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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Spring Break Vacation: Twin Cities

Our daycare was off the week of March 30 so we decided to take a break too!  We went to the Twin Cities.

Thankfully the day we left it was supposed to get nice so we had planned to go to the zoo!  Nice was an understatement!  It ended up being close to 80!  Perfect day for a trip to the zoo!

After the zoo, we made a stop at Whole Foods and Ikea.  Whole Foods was awesome.  I got so lost in Ikea!

Then it was time for check in at our hotel.  Livie and I stayed in the room to take a nap, while Tavin and Shaun went to the pool!


After a little break we walked to get dinner at a local Mexican place.  It was still nice enough that we could enjoy it outside!  

The next day we went to the Children's Museum.  The kids enjoyed themselves.  I was exhausted after it!


We grabbed a bite to eat after this and then went back to the hotel for a nap.  After the nap we headed to the Mall.  We did the Sea Life which Tavin really enjoyed.

Then a ginormous meltdown ensued while we searched for somewhere to eat.  It's so hard for a toddler to understand that it's such a big place and it takes time to get to places!  When we finally found a place our waiter did not quite understand why my kids were so unruly.  He apparently has never seen the Snicker's commercials were the tag line is "You're not you when you're hungry!"

Unfortunately, we didn't get to make it to Nickelodeon so Tavin could do some rides.  Maybe next time!

We went back to the hotel and took a quick swim before bed.

The next day it was time to pack up and head back to Grandma's and Papa's.

On the way back home, we stopped in Hudson for a little playtime and lunch.  Our goal was to wear the kids out so they would sleep the 2 hours home.  Livie got the memo.  Tavin didn't :(

Saturday we took Tavin to do an Easter egg hunt.
They had prize eggs and Tavin was lucky enough to get one of them.  His prize-- a bat and baseball!

That afternoon Tavin colored eggs with Grandma and decorated cookies with me.

We went to early Easter church and then came back for breakfast.  Grandma had Tavin do a mini scavenger hunt for his basket.  He did really well!

Olivia also had a basket, which Tavin helped her find and "open".


When we got back to the house on Sunday night Tavin was so exhausted he went right to bed.  So the kids got Easter baskets at home on Monday when they got up.

Tavin's basket had a Buzz/Woody baseball hat, a Buzz alarm clock, and Toy Story jibbitz.

Olivia's had a hat, snack cups, and a little elephant toy.

It was a much better daycare break than in the past where I have tried to work the mornings with both kids and then go home. We will definitely be taking more mini-vacations whenever daycare does!

Dear Olivia: Month 11

Dear Olivia,

::sniff sniff:

It is the last month before you turn 1.  I'm so not ready for it.

We visited one of your newest cousins and you were quite jealous that I was holding a baby.


You finally had your first real cold :(  It started as a runny nose that turned into to croup.  Thankfully, we had been through it with Tavin that we knew what to do.  Friday, 3/13, you woke up with stridor.  I called the peds office and they said you should get an oral steroid because the first day is not the worst.  Unfortunately, they were booked so we spent 3 hours at the walk-in!  It was okay at first but after the second hour you were ready to get out of there and take a nap!

We celebrated Tavin's birthday, which you mostly slept through since you did not take a morning nap.

I also had a week of being a single mom while Dad was on a work trip.  Not fun!


The week after the single mom stint, daycare was off!  So we decided to take a little break and head to the Twin Cities.


Your personality is coming out more and more.  You love to "dance" and "sing".


You are so laid back, but you are sure to make your presence known.  You love to eat--anything.

You don't like dirty diapers, socks, and being put down for very long.

And you also celebrated your first Easter!

It's been a pretty busy month!  I'm so not ready for you to turn 1!
Love,
Mama

Dear Tavin: 3 years old!

Dear Tavin,

My sweet, sweet boy.  How is that you are 3!?!?!



I have watched you grow in so many ways.  From saying random words here and there to full blown sentences.

From wearing diapers all day to just when you sleep.

From being an only child to an AMAZING big brother!


You are very sensitive and hesitant around new things.

You lend a helping hand whenever asked.

You are funny without trying to be.

 You love to be outside and just go, go, go.

You are my snugglebug and give the greatest hugs.


You love Buzz, Curious George, Annie, Frozen, and Minions.


Your favorite foods are pizza, broccoli/cauliflower, and ice cream.

You are starting to learn your colors, numbers, and alphabet.

You like to go to "mama's work".  I keep reminding you that you'll have plenty of time to work later

Your love/hate relationship with Daisy continues as we weaned you off your wubba in early January.  We told you that Daisy chewed the top off.  You proceeded to say "Daisy spit it out".  You did better than expected with the transition.


You have been mostly healthy this year.  Just a few colds, one bought of strep throat which resulted in a MAJOR rash.



Your birthday celebration was great!  We had mostly family and a couple friends.
You were so excited to hold your new cousin, Griffin, who will have a birthday just 5 days before yours!

And as a surprise, Elmo showed up to your party!

In this picture you are getting ready to bolt it!
You were TERRIFIED of Elmo.  So we had to show you how cool he was.  That he gives high-fives

That he was ticklish.
Finally you warmed up to him and we were able to get a couple pictures,


And another surprise, your cake--Buzz Lightyear!  We (well Dad and Grandma) worked pretty hard at it.  It turned out awesome!


You are the best little man around!  Thank you for being you and coming into our lives!  We love you more than you know.

Love Always,
Mama