Lilah's Farewell at Barnum & Bailey Circus

Keira and Devin's best friend, Lilah, moved with her family to Australia. Keira and Devin understand that she'll be far, far away and you'll need an airplane to see her. Keira, I think, understands. But, Devin keeps asking to go have lunch with Lilah, whenever we are near her house.
The day before Lilah left, we took the kids and Lilah to the Barnum and Bailey Circus and then out for ice cream. The kids loved the circus. Every time that an elephant came out, they would squeal. There were elephants, zebras, horses, tigers, dogs-and, at least, 8 of each. They loved the animal parts but, really didn't understand the trapeze part because the talent/skill necessary to do things like walk on a rope were a little over their heads (no pun intended). They loved it!! It was very hard to say goodbye to Lilah and her family because they have become our closest friends. We'll definitely be making a trip to Australia at some point.

The Road Trip of '09

Having felt like we mastered travelling with the three after surviving Disney, we decided to bring it up a notch. We took the kids on a 9 day trip to Seqouia & Yosemite parks, Sacramento, and Reno. We "camped" one night in Yosemite. This is my idea of camping. The framed tent has cots, electricity, a campfire, tables, a food locker, and a dresser. All we had to bring was our sleeping bags and smores ingredients. We were right up against the river. Having camped very little in my life (Girl Scouts), I didn't really plan too well. I brought all the ingredients for smores from Vegas and knew they had a pit/campfire. When it was smore making time, I realized I had no matches, charcoil or wood, and no sticks to make them with. Luckily for us, our neighbors had kids and Keira nad Devin quickly made friends with them. They invited us over to use their pit, skewers, chairs,and the works. SCORE!! The kids really enjoyed the campoin part and being right next to the water where all the ducks, birds , and squireels were. After Yosemite, we went to Sacramento to visit with Aunt Nette and her family. My sis was nice enough (or crazy enough?) to volunteer and then demand that we live the kids with her for a night and go off by ourselves for a night and day in Napa. No one needs to ask us twice!! We enjoyed30 wonderful hours of all wine and no whining Bliss!1! After satying with her, we wnet to Reno to visit Grandma/pa Parkyn and Aunts Pam/Heather for a couple of days. Grandma and Cousin Brooke came with us to the old gold mining twn of Virgina City where Devin got to ride a real steam engine train. I think we had to remind him to breathe! Keira and Brooke enjoyed dressing up in old time dresses and having a photo taken. So cute!!!

Playing House

We decided that Reagan didn't need any toys for her birthday but, I found this playhouse for a great price on Craigslist and I figured everyone could play with it. It turns out that this is the favorite toy for all of them, at least for now. I put it right outside our back doors. So, now they can play in it while I am cooking or folding laundry and I can see them the whole time. They never liked to play in the backyard until we got this. Keira is really into playing house where she is the mommy and Devin is either or husband or baby (depends on the day or her mood, I guess). They take things from their play kitchen and dollhouse and bring them into the playhouse. We've played for hours in it. I "pull up" to the window and place my order for them to cook for me.They have their cars out there,too, so it is a whole reality toy for them. Keira also tries to get Reagan to be her mom and as the baby she wants her mom to change her clothes for her but, as you can see and probably guess...Reagan doesn't quite get it yet! I'm just happy that I finally bought a toy that they like!