Forget about the laundry

So many times in conflict, people focus on the little things, like laundry.  A wife asks her husband to do it while she's out, he says he will but gets tied up on a work call and forgets.  The next day, the same thing happens.  The third day they have a blowout over the laundry.  But the laundry isn't the issue.  The issue is that now the wife does not trust the words coming out of her husband's mouth.  It's not about the laundry, it's about trust.  If you forget about the laundry and look for the bigger issue, things can be resolved.

This is just one of the many things I took from the Team Leader Academy.

XOXO,

Indoor Safari Park

Last week we tried out a super-fun (and indoor) place for kids: Indoor Safari Park in Plano.  For $9.99/ea, each kid gets 2 train rides, 2 robotic animal rides and unlimited play area/miniature golf time.  The price is a bit steep but I had to DRAG my kids out after 2.5 hours.  Even Kailee threw a fit about leaving and she NEVER does that.  This is the first and only place she hasn't been okay leaving.  My only complaint was the cost.  I think for that price they should get more than 2 rides of each thing.  Kailee actually got a free 3rd ride when an employee took pity on her being upset that Gavin was going for his second time (her first time was without him).  If you decide to go, remember socks.  I forgot to bring some but fortunately the owner sold socks by the pair.

Here are so photos and videos of our day:

Robotic Zebra

On the train with friends

XOXO,

Kailee's 2nd Birthday!

On July 30th, Kailee turned 2.  Here are some pictures from her special day:

She woke up super-cheerful in Mommy and Daddy's bed :)

Outfit #1 - The one YaYa got her last year that she did not actually wear on her birthday

Birthday tradition: lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  They got free ice cream for her birthday.

Outfit #2 - This year's birthday outfit (to be seen again at every party we go to in the next year :)

We went to the pool (outfit #3)

She was so tired (after no nap) she slept through dinner.  Daddy brought in the caarseat for her to sleep more comfortably

After dinner, she woke up and was excited to open her gifts

Our first family picture since Christmas

The cake she picked out--notice the boy colors :(

Outfit #4 - new clothes she wore home in case she fell asleep

XOXO,

L-J's Review of Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush

Spoken from the Heart is a memoir of our former First Lady's life.  From small-town beginnings in Midland, Laura Bush had no ambitions to be the future president's wife.  Did you know she was a teacher?  Did you know she was a librarian?  Did you know she and George did not get married all that young?  Did you know they would have loved to have more children and in fact almost adopted before being blessed with their girls?  I did not know any of these things.

This memoir is detailed, honest and classy.  The reader feels a kinship with Bush and every word does seem to be spoken from the heart.  It is apparent that Bush is very thankful for every experience and every person she's met.  This book makes me want to meet her, though I'd be tongue-tied and have nothing useful to say.

I recommend it!  My only complaint was the small font, but that was my copy from the library :).

XOXO,

Lost Pines Vacation 2011

Rather than upload a ton of pictures on here or on Facebook, I decided to create a slideshow instead.  Enjoy!

Some things to remember from the trip:

-Watching the second half of Season 1 and the first half of Season 2 of Sex and the City on my iPhone

-Dean making the wrong turn for the resort (had I been paying attention, I could have caught the mistake)

-Aunt Laura, Leslie and Uncle Paul coming out to visit us and bringing us a yummy dinner

-Kailee going down the slide twice

-Gavin wanting to play golf as much as possible

-Kailee devouring a crayon at dinner and no one noticing

-Finding the mini-consequence

-Gavin swimming throughout the lazy river without water wings day in and day out

-Kailee only napping on day 3 in my lap on the lazy river

-The pool closing for a half hour on day 2 which led to adorable cuddling by Gavin and Kailee

-Gavin turning into Rudolf the last day

And so much more that will likely be added to this post at a later date :).

XOXO,

Deal of the Day!

I was at our Walmart and discovered a ton of baby items on sale for $3.  I grabbed some 3T jeggings for next year and some 24mos leggings for this fall.  When I checked out, I was surprised to learn that each item was actually on sale for $1.  8 pairs of jeggings/leggins for $8!!!  Go stock up!

XOXO,

L-J's Review of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

As I was looking for an audiobook before a recent road trip, I saw this one for only $.99.  I decided it was worth the dollar even if I didn't like it.  I figured, based on the movie, the story would at least be entertaining.  Sadly, it was not at all like the movie.  While the movie was filled with action and intrigue, making the viewers care about what happens, the story itself does none of this.  I guess that's why they say the movie is "loosely" based on the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This is one of the few times I've ever liked a movie better than the book.  I do not recommend this book unless you like F. Scott Fitzgerald as an author.  This is my first experience with him and it does not make me eager to read The Great Gatsby or anything else by Fitzgerald.

XOXO,