The Rollins Report

Monday, May 26, 2014

What a weekend!

As the title suggests, it was an action-packed weekend! (I guess that makes sense, due to it being a three-day weekend.) Saturday morning, we went out to Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch. I had bought a Groupon a few weeks ago, and this seemed like the perfect time! We got there shortly after it opened at ten, and made it just in time for the train ride! On the train, we drove out to different parts of the ranch to see different animals, including: zebras, horses, camels, an emu, deer and others! Some of them, such as the horses and camels, we were allowed to pet, others, not so much. It was really cool. Jack was sitting next to me and at one point, looked up at me with the biggest grin on his face!

After the train, we saw some bears, then made our way over to one of the animal experiences. There was a man there with (gulp) snakes! We got to see an albino cobra and then had the opportunity to pet a different snake. I declined that opportunity, but Justin did it! He was so proud of himself for petting the "nake", as he calls it. The next thing to see were some kangaroos, a two-toed sloth and some monkeys!

The last thing we did was visit the petting zoo. David got a couple of cups of food so that the boys could feed the goats. Jack wanted nothing to do with it at first and was quite upset whenever a goat approached him. (Which, since he wanted to hold the food, happened quite a bit.) Justin loved feeding and petting the goats, and Jack did warm up to it. The whole experience was really neat and I'm so glad that we went!

The boys and I at Sharkarosa

Justin petting one of the goats

Don't touch my cup, goat!

The boys spent the night with my parents Saturday night, so David and I had a date night and a chance to sleep in. Although I'm so used to waking up early, the sleeping in part didn't really happen for me. Oh well. Before going to pick up the boys, we pulled out their cribs/mattresses/sheets and high chairs to send to a new home. As expectant parents to their second set of twins, they were happy to have our stuff and I was thrilled to have it out of our guest room!

The boys' old stuff, ready for a new home!

Sunday afternoon, after nap time, I attempted to do some shopping with the boys. They were grabbing stuff, fighting and in general, not listening. Suffice it to say, the experience was not pleasant. In fact, I wound up leaving two stores with no merchandise, due to being so frustrated with their behavior. I had to sit in the car for a few minutes and have a good cry, while the boys were in their seats, watching the portable DVD player in our car. Luckily, with the help of Starbucks, ABBA and a phone call from a good friend, we made it home in one piece and with me in a better mood.

This morning, my watch battery stopped, so I needed a trip to the mall to get it replaced. Jack and I decided to make it a mother-son date. While walking down to the jewelry repair shop, we spotted a train driving around the mall. Since we had about a thirty minute wait for the watch, we decided to ride the train. Jack loved it! We enjoyed waving to everyone and I might have taught him the "royal wave." After the train ride, we went to Starbucks and he had his first Starbucks beverage! (Don't worry, it was apple juice!) I got the barista to call Jack's name and give the drink to him. I could tell he was really excited.

Riding the mall train!

After their non-nap this afternoon, I wanted to visit the Veterans' Memorial at Frisco Commons Park, plus take the boys to the playground. Once we got to the park, we walked around, saw the memorial and I couldn't resist taking a picture! Walking around some more, we were standing at a railing overlooking a pond. We spotted three turtles swimming, which was really cool. (There were fish too, but they weren't as exciting.) I then did take them to the playground there, which is always a hit! Whew! I think I need another weekend to recuperate from my weekend!

Visiting the Veterans' Memorial

Sunday, November 10, 2013

I Love a Parade!

The boys' new school (that's another story for another day!) had signs up a couple of weeks ago advertising the upcoming Veteran's Day parade and saying that we could participate with the school! I inquired about it, thinking that the boys would get a charge out of being in the parade. Mom got coordinating sweatshirts, and we were ready!

We found their float & school bus over by the soccer stadium and then we waited......a lot. Our group was number 62 in the parade, so there were a lot of people in front of us! We were near a couple of marching bands, the boys loved watching them! (So did I!) It was nice getting to talk with the different staff as we were waiting our turn. Finally, it was our turn! We were walking with the stroller, in between the float and the bus. As we made our way towards Main Street, I already saw people that I knew!

We encouraged the boys to wave, they did some. My parents were along the parade route, taking pictures. The boys definitely enjoyed seeing them! I definitively saw lots of people that I knew, and thoroughly enjoyed the parade! As we were turning to head back to the soccer stadium, the driver of the truck (pulling the float), helped us put the stroller in the bed of the truck with David and I sitting on the floor, holding on.

Unfortunately, there was not a lot of room back there in the bed of the truck, so the two military veterans who were on the seat back there offered me a spot between them. I started to climb around the stroller, when one of the guys grabbed under my arms and hoisted me onto the seat. Well, that's one way to do it! They were fun and we all enjoyed visiting with them until it was decided that the driver wanted to go faster, so we wound up switching over to the school bus. The staff (still associated with the boys' school) were very helpful and even held the boys while we boarded. In fact, Justin sat with two of the teachers in the seat in front of where David, Jack and I sat.

We went back to the school, and someone came up with two car seats so they could give us a ride. We had been invited to lunch with the group, so we decided to go! After we ate, someone gave David a ride to our car and he picked the boys and I up at the restaurant. It was so much fun, going to lunch with the staff, including teachers, office staff, the director and even the owners! In fact, they even paid for our lunch! It was a great (albeit exhausting) day and I really enjoyed it!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Ready, set, go!

Saturday was a very busy day for us! We started off at the pediatrician's office, getting flu shots for the boys. Actually it was the flu mist, but they did great, and then it was back in the car to head to the PAMOM fall party at the pumpkin patch! Even better, the pumpkin patch was at our church! The boys had a blast with so much to do: hayride, maze, bounce houses and games. Plus visiting with other families of multiples! We took David's fancypants camera and got some great pictures!

After we took our big group picture, it was time to head home for lunch and the boys' naps. After they woke up, I took them to my parents' house for a slumber party! David and I had tickets to the FC Dallas game. It was my first soccer match and I had a great time! We got some souvenirs, ate some stadium food, and I particularly enjoyed the drums that they had at the game. Perhaps a new career for me once I retire? (Not anytime soon!)

After the game, we headed over to the Lemon Bar, site of Wednesday night live band karaoke! The band that plays on Wednesdays was also playing Saturday, and I really, really enjoyed listening to them! And we all know I was singing along to everything. I may have been dancing, too! After awhile, though, the busyness of the day caught up with us and we headed home.

Sunday morning, after getting the boys from my parents, the four of us headed out to Las Colinas for a photo shoot! A friend of mine from high school is a photographer and had a great deal on mini-sessions! The sessions were at a really neat place, and we enjoyed it. The boys were absolutely wonderful (for toddlers anyway!) during the session and my friend was a real pro at getting their attention and coaxing smiles! I've seen a peek at some of the pictures and they look amazing! Afterwards, we headed to McDonald's as a reward for the boys. They loved playing on the playground!

After all that, I think I need another weekend to recuperate!

Sunday, September 08, 2013

September!?!??

So the summer went by in a blur! My last day of work for the school year was June 13th, and I went back to work on August 8th. We kept pretty busy, though! Here are some pictures of the fun!

Now it's September, school is back in full swing and now it's time to bring on Fall!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Spring Fling

David, the boys and I headed to PAMOM's spring fling. Here are some fun pictures of the festivities!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Chuck E. Cheese & CooCoos

Mom and I thought it might be fun to take the boys to Chuck E Cheese. I looked it up and found that they had a toddler area. We decided to go at ten in the morning, when it wasn't busy. They checked us in, Mom got some tokens and we tried the boys on some rides. They only liked a couple of them, the rest they cried and wanted off. After walking around, looking at games, eating some pizza and meeting Chuck E. Cheese, we decided they would enjoy the place better when they are a little older.

Next, we decided to try taking them to CooCoos. It's a place full of inflatable stuff for kids to play on. Some of it was too old for them, other stuff they liked. Justin is fearless and will try anything, Jack is more cautious. I got some great pictures of the fun. Enjoy!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Saturday on the Town!

We had a busy Saturday! The four of us went to the Sci-Tech Discovery center. There were two exhibits, Bodies in Balance and the Coordination Station. Both were very interactive, but the boys liked the coordination exhibit better. I'm guessing because a lot of it had to do with rolling balls around in different stations. They even had little step stools so that kids the boys' size could play with the exhibit, too!

After we left there, we tried a new place for lunch, the Pizzeria Testa! It was great! They brought out the pizza for the boys really quickly, which we appreciated. The boys loved it! Justin kept asking for a "bite" of David's tea. He'd give him a sip, Justin would make a funny face, but he still wanted more!

After their nap, we headed out to a birthday party. One of their classmates at school was turning two, so we joined in the celebration! It was nice to be able to put parents' faces with the kids (and to learn what the names were, since we're still pretty new to the class.) They played with toys, ate cake and got fun goody bags! Then my mom met us back at home so David and I could have a date night. But that's another story for another day!