Surf's Up Dude

Today was both Riley and Bentley's first trip to the beach. We thought we would break them in and make sure our trip to Mexico won't be a total bust. Of course, being the Griswald's we are, we get all the way to Galveston, Stewart Beach to be exact and realize we don't have cash. So we go to Walgreen's, take a potty break, and get some cash. I only get $20 thinking surely, that will be enough to cover our $8 parking plus whatever else may come up, YEAH RIGHT. So we pull in and park. We change our kids in the back of the car and lube up with sunscreen and wonder, should we bring our own chairs in? We see lots of chairs and umbrellas and I assume that for 8 bucks, we should get to partake in the nice amenities. Boy was I wrong. We cart all of our stuff toward that beautiful coastline and pass the umbrella rental guy....yeah, it is $25 for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Since we have Miss Bentley, we know we need some shade, so we realize we have to go get more cash (Casey was THRILLED). So upon leaving, he tells the parking dude that he is just running to get cash and wants to make sure he can get right back in. They guy says sure, so Casey goes to get pork skins and cash and comes back and the guys makes him pay another 8 bucks to get in. Needless to say, Casey was not a happy camper.....BUT, the kids had a great time, so everything was worth it. Riley absolutely loved the water and waves. He played so hard. Bentley was a sun bathing beauty and also liked the texture of the sand and thoroughly enjoyed playing with an empty water bottle. So mission was accomplished, just a few rough spots, but we are used to those :)

No More Accidents!

I am so proud of Riley, he has finally caught on to the whole potty thing. It has been a rough couple of weeks, but now I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. He did really good for the first couple of days and then, we encountered constipation. This was not fun for Riley or mom. Last week he kept dancing around and grabbing his bum. When he would sit on the potty, he would immediately leap up. So after a while, I figured it out, he was constipated. Me being the nurse that I am, got him a glycerin suppository. As you can only imagine, he did NOT like this at all. It was me versus a 40 pound toddler to get it inserted. He kept SCREAMING "take it out momma, take it out." I truly traumatized him. We went back outside to continue to blow his pool up and after a few minutes, his little knees started to tremble and he passed a rather large ball of hard dung. After this was all said and done, he told me "thank you momma, I feel better." But it scarred him for a while and he wanted nothing to do with going #2. After a few days and a lot of coaching and love and support (and going in the grass at his Aunt Shawnda's house), he realized that going in the potty is not so bad. He has had 2 accident free days and I am SOOOOOO proud of him.

Some pics of Riley rocking out and a video of BB dancing

Bentley is 11 Months Today

Bentley Addison is 11 months old today!! She weighs 22 lbs 3 oz and is 29 1/4" long. She has cut one of her lateral incisors and is about to cut the other one. Yes, she is our little vampiress - you can see in one of the pics below. I just felt her central incisor Sunday, so she won't be a blood sucker for long. She is so beautiful, it takes my breath. We are getting ready for her princess party in a month!!!

You can see her vampire teeth here if you look hard

Busy Weekend with Chuck, the Sorensen's and Star Wars

We have been very busy since last Thursday night. We had Riley's end of the year program and it was great. Memaw joined us and Riley sang his little heart out. He kept standing while he was supposed to be seated, but I guess he was just wanting a little extra recognition. I have some pictures, but they came out fuzzy because Miss Bentley was adjusting my settings on the camera for me. After the program, we were looking for somewhere quick to dine as it was past everyone's (including Memaw's) bedtime. We ended up at Texadelphia where we frequent and usually, you walk up, order, and get your food 10 minutes later....well, after an hour and 2 pitchers of beer and no food, we chose to leave. Poor Memaw never got to taste their cheesesteak. Also, Riley chose last Thursday to start wearing big boy underwear. Casey and I were worried he would teetee on himself on stage, but he showed us. He stayed dry. He is still in big boy underwear and doing good....a few accidents here and there.

Riley standing during "The Wheels on the Bus"

Refreshments after the program

Riley's teachers, Ms. Alba & Ms. Sharry

Big boy underwear!

On Friday we went to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party. This was Riley's (and Bentley's for that matter) first visit to CEC. He loved it!! When Chuck E came out to tell Grant happy birthday, Riley was batting for his attention. Now, anytime we pass a CEC store, he recognizes it and wants to go. Memaw and Gangan are going to take him soon.

Riley & Bentley in the jeep at CEC

Riley and Chuck E Cheese himself

Saturday, Riley had a date with Memaw, Anna & Cole. He was there from lunchtime on Saturday until Sunday morning. He got his haircut on the way (another Dumb and Dumber cut, dang it) and then played with his Princess Anna. Mom said they played so good together. He misses her so much. Then Sunday after church, we went to Griffin's 5th birthday party at Clay's. He had a Star Wars theme. Riley had a lot of fun playing with light sabers and feeding the animals. It was a great party! Bentley got to have some whole milk for the first time as I thought I left her cup at home (it was actually in the car). She did fine with it. Thanks to Papaw for picking up a sippy cup on the way.

Then to end the weekend, we went to the zoo on Monday morning with Tricia and the twins. We had a great time there as well. Riley chose to have a meltdown during lunch, but other than that, it was a perfect day. Tricia got a workout pulling Riley, Pierce and Merrick in the wagon. The weather was gorgeous. Strange thing......there was a big dog in the cheetah exhibit????

Riley, Merrick & Pierce on the carousel

Baby Got Back

I am sure Bentley will love me for this one day, but I cannot help it! Casey and I both think her tooshie is adorable. I hope you do too!!!! Oh, and by the way, she thinks she is soooo cool pulling up on the tub and then stepping up on the stool!

Goodbye Mr. Turtle

Tomorrow is Riley's last day of preschool. He has loved going to school. Ms. Sharry and Ms. Alba have helped him grow so much. As well as Ms. Nikki and Ms. Angela (his music teachers). He has learned so much this year and has made so many new friends. We have the end of school program tomorrow night and I will post pictures. We had to make his class pet, Mr. Turtle, a goodbye card. Note, this is very difficult to do with a 10 month old baby "helping" you. There are pictures below of Riley and his card.

And this would be the BUSY 10 month old I was referring to above. She is into everything. If I cannot find her (which is rare because she does not want to be away from me), she is in my closet getting into my travel bag. It is very eventful around my house needless to say!!

My Little Rock Star

Riley LOVES his guitars and music. During the evenings, so I can have some reprieve from Noggin, I will put it on music videos and he ROCKS out. He saw me videoing, so he got a little shy but he warmed up. He rocks out with me in the car like this too. It is great!

I had a great Mother's Day this year. We celebrated with my side of the family at Discovery Green and had a great time. Riley really bonded with his youngest cousin Trey (10 years old) and they had a blast playing in the water and on the playground. Then we celebrated with the Bryant's Sunday evening when Margie got off work. We had a nice time eating. Once again, Riley had a tons of fun seeing his cousins on the Bryant side.....maybe it should have been Riley's Day :)

Vacation Blues

We have all been hyped up over here on Split Branch (well, mainly Riley) about our trip on the airplane to the beach. We have been planning a trip to the Riviera Maya to a very kid friendly resort in Mexico. We were set to leave May 18th and return the 22nd. That is until the darn swine flu graced it's presence. Casey and I talked and we just didn't feel comfortable taking our babies to Mexico with all that going on. CRAZINESS!! Anyway, we moved our trip to August. So Mexico/US/many other countries, you have 3 months to get this chaos under control.

Also, mom's house was flooded with this last storm that passed through last week. I know, I know, water just loves that woman. She is okay and her house is fine. She was very fortunate that it didn't do any sheetrock damage. It just took some hard work on her part, but she is a hard worker, so that hurdle is behind her.