STANDBY

One of the great perks of A's job is our ability to fly for free.  Over the years, we've saved thousands of dollars and embarked on many more travels than we ever would have if we were purchasing airline tickets, but ... with children, I'm learning that "free" can be a relative term.  We snagged our own row on the right flight on the way out to DC ... but the way back was a different story!  We thought our way home would be identical, so Aunt M dropped us off late Saturday morning.  We checked our bags and carseats (who wants to lug around more than is needed with two toddlers and a stroller in tow?).  After doing so, we learned that one of the DC-MN flights had been cancelled for the day ... so suddenly, there were 100 other passengers looking for a flight.  Of course, we were only on the standby list.  

There was only one seat open on the flight we had intended on, so AA and I took it.  Yep, she sat on my lap ... but God must have been looking out for me, as AA slept the WHOLE way!  Meanwhile, JP and A hung out at the DC airport.  This, of course, presented a physically logistical challenge for myself once we landed in MSP.  No stroller, two carseats, two suitcases, two backpacks, and an energetic 18 month old to finagle all the way on tram, light rail, elevators and all to the Humphrey Terminal ... with a rip off germy cart rental and three packages of fun fruits later, we made it to our car!

I received word that JP and A hadn't made the next flight, so suddenly AA and I had a few hours to spare in the cities before needed to pick up our boys.

So what better way to spend an impromptu girls afternoon than by hanging out at the Mall of America? All of the shopping wore us out, so we stopped for an ice cream and sprinkles treat.

And then we went shoe shopping.  Oh dear, I have a real girl on my hands!  Which ones do you like, AA?

The ones with sparkles?

Oh, of course not ... you found the MOST expensive pair of baby Uggs on your own!  What?  Oh they are on clearance for $99?  Really?  No, honey, you can't have those.

After a MAJOR meltdown, I placed the completely overpriced rainbow Uggs far out of sight, and we left Nordstrom Rack.  Ahh, but those shoes were not out of mind.  Lil' AA screamed for another five minutes.  I'm just so mean.

Since our shopping outing was clearly over, I called Grandpa T ... he was up for a swim with AA!

A and JP ended up waiting all day at the airport without any luck.  They were in a bind, because without a carseat, things can be complicated!  Our good friends E and N just so happen to live in DC too .. with carseats in tow!  So the boys ended up spending the night with E and EJ while AA and I drove back to Rochester.  By 10 AM Sunday morning, we were all reunited.

I guess flying standby isn't so bad ... 

SUMMER VACATION: PART II

We flew out to Virginia for the second half of our vacation.  It had been over a year since we had seen Uncle K, Aunt M, cousin B, and cousin K.  Just being at the airport is a thrill for JP ... we needed to allow enough time for us to ride the "Choo Choo Trains" (airport tram) and fly the space shuttle.  Despite a major meltdown during security, AA was perfect on the flight to and from DC!  (Perhaps it was because the short 2 hour flight was exactly during nap time!).  Whew.

We had such a fun time visiting our relatives.  The older cousins had so much to share with the younger cousins ... and they even babysat one night while the adults went out to dinner!

We drove to the National Zoo one morning ... the elephants and panda bears were the clear favorite!  JP has this obsession with Tigers these days ... unfortunately (well, fortunately), didn't come close to the onlookers!

We went to the pool a few times ... and watched the Disney Chanel for the first time!

I'm sure everyone took a long nap after we left ... especially Buddy the dog!

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

We kicked off our summer vacation with FOUR kidless nights ... a much needed adventure for A and I; for the kids; and for the grandparents!  For the first time ever, JP and AA stayed at Grandpa A and Grandma K's house without us!  

I missed my sweet babes SO much!  I'm not so sure they even realized we were gone!  We were told that they did great.  Grandma K and Grandpa A kept them so busy ... swimming, parks, duck feeding, zoo, fair, monster truck rally, shopping,

golfing

trying new foods

riding new bikes

drinking soda??? (really?)

and learning all kinds of silly songs and games.

My kids are so lucky to have such amazing grandparents (all 5 of them!). It's such a joy to see these relationships grow more and more with each visit.  We all can't wait for the next!

DRAMA QUEEN

I've probably mentioned this a time or two before, but I'll say it again: A and I have a real live Drama Queen living in our home.  Somehow we sailed peacefully through the "Terrible Twos" stage with Jackson ... of course we've dealt with his whiny behaviors and stubborn streak from time to time, but JP  has always been quite rational.  Ah, yes ... and then there's AA.  She is the most playful, loving, spirited, and goofy gal I know ... but she's fully capable of flipping on the ground, fully thrusting her belly up and down with all limbs flailing in one second flat.  The other day I wouldn't let her have the container of white marshmallows during our absolutely disastrous photo shoot.  Yesterday I wouldn't let her hold the keys to the car because I needed them to drive home.  And tonight I gave her  the orange colored sippy cup with dinner.  I mean really.  I'm a terrible mother.

If possible, I try to ignore her emotional outbursts ... this seems to really make her mad, but I've found that trying to intervene only makes matters worse.  I'm actually quite comfortable with her screaming, as I know in a matter of a minute or two (or sometimes ten if she is really mad!), the crocodile tears will dry up and her spunky personality will turn to joy.  I just feel sorry for everyone else!

The books say that the "Terrible Twos" can actually start at 18 months, and normally passes by 2.5 years.  Okay, so that means in 11 months we could be drama free?  I'm not holding my breath!

ORGANIZE

JP has quite the imagination ... he does well with creative play and he seems to adapt well with social changes.  However, he is also very structured and particular (hmmm ... did I just describe the core personalities of his mommy and daddy?!?!).  JP likes things done in a very specific and organized way. He calls me out if I suggest reading a bedtime story before getting pajamas on.  And I certainly would never dream of switching around which spot he sits at for dinner (or what bowl and spoon I pull out).  Perhaps most noticeable, JP thrives on having his cars situated just so.  It absolutely drives him crazy if AA messes up his perfect row of cars.  

I heard JP clanging around for a few minutes before bed the other day; when I went in to check on him, I just had to giggle ... so typical of my firstborn!

STRRRRRIKE!

On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, we took in a baseball game.  JP loved to call strikes and balls from behind home plate ... I'm sure the umpire would have hired him, but JP just needed to learn to make the call after the ball was thrown!  He's obsessed with the Twins pitcher, Francisco Liriano ... I didn't have the heart to tell him that we weren't at the right stadium for him!

The highlight of the game was capturing a smile with Slider, the team mascot!

BIRTHDAY FRIENDS

Last week we attended Mason's 2nd Birthday party.  My good friend S organized such a lively and beautiful party ... full of water slides, water balloons, and all things rainbow!

 AA loved the cake the best!

 And today we attended Michael's 3rd birthday party.  JP had his first swing at a piñata; he searched high and low for clues on a scavenger hunt; and he popped balloons left and right.

 AA just stood back and waited for the candy to fall.

 Of course, Michael received many gifts that JP would just drool over (then again, JP never stops drooling!) ...  but JP did a great job of just sitting back and watching the presents get opened!

With all of those boys running around, the little sisters tried to make their own fun!

HAPPY 4TH!

For as long back as I can remember, I've attended my Aunt J's annual 4th of July pool party.  It's a fun tradition that I'm now sharing with my kids ... we haven't missed a single year of fun in the sun!  This year, the weather was H-O-T.  The blue waters were refreshing ... and full of people!  JP and AA were literally in the pool for nearly 3 hours!  

We made it through the day without getting a sunburn ... and without eating anything healthy!  One of these years I hope to have enough energy to make it to the late night fireworks.  My poor kiddos don't know what they are missing!

WEDDING CRASHERS

Our first wedding this year!  My cousin was married on the beautiful campus of St. John's this weekend.  AA sweet talked with Great Grandma H.

 JP's little mouth was full of canker sores after a package full of sour candies ... which meant that this cute little guy was C-R-A-B-B-Y.  Despite some unpleasant meltdowns, he sure hammed it up with his adorable aunts!

 I think JP was exactly this age when he attended a wedding and kissed everyone in sight ... so I guess AA followed in his footsteps!  She loves Grandpa T

 and her big brother!

 The dinner and speeches ended shortly after 7 ... although bedtime was approaching, A and I really wanted the kids to experience just a bit of a real wedding dance!  We waited and waited and waited ... and finally (after NINE!), the kids sat and watched the first dance.

 and then the party began!  We twisted and grooved (and "raised the roof") to many songs before it was pajama time.

 Of course, when AA saw everyone lined up for the dollar dance when she had her jammies on, she just couldn't stay away!  Uncle J handed her a dollar, and somehow, AA was allowed to go to the front of the line!  Rather than slow dancing in the arms of the groom, AA chose to "fast dance" next to him.  I really wish I had this rendition on video!

And, of course, JP had his turn too!

Kids are definitely a lot of work at weddings ... but they make it so much more fun!