Sea World Day

It was killing me that 2014 was coming to an end and we had not cashed in our free annual admission to Sea World, a fabulous military perk.  So even though large crowds were expected this time of year and rain was forecasted, we headed to Sea World with nothing to lose.  Lydia may not be a Shamu lover but she is a thrill seeker.  She was all about the rides, including her first sledding experience.  She passed out on the way home as the rain began to fall.  Success!  Megan

Christmas 2014

John may have been sick and I may have been tired but how could we not absolutely love seeing the happiness on Lydia's face as she opened her gifts!?!?!  We felt extremely loved when all the gifts arrived from family the week prior to the holiday.  Thank you family for spoiling our kids.  You made their Christmas!

Megan

Making Cookies

We made thumbprint sugar cookies on Saturday using a recipe made famous in the Rauschenberger clan by John's Ahya.  First step was a trip to the grocery store in which Jack is now able to sit in the car cart with his sister.  There is only one car cart at our grocery store so every trip comes with some anxiety/excitement.   Will we find the car cart!?!?!  In this case getting there at seven in the morning brought us success.  The cookies also turned out well, though a tad messy-looking.  Baking with a three year old is often messy.  Picture sprinkles everywhere.  Megan

Happy Birthday Jack!

We celebrated Jack's Birthday a day early so that John could be here for the party (shhhh...don't tell the kids).  The cake was designed and made by Lydia.  Jack nibbled at it but preferred playing with it.  On the other hand, Jack was all about the gifts and luckily all his Birthday boxes arrived in time for the early celebration.  Happy Birthday, sweet Jack.  You were an easy baby and are a determined, but still totally cuddly, toddler.  We love you.  Megan

Just Two More Days

Jack turns one in two days!  I feel like I have not given him much attention in recent posts, so this post is devoted entirely to my almost one-year old.  

Favorite foods: chicken noodle soup, pears, watermelon, carrots, popcorn, baby cheetos 

Favorite book: Ten Tiny Tickles

Favorite toy:  Any toy that his sister is playing with

Favorite movie:  Baby Einstein fan, particularly likes the puppets

His moves:  He is beginning to climb and spin

His language:  First word "momma," maybe.  Puts his hands up when he wants to be picked up.  He will retrieve toys and pass out items, when asked.  He thinks the word "no" is funny, uh oh.

Megan

San Diego, You're Broken

It has been cold and rainy since returning home.  Last night, it poured.  San Diego may be broken but Lydia's leg no longer is.  She is cast free and hopping in puddles. Megan

Preschool Photo

Lydia's preschool photos arrived!  We splurged on the Christmas ornament (and passed on the mouse pad, grocery bag and pretty much every other possible thing imaginable).  Lydia now hangs next to a photo of me as a child on the tree.  Quite a resemblance.  Megan

Home

We are now home in San Diego!  Our drive to New Orleans was easy, followed by a non-stop flight that was completely the opposite.  A week from turning one, Jack's behavior on the plane was completely on par with a toddler.  Megan

Hello Santa

We made a quick stop before heading to the airport for the kids to meet Santa.  This is a classic example of what we love about Navarre.  Santa arrived at a local restaurant on a fire truck.  No huge crowds waiting to meet him.  Lydia even got to sit in his fire truck.  When he asked Lydia what she wanted for Christmas, she replied "Tom and Jerry movie."  Megan

Gulf Breeze Zoo

I know the San Diego is world-class but when it comes to entertaining young kids the Gulf Breeze Zoo may have them beat.  The petting zoo and bird feeding was such a hit with the kids today, particularly with Lydia.  She spent over a hour feeding the birds.  I kept encouraging her to move on to other animals.  She grew angry at me asking and snapped, "MOM, I'm almost there!"  This was her way of telling me to not rush her fun.  Megan

These Crazy Kids

Our vacation is sadly winding down.  This means John and I have gone into "work mode," fixing up the condo.  Entertaining two kids while trying to do projects is not easy.  Everything seems to take three times as long as it should.  John reminds me, "They are just kids being kids."  Megan

And Even More Cast Drama

I'm almost embarrassed to write this...Lydia soaked her cast again.  Another waterproof cover fail while swimming. This time I took her to the nearest emergency room, rather than drive the hour to Pensacola Naval Hospital.  The local hospital had much more limited services than I ever imagined.  The don't do castings there, just splints.  So now Lydia is in a fiberglass splint.  Good news is that she was able to take a bath today.  For the first time in three weeks she is clean!  Megan

Movie with Pops

Pops visited us for the weekend and offered to take Lydia to her first movie in a cinema, the Penguins of Madagascar.  Pops also spoiled her with popcorn and arcade play.  Lydia requested to sit in the front row and even watched some of the movie standing right up close to the screen. "That's a BIG TV!!!" Lydia was impressed.  Megan

Drama in Paradise

I guess no trip is perfect.  Drama #1 - Lucy got terribly sick at the dog sitter's house.  She stopped eating, is lethargic, and keeps throwing up.  Luckily our good friends were able to pick her up and she will be spending the next week with them and her dog friend, Major.  She is already showing signs of improvement thankfully.  Drama #2 - Lydia soaked her cast while swimming.  The waterproof cast cover failed us.  She is now sporting a new, festive cast.  We just have one more week to go in it.  Megan

Beautiful

This vacation reminds me why I started this blog three years ago.  To show appreciation for the beauty around me.  Tonight, I walked the pier with these two beauties.  We saw sea turtles, pelicans, and sharks.  I am eagerly awaiting my first dolphin sighting.  Megan

Beachtime

Lydia's waterproof cast cover tore yesterday morning as I tried to put it on, so no pooltime for a few days.  While we wait for another one to arrive in the mail, we are enjoying our beachtime.  Can you find her and I in this photo?  I could play Barbies endlessly if it means we get to stay at this beach longer.  Megan