We tried to take family pictures!?The first one is a sample of the many that didn't turn out showing how Josh was trying to get James in his lap and smiling before the picture took. The second one is the only one worth saving. Kinley slept from 11:00 to 7:00 - yea!

We went for a zoo playdate with the Roby's and Lam's for the first time since Kinley was born. It was a beautiful cool breezy day. We had so much fun. We went in the exhibit that has birds flying around freely. We had sticks with bird food on the end and as soon as we walked in the birds charged us and landed on the sticks. Needless to say me and the child after my own heart freaked out. Drew was in bird heaven. (I was the only adult in there with just Drew and James) James and I put our sticks on the ground because we were afraid to hold them then we got in trouble. The zookeeper asked if we were trying to get the birds stepped on and killed (she didn't want to know my real answer) James loves the petting zoo. He walks around lightly touching the goats tails which makes them shake then laughs hysterically. His new favorite words are "you look amazing" and "that is ridiculous". Kinley and Drake both got zoo outfits from one of our friends - that is what they are wearing in the pics. They had fun experiencing the zoo from the back of their eyelids.

I was able to capture Kinley talking. It is adorable but probably boring to anyone who isn't a parent or grandparent.

Kinley is doing great with pretty much every aspect of life. She is eating about 5 ounces every three hours, smiling often, and sleeping from about 9:00pm to 7:30am, she does eat at 10:30pm and has been waking up once between 3am and 5am but every once in a while she will go all night. Her only weakness is naptime. She only sleeps about 45 minutes then she is wide awake and wants to sleep while she eats. The control/schedule freak that I am won't allow that so we are trying to find a middle ground because I think during this phase she just isn't that tired during the day since she sleeps so well at night. One of my favorite sayings is "it's just a phase" in no time at all she'll be great at napping. The picture of her is after she ate I was changing her diaper and tickling her to wake her up but clearly she wasn't having it - even the flash on the camera didn't make her flinch. James is loving being a big three year old. He is mastering his big boy bike that he got for his birthday. He rides and rides then says "I need to sit on the curb and take a break" so he sits down and starts tapping his feet and hands. It is so cute! Then he gets back on rides and rides. I am going to have to get a bike so I can keep up with him. Potty training is still rough. He is learning how to lie. He will pee somewhere then come tell us he just spilled water on himself but that it's ok because it will dry. We will ask what water did he spill and he'll make something up. So we are having to call him on it and prove that he peed. Oh the fun we are having.

James had his 3rd birthday party this morning. It was a zoo animal theme. He invited his four best friends and their siblings as well as grandparents and Auntie Jenn. We had animal cookies with a TON of icing and everyone got to take home a zoo animal with a balloon and animal mask. Early into the party we had a tragedy. Craig (the expandable alligator) lost an arm during a domestic dispute between James and Linley. James was beside himself so we brought out the cookies and masks. The picture of James with his hippo mask still shows bottom lip remnants of the break down. He said his favorite present was Fillmore (the VW bus from Cars) (I'm sure the favorite will change by the minute). He got a ton of Cars things as well as a new big bike, a lawnmower, art supplies, a skateboard, and a remote control car. I'd say he made out like a bandit.

Kinley and I enjoyed our girls weekend with my 4 college friends. We had a great time hanging out and catching up on life, we all agree that we are so blessed to have relationships like this. The above picture is of Piper (Shelly's baby girl who is 3 months) and Lilly (Chandra's baby girl who is 6 months) and Kinley (5 weeks) in matching dresses Chandra and Shelly picked up. Aren't they adorable!! James' 3rd birthday was Monday. He requested meatballs, penne pasta (straight noodles) and apple pie ("with no peanut butter"??). We got him a keyboard to pound on, it has a microphone attached. Let's just say we are sort of regretting the decision!! We are mean parents because we made him get back to first time obedience and pick back up on potty training on his birthday. He didn't seem to mind. His party is this Saturday so we'll post pics and the story next week!