Old Orchard Beach

Prior to summer, Jay decided he would take a couple of Mondays off for day trips. We couldn't decide where to go this morning and settled on just getting in the car and stopping when we saw something good. We ended up at Old Orchard Beach in Maine and it turned out to be a great day (aside from the rainy weather.) We parked the car and headed to a "paint your own pottery" shop. It was such a nice experience. The twins chose tiara piggy banks to paint and Mallory got a good old piece of white paper. They picked out their paint colors and went to town. It surprised me how long it held their interest. They just kept painting and painting until the colors eventually mixed together. I didn't get a picture of their finished masterpiece but it will be arriving in the mail within the week (it still needed to be fired.) The girls loved it and we had so much fun watching them. Next, we had a picnic on the beach with our lunch we packed from home. It was nice until it started pouring and we had to run for cover. The rain did die down and we managed to sneak a few rides in before leaving. Natalie just hit the height requirement and I was amazed at how brave they both were. The last ride they went on was basically a roller coaster but kid-size. It was so cute to see them let go of their fears and have so much fun.
On a side note, this morning before leaving, we were singing The Wheels on the Bus. When I said the babies on the bus go...both girls shouted, "wah, wah, wah." Well on the way home Hillary was having a fit because she wanted out of her seat. She started whining, "Mommy, I want to get out of my seat...wah, wah wah..." Only she was really crying while saying it. I've heard it a couple of times since so I'm pretty sure she's regressed to crying wah, wah, wah when she wants something. I hope this doesn't stick!

Ingaldsby Farm

This morning we took a trip to Ingaldsby Farm to pick blueberries and raspberries. They also have animals and a store filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods. I should have known how the trip would go for Mallory, when all she was interested in were the pebbles on the way in and the baggy of cheezits we brought along. We didn't have our triple stroller so there was a lot of lugging going on. The twins enjoyed picking the berries and filling our container and Mallory enjoyed eating them right out of it. She even stood next to one tree and ate them right off the branches! I'd say our first trip berry picking was a success and the best part is that the farm is right down the street from us. We did have one minor scare, when the twins lost our camera, but it was recovered and I learned my lesson about letting two year olds carry any valuables. I'm so happy the camera was cooperating today because I got some really nice photos.


After our big trip to the farm, I unloaded Jay and the twins and took Mallory grocery shopping. While I was gone the twins had some more fun spraying the water hose!

Toy Recall

One million Fisher-Price toys are being recalled for excessive amounts of lead. I own some of these toys (not the from the specific batch.) Take a look at this list and check your toys. You'd be surprised how lengthy it is. It includes lines such as Dora and Diego, Sesame Street, Spongebob and The Backyardigans. Here is the link:

http://service.mattel.com/us/recall/39054_IVR.asp?prod=

The Reilly Show

Auntie Kelli, Caragh and Reilly came for a visit last night and I managed to get a few shots of the girls in action. After loading them onto the computer, my memory was refreshed to just one thing I am sure of...it is Reilly's world and we all live in it. Her poses are very comical.

"Thank you, thank you...I'm here all night." Could they think she is any cooler?

Something about this pose tells me she knows just how cool she is.

Mid-clap...somebody give this kid a bath!

Bummed Out

So our digital camera is working less and less each day. Nothing seems to be helping. For a while I could charge the batteries each day, but they would still only last a few minutes. Now, I can hardly turn the camera on. When I told the girls that the camera "died," Natalie said, "You have to take it to the hospital and make it feel better." HA...they are so smart. And just when I was getting back into the "blogging world," I have this huge setback. I did get one picture today. The twins were very happy because Daddy took them out for happy meals and a visit to his office. This is right before they left...

It rained yesterday so I don't have any shots of the girls playing in the water. Not that my camera would cooperate anyway. We took advantage of the nice weather today and played in the blowup pool with the hose. The girls were loving it until a neighborhood cat wandered into our yard. They immediately ran for the door while yelling to the cat, "GO HOME!" I've got to get them used to animals. I may have the only kids who are scared of every creature on earth.

Guess who?

Mallory, of course! This is her new hiding place...under the armoire. I think Jay got a good scare while he was watching her the other night. Only to find her hiding beneath the television. We've had to "lock" the doors now because it is dangerous but there is nothing cuter than seeing little paws creep out to shut the doors behind herself. I'm telling you, there is no one like Mallory.

Well we are almost completely unpacked. There's nothing left but a few pictures to hang and a little work on the basement. We were having company this weekend and there is nothing like a little pressure to motivate you. The house looks amazing and I absolutely LOVE it! In fact, I was doing laundry the other day and all that was running through my mind was how much I love my house. I can't wait to experience all of our family memories here. I am in such a happy place and did I mention that the twins are almost potty trained! When the girls were born, Jay's grandmother, Joyce, gave us the incredible gift of an endless supply of diapers until they were potty trained. Is that not the best gift we could have been given? And I have to mention that Jay's mom supplies Mallory's diapers until she is trained. What a gift it has been!

Tomorrow we have big plans to play with the hose outside. Cousin Rex came for a visit today and Jay was spraying all of the kids with water. The twins were shrieking they loved it so much. I'll have to take pictures and post them. I will be a better blogger...I promise! Thanks Katie for keeping the blog up until I could make it back.

Bonkers

Moosehead

I wanted to post my pics of the Maxwell kids from Moosehead Lake because Jeannie is a slacker! :) But really, I got so many good shots of these beautiful girls that I felt compelled to share.

-Auntie Katie

Sisters.
Smile Natalie.
Mommy and Mallory.
Great pic of Jay.
Loving Dad.

Family pic taken at the Birches restaurant.
Mallory at Pebble Beach.
Natalie at Pebble Beach.
What a shot!
Mal

Toasting marshmallows...
Three is never a crowd.
Just happy to be in Moosehead.
A very cute hat!
What a great time!