Leodardo's Discovery Warehouse

We happened to have a Sunday open and wanted to use the coupon I bought for Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse in Enid, OK. So on October 2, 2011 we drove about 2hrs to Enid and had to first stop at Winchell's donuts because Jeff is crazy about their donut holes with sprinkles. They were out of them though so we said we would come back later. We had lunch then went to Leo's. It wasn't very big but there was lots of fun stuff for the kids to do like science exhibits, dress up, sand table, crafts, puzzles, tunnels to crawl through, animals to pet, a grocery store and a carpentry shop. The carpentry shop was neat because they got to use real hammers and saws on wood. They also had a huge outdoor playground so we had a full day. We went back to the donut place on the way home and they still didn't have any donut holes for Jeff so he was super bummed poor guy!

Jorden shopping for groceries

Good action shot but scary that one has a hammer and the other a saw yikes!

Jensen "fishing"

Huge outdoor playground

Flying a fighter plane

Digging for fossils

September 2011 Random

Great Grandma Cassie with all five great grands.
We had a great time visiting her and playing in her backyard

Kristi, Grandma Cassie and Jame.
 We have a special relationship with her and are closer to her than her grandsons.

 

Piggyback ride from Jillian

Look at that ornery face! Jensen is as big as the girls but they gave him piggyback rides too

Jensen started playing flag football this fall which is a new thing for everyone. He really enjoys it and he scored a touchdown in the first game so we are proud

 Who needs the duck pond when you can feed ducks in the neighbor's yard

So sweet! Jorden and Jillian rubbing noses at Jensen's football game

Jeff started a new schedule of working four 10hr days so he has every Monday off. It's really nice because we can do fun family things while everyone else is at work. We went to the zoo on 9/18 and it was a beautiful day for it

Sliding at the zoo

Goofing around with Aunt Jamie
Every Sunday evening we try to eat dinner at my Momma's house then we go to Jeff's parent's house to play with the girls. It's been nice being able to play outside

Jensen and Julia at storytime at the library. For some reason, they have a really precious bond. He told me she's like his baby sister and he's always very gentle with her unlike his baby brother. Jamie and I wonder if it's because they are both little stinkers sometimes and they can relate :)

 

This kid cracks me up

Grandparent's night

They had Grandparent's night at Jensen's school on Tues Sept 13th. He was so lucky to have all 4 of his grandparents come to see his school and classroom. He enjoyed showing them around and introducing them to his teacher. She could easily see why he is so tall with all the tall men in the family.

Grandpa Mayhle, Mimi, Grandpa and Grandma Jones with Jensen

Jensen and his teacher Mrs Strange

Jorden's first day of "school"

Jorden started going to children's day out at a nearby church on Sept 13th. It's one day a week on Tuesdays from 9:15-2:15. It's a great chance for him to socialize and learn. Since Jensen goes to school at 12:50pm I get to spend some time with just him then have an hour to myself before picking Jorden up. On his first day, Jorden was excited to take his backpack and lunch. He was excited to see his classroom and didn't want to put his lunchbox down. He went right in and wasn't upset at all. When I came to pick him up they said he was the sweetest boy and talked a lot for his age, all things we knew of course:-) He also went down for nap easily which is good. We are glad he like school

Going to school pic taken by big brother Jensen

 

Walking to his classroom like a big kid

He didn't want to put his lunch away so they let him keep it with him

Vegas Baby!

Every year Jeff goes to what I call the super nerd convention and this year it was in Las Vegas so he asked me to go with him. I said no at first since I've been there, done that and I was not sure what to do with th boys. My sweet Momma offered to take off work to keep them so I really had no reason not to go enjoy some r and r. We left on a Monday morning 8/29 and arrived at the Venetian hotel at about 1pm. I was happy my prescription worked and I didn't get sick on the plane. I was very excited to be staying at the beautiful Venetian because I fell in love with it the first time I went to Vegas many years ago but never dreamed we would ever stay there for FREE! Since his work paid for him to go, we just had to buy my plane ticket and food/entertainment so you couldn't beat that.

Our room was so nice with a bedroom, full living room and a huge bathroom with a big tub and a tv. The shades/curtains even had a remote control. We really enjoyed sleeping later than 7am 

Our room had 3 tvs including in the bathroom!

This was our nice view. The hotel had about 12 different pools so while Jeff was at the convention or slot machines I laid by the pool and read a book. I also worked out in the fancy fitness center

Main hallway of the Venetian. There was a lot to see at the hotel so we did a lot of walking around and browsing in the stores by the canal. It was all so beautiful

Jeff being a dork at the slot machines. He enjoys it but it's not really my thing

On one of the days Jeff was busy I took a cab to the Passion Parties warehouse and corporate office for a tour. It was neat seeing how they do things and I got to sit in the presiden's office chair

We walked along the strip to the neighboring hotels. This was a pretty waterfall at the Wynn

I had been wanting to do the gondola ride since the first time I saw it. It just seems so romantic. Jeff grumbled a litte but humored me and we had a nice ride while being sang to. After this, we went to the farewell party for the convention. They had all the free food and drinks you want plus the band The Killers played. Then the party continued poolside with more food, beverages and even hired "mermaids" that swam in the pools

I missed my babies a bunch but it sure was nice to just relax and not worry about anyone's diapers, mealtimes or naptimes. My batteries were recharged and I didn't get sick on the plane home either

August 2011 Random

Jensen plays games on my old phone and he wrote this message to me that just melts my heart!

After living in PA taking care of my grandparents for 8 years, my dad finally moved back home. This is his car and little u-haul trailer the day he got here. He got an apartment just a couple miles from us and I helped him move in along with my mom and sis. Did I mention it was 108 degrees that day and he lives on the 3rd floor!! I thought I was going to DIE! It's been so nice having him here though and the boys love seeing him all the time

Boys helping Mimi mow her back yard. Sorry Mimi I know you were in you're not at your best but it's too cute! They love playing in her back yard

Playing at Gymboree

Jorden stoked about driving daddy's car

1st Day of Kindergarden and 1st Lost Tooth

I remember when I first had Jensen and I had friends with school age kids and I thought that was so far away and that was so grown up. Now that I have one though it seems unreal that he is that big already. In the past, the first day of kindergarden was an even bigger deal because it was the first time kids went to school. Now that there is pre-k and mother's day out programs this day was't as sad as it could have been. Next year when he goes to school all day may be a different story! 

Baby brother had to get in on the action

Jensen's new school, Wayland Bonds (named after a former superintendent) is just outside our neighborhood. He goes to afternoon kindergarten and got the same teacher the girls had last year. His good friend Ryan from across the street is in his class so he is excited.

I walked Jensen to class and when we got there all the kids had to line up in the hallway. While I wasn't looking, baby brother went over and sat down with the rest of them. Jorden is big too!

After they got in class all the parents said goodbye and went to the media center for a special thing they called Boo hoo/Yee haw brunch. They had snacks and gave everyone a package of tissues and a noisemaker to either cry or celebrate the occasion. We got to meet the principal and counselor and take a tour if we wanted. It was cute.

First Lost Tooth!
This was one crazy day! We had the excitment of school starting plus my dad was having a stent put in his heart so right after school I took the boys to Grandma's house and went to the hospital to see him. While I was there, Grandma pulled Jensen's loose tooth. They said he was a little shocked at first but was excited. The tooth fairy brought Jensen a dollar and my dad came through the procedure great. By the end of the day I didn't know if I could handle anymore excitement!