Has It Almost Been a Week Already??????

Okay...I'm struggling lately with uploading all these pictures I have on my camera!  For some reason most of the ones that I upload say I "can't upload for security reasons" (who knows what that means since they are from my camera and when I try a second time it sometimes works) and it takes FOREVER to upload.  There's got to be a quicker way.  A 10 minute task seems to be turning into an hour and a half ordeal.  I have SO many pictures to share but just haven't gotten them posted...so I apologize that they will be randomly showing up on other posts.

Updates...

This last weekend was so fun!  We missed Daddy though because he was out of town with his football team in Missouri...but the kids and I seemed to be busy every second.  We did a little shopping at a few garage sales in Slater...and came out with some good buys.  Ava loves shopping and can always find something she likes anywhere she goes. 

On Saturday we went to Grimes for their "Funtastic Days" events.  We went to a parade, got LOTS of candy, went to an ice cream social, ate at McDonalds, played with cousin Isabelle at her house, napped, and then went out for more fun at the local carnival.  It was not busy at all and the kids had a blast!  They rode on so many rides.  I have pictures of them all that I know you'd LOVE...another post I guess.  One of the best pictures is Isaiah with this GIANT corndog he got for dinner. 

One exciting new update is how good our kids are becoming at riding their "big kid" bikes.  The other night we took the kids and Jackson on a walk.  Isaiah for some reason wanted to ride in his jogger stroller (he hasn't taken a ride in that for a year) and Ava rode her bike.  We went out on the bike trail in town for a while and she did great!  She loved riding ahead of us, stopping for us to catch up, and then riding off again.  She was very proud.  Mr. Isaiah has really taken an interest in wanting to ride a "big boy bike" too.  Our neighbor let us borrow on old bike his son used to have so he's been using that for the time being.  Once his new potty chart is filled up, we're taking him out to get him a new bike and helmet.  He seems to think he either wants a He-Man bike or a Hot Wheels one.  He does such a nice job pedaling and steering.  He's careful when turning around on the driveway and tends to be a little to hard on the brakes at times...but he's really doing an amazing job for a little guy whose not even three yet. 

The days have been stormy and rainy here lately.  We've been doing lots of playing inside and movies...Peter Pan has been the kid's favorite lately.  Yesterday there were advisories out for severe thunderstorms and strong winds.  We kept the kids down in the basement and all took a family nap...well I didn't really sleep...I had Ava sprawled out on me while I was rocking her on the chair.  Isaiah fell asleep on the couch and Andy was on the floor cuddled in blankets...it was a quiet and peaceful hour and a half.  When we all woke up there were branches, sticks, and leaves all over the lawn.  Our neighbors had a HUGE tree limb down...our block was a mess.  The kids got to experience a little of the fall season when we raked up all the leaves from the ground into big piles.  They loved jumping into them and when they were done with that we raked them into the driveway and the kids rode back and forth through the pile on their bikes. 

Isaiah's new potty progress is still a big success.  He hasn't had an accident in over a week.  I think for the most part we can say he is potty trained!  Yeah Isaiah!

This weekend we will be going to Lindsey and Donald's wedding!  If you remember Ava is one of the flower girls and Isaiah in one of the ring bearers.  They will both look so cute.  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

My Three Happy's:

1) Julie and Kevin are taking LOTS of our stuff to sell at their garage sale this weekend!  Thanks so much!  I can't believe we have so many things...most of it was already in storage so our house doesn't even look like we made a dent.

2) Movies with Andy...I love Netflix and renting movies from our library.  During the summer our favorite shows aren't on so we love watching movies once the kids are in bed. 

3) Our little loves...they have been getting along so well lately and really love talking to each other.  Andy and I love listening to their conversations in the car when we're going places. 

Here are a few pictures of the kids doing some things...again most wouldn't download.

The other day we got out these extra birdhouses we had.  Last year we ordered them from Oriental Trading and gave them out as Father's Day gifts.  This weekend while Daddy was gone we got them out and painted them.  Isaiah is working pretty hard to add color to his.

Ava's birdhouse turned out to be a beautiful rainbow of colors.  Oriental Trading is the best place to find inexpensive crafts.  If you've never ordered from there...try it sometime!

Rainy days mean bikes are allowed in the house!

This once clean living room...it seriously was cleaned up...is filled with "Garage Sale" toys. We got an Imaginext pirate boat for only $5.00.  The rest of the toys attach to Hot Wheel's tracks.

The Case of the Missing Camera...

...yet again, I've misplaced the camera.  Written updates...here we come!

What's going on at the Richardson's?

1) Isaiah has been doing an amazing job with potty training!  I think in the past three days he's had NO accidents.  He has even woken up dry from naps and he was even dry one morning when he woke up!  I've been putting a pull-up on him when we go places...just to be safe.  But today when we went to the library for preschool storytime...he refused to wear a pull-up and said "I won't go potty on the floor Mommy."  So he wore his Captain America underwear (a new purchase from Target).  He kept his promise...even though I was a bit worried when he was drinking a lot of water during our walk to the library...he waited until we got home to go on his potty!  Way to go Boo!  We're so proud of you!

2) Ava and Isaiah started their summer preschool storytime at the library today.  The theme is "One World, So Many Books."  Today was a mini unit on fire stations and we even walked up the block to get a tour of the Slater fire station and the kids got to climb in the firetrucks.  I WISH I would have had my camera!  The kids really seemed to enjoy this.  We left the library with 13 books, a few movies, and a reading record sheet.  The goal is for each child to either read or be read to for 500 minutes this summer and if this goal is accomplished the children earn a free ticket to the zoo in Des Moines and an invitation to a pool party!  We're already read for 40 minutes today so far!

3) On Monday evening we went to the Slater pool after dinner...the best time to go in my opinion because most of the crowd is gone for the day.  The kids used their Puddle Jumpers (coastguard approved swimwear...these are awesome and we got them at Target last year) and loved "swimming" and jumping to Mom and Dad off the side.  We were there for two hours until it closed.  I'm sure we'll be back again soon.  We got a punch card for the summer...much better deal than paying each time!

4) As I'm sitting here I have a list a mile long of things I want to do this summer...I keep thinking...I should not be blogging...I could really start a project while they are napping.  I always do this...I create this mental list in my head and new ideas pop in daily...then I become overwelmed with the things I think I "have" to do that I don't really know where to start.  I need to just pick one thing and see if I can get it accomplished.  Am I the only one out there that does that?  I surely hope not!

5) Andy's been starting football camps this week...really...football already starts!  They have camp this week and then are attending an out of town clinic this weekend!  The players lift and run everyday, but Andy doesn't start football in full swing until the beginning of August.  We love football season at our house.  The kids enjoy going up to the football stadium for some great entertainment from the team, marching band, and cheerleaders.  Plus the weather is always so nice in the fall!

Well the kids are up...time to play again!  Hope you are all having a great week so far!

My Three Happy's:
1) Sunny days
2) This new Teachers Pay Teachers website I found...if you are a teacher...you HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT!  It's become my new obsession.
3) My messy house...well it doesn't really make me happy...but I know my kids have been having fun this summer and so have I!

Just Another Day in Paradise

Disney music in the background, grilled steaks and chicken...lots of other yummy foods too, pools, water toys, slip 'n' slides, cold drinks, tropical decorations, and family...that about sums up our day in a few words. 

Ava diving down into the pool

Isaiah discovering the watergun

Three cousins...but friends forever!

Enjoy the slideshow...

Just Another Day in Paradise

My "three happy's" for the day are at the bottom of the post I also made tonight "Mall Madness."  We hope you all have a great start to your week!

Mall Madness

It's always been a tradition in our family to take our "out of town guests" to a mall.  Since I can remember when the Elmore's (my Aunt Barbie's family) came up we'd always head out to the Ames mall...pretty shabby theses days compared to others.  When we go out to Indiana, we'd always do the same.   Now it's Jordan Creek we venture out to.  My Aunt Barbie loves to shop and so do we.  It works out perfect!  Yesterday afternoon the kids wanted to nap in the car and get as much shopping done as possible.  We were at Jordan Creek from 2-8:30.  The kids did great and loved every minute.  They always look forward to the play area...now that Isaiah has gotten older it makes me less worried to have them stop in there for some fun.  My parents took us out to eat at The Cheesecake Factory...you have to have their crabcake sandwich if you've never tried it...it's what I always get!  Let's just say that when the night was over, we left with numerous bags...Andy had one shirt, I got one skirt, one pair of shorts, and a few pairs of flip flops.  The kids came out with TONS!  Thanks Mom and Dad!  Oh and let's not forget Build a Bear Workshop...the kids are pros at knowing what to do here.  Below you will find some fun pictures of our shopping adventure. 

The following pictures are Ava at old Navy with the mannequins.  She always thinks they are fun to stand by.  She insisted that I take pictures of her.

Isaiah only cared about the puppy they have up front...he had no interest in the actual people.

Isaiah on top of the choo-choo train in the play center

Grandma and Isaiah riding a hippo

I think Grandma and Ava were riding on an elephant here.

Ahhh...someone's getting eaten by a HUGE hippo head!

Build a Bear Workshop...Ava was pressing the pedal to add stuffing to her bunny.

Loving this bunny!

Isaiah loved this part too!

Using the dryer and combs to clean on that "extra fuzz"

Meet Camo and Snuggly

Isaiah loved walking hand in hand with Aunt Barbie!

Peeking down below

Isaiah and Grandpa sitting inside of the Gap front window display

Believe it or not, this is a dog treat shaped like a hamburger.  My Dad bought it for Jackson at this little kiosk in the middle of mall that sells fancy dog treats...Miss Ava picked it out. We thought it was funny that this placed sold a "Yappy Meal"...a gift bag with a burger, fries, and a tennis ball.  How cute! 

Jackson loved this!

On to some old pictures I've forgotten to display...I would title this one...

At The Car Wash

Andy thought it was about time to "detail" the outside of the Envoy...even wax it.  The kids loved helping and practiced on their own toys.

Giving that motorcycle a good rinse.

Nice job cleaning the back of the car Boo!

Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

Ava..again in her nightgown...using a towel to scrub the hitch cover.

Daddy and his little helpers!

The last of the dance recital pictures I didn't post yet...this was before Thursday's recital.  She just looks so grown up...there won't be "real" make-up wearing for a LONG time!

Daddy and his little girl

Mommy loves you Bootles!

Oh yes...and this one of Isaiah flexing his muscles on that rock at my Dad's retirement party.  It wouldn't download last time...but it was to cute to leave out!

What a strong young man!

My Three Happy's:

1) Spending the day with my family outside...just relaxing and having fun!

2) Enjoying the new Bath and Body plug-in that Aunt Barbie bought me...she always brings us little surprises when she visits...she also got us some hand soap and candle!  Love it all!

3) My creative little Isaiah...Andy put Ava to bed and they are both sound asleep in her bed...I read stories to Isaiah.  I left the room to start blogging when I heard bells and some strange sounds.  I went back to check on him and he had his construction glasses, a toy digger, and bell.  He discovered that this digger was magnetic and the bell would attach to it.  He was dragging it across his bed and was just entertained by what he'd learned.  Isaiah...you always make Mommy smile!

Here's to the Future

Imagine the life where you could do anything you want...nothing is holding you back.  There are endless possibilities...you could travel, explore a new hobby or activity you've always wanted to do, read a good book, bask in the sun...everything with no time limit.  This is the life...retirement!  Happy Days ahead for my Mom and Dad!

Yesterday my Dad, along with numerous other Ames Middle School colleagues, hosted a retirement party to celebrate their dedication to teaching.   Being that I was his daughter, I was never fortunate enough to actually have him as a teacher, but hundreds of other students would say that my dad was their "favorite."

Our entire family, including my Aunt Barbie from Indiana, came up to support him.  Here are a few pictures from last night.

Grandpa and his loves

How cute it this!

Love you Dad!

Ava climbing on the playground they had outside the pavilion

Kids love to climb...of course Ava and Isaiah discovered this rock and wanted their pictures taken on top.  I had one of Isaiah flexing his muscles on the rock but for some reason it wouldn't download.  I'll try it again later.  It was cute!

Believe it or not...Isaiah took this picture of me with my Aunt Barbie.  The following pictures were taken by him too!

Grandpa's head didn't quite make this picture but it still turned out well.

Sister's-in-law

Nice picture Boo!

My Three Happy's:

1) My Aunt Barbie...she's so easy to talk to...I wish she lived closer!  Ava and Isaiah really love her too!

2) Today we are are going shopping at Jordan Creek...I wonder what we'll find???

3) This morning...it went so fast!  Ava was up at 6:30 and Isaiah didn't get up until 8:00.  We basically went outside right after breakfast, the kids went on a bike ride with Andy up to our school while I walked Jackson, they played for a bit on the equipment, and all of a sudden it's almost 1:00.  I love mornings like that where we are busy and time flies.  It's almost nap time.

**One extra happy...

4) We discovered a baby bunny hiding in some hay in our garden.  I'll have to take a picture of it soon.  We fed it some celery and spinach...but I'm not sure it's old enough to eat food yet...no sign of mommy rabbit, but I hope she finds him soon! 

Our Ballerina

Seeing Miss Ava yesterday has really made me realize that our little girl isn't our baby anymore (she will always be our baby) but she is now a little girl.  Ava had her dress rehearsal last night and got all decked out with hair and make-up...let me tell you...she loved this!  Here are a few pictures of Ava...

Riding in the car...I kept saying...don't lean back on your seat or you'll smash your bun!

Ava waiting in the dressing room before her recital

Ava and her preschool friend Veda

I wish these pictures were less blurry but it was hard to capture a still moment because she was constantly moving.

I was so impressed with how well she did!  She even remembered to smile most of the time.

I can do some technology things...but am not good at scanning.  So I just took a picture of one of her pictures we ordered from Picture Day.  In the past year Ava has really smiled naturally for the camera...her true beauty really shines!

Tonight is her "official" recital!  She's very excited to get dolled up again and dance on stage.  This year we battled some weeks with her wanting to go to dance.  For a 4 year old, dance can get very long when you have practice every week for a whole year!  I think she was a little burnt out at the end.  Yesterday I asked her how she felt about it and she said she loves dance and wants to do it again.  I think it really made a difference for her to see why she dances each week...the recital, the fancy costume, the stage, and make-up...everything that comes with it makes it all worth while!  We may try a new tap and jazz program next year from a different studio or we may stick with this...whatever makes my little girl happy!

We're so proud of you Bootles!  You are an amazing dancer and have the most beautiful smile!  Good luck tonight!

My Three Happy's:

1) Watching our little girl dance her heart out!

2) Seeing my Aunt Barbie this weekend!  I wish we lived closer.

3) Eating marinated grilled chicken that Andy made for lunch!  It was SOOO good!

100% Success

...just a quick morning post...

I must say that Isaiah has really surprised us with his potty training.  Yesterday he was 100% successful...no accidents.  He LOVES wearing his "big boy" underwear and you can tell he feels so proud when he goes in his potty.  His toilet...the one that Ava used....is made by Fisher Price and plays a few songs when you "flush" it.  We do a "potty dance" to that song once he's done and he thinks that's pretty funny!  With Ava we had a prize box with candy and little toys and whenever she went she got to pick a prize.  That was nice but I didn't want to do rewards like that again.  Isaiah has a sticker chart and when he gets 20 stickers he gets to go to Target to pick out a toy.  Much better and he's not eating candy left and right like Ava was.  He also surprised us yesterday when he woke up from his almost 2 hour nap DRY.  What a big boy...we're so proud.  Hopefully today brings as much success as yesterday!

I was a little worried about how Ava would do at her staging practice for recital last night.  Amazingly she did great.  She went back stage, came out smiling, and did great.  Of course at this age, they don't remember all their steps and look to their adult helpers for prompts, but I was kind of afraid that she would be terrified of being on stage and seeing all these people in the audience starring at her...but she did great.  Tonight is her dress rehearsal and tomorrow is the recital.  This dance program has three recitals, but they have the little ones perform in only one.  I'm glad about that!  Our little ballerina is getting so big!

I have lots of pictures to post with some things we have been doing and will get to that either tonight or tomorrow...as of now...just and update...no pics.  Have a super morning!

My Three Happy's:
1) Seeing my kids both successful at something!  It's just another reminder of how big they are getting.
2) Night out with my teaching friends...I NEVER do this kind of stuff because I always feel guilty leaving the kids...but I had a good time.  My friend Lindsey is getting married in a little over 2 weeks and we all got together at my friend Wendy's house for appetizers, desserts, and drinks and had a little party for her.  Basically we just talked all night about school stuff, but it was nice to get all 6 of us together.  We don't do that often enough!
3) Beautiful days....sunny, breezy...just perfect!