Polite Pete the Pirate

Regan loves loves loves Pirates more specifically Polite Peet the Pirate by Hullabaloo!

Well they call me Polite Peet the Pirate
I sail the seven salty seas
I rob and I loot
I pillage and I plunder
But I always say thank you and please!

Sometimes Daddy plays along too! :)

Buddies

A few weeks ago we had a playdate with the Jones's.  The kids made their own pizzas and played and played and played.  Turns out going to their house makes for a very easy day for me.  The best thing about Regan's buddies is their mom is one of my buddies from high school!  So I a also got to eat pizza and play too! :)

Letterboxing

We found our first letterbox!  Mim will be so proud!  About a year ago Mim told us about letterboxing, my first thought about what letterboxing was is not appropriate to post but I knew if it was coming from my mom I must be wrong about what letterboxing means.

People have hidden letterboxes (stamps) in parks along hiking trails to be found.  When you find a letterbox you sign their "guest book" with your own stamp and trail name and then you can keep a book for yourself to collect the letterboxes you find.  You can find more info here.

Regan is very into treasure hunts right now so I figured it was a good age to give it a try.  So off we went to find a letterbox I thought would be easy.  Then there was a creek to cross, fallen trees to climb through and that is when I decided this was not going to be easy with me, Regan and Ayla.  So I found a new letterbox to track down.  The next set of clues we followed were placed perfectly for kids to search for.  We almost missed it but right before giving up we checked one more spot.  I sort of just kicked around quickly not expecting to find anything and then there it was!

Thank you FamiLee of 4 for giving us a fun free morning and making it kid friendly!

5 Little Ducks Went Out One Day

Over the hill and far away...

Well really there were 10 little ducks, one pony, 4 horses, 3 goats, 4 pregnant bunnies, 30 chicks, 1 emu, 3 mini cows, and a dog on our recent visit to the Ranahan side of the family.  The country half of our family does not own all of those animals many belong to the neighbor but the neighbor was nice enough to let us come take a peek at her critters too.

Peeking in at the baby ducks.

The baby ducks came out to play and they were sooooo CUTE!

This is Molly the pony that is just "Regan's size!"

Riding Molly

Grandma is Free to Play!

Grandma just retired!  We had no idea what to get her.  They plan on doing a lot of traveling so I thought of getting her a nice weekender bag but I think she already has plenty of luggage because they already travel a lot!  So then I read something that said get them something that has to do with how they will spend their time and well David and I are hoping they will spend their time with the kids.  actually I don't think we have to hope I am pretty it is a done deal.  So I ran around with the kids getting pictures and gift cards and merry-go-round tokens and here is the gift we came up with.  It was fun and we hope she likes it and can't wait to help fill up her time! :)

I love the picture with the hearts.  I wanted to do it for valentine's day but never got around to it so I have been waiting for another reason to do it.  I got the idea from a blog that makes me smile Color Me Katie.

Saturday Night's Parties

Are not what the used to be...

but they are perfect!

I am grateful

I am grateful

1. for my fun, caring, supportive good looking husband
2. to have healthy, beautiful and sweet children
3. to have such a loving family
4. for my mom who has always made the dinner table an important family moment
5. for the roof over our heads
6. my friends that push me to be better
7. the oppurtunity to be at home with my children
8. my dad and all his free medical advice for his paranoid daughter
9. for my sweet nieces and nephews
10. that facebook has put me back in touch with friends who made such a major impact during different phases of life
11. that my sister Megan has taught Regan to spell her and Ayla's name thru a fun song
12. and now Regan is learning the days of the week from another fun song from Aunt Megan
13. my caring, know we can count on them anytime in-laws
14. that my best friend has held that position for 23 years
15. for bloggers who share and teach their amazing talents
16. that Regan's best friends consist of her two cousins that are close in age and my bestie's  daughter that should just be considered another cousin
17. that my husbands believes in me even in all my craziness
18. every time Regan comes in the middle of the night to snuggle with me in bed
19. every time I get a solid night sleep with no kids in our bed
20. when Alya makes me feel like I am the only person in the world
21. for the laughs I get watching Chelsea Lately
22. that my daughters have four great grandmas and a great grandpa
23. the amazing friendship my daughters have developed
24. my in-laws houseboat that we have an open invitation to :)
25. time alone with my husband
26. time alone with Regan
27. time alone with Ayla
28. when my sister Marisa asks me to call after a drive of even just 30 min so she knows I made it home okay
29. the amazing group of mommy friends I have that keep me sane, keep me motivated and encourage each other everyday
30. when my brother comes by to play with his nieces
31. for my brother and sister in law who are so much fun to hang out with
32. for Piper who curls up at my feet ever night
33. for another year with friends and family!

Happy Birthday to Me! :)