Springridge Farm

Today Dea, Grandma Ruth and I took the kids to Springridge Farm. They have a huge sandbox with lots of tractors, corn mazes, huge bales of hay to climb and jump on, tractor rides, pony rides, animals... Lots of fun farm activities for the mullins clan. The kids loved the tractor ride as expected and they loved feeding the animals. Here are some pics...


On another note, Jack won't stay in his bed soooooo we will see how this continues in Texas. Right now he is sleeping on the floor. He is lying right against the door. He knocks at it and says Mommy Mommy R you??? Its really actually quite heart wrenching. He wants out of bed and I want to let him out since he sounds so pathetic but he needs his sleep so I keep putting him back in. The little monkey can be out of his pack n play before I get the door closed. Whats with my acrobatic kids??????????

Woodbine Centre

Our day started off a little rainy so my mom and I packed the kids in the car and took them to Woodbine Centre. For you Canadians you'll know what I am talking about but for my American friends - it is a mall with indoor rides. Small roller coasters and Ferris wheel, a train and huge play center. Well the kids were having so much fun on the rides - we rode the choo choo numerous times and every time it was as fun as the first. Jack was the only one who went on the bumper boats by himself. We couldn't believe our eyes, Christopher wanted nothing to do with it and Ella started out but once they put her in the middle of the water she wanted out, and then shy timid JACK goes on and steers the bumper boat on his own. He never ceases to amaze me. So naturally I go to my bag to take some pictures ahhh, I HAVE NO CAMERA. So you'll just have to imagine the fun, Ella loved the small roller coaster. It went forwards and backwards. I learned my lesson and for the rest of the day had my camera in my bag. As usual we went to the lake to feed the ducks and have a picnic. Here's the photos... I also included some pictures of Ella and her slug. We are into bugs, all 3 of them love them so we spend most of our days looking out for them.

Off to the Lake -each with their own stash of bread. Ella has packed some other items - just in case...

If you look closely at Ella while she feeds the ducks she also feeds herself. One bite of stale bread for her and one for the duck... one for her one for the duck. She has done this for the past two years. Every year the ducks get a bit more and she takes a little less for herself. We emphasize sharing at our house!!!!

JUST FOR LAUGHS

There is something about kids laughing. It is so contagious. I remember years ago Toys R Us had a radio ad and it was kids laughter, you couldn't help but laugh too. Well I think my kids have a great laugh and the best part is that they are so easily amused. We were eating lunch and Christopher doesn't like any food or sauce on his hands so he always whines a bit and shows me so I will wipe his hands. Ella tells him today to lick it and when she showed him how, he burst out in laughter. Well by the time I got my camera it had subsided a bit. Even on the tail end it's still fun to watch... I probably should have spent the time teaching them proper manners, how we don't lick our fingers but oh well this was more enjoyable. I am sure I will have plenty more teachable moments tomorrow.

GIRLS DAY OUT

What a fun day for the girls. Jack and Christopher were napping so Grandpa babysat while Grandma, Mommy and Ella went to get our nails done. Ella had so much fun so it appears we have set her up for a lifetime of pampering... Keep this in mind boys!

KITCHENAID

Well a small dream of mine has come true - thanks to mom and dad AKA Paul and Ruthie or Mama and Bopa...

I got a RED Kitchenaid stand mixer. Red is both John's and my favorite color so it was meant to be...As many of you know I like to bake, hate to cook but love to bake anything sweet. So neighbors get ready I am about to get my baking on!!!

ROAD TRIP

Someone, I am not sure who, although I do know they didn't have three small children said life is about the journey not the destination... Even though getting to the destination in one piece mentally and physically was our primary goal we did enjoy the journey...
We are now in Canada our final destination. We drove the three kids and dog from Houston, Texas to Oakville, Ontario CANADA via Charlotte, North Carolina. It was actually much better than anticipated. For all of you who thought we were nuts WELL we were but it was a great trip. We covered 1791 miles. The dog was the best traveller - he slept the whole time on the floor. John and I have learned a few packing tips and are getting very familiar with Rest areas. John had a great time trying to find the best gas price. South Carolina came through for us with a low $3.77 per gallon. Canada of course was our least favorite gas pump - I stopped filling at $94.46 because I just couldn't handle a $100 gas fill up.

The summer is just getting started for us still but we had so much fun in Charlotte with the whole Mullins clan. My highlight was the roller coasters!!! Barb and I are such kindred spirits. Both front roller coaster riders. We went to the nature museum, the kids loved it. Ella loves butterflies so she liked being so close to them. On July 4th we celebrated at the Charlotte History Museum and then off to Carowinds...

Canada has been great, the weather is awesome and the kids love going to the lake to feed the ducks, throw rocks in the water and look at the boats. The boys language is exploding. They repeat everything you say now, I am still needed quite a bit for interpretation, but it is such a fun age. They are sleeping in pack n plays at my moms and a few days ago I hear them laughing and giggling at 7 am. Since they were happy I left them to play. Then I hear some knocking on their door, I open it to find both of them out of their beds and waiting at the door saying Mommy outta bed outta bed... Yep I see that...

Miss Ella is having a fun time being the center of attention but she does miss her friends in Texas. As we all do.

I put together a little video of some of the things we have been doing... Hope you enjoy! We sure drove a lot of highway...

CANADA

We are here in Canada enjoying the most amazing weather. I have put together a video that I will get uploaded tonight. Nothing is worst than a procrastinating blogger...
Until then I was talking to my friend Tammy today who grew up with John and me and was a bridesmaid in our wedding. Her sister Jodi, who we also went to school with, has a son named Jack - sweet name... He has suffered from Epilepsy and they have a website. Thought you might find it interesting - the power of a child...
http://www.jackslemonade.com/
Stay tuned for the video -
L-