Where anyone can be a kid!!

Wasn't that the old Chuck - e - Cheese slogan?  "Where a kid can be a kid".  That was not only true for Parker yesterday, but for Aunt Christie and I as well!.

Christie was heading home so she and Grandma Laura picked up the girls early from daycare and met me at Chuck - e - Cheese in Plano.  While Parker did have fun, she was a little tired and couldn't play a ton of the ticket generating games, so Aunt Christie and I just had to play several games to win her tickets. :)  Our favorites were basket ball and a baseball game.  They also had "Deal or No Deal" which was a blast.

We tried several times to get a good picture from the sketch machine.  Here's the best ones we ended up with.

Overall it was a great day!

Parker singing into the microphone, which was probably the best prize she picked.

She also loved these glasses, but they were a little too big for her.

Every time we go to Chuck - e - Cheese she just LOVES the mouse.  She's always timid at first, but by the time we leave she's telling me she needs to go back and visit the mouse again.

Juliet had fun too!

This was Parker's favorite ride.  I think she rode it about 5 times in a row until we convinced her to try some other things.

Here's some other pics from the week. :)

Last Friday night they had a Happy Hour at Crossfit.  We stopped by after dinner and Parker showed off her tricks on the rings. 

Juliet is sitting up all the time now.  She can't quite push herself to a sitting position yet, but we did go in to her room last night to find her sitting up in her crib.  Guess what we're doing today. (Lowering the mattress so she doesn't fall out!)

It may just be proud mother syndrome, bu tcan all 2 year olds draw a happy face that well?  We were super impressed.

Have a great week and we'll see you again soon!

Florida 2013 - Wrap Up & Beginning of February

We said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Hollenbeck on Thursday and began the long trek home

We spent Thursday night with Miss Candy and Mr Thomas in Talahassee!  It was great to see their new place and very hyper puppies. :)  Miss Candy had Friday off so we stuck around a little while to play.  The girls just loved her!!

On Saturday night we took the girls to my parent's house in East Texas and Darren and I headed to our first stop on the Matchbox Twenty tour in Longview, TX.  I had no idea the seats were as amazing as they were. We were 6th row in a concert hall type theater.  Needless to say the night was amazing!!!

Once we got home, Monday February 4th marked Juliet's first day of daycare!  She is loving it and Parker is happy that sissy finally goes the same place she does!

Parker was super excited to start back at dance and gymnastics as well!

Overall it was an amazing trip, worked out really well and I'm so glad we did it!  Looking forward to planning our next trip with the girls soon!  Now to decide where to go next. :)

A couple fun things the girls were doing / started doing on the trip or since we got home:

Juliet learned to sit by herself about the time we left.  She really improved while we were gone and now is pretty consistent with sitting up for long periods of time without falling over.

Parker has started asking questions!!  It started with Where'd < insert person or thing here> go?  She also loves babies and dolls and is simulating taking care of them.

Juliet can say "dada"!  Well, it's more like babbling dadadadada, but it's still pretty cool!  She also laughs all the time and loves to have her feet tickled.

Parker is officially off the pacifier!!!!  It was amazing how easy it was.  She cried and screamed for about 2 nights but after that she's asked for it twice maybe, but wasn't that upset when I said it was gone.  It's been over a week now and she's doing great!!

Juliet is lunging forward like she's going to crawl, and standing up holding on to the couch.  It won't be long before she's pulling up!!

Parker's memory and communication skills are improving!  Last week we asked her about what everyone brought for show and tell at daycare, and she remembered most of them.  One item she didn't remember the name of so she acted it out for us!!  She also remembers several songs now and sings all the time. :)

Juliet has started solid food.  Well not consistently yet, but she's had a few bites of sweet potato and banana. :)

Well, I guess that's it for now!!  I'll leave you with their valentines picture and outtakes. :)

Florida 2013 - Time with the Hollenbecks

We spent a wonderful 4 days with Grandma and Grandpa Hollenbeck in Naples, FL.  Here's a summary of the week in pictures.

On Sunday morning we went to an outdoor church.  The kids did really well and enjoyed the music.  It was a mixture of Jimmy Buffett and Southern gospel.

After church we went for brunch at the Yacht Club.

Proud Grandpa

Grandma and Parker

That afternoon the girls watched while Grandpa put the baby gate up around the pool.

Grandma borrowed some baby toys from a friend.  Parker enjoyed pushing her "baby" around in the stroller.

Juliet enjoyed playing with some measuring spoons Grandma gave her.

Both girls enjoyed swimming in the pool.

Darren decided to cook breakfast Tuesday morning.  He made bacon, eggs and blueberry pancakes.  It was delicious!

After breakfast we went out on the boat.  Grandma had the wonderful idea to bring the pack and play so Juliet had a place to sleep where we didn't have to worry about her rolling around.

View out the front of the boat.

We stopped on an island for a picnic lunch.  Someone fell asleep on the boat so we let her nap in the shade.

After lunch we walked along a pretty path that led to the ocean.

Someone left a starfish!

Grandpa was awesome at feeding Jules!

Grandma took Parker into the water.

After we finished at the beach, Grandpa decided we needed ice cream!!

Parker was VERY excited about the ice cream.

They all get ice cream and I'm forced to munch on my hand... :P

This is actually from Monday afternoon.  We visited the club house at a resort where Grandma and Grandpa are members / owners.

Parker really enjoyed swimming!  We couldn't believe how well she took to the water.  First we used the tube...

Then the arm floaties!!

Such a big girl!!

On Wednesday Grandma offered to watch Jules while we took Parker to the public beach.  Jules was really excited to get to spend time with Grandma and not have to go sit in the sun!

Parker loved playing in the sand!

She helped Daddy build his sandcastle masterpiece.

When she saw me writing her name in the sand she had to come investigate!

That gave Daddy time to finish his castle!!  If you look close you can see Snow White and Cinderella hanging out.

After awhile we were all hungry so we drove to downtown to find a place to eat.  Parker and Daddy just about fell asleep walking around so much.

We finally stopped to eat!  Parker was a happy girl!

Thursday morning we left for home.  Watch for the next post to see what other adventures we enjoyed on the last three days!