We're Here!

We made it to Texas!  Life has been full of unpacking boxes, learning (read: getting lost) the area, and trying to see what exactly we have.  We left a few things behind in Tucson and then a few more in Phoenix, so I'm having to buy things that I once had.  Here are a few tidbits about the city and my kids:


The streets are all cement with a bunch of cracks, dips, fading lines, and school zones galore.  I've never seen so many school zones on major roads before. 

It's definitely humid.  Like, I-don't-leave-the-house-after-lunch humid (unless of course the kids are driving me CRAZY and then we brave the weather and get the mail).


Grass grows here.  Everywhere.  It's like magic.  There's even grass on both sides of the sidewalk and tree-lined streets!  Ahhh...Perfect.

Ben could eat PB&J all day long.  The seal on our fridge isn't great, so he can easily open it which is both a blessing and a curse.  Whenever he wants something, he pulls it out of the fridge.  We go through at least 2 loaves of bread a week.  Today for breakfast he ate homemade banana bread oatmeal, blueberries, 1 slice french toast, cheese, and some cereal.  I don't think my grocery budget can handle that.

He will only eat goldfish if a) Ashlyn is eating it or b) it's the only snack left on earth. 

Ben wants to play with anything Ashlyn is playing with.  She definitely has the better taste in toys.

Ashlyn will eat anything, anytime, any place.  If you have food, she'll instantly be your best friend.

Ashlyn's best defense is the classic bite.  She has 8 teeth now and can really do some damage. 

She barks at any animal she sees whether it's a dog, cat, bird, or squirrel.

Both of them LOVE to brush their teeth and scream bloody murder should you dare take the toothbrush away. 

Ashlyn is entering her terrible twos.  I think this is why people don't have kids so close together.  Trying to drag two wandering children up the stairs while lugging a double stroller and sippys, snacks, and diapers just isn't fun.  Then of course it's a blast when they both decide that walking is not an option and they fall to the floor in the middle of the street.  Luckily, Ben is showing a bit more maturity each day.  It just might be my saving grace.

I think I need to take some more pictures of the kids here, what do you think? 

Enchanted Island

A little amusment park nearby had a discounted day--$3 for unlimited rides!  I was all over it.  It was a Ben and Mommy date and we had a blast.  Here are some pictures!

He loved it!  He didn't figure out how to make the plane fly, so he was the only one not in the air. 

Easter

Here are some better late than never Easter pictures.  We went with the purple theme for all of us. 

Ben opens EVERY egg before going on to the next one.  Note to self:  don't put ANY candy in the eggs next year unless it is in a little baggie or individually wrapped.  Ashlyn didn't quite get the hang of it.

Mixed Emotions

Right now, I'm feeling...

...excited to be moving to a new place

...nervous to be moving to a new place

...sad to be leaving family

I can't wait to learn a new area, find new things to do, and be on our own again.  I wish that didn't also come with leaving old friends and family behind and paying bills.  Can't I have my cake and eat it, too?  I'm looking forward to making new friends (let's cross our fingers since I'm pretty shy at first, but let's face it--Alex is pretty social haha) and keeping the old ones.  I am definitely NOT looking forward to a 16 hour drive with my one and two year olds.  I've scouted out a bunch of parks to stop and play along the way.  I've never driven so much in my life.  My help with driving during road trips consists of an hour or two max after gently persuading my hubby that he needs a break or when I was younger it was trying to convince my parents that yes, I really can drive on the highway.  lol.  I thought I was doing pretty good with the whole packing thing, but now I'm growing a little nervous.  I keep finding more stuff that's ours.  haha.  I'm also nervous about the apartment we're renting since I've never seen it before in my life.  Here goes the adventure of a lifetime!

A Decision!

I'm trying to type this quickly because I have 2 screaming children who apparently are hungry because they didn't seem to care for the homemade pierogies tonight, a living room that desperately needs to be vacuumed, and a kitchen brimming with dirty dishes. 

Oh, and about 45 boxes to pack...

That's right, folks, we're moving to Texas!  We found an apartment (hopefully it's nice) and we've booked hotels and a moving truck.  Now all that's left to do is pack, which is becoming increasingly difficult with children and a primary class to teach and laundry, etc that still needs to be done.  UGH.  Wish me luck!

A Dum Dum

This is what it looks like when you give a girl her first dum dum and then try to take a picture of 2 young kids eating one together...

Ben: I wonder if there's something on my nose...

Ashlyn: Maybe he won't notice if I swipe his sucker cuz then I could eat TWO!

Ashlyn:  I know, I'll distract him!

Lots of smiles--just don't take their dum dums away.

My little toddlers

It's official--Ashlyn's walking! She took her very first steps on my last day of work, while I was at work. It's the first major milestone I've ever missed. I can't believe my baby is ONE! I think it's time for another one. ;) Her doctor's appointment went well. She's almost on the growth chart at 16 pounds 14 ounces!! She's a tiny little thing with a lot of spunk. She tries to keep up with Ben and he just adores playing with her. She says "dada," "yeah," "vroom vroom," and "that." She also barks like a dog when she sees one. She also says "mmmm..." when she's done eating. CUTE. She likes to climb the stairs at the playground and has no fear of heights. She eats constantly. Even if she just ate a meal, she will come over to you and munch on your food. If you mention that you're fixing lunch or a snack, she'll instantly be your friend.   

the classic wheelbarrow ride

first swim! she wouldn't sit still so I didn't get a good picture

Ben is "helping" her open her gifts

Her first cupcake!  She just ate the marshmallows on top, not the actual cake.  I'm so glad I did it from scratch...

Ben is doing great!  He is almost 2.5 and really starting to grow up...sometimes.  He still slaps Ashlyn around, but he's very helpful and he's talking more!  He even said, "I want this" today and he can count to three with a little help.  He can say maybe half his letters and is getting better at two syllable words.  I just love his speech therapist!  She's wonderful with him.  He loves trucks and cars and parks and bubbles and dirt and walks and snacks.  He would rather snack all day long and not sit down for a meal.  He's becoming a picky eater and I'm never sure what exactly he's going to want any given day.  He has absolutely NO interest in the potty.

My first attempt at letting him help me stir when making cookies.  It went surprisingly well and my kitchen did NOT look like it threw up flour, so I was happy.