This Weekend

Ryan and I have enjoyed working our way through a sermon series on marriage from the church we were a part of in Seattle.  We get good listening on our own during the week, then great conversation over a romantic and quiet in-house dinner date on the weekend.

 Happy St. Patrick's Day on Saturday!  If you haven't ever read up on who St. Patrick was, take a minute to do so.  I love doing special things to celebrate holidays with the kids and the history of this one is not lacking in inspirational and spiritual lessons.  Plus, who doesn't love green pancakes?! 

We decided to go bowling after breakfast.  I suggested the idea, not really thinking that I would have to carry two bowling balls to play the game!

"Whoa, Daddy!"

I know, I know.  You're supposed to throw the ball, not tuck it in your shirt.  That's probably why I didn't knock any pins down on that turn.

Going into the tenth frame, the kids were ahead.  For real.

I'll stop with the bowling ball jokes and just let you come up with your own caption for this one. :)

Bowling + 40 weeks pregnant = worst score ever.

One week to D-Day

I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow!  Can't wait to meet Baby Girl.

I think you call this nesting :)

Growing Up

I feel like Rooke is changing and growing up in new ways every day.  

Maybe it's because he's about to be Big Brother times two.  

Maybe it's because he wants to ride his bike without training wheels.  

Maybe it's because he's figured out how to get his sister to do things he doesn't want to.  

Maybe it's because he's so proud of himself for coloring in the lines.  

Maybe it's because he's asking "important questions" on our walks to and from preschool.  

Maybe it's because he is more interested in real legos these days.  

Probably it's a combination of all this and more, but I just love this little man so much and am blessed to see him grow.  

This is a recent creation that he was super proud of. . .  I'm proud of him.    

Get-Away

I got a great Groupon deal for an overnight stay in a city we'd not ventured to.  So we headed out last weekend for one last family hurrah before Baby Girl comes.  The kids were ecstatic when they saw their little cot beds waiting for them in the room and immediately jumped in!  If only Gretchen had been as excited when it came time to actually use them for their intended purpose! =)

Super Dad spent the afternoon swimming with the kids.  Rooke hasn't been a fan of the pool in the past, but showed a lot of courage this time.

We checked out the remains of an old castle . . .

And after touring some caves below the city, we ate at a quaint little cafe that made me feel like we were back in Seattle.  Someone didn't want his picture taken.

Gretchisms

I hear this at least once each day: "I need to get my pink bunny.  She's crying for me."

On our way to the car after some immunizations: "That little man put two pokies in my legs."

On wild animals: "If a lion comes, I will kill it and then put it in a safe place."

She has a strong interest in the story of David and "Golilaf".

Mommy answering a request for help: "Yes, just after I go potty."

Gretchen, in complete shock: "AGAIN, Mommy?!"

Sleeping in a hotel bed: "This is my pretend bunk bed."

On being a big sister:  "When Baby Sister comes out, I will give her soft and gentle cuddles.  And if she cries I will sing her a song and tell her to stop crying."

36 weeks

Loving on Baby Sister

Disneyland!

The big day out on our trip was to Euro-Disney!  I'm pretty sure my mom and I were more excited about the day than the kids were, but we all had a great time and totally wore ourselves out with fun. 

To help get the kids in the mood and pass the time on the train, Big Daddy downloaded an episode of the Mickey Mouse Club on his phone.

We started with the teacups.  May have not been the best choice!

Things started looking up when we didn't have to wait in line to see that it really is a small world after all.

The Peter Pan ride was a hit and it was all smiles for the rest of the day.  Especially when Rooke got to fly the rocket ship and drive a race car!

Silly girl after the Buzz Lightyear ride

She loves Minnie Mouse!

We stayed until the park closed at 8 and he fell asleep in KayeK's lap on the train home.  Gretchen, on the other hand, was literally running in circles around us while waiting at the bus stop.

Reliving the fun the next morning:

A French Birthday

I never dreamed I would get to say that I spent my birthday in Paris!  But it happened!  This year I turned 31 in France!  And the only thing that would have made the celebration better is if I had been in the city of love with my love.  Ryan had to spend a week away for work.  So my favorite little travelers and I jumped on the train (okay, not really.  This super preggo mommy doesn't do any jumping these days!) and went to visit my parents for several days.  They are working in Paris this month and graciously offered to let us crash their flat.  The trip was a perfect birthday present!  I'm grateful for the memories I now have from this trip with my "big kids" before Baby Girl is born (just four weeks to go!).

We used pretty much every form of public transportation available in Paris during our visit.

Waiting for the train into the city on my birthday

Despite being super annoyed about taking this picture, Rooke thought the Eiffel Tower was very cool.  

Thank you, Paris, for being home to the most amazing crepes.  Nutella and banana on my birthday is better than any cake I could have asked for!

We were sad Ryan wasn't there to join in the fun, but his absence meant that Rooke got his own crepe (because it was my birthday and I didn't want to share with both kids!), which made his day!

Notre Dame in the background

Besides checking out the city, we also had fun just hanging out and playing with Kaye K and Big Daddy.  I didn't think about or cook one meal, do one load of laundry, or clean any dishes for five days.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Playing with his souvenirs on the train ride home