Lunch of Champions

Macaroni (made with some whole grains, mind you) and cheese with mixed veggies. Do they eat their mixed veggies plain anymore? No, they do not. Do they eat them mixed into mac & cheese? Yes, they do. Happy children, happy mom. ;-) We don't have this too often, but it's a nice "treat."
Reilly looks a little out of it, cause he just woke up...

It's rather cold and windy outside today, and it rained a lot of yesterday. Kind of sad - we had wonderful weather last week, and enjoyed it thoroughly! Wednesday and Thursday we went to the zoo (it was free week) for several hours each afternoon. Jaina liked the animals and anytime I would let her out of the stroller to walk around. That wasn't too often, because she doesn't seem to have much sense about where she shouldn't walk, and she doesn't listen AT ALL yet while walking. Reilly loved the lion, the monkeys, and giraffes. I liked the tiny baby monkey, the elephants, and the giraffes. Jeremy liked not having to come see the animals with us.
Here's a picture of our entourage the first day:
And here's Reilly the second day:
We also went to Nauvoo Saturday and got some temple time in before it closes for two weeks. It was a pretty, if slightly wet, day. Here is Reilly checking out some of the amazing flowers they have planted (some of which I have GOT to be allergic to):
Taking a walk out in front of the temple (I thought Jeremy took some of the temple with its flowers, but I guess not...):
Jaina after we ran for cover from the rainstorm:















So, an update on the Reilly-staying-in-his-room situation. I really appreciate all the comments and experiences everyone shared. It's nice to know at least we weren't alone in this! We decided to keep trying the method we were using (not talk to him at all when he gets up, just take him back to bed) and I added in talking to him about the rules for staying in bed and going to sleep when putting him to sleep. 3 out of the last 4 nights he hasn't gotten up. (after 2-3 evenings of the jack-in-the-box routine) The night he did keep getting up, there were a lot of people at our house, and even though we were in the basement, he knew it... But he seems to be doing well, so here's hoping. I'd really like to NOT have to lock his door somehow. (He can definitely open it; we keep it closed and he just quietly comes out anyway)
Also, he's been falling asleep more. In his car seat, at least. I'm guessing this has a lot to do with the nicer weather and all the exercise he's been getting. This was after the zoo the other day (he fell asleep in the car and Jeremy carried him in. Falling asleep on the couch wouldn't actually happen.):
This is his sister giving him "kisses" while he slept. I think she did eventually wake him, much to all our dismay. More often than not he wakes up really grumpy.
Despite that fact, I have decided to try to re-establish his nap. It has been dormant for months now. Yesterday we made him take a nap after church (he was exhausted). After 45 minutes of trying to come out of his room (I was camped outside the door with a book) he finally fell asleep for several hours. Today I made him have "quiet time" at about 11:30, a while after Jaina fell asleep. He fussed about it a lot, but didn't try to come out, and fell asleep and slept for 2.5 HOURS. Maybe this will work for us. I'll keep you updated, since I know you're all dying to know if he keeps napping or not. ;0)
I haven't said much about Jaina, but she is walking SO well now, asserting her will however she can, being picky as can be about food (yet still wanting to eat all the time), possibly working on her incisors now that her first set of molars is mostly through, making messes, and being adorable. I am in LOVE with this little girl! (it's a good thing, some days...)