Fat Tuesday

Just a little fun fact that I didn't know, but today is known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.
In celebration IHOP is giving free short stacks for anyone who comes in (the would like a donation for Children's Miricle Network) but I took the kids for pancakes for dinner since Tony wouldn't be home until late. They were really excited!!! It was yummy and a great option for dinner for me (since it has been harder for me to cook lately). The kids loved it and are already asking when we can go back again.

Escape to Midway

We wanted to get away for the weekend, and it just so happened that Tony's mom volunteered to take the kids overnight, and my dad let us use his timeshare in Midway, Utah. So we packed up and drove to Midway. Tony had to work late Friday, so the kids and I drove up, saw the beautiful scenery, ate at the Train restaurant in Heber and then spent some time relaxing at the condo before Tony got there to join us. We got up, went swimming (the kids loved that!) and then ate at the Train Restaurant again. Rylan loves this place because he is totally into trains and Alana enjoyed it just as much because of all the toy trains to play with there and the restaurant has a train that moves along the ceiling. It is pretty neat. Then in the late afternoon we took the kids to Tony's parents (Thanks Dave and Gayle for watching the kids). I got a pedicure and then we went to dinner at The Claim Jumper. After dinner we wanted to look around at some shops, but it was getting late and they were closed, so we ended up going back to the condo and watched a movie and we both fell asleep (yes, we're old). It was a very fun and relaxing weekend. I love Midway, because it has so much charm, darling shops and old houses and flowers in pots and baskets along the streets. Many of the houses look Swiss or European. It is a fun quaint town to visit and I love how it is nestled in the country. It is perfect for a weekend getaway!

The Zoo Crew (Members Only!)

Tonight my Dad, Tony, Rylan, Alana and myself became the zoo crew. We went to the zoo on members only night to be some of the first ones to ride the new carosel. The zoo had special activities like temporary tatoos, crafts and special animal showings. There was also a bird show. The kids loved the bird show. They loved every minute of it. We saw a bunch of birds fly right over us, and even got to see a bird up close. Next we rode the train (which is always a hit) and then we made our way to the carosel. We lucked out and ended up being the first ones for the next ride on the carosel, so Rylan chose to ride the lady bug and Alana rode the Lion. (and no, I did not mix the two up...?????) The highlight for the kids this time was doing the crafts and getting tatoos. All of us enjoyed ourselves--espically the adults. It was just a relaxing, fun family time together! We thought that we might get rained out, but the weather ended up being great! Thanks crew for the awesome time at the zoo!

Wet and Wild!

We bought the kids an inexpensive slip and slide today. (Good find daddy!) We set it up and they had a great time running, jumping and sliding in the water. Even daddy joined them in the fun! It was funny! Tony is such a good daddy and finds lots of fun things to do with the kids. I love that he is just a big kid himself. They jumped on the trampoline to get dry and then they would start over.On the trampoline we played Ring-around-the Rosie's. Alana's idea--when she wants to play she says "sashes" or "posies". How can you resist that?! So the whole family was on the trampoline jumping in circles and falling down. Alana was upset when it was time to go in. She threw a tantrum when I took off her swimming suit, and tried to put it back on herself. It was darling and funny. I laughed out loud! Sometimes it is just fun to get a little wet and be a little wild!

Good and Easy Read

I just finished the book Twilight. I thought that it was a pretty good book, and it was definitely an easy read. I know most everyone has already read this book, but for any of you that haven't I would recommend it! Plus the movie comes out in December and it looks really good.

Brave or Desperate?

Today I went to lunch at New Dragon Diner (one of my favorite Chinese food places). The food there is great and very inexpensive. I took my kids and they love the food there too (especially the pot stickers which they call "hot stickers"). By the time we were finished eating the table we ate on was a mess. A lady walked by and said "You are either Brave or Desperate!" I laughed and said that I thought today I must be both! I was desperate for the yummy local food and Brave to take my children!