The Nap Bandits

Naps are precious in our house and I've worked really hard to get the kids on a compatible nap schedule. Normally Grace naps from 9:30ish to 11:30ish, and then both kids take an afternoon nap around 1 or 2.

This was not the case on Saturday. Grace missed her morning nap because we went to a baby shower. I put her down right when we got home around 11:30. 30 minutes later, Ben came home from T-Ball practice. He had his lunch, we read a story, then he went to lay down at 1pm.

I had just enough time to rotate the laundry, when I hear little bit awake in her crib. Grrr... I knew this was going to happen. No down time for Mommy! Oh, well. Suck it up... moving on. I put Grace on the play mat with some toys while I made my lunch. She played for a few minutes, then wandered into the hallway. I brought her back. She played for a few more minutes, then wandered back into the hallway. She's going to wake up her brother, I think. But my lunch is getting cold. I'm hungry! I choose lunch. There she goes. She's whining and fussing because she can't get into her brother's room. Wait, no, she's quiet. It's really quiet. Why is it so quiet?

So I get up to check things out. Just as I stand up, I hear her squeal with delight and giggle. I walk into the hallway to find Ben's little fingers reaching under his door, wiggling away. She's slapping at them and cracking up. I run off to get the camera. Right before I get it turned on, he says, "Graaaa-aaaaace." She starts bouncing and clapping and laughing. I want to be annoyed, but they are just so pleased with each other. I let them be and walked away to finish lunch and clean things up. When I checked on them again, I found her surrounded by books that Ben was shoving under the door for her. OH MY WORD. Game over. Mommy - 0; Nap Bandits - 1.

I opened the door and turned her loose in her brother's room. Ben was so relieved to be rescued from nap time. Grace is just excited to be in her happy place - her bubba's room.

"Kitty" Park

Grammy came to visit us during Spring Break, so we decided to take the kids on an outing. On Friday morning, we got an early start and headed to the zoo... along with everyone else in San Antonio and it's surrounding counties. FAIL.

OK, Plan B... Kiddie Park! Ben's only been once (almost 2 years ago) and he loved it - so we headed that way. Plus, it's literally around the corner from the zoo. Upon arrival, we found it wonderfully un-crowded (not surprising due to previously mentioned zoo invasion).

Grammy got a wrist band for Ben and off he went.

He went on the boats first.

Boating is to be taken very seriously, apparently...

Oh, hey guys! Check out my boat!
Airplanes were next....

Then the helicopters.

Where was Grace this whole time, you ask?

Well, getting spoiled with snuggles from Grammy...

And cutting up with Mommy...

And getting some quality time with Daddy...

I LOVE you, Daddy!

Waiting for Bubba to get off his favorite ride, the school bus.

I see him - he's coming around again! Hi, Bubba!

Finally, it was Grace's turn to get in on the fun.

Here she is on a helicopter ride with Ben.

He was so sweet to keep his arm around her the whole time!

Check out her hair - she's looking a little windblown. :)

Here they are riding the pony.

This thing nearly gave them both whiplash.

Grace enjoyed it more than Ben,

who had a very worried expression

on his face the whole time he was riding.
Despite the day starting on a sour note with the "Great Zoo Let Down of 2010" (in Ben's defense - this was the second time in under a week that a trip to the zoo had failed), we ended up having a great day! (Thanks so much, Grammy!) My favorite part happened as we were leaving. Ben said, to no one in particular, "I guess none of the Kitties wanted to go on rides today. Maybe they'll be here the next time we come." It was then that I realized that he thought we were going to the "Kitty Park" instead of the "Kiddie Park". Poor little guy had been on the look out for some "Merry-go-round" riding feline friends that never showed! Oh, my Ben, you never fail to make my heart smile!