9/8/12

Annual Apple Orchard Day!!!

The girls were, of course, up early. I had Olivia sleep in our room today, hoping they would sleep in a little bit. They weren't going to get a nap today, so I was trying to prepare for that. They made it past 7:00AM today, so I guess that's better than their usual.

We had a nice big breakfast, I cleaned up the kitchen and we spent the morning hanging out together. Then, it was finally time to get ready and head out on our annual trip to the apple orchard. We usually wouldn't go quite this early, but with the strange winter and spring we had, the crops are all ahead of schedule. I've been watching the crop "forecasts" - the ONLY apple worth going to the Orchard for is the Honeycrisp, so I've been watching to make sure we go at the right time. This weekend it is!

And, we typically go to Aamodt's in Stillwater. But, my BFF asked if we could stay a little closer to home and try out an orchard in Lakeville...so, new adventures!

It was the PERFECT day for our trip. It was cool, breezy, but the sun was shining, keeping up warm. Couldn't ask for better apple picking weather! We filled out basket, took a ride on the hay tractor, played in the hay and the hedge maze. The kids rode some little john deere tractors and we caught up with Kari and Jay for a while. Such a great day! We left with a HUGE bag of apples, and some cookies from the bakery. YUM!

When we arrived home, we had some lunch/dinner, then Christian hit the yard to cut the grass. The girls and I hung out downstairs - them ripping apart their toy room, me doing laundry. Finally it was time for baths and bed. They were a little rambunctious tonight, but pretty good for no naps. I finished laundry and caught up on the blog, while Christian went out to grab a bite to eat and a beer with his friend Lorenzo. Since he got the yard done, and I got laundry done, we should have a nice relaxing Sunday ahead of us. Fingers crossed!

Here are this years Apple Orchard pics. YAY!

9/7/12

Well, today wasn't the best day ever. The girls were on a rampage most of the day. We were originally going to meet Olivia's little BFF and her mom at an indoor playground for a while, but her mom woke up with a migraine and had to reschedule. I was bummed - Olivia was looking forward to it, and the weather wasn't great today (rain, cold, windy), so we were stuck inside regardless. AND, since I have no check card again, I couldn't take them to do anything. BOO!

We made it through the morning...breakfast, coloring, baby dolls, dress up, lots of fighting, whining and bickering, lunch and finally naps. YAY, NAPS! I did weigh in this morning, and I was actually down .6lbs - not much, but considering we had our fair trip, and I haven't started my new workout yet, I'm OK with that. Down a total of 35.2, and back over the halfway mark again. Now, to work on the next half...

I spent nap time pulling out Olivia's old 2T stuff for Amelia. There's no way the pants are going to fit her - nor do the 24 months, but I think I'll be able to get some of the shirts on her. I refuse to buy her anymore 18 month clothes, and she needs to warmer stuff, so hopefully we have enough 24 month/2T stuff that will look OK on her. I just need to find her some adjustable waist pants and we'll be good to go. Olivia on the other hand....I finally went through her closet and took out all of the 3T clothes. Some of the shorts will stay out, until shorts season is officially over. 4T tops fit her perfect, but 4T pants are already starting to get short on her. I can't believe she's going to need 5T clothes soon - how is that possible?!? For now, we're just going to get her some jammies and tops, and she can highwater it for a while.

That's how most of my evening was spent...a couple loads of laundry, cleaning out their closet. We had some yummy tacos for dinner and hung out for a while when Christian got home. After the girls went to bed, Christian and I watched "New Years Eve" together. Not the best movie ever, but it was cute with some pretty funny parts. I liked it.

Finally, it was time for bed. Looking forward to the weekend, nothing better!

Here is a (blurry phone) picture I took of Amelia, giving her baby a check up today...such a cutie.

9/6/12

It's Friday/Thursday. YAY! The girls had another great week in school. They were well-behaved, helpful, took great naps. They are doing great. Amelia's teacher was really sad when I reminded her that she wouldn't be there tomorrow. She just loves Amelia to death (who wouldn't?!?). It makes me kind of sad that they don't go there every day. I sure wish it was more affordable, I wouldn't hesitate to move them to full time.

Work flew by. I got a TON of stuff done this week (I guess the ONE upside to losing my neighbor). Christian's work has been going well too. He's had two recent paycheck issues...first, his check was short, so they paid him cash to make up the difference. Then, they overpaid him 8 hours of overtime. Those 8 hours were supposed to come back out of his check this week. The funny thing is, his check was still almost as much as it was last time, with the extra 8 hours OT. STUPID taxes, it's crazy how much of a difference it makes. It's almost not worth it to work that extra time...

We finally had a fairly relaxing night at home tonight. No car stuff. No swing set. I made a lasagna last night to eat tonight, so dinner was already done. I got the family fed and settled in, than ran to Target. BY MYSELF. It was peaceful and relaxing. We really just needed cat food and contact lens solution, but I stretched that trip out as long as I could! I feel like for the last week if I wasn't at work, it was me and the girls while Christian was busy taking care of some issue. Definitely needed a little break tonight!

When I got home, the girls went straight to bed, and we pretty much called it a night. Christian works tomorrow, and I'm sure the girls will have me up bright and early. No rest for the weary!

After dinner, the girls snuck out in their jammies to try out the bubble machine Amelia got for her birthday. It's actually SUPER cool. It works really good, and makes some HUGE bubbles...with little bubbles inside. The girls thought it was amazing...

9/5/12

Another day down. Mostly a good one, with a little hiccup thrown into the mix.

First, I picked up the girls from school and we rushed home, and straight to the backyard to check out the big surprise. Of course, Olivia knew exactly what was going on. But, she was still really excited. And, Amelia was surprised and so happy. It was great to see them having so much fun and so happy and joyful. We had considered getting a swing set last summer, and I'm glad we waited until both of the girls were old enough to enjoy it. Love these girls to death - they drive me nuts, but they are so much fun, so happy and so full of life.

Now, the hiccup. Of course, more car issues. Back in June, Christian replaced the brakes and caliper on one of the wheels. This is the same wheel he just had to replace the brake pads on again Monday night. He decided that the caliper he put on was bad. So, tonight he took it off, brought it back to the auto parts store and exchanged it for a new one. He got the new part on pretty quickly (I mean, obviously he's basically a pro by now), so at least that part was good.

Ay, I could not be more sick of my stupid car! Just seriously hoping with all of my might that we can make it last another year or even two. PLEEEEEASE?!?!

By the time Christian arrived home, the girls were fed, bathed and in bed. Ready for our "Friday"!

Here are some pictures of the girls enjoying their park. Yippie!

9/4/12

Well, back to work today. BUT, there's nothing like a Tuesday, that feels like a Monday, but is really "Wednesday". Hooray for 3 day work weeks!!

I'm a little bitter at work right now. Our office is being reconfigured a little bit, and the person I work with the most (who is also a good friend of mine), that currently sits right next to be, is being moved across the office. It's really frustrating, and really bothers me. We work together ALL DAY LONG, asking questions, helping each other out. It's such a convenience. And, just having somebody that close that you can  quick vent to when necessary (and, in our office/line of work, is often), is nice. It's going to take me a while to accept this! Between this, the drama and the business, I've definitely been a little hermit crab at work lately, just stuck in my cubicle working away. I don't like it, it's not me...

After work, I picked up the girls from school and had the task of keeping them inside, entertained and away from the windows. Christian and his friend Lorenzo were FINALLY finishing the swing set tonight. Really, all of the pieces just needed to be put together. It still took a while, but it's DONE and perfect. YAY! Unfortunately it was pretty late and starting to get dark by the time it was up and ready for play, so the girls will finally get to see it and go crazy tomorrow. I can't wait :)

Here are some pictures of the process, and the finished product. YAY, our own park!

9/3/12

Well, our long weekend of chaos has come to an end. Definitely wasn’t boring, that’s for sure. Still, not looking forward to heading back to work though. At least Friday is my flex day, so a 3-Day work week, I can handle that!

The girls were pretty exhausted this morning. I had Olivia sleep in our room last night to make sure they could both get their sleep. They just wake each other up too early, and it’s not good. Amelia did wake up around 7:00, left the room (slamming the door behind her), saw nobody was awake, went back into her room (slamming the door behind her) and went back to bed. I finally ended up opening her door so she could wake up around 10:15. Olivia did hear the door slamming, and woke up, but when I told her that Amelia went back to bed, she fell asleep again until a little after  9:00. We laid in bed and watched some cartoons until 10:00, then woke Christian up to start the day.

He quickly got dressed, and headed outside to get all of the tools and stuff together to get back to swing set building. I got the girls up, dressed and fed, then we went to join him outside. I was able to help Christian while the girls played…sandbox, bubbles, swinging…everything. We ended up filling the pool for them because it was pretty hot out, so that kept them busy for a while. Olivia keeps asking about her “park”, but I keep telling her “no, we’re building a house for Chuy”. I don’t think I can “trick” her for much longer though!

The girls started getting a little crabby, so I ordered some Davanni’s for lunch and I watched a movie with them until the food got there. Then, they went down for a nap – I wasn’t sure if they would take one, but they most definitely needed one by that point. Christian and I finished putting together the main “clubhouse” portion of the swing set, and with that, everything was TOGETHER, it just needs to be combined. We called it a day there because it’s Labor Day, and we were off to a BBQ at his parents’ house!

We showered and got ready, then the girls were up and we were off. My sister in law and her 3 girls were there, so we were all pretty excited to see them again and spend some time together. Can you imagine, 5 girls running around together…from 2-7…my, the screams could be heard from a mile away! They had a blast though, so hopefully we can get them together often!

On our way to their house, we noticed my car was making YET another noise – actually, the same as the last time we had issues…it sounded like an airplane taking off when I would stop or go. Sure enough, another brake was going out. Luckily, last time Christian only had to replace one of the back brakes, but they’re sold as a set of two, so he had all of the parts he needed. He’s a pro by now, so we whipped off the tire, replaced it and put it back together in no time. UGH, stupid car! Thank god he’s good with cars, and willing to work on them, or we’d be screwed! Hopefully we can catch a break for a while now!

We finally left (late) and headed home. Got the girls bathed and in bed, watched a little TV and passed out. Exhausted doesn’t explain it after this weekend!

Here are a few pictures of our day…the girls having a little fun in the backyard, and finally together with their cousins!

9/2/12

FAIR DAY! Finally, State Fair Day! I’ve been waiting for this day all year! LOL

First up though, swing set building. We woke up (the girls, TOO bright and early – then sent back to”bed” per our new rules), had some breakfast and started our day. Christian had to run to his parents’ house to get some power tools, then started unpacking the boxes and getting everything set up. I got the girls dressed, then we all made our way outside. I went between helping him and playing with the girls. I ended up putting them down for a fairly early nap because we were off to the fair tonight, so we wanted to make sure they got a decent nap in. We usually go to the fair around breakfast time, but I decided I wanted the girls to see all of the lights and everything as it started getting dark. And, the crowds dwindle significantly as the evening approaches, so we decided to switch things up this year.

We stopped working on the swing set shortly after the girls went down so we could clean up, shower and get ready. We arrived at the fair around 3:30 and began our adventures. First up, of course, the Battered Australian Potatoes. SO GOOD, and the girls loved them too. Next up, we made our way to the Kidway to meet up with our friends Kelly & Jack and their kids, so Olivia could go on rides with Annabelle. They had so much fun together, that was definitely a good plan. I didn’t want her to have to go on rides by herself, so that worked out well. We split up after a few rides, Amelia and Olivia went on a couple together, and then we were off again. Next up I got my Pronto Pup and the girls had their Cheeseburger Sticks. Amelia loved them, Olivia, not so much. So, she got herself a Pronto Pup as well. We made our way through the International Bazaar and I got the girls their Christmas Ornaments. We stopped to get some fresh fruit and lemonade to share, which was also a big hit (VERY yummy, especially on a hot day!). We stopped in Adventure Park and Olivia did the extreme trampoline. She loved it, but it definitely wore on her after a bit. She looked exhausted (and kind of sick) by the end. Poor thing. I grabbed my Deep Fried Pickles, Mini Donuts for the girls, and we went off wandering some more. Christian and Olivia went down the giant slide, of course a HUGE hit with her. She was definitely having the time of her life! We stopped to get Christian his Cheese Curds, then made our way to the Miracle of Birth Barn. PERFECT timing, it was getting late, and NO CROWDS! So much better than the usual chaos we’ve had to deal with the past few years! Finally, I stopped to get my Malt at the Dairy Barn, Christian grabbed a beer, we sat and hung out for a few minutes, then decided to call it a night. We got back to the car around 9:15. The girls were so excite and full of stories from their exciting trip to the fair. Amelia was COVERED in sugar from the Mini Donuts, so she was immediately nicknamed our little Sugar Mama, which she enjoyed immensely. Such amazing memories, like usual.

Olivia passed out pretty quickly once we were on our way home. Amelia stayed awake the entire ride (thanks to said sugar, I’m sure). They went straight to bed once we got home, and we weren’t far behind. Great, exhausting, wonderful day!