I Heart Faces: Beach Fun

There are a few specific photos that I think of when you say "Beach Fun." We have had a wonderful time on the beach this summer and I am excited for even more! Please share in our fun with some of my favorite beach fun photos and check out I Heart Faces for other photos from other bloggers.

I will start off with my top two photos that I think of when I think "Beach Fun."

Playing on the beach with family; Lorelei started chasing around everyone to wash our feet with freezing cold water. Here is Lorelei tossing icey water on her Daddy while he is holding Hannah.

This is one of our very first times down at the beach as a family. Hannah loved sticking her toes in the sand and lake.

A Little Creativity Goes a Long Way

Cuddling into blankets, pillows and stuffed animals galore Lorelei asked for me to read a book. As silly as it sounds it was past nap time and the lights were already out while I was sitting down with Hannah. So I decided to get creative, which works well for Lorelei since she really enjoys something personal. So here it is, or at least how I remember it.

Once upon a time there was a big green, harry troll who lived under the bridge, hey. Princess Lorelei and Princess Hannah were crossing the big green, harry old trolls bridge when all of a sudden. "Hey! I am the BIG green, harry ole troll who lives under the bridge and you owe me a toll."

Princess Lorelei dug through her pocket to find exactly one coin. She handed the coin to the big green, harry troll who lived under the bridge and they were on their way again. They were headed to the park when all of a sudden from behind a bush jumped out the BIG bad wolf.

"What is in that basket you have there?" Asked the big bad wolf.

"Cookies" cried Princess Hannah.

"I want one and I want one now!" said the big bad wolf.

"I will share a cookie with you if only you say please and thank you. These cookies are for our grandma" said Princess Lorelei.

"No. I will not. I want a cookie and I will take a cookie." said the big bad wolf.

The big bad wolf was not using his manners so the girls went on to the park when all of a sudden the big bad wolf came out from behind, yet another big green bush.

"Hey! I want a big cookie. I want it! I want it! I want it!" said the big bad wolf.

"I would be happy to share if you say please." Said Princess Lorelei. Again, the big bad wolf was not being friendly and saying please so the girls finished on to the park to play for a minute before going on to Grandma's house.

The two girls were swinging on the swings and sliding down the slides when all of a sudden out popped the big bad wolf again.

"I want that cookie. I will not say please. I will take that cookie." said the big bad wolf when all of a sudden Princess Lorelei said "Big bad wolf no swiping!" The big bad wolf walked off.

The girls finished up at the park and when they were almost to their grandma's house they saw the big bad wolf peak out from behind a big green bush.

He said "I wan that cookie! I want them all."

Princess Lorelei said "I would love to share with you if only you said please. Mind your manners."

The big bad wolf looked very sad when Princess Lorelei asked the big bad wolf to come over and play at grandmas. She offered some cookies and tea. The big bad wolf blushed and started to smile and said "All I ever wanted was a friend and now I have two."

They all walked up to the door when Grandma came out. Princess Lorelei introduced the big bad wolf to grandma.

"Big Bad Wolf this is Grandma. Grandma this is Big Bad Wolf."

"It's very nice to meet you Big Bad Wolf. Would you like to come in for cookies and tea?" Asked grandma.

The big bad wolf being so happy said please and thank you and ate all the hot cookies and warm tea he wanted.

They lived happily ever after. THE END

As much as it may seem that our stories are silly or don't make all that much sense our kids love them. When we share something creative and don't feel ashamed by what we come up with our kids will gleam with confidence when they try. After all if mom and dad do it so can they.

Make up your own story. Relax a little and have a good time with your kids! Good luck! Oh, and a little note. Try to remember what you have said, because they will ask for it again.

Inspiration for my story was from The Little Red Riding Hood, author Brothers Grimm and Dora the Explorer on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

Kids Say and Do the Darndest

Happy Independence Day! I have had a wonderful weekend thus far and would like to take a little break for fun on my blog as well. I have made up a short game for you to get to know my girls. Have fun and take a guess. Answers are posted at the bottom.

1. 'L' accidentally hurt my shin with something today. What was it?

A. toy piano

B. shoe

C. her head

D. chair

2. 'L' wants to be just like one of the characters she sees on t.v. Who is it?

A. Sporticus

B. Dora

C. Kai Lan

D. Princess Pea

What piece of furniture does 'H' currently climb?

A. toy box

B. couch

C. toddler bed

D. all of the above

3. 'H' will eat bowl fulls of what two food items?

A. Cheerios and strawberries

B. Mac n' cheese and peaches

C. Blueberries and peas

D. Bananas and Fruit Loops

4. What do the girls love playing together?

A. Dancing

B. Peak-a-Boo

C. Hide n' seek

D. All of the above

5. 'L' patted my belly and said "You look ___ today." Fill in the blank.

A. chubby

B. full

C. pregnant

D. lovely

6. What does 'H' do when I put her in the pac n play?

A. cries like there is no tomorrow.

B. tries to climb out.

C. plays quietly.

D. hands toys back and forth to her sister.

answers: 1. C, 2. A, 3. B, 4. D, 5. B, 6. trick question. depends on the day.

Well, if you'd like a better understanding of these I can clear some of this up. 'L' was playing and goofing around when she tripped and zoomed head first into my shin. It hurt so bad and now it is swollen with a bruise.

Which brings me to the second question and answer. She would like to be Sporticus with all of her heart. She jumps and rolls and moves just like he does. She even tries to do a one handed push up as the sporty superhero does, but in an altered child way. It's definitely something to be seen.

Just like her mom did as a child, 'H' loves her macaroni and cheese plus some delicious peaches. It must be something about the color yellow because she can't seem to get enough. She even loved the macaroni and cheese that I foolishly made without having butter in the house and substituted it with sour cream. Yum.

My girls love playing together. Although the age difference can be a bit of a hindrance they still play at all hours. 'H' has loved finding her sister in hide and seek since she was just a tiny baby on my hip pointing whenever I asked "where is 'L' hiding". Now she runs right after her. They also love to dance and have played a mean game of peak-a-boo in their day.

As much as pregnant or chubby would be quite humorous or lovely would be well, lovely 'L' said I looked quite full. She has gotten a kick out of grabbing my belly since her three year well visit with her pediatrician. He checked her belly and while she looked uncomfortable he mentioned he could feel her cheerios in her belly. Since that day she loves grabbing peoples bellies to predict the food in their tummy.

As far as the pac n play goes in this house it's about to go. It has been my side kick and companion as a SAHM, but it is becoming a negative item in my house especially since she started trying to climb out. After her first year well visit and getting four shots, she has been quite nervous and attached to me and putting her down some days isn't an option. Other days she plays quietly or even plays with her sister in a wonderful game 'L' should call "gimme."

There you have it, six new facts you now know about my girls. I hope everyone enjoyed their Four of July as you may still be, but again as a SAHM I am once again home with the girls as they sleep.

Straight From My Three Year old Daughter

Speaking of her dog after snatching a chicken nugget from her "Mom. Bonesy doesn't know it isn't coplite (polite) to take food from peoples hands. I think he belongs in a zoo. Sorry mom. He belongs in a zoo."

"Dad. Why does that Barn not have cows in it?" Said my three year old girl.

"Because it holds tools." Said Dad.

"Why does it hold tools?"

"Because there are different types of barns. Some hold stuff and some hold animals."

"Dad. Are their cows in that barn?"

On a drive to her grandpa's. "When you see a broken house (old barn) say 'BROKEN HOUSE!' " Every few minutes we heard "BROKEN HOUSE!"

"Mom 'H' (one year old sister) is standing up in her high chair. Mom! Did you see her. Mom. 'H' is standing up in her high chair." One day I had to grab something from the kitchen and I asked my three year old to tell me if her sister stood up. Well, I asked for it and regretted the very second I did.

We have been hearing a lot of the "why" lately. One has been why she needs to go to bed and where the sun goes. After explaining it to her this is what she said. "The Earth goes in a circle. The sun stays." She balls her fists to show me the sun and the Earth. "Mom. Can we go up and see the Earth spin?"

"Mom. I don't want H to win. I don't want H to win the race and go to sleep before me." Honestly expressing how upset she was by losing the race against her one year old sister until it dawned on her that it's better to stay up a few minutes later.

"Mom I had a very great time playing with H in the bath. I was so ca-sited (excited)." After her first bath with her sister since I tried it when H was a couple months old.

"Good night mom. I had a very fun day with you!"

A Birthday For a One Year Old

Today was my second daughters birthday. She turned one today. It's hard to imagine how time changes everything. It seems like I gave birth to my children yesterday while I just celebrated my oldest daughters third birthday two weeks ago as well as celebrating my youngest first birthday today. My two beautiful girls are growing up.

The day and celebration in itself was beautiful, and I am very thankful to my family who came out to spend time with us and sad for the family members who couldn't make it. We took some beautiful pictures I'd love to share a few at a later date as I am very exhausted. Exhausted by two birthdays so close together.

It is bittersweet really. I am happy that the birthdays wont be for another year because it means my girls are getting even older and more parties. Wow the parties, but it's a little bitter because the celebrations are of course over. The cakes have been baked and eaten. The fun has been had and the pictures have been taken.

I will remember and cherish my children and these days always.