Festival of Nations 2010

First experience with a johnny-on-the-spot. Daddy did the honors.

Saturday we went to the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park. This was the 5th year Greg and I have gone. I wasn't as adventurous as I would have liked to have been as far as trying a different ethnic food. I stuck with what I knew I would like-gyros and baklava! The kids didn't feel like being adventurous this time either; as they stuck with their American food- hot dogs and chips ;)

We had a great time making bracelets, funny hats, and little decorative boxes. The kids really enjoyed watching the belly dancers balance swords on their heads while they danced.

After the festival, we took some pictures in Tower Grove Park

First Day of a New School Year

This week Evan and Leah had their first day of a new "school" year at Mom's Day Out. They are now in the 3 year old room. Evan did not like the change at all-go figure. Leah did well- as expected. Little hard on me because their teacher from the 2 year classroom knew the routine of me dropping Evan off and the new teacher didn't. He gives me multiple kisses and I tell him I will be back at the end of the day, etc. and his previous teacher knew not to just grab Evan from me-only makes him more upset.

Well, the first thing the new teacher did, was grab him away from me and told me to not stick around because it only makes things worse. (I wasn't even there, but for 3 minutes! What mother just drops them off without giving a hug/kiss to their kids and telling them to have a great day?) I told her that I use to be a school teacher and I totally understand where she was coming from with not staying long- and I agree, but I needed to make him feel more comfortable with being in a new setting and with a new teacher. So, she let him give me a kiss and then proceeded to take him from me again.

I did stand out in the hallway for a couple of minutes talking to another teacher and he had already calmed down within 5 minutes of me leaving. Let's hope this school year is better.

Fun Outside

This summer has been so hot that I really haven't let the kids play outside that much. This past Sunday was pretty nice out, so we BBQ'd and let the kids swim. I had such fun watching them play with the water and each other.

Cousins

A couple of Sundays ago, we went over to visit my cousin Keith, his wife-Jing, and their twins-Mia and Maddie. All of the kids have such a great time with one another and I am so glad they get along as well as they do. I am enjoying seeing them grow up together.

Free Family Fun Day

If this wasn't free, I don't think we would have gotten our money's worth....

Both of the kids won a free pass to Planet Fun and a personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut from the library. Greg took off work this Friday, so we thought we would have a little fun at Planet Fun. Well, when you first walk in to pay, you have to get your hand stamped with this giant stamper and, of course, Evan screamed because he didn't want his stamped. After that ordeal, he calmed down and we went into the toddler section. Backing up a bit, Planet Fun is a place where they have tons of tunnels, nets and slides to crawl through and on (adults can go in them as well). I thought the kids would enjoy this since they enjoy the play area at McDonald's. However, all they wanted to do in the toddler section is climb on the mats and play with the baby toys. I finally convinced Evan to go up this short tunnel and down a slide and he liked it. However, it had netting that you had to crawl across. It took a couple of minutes for him to feel comfortable climbing across, but he finally did it. Leah, took even longer than that. We ventured over to the bigger climbing area and I got the kids to go in the tunnel with me. By the time we got to the netting area, a kid behind us started yelling at a friend and freaked Evan and Leah out, so they started crying and crying even more when they knew that they had to get across the netting. Greg ended up going up a different way and got Evan and Leah ended up crawling across my body (because she didn't want to crawl on the net) and we finally made it out...alive! As I mentioned in my first sentence, I don't think we would have gotten our money's worth.

Mmm....Maggiano's!!

Evan and his Nonni

Mia, Maddy and Evan

Papa and his babies

Lovely face from Evan-cracks me up!!!!

Playing with sugar packets-anything to pass some time

Trying calamari

Mommy and Evan

We went out to celebrate my cousin's birthday today at Maggiano's. Wow, am I still full!
Evan and Leah were really well behaved throughout the whole dinner and tried new foods as well; which is a big deal in our household! Leah finally tried zucchini. However, the zucchini was fried and had a great dipping sauce. They both tried calamari for the first time and really liked it-again, fried! Evan's shirt was covered in various sauces at the end of dinner. They both really enjoyed seeing their 3rd cousins, Mia and Maddy. It was great to watch them all have such fun together.

Oh, You Better Watch Out

So, you may be reading the title to yourself and possibly singing the Christmas Carol- "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and for this post, you would be correct in doing so.....
As I have said previously, Evan loved carrying around a Santa doll last Christmas and loved watching anything with Santa on You Tube. We have been visiting the library pretty frequently and every time he tries to find a book with Santa in it. We found Santa Claus is Coming to Town a couple of weeks ago and ever since I read/sang the book to the kids, they have been walking around singing it. They're still figuring out the lyrics and tend to sing one verse over and over. It's so gosh darn cute to hear them sing it, so I just had taped it and share. Evidentally, Leah likes the spotlight all to herself-NO BACK UP SINGERS!

Tu-Tu cute

The other night the kids were playing dress up and I had to take some pictures of them in Leah's tu-tu's. I love the lighting on these pictures.

Dancing in diapers

Forgot to add this video from awhile ago. I laugh everytime I watch it!
The twins were out helping Greg hose off the patio and patio furniture and decided to get wet themselves. Leah had already sat in the bucket of water, so her diaper was REALLY full. .

Fun at Brunswick

Leah banging on the drums (with my sweatshirt-tad cold in there)

Evan- A.K.A- The future sharp-shooter (he has GREAT aim and held it steady every time!)

Evan shooting with Papa

Cora- enjoying her first time at the arcade

This weekend, my sister, brother-in-law and niece came in town from K.C. It's been awhile since I have seen Cora and my; how much she has changed! Evan and Leah were so excited to see the Fangmann's and play with Baby Cora.

Friday night, we all went to Brunswick Bowling for some dinner and arcade fun. We like it there because it's two minutes from my house and it's smoke free. Evan and Leah love going to the "cade"! It was Cora's first time and I think she enjoyed all the lights, etc. Don't have the picture, but Mandy has a great picture of Cora on a motorcycle-too cute!

Evan and Leah can actually see over the air-hockey table now, but are still having trouble throwing the ball in their lane for skee-ball. Can't wait till Cora, Evan and Leah are old enough to go bowling!

My Sweet Pea

Hanging out on Nonni and Papa's bed

What a sweetie!
All smiles

Mommy and Cora

We spent Saturday morning over at my Grandma and Papa Billington's house and then received an extra special treat when going by my mom's childhood house; which is just a street over. When driving by, a girl was standing outside of the house and my mom told her that it was her childhood home. The girl said we could come inside if we would like. My mom's grandparents passed away in 87' and 89' (or round about). We drive by the house once in awhile when we are over that way and always wonder what it looks like on the inside now. We were so excited to go and think of all the good times we had in that house.

Ironically, we had already planned to go to their grave site that day as well.

That night, we had a BBQ over at my parents. What a great day! :)