Kentucky

 We took a little trip last weekend to Louisville, Kentucky to see Mammoth Cave and the Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks.  We had a great time, and the drive even wasn't too bad!

We decided to go on the Historic Cave Tour and we were glad we selected that one because there weren't too many closed-in spaces.  I had a couple minor panic attacks but had to remind myself that if I passed out I would still be in the cave when I woke up, so that I needed to get over it and keep moving.  We made it through.  I just get very claustrophobic.  The kids thought it was great though and they were good for the whole 2-hour tour. I was just praying that Sammi wouldn't decide to fill her pants and that I didn't hear those horrid words, "Mommy! I need to go potty!" because there would have been absolutely no place to go.  We heard those words later when we were far from any bathroom but luckily out of the cave.  E was very quick to volunteer to "go wet in the grass like at camping."  Don't you fret, we didn't let him.

Entering the cave

 Sitting in the amphitheater inside.  They had us all sit and then they turned out the lights so we could tell how dark it was.  It was so dark you could feel the darkness and couldn't even see your hand in front of your face.

 That night we enjoyed a ton of food at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House and survived with all four kids.  The next day was the day the boys (and I mean the big boys) were excited for.  They were pretty excited for the cave too...did I mention this was a boy-planned trip?  Us girls were good sports.

It was pretty fun to people watch where we were sitting.  The air show attracts the kind of people you would find at a state fair.  It was pretty dang cold, but we had a good time and only had to brave the nasty port-a-potties a couple times. 

 Ben caught this candid moment.  I know it looks cheesy, but I'm really going to miss this lady.

 Sammi LOVED the airplanes.  She would scream and giggle with glee each time they flew over, and would yell "air-pane!"  E was just excited to have a Lunchable for dinner...although he appreciated a few of the planes and every single one of the fireworks.

Did I mention it was cold? The good part was that the kids were snuggly.  It's not often that they hold still long enough for a good snuggle these days.

After the late firework show we made the long LONG walk back and both kids were asleep within seconds.  Then we headed back for a second night at the hoe-n-tel. (Or hotel.  I hope E never stops saying it that way.)

Easter

 I realize this is super late, but we did celebrate Easter around here.  I was curious to see how Sammi was going to do with the eggs and the dye and all that, but I didn't ever get a chance to find out because she konked out right before we started.  So we successfully transferred her to her bed for a long, sound sleep.

 My favorite part growing up was dropping the color tablets into the vinegar.  I'm pretty sure my siblings and I fought over this.

E knew just what to do with the egg dipper!

 We broke a few, so E got to eat one...of course he couldn't pick it up like a normal boy though. :)

Easter morning.  They both have their father's slitty morning eyes.

 I loved watching this little body crouch down to gather the eggs.  We would've gotten pictures of E, but he was too speedy.

 The baskets.

The children with their spoils.

E was too sick with croup to go to church that day, but here is Sammi in her beautiful Easter dress.  She knew she was beautiful, too, because she pretty much floated around once she was wearing her dress.

The Rest of E's Birthday

 The presents and cake.

The most normal face he could give me.

A second attempt.

 The birthday boy, insistent on wearing his birthday crown from preschool.

 Lovingly gazing at Bash, Dash, and Ferdinand--the coveted engines from Misty Island Rescue

The birthday boy with all his loot: Vehicle shows and Utah sweatshirt from Grandma & Grandpa J, trains, Legos, and car rug from Mom & Dad.

The train cake.

Happy Birthday Little E!  We love you to pieces!

Mini-Golf

 We took the kids miniature golfing for E's birthday at Magic Mountain.  They had a blast.  We were also going to play on the playground they have there, but, as Emerson put it, "It smelled like poop."  So we didn't.

I love that golf balls are just the right size for those pudgy little hands.

My Big 4-Year-Old

This is the best picture I could get with the most genuine smile I've seen in awhile, but alas, he is still not looking at the camera.

I can't believe he is 4.  Cannot believe it.  There were several times over the past year that I wanted to freeze Emerson in time because three is so much fun.  I just love this boy!  He is silly, fun, sweet, odd, smart, clever, and good.  Some things I never want to forget about E at this age are:

-He is still just as passionate about trains as ever.
-He usually tolerates his sister, but they pester each other pretty often.
-He loves preschool and when he wakes up he asks, "Is it play day or preschool day?"
-He hates soup.  He loves PB & J for lunch, and still asks for it even though I know he's tired of it.  He jumped for joy when I suggested a bagel for lunch.
-He's very good at playing by himself, but often asks if I want to play trains or if Daddy wants to play Legos.
-He likes to be read to before bed.
-He loves Sunbeams and knows all the words to the song As A Child of God.
-He gets annoyed when I sing.
-He's a little parrot, so I have to be careful what I say.
-He struggles with taking naps every day, so usually it's every other day.  I laid down with him yesterday to help him go to sleep, and while I was drifting off he stroked my cheek and said, "Mommy, you're so beautiful."  Melted my heart.
-He would stay in his jammies all day if I let him.
-He is a very deep sleeper once he goes to sleep.
-He loves his bike and asks to ride it all the time.
-He's terrified of all dogs everywhere.
-He can't sleep without his Bear.
-He still sucks his thumb.

I did a little birthday interview.  Here is what he said:
My favorite food is: Chicken and nuggets and little hot dogs.

My favorite sport to play is: Hmm...let me think.  Soccer.


The best show is: Little Engine (The Little Engine that Could movie)

The coolest person on Earth is: Daddy


My favorite thing to learn about in school is: Choo-choos, teaching to play trains nicely.


The thing I do most awesomely is: Frisbee, because I caught the Frisbee with Daddy.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to: The store with all the different toys, and all the giant Legos.

My favorite color is: Blue, and pink.

When I grow up, I want to be: Strong and healthy with energy.

My favorite song is: I Came To Earth

My favorite book is: The Bridge Goes Up

Three words that describe me: Thankful, eating chicken, playing nice.

When I was little, I used to: Be not strong.  Remember when I was into a baby?

My favorite season of the year is: Snow

The best thing about me is: Being nice.

The snack I like best is: Fruit snacks

One food that I dislike is: SOUP!

My best friend is: Tucker

If I had one wish, it would be: Trains

My best memory is: Playing with the alien fishing game with the claw. (New birthday toy.)

Three was such a fun age, so I hope four is too.

Emerson's Thomas Train Party

 Before Little E officially turned 4, he got to have a friend party.  I wasn't planning on getting into this birthday party thing until he was a little older, but he's had such good little buddies here in Ohio that I knew I would regret not having one while we are all still together!

It was pretty hard to decide the theme of the party, what with all the Thomas & Friends paraphernalia blaring around our house, but in the end we decided to go with that. :)

 So excited he can't open his eyes!!!

I kind of think she thought this party was for her since she loves trains too.

Little engineers

I love this picture because the blindfold for "Pin the Funnel on Thomas" matches up with Sammi's eyes and nose perfectly.

Here is our "Drop the train into the tunnel" party game

So excited to open presents!

The buddies

Eating our silly ice cream cone cupcakes in the kitchen

I'll be honest.  I had a fun time planning the party, but it was great to have it over.  I think it was a success, and all the kids were so cute and gave Emerson such nice presents.  Most of all though, I think E was pleased.

Puppies

Well, it so happens that we started packing.  I don't like that fact one bit.  It's hard to pack with two little kids wanting to "help" or constantly asking for "nacks", so I was struck with a brilliant idea to use one of the extra crappy boxes (make that extra comma crappy...my kids don't deserve extra crappy boxes!  Just regular crappy ones!) and made them a doghouse.  They were pleased.

It kept them entertained for about 3 minutes.  They were just happy to have a newish location to eat all their dang "nacks".