Seven Peaks

We went to Seven Peaks Water park this week. We went with JD, Melissa, Kyle, Brittney, Ashley, all of the foster boys, JoLyn, Alan, Tara, their 3 boys and their brand new almost 3 week old baby. It was sooo much fun with so many of us there. It was the perfect day to go too. The afternoon was a little overcast, so it made the sun not too bright and it wasn't so hot out. However, I got a little too much sun in the morning while we were first there because I woke up the next morning with a sunburn. It wasn't too bad, just a little on my shoulders, I'm thinking I may have missed the sunscreen there. I usually don't even worry about sunscreen, but I did put a some baby sunscreen lotion on. Good thing I did, or the sunburn might have been worse. Brooke's cheeks were a little red by the end of the day, but it was gone by the next morning. We spent most of the time in the lazy river, but the girls had a blast going down these kiddie slides. I was surprised Brooke even wanted to do it. When we first drove up to the park, she shrieked when she saw the tube slides and said she didn't want to go to the waterpark. I told her there was much more to do, and that she wasn't going down the big slides. Geez, I didn't even want to go down the big slides. We spent plenty of time in the wave pool as well. It was fun watching the girls play and splash in the big waves. We spent almost 7 hours there, and it was well worth it...... especially because we basically paid nothing! The week before, Melissa called me and asked if I had gotten a coupon for a free full day's admission in our ValPak coupon mailer. I literally searched through the garbage can to find it. Kids 3 and under are free, so DaKoda got in no problem. Which meant I had to find Brooke a coupon. I called around to quite a few neighbors before finally finding someone with a coupon to let us have. We did have to pay $5 for parking, and I spent $8 on a double tube (well worth it after we spent most of the day in it on the lazy river). We also split the cost of a cabana with the other families. I am glad we did. It kept us all in the shade when we wanted to rest, plus it kept baby Raegan out of the sun too! We only paid for a small cabana, but when we got there, they said that since no one else had signed up for one yet, they were letting us have a big one. Nice!
Then before we left, the girls were dying for some nachos, and I had to have some dippin dots ice cream. Wish dippin dots had their own store outside of amusement and water parks. I would buy them every week if I could!

Before we left, I convinced Brittney and Ashley to take the girls down the slide one more time so that I could get some pictures.

See, it wasn't really a big slide, but man the girls sure enjoyed it! You would think that with DaKoda not having a nap, being out in the sun all day, and playing hard, that the girls would have just crashed that night. But, nope, not DaKoda. I swear that girl could go on forever. It still took her a while to go to sleep. But the next day, she did take a nap for well over 3 hours. She still makes up for it somehow.

*Oh yeah, that morning we also went to ward play group. We had more people show up this week. The Croshaw's and the Hall's came. I think week by week it will only get bigger and bigger as the word spreads. Plus, I think having it consistently on the same day, makes it harder to forget about. I only wish we could have stayed longer. We showed up late because we were trying to get ready for Seven Peaks and then we had to leave early to make it to the park around the time they opened to maximize the day. It will be fun to go to play group next week to see if there are even more faces! This has really been a fun calling and I sure do enjoy it.

Bowling for Kaden's Birthday!

Saturday we celebrated (my best friend, Cara's son) Kaden's birthday party. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of Kaden! I know, seriously, who doesn't take any pictures of the birthday boy? But in my defense, it was the girls' first time bowling. They seemed to enjoy it, but I'm not sure how soon we will go again. I know of a bowling alley near us that does free summer bowling for kids, and I signed Brooke up for a pass, but I'm not sure how often we'll go. We enjoyed yummy pizza and drinks too. Then we went to Cara's for a BBQ. Which was fabulous as always. Cara does such a great job playing hostess. Much better than I am. Her Mom makes the best potato salad, that Derek and I just love. I really which I could get her recipe, well I can, there's just no way I could follow it. It's one of those, a dash of this, until it tastes right sort of recipe. I just can't do that. I need a cup of this, a tablespoon of that. Even then, I am lucky to get it right. The kids ran around and played while we got to visit for a little. The girls are terrified of Cara's dogs. It was a little nerve wracking to have the girls scream every time one of the dogs came into the room, but by the end of the night, they were doing better about it. We gave Kaden some Iron Man 2 toys that he seemed to enjoy. His cake, decorations, and take home bags were from the movie How to Train Your Dragon. The girls had fun with their take home bags. They had tattoos in them, which they had fun putting on.

After the party, we went to spend the night at my parents house. It was a little weird not having them there. The girls seemed to be fine with it. It still seems like they are just on vacation right now. Like on some month long cruise, that they will be home from any day now. But, we are adjusting. Then we went to their ward without them. A friend's youngsters came and sat with us and it was fun to share our file folder games with them. Afterward, so many ward members asked me about them. I have only finished a few so far since I have been so busy with my other callings and substituting in Brooke's CTR Primary class. My official callings are Activity Days Leader and I am also over Play Group. Throw Visiting Teaching in there, and yeah, I'm a little busy. But, I can't say I haven't enjoyed it. Just things like the file folder games and such get pushed to the back burner.

We also celebrated my brother, Andrew's birthday while we were up there. Krista had bought some really nice CD collections for him that we all went in on, even Mom and Dad. It was fun throwing our first birthday party without Mom and Dad here for it. There will be many more to come. We enjoyed some cream cheese brownies and mint ice cream before taking off in order to meet Derek's Dad. He had called earlier in the week and asked if he could take the girls to the movies along with Denise. They were going to see Shrek Forever After in 3D. The girls had already seen the movie twice at the drive in, but they were really excited to see it again. We dropped them off and then headed for home for a little break by ourselves. It was fun to get some time alone. We hardly ever get that. After the movie, Derek's Dad called and wanted to take them to McDonald's. Sure, why not? It was bedtime by the time they got home, but the girls were so wound up from all the fun they'd had. Derek was showing his Dad our camper, and so the girls and I were out there with them when the sprinklers came on. I figured, it's warm outside, the girls are about to go to bed, so I let them run through the sprinklers in their clothes. It was such a wonderful weekend. Truly a blast!

Summer Movies!

Yesterday we went to our first summer kids movie. We saw Kung Fu Panda. Since the movie starts about the time I usually get the girls their lunch, I decided to be naughty and sneak their lunch in with us. A few minutes into the movie and the girls were asking for their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. About half an hour into the movie, Brooke says she needs to go to the bathroom. So I get up, take both girls to the bathroom and quickly make it back to our seats. Not even 10 minutes later, Brooke tells me she needs to go to the bathroom again. I felt like crying, are you kidding me? So we got up again, raced out, and went to the bathroom again. Sometimes I feel like my girls see the bathroom trip as some little excursion. A little exciting trip. Crazy? I hope they aren't the only ones. Every time we pass a bathroom at a store or anything, they decide they need to go, right then, no waiting. It drives me nuts. But I don't want them having accidents, so what can I do, but take them.

The rest of the movie went so much better. I wonder though if they weren't as interested in it because we own it and they have watched it before. Plus, I think the movie is geared more towards little boys. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a girl can't like it too, but I just don't think my girls were loving it. But they do love going to the movies.

Playgroup

Today we went to the park for our ward playgroup. It's only the second week. (Last week, we were the only ones to show up. For the first 20 minutes, we were the only people at the park. It was really weird. I think kids were still in school and I believe graduation was that day.) We had more kids show today which was great! The Halls came and they brought some of the Wright kids with them. Here is a picture of all the kids who came today (minus DaKoda who only wishes to swing the entire time).

Then we had a fabulous surprise!!! Brooke's friend, 'E' showed up at the park! Totally MADE Brooke's day. Can't you just see the joy and happiness on her little face? 'E' seemed just as pleased to see Brooke as well. They swung on the swings together for such a long time. Even DaKoda loved swinging with them. But boy do my arms hurt after pushing 3 little girls.

It seems DaKoda is pretty popular in nursery. When Sister Hall asked her little boy if he wanted to go to the park for playgroup, he told her no. She said, 'DaKoda might be there.' 'Yay!' Sister Hall said we was happy to go then. I hear the same thing from another family when we have babysat for them. Their little boy loves to come play with DaKoda. I think I might have a Ms. Popular on my hands. She cracks me up.

Aren't they so cute holding hands? Awwww

An Update

I've had a few people ask me for an update on how things are going with Brooke. Well, things are going the tiniest bit better. She has been going to classes and school, but I basically have to physically force her to go. It's still been pretty emotionaly exhausting, but we are hanging in there. I took her to the counselor yesterday and she had a few ideas for me to try. One was trying to find somewhere that Brooke could sign. She refered to it as something Brooke has found a passion for and we need to find somewhere that she can learn, grow and utilize that passion. Not sure where a 5 year old can sign. I am sure she would be way too young to sing up for community classes. I am going to ask her friends Mother if she knows of anywhere.

So far Brooke has had 2 play dates with her friend, L. She really seems so attached to her. Today she wrote her a letter. She wrote that she loves her, misses her and that she hopes she has fun at her new school. Brooke wrote the entire thing, I just spelled it out for her. I am amazed at how fast Brooke is picking up writing and wanting to write letters and such.

Brooke can count to 100!!! She pulls out her Chicka Chick 1 2 3 book and instead one cover, are all the numbers to 100. She can recited almost all of them. We help out a just a few times. Her 40's really sound like she is saying 30's. But after correcting her, she does the rest of the line correctly. I am sure she will be able to count all the way to 100 without having to see the numbers before she starts Kindergarten this fall.

I have been trying to get supplies together to start making some file folder games. The girls seem to be getting bored with what I have in the church bag. They both do fairly well at sitting during Sacrament. A lot better than it used to be. I think they are beginning to understand and us being consistent in attending, I am sure has helped. I have found a bunch of links to free printables for file folder games. I just need to go buy some file folders, some cardstock paper, and some more ink because I am sure my printer is about to run out. Then I am going to start laminating them while I am at the library for Brooke's ABC class.

DaKoda has been learning and growing like crazy. She talks almost as much as Brooke and is almost at tall! Brooke just doesn't seem to be growing at all! They are both about in size 3t clothes. DaKoda wears a few 3t shirts, and Brooke is still in 3t pants. If Brooke doesn't start growing here pretty soon, I am going to have to go buy more 3t pants so they both can wear them! I have been asked about 6 times in the last few months if they were twins. People always act surprised when I tell them they are 2 and a half years apart. DaKoda misses Brooke like crazy while she is at school. She tells me everyday, 'I miss Brooke, when she at school.' Poor girl. She just doesn't know what to do with Mommy!

I will try to get a post up of the pictures I took of Brooke and her friend during their playdate. Things have been pretty crazy around here still and with Brooke's birthday next week, they sure aren't going to slow down any time yet.

*Best part of the week so far: I told Brooke that after counseling, we could go to Macey's and she could pick out her birthday cake. I told her she could have whatever she wanted on her cake. I guess I shouldn't use the word ANY with her. Ever, ever again. She picked out the HUGE Disney princess castle cake that serves 48 people for $40!!! Brooke always goes big! Well, at least she will be happy with it. She has finally gotten into the princess stage. I wasn't sure it would ever hit. I thought I could force it on her by buying her a princess toddler bed, princess rocking chair, and many other princess things. But she never really wanted anything princess. (However, she did once while in the hospital ask to watch Beauty and the Beast over and over. Like 8 times a day. I still love the movie!) We took her shopping last weekend and she kept asking for different things. We told her she was going to have to go home and write out a birthday list. She wrote ' I wunt' (I was surprised she was trying so hard to spell) over and over, and then had me fill in the different items. She asked for a princess cash register, Ariel dress up jewelry, a princess dress for dress up, and princess dress up shoes, and a Curious George board game. Yeah, you can tell she absolutely LOVES to play dress up. So.... here comes this weekend and all the birthday celebrations!!