Tuesday, April 29, 2014

We saw Pandas, Lions, and Zebras!






"Here you go Lion! Come eat the stick! Come get it!"





Going to the zoo has been on my mind for the past few months. It seems like it's been forever since we had last been in December. And we went at night. And it was cold.
Last week I figured all the Spring Breakers were gone and this time the sun was shining and it was perfect weather. 

I was nervous to do the metro for almost an hour with two kids, plus the shuttle to the metro with a little stroller and the bus ride back to our place. Shuttle, Metro, Bus!! That's a lot of in and out with two! But it worked. I tend to have more courage when I venture out with other mamas too. 
Thanks Mandy & Lynne!

I was surprised that Taryn was more interested in the bamboo stick she found then looking at the animals, which were abundant and active. We even got to see the newest baby panda Bao Bao up in a tree as cute as could be but Taryn's attention was more on her stick and her friends. 

We had a few touch and go moments like when Taryn had a little accident. I wish there were bathrooms at every corner at the zoo because I always seem t be the furthest away from them. I mean- you know little kids are going to be there! Right!?! :) But she quickly recovered and didn't mind continuing on. Or when she sat on a little railing waiting for her snack and flipped backwards. Thankfully, she held on tight and made it look like she was just doing a trick on the monkey bars. No harm done. Smart girl! Can't wait for her to start gymnastics this week so she can really hone in on her awesome skills! :)

These days have just been so sun filled and great. Fun adventures with two little ones!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Monkey Bars






 




















"Mommy,  I want to get big and strong so I can do the monkey bars. I want to run so fast so I can get on them and be like 'Urrr!!!! because I so strong and big"

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

He's cooking!




Pastel de Papas


Empanadas




Personal pizzas


Milanesa & papas frittas


Milanesa & papas frittas


Tyson has been on a cooking kick lately and we're loving it (and our bellies are too!!) It's been fun to see his creative wheels in motion as he thinks about what he wants to prepare, how he will execute it, and then tasting the final product. I only help and provide tips along the way when he asks. Besides my little help, it's all him. My favorite so far has been the Pastel de Papas- so much flavor! I'm a lover of cooked onions in almost anything but I was surprised how much I liked the addition of olives. 

I love when he says, "Next time we'll try it like this…" or "What if I made ____ next time?" 

Can't wait for the next Tyson creation!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter 2014


Happy Easter!



Saturday Morning Easter Egg Hunt








Taryn rocked the Egg Hunt Saturday morning. I think she ate one piece of candy and then was done with her basket. She will eat her chocolate but anything else (sticky, chewy, hard, sour) is not an option for her. She may try it once (like the smallest bite) but once she has declared "I don't like that one," she won't go back to it.









Saturday afternoon we went to the National Harbor for the first time. Our main reason for visiting the day before Easter? The Peeps Store!!!! I was shocked when Tyson suggested this activity because he dislikes marshmallows. Taryn and I, however, love them! Tyson kept saying, "How can you NOT go to the Peeps store the day before Easter!" It was crazy to see how many flavors and sizes they have. In the picture above, we tried the Party Cake flavor. 


Easter Morning



I remember lots of pictures and home videos from Easter mornings past with me and my siblings sporting some great bed hair. It's just what happens when kids are so excited to see where their baskets are hidden. 




"She's not paying attention, I'll just grab that candy right there….."




We dyed a few eggs the night before Easter and Taryn fell in love with the whole process. We told her the Easter bunny would wait until they were dry, then hide them for her to find Easter morning. She was SOO excited the next morning to find all her eggs over and over and over again. I'm pretty sure we hid and found the same eggs of an hour or more that Easter morning. It's so fun to see her get such a kick out of a simple (but oh so fun!) game. 


We really enjoyed teaching Taryn more about Easter this year. We followed a 7 day outline of Jesus Christ's life from The Friend magazine, describing each day or events that happened in Christ's life. Taryn really got into the process (cutting out pictures, gluing them, listening to Daddy read the scriptures.) I'm grateful I get the chance to share with Taryn my testimony that He Lives! I'm so happy to have the knowledge of the Atonement and the joy it brings to my life. 
#BecauseofHim I have a greater understanding of my purpose on Earth.


Friday, April 18, 2014

Feeling Lucky











I especially love her "all elbows in" approach to kneading the dough



The other day as I pushed Hadleigh in her stroller, I watched Taryn skipping ahead, as happy as could be, on our walk together. I watched as her blonde curls bounced up and down and thought to myself how beautiful she is and how I am so lucky I get to be her mama.

Out and about


Just a bit from last past week. At the Waterfront in Alexandria. We made a feeding stop while Taryn ran around the boardwalk, spotting the ducks, and meeting new friends. 




Ben & Jerry's free cone day last week! 
Taryn had all the flavors to choose from. She picked chocolate and I chose 7 layer Coconut Bar. SO SO GOOD!!!! Tyson commented on how big the scoops were. I didn't even realize until I looked at this picture a few days later. That is totally two scoops right there. Lucky little girl! :)



After a playgroup date at the park, these two were out like lights so I drove into D.C., letting them nap longer in the car, so we could see the Cherry Blossoms. So worth it. I did have to try very hard to convince Taryn to come take pictures with me after she woke up. She just wanted to go to the park again.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

We're jumping over here!









So excited to be outside in Spring weather, enjoying the new green everything! Literally jumping for joy (all her own doing!)