Maybe not quite old enough

Not too dangerous right? But when you add this:

It turns into this:

I don't think Vance is quite old enough for skateboarding!

Heard Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Today Chad and I ventured out to the Heard Museum. A few people have told us about it, and they had an admission special going on. We really had no idea what to expect, but anything is better than sitting at home right?

We started on in the main building which was pretty cool. It had a TON of snakes that Vance and Charlie thought were pretty cool. I loved the new exhibit featuring an exotic collection of diamonds, gems, precious metals, rare minerals, pearls and fossils. Who wouldn't? One of the uncut diamonds was 10 KARATS!!! After we finished meandering through the main building we went outside. We took a look at the map and decided to follow the Hoot's Owl Trail. Remember - we still have no idea what exactly this place is. As we walk down the trail, we think we are going to see something exciting. I don't know exactly what we expected, but we definitely didn't find it. It was basically a moderate hiking trail that we were trying to do with a 5 year old and Vance in a stroller. This is what the boys looked like about 15 minutes into the trail:
Chad is carrying the stroller Vance refused to sit in because the trail was way too bumpy, the cooler with the drinks and snacks, and Vance because he really couldn't manage to stay on his feet. Chad and Charlie's smiles are most definitely fake and Vance isn't even going to pretend he is having a good time.
As the trail continued we did come across a pretty cool tree. The sign said it was 250 years old! That managed to perk everyone up for a little bit. We finally finished the trail. We later found out it was 1/2 mile which doesn't sound like much until you factor in the 2 kiddos.
After our mini-hike we pulled out the map to see if there was anything else. Luckily for us, there was. They had quite a few animals (similar to Bonnie Springs for you Las Vegans). Our favorite were the parrots.The butterfly exhibit was my favorite part of the day. You walked in this little greenhouse and it was filled with butterflies and flowers. There were butterflies everywhere! It felt almost magical with them flying all around us. Chad and Charlie were more interested in the enormous grasshoppers and caterpillars - what boys! I walked around terrified that one of them might lose their grip on the ceiling and fall on me. I was overly paranoid about feeling things crawling on me.

So even though we had a rocky start with our hike, we actually had a fun time. I don't think we will go back again, but definitely worth going once, especially for the price we paid.

TSPA Fashion Show

My cosmetology school put on a hair/fashion show tonight. The theme was musicals and there were 6 different teams: Wizard of Oz, Grinch who Stole Christmas, Grease, Hairspray, Moulin Rouge, and Chicago. Everyone got to choose their own team, so me and a few of my friends decided we wanted to be on the Grinch. There were like almost 200 people there to watch, so the pressure was on! I took a picture of most of the models.

Wizard of Oz

Hairspray

Moulin Rouge

Chicago
Grease

Grinch
Here are some more pictures of the Grinch. I was so proud of our team and thought everyone did a great job. We were kind of throwing everything together, but it turned out in the end.

My cousin's son, Charlie, was the baby Grinch. Isn't he freaking adorable? We bribed him with candy to help calm the nerves. I thought he might freak out when he saw how many people were there, but he ate it up. He would stop walking every couple of feet and scowl at the audience;)
The show was also a competition. Each team was judged by 5 local salon owners. The winners...THE GRINCH!!! We were totally stoked. We were proud of ourselves because 4 out of the 6 stylists on our team have only been in school 6 weeks. As a prize we got some Redken shampoo and conditioner, $45 gift certificate to the school that we can use to get services done on us while still on the clock, and a Redken shirt. We also got a lunch party for one day next week. Way to go team Grinch!!! (Could I possibly pat myself on the back anymore?)

My Monkey Boy

I think every kid has a spot in the house where they escape when Mom isn't looking to go cause trouble. At least I like to think that because Vance ALWAYS has a "spot" of the week where he is getting into something he shouldn't. This week we can find him here:

Whenever the door is open to my cousin's bedroom he walks right in. He uses the chair to pull himself on the counter and then pulls himself up and into the sink. Once in the sink he pulls out all of the toothbrushes and continues to brush his teeth with each and every one of them. I must say his teeth are looking mighty white these days ;)

Today I snuck in right behind him and caught the little monkey in action. I was actually kind of impressed with how fast he was able to get up there. This time he took a quick second to check out the cologne selection before moving on to the toothbrushes. He so politely put it back where it belongs before continuing to the sink. Check out the video to see just a slice of what I deal with all day, everyday!

Vance - I love you, but YOU ARE A MONKEY!!!

Push-ups Vance Style!

Chad always gets the kids to do things by making it an activity. For example, when it's time to pick up the toys he has all the kids stand in a line. He tells each kid to pick up 3 toys, put them where they belong, do 5 push-ups, and run back to the finish line. He convinces them they will be the strongest and fastest in the sports they participate in. I'm sure one day the kids will see right through him, but for now they think it's the coolest.

Vance doesn't quite get what exactly is going on, but he loves to mimic what everyone else is doing. While they run around to pick up the toys, he screams and runs around in circles. When everyone else does push-ups, he lays on the ground and lifts his head and his feet up and down. It is SO funny to me! Check out the video to see what I mean.

Don't worry Vance - with lots and LOTS of practice one day you too will be able to do a push-up!!!

i LOVE cuddling!

When we got home from church today, Vance was completely toasted. He immediately fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep the entire time I walked him upstairs and changed his clothes. I decided it was a perfect time to get in some cuddling and layed down to take a rest with my baby! It was pure heaven. I could hold him all day and he never lets me, so I really cherish the days when he is in a deep enough sleep to let me hold him. I think I'm going to be like the mom in the book "Love You Forever."

Night @ the Koenigshofer's

Bo and Stephanie Koenigshofer are some friends Chad and I have made down here in Texas. We have gone out with them quite a few times the last couple of months and always have a good time. I met Stephanie at an Enrichment activity and then we introduced our husbands.

This last weekend we went out to dinner and then back to their house for games and dessert. In Vegas we played games all of the time and we haven't been playing at all lately. We have really missed it and are so glad to have some friends who like to play games too.

They just had their first kid a few weeks ago and it has made me so baby hungry! I'm trying really hard to be strong and constantly tell myself why it is such bad timing for us to have another baby. I expected Vance to care less about the baby, but he adores their baby, Chloe. He always wants to hold her and kiss her or just come over and look at her.

Another thing I love about Bo and Stephanie is they know so many fun things to do in Texas and the surrounding areas. They moved here about 4 years ago from Victorville, CA. Every time we hang out they rattle off about 50 things we just HAVE to do. We plan to make our way down the list eventually.

Thanks Koenigshofer's for a great night!

Chatterbox

I think Vance is ready to start talking for real now. It seems like everyday he is adding new words to his vocabulary. He also thinks we should be able to understand everything he says, even when he is just babbling. I just shake my head like I know exactly what he said. It seems to work so far. Here are the words he says right now that you can actually understand:

• Mama
• Daddy
• Papa
• Nana
• Nose
• Eyes
• Turtle
• Please
• Thank you
• No-no
• Night-night
• Amen
• Cheese
• Bye-bye

Here is a video of him saying a few of the words he knows;)

Swimming at the Hagee's

One of our neighbors lets us come swimming whenever we want. The other night we were bored so we decided to go swimming. Well, I think we stayed a little too late for Vance because he got a little cranky there at the end. He kept wanting to bring his blanket in the water, and Chad finally gave in. What kind of kind needs to take his blanket in the pool with him?

Eventually we got out and he sat there and cuddled with me. I have to be honest - I wasn't complaining. I LOVE to cuddle!

Pumpkin patch

Chad has always wanted to have a garden, but in the hot and dry Vegas weather it wasn't a great climate for gardening. A few weeks ago he got Amy's permission to plant something in her planter. He decided on pumpkins so him and Vance went to the store, bought the seeds, and planted them together. The picture above was taken just a few weeks after he planted the seeds. Crazy huh? He is so excited to be able to carve our home-grown pumpkin this Halloween.

Turtle, turtle, turtle

A few weeks ago on one of the many fishing expeditions we caught a turtle. Amy's son, Conner, needed to take care of a reptile/amphibian for 3 weeks for a merit badge so we brought it home.

Vance has LOVED it. Every time we go in the backyard he runs to the turtle and gets so excited. He ooh's and aah's and then tries to touch it. He even started saying "turtle" in the cutest little voice you have ever heard. The video below is of Vance going outside and showing us how he plays with the turtle. He looks so ghetto yet again in just a diaper. I swear he actually does wear clothes!

Not the safest trick ever

Before church last Sunday we were all hanging out when Corey had the idea to spin the kids around and watch them walk. The trick began to escalate and Corey and Chad would put the kids on their shoulders, spin as fast as they could, and set them down to watch them walk.

We were cracking up watching all of the kids when Vance decided he needed a turn. Chad put him on his shoulders and started spinning. As soon as he set him down, Vance literally fell down to the side like a log. Being the mean parents that we are, we started laughing. I think we were mostly in shock at how quick he fell because looking back I feel really bad.

Anticipating it might be a funny moment, I had the video camera out. I know a lot of times I don't look at people's videos, but you HAVE to watch this one. PLEASE don't judge me though! It is actually really sad to watch him be so disoriented! In my defense he was screaming for Chad to do it to him because he always has to do what the other kids are doing. Hope you enjoy and don't think I am a horrible mother ;)

My greatness weakness...

I LOVE Chipotle! I'm not even picky. I pretty much love anything you can get there. I think I could eat their at least 5 days a week. Unfortunately it's WAY on the fattening side even when you are trying to be "healthy." I have gotten back on the Weight-Watchers wagon and Chipotle can no longer be a part of my regular diet. It's been a few weeks now and my craving is kicking in. I'm sure all you fellow Chipotle-lovers can feel my pain :(

Highland Park Pharmacy

Ater the arboretum, we stopped by Highland Park Pharmacy. It was on D-Magazine's list of 50 things every Dallasite must do. Here is the excerpt from the magazine:

Gals at the soda fountain at Highland Park Pharmacy have been grilling sandwiches and swirling thick chocolate shakes and malts since 1912. Today it is one of the few remaining drug store eateries in the state. Belly up to the counter for two slices of Sunbeam bread filled with American cheese, grilled to perfection, and served with dill pickle chips. The thick shake is guaranteed to chase your blues away.

It didn't disappoint. We all loved our food and especially the shakes! It was fun to go to such a old school restaurant.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

About a month ago Chad and I bought a couple of books about Texas to find all of the fun things to do in the area. We made a list of everything we wanted to do and decided that we would go do at least one of them a month. This month we (along with a few of my cousin's kids) went to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. It was beautiful as you can see from the pictures.

I don't really have much more to say because the pictures pretty much say it all! Enjoy and I hope you're jealous ;)
In addition to the millions of flowers and tons of trees, there were about 15 little playhouses for kids. Vance thought they were all pretty amazing.

After spending a few hours, the kids were wiped. They all crashed on the way home. Aren't kids so cute when they're sleeping?

The best part? In August you can go to this place for $1/person!!! So an afternoon of fun only cost my family $2 because Vance is free - that's my kind of entertainment ;) We plan to go back in the fall when the colors change (who knew that in some places the colors actually change?) and they have pumpkins everywhere. Also, the plant different flowers every season so it will look totally different.