More to my list

So another thing I failed to mention...I have done many of these things with my kids...camping, going to parks, play dates, etc. But I want to make sure I have a list of fun things to do with them when I will be with them all the time. So even though I've done some of these things, they are still being added to my list, because it will be different because I won't have to worry about working or taking time off to do them. Make sense?? And don't get me wrong, I love my job. I don't regret working because it has helped us make it while Brian is in school full time. But I have always longed to be home with my kids, seeing them grow and giving them the time and attention they need. They couldn't have a better babysitter than they do now. But she's not their mom. I try my best to live in the moment, but it's difficult NOT to imagine what life will be like when I don't have to work anymore! Especially as the time draws nearer! It will be a huge change and a huge adjustment! I'm so excited! Here's some more of my list!

33. go to every park in town
My sister and I try to go to different parks and let our kids play. We like to make sure they are free from obnoxious teenagers, have safe toys that our kids can actually climb and play on, etc. I may not go to EVERY park in town, because there are some that are in scary areas! But we will definitely check out many parks in our area.

34. BK lunch play dates
I'm not a huge fan of McDonalds. Hayden loves burger king's chicken nuggets. And both kids love the play area. Last time we were there we had to drag Quinn out screaming...

35. Chik-fil-a lunch play dates
Same as above. We love Chik-fil-a!!!!

36. library story time
I was going to try doing this when I was on maternity leave with Kahlan, but I was too busy. This is another thing I envy that mom's get to do with their kids.

37. arts and crafts
You know those events that JoAnne does on occasion, or Home Depot? Where you make a birdhouse or whatever? I want to take my kids to those.

38. church play group
My awesome friend Ashley picks up Hayden every Wednesday for our ward playgroup. I'm so glad she does this. I want to go someday so I can meet the other mom's in our ward!

39. Join a mom’s group
I know there's other mom's groups out there that do play dates and other fun things. It would be a fun way for me to make new friends as well!

40. Try out homeschooling???
The reason for the question marks on this one is because I've tried to convince Brian to let me home school the kids, but he's not too keen on that idea. But I'm not giving up. I want to at least be able to try. We'll see what happens.

41. swimming all afternoon
This reminds me of my childhood. We spent all summer in the pool. We would go back to school with dark brown skin and blond streaked hair from the sun. I have great memories of learning to swim, and dive and swim underwater. If we live somewhere hot, this will be how we spend our summers!

42. splash pad
Again, if we stay here, or move somewhere equally as hot, during the summer water is required.

43. camp out in back yard
We did this with our cousins. Looking back it probably was easier on my aunts and uncles to shove all the kids in the backyard rather than make room for sleeping in the house! I loved it though, we always had a blast!

44. play in the sprinklers
See #41 and #42

45. wash the car as a family
We rarely wash our car. It gets very neglected. I've seen my friends post pictures on facebook or on their blogs of the whole family washing their car. It looks like fun.

46. story time at home
We do reading charts and try to read often with Hayden. This is something I would like to continue. We love books.

47. Bedtime stories
This is something we don't normally do, but I would like to start!

48. Bedtime songs
I often sing primary songs to Quinn to calm her down before bed. It's not always a part of the bedtime routine though.

49. Bathtime fun
Turning the water different colors, playing with shaving cream...the possibilities are endless!

50. movie nights
We do this on occasion. The other day we got The Odd Life of Timothy Green from redbox and watched it with Hayden. It was fun!

51. puppet theater
I drive passed the great Arizona puppet theater every day. I remember going there for a friend's birthday party. I want to take my kids there!

52. Sock puppets
I have a bag of  stray socks that are just waiting to be turned into puppets!

53. zoo
We love the zoo! Hayden loves the reptiles and the sting ray petting area. I love the tigers. Quinn loves it all. It's been a while since we've been there...

54. jump street
Or any place we can go to jump on trampolines!

55. ice skating
The kids might be a little young for this right now...But I think we could take Hayden at least.

56. roller skating
Or roller blading. But again...I don't know how old they should be for this. Especially if they get their mother's clumsiness!

57. bike riding
We got Hayden a bike recently. We need to get out there and take him bike riding! And teach Quinnie how to pedal!

58. walking the dog

59. picnic in the park
I picture a picnic basket and a red gingham blanket and lots of yummy food!

60. picnic in the backyard
Same as above.

61. listening to my classical music cds
When I was in 6th grade and joined band I got really into classical music. I loved sharing the songs with my parents and telling them the history behind it. I want my children to be familiar with classical music as well

62. dance party
I will be honest: I cannot dance. But that doesn't mean my kids won't be able to. Quinn loves to dance. We will have plenty of opportunities for her to practice those moves. I picture the girls on The Perfect Man. I love the scene when they all start dancing together.

63. activities at the mall
One day while walking into the mall I looked at a bulletin that had a list of activities for kids at the mall. Of course they were during the week while I worked. I vowed that someday I would take my kids to something like that!

64. activities at the library

65. activities at YMCA

66. activities listed in newspaper
I think they are usually listed in the Arizona Living section of the paper.

67. playing in the rain
I love the rain. My sisters and I take walks in the rain. At my old job, whenever it rained my friend Mandi and I would run outside and dance in it, then come back inside soaked! I have pictures of Hayden and I dancing in a 5 minute monsoon storm.

68. outside water painting
Somewhere I read that you can take a shower liner and use it for a canvas for watercolor paints

69. Lego's
Both older kids love to build stuff.

70. dress up
Quinn especially loves to wear dress up heels and dresses and jewelry. But Hayden does like to steal my uggs and wear my soft jacket!

71. fort building

72. water parks

73. hikes
My sisters know how much I hate hiking, so it's kind of a big deal that I put this on my list. Just because I dislike doing something doesn't mean my kids have to dislike it. So I will try to take them on some hikes. Easy ones because I am a wimp.

74. nature walks
I think our "hikes" may be more of nature walks...but I will keep them separate on the list anyways.

75. bird watching
I was reading a friend's blog where she talked about doing this with her son. I've never bird watched before, it sounds like a nice, peaceful way to enjoy nature and learn about the creatures around us!