Monday, July 21, 2008

Fire Station Tour!

The whole gang!

Our adventure turned in to just that today. We were suppose to go to the fire station with the Durham Mother's Club today for a tour. We invited our friends Emma and Riley along. When I pulled into the parking lot, I thought it was funny that I didn't see very many cars, as there was suppose to be like 20+ moms there today. Needless to say, we were at the wrong fire station. Who knew there were 3 stations on the same road. Luck was running our way though today, as the fireman said he would be willing to give us our own private tour. We were not the only ones to show up at the wrong station, but all the other mom's went on to the right one as they were meeting other people. I would say all in all it worked out in our best interest. We didn't have to wait in line to get on the truck and we got to see everything up close. The girls really seemed to like it, until one of them had to leave and the noise was a little loud.


Riely Kay

Riley Rae
Emma Sue


They even found the pool table and got to throw some balls around!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Who knew pulling weeds could be so much fun!


Who ever knew that pulling weeds could be so much fun to a 2 year old. Needless to say you can see from the pictures that our front bed needs way more help than just pulling weeds. But, we have to start somewhere so Riley and daddy got to it tonight. She loves getting involved with anything that Leon is doing. Of course you all know that he thinks that she is sooooo much help, HA! She was having fun throwing the weeds and hit Leon in the head with one. He said he had dirt all over him by the time they got done.
Gotta love the MIZZOU outfit. Had to get a picture of her butt with "Missouri" on it.

Another day at the Museum



We have been busy this summer with going to the museum. Riley loves it so much, that I think she is on a name to name basis with the animals. I would have to say that her favorite is the donkey. When she knows that we are going to the museum she talks non stop about all of the animals in the barnyard. We have a playgroup that meets once a month on Saturday and this month it was my turn to host. It was a small crowd due to lots of people traveling, so we decided to hit the museum. It was lots of fun and they had a blast on the train.

She's a FISH!


Ava going down the slide ~ by the end of the day she was a pro!

Monkey see ~ Monkey do!



Riley's love for the water just continues to grow! She is getting so brave, now that she loves the life jacket and can swim on her own. Friday we went swimming with Luke and Ava and she of course loved that. She loves hanging out with the "older" kids and thinks she is just one of them. She is all into being in the deep now and does not want you to help her at all. She is becoming very independent. It was a big day for Ava. She went down the slide for the first time all by herself and loved it. I think she must have gone down that slide at least 20 times in an hour. I was tired just watching her climb the stairs each time. Riley has the biggest crush on Luke and loves hanging out with him. He is very sweet to her and played with her in the shallow water, which made Riley's day. It was monkey see ~ monkey do! She would try to do everything Luke did and it was so cute. She was even trying to help Luke and I got the cutest picture of her lifting his head up.

Catch the Reading Bug


This week we went to the library in downtown Durham and got to see a really neat play. This was Riley's first play and she did great. Our friends, Emma and Riley went with us and I think they all loved it. The story line was about a Caterpillar who was heading off to school and had some experiences with some not so nice bugs. Riley loved the lady bug and the butterfly. The Roche was the mean bug and he was pretty funny.


After the play we went and had lunch with Leon and it of course made his day to get to see Riley.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Ice Cream!

We met our friends Erin and Anthony tonight for ice cream. They live just down the road from us and we met them through another set of friends. They have been such a blessing, and are such a great couple. They have watched Riley for us a couple of times and have been a huge help. Erin is a second grade school teacher and just started back this week. She has such a love for children and I am so thankful and feel blessed that we have gotten to know them. Riley really likes Anthony and they are big time friends. She had a grown man playing with her tonight in the rocks, filling her pockets up with them and jumping off the sidewalk (because you know as a 2 year old that is big time fun) I think Anthony might have a soft heart! Riley so enjoyed the ice cream. She tells us the whole way there that her favorite is chocolate!

Story time at McMannen UMC




Today we went to Riley's old school, McMannen UMC for story time. They have invited the children of All Saint's UMC to join them during the summer for story time. Emma and Riley went with us today and we had a great time. The girls got to hear a story about the Veggie Tales and then did an awesome craft making a veggie tale. Riley picked the celery and Emma and Riley did tomatoes. They were so cute together doing their craft. They are all growing up too fast. We then went to lunch and Leon joined us, he was a little out numbered with a total of 5 girls.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Dinner with Daddy!

Anytime we can meet daddy for lunch or dinner is a highlight to our day and his I think. As most of you know Leon has class on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights so we really try to see him at some point on those days. We were not able to see him yesterday, so I think he was missing his girl today. We were able to meet for dinner tonight and had a great time eating outside. We ate Mexican and as you can see from the pictures, Riley loves cheese dip. She had it all the way on her nose! Leon was trying to show her how to lick it off with her tongue, which was not long enough. It is such a joy to see how excited and how much her face lights up when she sees her daddy. Tonight she went running to him with her arms open wide, but then decided she didn't want to give him a hug. After some negotiating from Leon he was able to get a hug and a kiss.

Park date with Emory


Today we met our friends Ariane and Emory at a park in Raleigh. Kensley has now started kindergarten, so she was in school today. Riley and Emory are only a month apart and have lots of fun playing together. I went off and forgot our sand toys today, but Ariane came to the rescue. She brought extra sand toys and bubbles, which of course Riley thought was great. We were suppose to have a picnic lunch today and I was running late, so Riley and I went through McDonalds. Some picnic, huh! They had the best time playing with the water fountain. The things that entertain our kids!

Watching Elmo

To have the life of a 2 year old. This morning it was one of those moments as a mom when you run for the camera and hope that she is still in the same spot when you get back. Riley has a routine of watching Elmo on our bed in the mornings while I am getting ready. Her new thing last week was wanting the pillows propped up for her to lay like a princess. Today when I came into the bedroom, the moment just caught me and she looked so big. She was laying there with her hands propped up just enjoying the show.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Playdate with Ava


Today we met our friends Tiffany and Ava who we met through Kindermusik last fall. Ava turned 1 in May and is so cute. She is walking and going like crazy now. We met at the mall and let the girls play in the play area. They of course were going in different directions most of the time. Tiffany is now 19 weeks pregnant and is going to have another girl. We are very excited for her and that the girls will be so close in age.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Dinner with the Miller's

Today was a busy day. We started the day off with church and that was a busy morning. I was in the nursery during Sunday School, then did the children's message during worship and then children's church. It is such a blessing that Riley loves church! She gets so excited about going and knows that she will get to see lots of her friends there. After church we then went to lunch with Dr. Spears and his wife. We had not seen them in some time, so it was nice to catch up with them and for them to get to see Riley. Jan got Riley a purse and she was very excited about that.

Tonight we went to the Miller's house for dinner. It of course was lots of fun. We had great food with oysters and shrimp and the girls had a great time playing with the water table. Of course the water didn't stay in the table and you can see that from the pictures. All in all everyone had a great time. We have been so blessed to have meet the Miller's through church. They are great friends and we have so much in common.



Saturday, July 12, 2008

A day at the museum with All Saints'




My friend Ann and I have been planning family activities for our church for the summer. Today was an exciting day with a trip to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. We had a small crowd, but it was great and just the right size for a day at the museum. I didn't know when we planned the day that today was "Dino Day" with the kickoff of a new exhibit so needless to say it was very busy, but still a lot of fun. Of course Riley was so excited to see Emma and Riley as they have been gone for a couple of weeks on vacation. Riley's favorite part is for sure the animals. She talked the entire way to the museum about them and was singing Old McDonald on the way. She loves the donkey which would make her Great Grandpa Elton very proud. If only he could see her get so excited about seeing that crazy animal.
The museum was fun for all ages! This is our pastor's husband, Rodney.

It was a pretty hot day here, so we hit the pool tonight after dinner. Riley continues to love swimming. For some reason tonight, she was not interested in jumping of the side though.


For all of our MO family, we have missed you this week at the Vernon County Youth Fair. I have thought of you often this week and am truly sorry that would could not make it this year. I am for sure putting in on our calendar for next year!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Rides, Rides and more Rides




I would have to say hands down Riley's favorite part of Tweetsie was the rides. I could not believe that she wasn't afraid of some of them. We rode the Tweetsie Twister which is like the scrambler and she LOVED it! I thought I was going to get sick and she was laughing so hard. She also road a couple of things with Leon that I didn't have the desire to even get on. Riley and I road the Farris Wheel together. It went really fast and was pretty far up, but didn't bother her at all. She also drove a car with Leon. I thought that the cars were on tracks, but much to my surprise they were not. They had a couple of boards on each side to give you some guidance, so that was an experience with a 2 year old driving. It was such a joy to see her so happy!

Fireworks!




Tweetsie's Railroad had a huge fireworks display, so we stayed on the 4th to watch them. Of course I was a little worried if the noise would upset Riley, but of course not. I don't think that kid is afraid of anything. When the show started, it sounded like a bomb had gone off and scared Leon and I half to death and didn't phase her one little bit. She was really into the fireworks. Her and Leon put a blanket out and laid on it together to watch them and it was so cute!