My Monkeys at the Zoo

WAY back at the beginning of April, Brent had his spring break. I don't think I've EVER been so ready for him to have a school break--with the exception of this upcoming summer break. It has been a ridiculously busy spring for us between soccer coaching, college classes, teaching church classes, planning parties, me starting back to work and just life in general. We were so looking forward to some uninterrupted family time. The kids were just looking forward to actually SEEING their daddy. There were three days at a time during the spring when they wouldn't even see Brent. It was so nice to slow down a bit and have some FUN! We spent the first weekday of his break at the zoo.
We had such a BEAUTIFUL day to go to the zoo. These three little monkeys were all dressed up to pose with the poseys. Don't ask me when I'll be able to actually get all three to look at the camera at the same time--probably when they're about 18!
What a cutie! Funny story about those cute sunglasses--Aunt Katie took Maura to the potty during our time at the zoo. After Maura completed her "business" Katie bent over to help with the wiping, only to have Maura's sunglasses fall off her shirt and directly into the lovely public toilet. Katie and Maura surveyed the glasses floating in the murky water, trying to decide whether to grab them out or not, only to have to automatic flush kick in and make the decision for them! Maura apparently started screaming hysterically in the bathroom stall, and Katie pretty much slunk out of the bathroom in embarrassment, thinking that someone was going to accuse her of child abuse! I had to promise Maura that we'd go buy some new sunglasses ASAP in order to get her to stop crying!
Wonder Aunt Katie--the fact that she'd even contemplate grabbing sunglasses out of a poopy toilet shows just how much she loves these kiddos! Tristan just loved having some fun times with two of his aunts--Lorie and Alexandra came along with us to the zoo.
Checking out those elephants with Aunt Lorie and Aunt Katie.
The Allen family with a new buddy. This was just before the monkey backpack catastrophe. I brought a monkey backpack leash to put on Tristan so we could keep track of him in the crowds. Once upon a time it belonged to Maura and apparently she believes it's hers still. When I strapped that leash on Tristan, she freaked out. I thought that we were done with the zoo then and there. She would NOT. CALM. DOWN. It took a long time and a lot of talking with her to get her to accept the fact that she can't act like that and demand things her way. Here's the thing--if she'd never said anything, Tristan probably would have asked to have it removed in a few minutes. With Maura screaming about how much she wanted that monkey, there was NO WAY he was taking it off! Wow, that took some serious parenting talent, but we eventually got through it and were able to enjoy our zoo experience. I loved the gorillas. This baby gorilla was four years old just like my sweet girl. We were surprised to find out that one of the gorillas was named Mara. Maura was just enchanted to think that she shared a name with a gorilla.
The fruit bat--definitely the favorite animal of the day for Maura at least. She's obsessed with the book Stellaluna at the moment and loved seeing the real animal in the flesh!
My little bat testing out how her wingspan measures up. Notice the offending monkey backpack.
The three amigos. We really had a great time at the zoo. Check out that belly! I think it's the first time it's really appeared in full on this blog!
Daddy and his big little man.
The grand finale--getting to pet a snake on our way out of the zoo. We actually purchased a membership to the zoo on the way out. You could apply your ticket purchase for that day towards your zoo membership, so I didn't see any reason NOT to spend the extra $24 for a year membership, so expect lots of zoo photos in the very new future!

April in Tennessee

Although we weren't able to spend Easter in Tennessee with Nan and Poppa, we headed there later in the week. Brent had spring break the week after Easter, so we spent the week relaxing, going to the zoo and spending time with family. On Friday morning, we packed up to go and spend time with Nan and Poppa. We did make a pit stop at Dinosaur World, one of the least impressive theme parks I've ever visited. Our kids are really into dinosaurs right now, though, and we knew they'd love it!
I have visited Dinosaur World once before with the kids, but Brent hasn't had the pleasure of visiting this delightful destination. Actually it's pretty fun, but WAY overpriced for what you get--a stroll through a forest of plastic dinos and a chance to dig in the sand for some fossils. It was a great chance to allow the kids to get out of the car and run around, though, and they were thankful for the break.
Maura loved getting eaten by the T. Rex. T. Rex is definitely the favorite in this house right now. Every time Tristan sees a dino, he says, "B Rex! Roar!" It's hilarious!
Maura loved acting like a paleontologists and uncovering the stegosaurus bones.
Tristan just loved digging in the sand and throwing it everywhere. Look at that mischievous face. He was probably getting ready to throw sand in his sissy's hair!
Momma and her little dino hunter! My little cuties loved riding the baby mammoth.
Daddy and his big boy. Tristan has just gotten so grown up in the past few months and he's just a big boy now. He's certainly got strong opinions about everything and he's strong and FAST! He ran ahead of us through the whole park and it's hard to keep up with this little speed demon!
Brent getting attacked by the T. Rex. We just couldn't resist...
The kids were ecstatic when we finally got to our final destination...Disney World(AKA Nan and Poppa's house.) They couldn't wait to hug their Nan and Poppa and enjoy all the fun things that there are to do there. Maura loved spending time with her Poppa on the golf cart. I think the kids almost wore the cart out on this trip. I can't wait til they can actually drive it themselves. We'll never see them again!
Tristan was a golf cart driving machine! He kept pleading for more and more rides and he wanted to "do dis" and drive the cart himself.
On Saturday, we met Gigi, Great Grandmother and Aunt Claudia at a small cafe for brunch. Maura loved being out to eat with the big ladies and she did her very best to reign in her wiggles and act like a lady. Maura has the best of intentions when it comes to being still, but sometimes these things are really hard for a four year old!
Nan, Maura and I after lunch. We loved the chocolate covered strawberries, Nan!! Thanks!
That afternoon, we headed over to visit Gigi and Great Grandpoppa. My delicate little girl spent the whole afternoon chasing creepy crawlies. She's a lot like her momma was at her age--no dolls, all bugs.
Tristan is Poppa's boy. I mean he LOVES his Poppa. All weekend long, all he wanted was to see Poppa, be with Poppa, play with Poppa. This looks like musical chairs, but I think it was a simple game of chase...
which almost always disintegrates into a wrestling match with Poppa! Look how much fun this boy is having. Funny story: on the last day we were there, Tristan had a VERY dirty diaper. I went to take him in to change his diaper and he kept yelling, "No, NO, NO!!" When I stopped to ask what the problem was, he said "Poppa change please!" Poor Poppa hasn't changed a diaper hasn't changed a diaper in years, but he had a trial by fire this time!!
The kids loved spending time with their great grandparents at their beautiful property.
I think this trip may have been the foundation of Tristan's new found love of tractors. He had too much fun climbing on Poppa's two tractors.
My tractor drivin' girl! The kids had a great visit and lots of fun. We'll try to get another visit in before the baby comes so that the kids get a chance for some great swimming!

What we've been up to...

We've had a busy April. It's not been so very exciting, but we've had lots of fun! The kids and I have been on the go many days because I know it won't be long before we'll be stuck at home with the new baby. I hate that home bound feeling I get when I have a newborn, so I'm doing my best to get out now before it's not possible anymore. These are just a few of the things we've been doing lately to get out and about.

We've been spending lots of time up at the school recently because Brent is coaching soccer this spring. Between soccer, school, teaching three college courses, Army reserve and church responsibilities, there hasn't been time for much family time at home. I try to take the kids up to the school so that they can see Brent at least once a day. They love having the run of the school while Brent has a planning period. It's a preschooler's paradise with lots of small spaces to hide in and a huge marker board to draw on.
Maura is in her element with the huge marker board. She has taken to drawing volcanoes which we carefully erase before the students arrive because they look a bit like phallic symbols!
Ever since the weather started getting warmer, we've tried to get outside every single day. This past winter was long and cold and now that we're seeing sunshine and blue skies we can't wait to get out and play. Maura and Tristan are loving trips to the park, and we're trying to squeeze in as many as possible before I get too big to chase after the kids.
My brave boy, ready to jump. Tristan has no fear AT. ALL. He would happily throw himself off of a huge piece of playground equipment in blind faith that his hugely pregnant momma will catch him. I love that my boy is courageous, but I can no longer catch this child who is nearly a quarter of my body weight!
My sweet kids in a rare moment of peace and tranquility. Maura and Tristan love each other very much and show their love by trying to play with the same things at the exact same. Just moments after I snapped this picture, Maura rocked the alligator, threw her head back and hit Tristan in the nose. Tears ensued.
One spring day, it was in the 80's and warm enough for water play. I wasn't about to invest the time or energy into getting out the swimming pool, so I got out three buckets and filled them with water and let the kids go at it. It's amazing how wet you can get in a bucket of water! It's amazing how much fun kids can have with water, paint brushes and some measuring cups. Why do I buy expensive toys again???
A boy in a bucket! He nearly fills up this bucket! He was mad that he couldn't get even further into it to get wetter.
Avery came over to play with us that day, but he wasn't interested in water play. He was more interested in hangin' out and drinkin' juice.
We celebrated Mom's birthday at our house over Easter weekend. Mom does so much for me and our family that we felt like we needed to thank her with a birthday dinner.
Emily, Katie and Scott came to help celebrate the birthday. It was fun to have everyone together.
Sweet Maura loves her Aunt Katie. She gets absolutely crazy when all her relatives are there to show off for. I often have to remind her to calm down before she gets herself into trouble.
We gave Mom tickets to see Wicked the Musical for her birthday. We hope that Mom and Dad enjoy their evening as much as Brent and I did a few months ago.
I wasn't going to include these photos, because they're a bit redundant, but they're probably the best photos taken on Maura in a long time. They completely capture her personality and free spirit. She's a wild child!
This one completely reflects Tristan recently. About half the time, Tristan is a happy go lucky, smiling, charming boy. The other half, he's a grump who flies into a temper at the least provocation. I hope that this is a transitory two year old stage!
Away she flies!
Aww, there's my charming boy! I knew he was in there somewhere. I'm trying to figure this big boy out. I'd love to get through the day with less tantrums. I'm just not strong enough to fight him anymore and I'm TIRED!
" Mommy, take another picture of me!" I'm not sure when we transitioned into the model phase of Maura's life. It seems like just last week that she was scowling in every photo ever taken. Now, I can't take enough of her!
Sweet kids. I love them so much. I had to include this photo because I wanted to point out who was on the up side and who was on the down side of the teeter totter. Yep, that would be my one year old outweighing my four year old!!