Orange Picking

We discovered we have an orange tree in our front yard and a picker.  Fresh squeezed orange juice is the house favorite drink today.  I think the kids might like picking the oranges and making the juice more than making it but I am enjoying drinking the juice.

Long Flight

Today our morning started off very early with waking the kids up at 6 am to go to the airport.  The kids and I were off to Palm Springs, CA for a week to vacation with my parents.  I will admit that I was a little nervous and stressed about flying that far alone with the kids and was wondering why I said I would do this.  However, after a 4 hour flight to Salt Lake City and a 2 hour flight to Palm Springs we made it and am so happy we did.  The kids were wonderful!  Of course there were a few moments but nothing bad at all and I couldn't have asked for 2 better behaved children.  Here is to hoping they are just as good on the way home.  After the airlines had changed our seats about 4 times before we even checked in, Jonathan no longer had his window seat.  Luckily for him, he asked the guy who was supposed to have the seat if he would switch to the aisle and although he wasn't thrilled about the idea he did it.  Diana once again thought she was going to have her own seat on the plane which was a little bit of a problem at times but luckily we could all squeeze in the 2 seats we did have.  Diana fought a nap the whole first flight but luckily conked out on the 2nd.  Jonathan watched a couple of movies and played on the iPad for most of the time.  Diana was busy like normal and went through a lot of snacks, books, toys and was constantly up and down out of lap.  After about 2 hours of the first flight Jonathan started asking "how much longer?" and he would make comments that it was a really long flight.  It was a long flight(s) and we were all happy to get to CA.  I think one of the funnier moments was when we were landing in Salt Lake and Jonathan looked out the window and said "What?!?  There isn't snow in California.  Where are we?"

Our day in California involved checking everything out at the house, swimming and going to bed early.

Daddy Adventure 2

Jonathan and Daddy adventure took them downtown today.  First to see where Daddy's new office will be and then it was off to the Carew Tower (tallest building in Cincy) observation deck.  Next they went ice skating on fountain square and ended the adventure with ice cream at Graeter's.  Per Brad, "574 feet up at the Carew Tower! Beautiful day to see the city."

Yea Daddy

Brad qualified for a trip at work, which means a ski trip for him and I in February.  He worked really hard for this and really wanted to go on the trip, so I am so happy for him (and selfishly for me too...I am not going to complain about an all expense paid trip and time with my hubby).  Brad's work had a recognition dinner last Saturday night and in the lobby were these huge banners of the people who qualified.  I joked with Brad that night that he had to bring the banner home as Jonathan would love it.  Well tonight, he came home with it and the kids went crazy.  Jonathan at first thought the tube it was in was a present for him but was just as excited when he saw what it was.  Diana immediately crawled to Brad's picture and kissed it.  It was so precious!  The banner is now hanging in Jonathan's room.  We are proud of you daddy!

Diana 20 Month Update

Diana is growing up so quickly these days!  It is so hard to believe that she is 20 months old already.  She is definitely no longer a baby but a full on toddler.  When everybody sees Diana, they can't believe how much hair she has and how long it is.  She is finally starting to say a few words, such as up, help, down, sorry, please, more, ball, baby and book.  I figured out that "up please" or "help please" is what "poppy" is.  I think a lot of these words might still be hard for other people to understand but as I am paying closer attention to her talking and working more with it, at least her and I (and Jonathan) are understanding her.  She unfortunately knows the word sorry from having to tell it to Jonathan usually at least once a day these days.  Don't get me wrong, they still adore each other and for the most part play well together but Diana has a temper and will push or hit...but only to Jonathan.  I have never seen her really fight back against any other kid.  Diana likes her own personal space and doesn't really like to be told what to do and this is starting to shine.  Just this week Diana started to scold Jonathan by putting out her finger, shaking it at him and saying No!  I have to get this on video.  I try not to laugh and just to let them battle it out.  Diana got her bottom two molars now, making it 12 teeth that she has.  She hasn't been sleeping well at night and I think her teeth were bugging her and now she is working on her i-teeth so I am not sure it's going to get any better for a while.  Diana loves books and will bring books to you to read to her or sometimes she will just sit and look at them by herself.  She also likes to be read books before bed, she still doesn't like to be cuddled, so we usually sit in the chair side by side and read our books.  She no longer drinks any milk before bed which is another sign to me that she really is growing up.  She isn't as good of an eater as she once was but she still eats pretty good for most kids her age anyway.  She has discovered treats and where I keep them in the house though.  Diana is still on her schedule of sleeping from 7 pm until 6:30 am and then napping from 12 - 2.  Every day I think she is coming out her shell a lot more and more and becoming more loving.  She will actually give hugs and kisses quite frequently now.  I am loving watching her personality develop.  I did just pick up the book "How to Raise a Spirited Child" to read, so hopefully that will give me some insight!

This picture is of Diana eating Nutella and pretzels for a snack, so proud of herself!

Wild at Heart

Brad is starting adventures with Jonathan on Saturday's.  Today he took him exploring the little Miami up by GB and Grandpa's house.  Per Brad's facebook caption: "Wild at Heart. Exploring the little Miami with JTW."  Yes, that is a spear Brad made Jonathan out of a stick. 

Floor Pillows

The kids LOVE their floor pillows that Nana made them.  Here is a picture of them laying on them, having some milk and watching a little TV.  They also use their pillows in their spin chairs to either sit on, as a pillow or to hold on to while they are spinning.  They both actually just carry this around a lot too, sure glad Nana put a handle on them and made them.  I still wouldn't have them done (or started for that matter)!