Zoo Day

Yesterday, the kids and I decided we would go to the zoo today for family day. I am not a big fan of the zoo and neither is Tyler. On many occasions he stopped and said, "Mommy, I smell something." I would chuckle to myself every time and you would have too if you could have seen the expression on his face.


We made sure to put on our sunscreen before walking around. NyCee declared, "It's hot. I need some water." (I had their water containers and snacks in my backpack.) I made sure we all stayed hydrated as to not get thirsty.

As we walked around, their favorite exhibit was the Orangutan's lair. The kids were fascinated with the play area constructed for the animals. At one point, they both walked around on their kunckles and knees like an Orangutan.

Our last stop was to view the zebras. We did not cover half the zoo as the kids were getting tired of walking. As I took a picture of them, I remembered my phone as the ability to reverse the camera. (Thank God for the iPhone 4.) So I was able to include myself in a picture. How fun was that, huh?

Although she said she was tired, NyCee did not go to sleep on the ride home. She listed to her Cat in the Hat book from leapfrog. Tyler on the otherhand was knocked up by the time we left the parking lot.

Mommy's Little Fishes

As you can imagine, swimming pools are abundant in AZ. Because of that, I have the kids enrolled in swimming lessons. Not only is it a great skill and sport, it is a necessity. Sadly, every year 100s of children die from drowning incidents.

Tyler has been doing very well. I think part of that is because he no longer takes baths but enjoys the shower. He gets his face wet so being in the pool is not hard for him. He follows instructions well, but is still a little nervous about following his teacher's instructions. It's only his second class but he seems to be enjoying himself.

NyCee loves her lessons and just dives (yes, the pun was intended) into them.

The center even teaches proper swimming pool skills such as getting in and out of the water. Today, the instructor took NyCee's group down to six feet as let them jump to her. NyCee kept looking back through the window and giving me the "thumbs up" signal.



Both of them are doing an amazing job.

"It's hard out there for a 3 year old"

Around 430p, the whole no nap thing hit Bubba like a ton of bricks. He kept dozing off while sitting in front of the TV. As long as he is active, he is fine. When he sits down, it's a wrap!

Easter Weekend

Friday afternoon, the kids and I went out shopping looking for NyCee's Easter shoes. While out, I found a pair of shoes for myself. (I have decided that each month, I buy myself a "treat." Not just clothes but a Coach purse, or in this case, Coach shoes.)

To help balance out the day, I would let the kids play at various little play stations. It is getting easier being out with them because they are older and we can get in and out of the car faster.

It was beautiful this weekend. The tempature was in the mid 80s with light winds. The plan was to take a family picture this morning but that didn't happen.

Nana Ida bought the kids' Easter Outfits. As she put it, "I was just out shopping and happened to find the clothes." Of course you did Nana. HA! But if it makes her feel pretty inside, okay!

They looked so adorable. Even if it only lasted 5 minutes!

Today, he is 3!

Tyler turned three years old today. When I woke him up this morning, he walked into his bedroom and saw the "Blast-Off Buzz Lightyear" on his bed. He said, "Big Buzz Lightyear! Thank you Mommy." I was really touched that he remembered to say thank you. After we got dressed, we headed to the barber shop so that he could get a hair cut. After the barber shop, we headed to IHOP for breakfast. The kids had pancakes and a lady made them balloon shaped items. Tyler had a spider man and NyCee had a princess tiara. After breakfast, we went to Chuck 'e Cheese so the kids could play games. Both kids had fun earning tickets and both wanted to play their games themselves. Neither wanted help from mom. (They are both getting so big.) Next, it was off to lunch at Chick-fil-a. That is what Tyler wanted. (Personally, all fast food is yucky to me but I can tolerate Chick-fil-a better than most. Chick-fil-a now serves a Banana Pudding Milkshake that has crumbles of Nilla Wafers! O-M-G! Could there possibly be a greater expression of God's love towards me?!?!?!)
Birthday nap. He fell out of the bed while asleep. He exclaimed, "Mommy, I fell. I okay."

When we got to church, Cadence, walked up to Tyler and started telling him about the "owie" on her foot. Tyler listened intently and then gave her a hug. (Cadence is his little girlfriend from his class. He has now transitioned to another room and didn't want to go because he wanted to be in class with Cadence.)


We didn't stay at church long as we still had to have birthday cake. I bought an over sized cupcake, put a Buzz Light year toy car on it, a candle, and we sung happy birthday.


Like a big boy, he blew out his candle when the song ended.


And then in true Tyler form, began eating his cake getting blue icing all over his mouth and hands.



We just celebrated his birthday as a family today. I am learning how to do more things with them since we are all the family each other has out here in AZ. (But I love where I live.)

Sprawled out

I went upstairs to check on NyCee and Tyler. They were quiet so I figured they were asleep. I had no idea what awaited me as I entered NyCee's room. The kids wanted to sleep in the clubhouse tonight so I let them. Tyler was sprawled out, butt naked fast asleep. (For obvious reasons, I cannot post that type of picture on the Internet.) But it was funny. I do not understand why he is going through a nude phase.

Lately, he was been taking off his clothes while watching TV. I will look up and see his little black behind laying in the floor. Hopefully, this will end soon. Could get a little weird once they start going back to daycare.

"And there goes another one..."

Tooth number 3 has fallen out. The tooth fairy has paid quite a few visits to the Thompson household.

Family Friday

We have family time every Friday evening. That may consists of watching a movie or going to the park or something along those lines. Two Fridays a month, we have family day. Well, today for family day, we went to the Children's museum. The kids really enjoyed themselves. It was very interactive and engaging enough were they wanted to do more.

The started by making a picture with birdseed. Of course Bubba attempted to eat the seeds only to quickly learn they were disgusting. I have no idea why he is into putting things in his mouth.

Next, they "served" me ice cream cones.

The biggest thrill for both of them was the "car wash" or "washing car" as my kids would say. They continually rode through there over and over and over again.


NyCee stopped for a photo shoot.

It was a fun day. We had to drive downtown and the kids kept asking if it were a long way away. Well, to them, the drive was fairly long because we can usually get to everything we need in about 15 minutes or less.

Butt-A** Naked

Every night before I go to bed, I take Bubba to the bathroom. He sleeps in underwear and has only had one or two accidents since being potty trained. But to help prevent any accidents, I still take him to the bathroom about two hours after he goes to sleep. Tonight was no different. Well, that is not entirely true.

He climbed into his sister's bed and was sleeping near the foot of the bed. I picked him up to carry him into the bathroom. It wasn't until I sat him on the toilet that I realized he was not wearing any pants! Or underwear! He had removed them and threw them off NyCee's bed onto the floor. My first thought was to let him sleep like that so that maybe his little bottom would get cold enough and he wouldn't do that again. But I thought better and put his on his pants and underwear.

It truly would have been a funny sight in the morning to walk in a see his little brown butt hanging out of the covers.

Enjoying an afternoon

The kids and I went out to ride scooters. I really love living in AZ. The red mountain landscape is majestic. Whenever I drive down the stress, I just spend time praising God for all of His mighty works.

The kids kept asking to "take a rest" while riding the scooters. I made them continue to ride one way and then they ran and played red light, green light on the way back home. Mommy carried the scooters.

Splish Splash

I am fairly confident that you can tell where I am going with this entry based on the title. My son has discovered the joy of peeing in the standing position. While that is a good thing, he has not yet learned to fully aim at the water and put down the seat. So mommy went to use the bathroom, in my room mind you, and fell in the toilet. REALLY?!?!?!
And I have to keep Clorox wipes in every bathroom because it smelled like pee the other day when I walked in. I almost had a fit. So, the next lesson will be to practice aiming to get the pee-pee in the water and not all over my toilet.