Aquarium

I took the kids to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium last week. I wish I had been warned that it is mostly an outdoor thing since it was a steamy 94degrees outside but never-the-less Kadence had a great time. She had been begging me to take her there to see "Winter" the dolphin who lost her tail in a crab trap when she was a baby. The picture of the little stub sticking out of the water is her sticking her tail up. She was training for a major motion picture based on her story the day we were there. Kadence especially loved touching the sting rays and telling everyone all about them. She was like a walking information booth, people were cracking up at her. We also saw them doing surgery on an endangered turtle that swallowed an enormous fish hook. That was pretty awesome. They showed us the hook after it was removed and we watched as they monitored the turtle and waited for it to wake up from anesthesia. Kadence wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up and I think she would be great at it. Her new favorite show on tv is Expedition Great White, not your typical 4 year old.

Vacation Bible School

Here is a clip from Kadence's vacation bible school program. On the right of her is bff Little Taylor and on the left is other bff Emma. You can see when she notices I've slipped up front for a good shot of her and she gets all smiley. She had so much fun there, Bryce had to stay home with Charlie who barfed all over the dinner table at church when we dropped her off at VBS that night:( so he missed the program.

Thanks!

Thanks Grandma Wardia and Grandpa Danny for the kiddo's new clothes. They couldn't wait to wear them! (Also in the pictures are the kids' favorite toys, Willy and Sparkle the orcas.) Those toys and the Free Willy movies are the new kid obsession around here these days!

Bryce on TV

The kids and I just watched an episode of the Animal Extractors on NatGeo. I have been recording all the episodes for a year waiting for the one we just watched. It was filmed in Bryce's store a couple years ago. You see the back of him as he leads the animal capture team through the store to show them where a hawk is hanging out. Then they proceed in catching it. Even though you can barely tell it is Bryce it is still super cool. Anyways, the hawk became quite a nuissance when it started preying on smaller birds in the store. It literally was catching little birdies and ripping them apart to eat in front of horrified customers. Quite troublesome when you are trying to pick out new ceiling fans and such.

A New Adventure

So, I got a job teaching preschool for Early Head Start and I only have a few weeks to find child care for Charlie and Kadence. (They don't have employee daycare and we don't qualify for head start so the kids can't go with me ) This is so super stressful AHHHH! So yesterday and today I visited a few centers, yesterday I saw one that I wouldn't put a rabid dog at. Today I visited one where the director was extremely rude about how "they don't have time to spend taking my kid to the potty when he doesn't even know how to ask." That is fine, but she didn't have to be so rude about it! (Charlie pee's in the potty everytime you take him but he hardly ever asks to go.) The one place that I really like, Charlie was super whiney and ultra high maintenance and found the most helpless beautiful girl who was minding her own business and pushed her down and sent her flying. It was embarassing. It was quite the morning! Wish me luck!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Bryce, you are a great Dad! Happy Father's Day! I couldn't resist this pic of you with our newborn babes!

Here's to two more fantastic Dads! Happy Father's Day, we hope you enjoy your day!

Video Clips

Here is a video of Charlie annoying Kadence. He toned it down when he realized he was being recorded. The earlier annoying was even more entertaining.

Video 2 is Charlie practicing his jump off of Kadence's toy laptop. He is whining at the beginning because he senses that we are not paying full attention to him. If he thinks you are not paying attention, he whines and waits until he is comfortable with the attentiveness of the crowd before performing stunts. We frequently have to reassure him by saying "We are watching you!", then he will continue.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 10 year Anniversary. Holy cow, time flies! Bryce took me and the kids on a mini-"staycation" at St. Pete Beach at a super awesome resort. We had tons of fun, did lots of swimming in the pool and at the beach and enjoyed some great family time. If someone told me 10 years ago that I would spend this anniversary with my husband and 2 awesome kids having fun at the beach I would have been very happy with that glimpse into the future!

The view from our villa. That is a huge waterslide, but we did not actually go on it, Kadence thought it looked too scary. We saw tons of dolphins from our room so the kids loved that.

There was a river going around the property with paddleboats that you could take out on it. We did this and although it looks beautiful and sounds super fun, we worked our butts off paddling that stinking thing and considered ditching it and hopping on shore to walk back-it was hard work!

Pics

Kadence's friend had a pool party to celebrate the end of school so here is a pic of her and a few of her buds. As a group of us moms shot pictures like paparazzi, Kadence said "I want to stand up". She thought it was hilarious that she refused to conform therefore making herself the center of attention. You can see the friends behind her trying to push her back down!

Here is a pic of Charlie standing on Kadence's dresser. Many times a day Kadence screams "Charlie is in danger!" and I go in her room to see this. When she has a friend over, the friend always freaks out when they see the crazy places he climbs, I am over it and it really doesn't bother me at this point although I do get him down and correct him every time.

Wierd Kid

So, I took the kids to the park today and as usual Kadence made friends immediately with a little 7 year old boy. He came up to me and said "I'm a waiter and you are my customer. What do you want?" I ordered an imaginary cheeseburger and ate it. He then said it cost $100, I apparently gave him the wrong amount of fake money so he kept arguing and I kept giving him more imaginary money. Apparently, he felt I was swindling him cause he suddenly started screaming "Get out of my restaurant!!" It was strange and funny and there are no adults around here to share my story with so you have to hear about it.

I am getting Charlie to practice names before our Michigan trip. He is awesome at Nino, Willow and CC. We are working on Amya which currently sounds like Nia. It is super cute. Just wait until he screams NO at you and points his finger at you, he has that down perfectly.

Attention all Nelsons!!!!!!!!!!

The Connecticut Shaws and the Florida Nelsons have purchased tickets to Michigan! Are we all on for the talent show, if so we have some serious work to do!