Six Flags - More Flags - More Fun!!!!

Well, it's been awhile since I updated, and we just got back from a fun little vacation, so time to share, yeah!! Rod and I realized a couple months ago that we have never taken a vacation with just us and the kids. We always go with his family or mine, never alone. We love going with the fam's , but we thought it would be fun to just have our own schedule and do what we want when we want. We thought about where to go and decided that we would just take the kids to Vallejo, Cali to go to Six Flags Animal Kingdom. It is about a 4 hour drive from our house, so nothing to major. On the way home, we would spend a day and night in Sacramento and hit up some fun museum's and stuff! We were all really excited to go, especially Malia. About a week before our trip, Brin started getting a fever, but we were able to control it with tylenol, so I thought it must just be the teeth that she is cutting. Boy, was I wrong! We were scheduled to leave town on Wed. But on that Tues. Brin's fever still hadn't gone away, and she was not eating very well. I assumed it was an ear infection and went to the doc. to get some antibiotic. He checked her ears and said that they both looked great. He then went on to check a few other things and what happened next made me feel like a real loser of a mom!! He proceeded to tell me that she was dehydrated(even though she wakes up with soaking wet diapers), she was anemic(lacking iron), and her white blood cell count was at 16,ooo!! Basically, I was dealing with a really sick baby, and I had no idea!! He told me that she was fighting off a pretty serious respiratory infection, hence, the high white blood cell count and the fever. I had told him in earlier conversation that we had a family trip planned and we were leaving the next day. After getting the blood test back, he asked if I had any family I could leave her with while we went, because he really didn't want her out in the crowds at Six Flags. What?? I was not going to leave my sick baby, while I went on vacation, Crazy!!! He wanted us back in the next morning for a follow up blood test before he felt O.K about letting her go with us. I packed up that night, acting like everything would be fine, but in my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if it would be. We went back in and she had her blood draw, and her count was now down to 15,000, a drop, but not by much. I told him that we would all go to Vallejo, and I would just stay in the hotel, while Rod took Malia to Six Flags. He thought that it would be fine to do that, so off we went. The hotel was fabulous, and we had a good time swimming when we got there. The next day was Six Flags. Rod took Malia in the morning, we met up for lunch, and then I went back to the park with her and Rod went back to the hotel with Brin. Malia and I went on a few rides, we saw a dolphin show, and Shouka, the killer whale show. Malia totally got into the shows and really wanted to get in the tanks and swim with them! We got takeout for dinner and then went for a nice swim before bed. The next day we went to the Jelly Belly factory for lunch and a tour. We got in line for the tour and realized quickly(thank goodness) that it would be about an hour and a half wait!! We promptly got out of line and ate lunch! Who would wait that long (with kids) to watch them make jelly beans?? So after lunch, we just went into their little store and bought a bunch of jelly beans, that should count for something right, who needs to see how they are made?? We made a few more stops on the way into Sacramento, one of them being The Discovery Museum of Sacramento-Science and Space Center. It was really fun, and everything is totally hands on, even better. Brinley slept in the stroller the whole time we were there, so that was nice, and Rod and Malia were able to check everything out. After leaving the museum, we checked into our hotel and then went to dinner, shopped a bit, and came back for our nightly swim. The next day we had to back up and get back home to real life. Rod had to work that night, and I was ready to get things back to our normal routine. Sad, I know, but I thrive on routine and structure. I'm not very good at the whole "flying by the seat of my pants" thing! Anywho, the drive home was nice, very scenic, and we made it home safe. The trip was fun and we decided that we should definitely do it more often. Brinley is doing much better and we are glad to have our spunky monkey back! Malia, on the other hand was in the doctor's office today. You guessed it, another ear infection!! Sometimes I feel like such a bad mom, why can't I keep my kids healthy??? Aaauuggg!!!! Brinley missing daddy and Malia! She wanted to go swimming with them! This is Brandi, one of the dolphins Brandi's friend, Sunni Malia in the butterfly garden. It was really cool, so many butterflies!Alice the camel has 2 humps...... Malia with the camelsMalia riding in a bouncing frogSplash pad at Six FlagsA nice way to keep cool from the heat. She was kicking water from the puddles back at me!Having fun at the Discovery Museum. As you can see, Brin had a great time!!Having a good time in the pool.

Longest post ever, I know!!

My two princesses

I thought this was so cute. Malia used this dress as a halloween costume when she was 2. Brinley loves to dress up when Malia does, and yesterday I put her in this dress and took a few pictures! It's so funny to see how much they look alike!

Malia was tagged

1. What is something mom always says to you? Be nice

2. What makes mom happy? That I love you

3. What makes mom sad? When I be mean

4. How does mom make you laugh? Tickle me

5. What was mom like as a child? Happy

6. How old is your mom? 28

7. How tall is your mom? This tall? ( arms raised up above her head)

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do? Play with me

9. What does your mom do when your not around? Play games with daddy

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Well, all the people don't know you!

11. What is your mom really good at? Asking me questions! Oh, and you're really good at being a mom too.

12. What is your mom not very good at? I can't think of anything. (I must be doing something right)

13. What does your mom do for a job? Work hard with me and Brinney

14. What is your mom's favorite food? Burritos

15. What makes you proud of your mom? When you clean my room

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would it be? Mulan

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play games when Brinley is asleep

18. How are you and your mom alike? We look like each other, like twins, we both have brown hair

19. How are you and your mom different? Your eyebrows are black and mine are brown.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because you like to play stuff with me

This was really fun and insightful. Malia tags Emma Cowee, and all the Rosengren kids. Have fun!!

Another day at the lake

We were up at Tahoe again this last Wed. and I think I may have actually enjoyed myself!! Ha ha! I will take Malia up because I know that she loves it, but it's a lot of work to haul everything you need up there and back. This last time, Brinley was much more chill, and I was able to just hang out and chat with friends instead of listening to a screaming baby the whole time. She did really good to just play with the other kids on the blanket. Malia and some of her friends found a big tree stump that they were climbing up and daring each other to jump off of. It was really fun to watch her interact with the other kids, and she actually decided she wanted to jump! So cool!! It was really nice and I found myself not wanting to leave. Maybe next week, I'll pack a lunch and a dinner!!

The 4th of July ( on the 12th)

Well I know that I am a little late getting this posted, but, better late than never, right?? We had a pretty good holiday. Rod had to work that day and I really don't like to venture out to far into all the busyness and crowds of people alone with the girls, so we spent the morning at home, just relaxing. It was actually quite nice. We met up with Rod a little bit later that afternoon and drove up to Tahoe to watch fireworks. Rod has told that they have a really awesome show, and since this is the first 4th that he didn't have to work all night, we thought we would take it in. The Sheriff's office has a station and jail right near the water in Tahoe, so a lot of people that work for the county just park and hang out on top of the parking garage and BBQ and watch the fireworks. It turned out to be a great night. I was able to meet and talk to some of the wives of other deputies and I also met up with an old friend that I haven't seen in about a year. The fireworks were as great as I had heard, and the girls loved them as well. We ended up getting home about midnight, but it was such a great night that I think we will definitely try to get up there again next year!

Happy Birthday!!

I just want to wish my little sis a happy birthday and tell her how great I think she is! I bought you a birthday card and wrote something nice in it, but seeing as how you guys move every year, I guess I am not up to date on your new address. So there it sits, collecting dust. Loni, you are such a great friend, and apparently I am not the only one who knows this, because you have so many, and have always had so many, great friends. You are sensitive to those around you and you always want people to get along. Always the peacemaker. You are very organized, and you have a beautiful home that you have decorated beautifully. You are a great mother, always teaching, and disciplining with love. LO, you always know what you want, and you work until you get it. Anywho, I could go on for awhile, but I hope you have a great day, and I promise to get you that card before the year is over!! Love you!
Tiff
( By the way, I was eight months prego in the picture, for those who read and think I may be looking a little chubs!)