Zoo

This past weekend was half price admission and $1 hamburgers at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure. The girls and I went to church in Ellsworth with Mom and Staci and then headed to the zoo. We decided to eat before we got too far into the zoo. Cheyenne was ready to just see the animals but we got her to sit long enough to eat a hamburger. They were good hamburgers for $1! We had a lot of fun. My mom's cousin and her daughter work at Rolling Hills and were working that day so we got to spend some time with them as well.

Staci, Cheyenne and Cheryl ready to "roll" through Rolling Hills! Notice the map in Cheyenne's hands, she followed that map the entire time and told us where we needed to go! It was a great way for her to learn to follow a map!

There weren't any animals in this exhibit but the girls liked crawling through the tunnel and poking their heads up into the window.



Sleeping black bears.


Posing for a picture with the deer.


Lemurs (most animals were, in the words of the girls, like on Madagascar!)


They had a giraffe feeding station! It was only open until 2:00 so we hurried to get over there. Cheyenne thought she wanted to feed the giraffes but they when it came down to getting close to them she didn't want to. Cheryl let Staci hold her and feed him and then wanted to do it again! The giraffes stuck out their tongues wanting the branches.

Cheryl wanted Staci to hand it to him!

This may not be appropriate but I HAVE to tell this story! These 2 giraffes were always together. They are all males. They came over to the feeding station but didn't really want to be fed. They were very playful. (I have a video I will post on another post.) Cheyenne was watching them. And all of a sudden says, "Mommy, what's that coming out of his belly?" I looked and guess what I saw?! You can see it in this picture if you look close. "Mommy, what is that?" Yes, I think she said it as loud as she could and kept repeating it! I couldn't help but laugh. My mom said, "I think we better go!" Cheyenne was too intrigued! I explained to her that that was a boy giraffe! We finally got her to move on and she didn't ask anymore, thank goodness!

Next was the Rhinos, 2 of them were inside. Gail and Erin (mom's cousin and her daughter) caught up with us at the Rhino exhibit, which is Gail's favorite. This one was eating but the other one was playing with a smashed trash can. Erin warned us that he likes to "mark his territory". As we were looking at him, he turned and raised his tail! I grabbed the girls, who were right next to the rails, and moved out of the way pretty quickly. Then he kept turning towards us! He never sprayed but we got out of the building completely pretty quickly!

This camel turned and posed for a picture!

This dromedary camel keeps the grass short around the fence!

Robbie the Orangutan.

The tigers! Cheryl liked the white one!

Cheyenne waited all day to see the lion! We passed him the first time in our rush to feed the giraffes. Then she told us where we needed to go according to her map to get back to him.

Cheryl and Gail feeding the goat a carrot in the kids' petting zoo! Cheryl isn't so sure about putting her fingers by the goat's mouth!

Then she figured out it's ok!

We left the zoo about 4:00 and Cheryl was pooped. We were going to go into Salina to do some shopping and Cheryl fell asleep before we were too far on interstate. Chey was cold so she shared her blanket with her sleeping sister!

We all had a good time and the weather was cooler and it even sprinkled a little bit, which made it even better. It was very enjoyable day! Thanks Mom!

Jack & the Beanstalk

Friday the HRC took a bus trip to the Wichita Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre to see a kids show of Jack and the Beanstalk. I decided to take Cheyenne along with me. The bus left Hoisington at 8:30 in the morning and got to Wichita shortly after 11. She did very well on the bus. We do utilize the schools charter bus so it is a little more comfortable and we watched movies so that kept the kids entertained. At the Dinner Theatre, they had a buffet of applesauce, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, french fries and a cookie.

When we first got there we stopped by the bathrooms. Cheyenne wanted her picture taken by the tree with the lights on it.

Some of the people that traveled with us. There was a fox that was entertaining kids until the show started. Cheyenne wasn't very fond of him though. I think the fox is dancing on stage but you can't see him because the stage lights weren't on. These people were sitting right next to the stage! The kids loved it!

Cheyenne and I waiting for the show to start.

Jack trying to sell his cow.

The giant, the hen that lays the golden eggs and Jack.

I think all the kids and parents (mostly grandparents) enjoyed the show.

Doctor

After having a fever on Monday and Tuesday, Cheyenne was feeling better. That is until Sunday. When I got her dressed that morning she said I hurt her ear when I put her shirt on. I didn't think a whole lot about it. Her and Cheryl spent the afternoon at my parents' while Scott and I went out to eat. When we went to pick them up around 3:30, they were still asleep but Mom said Cheyenne had a fever again. We went home and she just got worse. We decided we better get her into the doctor on Monday. I was guessing she had an ear infection. Our usual doctor was booked yesterday so we saw another doctor at the same clinic. Chey of course didn't have a fever when we went to the doctor but when she looked in her ear she said it was not red. She has swimmer's ear. What? We've only been swimming once and she doesn't go underwater much so I don't know how she got it. Maybe in the shower? They have a little blow up pool but haven't swam it a whole lot either. And she doesn't put her head under hardly at all. I don't know. Anyway, we got a prescription for ear drops we have to put in her ear 4 times a day for 7-10 days. She didn't like it at first but then she was asking for them later in the evening because they made her ear feel better. They say the fever isn't associated with the swimmer's ear it may just be another virus. So if it comes back, which it did last night, just give her Tylenol. We'll keep an eye on that and see if we need to go back. Hopefully we're on the mend. We've got to be, school will be starting soon!

A Day at Work

Cheyenne had a fever yesterday at the babysitter's and still had 102 this morning. Of course, Scott's day off is tomorrow and I HAD to be at work today for a phone/online demonstration and get the craft room organized before Monday from all the stuff Summer Rec brought us. I will already be gone part of tomorrow and Friday. So, Cheyenne came to work with me. She has done very well so far. Although now, I think she has asked me twice if we can go home and then how much longer before we can leave. She is sleeping now so hopefully that will help the 3 1/2 hours left go by fast for both of us! At least I am fortunate enough to have a job where I can take my kids to work with me when I need to.

Princesses

Today when I took the girls to daycare, they right away asked to play dressup. I stuck around for a few minutes to see my pretty princesses! Cheryl even has gold shoes on to match her dress!

Breast Feeding

A friend's status on facebook today drew my attention to an article on the Hutchinson News online about a La Leche League . I had to go there and see it myself. After looking at the picture and reading the article I had to comment on my friend's status. There have been many more comments on her status and also on the article online. I nursed both of my girls until they were 1 year old and could drink milk. I think that is a good time to stop. I think nursing was the best thing for my kids and myself. They both did well with it and never had any formula. That saved us a lot of money. Especially when Cheyenne was still in diapers when Cheryl was born. Since I've seen a lot of comments I just thought I'd post it on my blog as well and see if there were any opinions here. I'm all for nursing and nursing in public but there comes a time when a child is too old. Oh, and one comment said the world average age for weaning is 4 years! I can't imagine nursing my 4 year old OR my 2 year old!

(for some reason my link to the article isn't showing up when I post. Click on La Leche League to see the article)

My Girls

Visiting Daddy

We took a cake out to Scott last night at work. The girls loved getting to go into the control room with Daddy. Especially because he has a turtle in there and they love watching him swim and crawl on the log. It wasn't the celebration we would have liked to have with Scott on his birthday but it was nice to be able to spend a few minutes with him.

30 Years!

Today my wonderful husband and father to our beautiful daughters turns 30! Thirty used to seem old, it doesn't seem too old but I think he feels old. He had a rough month of June. He purchased a motorcycle the end of May and the first weekend in June wrecked it. There was a mechanical issue that caused him to crash. He was scraped up pretty bad and sore for several weeks. Last week at work he ran into a wrench and broke a rib. He's on light duty at work for 6 weeks. Lately he hasn't been able to ride his motorcycle or do some of the other things he enjoys doing like playing softball and running. I pray that his birth month is much better for him.

I wish him a very happy birthday today. He had to go back to nights tonight so we won't get do do much celebrating with him today. He has been working week on, week off for the last month so it's been w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l having him home more. The girls love staying with daddy too on his weeks off. The don't want to go back to daycare when we both have to go back to work! He's an awesome husband and father! Love you Scott! Happy Birthday!

Sick Kiddo

I am at home with a sick lil girl today. Cheyenne went to work with me yesterday because she had a fever early yesterday morning and I couldn't take her to daycare but I HAD to go to work yesterday. It was the first night of games and I had to get things ready. It was a long day for her. She had to run all over Hoisington with me along with the stuff I had to get done in the office. We finally left Hoisington at 6:45 last night and I think she was beat. She was very good though. This morning she woke up with no fever and she wanted to go to the babysitters. About 7:30 she threw up so that wasn't going to happen. She has thrown up 2 more times since then but shortly after the last one wanted to eat some cereal so I gave her a little and so far it's stayed down. She's sleeping again right now so we'll see how she is when she gets up.

Cheryl is doing better going potty and actually tells us now. But when she says she has to go, you better get her in there! Of course today, like 2 minutes after Cheyenne threw up, Cheryl had to go potty! She went to we were excited! Then it was back to cleaning up.

Hopefully Cheyenne is better soon. I don't like to see my little girl just laying around the house.

Since I got my house cleaned this weekend, I have time to add some posts between loads of laundry! We'll see how many I get done!

Cheyenne's 4th Birthday

Cheyenne had a great 4th birthday. We had several family members over to celebrate. She wanted a Cinderella cake and that's what she got!

Opening presents. Aunt Cheryl made her a Hannah Montana blanket!


She got several movies, one of them being Alvin and the Chipmunks. She also got the Squeakquel.

Cheyenne hanging out with Papa & Uncle Matt.

I can't believe my baby is 4 years old. These 4 years have gone by fast. We hope to enjoy the next few years cause I know they will go by fast too. We're so proud of Cheyenne. She's become a fine little girl, and a daddy's girl at that! We love you Cheyenne! Happy Birthday!

Easter

I know it's been a few weeks since Easter but I'm playing catch up on posts remember? Easter weekend was a little different this year. Not only was it Easter, Cheyenne also turned 4 on Friday. My brother was able to come home on Saturday but not Sunday and my sister couldn't get off work so she didn't even make it home. Scott was working days as well. And of course the holidays are still difficult without my grandparents there. Saturday morning I took the girls to Bushton for the Easter Egg Hunt. They got to get eggs and candy and play with their friends. Then we headed out to mom and dad's for an early Easter dinner. While mom finished lunch, the girls and I played outside. We had a delicious Easter dinner but it was a little different not having everyone there. Afer we finished eating and doing dishes, the girls and I headed home to get ready for Cheyenne's birthday party that evening.

Cheyenne, Cheryl and Rilan before the Easter Egg Hunt.

Cheyenne gathering her eggs and candy. The girls were in different age groups so I had Cheryl go with a friend.

Playing outside at Mema and Papa's.

Cheyenne and Uncle Matt hanging out on the couch after they got their bellies full with lunch.

Back and Proud

I've really been wanting to start posting on here again but haven't had the time. I took the laptop to bed last night and sat there paying bills and hoping to get something posted when Cheyenne came in. She wanted to lay with me. Then a few minutes later here comes Cheryl. She wanted in bed too. It was Scott's first night back on nights so I didn't mind the company. While I finished paying bills the girls were playing and laughing. It was after 10:00 and I figured they wouldn't go to sleep until I turned the light off. I put the laptop away, turned out the light and laid in bed with them. It wasn't long and they were asleep. And so was I!

I just got a text from the girls' babysitter with a picture that I thought I could take a few minutes out of working to post and hopefully get me back into it!

They have been and we have been working with Cheyenne on writing her name. She has kind of a long one to write so we got the Chey down first. The only problem was that she wrote it from right to left instead of left to right. She wrote it backwords on our steps with chalk this weekend. Today she wrote it right on the white board at daycare! The N's need a little work but we're getting there! I'm so proud of her!

Now hopefully these posts won't be few and far between. I have lots of pictures to post and things to talk about!

Home

Well, we have finally moved into our new home. It isn't completely finished yet but it's close. It's just little things that we need to finish. At least we don't have to pay for 2 places to live now. We are enjoying our new home and it's nice to see all the hard work we've (or I should say Scott) put into it. We have lots of things left to unpack and find homes for or get rid of. Scott prefers the latter. That's my plans for the weekend! It'll be even nicer once we are completely settled. I do have before and after pictures that I will post later. Just wanted to give you a quick update. Hopefully after this weekend I'll get back to blogging on a regular basis. I know, I've said that before but it should work this time!

KRPA Conference

Since Tuesday, I have been in Topeka at the Kansas Recreation and Park Association conference. The Lyons Rec staff asked if I wanted to ride up with them so I did! We've had a good time. I've attended a few good sessions and a few rather boring, didn't really pertain to me sessions but overall it's been good. The Trade Show will start shortly so I'll head down there to check out the vendors, get some freebies and eat some supper. Tomorrow we'll attend a couple sessions, eat lunch and head home.

You always have good sessions and bad sessions but the major benefit from these conferences is networking. Just by talking to people in sessions, between sessions or at lunch or socials you learn alot about what other recreation commissions do. I always come back with new ideas to try!

This year they had a photographer that went around to different sessions and events taking pictures and then posted them on the website. I was captured in a few of them I thought I'd share with you. It's nice to have pictures and not have to carry around your camera!

Tim, Junior, me, Brice and Ben deciding what session to attend.

I decided on 5, 6, 7, 8 Rhythmic Games, Icebreakers and Dances

Doing the Cupid Shuffle!

Same session playing a partner icebreaker game where you walked in circles and when the music stopped you had to find your partner and do what the instructor said. Left ear to left hip!

These are only pictures from Tuesday. Today's aren't online yet. I will share them with you when they are available.

Happy Birthday Cheryl!

Today my baby is 2 years old! I can't believe my baby is no longer a baby! These 2 years have gone by too fast. Cheryl loves to talk and sing. We just love listening to her! She loves playing, teasing and fighting with Cheyenne. I know they will get along great someday! They just have their moments right now. We are thankful for the 2 wonderful girls that God has blessed us with. We look forward to the next 16 years we have both of them at home! Time goes by so fast. We have to cherish every moment. Happy Birthday Cheryl! We all love you!

Ringing in 2010!

Happy New Year! May God bless everyone in 2010!

The girls and I stayed home tonight. We played games and ate ice cream and popcorn. We also watched Ice Age. Scott unfortunately had to work. I enjoyed my time with the girls. They even stayed up until 10:30! That was without Chey taking a nap yesterday too! I figured she'd crash early and I'd have a hard time staying up this late by myself. The 3 of us had a lot of fun! I got caught up on laundry too! It was a wonderful way to end 2009. We look forward to what 2010 has instore for us!

BRRRR!!!

Since it's been a month since I've posted, I wanted you to know I'm still here, froze to death but still here. When I got in my car this morning at 8:20 am it said -7! That's of course without the windchill! It is cold here! Enjoying the snow but it is miserable if you're out in it very long. My poor husband had to be out in it all night last night at work. He's glad he has 4 days off to thaw!

We're very busy with work and working on the house. I have good intentions of posting in the evenings but when the girls go to bed I am ready to hit the sack too. Sometimes I'm ready before they are! I'll be back regularly soon!

SNAKE!!

The girls and I ran to Ellsworth today to go to the grocery store and wash the car. When we got back I noticed a piece of siding sticking out under the bathroom window and when I went to look at it I saw this SNAKE! He was huge! Scott was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him up. I called my mom and she said I should kill it. I wanted to but wasn't sure how. I got a spade out of the garage and attempted to hit it on the head. He pulled back and was up against the house. I waited a little bit to see if he'd move. I tried to poke him a little and he started to slither away. When he got away from the house a little ways I attempted to drop a cinderblock on him. He pulled back right before it landed. As he started slithering away again I just started hitting him as many times as I could with the spade. He started going in the leaves under the bush and I scooped him up and moved him back and hit him some more. He was still moving his tail so I hit him several more times. I put him on the cement and hit him again. I don't like snakes and wanted to make sure he was dead. I don't want snakes around my yard with the girls playing there. I don't know my snakes but a couple people said it was a bull snake. I know he wouldn't hurt anything but I still don't like them and he had to go!