Day Five- Bushkill Falls

Beautiful Waterfalls

While at Bushkill Falls we went on a hike through the forest past beautiful waterfalls. Unfortunately about two minutes into our hike Nick was turned around tell me how steep the trail was and wasn't watching where he was going. Nick came down strange on his ankle and gave it a good twist. We continued on our hike, but we spent so much time waiting on Nick to catch up.

Gem Mining

While we were at Bushkill Falls Uncle Tim got all the kids a large bag of sand to search for gems in. They dumped the sand onto a screen and rinsed the dirt and sand away with water. When the kids pulled out the screen they had all different kinds of colored of gems. What ever they found in their bag was for them to keep. Now Nick has a beautiful arrangement of different gems like rubies and emeralds.

Indian Historical Information

At Bushkill falls they had an area where you can go in and learn about Native Americans. We were able to see different tools Indians made and used. We were also able to go inside an Indian hut and check out a canoe they made from a tree log.

Saying Goodbye

Saying Goodbye to my sisters, my mom, and all the kids is always so hard. I of course wanted to avoid this but the day had finally come. I miss them all so much already.

Lots of love from FL... The Herod's

Happy July 4th

I hope you all have a safe and happy Independence Day!!

Here is a wrap up of my fourth of July...

Fireworks started three days before the actual holiday. The dog was going crazy and got out because of the lights and the smoke. Let's not forget about the baby, who was crying because of the noise. All because my neighbors were shooting off hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars of fireworks until very late. The fireworks from the picture were not from a park, where a trained person is lighting them and could extinguish them properly. NO!!! These are from my neighbor, who frankly has no training (and we could tell).

Remind me WHY I'm suppose to like the 4th of July.

9 Months Old

Ashe is 9 months old today. We went to the doctor's to get his birthday shots. Luckily Ashe only got one shot today. As you can see they gave it in his chubby little thigh. When we got home he was all smiles and playing. Then a few hours later it really hit him, as you can see. All he wanted was to be held and then he still cried, however when you put him down he cried even harder.

Ashe is getting very big. His weight has taper off because he's getting so long. He is now 21lbs 2ozs and measured in at 30 inches long.

Haircut

Before

After

Thank goodness Nicholas has finally given up the plan to have long hair, at this time. I have been begging him to get his haircut and he finally decided since we were going to see family in PA he wanted to look nice.

Sippy Cup

We are working so hard to help Ashe learn to use his sippy cup. I have managed to buy four different brands, Playtex, Gerber, Dr. Brown's, and Nuby, in hope that we would find the one he loves. He thinks that his cup is a teether and only gets water when he bites too hard. When Ashe turns one the bottle goes in the garbage so I'm hoping he gets the hand of this cup thing soon.

(Product) Red

Yesterday I went into Gap on my search for a new swimsuit for Nick. As many of you know many months ago Oprah had Bono on talking about the new (Product) Red items. Part of the money goes to help with the fight against AIDS in Africa. I was super excited to find that they are now carrying these cute items for babies/toddlers.

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If you go to the website above you can find out what your blog rating is. As you can see my blog is child friendly. So ENJOY!!!

Central Florida Zoo

Today we went to the zoo. We just happen to be there for the grand opening of the new alligator/crocodile viewing area. They had a ribbon cutting ceremony with popcorn and cold refreshing water. We had no idea this was happening until we stumbled upon this area. There were people from the press of local newspapers there to cover the event. This was big zoo news!!! We saw the monkeys (no not my kids), cheetah, and the elephants. At the end of all the fun and smelly animals we rode the train around the zoo. The day could not get any better until we got rained on. I managed to get the kids in the car before the skies opened up. Unfortunately, I was not so lucky, I was still packing the car when it started to rain really hard.

Ashe Update

Next week Ashe will be 9 months old. Here's what he's been up to lately. Today we found Ashe's third tooth. I never thought it would come. It is on the top right side. Ashe also has been pulling up on furniture, but recently he has been walking around that furniture, as well. On June 26th, Steven lower Ashe's crib. Now it is so low he might as well be sleeping on the floor. The reason he lowered the crib is because when we go in to see him in the morning he is standing up. The top of the crib was to the middle of his chest and he was lifting his leg trying to climb out. You can see from the picture his bed is very low.

Sea World

Today we had a great time at Sea World with the Gainers. We got to see many fun shows, like Pets Ahoy and the Shamu show. There are also a few fun rides at Sea World like Wild Arctic and Kraken. While Nick, Jake, and Mrs. Gainer were riding Wild Arctic it broke down... that stinks. Jake even survived a trip on the Kraken, a floorless roller coaster.

Unfortunately, it was really hot today. I am now sporting a very attractive farmer's tan. My stroller temperature got to 132 degrees in the sun, whoa. I got a picture of it, but it was only at 123 degrees, at the time.

We had a great time today with Jake and Mrs. Gainer at Sea World.

Beary Fun

For Christmas Nicholas made Ashe his first Build-a-Bear, who he named Nate. Now that Ashe is bigger, he loves to play with his bear and give him lots of hugs and wet kisses.

Water Rocket

Gas to fill the tank for the outlet malls... $38.40

H2O rocket from KB Toys... $1.55

Climbing to your neighbors roof, once it lands there, with a long broom... Priceless

Outdoor Fun

Today we had some fun outdoors, with our temperature in the 90s . I would like to be a little tan when I go to PA. How can I tell people I live in FL with my super white legs sticking out from my shorts. We played catch with a ball and some cup things. Then I pulled some weeds while Nick climbed his tree.

Future Mythbusters

For those of you who watch the show Mythbusters you may recognize the shirt. This is the same shirt that Adam wears in the show. Nick is obsessed with this show. So he had to have this shirt. When he found one in Ashe's size, it was just meant to be.
Nick and Ashe AKA Adam and Jamie.

Will mom find two matching shirts for two boys very different in age and size?

Confirmed

Father's Day

Who loves Daddy?

We Do!!!

I would like to say that we had a very nice Father's Day. Daddy slept in. Then mommy made breakfast. He then opened his gifts. He got a new cell phone and a watch. Later in the day Steve programed about a million numbers to his new phone. While I made a special family candlelit dinner.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!

This was Nick's fridge creation, he didn't have all the letter so he made some.

The Many Hats of Ashe

Who is that under all those hats?
As you can see mommy was shopping this weekend and couldn't decide on a hat. I knew he needed one to keep the hot FL sun off his little head. So mommy bought them all.
Daddy doesn't like the bucket hats. He says Ashe looks like a grandpa going fishing.

Getting older???

Happy Birthday Little Sis! You are almost the big 3-0, one more year to go.
I know it's hard to get old but I wanted to send my love across the miles.
Remember I will always be 15 months older, wiser, cuter... (these adjectives could go on forever).

Look how much younger you look at this birthday.

Summertime Fun

We have been looking for fun things to do this summer. So some of our summer fun involves cooking (like smores, brownies, and cakes). We have also played with water balloons, and rode bikes.

Summer is exhausting!

On the Move

This little boy never stops. Nick and I have no idea what Ashe is up to sometimes. As you can see he is a boy on the move.

Getting Ready for 3rd Grade

We have been working throughout the summer getting ready for third grade. Nick has spent each day working on both math and reading. We set a side some time each day for learning. We of course don't forget to play also. We just got a kit of outdoor games like volley ball, horse shoes, back yard tennis, and badminton (more pictures on that to come). Nick has also pulled out some toys that he hasn't play with in a while.

Sleep Tight

Ashe is suppose to be going to bed. As you can see he is NOT sound asleep. Whoever came up with the saying... sleeping like a baby... obviously never had children.

Good Night Ashe, now close your eyes.

Bonding

Ashe is getting big, he is now 8 months old.
Nick thought it would be funny to put Ashe in his hat. Ashe is such a trooper. When we first brought Ashe home Nick was afraid to even be by him. Now they love spending time together. This summer has already been a great bonding experience for the boys.

Locked Up

Lock him up and throw away the key.
As an attempt to to have a minute without Ashe in my arms we have set up the playpen. This makes Ashe very unhappy he wants mommy to carry him everywhere. Most things I can do with Ashe in my arms, but there are times when I need to set him down. Now that he is crawling I can't even set him in the Boppy and walk away because he is causing trouble or crawling to find me. When he is in the playpen all he does is yell for my attention.
Calgon Take Me Away!!!

The Great Sweater Debate

The other night we went walking at the lake and it was a little chilly so I had Ashe wear his new sweater. Steven hates this sweater, but I think Ashe looks cute in his little sweater. We had a debate in the store about this sweater. So I didn't buy it, then I saw the sweater again. I still liked it and wanted Ashe to have this sweater. Steven was that voice telling... no don't get it. Well finally I found the sweater again on sale 70% off. I think it was God's way of telling me that it was meant to be. How can I deny a clear cut sign?
Well I figure there is only a short time in life when kids will wear what you put on them and not complain.
He looks happy to me.