Murphy Family

We've moved

Well, we haven't physically moved.  Our new blog (and much more economical blog) is up and running (courtesy of Nic.)  So, if you're interested in keeping up with us, don't forget to save the new blog address (www.therideofourlives.blogspot.com). 

Thank you for the encouragement!

Thanks Nic for your blog post and thanks everyone that responded.  Hard to believe that it's been almost a year since I've posted.  The reason I haven't been posting is because unfortunately, we've been in a Witness Protection program for the last 10 months.

HAH!  Did I get your attention?  I am just kidding!

Look for some exciting new changes in the VERY near future.  I'm going to give it my all and commit to posting at least once a week.  But, I will need your encouragement to keep going. 

Keep your eyes open!

Lia's big weekend

Lia got to go to Nana and Papa's trailer on the lake this weekend.  She went on the boat, went shopping, watched movies, got to paint for the first time, ate popcorn with Nana every night, and played on the swingset 90% of the time. 

I think Lia really enjoyed playing with Maddy the most.  Her family camps in the trailer next door to Nana and Papa's.  Maddy is 4 years old, which is great for Lia to be able to play with someone that's older than her.  They got to do big girl things together. 

Poor Shae didn't know what to do with herself.  Normally, Shae just wanders around and plays with Lia all day.  She spent a lot of time sitting on Mommy or Daddy's lap.  She was lost without her Big Sissy.  As much as Lia loved playing with Maddy, Lia was very anxious to see her "sissys" again.  I can't tell you how many times they've hugged each other since Lia's came home yesterday.

Mommy and Daddy got a little down-time too, which was nice.  Thanks to Nana and Papa!

The Zoo

As you already read, we went to the Toledo Zoo a couple of weeks ago.  What a beautiful zoo!  I was very impressed.  I think Don and I both agreed that we wouldn't go back to the Detroit Zoo after experiencing the Toledo Zoo. 

The Toledo Zoo was just so kid friendly (strollers and wagons were allowed in most exhibits.)  They seemed to try to make it very Disney-esque.  More of a themed layout.  The exhibits were very close together and there were a lot more food options.  They had 2 carousels and a train (they even had misters under the pavilion while you wait for the next train.)  Not to mention, everything was extremely clean! 

Our first meltdown came 5 hours into the Zoo.  Amazing!  At that point, we had seen 2/3 of everything, leaving the aquarium and the apes.  For fear of more meltdowns, we decided that we'd go back another time to see the rest.

The total cost for admission for our family was $27.  A little more than the Detroit Zoo, but, soooooo worth it!  If you haven't been, GO.

Photos

I feel like such a terrible mother.  I haven't taken any pics of the girls over the past 4 weeks when we've been out and about doing fun stuff.  We took the camera to the Toledo Zoo, but, I went to take the first photo, the batteries went dead.  Normally, I take extra batteries, but, not this time.  On the other hand, I know that we'll go back to the Toledo Zoo soon, so, I might have a second chance.  I'd like to take the girls to Domino Farms sometime this week, so, again, I might have a third chance.  Am I a terrible mother?

The true sanity test

Let me just start off by saying that it's so nice to have Don home for these 4 weeks before school starts up again.  But...we're going stir crazy!  The girls are bored and frankly there are times when we are too.  It's very easy for someone to say, "well get out and do something then," however, getting the girls ready to go somewhere and remember to take everything with us, is a bit more challenging than you might think it is.  Just imagine, this is only 1 week and 1 day along.  Uy, yuy, yuy...

Birthdays

No birthdays in August...woohoo! 

Two birthdays down, one to go.  For the sake of our lives getting back in order in Sept. (Don going back to school), we've decided to slim down the 1st birthday party a bit.  Just immediate family only this time.  And since her birthday's in Sept., I'm hoping it won't be a scorcher like Lia and Shae's both were.  We'll see.

Shae's 2nd Birthday (7/29)

6 more weeks

Brenna will be a year old in 6 weeks.  That means no more bottle and no more pacifier. 

It's liable to get pretty loud around here.  She is, by far, the loudest one in the house, for a good reason.  She's fighting the other 2 to be heard.  1/2 the reason we give her a paci is so that we can quiet her. 

As for the bottle, we didn't have a problem with either of the older girls when it was time to stop using the bottle as soon as they turned 1.  Brenna might be different though, because she's on soy formula.  I'm not quite sure how she will adapt to regular milk or if she'll have to have soy milk.  Anyone know how that works?

And then, any time now, her 1 year molars will come along. 

Please pray for us...I think we're in for it with this one.

Things to do

Now that Don will officially be on vacation after tomorrow (last day of summer school), I'm trying to come up with some things to do with the girls over the next 4 weeks, other than going to the various parks that surround us.  I know that one day we're going to visit the Toledo Zoo (waiting for an 80 degree or less day, if that's possible right now).  I would love to hear other ideas if anyone has the time.  (Keep in mind that we have 2 toddlers and a baby that can't walk yet.)  Thanks!