Summer 2014 Roundup

Since we are officially well into the fall season I realized I never got around to some fun summer activities we did this summer.  So here's a quick run down with lots of pictures so I have them documented for my family 'scrapbook'.

We ate breakfast outside.

We fed the ducks...the girls loved seeing the little baby ducks.

Who knew that plastic cups could entertain toddlers for so long.  In the middle of summer when it was just too hot to go outside, these kept the girls entertained for an entire day and then some for weeks afterwards.  I put them up so I can get them out this winter.

Jaron wanted to join in on some summer fun around the house.

We pet grasshoppers...yes...they actually touched them...eew, I'm so not a fan of jumpy things. But I did my best to not interfere with their discovery.

We spent a lot of time in our back yard and Jaron is loving the slide and swing as well.  Jaron LOVES being outdoors and gets so mad when the girls go outside and I don't let him go out as well. His love for water has never diminished and would spend all day at the water table if I would let him.

We have lots of 'drawings' on our sidewalks.

Our passes expired at the aquarium part way through the summer but before that we went almost weekly to run around.  Favorite parts were running down the ramps and the penguins.  Although I think Aria asked to see dolphins every time we went.  Still to this day when we pass the aquarium on the freeway Aria without fail says 'Hi Ocean'

We drove down to the newly renovated Monte L Bean museum twice with family.  The girls loved looking at the big animals and probably the tiny slide might have been their favorite part.

And we took our annual trip to the zoo after school was back in session.  It was so fun and we loved seeing the new African exhibit and even got to watch the Lion being fed.

But the all time favorite activity of the summer might be petting the horses across the street from us. All 3 of my kids of NO fear of the horses.  Jaron squeals when he sees them, the girls walk right up and pet them and the only melt down we get is when the horses are too far away and don't walk over when the girls want to pet them.

Sad to see summer come to an end but we are loving the cooler weather as well.

Happy 3rd birthday Siena and Aria

Before I forget, since it's been well over a month, I need to document the girls 3rd birthday.  This year was so fun.  They started talking about their birthday about 3 months before.  I had to tell them they had to wait for Jaron's birthday, then my birthday and then it was their birthday.  They started listing all the things they wanted for their birthday and it was just watching the anticipation.

Becoming 3 in their minds meant they are now officially 'big girls'  Don't worry, I've used that A LOT to convince them to do something, eat something, etc.

I made them blueberry muffins that morning for breakfast which they just thought was a cupcake anyways.  Then they were so excited to see their presents all wrapped in each of their favorite colors Aria (red) Siena (pink)  And it just so happened they were getting 3 presents on the day they turned 3. They didn't realize there was a 4th present I didn't wrap.  We got them new bicycles with training wheels.

We took them to a flat parking lot and let them ride around.  It's taken them a little while to learn to start, stop, keep peddling, etc. but they finally have the hang of it.  And since we've had such nice weather since their birthday we take a loop around the neighborhood almost every night after dinner.

We met my mom and Jennifer for lunch that day since it was also Jennifer's birthday and they got Doc McStuffins stuff from Jennifer which they love.  The Sunday before we also had their family birthday party and my parents gave them Anna and Elsa dolls from Frozen which they are also obsessed with.

That night we took their scooters and went to Classic Skate and had pizza.  It was just our little family and it was a fun way to celebrate.  They loved riding their scooters around and did better then I thought they would.

For about 2 weeks after, almost every morning when I would go into their room they would say 'Mom, I had a good birthday.'  Then it turned into 'Mom, it's my birthday, I'm 4!'  Yeah nice try.  They have a long ways to wait until they turn 4 but it's safe to say they take their birthday as one of the best holidays yet, they must take after me, cuz this isn't a trait they get from their dad!