Pool time on a hot day!

This summer we made it out swimming a couple times... such fun in the hot weather! Seoul was more adventurous after her couple rounds of swim classes. Sydney had her first experience swimming and was a champ - she didn't mind the water splashed in her face. Plus she kept randomly sticking her face in the water. Maybe she was trying to get close to the sun reflecting off the water.

Here is a video of Seoul jumping and playing around:

We love the Zoo!

The summer isn't complete without a trip to the zoo! It's fun to see the animals and watch the girls enjoy themselves. This day was the busiest I had ever seen it based on the parking - we had to park up by the Arboretum and walk down to the entrance.

Sydney is pretty excited...

Sydney was so sleepy before we even began the adventures.

I'm not a huge fan of the aviary but we always end up going in there. I have been pooped on before. Yuck!

Kelley was fascinated by the huge bugs on the top of the Insect building for some reason.

Great family time. Seoul loves her cousins!

Animals truly are amazing! Giraffes are a favorite at our house. Seoul "taught" the elephants the ABC's and the elephant happened to wave his trunk after she did that.

Seoul wouldn't touch the goats in the petting zoo. When she tried to run to the exit she stopped dead in her tracks because there was a kid with a giant afro between her and the exit. She couldn't decide which was scarier! (It was pretty funny.)

Silly girls!

There was a fantastic dinosaur exhibit featured. They were pretty life-like in their size and sounds . Seoul was terrified and wanted daddy to protect her.

No trip to the Zoo is complete with a train ride!

Dubbee

We call Kelley's mom, Dubbee. She called her grandmother Dubbee and she initiated that her grandkids also call her Dubbee. Seoul always gets excited when she comes to visit!

This time she brought the girls their first set of matching jammies - so cute! We just had a nice time hanging out together. Love ya Dubbee!

Chuck E. Cheese Fun!

Just today Seoul asked to go back to Chuck E Cheese and play the "ball game" - ha!

Kelley won free pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese's from work - woohoo! We invited our friends to go with us, and we had a lot of fun. The adults got to visit and the kids loved playing games. Seoul, of course, didn't like the big Chuck E. Cheese walking around... it almost ranks up there with SpongeBob. Oh yeah, when the girl tried to stamp Seoul she TOTALLY freaked out... so she resorted to a sticker on her back put on strategically so she wouldn't really notice. Silly girl!

Our good friends, Brittany, Randy, and Landin Springer.

Randy Jr loves Sydney!

Randy Jr, Seoul, and Brittany - good friends! (Seoul's mouth is black because of the candy she chose - yum!)

Daddy stylin' his baby girl :)

Randy and Landin watching the Chuck E. Cheese show on stage (someone was having a birthday party).

Daddy killing ducks! (His favorite game... take a guess why! Ha!)

Seoul having a ball playing games!

Seoul's favorite game - throwing the balls. When they would get dropped outside the game she would go running after them. It was hilarious!

Mommy (and daddy) had fun with it also!

Seoul's second favorite game - it is also a ball throwing game.

 


It was a fun evening with great friends. It's always fun to introduce Seoul to new activities and make new memories. Sydney was a champ just hanging out with us in a freezing cold building. I love family time!

SpongeBob bad? Shh... don't tell Seoul!

Seoul LOVES SpongeBob SquarePants!!

I don't remember how Seoul was introduced to SpongeBob but she loves the cartoon/character! She has numerous articles of clothing, a big SpongeBob and little SpongeBob. We had a SpongeBob birthday party. Well, you get the idea.

I saw an article and just watched a news segment about the negative effects of the cartoon on preschoolers. I had to post about it because I find it amusing for some reason. As a sociology major, I'm a bit skeptical of studies that say one thing or another because data can be skewed any number of ways. Also the study doesn't talk about the lasting or long-term effects, just immediate effects after watching it for 9 minutes. Maybe it's rotting my daughter's brain... hm...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44460161/ns/health-childrens_health/

Ultimately: just don't let kids watch cartoons (any type) for hours on end. Seoul will request we turn off the TV to do other activities or just start playing with other stuff after a little while of watching. Love my girl for that!

Anyway, I'm done now.

{Oh, for the record, she calls it "SchungeBob." Lately she is trying to say it the correct way and she can... but I really hope she doesn't change permanently because it's cute!}

Happy 8-Month Birthday to our Sydney girl!

I know I say this almost every time but we cannot believe she is getting so big! Time is passing far too quickly but it is SO FUN and Sydney is the best little girl!

She has beautiful olive skin, and is really thinning out (don't be confused by her chubby cheeks!).

She is quick to smile and giggle (mostly at her sister). 

She has two bottom teeth. 

She is starting to use the sign for "more." 

She waves to people (whole arm moves side to side). 

She chews on everything, but fortunately she's not a drooly girl. 

She has started sleeping on her tummy. 

She gets into position to pull herself up, and then gets frustrated. 

She leans forward as if she's getting into a crawling position but hasn't quite gotten up to do it yet.

She rotates around when sitting on her bum or laying down.

She pushes herself backward when on her tummy.

People say she looks like a doll. We love her so much and we are so glad she's ours! Seoul calls her "beautiful girl" and says, "you are my best friend!" all the time. Sydney looks around for Seoul every time we get her up from a nap and immediately smiles when she spots her. We are blessed to have her in our family!

Fun Times this Summer (part 1)

Happy 4th of July! We had a relaxing morning then walked to downtown Canby for the parade and General Canby Days. My mom, sister, sister-in-law, and niece were in the parade. Sydney woke up to see the parade and enjoyed watching the people. Seoul's sole focus was candy once she realized they were throwing it from some floats.

This afternoon we had my family over for a BBQ. Good food. Good laughs. Funny faces.

A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village - My sister-in-law and daughter ventured down to Salem with the girls and I to have a fun day at this children's museum. There are some fun learning activities for kids and a huge outdoor play structure. Fun for all ages :)

Miscellaneous other activities... Costco - the girls love sitting in the shopping cart side-by-side, and Seoul loves the berry smoothies... more Lowe's Build-and-Grow activities - this time Sydney got her own tow truck!... play time outside with me during the sunny days... the rocking horse at Grandma's house... feeding the ducks... playing Qwirkle (this was great when Seoul was learning colors and shapes)... playing with the train set... playing House (Fisher Price Little People set)... time with daddy... sister-love time... eating - food and in Sydney's case, a dragonfly... lots of park time - Seoul's favorite is the swing and Sydney gets her turn these days.