Monkeying Around At Monkey Joe's

Monkey Joe's finally came to Richmond- and just about 1 mile from our house!! For those of you who do not know what MJ's is, it is a huge building filled with inflatable "things" for kids to climb and bounce on. To my kids- this is perfection!! We met up with Addie's BFF from preschool, Molly, and her family. The kids ran around, bounced, climbed, ran around, bounced, and climbed for over 2 hours- having a BLAST!!

Alden, my monkey-lover, just about exploded when we saw this gigantic monkey!!

Addie scaled this in no time flat- amazing!!

Playing happily together- what sweet friends!!

Monkey Joe coming out onto the floor was a huge hit- with a few kids that is....

Addie showcasing her resourcefulness.... When I told her I would not hold her to play a video game, this is what I saw....

That impish look.... He's about to flip himself over the yellow edge you see....

Down he goes!!

Addie and "Her" Boys

When we originally visited the Eastern Shore of VA, we stayed with the Troyer family. We quickly formed a fast friendship. Addie adores their 3 boys- Tav, Tobi and Tanner- who she proudly calls "Her" boys- and they adore her (and Alden, too).

We have been trying to get together this summer, and finally, it looked like we had 2 days that they were free AND we were free- so we headed to their house Wed once Al was home from work. Within 5 min of getting there, Addie was snuggled on Miss Jeanette's lap (she was actually sick with a virus, but since Miss J is a nurse, she said not to worry but to still come!) and Alden was involved in a Nerf gun war with the boys.

Our orginal plan had been to spend the day the beach, but since it was raining on and off all day, we came up with a fun Plan B. After breakfast in the morning (of fresh donuts from the local bakery- yum!), the 5 kids happily played with Nerf guns downstairs while Jeanette and I scrapbooked and Al and Steve did construction/manly "stuff." Not what we had wanted but it was a great time for all!!

Before we had to head home, we stopped by The Sugar Shack- the best ice cream on the planet- ice creamed up and said good-bye. It was sad to leave, but we were glad we could see each other some! There are plans in the work for a Sep visit when we will actually hit the beach- we just hope and pray that the weather cooperates this time!!

Addie in her element- and Alden quickly grew to love and adore the boys, too!

Miss Jeanette LOVES these 2- she is just wonderful!!

The kid table- these 3 big boys are just awesome- they loved and took such good care of my 2- and not once did they complain about having to spend their Saturday with little kids!!

Addie and Alden and now "Their" boys!!

Alden showing off his "toddler" size ice cream cone- yikes!!

My kind Addie- offering to share her ice cream with me!

Time on the Lake

We didn't think we would be going on a vacation this summer- so it was a super-special treat that Al got a 3 day weekend!! We headed up to visit his sister Jen, her husband Frank, and our nephew, Nate. We had a BLAST- the weather was cool, the lake refreshing, the kids had a blast playing together- it was SO relaxing and totally worth the 9 hr trip to and from there (due to traffic- sigh...). I had too many pics to just post- so here is a slide show.

Things I Learned From/About The Kids This Week

There were some random funny things I learned from/about the kiddos this week that are worth sharing and hopefully getting a good chuckle from!

Alden has a blue, super soft blanket he got when he was born. It has been his "Lovey" since he was about 6months old. At 1 year, he started called it NeNe. Since it was blue, we just assumed NeNe was a boy- we learned otherwise this week....

Alden: Mommy, go get my NeNe please. She needs me.

Me: "She"? NeNe is a girl?

Alden: Yes, Mommy (with that silly tone that says, of course you idiot!). I love NeNe so she's a girl!

Whew- glad to see that he loves girls already!!

There is a great, Grandma-ish lady at our bank. She has curly, gray hair and loves to give the kids multiple lollypops- thus she has a special spot in their hearts. We had just pulled away from the bank when I had this conversation with Addie.

Addie: Mommy, I want to write a letter and give it to that nice Bank Lady.

Me: That's nice. Why?

Addie: She knows Santa and I want her to tell him that I reallllly want a Barbie for Christmas.

Me: Why do you want her to help you and not me?

Addie: Well, Mommy, she knows Santa and that always helps.

Me: How do you know she knows Santa?

Addie: Mommy, did you see her hair? She's MARRIED to Santa, hehe!

We went to visit some friends on the Eastern Shore- and were all sleeping in the same room. The kids woke-up earlier than Al and me. Attempting to eek out a few more minuets of sleep, I was playing opossum. This is the conversation I overheard.

Addie: Whisper, Alden, if you don't talk quietly, you'll wake-up Mommy and Daddy.

Alden: Oh!

Addie: If you wake them up they will be cranky and we don't want that!

Alden: Oh no!!

Another Gift From God...

No, we are NOT pregnant. But God did give us another, amazing gift today- a new job for Al that will allow him to actually SEE and spend time with his family!!

Lowe's is a great company and Al has enjoyed working there. Lowe's is what allowed us to move back to Richmond. The Lord has used Al at Lowe's to touch people's hearts and lives that would never darken the door of a church. Lowe's has been a good place for the last almost 2 years.

The downfall is the hours. He was gone 13-14 hrs every day. He was usually only home for 1 meal. He only had 1 weekend off a month. And once I start teaching in a few weeks, he was only going to see us for 3 full days a month- yikes!

Al started looking for something else on-line, and nothing ever really came about, except for this one job.... This company was looking for a person with experience with flooring, who was organized, and had good people skills. He applied. He then got a phone interview! Then an in-person interview with the VP of the company- culminating with another face-to-face interview with the manager of the VA Beach branch. Then we waited- for what seemed like an eternity.

Yesterday he got "The Phone Call"- he wasn't being offered the job yet, he needed to take a drug test first, and THEN details could be discussed. Yay!!

Today, while we were on the road to visit family, he got "The Phone Call" offering him the job!! The salary is more than he was hoping, the schedule one that will get him home shortly after the kids and I return, weekends where he can actually go to church, paid holidays, 2 weeks vacation, and the list goes on and on!

We are super excited! This is beyond what we had hoped for.

There is a kicker, the last week of August/1st week of September, Al has to go to Atlanta for a week of training. This wouldn't normally be a big deal, but it's also the first week I go back to school and the kids' first week at their new school. Whew! Talk about trial by fire! Good thing we know that God knows what's best for us and He won't give us what we can't handle!

We are super excited about this next chapter and what it holds for us as a family and Children of God!!

Our Not So Little Future Linebacker

Alden has his 3 year check-up today..... He is the picture of perfect health and according to his stats, he has the makings of a fantastic future linebacker- something he wants to be, too!

Weight- 32lbs (55%)

Height- 35.5" (10%)

See what I mean? Short and solid. Addie is still ahead of him in both departments (3" taller and 1lb heavier).

The Tattooed Ballerina

Addie took a 6 week tap and ballet class at the local dance studio. She LOVED it (hint, hint Grandparents- dance would make a GREAT birthday or Christmas gift!!). Here are 2 snippets of what she accomplished! You can tell she's really concentrating - look for her tongue to be pushing her cheeks out! We are SO proud of her!!