Gorgeous Garden Girl!

This year we planted many veggies in our first ever garden. Lauren absolutely loved helping us and didn't mind getting dirty at all. She's our little GORGEOUS GARDEN GIRL and even liked the bugs. She picks up worms and all sorts of critters and get this...she calls them cute. It's a good thing she's willing to handle them because her momma isn't. Wearing boots like her Daddy and willing to "dig" right in, I hope she continues to be helpful all her years long!

Ripley's Acquarium - Myrtle Beach, SC

We enjoyed a wonderful family vacation in April to Myrtle Beach, SC. One of the days on our own we took the kids to Ripley's Acquarium. They both enjoyed it immensely.

SAVED BY THE PHONE

Alright....getting kids to eat their vegetables is a struggle! As an infant and toddler, she ate most all veggies and now as a pre-schooler I can't get her to eat but 1-6 pieces (not bites) total. I've tried a new tactic...you don't get up until you eat 3 (your age). This evening was green beans and it was rough! If you don't know it....Lauren is strong-willed and stubborn! Anyway, she was crying so bad that her dad came down from sleeping upstairs and gave her a talking to. It didn't work. She still had to sit there. Dad went back upstairs and still no progress. Just gagging, whining, you know how it goes. The phone rings....it's Andy's cell number....he asks to speak with Lauren. They talk for some time. I wish he had convinced her to eat her green beans - he didn't. She was SAVED BY THE PHONE and didn't eat the veggies, but she also went straight to bed.

BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T SHE?

Sweet when she wants to be...and BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T SHE??

Disclaimer: Other times-an attitude not so pretty and yet the same gorgeous face.

STUNTS!

Owen is just full of STUNTS!

Again....I'm convinced....boys just get into more and try more! I'm watching Owen's personality blossom and loving the opportunity to see the difference between boys and girls! Get a kick of the things he does. He's quite the climber. I should be more concerned with getting him down, but I have to get a picture. (You understand, right?) The one with the grate shows his ingenuity. He opens the vertical cupboard and grabs out whatever he can and walks around the house with it AND get this....he even puts it back - most times without asking. This picture was just to show you all how incredibly handsome he is!

DARE-DEVIL BIKER TRICKS

Boys sure are different! We got a kick this evening when Owen hopped on his 3-in-1 bike and started rocking. That wasn't all though. He went all out and showed us his DARE-DEVIL BIKER TRICKS by climbing up onto the seat and then by letting go with one and both hands. It's funny....the things you don't have to teach your kids. He's cool stuff and made his Dad proud!

Jerk Chicken Nachos & Asparagus

I really am enjoying my new job, if you can call it that. Being a Pampered Chef consultant has so many perks, not least of which (for me) is that it can help you learn to cook and have recipes galore. JERK CHICKEN NACHOS- Andrew didn't think this was dinner. So they are normally more of an appetizer, but if you want dinner tonight then you'll eat them - and ASPARAGUS. Owen didn't think so much of the asparagus (yes, he's spitting it out). It was actually the first time that I have ever prepared this veggie. It was yummy - we'll keep trying on Owen and Lauren. And well....Lauren enjoys being like Mommy and wanted to cut the lime with the kitchen shears. With supervision - there's no harm! Here's to hoping that my kids learn to eat healthy and don't turn out picky like me!