Fun For All During WonderFALL

I have been thinking a lot about vacation lately. While Eric and I were in Newport, I saw all the kids with their parents and wondered if our kids would have enjoyed it as much as we did.  I am sure it would have been great, but I am not sure it would be our first choice destination with the whole family.

So that begs the question: where would our first choice be? I have come up with a few ideas, many of which involve the whole family in mouse ears. But after doing a little research online (and I love doing "research" online) I came across an option I had not considered.

Apparently Beaches is not just for honeymooners. That is honestly what I always thought of whenever I heard  someone mention Beaches Resorts, but after looking at their website I see I am seriously mistaken.  Recently heralded as one of the top ten family beach resorts by Parents Magazine, the wide variety of activities available for the entire family is very impressive.
There are all kinds of activities for kids, many of which revolve around Sesame Street. Kids can have a meal with characters like Bert and Ernie. There are fully staffed nurseries for the tiniest of tots, with professionally trained nannies available whenever you need them. Crafts, swimming, stage shows, baking, parties, dance, the list goes on and on and it is all geared to create the perfect vacation for your little one. 

Added bonus? While your kids are so busy having the time of their lives, you can be relaxing next to this....

Or you could be having a nice dinner with these nice people pictured here...
Tempting, I know.  And lets not forget that these are all inclusive resorts, meaning all fun and activities, meals and amenities (except spa packages) are included in the price. Yes, that includes drinks. And a Butler service. And transportation to and from the airport. 

So, the bottom line is that Beaches is not just for honeymooners anymore (they still like honeymooners, too!). Give their site a look and I dare you to decide between their 4 fabulous resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica. Right now they are offering some great deals as part of their WonderFALL promotions. 

Grace being Grace

Once again, I found myself picking up so I could vacuum. The girls came running by, so I stopped them and enlisted them to help. Bellie jumped right into the cleaning. Grace, of course, had a few things to say.

GRACE: Ok, we are going to be a team, ok? So, We are each going to have our own job. Bellie, you are going to pick all the toys up off the floor. Mama, you are going to vacuum, ok? Does that sound like a good idea?

ME: Sounds great so far, but what is your job going to be?

GRACE: I am going to draw pictures of you and Bellie cleaning.  

Changes

There are going to be a few changes going here on The Rogers Family. You are going to see the usually posts about the family, hopefully with pictures if I ever get the camera problem figured out. 

You will also be able to read about some different products, services, etc... that I feel compelled to tell you about. Enjoy (or not)  and comment (or not).  Have suggestions about what you want to see here? Tell me about that as well. 

Enjoy!

A Little Help?

By chance, has anyone seen the cord that connects my camera to my computer???

Yes, I understand how ridiculous it is to post about this, but perhaps this explains how frustrated I am that I can't find it. I have looked everywhere I can think of, and it just seems to have (as Annabelle would say) missappeared. 

Any suggestions as to where I should look? I am at a loss. And you realize that there will be no new pictures posted until I find it? So, please tell me where to look. 

A reward will be offered to anyone who leads me to aforementioned cord. And yes, I have looked in Grace's bed, where all missing things usually seem to end up. 

Summertime Safety

Summer is upon us and hot weather safety is something everyone needs to think about, especially those of us with children. A great resource for parents is Mommy Docs, a website by moms who happen to be doctors, too. 

I have listed some of their summer safety tips below, but be sure to check out their site for all kinds of useful information. 

Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide "broad spectrum" coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child--daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don't forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.

Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellant. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted "swimmers," after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it's a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.

High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.

Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

All safety tips can also be found on MommyDocs.com

Are You Smarter Than a Four Year Old?

Forget about being smarter than a fifth grader, because I can't seem to keep up with my four year old. This evening, Grace was speaking to me in CHINESE.

Thanks to the good folks and Chik Fil A, with every kids meal comes a CD teaching a different language. After having lunch there this afternoon, Grace came home with Chinese and Annabelle with Spanish. Upon arriving home, Grace popped her CD in and started listening. 

To be honest, I thought the novelty would wear out rather quickly. Wrong. She sat at the dining room table, coloring, and learning some basic words and phrases pretty much all afternoon. When I tried to sit down and do it with her, she was actually correcting my pronunciation. 

When I asked if we should try Spanish, she informed me that she already knows Spanish and proceeded to count to 10. 

Well, EXCUSE me.

My Little Tiger Cubs

The girls are taking tae kwon do. In my search for summer activities, most things were either Mommy and Me (which doesn't really work for one mommy and three me's) or they were too young.  So tae kwon do it is, and they have really had a great time so far.
They are called Tiger Cubs. Hopefully when Eric gets back he can help them out a bit outside of class since I have no clue. 
Grace got her uniform today. Annabelle will have to wait for her size to come in (she needs pretty much the smallest one they make). There are also patches that will go on the front.  Grace was sold once she found out that there were accessories involved. She wants to get her purple belt as soon as possible. 
Here Grace is demonstrating listening position number 2. I am thinking about trying out the listening positions at home. They seem to work very well in class. 

Pizza

The girls were so excited for pizza night. They both got dressed up for the occasion. 

Here they are almost finished. Grace was quite brave and even put a little bit of sauce of hers. Halfway through eating she wanted to clarify that sauce is not the same as eating a vegetable, even though it is made up of tomatoes. 

Annabelle, on the other hand, loaded hers up with sauce, bacon and pineapple (it is under the cheese). 
There wasn't even anything left for George. 

Snakes Coils Around Baby in Crib

I don't even know what to write about this. If you know me at all, you know I am breathing in a paper bag right now.

The Candy Aisle

We were recently in the grocery store, and the girls were being particularly well-behaved. When we came to the candy aisle (which also happens to be the bread aisle, thank you evil product placement team) the girls were eyeing some jelly beans. They brought over a small bag and asked if they could PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy some. 

Before I could ask them if they had brought their wallets, a man and his son stopped right next to us. The man said, "oh girls, you don't want those. Candy puts holes in your teeth."

The look of shock and horror on their little faces was truly priceless. The man and his son laughed a little and walked on to the produce.

The girls were frozen, but you could see their minds churning, creating awful images of their teeth full of holes. Annabelle actually started to cry and they threw the jelly beans back on the shelf. 

I was elated. Not only was I not the one who had to say no, they also got a great lesson on dental hygiene. Score.  

Now, I should probably mention something about this stranger. He had a few holes in his face. Piercings in his nose, eyebrows, and some pretty large ones in his ears that you really couldn't overlook.  Tribal looking things like pieces of bone and such. When I thought the girls were thinking about what candy could do to their teeth, I don't think I was quite on point. 

The girls had been silent from the encounter in the candy aisle until we made it to the car. 

GRACE: Mama, I don't want to eat candy. 

BELLIE: Me either. I don't want holes in my teeth.

GRACE: And I'm not going to put candy on my face.

BELLIE: Me either. I REALLY don't want holes on my face.

Happy Sunday

We Miss You Daddy!

You Go, Girl!

Annabelle is looking at a book, so naturally Grace comes over and tries to take over. Annabelle offers as sweetly as she can to read the book to her sister. Grace agrees.

Bellie begins, not actually reading but instead telling a story to go with the pictures. 

GRACE: Thats not what it says. MOM! Bellie is reading it WRONG!!!

BELLIE (very calm): Grace, who is reading?

GRACE: You are (through tears and sniffles)

BELLIE: It absolutely says what I tell you it says.

School Pictures

Lessons

There may come a time when you realize that you are not as neat and organized as you may like, or even as you think you are. Actually, this happens in our house all the time. I was reminded this morning of a recent exchange I overheard between Annabelle and her Daddy.

DADDY: We have to clean up today.

BELLIE: Why? Who's coming over?

Michael's New Favorite Thing

I can't tell you why Michael is crying here. I am the one who just finished working out, so if anyone should be crying it is me. But notice he is doing his new favorite thing: standing.

And here you can see he is standing again, but happy this time. The moral of this story is that my life is about to change drastically. Once he starts walking, I am in serious trouble. And by the look on his face here, he knows it. 

Happy Birthday, Uncle PJ!

Annabelle and Mama

(Bellie was helping me clean up my bathroom and noticed I was putting Eric's razor away)

BELLIE: Is that Daddy's?

ME: Yes.

BELLIE: So he can shave his legs?

ME: No, Daddy's doesn't shave his legs. It is for his face.

BELLIE: Oh. Well, maybe he should shave his legs because they are pretty hairy.

ME: I think you should let him know that next time you talk to him.

The Graduate

 I am sad to say that this is the only picture from the program that came out. The rest were very dark and blurry. At least you can see how pretty she looked in her new dress. And the next time you run into Grace, I am sure she would be happy to perform an encore. 
This is after the program. Grace was enjoying some cookies and juice outside on the lawn.

Memorial Day at the Beach

The whole clan at the beach on base.


Grace and Annabelle had a blast in the water.


Michael had his feet in the ocean for the first time.

Grace Lenore

Annabelle Lee

Who's the Boss?

Let me just say right up front that I am not above bribing my children. There are times when you need them to do something and the only way to get results is with a lollipop, or if they are able to watch a movie, or whatever... 

Well, yesterday I was trying to get my room straightened up as the laundry was trying to take over. The girls sensed I was attempting to do something productive, so naturally they immediately clung to me like glue, needing anything and everything that would tear me away from my project.  So, I tried to bribe them to help me.  The bait: ice cream.

ME: Girls, if you help me put this laundry away, then you can have some ice cream. 

BELLIE: OK Mama. (she immediately begins picking up clothes and handing them to me.)

GRACE: OK, this is what I am going to do. I am going to go downstairs and get a piece of paper and a pencil. I will come back and make a list of everything that you need to do. Now, when I get back you better be cleaning Mama, this room is a mess.

So I am standing there looking slightly dumbfounded as she descends the stairs to get her list making supplies. I hear her coming back and actually think to myself. "gee I better get cleaning or Grace will be mad." And yes, I do see that there is a problem with this.  

Then she perches herself on the edge of my bed and begins her list. 

GRACE: Oh wait! I have an idea. I will draw a letter and you will pick something up that begins with that letter, OK Mama? Won't that just be great? Ok, now here we go. 

(Sidenote: How clever is that? I should be doing that with the girls, NOT the other way around? I don't know where the child gets these things from!)

At this point, Annabelle is getting a little tired of cleaning without her sisters help. She has lost patience with Grace's list-making. I see her stop and think for a second about what to do next, and then she makes the decision to join Grace on the bed in what I can only assume would be an assistant position. 

The next thing I know, I am being directed by my 4 1/2  and 3 year olds on how to clean my room. For a second, I am annoyed at the fact that they are watching and I am cleaning. I am mumbling under my breath that they are SO not getting any ice cream. But then I realize that I am meeting all my objectives: the room is getting cleaned, the girls are not fighting, whining, breaking anything, or doing anything else they that might do to make me mad, and it is even a little bit fun. 

So, I win. I am supermom, hear me roar. And after dinner, they did have a bowl of ice cream. 

Mama and Michael

ME: Michael, why are you making that face?

MICHAEL: Well, I will eat it because I love you, Mama. But we both know that lukewarm, strained green beans taste like s#!t.

Old School Fun

Grace had a blast playing with the bouncers that I found at Target this morning. For $5.00, you can't beat it.


Unfortunately, Annabelle's legs are a bit too short to be able to reach the ground. It was sad. Very, very sad.

Trouble

We're Famous

Check out a little question and answer session at Car & Caboodle

Things

Good Thing: Annabelle learned how to do a somersault. 

Not Such a Good Thing: Today she tried to do one in a public bathroom.

Grace and Mama

GRACE: This is the awfulest day of my life.

ME: Why is that?

GRACE: Because you gave me a pink straw and I wanted yellow.

Sweetness

Are You Serious?

We got home from school about 25 minutes ago and the girls are both still in the car. No, they haven't fallen asleep...they are arguing over who gets to open the door. 

How long do you think they will fight it out? (I decided I will only intervene if they start getting violent OR if they figure out how to hot-wire the car.)

Grace and Mama

GRACE: Mom, Sunday was Mother's Day, right?

ME: Yes. 

GRACE:  So when is kid's day?

ME: Pretty much every other day. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Michael's New High Chair

Thank you IKEA for making an inexpensive high chair that doesn't have a million cracks and crevices to collect gunk. As much as I admire the high end high chairs, why spend a fortune when you can spend $18.99??? It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, or come fully loaded with a toy bar, and it doesn't come with some fancy designer cover on it. But it was under $20.00!!! Besides, you barely notice the chair with such a handsome little guy in it. 

Grace Logic

GRACE: Mom, this is my point. If you give me some pink milk, I will do whatever you say.

ME: You are supposed to do everything I say, I am the mom. I'm in charge.

GRACE: You are missing my point. I will actually do it. 

To Whom it May Concern

*Warning: Those with a weak stomach should read no further. We are going to talk about vomit.

This is my formal request, better yet, my absolute and desperate pleading, that the party responsible for causing my children to continuously catch illnesses causing them to vomit EVERYWHERE to please, please, please stop. I cannot take it anymore. The children are also starting to get annoyed.

This request is also written on behalf of the numerous locations, which include but are not limited to, the sofa, the floor and walls of the children's bathroom upstairs, and the entire interior of my car, which seem also to have offended someone or something. Or these places have paid a heavy price for simply finding themselves to be in the line of fire, so to speak. 

At the very least, could you lay off the vomit for a while? Otherwise I may have to move the family into a bubble, sealing all offending germs, bacteria, etc...outside. And as isolating as that may be, the silver lining is that I would imagine it is very easy to clean vomit in a bubble. 

Grace's Pretty New Dress

One Last Thing about the Weekend...

After spending the day at the Air Show on Saturday, the kids were a little hesitant to go back for another whole day on Sunday. Grace said, "but didn't we just go to the Air Show yesterday?" Since Eric was going to be flying again, and dropping some paratroopers this time, I decided we needed to at least make an appearance.  And they agreed, reluctantly.

We parked in a much better location this time, and we really didn't even need to leave the parking lot to have a spectacular view of all the action. When I spotted the Huey overhead, we all got very excited, the girls were waving and dancing around, etc... They were actually starting to have fun. 

Or so I thought.

As soon as the Huey was out of sight, Grace said, no longer laughing or dancing, "So that was Daddy?"  

When I assured her that it was, she said, "Ok, I'm done." 

On the Move

Starting Early

Michael had his first taste of Sam Adams last weekend. I was trying to convince myself that the cold bottle was soothing to his teething gums, but I think I might just be fooling myself. He is a Rogers, after all, so Sam Adams would be his first choice.

Pardon Me

I am making some changes, rearranging things, and making some additions to the site.  Please feel free to leave comments. 

Flamingos

To everyone I hold near and dear who happen to have an interest in all things flamingo, you must make your way to Target. They have a new line of outdoor summer stuff that includes plastic plates and cups, serving pieces, paper plates, napkins, etc... in a brilliant flamingo design. It is probably going to be on sale Sunday because it just came out this week and it is a huge section near the front of the store (yes, I am there a lot. I notice these things). So, go. Run, don't walk, and stock up now.

Slacker Baby

I had a brilliant plan to attach the mop pad to the tummy of Michael's onesie. I figured that as long as he was going to be down there crawling around all the time, he might as well help me out with the cleaning. He seemed okay with it at first, but all of a sudden he got very upset at the mop pad, violently ripping it off of his shirt and shaking it all over the place. 

Apparently he is all play and no work. 

MCAS New River Air Show

What you can't see in this picture: the girls refusing to let anyone else sit in the Huey ("but it's Daddy's, so we can stay in here as long as we want"), Grace's show-stopping melt down because we wouldn't let her get a Bratz ice cream cone, Annabelle refusing to walk for 75% of the 5 hours we were there, Grace taking about 15 bottles of water from the courtesy tent and shoving them underneath the stroller because she wanted them for later... Michael did what you see him doing in the picture pretty much the entire time. And of course, we were able to see Eric fly in this time, so the kids and I have redeemed ourselves from missing it at the Christmas party.

The girls had a blast crawling around in all the helicopters on display. 

Grace was nice enough to let our friend, Patrick have a few minutes in the front seat of the Huey.

Without some sort of crazy paparazzi lens, this was the best I could do to get a picture of Eric flying. Trust me, he's in there.

Hollywood, Here She Comes

Check Me Out

For anyone who is interested (and I know you all are!), I have started writing for another website. You can see my first post, In The Bag, at Car and Caboodle: Life in the Family Lane

Like Father, Like Daughters

So, the girls and I were in the backyard. I was on the deck (away from "nature") and they were playing at their table, pretending to make dinner. They started to venture closer and closer to the woods. The last thing I needed was to have to one of them actually go into the woods, and then I may have had to go in and retrieve them.

So, as Grace was nearing the very spot where I saw the copperhead, I blurted out, and I know I probably shouldn't have, "Hey, you know there are snakes in there right?!" Annabelle laughed and said, "Yeah, and lions and tigers and bears." They both laughed so hard. Grace said, "You are so silly, Mama." I am not certain, but I think they may have been making fun of me.

On the bright side, apparently my completely ridiculous fear of snakes has not transfered to my kids. However, it looks their father's uncontrollable urge to poke fun at others has...

So much for Liberty and Justice...

GRACE: (She had set up a "school" in the hallway with Bellie. When they were ready to start their class, she proclaimed that they must say the Pledge just like they do at preschool.)


I pledge allegiance to the Flag
Of the United States of America.
And to the Republic
For which it stands
One Nation, Under God
Invisible
With Cookies and Cupcakes for all.


Somehow I don't think this is how it is said at her school, but I guess when you are the teacher you can take certain liberties.

Meet Toada

When Grace and Bellie came in the house talking about their new friend, Toada, it wasn't all that unusual. They often create characters when they are playing. As they were explaining that Toada was in Grace's hat (which was on her head), it took a few seconds for me to realize that they were quite serious. Nami then started feeling the hat for lumps, and wouldn't you know it - there sure was a toad in there. We have since relocated Toada to the back garden, where she can pee without consequence. Now I am not sure what to do with the hat. How exactly does one clean toad pee from a straw cowgirl hat?

Our Future Photographer

This fabulous picture of Gracie and her Mama was taken by Miss Annabelle.

Peek-a-boo

Michael's Green Hat

What Not to Wear

We try and pick out outfits for school the night before. Sometimes this saves us from the drama that often results from getting dressed, and sometimes not. Last night, we tried to pick something out, but Grace wasn't happy with ANYTHING. Getting frustrated, I asked her why she didn't like anything.

GRACE: Mom, I can't wear this.

ME: Why not, it is pretty fabulous.

GRACE: No, it is not fabulous. It is ridiculous.

ME: And why is it ridiculous?

GRACE: Because I am going to be the leader, and the leader cannot wear THAT. (THAT was a pair of capri pants and matching shirt. There were plenty of colors and patterns going on, so one would think she would love it.)

ME: Ok, what can the leader wear then?

GRACE: This (She then proceeds to pick out the following ensemble: A pink sleeveless dress that she had been wearing all afternoon and also wanted to sleep in, two different socks that were different heights[one snoopy, one ruffle-y princess], leopard print shoes, a pair if blue shorts that you couldn't see under the dress anyways, two pairs of panties, three hair barrettes, and a sweater sized 12-18 months that I can't bear to get rid of because Grace used to wear it ALL the time. )

I am going to start an official countdown until uniforms...

Bellie's BIG GIANT Hair

The reason there is no picture of Grace with the wig on is because when she saw Annabelle wearing it, she threw a fit that she didn't get it first. Such a fit, in fact, that it was taken away before she could even touch it. She then proceeded to throw herself on the floor, screaming and crying, "but Annabelle looks AWFUL in the wig. AWFUL..."

Our Wildlife Security System

George is carefully surveying the property, making sure that no squirrel dares come into the yard. This is a very stressful job, and not long after this picture was taken George fell asleep for hours, exhausted from an afternoon of squirrel watching. Unfortunately, while he was asleep he missed the snake removing its skin against the house.