What the DVR is Watching - Fall 12

It's that time of year again - the Entertainment Weekly Fall TV Review issue is out which means that the new TV season is upon us!  Here is my annual list of what I'll set up the DVR to record - what I actually end up viewing remains to be seen.

Sunday
The Amazing Race (CBS) - 9/30 -- pad for football delay
Revenge (ABC) - 9/30

Monday
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 9/24
Revolution (NBC) - 9/17

Tuesday
Parenthood (NBC) - already started
The Mindy Project (FOX) - 9/25

Flipping Out (Bravo) - already started
Wednesday
Survivor: Philippines (CBS) - 9/19
Modern Family (ABC) - 9/26

Nashville (ABC) - 10/10

Thursday
Project Runway (Lifetime) - already started

Person of Interest (CBS) - 9/27

30 Rock (NBC) - 10/4Parks & Recreation (NBC) - 9/20
The Office (NBC) - 9/20
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) - 9/27

Friday
Shark Tank (ABC) - 9/14

Saturday

Catch up on DVR'd shows

"Hello Kitty Park"

Claire asked a couple of months ago if we would take her to "Hello Kitty Park", or Kiddie Park, as it is otherwise known.  We'd been trying to think of a good reward for her to entice her to stop picking her fingernails (she would peel them down to the quick!), and so we told her that if she would let all of her nails grow so that the white showed, we would take her to Kiddie Park.

She worked really hard to leave them alone, and all of her nails look great, so last week while Ma & Bob were here for a visit, we finally went to KP.  Carol and Grace were able to join us.  The younger kids took awhile to warm up to the rides, but Claire had a blast.  It was a well deserved reward!

The cars




Boats


Carousel




High flyers




While Claire rode the Ferris wheel, Will wanted another ride on the cars.  He was really excited to get the little car that looked like a train engine and kept saying "Choo choo!  All aboard!" as it went around.


The little wagons were a favorite - I think they most enjoyed getting to sit next to each other. (This picture also demonstrates how they look to be the same height when they're sitting down, which is why I can't take them to the grocery store without at least 2 people asking me if they are twins!)


The spaceship ride goes pretty high and pretty fast - I got a little nervous for her when it started, but she belly giggled the whole time.


The best picture I could get of the toddlers together


Ride #2 on the school bus.  It was bumpy - Will is saying "Whoooa!"

Ma & Bob's visit

Robert's grandparents drove down from Arlington last week to spend the weekend with us.  They arrived on Friday and joined us for a visit to Kiddie Park Saturday morning.  That evening we grilled and Carol & Grace & my parents were all able to join us.  Saturday was church and lunch out, and that afternoon Claire and I tried a new recipe - Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread from Southern Living.  It was a hit with all of us, and we enjoyed it for dessert, breakfast, and snacks!  Claire enjoyed posing for a photo with our results - and reviewing the photos taken my Ma.





We all had a great visit and look forward to seeing them again soon!

"I See Rhinos!"

The kids and I went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago, and this latest trip seemed to make a big impression on Will.  Almost every day we have some form of the following conversation (usually at 6 am when he's up and I'm rocking him to try to keep him from waking up Claire):

Will:  "Mommy!  I see rhinos!"
Me:  "Yes - when we went to the zoo, we saw the rhinos."
W:  "Mommy!  I see monkeys!  Ooh ooh ahh ahh!!!"
M:  "Yes - we saw monkeys.  They were really funny and loud."
W:  "Mommy!  I see jaguar!  Seepy.  [Sleepy]"
M:  "That's right - the jaguar was sleeping when we saw him."
W:  "Jaguar.  Shooo-wee!"

The last part of this conversation had me a little confused, but a couple of days later I remembered that when we were walking by the jaguar, I said something about the flamingos (which are on the other side) being really stinky and that we should keep going.  It's interested to see how much he already remembers - such a funny (and verbal!) little guy!

Priorities

After bath last night Will was watching tv while I slathered his legs with Aquaphor (the constant battle against eczema!) and put on his pajamas.  Claire laid her head on his tummy and said "I really love you, William."  I said "Claire!  That is so nice!"  Will just pushed her head away - her head was blocking his view of Super Why.

At least tonight he reached towards her during dinner and asked her for a hug.

Hugs and Kisses

Will is a pretty cuddly little guy, especially right after his nap.  Yesterday he was a little fussier than usual, and we cuddled on the couch for a little while.  He was feeling better, so I went to the kitchen to get him some water.  A minute later he came running in with his arms up and said "I need hug.  And kiss."  My heart just melted, and I quickly knelt down for hugs and kisses.  But, it got even better when he then ran over to Claire, arms open wide, and said "Sissy - I need hug and kiss."  She happily obliged, too.  I mean, who could possibly resist that little plea?

"The Little River"

For a few weeks Claire had been asking to go to "the little river" at the zoo.  We tried to go once last year and got rained out, so even though we hadn't been there to play, she knew that it had water to splash around in, and that she wanted to go there.

On Friday we met Grace and Aunt Carol when the zoo opened and visited some of the animals.  After it started getting hot, we headed to the Tot Spot for the kids to play.  Claire and Will had a blast.  I thought we would just stay for a half hour or so and then go ride the train, but when the time came to leave, they both said they'd rather keep playing at the river than go for a train ride.  Surprising, but they were having too much fun to drag them away!  Carol and Grace left to see a few more exhibits and catch the train, and Claire and Will played for another hour.  We finally had to leave to go get lunch, and I literally had to drag Will away kicking and screaming (he was quickly appeased by the thought of a grilled cheese, though).

So fun - we will be back soon!

The ponytail was flying as she ran around




Chasing the bird - one of Will's favorite activities


Snack break!

Clouds and Rain

Wednesday afternoon we tried out an activity I saw on Pinterest - cloud dough.  I'm glad we took it out on the patio to play, because it was m.e.s.s.y.  Unlike some of the kids in this blog post, our dough was scattered around the bins within a few seconds.  They had fun with it, but after it's used up, I don't think we'll make it again.







We really had fun just being outside and playing in the yard.  A storm was coming in, and the temperature was about 20 degrees lower than normal.  So nice to have a break from the heat!







Will thought our party needed some bubbles, as usual.


When the rain came, the kids had fun running around.  The shower didn't last long, so they didn't get completely soaked.







It was a great afternoon.

Seriously?

Yesterday I glanced at the video monitor during nap time to see if Claire was asleep or messing around in her room, and I saw this:

I watched for a minute, certain that she would move, then went and opened her door to find her dead asleep.  I don't get it - I have to have almost perfect conditions to fall asleep, and here is my daughter asleep practically on her head.  She is my sleep hero!  :)  I did move her into a normal position - after I took the photo.

Sacked out

Last night I glanced at Claire's monitor before going to bed around 10:30 and noticed that it seemed awfully bright in her room, meaning either her lamp or main bathroom light was on and needed to be turned off.  I opened the door and started laughing - she was completely sacked out, and I had to get a picture.  It was just so funny to me for a number of reasons:

1.  How in the world does she sleep like that?  My arms and legs would go numb.
2.  I knew she was excited about the new shoes we got yesterday, but not enough to get out of bed and put them on (backwards) after I tucked her in.  Where did she think she was going?
3.  Might be time for some new pajamas - these seem a little small!

At the park

These pictures are old, y'all.  I had the best intentions when I took my camera to the park in mid-May to try to get a cute photo of Will and then do a "Will at 18 months" post...that never happened.  But, I still have cute pictures to share!

Will at 18 months  :)


Such a happy kid!




Showing off how loud he can be - all boy!


A few of Miss Priss - she was fancy that day with her big headband.




Suddenly camera shy


Climbing up a new way

Learning about our heritage

The Witte Museum recently opened a new South Texas Heritage Center, and we visited during the grand opening celebration.  There were several exhibits and demonstrations on the grounds, and we all had fun checking them out and even doing some participating.

Claire learned about pioneer toys


Robert and I learned how to make rope circles


Dad ended up giving some roping lessons






I tried to keep Will from running away


The kids liked checking out the different saddle exhibits


It is a really nice addition to the museum - I'll have to go back when I can actually take some time to read more about the exhibits!