Mid May

Greer Family Fest:  Zoe's first "ride".  It was my mom who let her go, but I had to go with Zoe.  Zoe did really well, but I thought I was "being trapped in a small box with an angry raccoon." Zoe normally doesn't like to be up high, stand on grates, or move without being in control.  All things that occurred on this ride.  She ended up trying to stand up and wave to my parents and Wyatt while we were at the top. 

We also went to the farmer's market with my parents.  Then Kevin and my dad went to the mall (sneaky boys) to get an iPad for my mom so we could FaceTime while she is in China.  I took my mom to the zoo so she would be occupied and out of the way.  She got her iPad at lunch (we went to Sticky Fingers).  She was so surprised.  The Greer Family Fest was later that night.  In addition to the ride, we checked out the vender booths, ate amazing food, including a hot waffle ice cream sandwich dipped in chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.  Yes, it is as good as it sounds. 

Then Sunday we attended the morning service followed by the world's best BBQ bacon cheeseburgers courtesy of Kevin.  Because he is the grill master.

Sharing the t-ball set that Kevin's parents bought Wyatt for Christmas.  Both kids enjoy running after the ball and swinging the bat.  It is a great toy for the backyard.  I can tell that it is going to get a lot of use this summer. 

And on a side note:  LOOK AT OUR GRASS.  So much work in the last 20 months, but it looks amazing.  It is a blessing to have a wonderful place for the kids to play.  The kids love the playhouse we got from our neighbors (thanks Lisa).  Kevin and I both love the swing Kevin's parents got for us last year. 

 The Pinteresting things we do:  Sensory boxes have been a hit.  Both kids make a mess, but have a blast.  We do color organizing, scooping, counting, texture, and sound activities.   There are bags of beans, pasta, and rice (I haven't done the rainbow rice...that is on my to try list).  We have bags of ribbon, Easter grass, trinkets of all colors.  There are also several spoons of different sizes, plastic tweezers, and jars to work on fine motor skills.  It took a few hours to set up but now they are ready in minutes whenever the kids need a quick activity.

There will be more Pinterest crafts/activities in our future.  I am spacing them out over the summer so we always have new things to do.

 

 This last "bin" picture is Zoe standing in the bin with water beads.  Who would have thought?  She told me they were squishy and wanted to stomp on them.  Both of the kids really enjoyed this, so I will be getting some more water beads soon. With the water beads we get the bath toys to go in the bin.

 Wyatt is successfully drinking out of an open cup.  He is getting to be such a big boy.  We are also working on mastering a spoon with applesauce, although that is a work in progress.  It is so great to watch him learn everyday tasks.  He loves to take his shoes off (and try to put his shoes and socks on).  He is almost tall enough to reach the door handles...then maybe he can open the doors for Zoe when she needs to use the bathroom.  :)
 

 Another thing from Pinterest:  Scrabble Jr Cheez-it Crackers.  Zoe can identify almost all the letters of the alphabet.  These are one of her favorite snacks.  And they are great for practicing letter identification.

 

 

 Dinner at McAlister's Deli.  Both of the kids had a great time.  Wyatt sat in the booth like a big boy and ate his whole meal.  I am so thankful to see the end of sippy cups (except for the car) and a time when high chairs will no longer be needed.  Now all I need to work on is potty training Wyatt.  Travel is so much easier with kids who don't need baby equipment toted along.

 Yogurt Mountain:  Ok, this was mostly for me.  But the kids love it too.  Zoe passes up all of the sweet treat toppings and adds fruit.  She really enjoys the fresh raspberries.  Who needs chocolate sprinkles when you have strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. 
My new favorite flavor:  Caramel Pretzel

 Artisphere:  We love all of the festivals downtown Greenville.  We really like Greenville even if nothing is going on.  But last weekend was Artisphere.  We watched the chalk paintings by Falls Park.  There were glass blowing artists and a blacksmith doing demonstrations.  Lucky for us, we spent an hour at the Farmer's Market and then walked down to Artisphere when it opened.  This meant grabbing a breakfast treat from the Great Harvest Bread tent.

Farmer's Market:  Second week in a row that we have been downtown to get strawberries, tomatoes, and a few other things.  This week we found some peaches and local honey (both were sold out the previous week before we got to the tents).

 Zoe and Wyatt playing with Zoe's "Baby."  She named it "Baby" and somehow the name stuck.  Both of the kids have a great time with the doll. 

 Kevin's dad sent me flowers for Mother's Day with a great note about how thankful he is for the grandkids.  I love flowers.  And these still look amazing a week after I got them.

Kevin is also getting me an amazing gift for Mother's Day, but he is combining Mother's Day and my birthday...so I have to wait a few more months.

The Greenville Zoo:  Because why not.  Our season passes have gotten a lot of use in the last month.  The first picture is of the iguana, but the light makes it difficult to see.  He is in the very center of the picture sitting right up on the ledge.  The second picture is of Kevin, Zoe and the snake.  I think we may be making more afternoon trips to the zoo since the animals all seemed more lively around 3:30 than they are around 10am.



Other news: 


Zoe's ear is bothering her again.  Of course, not til after the ENT was closed for the weekend.  It is most likely her tube bothering her.  I cannot wait for this tube to be out.  Which is what it is working on doing and part of why there is pain.  Just pray that she will be able to get decent sleep this weekend. 

Zoe announced today she needs to go to the shoe shop and get some pink shoes.  I am not responsible for the shoe diva (monster) that was created my mom and mother-in-law.

I toured a medical school last week.  I am planning on looking at a few more schools this summer.  I can't believe the MCAT is less than a year away.

My mom arrived in China.  I am still looking for cheap flights to go see her.  Of course, if I find something, then I will need to arrange childcare while I am gone. 

I shadowed in a clinic all this week.  It was a great experience.  I feel blessed to have people who are willing to take time to teach me things while giving me the hours I need. I am planning to shadow more in July, so if you know someone who would be willing to let me shadow, let me know.

Kevin went to the dentist and survived.  :)  The way he tells it, I have him tortured every six months. 

My dad is coming this weekend to help me with some yard work.  I did mow the lawn in anticipation of his arrival.  And Kevin said I did an amazing job.  Yes, I can mow the lawn.  Will I in the future?  I don't know.  If I was home all day, totally.  Maybe I will see if he will trade lawn mowing for bathroom cleaning.  I would take that offer. 

We are attending a birthday party this weekend.  Jakers is turning 3.  We got him the same gift we got for Paton.  Which is awesome.  But I can't post about it until after they all have parties.  Wyatt has one.  Both Wyatt and Zoe think it is the coolest thing ever. 

Paton (Kevin's brother's little boy) will turn 3 before I post again, so "Happy Birthday to Paton". 

The kids will be having a week long play date with the twins before they move to the coast (we will miss them so much). 


I am trading in my Tuesday night volunteer shift at the Free Clinic for seven weeks so Kevin and I can take a class at church.  The plan right now is to trade with a Thursday night volunteer.