Lindley and I planned a time for the two families to meet.  We had to organize our schedules 3 weeks in advance, and the wait was well worth it!  I really wanted Neal to meet the family that has welcomed Levi and me into their lives.  The restaurant of choice was Chuy's.  Neal and I had never been there before and it was a real treat! 

I couldn't stop watching Cam and Levi talk and interact in their high chairs.  And, the adults got some conversing in, here and there.  :)  Even though I watch Cam full-time M-F and Levi basically 24/7, I still can't get enough of them!  Especially today - look at Cam's expression!!  She's got that open-mouth-smile-thing down!  The babies enjoyed bites of tortillas and refried beans.  I can't say this enough:  they are growing up so fast! 

Us all together.  Such a fun lunch date!

Today we headed to The Interurban Museum for Story Time, then played at Haggard Park.  We joined two other moms from the Tots & Tykes Meet-Up group.  Story time is a definite must for the preschool train enthusiast, but Cam and Levi still enjoyed themselves.  However, the room was packed and the babies didn't want to stay long.  So after 20 minutes or so we headed to the park.  

The Interurban Museum has a real-life train cart out in front and is surrounded by Haggard Park, and it is gorgeous!  I felt like we were in a story book!  It had beautiful playground equipment and lots of green trees.  The weather was slightly windy but perfect temperature.  By late morning the park was already full of children and parents.  And I thought, "this is what the lucky ones get to do while the others have to work."  Another reason why I love my job!


The BEST part of the day was watching Cam's reaction to the baby swing.  This was her first try at it, and WOW I have never seen such a radiant baby girl.  She had the time of her life!  That single moment is the highlight of my job so far.  I mean who can resist that face?!  It just warms your heart, doesn't it?!  I was having so much fun with her that I almost forgot my firstborn son sat and watched in the stroller nearby.  So after our fun I put Levi in the swing next to her.  It was beautiful to just step back and and watch them go!  Such a blessing, those two!

After lots of swinging, we headed to the picnic tables for lunch.  It was so peaceful to hear the breeze and sweet sounds of children playing.  A few kids nearby were bouncing on pogo sticks and riding on skateboards (one of which happened to be named Cameron).  Why they weren't in school, I don't know.  But it was fun listening to them play pretend "Hero Factory."  I was encouraged to know that kids still use their imagination during the days of the electronic world and video games.  I also chatted with a man who has 6 year-old twins.  We laughed together while comparing stories.


For these reasons, this was such a fun outing.  My favorite one so far!

Today we went to Collin Creek mall for their "Tiny Tots Story time."  This event is sponsored by Chik Fil-A with an incredible story teller, interactive songs, a snack, and even a craft to take home.  And if that wasn't enough GOOD stuff, it's absolutely free!  I am so glad we found this!  Now my question is...where was this stuff when we were kids?

The babies had fun (well, for the first 30 minutes or so), and I got some adult conversation in.  I heard about this activity through a Meet-Up group called "Tots and Tykes."  It's the second play group that we joined through meetup.com.  This group has kids ranging from newborns to grade schoolers.  I met a few really sweet moms, one of which happened to be the organizer for Allen Area Families - a group for Neal and Levi. 

They loved the songs and story teller.  Unfortunately we got there 5 minutes late and had to sit in the back. Next time we'll get there early.  Cam enjoyed the entertainment; Levi - not so much.  He just wanted to crawl and explore!  I couldn't keep him still for longer than 2 minutes!  A girl can only bounce and "hold back" her almost 22-pound baby for so long.  When the snacks came out Levi started getting really antsy, so we piled back into the stroller for a break.  After making a quick trip to get a birthday present, we returned to the group.

By this time the crowd was in the play area.  I gave the babies the chance to crawl and interact, but Cam needed a nap, and Levi needed a snack.  We stayed as long as possible but had to head back after an hour or so.  All in all it was a fun and (always) eventful trip!

Enthralled with her surroundings... 

Meandering around the retail stores...

For once I didn't take many photos because of the boy.  But we'll be back again!

Cam is such a smart girl!  She knows how to clap her hands and plays patty-cake!  Mom and Dad have been working with her and it's paid off.  She's so good at it!

Way to go Sweet Girl!

`


I love how he stomps down that left leg each time.  Then looks back at me when he's done, as if to seek approval.  Such a hard worker!

Cam LOVES this Exersaucer!  She burns at least 100 calories jumping in that thing.  I caught the action on video this morning.  This girl parties to the EXTREME!  All that's missing is a disco ball...

Meanwhile, Levi finds trouble over by the electronics...

...and Nixie wonders what all the commotion is about.

Later, Levi meets back with his girl...

...and now it's his turn!

It didn't take long for Levi to figure out how to pull up to his feet! In less than 45 days he went from scooting backwards to standing with assistance.  I can't believe it!  I am not ready for this little guy to start walking, but it won't matter because he'll be ready very, VERY soon!  And did I mention he has 6 teeth?  6!!!  Craziness!  Levi, I know it's not in your nature, but slow down son!

He's wears a size 18 month.  Why do I even bother buying clothes?!

And he has the most amazing sense of humor!

Cam has been busy, too!  She can rock on all 4's like the best of them, says "Mama and Dada,"  talks up a STORM, and just got her very first tooth!  As I was changing her this morning she had the TIME OF HER LIFE getting low, stretching up, and rocking!  She is SO proud of herself!  Mommy, Daddy, and Juli are proud of her too!  She gets to see her Grammy and Pop this weekend so y'all get ready for a SHOW!

DOWN...

UP...

AND ROCKING IT!

This is our third class, and we LOVE it!  We look forward to it each week.  I wouldn't change a thing - except I wish it would last longer!

Waiting for class to start

Studying the teacher 

Studying their shakers 

...and hanging out afterward

Earlier this week Levi had the WORST smelling diaper ever, thanks to some blackened chicken.  The smell lingered in Cameron's room so I used some air freshener.  Most households carry the normal Lysol spray, but not this family!  They have pretty interesting taste in spray so I just HAD to blog about it!  It's called Trap-A-Crap..it still makes me laugh!


Genuine "Trap-A-Crap" by Poo-Pourri

The front of the spray reads:
Before you go spray that takes odor away!!
Made with essential oils!
It works - guaranteed!
Up to 125 uses


On the back:
Trap-A-Crap by Poo-Pourri is a biodegradable and SAFE to use odor trapper for any crapper.  Unlike ordinary bathroom stink masking agents, the SECRET blend of essential odors effectively traps the odors before they even begin!  The powerful odor eliminating oils create a film on the surface of the toilet water, "trapping" any potential odor and leaving the can completely odor free!  Experience only a fresh clean scent every time nature calls.  UP TO 125 USES!


So are they saying that the 126th use does not Trap the Crap?!  Maybe I'll write my hypothesis and conduct a study...HA!


...OMG, I just Googled where I can buy this stuff for a future gag gift, and I came across this YouTube Video! 
Disclaimer:  must have a crude sense of humor to watch!



Read more info on this hilarious stuff and buy it here!


And...one more story.  However this one isn't quite as entertaining as the Trap A Crap!


Yesterday I read this book to the babies:

I heard of most of the nursery rhymes before, but one in particular caught my eye.  Have you ever read the story of Goosey, Goosey Gander?  It's very odd to say the least! 

It goes like this...


Goosey, Goosey, Gander
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs,
And in my lady's chamber.


There I met an old man,
Who wouldn't say his prayers,
I took him by the left leg,
And threw him down the stairs.


WOW!  What kind of sick person thought of this nursery rhyme?  I mean is that the reason some people don't "like" Christians?  (I tend to over-analyze but I am joking here).  Granted, there aren't many words that rhyme with "prayers" but STILL!  That's pretty violent!  If they are going to put rhymes like this in here, at least have one of those parental warning logos printed on the cover!  That one was crazy to read to a 7 and almost 9-month old!


Are there any other sick, twisted nursery rhymes out there?!  If so PLEASE let me know!  

Here's another collection of impromptu-photos from my phone.  Lindley and Neal get them first so they can see their pride-and-joys in action!  I LOVE the last photo.  Classic Cam...LOL!

So I went through my "archive" and found these videos.  They are 2 or 3 months old but still fun to watch.  My phone doesn't take the best videos.  I plan to take more along the way for your viewing pleasure!


Cam Peek A Boo





Cam Feels Good





Levi Belts it Out

Last week I started searching for ways to find a play group.  I really want Cam and Levi to be plugged in somewhere, so I searched for ideas on mammapedia.com.   It directed me to a site called meetup.com.  This site is very cool - I wish I had used it before (better late than never, I suppose)! Once you join a group it's super cheap and there's no real obligation.  You just need to attend one outing a month to be considered "active."

I found one called "Baby Buddies of North Dallas."  Rachel, the organizer is a member of a group with older children.  So when her third child was born, she decided to create a group of her own!  The Baby Buddies group started just last week, so the first "meetup" was today.  It was a "Meet and Greet" at Collin Creek Mall. 

Other babies and moms were Gina & Emma (4 months), Paizley & Kaegan (5 weeks), Rachel & Liam (2 months), and Sheree & Presley (7 months).  We hung out in the food court then headed down to the play area.

Nice smirk, mister!

The play area was brand new so it was still clean and bright.  Levi crawled around and Cam got to sit and watch.  Cam was tuckered out but she still had a great time meeting her new friends.  I chatted with Rachel and discovered that we have a lot in common!

For some reason this photo is really dark - otherwise still cute!

Rachel took this pic and posted it on the group's webpage.  I don't know what they're looking at but it must be pretty interesting!

Cam was tuckered out since she had just come from a doctor's visit.  When Lindley picked up Cam from the house to see the doctor, Levi and I headed to the mall.  Everyone who approached us made a joke about "where's the other one?"  They thought they were being so original!  Anyway, The food court was on the second floor so here's Levi on the first trip up...

Where's Cam?  He looks confused...

When Cam's visit was over Brian brought her to the mall.  We met Brian in the parking lot for Cam's carrier and Cam, of course!  Cam joined us so then we were headed back to the food court.  Here is the second elevator ride.  Both are studying the lady holding the door for us.

Even though the babies today were much younger (except for Presley), we had a great time!  It was nice to get out and see different faces.  And - great for me to have some adult conversations!  We'll keep this group in mind for future baby outings.

And...When we got back Levi had some fun with Nixie.  Don't you just love his laughter?!