Springtime in the Garden

There is no better way to celebrate spring than to plant the garden. Aunt Judy and Amelia took on the task together on this beautiful day.

The photos really speak for themselves, so for a change I will let them. Enjoy!

© Trippin' Mama 2010

Bouncing Boys and Girl

Aunt Allie (Jeff's sister) came to visit us for her spring break, but the weather hasn't been very spring-y, so today we took the kids for some fun indoors. We went to a place full of inflatable bounce houses and slides.

The boys enjoyed running around the place more than the bounce houses, but Amelia had a blast jumping and going down the slides.

Aunt Allie and Alex hang out.

Sam gives bouncing a try.

Isaac gets a lift from Daddy.

Amelia checks out the baby area with her brothers.

Amelia enjoys  the biggest slide in the place!

We were only there for about 90 minutes, but that was long enough. It really was about all I could take. The place was so noisy! Between all the blowers for the inflatables, the screaming kids and the arcade games it was overwhelming. I can't imagine going to work there every day.

Hard to believe, but it made my house seem downright peaceful by comparison.

That might be reason enough to go back sometime.

© Trippin' Mama 2010

Amelia's New Favorite

While visiting Aunt Susie and Uncle Andy, Amelia discovered a new food that she LOVED.

Now, if you know Amelia, you know that food is not her thing. She'll even take a bite or two of a treat and walk away without finishing it.

But this, this was a big hit.

Cereal. With chocolate.

Amelia: The new poster child for Special K's chocolatey delight.

Courtesy of Aunt Susie, Amelia fell for Special K's Chocolatey Delight.

Left to her own devices, Amelia would have eaten only the chocolate chunks (of course), but with some persuasion, she ate the flakes, too, and found she liked them.

Up until this point we've avoided chocolatey cereals in our house, but I may have to give in on this one once in a while.

At least it isn't Cocoa Puffs.

Off to Visit Aunt Susie & Uncle Andy

Amelia and Jeff left this afternoon for a visit with Aunt Susie and Uncle Andy in Denver.

Amelia is ready to go!

While this won't be the first time Amelia has flown, it will be the first time that's she's old enough to realize what's going on.


So far, she's been very excited about it, and couldn't get out of here fast enough after she woke up from her nap. I hope that excitement doesn't turn into a major freak out.

I armed Jeff with a bag full of treats and some new toys for the trip, along with a million pieces of advice that he didn't need.

"Be sure she uses the potty before you get on the plane."

"Don't let her touch anything in the airplane bathroom."

"Gum makes a good bribe. Or calling Aunt Susie to tell her you are getting on the plane. Or taking a picture to show Mom when she gets home."

"Make sure she still has rules. She needs to try all the foods on her plate and eat all her vegetables."

"There's sunscreen and hand sanitizer in your backpack."

"Take lots of pictures."

I know, I know. Give it a rest! It's not like he's new at this dad gig or didn't handle the whole crew by himself when I went to my brother's wedding in California when the boys were just 7 months old.

Fortunately, Jeff handled my rapid-fire "help" with his usual grace and good humor. It's just one of the things that has earned him the title of WBH (World's Best Husband).

Amelia offered me her trademark advice, "Bye, Mom. Don't bite the brothers."

So now they are off and the boys and I will be hanging out together for the next five days. Since I only have to feed myself, I am planning to cook some things for the freezer and see if I can get Amelia's closet turned over from summer to fall. (That will certainly guarantee the summer weather will last an extra couple weeks.)

And maybe, just maybe, I will be able to achieve the state of Laundry Nirvana while they are gone.

I know, you're on the edge of your seat over that one. Stay tuned.

Aunt Susie

Take three seven-month-old boys, one nearly three-year-old girl, throw in an enthusiastic aunt, and you've got a recipe for FUN!

Amelia has already informed me that Aunt Susie is her "best fwend." Last night they had a Cheeto party. (It involves having a picnic of Cheetos in the basement playroom. Susie was happy to join in!)

Today they played on the swings, chased bubbles and dug in the sandbox.

Yay! Someone new to give pushes on the swing!

Tonight Amelia wanted Aunt Susie to get IN the tub with her to play. She settled for having Susie play with her from outside the tub, but only after a few tears.

In addition to being Amelia's "best fwend," Aunt Susie is already an expert at shoveling food as fast as possible into three boys' mouths. She's enjoying all of the crawling, giggling and flirting the boys are doing now. It's quite a change from when she was here in December and the boys were just two months old!

Aunt Susie feeds the boys their lunch.

Tomorrow Susie is running a half marathon. It's a good thing someone so in shape is here to lend a hand!