperatures when I was in middle or high school. We live in the snow belt so schools rarely close, and every school in the area closed for Tuesday, some before students even had been there half a day Monday. This is how we stayed warm this evening after Big Brother went to bed.

Froggie slept in some blankets on my lap. 

Hubby sat next to us and played a game. 

I worked on some little crochet projects while snuggling with Froggie.

Get the Party Started

     Today was Big Brother's 3rd birthday party. We had made the decision to have it outside of the house this year and thought that we would try bowling. While we had completely intended to take him bowling before today it never happened and so today was his first time bowling as well.
     He was SO excited that he didn't nap and so he got a little crazy during his party, but you'll have that with 3 year olds. He did a great job bowling and with his pizza, cupcake and ice cream. He was also pretty patient about opening his presents and didn't even start asking about them until after we ate. Here are some pictures from the day.

Our 3 year old

Hubby celebrating a gutter ball

Birthday boy bowling

Froggie & her Godfather

Bowling!

Waiting

Aunt Jen & Uncle Chris 

Hanging

Froggie & her Godmother

Scored an 80!

The cake

Sleepy Froggie and grandma

She slept through cake!

Happy Birthday to you...

he wanted road, grass and a cone on his cupcake

I'd say he liked it!

opening presents

He had a helping friend

Some excited faces

One joint present for the kids

What's in there?

Disney on Ice tickets!

Playing with his presents

Mini Vacation: Day #1 Travel

     Today was our big travel Day! We got up a little early, got dressed and loaded the car before heading out to the airport. Once we got there and started unloading the car and ran into a snag in our plans. First, I struggled to get Froggie`s car seat unlatched and then our plan to strap the car seats to our luggage didn't pan out as expected. We ended up having to carry the car seats from gate to gate the entire day.

We found a dinosaur in the airport.

     I tried prepping Big Brother for security right off the bat in the morning and he was excessively concerned that he or his belongings were going to be squished during screening. He did well and had no melt downs (thank God for answered prayers!). We went through a new line in security where we didn't have to open anything or take off our shoes. I didn't even have to take Froggie out of the Ergo, which was a huge life saver. All the way through and Big Brother's only complaint was due to the fact that he wanted a snack thanks to not eating more than a few bites of breakfasts. So once we found our gate my mom stayed with our luggage while the kids and I went and bought some drinks and snacks.

Our first plane

The kids and their first plane.

The kids and their first plane.

     Our first flight went off without a hitch and our flight even landed early! Big Brother played with his Leap Pad 2 almost the whole flight and despite my typical views on children and over exposure to electronics I recommend some sort of tablet with games or videos to make the flight pass a little more quietly. Froggie nursed during take off and played at the window and with her new jellyfish toy as well as snacking throughout the flight and playing peek-a-boo with the couple behind us. I think the only issue we had that flight was that Big Brother didn't want to leave his seat belt on.

Nursing cover and suckers!

In flight entertainment.

Looking out the window.

Froggie`s view for flight #1

Froggie and I on her first plane ride.

She had a blast! 

The kids got jellyfish on the plane.

Flying with Grandma.

     After a very long walk carting our belongings across the airport in Charlotte, NC we made it to our next gate just before they began boarding. This was a smaller plane and we had to wait a little longer to turn stuff on (at least it seemed that way). Big Brother ended up watching Disney`s Planes during this flight (ironic right?) but got upset when we had to turn everything off to land. Froggie nursed again during take off and I think I forgot to mention Big Brother had a sucker and bunnies to combat the pressure change. Froggie REALLY wanted to take the kindle and headphones that Big Brother had so she played with a book an  had  a teething cookie which got EVERYWHERE!  In addition to the mini freak out about giving up the Kindle we battled the seat belt issue again and Froggie decided that just  about three quarters of the way through our flight would be a good time to poop. Let me tell you, there is nowhere to change a diaper on a plane not to mention we were told to put our seat belts back on. Needless to say our first stop in Pensacola was the bathroom. The young woman sitting in front of us noticed Big Brother's daddy doll and gave me a dog tag to give to him. It was a very nice gesture on the part of a stranger!

The kids and I on our second flight

Watching "Planes" on our second flight.

Looking out the window on flight #2

The view on flight #2

Gift for Hubby from a girl on flight #2.

     We walked, with car seats in tow to get our rental car. I think that process was the most frustrating, especially since  everything was already booked and confirmed online and I should have just had to show them my I'D and card and been given my keys. Big Brother ran around with his blankie tied around his neck like a cape and watched luggage come in. The blanket cape was done out of necessity since he wouldn't stop dragging it on the floor, but it kept him entertained. He was able to climb into a Blue Angel cockpit they had in baggage claim as well and was super excited about it.

Blanket cape!

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

     We packed up our rental and headed towards Hubby who, for the record, is directionally challenged and sent me in the wrong  direction numerous times. We got checked in, unloaded and settled in the rain but it cleared up by dinner and we were able to walk around (without coats!) after dinner.
     Did I mention that Zippy made the trip? Big Brother found him hanging from a lamp shade once we got settled.

Zippy came to Florida with us!