Day 43

I haven't posted about it until today because I was afraid it would change, but TOMORROW MIKE IS COMING HOME!!! Yay!!! 2 months earlier than expected and we couldn't be more thrilled. His flight lands in Norfolk at 9:46am tomorrow. Woooo hooooo!

I took Izzie to the vet this morning and then the rest of the day was spent getting the house in order for Mike's return! My friend Carrie came over and we had dinner at Eastside (kind of a disaster with super loud music and a smokey "non-smoking" section - GAG!) But, it was good food anyway. Then she came over and helped me finish up some cleaning on the house, and she gave Mikaela a bath for me! I didn't really take the time to get any pictures of the kids today, but I thought this was fitting for today ...

12 hours until Mikey comes home!!!!

Day 42

Today we went the Virginia Air and Space Center. We started out with another IMAX movie, "Blue Planet" which I saw only the first few minutes of once again thanks to Miss Naughty herself, Mikaela! Brooklin thought it was boring, but Haley thought it was interesting. Then we spent the day walking through the museum. There was a TON of fun stuff to do there so it made for a fun and interesting day. Mikaela was a bit cranky from being woke up early again, but luckily Brooklin has the magic touch when pushing her in the stroller to get her to sleep! :)

Haley learning how to direct aircraft


Mikaela really wanted the Jelly Beans (real or painted on walls or stools - it didn't matter!) that were all over the "Candy Unwrapped" exhibit




Haley and Brooklin making paper airplanes at this station where you make them and then try to fly them into different sized holes






Brooklin and Mikaela in a huge airplane looking out the window. (Haley and Mikaela were co-pilots in the cockpit of the plane - we had to draaggg Mikaela out of there! Brooklin had a blast playing a flight simulation game here too. I successfully crashed the plane about a million times myself! haha)


Part of the "Candy Unwrapped" exhibit was to take the sour challenge - aka eating war heads!






The Fallen Warhead; Never Fear, Brooklin is here!










Haley, the chocolate lover! (It says, "Save the planet, it's the only one with Chocolate!")


Me being silly in the little dome mirror thing - haha

Day 41

Today we went to the Virginia Aquarium again. This time we got up early and went to see the IMAX movie Whales and Dolphins 3D. I had to wake Mikaela up to go (of course) which made for a pretty tired (and grumpy) Mikaela all day! Brooklin and Haley got to see the entire movie, but I had to leave with Mikaela after about 5 minutes because she was squirming and crying! I had a feeling that might happen, so I was prepared! We had a good time exploring today and actually reading the exhibits. Last time we were only there for about an hour; Today we spent the whole day. It was entirely TOO HOT, but it was a fun day none the less.

The otters - my personal favorite! Unfortunately they were all sleeping while we were there! This one got up for a 30 second dip in the water and then went right back to sleep!


Mikaela being naughty at the otter exhibit not wanting sissy to corral her!


Our little squirrel friend on the nature trail eating a piece of popcorn. Now, I don't know if this is normal, but this squirrel had the biggest balls! He was walking funny they were so large! lol But he was sooooo cute and friendly!


Haley at the sting ray/skate pool again


At the sanitizing station after petting them!




A cool jellyfish




Cute little lion fish


Scary shark!

Day 40

First and foremost for today ...

Happy 16th


Birthday, Ryan!


Today we were going to go to the zoo, but after sitting in tunnel traffic by the time we got there we were only going to have a few hours before they closed and to top it off, the tiger exhibit was closed! So, we decided to skip the zoo and headed to Michael's to get some craft stuff to do.

Brooklin made a Happy Birthday sign for her boyfriend, Ryan. Awwww - how sweet!





Haley Bug lovin' on Izzie ...


This evening we are heading off to Target to get a few things we need and the next 2 books in the Twilight series for Brooklin since she read the 1st book in just a few days! (Apparently they are really good, even though they sound very strange to me! haha)

Day 39

Oops! I fell asleep last night before I posted to the blog! So, there will just be 2 poasts for today. :) Monday, which was day 39, I woke up to a hurt Izzie. I'm not sure what happened to her - she was fine when I went to bed and then when I woke up she was limping. She was laying around and acting almost lethargic yesterday so I was really worried about her. By the evening she was acting much better though, so that was good. We all went outside and were gonna have a water balloon fight, but it turned into playing in the hose with Izzie instead! :) Not exactly what we had planned for yesterday, but I thought it was fun anyways. (And so did Izzie!) Mikaela was going to play in her little sprinkler pool, but it was broken. :( We sprayed her with the hose, but she doesn't really like it! She spent her time climbing up the steps to the back patio over and over and over again! haha

Day 38

Today we went to the Patrick Henry Mall with Carrie and Noah and then went to Olive Garden for dinner. Dinner was yummy! Mikaela thoroughly enjoyed her fettucini alfredo - so much so that she was licking her plate! :) Brooklin didn't seem to enjoy herself, although she never told me why. Such a shame because we went there special for her. :( But it was good and fun none the less for everyone else.

Waiting for our table




Mikaela and her fettucini

Day 37

Today I cut the grass and then we headed to downtown Norfolk for an Urban photo shoot with Brooklin!

Haley helped me out while I cut the grass this morning by playing with Mikaela. (Brooklin was still sleeping in typical teenage summer break style!) She was (trying) to give her a bottle just before I was going to put her in bed when I came in to take a shower.



Some snapshots from downtown ...





Mikaela thought it was funny to try to run into the street! She was so good while we were taking pictures sitting in her stroller, so just before we were leaving I let her down to walk around. All I can say is, she is TROUBLE! haha




And some of beautiful Brooklin ...

She has her very own street in downtown Norfolk! haha


"Why do people have to stare?" haha