Ferris Wheel and Ergadoozy

Joel and I both took a day off work and spent it with the girls in Springfield.  We hadn't been to Scheels, so we decided to check it out.  Ainsley has been talking about Ferris wheels for a year or so, and always asks if she can ride the one in Jacksonville whenever she sees it.  She was so excited when she saw the one in Scheels, and couldn't wait to get on it.  Joel, on the other hand, wasn't as thrilled.  Ainsley was barely tall enough, so her and Joel hopped on.  They had to stop at the very top to let other people off on their first time around, and Joel said Ainsley wasn't scared at all.  They went around 10 times or so, and she would wave to me each time with the biggest smile on her face!

We walked around the store, which is huge, and found some cool things along the way.

Both girls were terrified of the bear.

Ainsley wouldn't get close to it!

Lily was scared of this one, too!

We grabbed lunch, did a little shopping, and then headed to Ergadoozy.  It was pretty busy when we first got there, but Joel took Ainsley into the big climbing/play thing to check it out.  Lily wanted to go in so bad, but I didn't know how hard it would be to get around with her in there, and there were so many kids running around everywhere!  I ended up taking Lily out to other sections and let her play while Joel chased Ainsley.

Ainsley didn't want to leave the big play gym area, but I finally convinced her into going to see what else there was to do.  They had a huge area with all kinds of toys, etc. for little kids in two different spots.  There was a projector that put games on the floor in one room, and the kids had to step on things as they came up.  Ainsley had fun popping the popcorn on it.

She loved the roller coaster!

While I showed Ainsley some of the other things there was to do, Joel took Lily back into the big play climber area.  A lot of kids left around 3, and we pretty much had the whole climber area to ourselves until we decided both girls were tired and it was time to leave.  Lily loved running around in the climber, and only about fell down one of the stair pieces once when Joel wasn't watching her!

The girls both had a blast at Ergadoozy, and I would highly recommend it for anyone with smaller kids.  We could have spent more time there, but we had two girls who were in desperate need of a nap.  Ainsley refused to put her shoes on, so we had to carry her out to the car, while she screamed and cried because she didn't want to leave.  It was that fun!

Mom turns 50

Mom's 50th birthday was in late July.  Ainsley sang Grandma Shelly "Happy Birthday" before they left for Lisa's that morning.  We met Mom for some frozen yogurt that evening after she got off work.

We also threw Mom a Surprise party later that weekend.  Mark, Elizabeth, and I had been planning it for a few months, and it was hard to find a weekend and day that fit into Mom's busy schedule, but we managed to accomplish it.  I think she really was surprised.  Mark took her out on the motorcycle that morning and made a stop at Wild Pickins on their way home, where we were waiting.

Quite a few people were able to make it, and I know Mom enjoyed seeing everyone.  It's really pretty back where they have the gazebos, and we couldn't have asked for better weather.

Ainsley says:  "They're here!!!"

All the kids had fun running around, and the adults had fun sitting back watching them and talking.

Ainsley and Delaney had fun dancing! 

Party's over.  Time to go home!

We went back to Mom's to swim and eat supper after the party.  Of course, her birthday wouldn't have been complete without singing and blowing out candles!

15 months

Lily was 15 months in July, and I didn't realize I needed to take her in for another wellness check until Jamie sent me Hudson's information from his appointment.  It took me right out of the running for "Mother of the Year".  I made her an appointment, and we were off.

She was 29.5 pounds and 32.5 inches long.  That put her in the 99th percentile for weight and 96th for height.  She's a big girl!  The doctor said Lily looked great, and it was one of the easiest 15 month checkups she'd ever done.  I couldn't believe how well Lily actually did.  She got comfy on my lap, leaned back, and let the doctor do whatever she wanted, while Lily just laid there and watched her.  Finally, a kid cooperates at the doctor.  I'm sure it will never happen again!

Lily's become a picky eater, like her sister.  She doesn't eat much meat (ok, pretty much refuses to eat meat), loves milk, and anything dairy.  I think she's going through the stage where she doesn't need a lot of food, because she barely eats anything at any meal.

"Ugh", while pointing her finger to something is pretty much all of Lily's vocabulary.  She'll say mama, occasionally dada, and that's about it.  Why does she need to talk when she has a big sister that talks for her?

Our sweet Lily, Red, Lil, Stinker, Monster Baby, has learned how to scream when things don't go her way.  She'll watch Ainsley and usually wants whatever Ainsley has at any given time.  Lily will try taking it away from Ainsley and if Ainsley doesn't give it up, Lily will scream and stomp her feet.  If Ainsley puts up the slightest fight, Lily will immediately grab a handful (or two) of Ainsley's hair and won't let go.  So, at that point, I have two screaming girls.  I think Ainsley's starting to realize that it's easier to just give Lily the toy and find something else!

Big sister was gone one afternoon, so she thought she was big stuff getting her helmet!

Mommy and Ainsley are her favorites, followed by a close third with Daddy.  She loves looking at pictures, baby dolls, Mommy's hair, going outside, going bye-bye, and looking at books.  Dancing is also a favorite!  Dancing with your sister is even more fun!

Lily is Mommy's girl when it comes to sleep.  She's nothing like Ainsley was.  We can actually put her in her crib while she still awake, and she'll fall asleep on her own after a minute or two.  She usually sleep from 8 pm-7 am with an hour and a half nap each day.  If I ask her if she's ready to go night-night and she puts her head on my shoulder, I know it's time, and she usually doesn't fight me too much.  Ainsley would be up at 5:30-6 am, go to sleep around 9, and her napping wasn't consistent.  Ainsley also had to sleep with us or in our bed if she was napping, and would wake up screaming if she was by herself.  Lily will wake up in the morning, and lay in her crib jabbering to herself.  She rarely cries, and just sits in there and waits for us to wake up and come get her!

 

She's a little onery, like her Dad, and likes the remote, or anything to do with the tv.  She figured out the box on the tv stand had buttons one day.  If big sister laughs at her, she really thinks she's big stuff!  Lily tries to do everything Ainsley does, including trying to jump!