mp3 player

a couple of people have asked - the children's mp3 player in the video posted below is made by Blue Hat Toy Company. It looks like they still have some available through amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Hat-Toy-Company-Little/dp/B001GW9NEK
Also -if you have a Tuesday Morning store where you live, I found ours this past spring at Tuesday Morning. I think I paid $24.99 and it said compare at $49.99 - so the amazon price is probably a realistic price. Whitney is playing with her mp3 player (because we didn't put it away last night) as I type this...
Happy Friday :)

Whitney Likes to Party

Whitney and Anne have a kid-friendly mp3 player and Whitney LOVES to play music and dance whenever she feels like listening to music. We even take this in the stroller with us so we can listen to music on a walk or run. Here is a little clip of Whitney dancing to "We Like to Party" by the Venga Boys:

A Special Child

I just read this poem on another blog that I follow. I thought it was beautiful - hope you enjoy it:

A Special Child

by Sharon Harris

You weren't like other children,

And God was well aware,

You'd need a caring family,

With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,

And much to our surprise,

You haven't been a challenge,

But a blessing in disguise.

Your winning smiles and laughter,

The pleasures you impart,

Far outweigh your special needs,

And melt the coldest heart.

We're proud that we've been chosen,

To help you learn and grow,

The job that you have brought us,

Is more than you can know.

A precious gift from Heaven,

A treasure from above,

A child who's taught us many things,

But most of all-

"Real Love”

Anne's last day as a three-year-old

Today was Anne's last day as a three-year-old. I think she had a pretty good day! We did a little "photo shoot" with her posing and showing me how old she was today - Whitney joined in on the pics (despite the heat she cooperated... maybe she knew it was almost Anne's birthday). We ran some errands and then Anne wanted to go to Toys R Us to use her $3 coupon they sent in the mail to her with her Toys R Us birthday card. The girl at customer service gave Anne a balloon, a cardboard "crown" and announced her birthday on the loud speaker throughout the store - Anne LOVED it! She also had about 5 people while we were at the store wish her a happy birthday (they had heard the announcement). Anne picked out a cute Strawberry Shortcake lunch box with her coupon (+ a little extra from me). While we were there I looked into getting a water table for Whitney's birthday (she will never know that we gave it to her about 6 weeks before her birthday and I figure Anne and Whitney will get more enjoyment if we have it now). They were completely out but the girl at customer service said they had ONE that had been on hold and the people were supposed to pick it up by July 5th and they had never shown up. They were just "releasing" it today to be sold and hadn't even put it back out on the floor. It is the "Anchors Away" Pirate water table. The girl told me this has been the most "popular" one and they have not been able to even keep it in stock and this is the last one because they probably will not be getting any more in at this point in the season. When I found out it was an $80 water table (even though it is for Whitney's birthday) I thought "there is no way I am getting an $80 water table - they are normally about $40!!!" but then I couldn't help myself after I thought about it for a minute and realized how much Whitney enjoyed the water table yesterday and how good it would be for her to stand there and build the strength in her legs (without her realizing that is what she is doing). The girl asked me if i had the most recent Toys R Us coupon that had been mailed out - I said I thought I had it out in the car... I went out to my car and had a 20% off one baby item from Babies R Us coupon. It specifically stated that it could not be used for toys (and certain other exclusions) but she talked to her manager who was standing close by and they gave it to me! yeah!!!! Altogether it was a pretty lucky shopping trip - and Whitney's bday gift is taken care of!!! here are some pics from the "photo shoot":

Whitney LOVES to read books!

summer fun!

This morning we went over to our friend Jenni's house to play in the backyard. The girls had a great time - Whitney LOVED the water table and without knowing it, Whitney got a workout in with her leg muscles!!! She stood for quite some time playing at the water table... I think I may have figured out an early birthday present for Whitney. Anne loved the slip and slide + the baby pool with a toddler slide going into the pool. Max and Hank were great at sharing their fun water toys with the girls!!! Judd (their baby brother) kept busy playing "outside" of the water toys! Thanks for the fun playdate, Jenni!