Labor Day

Indoor Camping

As a family we have had many adventures.  But I have to admit that this one will go down as one of my favorites.  An indoor camping trip.  When I told Ahliana a week before our adventure that we would be camping she told me that she would need supplies.  So in her back pack she stuffed binoculars, a compass, a watch, a small first aid kit, a flashlight, and maracas (don't ask me they were her supplies).  We also decided on a guitar so she could play her campfire songs.

Okay so this was hilarious.  Ahliana grabbed her guitar and sang us a real campfire song.  Keith got it on video and I can not wait to go back and watch it.  Definitely a priceless moment.

  

Watching Open Season to add to the ambiance.

Our campfire was wonderful.  We toasted marshmallows and made ooey gooey smores (with the help of the microwave). 



The sky's were clear and the stars were plenty.  



Roller Skating

Saturday before the sun came up Ahliana jumped up and yelled "skating!". She was so excited to wear shoes with wheels on the bottom.  We met up with our usual group of "girlfriends" and started our day with a little lunch and an indoor playground at chick-fil-a (chicka-fil-a in Ahli language).  Then off to the indoor skate park.

We strapped on our shoes with wheels and Ahliana was excited but not to sure what to think about it all. You can see the look of hesitation yet excitement.  Me on the other hand... a total look of fear (good thing there are no pics as proof)!

The best sister-in-law and niece in the whole world.  They came just to watch Ahliana skate and probably to laugh at me. I was so excited that they came.  I gave them my camera and asked them to take the pictures (I was having trouble taking them with wheels on my feet).

I think she feel asleep as soon as I got her buckled in.  Sweet girl she was so tired,

The Park

On Sunday we made it to the park.  We have not played outdoors, unless water's been involved, in over a month due to the high temperatures.  I love watching Keith with her.  He is so patient and such a good teacher...sometimes always over protective, but in a cute, dad, kind of way. 

Painting our ladybug rock

We found a rock in our backyard and our neighbor suggested that it had ladybug potential.  So a ladybug we made. 

Plantation Splash Pool

On Monday we met our friends Jaden and Caden at the pool for a swim and some pizza.  Ahli loves to swim so any excuse we can find to go swimming she is in.  We really like going to the splash parks.  She has no fear of the water which sometimes scares me.  She took 8 weeks of swim lessons this summer and now she thinks she is a pro.  She always wants to show me how she can hold her breathe and blow bubbles under water...not really necessary in my book.

Somewhere over the Rainbow.  This is the only rainbow we have seen in a long time.  With the droughts that we have been experiencing the chance to see another one anytime soon, other then here, is slim.  So we will take it and enjoy it anyway we can.

Talk about a fun filled, non stop kind of weekend.  Just the way we like 'em. 

Staycation

So I decided early August that Ahliana and I needed to take a couple of "special days off" together for a little stay-cation.  Just two days to do fun stuff.  And fun stuff we did!

Day 1

Our first adventure was to a place called Noah's Ark.  It is a water park for small children that is actually part of a church.  They charge a small fee to enter and you can play all day.  We made a day of it and it was awesome.  The fact that our temps have been 100+ made this water park even more inviting.

Four of her friends and their mothers also came... I love that my kid hangs out with kids that have really cool moms! So making a day of it was just as fun for me as it was for her. Not pictured is Jaden. I have pictures they just will not upload into blogger. Ahliana has gone to school with all of these kids since she was 12 weeks old.

Love these girls: ~ ♥  Isabel, Sophie, Lexi, & Ahliana (cheetto and all) ~♥

Lexi, Ahli, & Jaden

Ahli kissing her first toad....

Snowcone time...

A special thanks to Kim & Shellie for sharing their pictures.  I forgot my camera and they were kind enough to share.  ☺

After the Noah's Ark we took four tired little girls to lunch and they behaved like angels.

Day 2

Day two was just as wonderful.  Ahliana went to school first thing in the morning so she could enjoy tumble bus. She was only there for about an hour before I picked her up.  Then we headed to the star cinema to met up with Sophie , Lexi, & and their Momma's to see the Smurf's.  It was Smurftastic!!!  Ahli did not take her eyes off the screen.  The theater was wonderful it is a theater/grill so we ate lunch and watch the movie.  I must say it is not the typical eat/watch type theater though it was very clean.  They have a lounge area and you can order adult beverages.  Did not do that with the kiddos but it is an option for date night.

After the movie we headed to the Stomping Grounds.  These girls play so nice together and it is wonderful to be able to sit and have a conversation while they play.

After the Stomping Grounds we had one more stop.  Marble Slab!- I Sream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!!! By now we are all exhausted.  Ahli starts to get crabby, I'm a little crabby but we've had fun...lots, and lots, of fun!

worst picture ever coming up... but it was the best I could do with a small camera and all the action.  they had so much fun!

I learned one very important lesson from this two day staycation.  It is very important to take a few days off a year to just play with your kid.  The time we spent together was priceless.  It did not cost that much and it was bonding.  It was special. It was needed.  Ahli is a kid that knows she is loved...oh how she knows...but she knew these days were special...they were ALL about her!!!

I ♥ my sweet baby girl!!