Love these kids

Today Jenalyn came into the kitchen all distraught and said, "Mom! There's a spider using my little chair for his web!"

Then she stuck her finger up in the air and said, "But I won't give up! I have a plan!" ... "Corbin's a brave little guy." (*giggles* she actually said "brave little guy")

Sho'nuff, pretty soon Corbin was following her into the office to rescue her chair. Like a knight rescuing the princess from the fierce dragon. He was walking with his chin up, like he had a purpose.

Cutest thing I've seen all day.

(Lets pretend, just for this blog entry, that he's holding a shiny sword, instead of a seagull's feather.)

Fun on the Fourth

We had such an amazing holiday! I was worried it would be anti-climatic for the kids since we really didn't have any plans. No one to hang out with. No BBQ to go to. But I think we managed to make it fun and memorable anyhow.

We started out the day with the Ward Breakfast at the park. We had scrambled eggs, pancakes & sausage, swimming in syrup, we visited with friends, and then we played, played and played!

After the ward breakfast we drove over to Home Depot for their kids' project. They had "picnic totes" for the kids to build. The kids both did really well this time (usually it's mostly me and Jason building it). When we got home we had some lunch and put the boys down for a nap. (Yes, I said boys - Corbin and Daddy both slept the afternoon away.) Jenalyn and I decided to paint their little projects. We turned on some fun music and dug out the paints. It was a fun project to do together.

After dinner we headed out to Harrisburg for the fireworks. My dear, patient husband puts up with so much from me! I was so antsy about getting just the right spot for fireworks. He probably wanted to throw me into the river. Fireworks are a big deal for me. I love them. No really, I LOVE them! And when you only get a once-a-year shot at seeing them. It's serious business. I don't like to mess around when it comes to watching fireworks.

So we pulled over to the side of the road and laid the blanket down beside a big field of mint (Mmm...smelled so good). As it started getting darker I saw fireworks going off right at the tree-line in the distance. I threatened Jason with very bad things, if that was where they'd be setting off the fireworks. He very patiently just grinned and nodded.

When the fireworks finally started - WOW - we had the best seat in the house! It was in-cred-ible. So I snuggled up to my hubs, apologized for being so difficult, and enjoyed the fireworks. I. Will. Never. Doubt. My. Husband's. Inspiration. Again. Ever.

And what a sweetie. Even after the way I acted, that night he put on Facebook:

"Jason Zollinger is laughing at how giddy his wife gets over fireworks. It's like she's a kid again. She's a cutie."

Good thing he loves me!

Photo-framing

I'm taking a free class over at JessicaSprague.com. It's a photo framing class. Today was the first project and I couldn't wait to share it. I think it turned out really cute.

This picture makes my heart skip a beat. I love how it captured Jenalyn's sweet spirit. And now it is even better with a frame! (Thanks Jessica!!)

Now I can't post a picture of this Princess without sharing a priceless story:

Okay, going back 5+ years, I was sitting in the mother's lounge at church with another mom, nursing our babies. She had an older child (about 4-5 years old) and I was a first-time mom, with my baby Jenlayn.

Well, she was telling me a story - can't remember it exactly, but she made the comment that she doesn't even get to go to the bathroom alone! I was like...what?!?!? Seriously? Your kid follows you into the bathroom? WEIRD!

Well, now flash forward 5+ years to the present. And now I am in the same boat. I am rarely alone in the bathroom anymore. But once in a while, I need my peace and quiet so I close the door and lock it so I don't have any followers.

The other night was one of those nights when I just wanted to be alone. So I went into the bathroom and soon...very soon...after I locked it, Jenalyn was banging on the door. I said, "Honey, I just want to be alone for a minute." From the other side I hear, "BUT MOM! It'smeyourdaughterJenalynandyouloveme!"

Bahahaha...just the way she said it...as if it was one big word...made me laugh hysterically. And the way she added, "your daughter, Jenalyn!" as if I had no idea who she might be talking about - perhaps my other daughter. *LOL*

At The Coast with Gramma'Nee & Grampa Jerry

While my parents were in town we went to the coast. Not once, but TWICE :)

The first coast trip started the day after Jenalyn's graduation. We drove out and stayed the weekend in my grandma's beach house. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend, even though it was rainy and cold most of the time. Here's what we did:

• We managed to get in a couple of nice walks, during the rain breaks.
• We went swimming in the in-door pool at the community center.
• Played a little doubles ping-pong, also at the commuity center. Me and Mom against Dad & Jenalyn = hilarious!
  
• The kids got their bubble bath in the jacuzzi tub - that's become a tradition when we go to the beach house.
• We had a BBQ with my dad's long-time best friend that he hasn't seen in almost 10 years.
• We saw the movie UP! at the theater in Newport.
• Ate watermelon on the back porch - the sun came out right as we were packing up the car to leave.
  

The second coast trip was a day trip, a couple days before they left us. We drove back to the beach house to pick up dad's church suit and then we drove back down the coast. Had lunch at a nice little restaurant in Waldport, overlooking the ocean. Then headed down to our favorite beach: Haceta Head. Corbin got wet and sandy, chasing the waves and the birds. Jenalyn explored caves with her dad and found a couple additions to her growing rock collection. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun.
I'm angry with myself that none of these pictures have Gramma'Nee or Grampa Jerry in them ('cept the tiny little watermelon picture). You'll just have to take my word that they were there with us.

Here's a little bonus for ya. A video of my Corbin chasing the waves - watch his face. He actually looks like he's truly scared of the water: