The Magic Word

Miss Marlee is a quick study.  Having a big brother to watch and learn from has given Marlee an unfair advantage when it comes to getting what she wants.  Marlee has always been a very determined little girl.  If she wants something she usually figures out a way to get it. 

Monday Clint was off.  He was down on the floor putting a floor puzzle together with Lane.  Marlee came in and wanted a puzzle piece or something she couldn't have.  Clint gently told her she couldn't have it and Marlee threw herself down on the floor to have a fit.  She started throwing fits about a month ago, and I have to admit she's pretty good at it!  At any rate she threw her fit and calmed herself down and went over to Clint, climbed up on his lap, put her forehead to his forehead and looked into his eyes and very sweetly said Peeese.

She's already trying to work her Daddy!  I did confirm with Clint that he did not give in.  Looks like she has some more work to do!

My Little Jumpers

Last night we hit up the bungee jump at the ballpark.  Lane went for the first time with a little friend last year and loved it.  Now we pretty much have to "jump" every time we go to the game.  The last time Lane jumped we saw a little girl about the size of Marlee jumping, so last night I let her try it out.

I asked Marlee several times while we were in line if she wanted to jump.  Each time I asked she nodded her head yes.  I was hopeful, she is a daredevil, but I also knew I could get her up there and she might freak out.

We got her buckled into the harness and she wanted me to hold her hand.  The girl working our trampoline told me I could get up on the trampoline with her and bounce her myself.  It was great, Marlee loved it!!  She even wanted to go higher.  She liked it so much she got off and said "again". 

 The second time around I got to stand back and take a few pictures.  Marlee was so cute!

Big brother jumped so hard on his first turn that he didn't want a second turn.  He watched Marlee from the bench and waited for his turn to go climb the rock wall.

 My little climber had a great time!

The best part of the night?  Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tyler were at the game with us!  They surprised us with a quick visit and we have had so much fun having them here, I don't want to see them go tomorrow.

Now, my little jumpers in action!  Marlee's video is really dark, but you can hear her squeal several times!

Lane's Birthday Safari

Our sweet Lane turned 4 on Tuesday.  For his birthday we got to go on a Safari with Grammy and Grampy at the most amazing place!   It's not open to the public, Clint knows the owners through work and they were kind enough to allow our family to go on a private tour.

Lane was the most excited about getting to go on a "school bus".  He talked about it all morning!  We were happy to see that it was actually an old school bus when we got there.

 The crew on the bus ready to go!  As we drove to see our first animal we were greeted by an Ostrich.

Our first big animal to see up close was a Black Rhino.  We all got to feed it apples and bananas, Lane and Marlee held on tight to Daddy and Grampy. 

 Marlee's favorite part of our visit was watching out the window.  She spent her time on the bus standing in the seat watching out the window.

My favorite animals of the day were the monkeys.  They had 4 or 5 different kinds.  Lane is crazy about his stuffed monkey EE so we thought he would love to see some real ones.  It took him a little while to warm up to them, but once he did he loved them!  We fed them lots of crasins!  I loved how they would reach their little hands out for food.  One monkey in particular reached it's hand out and patted Marlee's shoulder.  It scared Marlee so we stepped back a bit and the monkey reached it's foot and tail out to try to bring us back closer.  It was neat to see the animals were just as interested in us as we were them.

We got to see some tigers.  We had never seen tigers so close!

 And our final animals of the day were two giraffes.  We got to feed them baby carrots.  This giraffe really liked Marlee's hair.

 And this giraffe gave Clint a big smooch!  Our guide told Clint he could put the carrot in his mouth and the Giraffe would take it from him.  He did!