More Zoe

Napping at the lake

Tee-shirt from Aunt Beth

Wide awake...

Sound asleep moments later

Love this girl!

Birthday Party at Deanna Rose

We got invited to a birthday party at Deanna Rose the other weekend for the kids' cousin Alex.  Fortunately the insane heat took a break that morning, and it was actually on the cool side for the beginning of the party although it warmed up quite a bit as the party wore on.

We began things with face painting.  Zach's aunt Jeanne did a great job on all the kids.  At first Charlie wanted nothing to do with the face painting, but when he learned he could get Mickey Mouse he warmed right up.

Then we went out to explore the farmstead for a while before presents.  Anna was a little shy with all the kids around and stuck right to Charlie's side.  She wouldn't let go of his hand the entire time we walked around.  The kids went on a hayride and feed goats with Zach.  I had Zoe in the stroller, and we wandered around and enjoyed getting some fresh air.  It was great having her outside since it wasn't too hot.  

When we got back to the party corral, it was time for cake and presents.  Charlie and Anna completely dug into the cake and made a huge mess.  They had so much fun, though.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

Daddy's Birthday

Zach's birthday is on June 22.  This fell on a Friday this year, so he took the day off.  His real present from me was going to Chicago overnight with his sister to see a Radiohead concert, so we didn't have much planned on his actual birthday.  We decided we would take the three kids to see a movie.

Anna so happy to help Daddy open presents

Where's my present Daddy?

It worked out well that Brave came out that day.  We went to the afternoon showing, which was really crowded.  Charlie absolutely loved the movie.  He laughed harder and longer than any other kid in the theater.  Anna thought it was pretty good, but her interest started to wane by the end.  She did really good for just turning 2, though.  Zoe slept for half, and then we held her for the other half.  Overall she was pretty quiet.  Taking all three to the movies was not easy, but it went well enough we would do it again.  I'm just glad that Charlie had such a fun time.  Next year we will have to plan something a little more exciting for Zach, though!

Cute kids!

My two girls - Anna and Zoe

My best guy - Charlie

Pirates

They love matching.  It is borderline ridiculous.  I now almost never buy clothes for them unless I can find similar boy/girl outfits.  Here they are as pirates from Jake and the Never Land Pirates.

 

3 Kids Out

Since baby Zoe arrived I have been dreading the first time I ventured out with all three kids.  It seemed like the challenges would be overwhelming.  Two hands and three kids, including one in a car carrier.  Having a 4 year old, a not quite 2 year old, and a newborn - what was I thinking??  


I decided to try the first trip out while my mom was still here.  I figured her help would be essential to working out all the kinks.  We decided to hit up the grocery store and see how that went.  Zoe rode in the back part, Anna sat up front, and Charlie rode on the back.  Charlie and Anna were both in their normal positions, so they were okay with things.  The only hitch was figuring out where to put the groceries.  I ended up grabbing a basket and putting it underneath the cart.  This works out well as long as I am not trying to buy too much stuff.

At the store with Grandma

Unfortunately my mom eventually had to leave and the trips with all three became mine alone.  I needed to pick up some preordered pictures from Walmart, so I decided to give that a try.  Since the photos were already paid for I knew the trip would be relatively quick.  I packed up the kids in the van and off we went.  Anna decided this time that she did not like sitting up front in the cart but wanted to sit in the back where Zoe was.  I decided that I was not going to budge on her sitting up front or there would be battles every time.  Luckily she realized she wasn't going to win and gave up fighting after a minute.  Overall the kids were awesome, and I basically ran in and out to avoid a meltdown.  Plus, I promised donuts on the drive home, so the kids were on their best behavior.  I have no problem with bribery!

Walmart here we come

Tummy Time!

Zoe has some tummy issues, so we lay her on her stomach at times because it seems to help.  Charlie and Anna decided to keep her company the other day, and it was too cute not to get a picture of.