Play Dates

Having 2 kiddos in school is real busy! Addison and Alivia both want to have playdates. So, last week, I allowed them to each have friend over, with siblings. It was crazy...but they had a lot of fun. Alivia had 2 friends, Addison had 2 friends and Asher had friends, too.

Neale Woods

Today, Asher and I went with our friends Ms. Kim and Keegan on a hike in the Neale Woods in North Omaha. The forest has 9 miles of dirt/grass trails, 600 acres of conserved forest and prairie land, nature center building that is said to be opened seasonally (but looked closed when we were there), and the Millard Observatory. It was a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere!

We arrived down the gravel road to the woods to an empty parking lot. I was picturing a place to show my Forest pass, but there was not a soul there. It was pretty quiet around there. Let's just say, I would not have hiked without having my friends along.

We got out and hiked the Jonas trail, a trail that was labeled to be a mile long. In the forest, a mile is a very long distance! We hiked through prairie with tall prairie grass, through many swarms of bugs, through so many spiderwebs and spiders that I lost count, and walked dirt trails. It was pretty, smelled fresh (except for my continuous spaying of the ineffective Family Off that I had along), and was quiet. We did not hear or see many birds, only saw one animal that crept away without us seeing what he was (thankfully, I think). We saw many snails and butterflies, though, along with the bugs and spiders.

It was a fun hike, I guess. It was something different, which is something I am always looking for. This forest will be beautiful come fall. Maybe I will have to bring Chris and the girls next time.

Going to visit the forest? Here is the address:
Neale Woods
14323 Edith Marie Ave.
Omaha, NE 68112

Be sure to check out the website for directions because the road is closed by the river due to flooding. The view from the hills shows there is still a lot of water over the river banks.

What to bring:
Walking shoes
Pants or capri pants (maybe even long sleeved shirt) so you are not so bit up
Bug spray and the good kind - not the family friendly worthless kind
Snacks and drinks

Just FYI: No restrooms were available that we found. It is the woods afterall. So, not a place to go if you are potty training. :)

Enjoy the woods!

1st Day of School 2011!

Today was the first day of school for Alivia, in the second grade, and Addison, starting Kindergarten! Addison was ready to go this morning, waking up on her own at 6:30 and getting dressed, while I had to wake Alivia at 7.

Addison was a bit nervous I think since she refused to eat anything for breakfast. I tried to get her to eat just about anything, and she completely refused. We walked up to school just before 8 with Daddy. The weather was windy and a little chilly actually. Chris and I walked the girls to their rooms, helping them get to their seats on the first day. They did really good without tears! I did not even cry, at least today. I must have cried all my tears a couple days ago.

After the first 1/2 day of school, we went and picked up McDonalds for lunch, meeting Daddy at a playground to eat it, so the girls could tell us all about their day.


So, we now have 2 in school, leaving just Asher and I here at home. I am sure we will find things to do, but we will miss the girls. I already do! Hummm, makes me think I should home school.

Addison with her teacher

Time to get to work.

Addison in class.

Daddy walking home with Asher...just Asher!

The Last Day of Summer

Yesterday was our official last day of summer since school started today. So, we had to celebrate.

When I asked Addison what she wanted to do, she said she wanted to go to a jumpy place. When I asked Alivia, she said she wanted to play with Zoe. I had to grant their wishes before school, right?!

So, we began the morning meeting friends at Jumpin Jax in Papillion for open bounce, and Alivia brought her friend Zoe. After some good bouncing, we came home and played outside a bit before lunch. We made chocolate brownies with frosting before painting fingers and toes (painting 3 girls including Zoe took me forever!).

After dinner, it was time to walk up to the school for the open house. Addison was so excited to see her Kindergarten room, meet her teacher, and maybe meet some of her classmates. Alivia was excited to see who was in her class (a lot of new kiddos in her class this year!) and meet her teacher. Addison has 19 kiddos in her class and Alivia has 20, the 20th being added LAST NIGHT! Crazy! There are 3 Kindergartens and 3 second grade classes. I believe the school is filling up...and fast!

The girls felt better after knowing what to expect a little on the first day. Now, bring on the first day!

Visit to the Lincoln Zoo

Yesterday we had a play date with the Allen Family at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. We had never been there, but we had been wanting to go there for a couple years. I had heard very good things about it.

What a nice place to visit! Everything seems so clean, well taken care of, and new. There are many hands on activities for the kids, too. For example, in the butterfly exhibit, they spray sugar water on your hands so the butterflies will be attracted to land on you. Really?! In Omaha, we can not even touch them! How fun is that?! The kids pet a rat (Ick! They said rats are one of the cleanest animals!? Really? And they live in sewers?), a very soft bunny, a bird, a cockroach (really), and a grasshopper just to name a few. They have pony rides (which we did not do) and a train ride that goes around the outside of the zoo twice. The kids really liked the train. We all loved all the play areas for the kids, too. The exhibits were close together, so you go from one to another without time for whining between. And, every few exhibits there is a sand pit, climbing thing, or some fun kid activity.

It took us 3 hours to see all we wanted to see, eat lunch, play on the playsets, sand pits, climbing things and more, and ride the train. We could have stayed longer and played longer on the play things too. I believe one could stay all day at this zoo, if you took your time.

Pros: Hands on activities for kids, shaded walk ways, smaller in size, easy to walk without hills.
Cons: Officially, no outside food is allowed within the zoo. We did not know this, however, and at our own picnic lunch near the dino dig sand pit. Maybe this is why the zoo is so clean! I guess there is a picnic area someplace outside of the zoo. I found this quite interesting and weird. I mean kids eat, and eat often. Humm. Also, I did not find some of the trails very stroller friendly. Kim and I no longer use strollers for our kiddos, but just pointing this out if you do use one.

After the zoo, we visited a HUGE playground, Antelope Park, the kids just loved. They played until it was just too hot, and it was time to head home.

What a fun day! Would totally recommend a visit to the Lincoln Children's zoo! 

If you plan to go yet this year, go soon as they have short season: April 15th - October 15th. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. You do get a discount for being a Omaha Zoo Member, which is so nice!

The zoo crooked house and playset

Antelope Park

Asher's 1st Sleepover

On Wednesday, we had the neighbor's kids over to play while they mommy and daddy went out to celebrate their daddy's birthday.  They have Zoe, Alivia's BFF, Cameron, who is maybe 10 days younger than Asher, and baby Evan, who Addison adores because he is a baby. The kids played well together, watched a movie, and snacked on kettle corn that I had bought at the Papillion Farmer's Market. It was a fun night. As night time approached, the kids sacked out in each others rooms. Baby Evan slept in our room, Cameron slept in Asher's room and Zoe slept in Alivia's room. Addison was asleep within minutes, wiped from our fun filled day.

The boys were both having their first sleepover. Asher, who normally is an insomniac, went right to sleep with the company of Cameron. Alivia and Zoe, who just had a sleepover 2 days before, were giggly as usual. The boys slept right through them! How cute!

Baby Evan went home with our neighbors while Zoe and Cameron stayed here. It was a fun night. And, Asher was pretty excited to get to have a sleepover like his big sisters!

August at the Forest

Another day closer to school starting, so we enjoyed another full morning of fun. 

We started off early at the Fontenelle Forest. We took a hike through the forest today, looking for "clues." We saw a wild turkey, heard many birds, found feathers, and spotted some deer tracks. It was so pretty and the air smelled so good. The kids played in Acorn Acres where they found caterpillars. They were so excited! Then, it was time to head to our next play date.

We met a group of friends at a playground in Ralston. The kids were already pretty tired from hiking and did not last long. But, we at least got to stop in and say hi to everyone before coming home for lunch.

Now, it is time for quiet time and PBS kids for Addison and Asher while Alivia is off to Zoe's. We have some errands to run this afternoon before we are watching the neighbor's kiddos for a bit this evening. All in a day of fun!

Last Full Week of Summer...

This week marks the last full week of summer break for Alivia and Addison. I am quite sad about this. I told them that we would make the best of their last week at home, creating as many memories as possible while we can.
On Monday, we met our the Grajkowski family at a local park to play and have a picnic while Addison went shopping with Grandma Kathy. I brought Pippa, which I found a bit overwhelming. I believe Pippa needs to learn to stay home sometimes. After the picnic, Alivia's friend Sydney came over for a bit to play during the afternoon. It was not long and Addison arrived home from a day of shopping, She had so much fun with her Grandma and going alone. I am not sure which she liked better (going alone or the shopping). Although it was a full day, Alivia had not had enough. It was not long and Zoe was spending the night. Okay, it is the last week of summer, right?

So, today, we decided to his members hour at the Omaha Children's Museum. It was the last time the kids would go during the week for a while probably. We visited the dino exhibit upstairs, played on the main level, made an art project (that we forgot to bring home) and did a little face painting. It was a fun morning. For lunch, we went to Heartland of America park to feed the water fowl a bit before feeding ourselves. Okay, the water fowl do not understand what "all gone" means. They were all over us! It was crazy!! So, I need to bring more bread for them next time. Now we are home, Zoe in tow, enjoying a semi quiet afternoon watching movies (while I blog).

Why is it that they best things always seem to have to end?! That is so sad. I look at my little Addison and just want to hold her tight and never let go. She just turned 5. I wish I had more time with her. I think I would be ready for her to go to school by January. Humm, I wonder if they would allow that?

Training Pippa

While we were away on our vacation, our little Papillon, Pippa, was spade at the breeders. They had a vet they trusted who took care of her, and then she stayed with them until we got home. It was so nice to know we knew she was in good hands.

Once at home, we were back to training her. I have been attached to Pippa for nearly 4 weeks now. By attached, I really mean attached. I hook the lease up to her and she is with me all day long as long as she is inside. Why? Well, I can keep a good eye on her when she is leased to me. If she is going to have an accident, I catch her BEFORE it happens and take her outside.

I pretty much know now when she needs to go outside. We have her on a feeding routine. We take her outside several times a day, and she generally gets to walks a day, weather permitting. She is used to us and the kids. Addison helps me take Pippa outside to go potty, while Alivia is good on walking her when we take walks.

Having a dog is like having a baby, only they are not as cute and they do not wear diapers. Okay, some dogs wear diapers but I find that completely weird and lazy on the part of the owners.

Pippa is also taking training classes. She is very shy and is SLOWLY learner, so it is an expensive work in progress.

So far so good. We love having her. She is our little buddy, loving to cuddle as much as she loves running in the yard. And Pippa can jump!! She is so fun.

As much work as she is, we would not change a thing.

Hot Day at the Zoo

Wednesday we met up with my friend Heather, the day before she was to have her baby girl (yes, she is nuts!) at the zoo. We walked around a bit before we caught up with Heather along with her 15 year old step son, her nearly 6 year old daughter, and her little 2 year old boy. We walked a bit, looking at the animals, ending at the playground. The kids played while Heather got to sit a bit. We looked at a few more animals before making our way to the 1pm show at the Imax about Caves. I really liked the show, and the kids seemed okay with it. It was really interesting!
Yesterday, about 8:30AM, my friend Heather delivered her baby girl, Hailey Morgan. I can't wait to meet her!

Just another day at the zoo. Hot or not, we were glad to be able to spend it with our friends before they added one more to their broad!

Pictures will have to wait. You see, they are on my laptop and Pippa chewed through my electrical cord for the laptop. I hesitate to even turn the thing on until my new charger arrives. So, until then...you will only have to imagine.

Still Popular...

Okay, enough already, right?! Well, I now have 2 images on the 365 popular page!! I am so excited! Too bad I can not be taking more pictures on Folly Beach right about now. :) The images are tiny in the above web capture, but they are the sunrise that was originally on the popular page, and the sunrise coming in behind the pier. Yeah!!!

I'm Popular...Again!!

I had almost given up on being on the 365 popular page again until our trip to Folly. I uploaded all my pictures yesterday (one for each day that is) and Chris' favorite was selected on the popular page!! Made my morning to wake up to that! My picture is the beach sunrise one on the top second from the left.