Great Wolf Lodge

This week we took a 2 day trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in  Williamsburg, VA.  We were so happy that it lived up to our expectations and all the wonderful things people had said about it!  Including the 66,000 sq foot warm indoor water park, and the MagiQuest game that Austin and Ashley could point their magic wands at things around the hotel and magic would happen.  We knew the lodge had a lot to offer, but we were floored when we found out there was an arcade, an Aveda salon, a 12 and under little salon called "Scoops" for little girls, mini golf, a teen club at night, 5 eateries there, and scheduled daily activities for kids of all ages.  Unbelievable.  From story time to their own little kiddie camp bunk beds in the guest rooms, the Great Wolf Lodge will definitely be revisited by the Toler clan again!  Talk about a kid get-away.  Did I mention I went down the 6 story water tornado over 7 times???  SO FUN!

Just yesterday, our neighborhood Piedmont had its bi-annual yard sale.  And can I just tell you that there's nothing more fun than getting a deal.  Anyone can shop and buy something they want.  But it's a far better feeling to shop and get something you wanted for one sixteenth the price!  My deals:  A $50 treadmill, (great shape!) orig over $1500, and a $70 motorized John Deere 2 seat truck for the kids (orig over $399)!!!  I'm so proud of my bargains and so are the kids!

Duane is in Palo Alto CA this past week (where the Sec State lives) and comes home tomorrow, to only leave again tomorrow for Stockholm and other overseas locations.  As for the kids and I, we've already BBQ'ed a few times this weekend and plan on taking advantage of the opening of the outdoor pool tomorrow!  I don't know who's more excited.  Me or the kids!

Happy Memorial Day.  God bless our soldiers and their families.

Angie

Preschool Graduation

This week Austin graduated from Pre-k.  It was a very bittersweet day for me!  It was a wild west graduation and Austin had the opening line.  The program was great and ended with the traditional graduation Pomp and Circumstance and grad hats.  

I must admit, I did not hold back the tears and swore to myself when he's graduating college, I would always remember this day he graduated from pre-k!  I know I know, he's my first.  Cut me some slack.

I also had the opportunity to volunteer on his last day of school for a water party.  I gave Austin preferential treatment the whole time (he was first to get snack, go under the limbo stick, hula and ride a surfboard) and he loved every second of it.  

Ashley loves to put things in my hair.  In fact, I'm seriously contemplating chopping my hair all off.  Like, literally  12 inches.  But I stopped myself yet again this week when Ashley every day, many times a day would take a brush and 
sit behind me and brush my hair.  She loves to feel my hair, brush it, put ribbons in it.  But forget about it if I try to do her hair!  I can't put a ribbon, bow, or anything on her head or she'll rip it off.  I seriously have SO many cute, girly little bows and barrettes for girls hair and she wants nothing to do with them.  

Speaking of hair, I think I need to get my roots touched up sooner than later because today at church, Austin looked at me and announced, "Mommy you're beautiful.  But your hair is black near your head." 

Austin had a "funny" this week.  We were at a consignment kids store (near Walmart) and a beat up old van was parked right next to us.  There were two men putting a crib and other things inside.  When we came out of the store, Austin spotted the men and yelled with his finger pointed, "Mom!  Look!  They're stealing!"  We were just stared at.  I tried to explain or just said "Kids" or something like that I was still stared at until I drove off.

Ashley has enjoyed a week full of playing with neighbors and their dogs.  She ADORES dogs.  "Woof-Woofs".  Any type, size, shape.  We are seriously considering a Bischon Frise due to their hypo-allergenic hair/dander, temperament, size, personality.  We've been doing our dog research for 5 years now and still haven't gotten one.  Who knows if this will play out.

Much love and my heart goes out to my other friends whose kids will graduate from pre-k the next few weeks.  The only other day that will be harder for me will be his first day of Kindergarten.  Getting on the bus.  Then prom, graduation, college, wedding.......I know, I'm a sap.

Angie

  

 

Mother's Day 2008

This is my 5th year of being a Mom.

I have to say, even though being a mom is truly the toughest job ever, it's so rewarding. Especially when you get lots of sweet kisses, hugs, long afternoon naps, and homemade preschool goodies for Mother's Day!

I got the breakfast in bed and grilled steaks for lunch.  A mother's day tradition.  

This is Austin's last week of preschool.  He's so sad about it, but he gets this huge eager grin whenever we talk about elementary school and riding the bus.  

Bunko was especially fun this week, because everyone was there.  There were 3 little babies there and I told Duane how fun it was holding them.  He said, you're not catching that fever.  Instead, HE picked up a fever of some sort/stomach bug somewhere overseas.  It seems each time he returns from Jerusalem, he is sick with something.  3 trips ago, he got ghirardia!  But we've quarantined him and all of us are safe so far.  Thank goodness too, because Austin would be in bad shape if he got this.  After his surgery he's not able to vomit or belch.  So this would be miserable for him!  Duane's been super cautious and we're hoping this will pass sooner than later.  It's hard for the kids because Ashley will say "my daddy!" and tries to open his door.  

Austin wanted to learn how to sew this week.  We cut a brown bag and he's getting very good at making even stitches back and forth.  He does it everyday!  This scares Duane.  But Austin will probably end up being a doctor or dentist.  He is just working on his dexterity and is learning how to do stitches!  

Ash loves to blow out candles now during dessert time.  Like a birthday a few times a week! 

Ashley only naps about twice a week now, (ugh) and by 3:30-5pm life is just not tolerable for her.  Luckily then I'll put her down at 6pm and the kids as usual wake up at 6am.  The sun is staying out later and later....here comes the summertime.

Happy Mother's Day to all my strong, brave, loving, sweet moms I know.

Angie

  

Mother's Day Tea

This week Austin's preschool had a beautiful Mother's Day Tea.  I was so pleasantly surprised when I got there!  There were place setting cards, beautiful china set tables, and adorable tear-jerking gifts the kids had made us.  A towel and a mug and vase of flowers with Austin's handprints on them.  We had a little luncheon and the kids sang mothers day songs that made my tears flow.  It was very touching and made me so thankful for my job of being mom to two wonderful children.  I felt very spoiled and very appreciated.  Just what every mom needs!

Also this week Austin and Ash got gifts from their Aunt Terrie and Uncle Scott.  Perfect pirate and doggy gifts for the kiddos!  We can't wait to see you guys to do 'Myrtle Beach 2008'!!

Ash had over her little friends Coleman and Gavin this week.  It's so cute to see them play together!  I'm trying to do a science experiment per week.  Austin loves these types of things and Grandma Toler gave us a science experiment kit that we can't wait to dabble in!  This week we did the infamous baking soda/vinegar volcano outside.  It amazed the kids and myself, so we did it like 5 times.  Very cool.  And thanks Pop and Grandma for our fun Disney Shirts!  Our favorites!  Perfect for our little pirate and princess.

Austin said that Ashley was a "hottie" this week.  Too funny.  

Austin also said, "You remind me of all of Grandmas.  They give great hugs just like you."  

This was our first full week back to school and church since Austin's recuperation.  It's so nice to be back in the routine of things. Austin is doing better and better each day.  He's now eating solid foods and remembering very well on his own to chew extremely well, and drink each little bit with water.  It's truly amazing, he's beeing weened off of his medicines each month.  We're hoping by July he'll be off all meds altogether.  Amazing.  Since his surgery, he hasn't coughed once.  (A chronic cough was his major symptom of the stomach acid going into his lungs by aspiration).  He's a brave, tough, strong little boy.  We're so blessed!  Austin bore his testimony at church to share his appreciation for Heavenly Father for making him so brave during his surgery.

Ashley is still EXTREMELY into princesses.  Mostly Ariel and Cinderella and Sleeping 'Booty'.   I try to tell her she'd look just like Cinderella if she'd only let me put bows in her hair.  Still a negatory.  One ribbon/barrette in her hair and it is flung right off!

The weather is GORGEOUS here!  Wherever you are around the world, know that we appreciate your friendship and hope its as nice there as it is here.

Much love,

Angie