Hideaway Woods

I know I am constantly saying how awesome North Carolina is but... IT IS! 

We became members of the Life & Science museum in Durham last month and it has already paid for itself. The kids love it and there is so much to do! 

Gateway Playground area is great for my active babes.

Dee loves this slide because his Sissy can go with him.

I couldn't keep up with the kids in butterfly area. They were amazed. 

Just like our many other adventures here, the kids love it because they can explore without me freaking out that they will break something. We've been to the museum several times already but last week was our first time to go look at the butterflies and insects.

We rode the train around this trip. It was a favorite. 

Now, they have a farm at Life and Science and the kids really love it as well. I cannot breathe when we are in that section so I keep attempting to skip it... last week they spent 20 minutes exploring a TRAILER! A trailer people!! I may be from Oklahoma but I think my kids are city kids! Ha!!

20 minutes in a trailer... who knew it would be so fun!

Now TODAY being a member of the museum really paid off. We got to experience their new attraction, Hideaway Woods, before it opens to everyone. It is AMAZING! I mean... so flipping cool. Never mind that it was pouring down rain because we played for 2 hours anyway.  My pictures do NOT do this place justice. I was having a hard time keeping up. Sammie was all over the place and she is only 3! I was a bit concerned about her getting to the top and freaking out. Yeah right! That kid was faster on the ropes that most big kids and took the big fast slide down a million times. 

This is where Mommy stopped. Couldn't carry Dee across this one and he was scared. 

I am in another tree house taking the pic to give you a height idea...

Super Sammie lapped that poor 6 year old sitting on the ropes more than once! 

Dee play also... just a little lower!

There is a creek the kids can play in (which reminds me... wet clothes in car!!) that we basically bathed in, a toddler area with small tree houses close to the ground and some stick houses. Once we started getting really wet I had to put away the camera so I missed those pics but so awesome. 

I cannot wait for friends to come visit so we can play!

-Whitney

Lunch Bunch

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved taking my lunch to school and my mom was super creative with each one. So, I was really excited to make Sammie's lunch this year. Only one problem, the kid is uber picky (I do not understand picky eaters) and that limits the "fun" factor for me. Soooo I've been taking pictures of her lunches each week and making mental notes about what she likes and doesn't like. I try to make them cute but I am NOT a Pinterest mommy. Just can't find the time for all that.

Anywho... This post is really so I can remember what she had and what she ate but sharing anyway!! 

Day One: Yogurt Covered Raisins*, Green Grapes (no like), Mandarin Oranges (apparently we only eat these at home), Dried Apples*, Ham, Cream Cheese Roll Up*

Day Two: Chobani Watermelon Tube*, PB & Honey Sandwhich (nope), Pink Goldfish*, Kiwi (it's green soooo no), Apples*

Day Three: Red Grapes & Blueberries*, Yogurt Covered Raisins*, Apple Starwberry Squeeze*, Crackers, Ham & Cheese (nope nope & nope).

Day Four: Freeze Dried Strawberries & Bananas(only ate the bananas), Blueberry Yogurt*, Mapel Bagel & Cream Cheese*, Banana*.

Day Five: Ella's Blueberry & Apple Juice*, YoTot Strawberry Beet & Berry Yogurt Pouch*, Raisins (she loves these and didn't touch! What?!), Ham & Cream Cheese Roll Up*.

And yes, I'm aware that there are no veggies in these pics. So far I can get her to stomach corn, sweet potato FRIES, and if bribed... Some broccoli. I've started using my dads tactics of just taking the plate away if she doesn't eat and then making her wait until the next meal. 

Meals are exhausting with picky kids. 

Green Acres...

Monday the kids and I attended a little play date at Phillips Farm in Cary. After a few moments of thinking Dee may never let go of me... It was a insanity trying to keep up with the 2 of them.

I have no idea why I find it so humorous when they stick their heads through these things but I do.

Sammie LOVED the cool slides. Her brother? Not so much. He did love digging in the rock pit but I have no pictures of that. I mean... We are lucky I have pics at all!

I couldn't figure out what pumpkins were black/red on this board so we jus moved them around for fun.

Bossy little mini me telling a sweet boy what his "job" was while pushing/riding tractors. 

Bouncing on the giant pillow. Sweet Dee stared at it for 15 minutes before he would try it. (At least one of our children uses caution)

Feeding the goats. I'm impressed they both wanted to do it because Mommy sure didn't! Blah!! 

There was a corn maze... We rode the "cow train" through it. It was fast and bumpy and my kids LOVED IT! I think I have future amusement park kids on my hands!! 

We had a great morning at Phillips Farm! 

-whitney 

Oooooooklahoma

Our time in Oklahoma was brief but fun!! We had more than our fair share of Braums, played outside and danced for hours!! Sammie learned to ride her tricycle and Dee followed his Paps around like a sweet little puppy. 

Apparently I have deprived them of sprinkler fun!! 

Sammie and Bitty did several wardrobe changes at Tutus house. 

Sammie also dressed her brother.

The DDI which deserves its own post later was fabulous and Sammie LOVED it!! 

She was worn out!!!

So happy we were able to make this trip happen. Now back to school and learning the ropes of our new state!!!

-whitney 

We survived!

Last week was an event (in Oklahoma) very dear to my heart. Soooo I packed up the kids and we headed back west for 10 days. 

This was the first time I've flown solo with the kids. Let me just say... They. Are. Awesome. Really! My kids are amazing little travelers. Me? Well... After 12 years of national tours and dance competition travel all nice and solo and stuff... I could use a lesson in how to deal with my NEW travel buddies. Like... Once they're sleeping on the plane (yes, they both fell asleep!) can I go to the bathroom? Seriously people... I didn't go to the bathroom for 8 hours!!!! More on that another day. 

The kids were awesome.

I refused to overpack so, Sammies rolling bag was also my dance bag for the week. (I'm so cool) 

Sammie spotted our plane and was glued. Dee? Well he had me running a few circles but I say get that energy out! 

The only thing I couldn't manage alone was carrying Dee on the plane in his seat plus carrying the bag of "tricks" to keep them happy. Soooo sweet Sammie had to drag the bag. It was not light. She was fab.

Sammie (who's generally my harder kid) was a saint! She played and watched movies and napped for a hot second. But soooo good.

The other kid...

Well he screamed for the first 15 min of each flight. Then passed out cold and was finished until we landed. I think he was protesting his car seat and not the flight but who knows. 

 Everyone would have been fabulous had I not left my purse on the plane. (Insert angry emoji) 45 minutes later I finally had it back. No thanks to the lovely TSA agent that yelled at me. (More angry emoji) 

Anywho... We survived what I'm sure will not be the last trip to Oklahoma without the hubs. 

-whitney 

Photo Blast...

Well... I have TONS of random photos that I know some family members will enjoy...

Soooo blast of my kids below!!! 

Ballerina has a BIG dress up obsession. She is really only in normal clothes at school.

At our Pre-K Open House... I told her to strike a pose.

She also REALLY wanted me to take a picture of her doing this random pose.

Cinderella goes shopping with me regularly.

Shopping with Daddy. And yes... the got wine. 

Brother thought this bed was for him. No No No... its now broken. Oh well...

Mommy took a fingernail to my face! :( 

Snack time with the crazies!!

Learning to draw with Daddy!

Brother has started to LOVE slides.

EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. when Daddy comes home he is immediately forced into being a horse or monster. 

Starting to get into a routine and settle in to our new life. And so far... we LOVE it!

-Whitney

Parks & Rec

So one of the things I absolutely love about North Carolina is the parks! I swear we go to a new park every week! All within 15 minutes of our house. They're always clean, have clean bathrooms & are a great way to get us moving.

So far one of our favorites is Pullen Park. Free unless you want to ride the train, carousel or boats but a ticket is just a dollar. So not too bad. 

Brother is starting to have quite the personality! He's so happy when he is allowed to do activities with his sister! 

Brother was not super excited about the ride until round 2.

The carousel goes a bit fast for this momma but the kids love it. 

I love the train! It gives me 5 minutes to breathe and the kids both love it!!

And would you believe there is also a big sand pit?!! We take our beach toys and go to town digging. 

This doesn't even compare to a normal park! We love it. They also have a snack bar that serves local in season foods. It's pretty good!

We also enjoy the much much smaller pArk at Waverly Place. It has a tiny splash pad and sits inside a little shopping center. We like to go get some energy out and then grab a snack at whole foods. 

ThIs past weekend we decided to take turns enjoying the quiet of a restaurant while the kids played. Not a bad way to wait on food! They just so happened to have a back to school party happening.

So someone got to ride a pony while we waited. 

And the we had some good ol' Carolina BBQ!

We love it here! -whitney