Big Hair winner!!!!!

Seriously looks likes this everytime she wakes up. I LOVE HER!!!!!

After.

First of many trips to the zoo this season

Our zoo is only open in the summer and the official start date was this week! We couldn't keep ourselves away. We had a great time and I am positive that this is the first of MANY zoo posts. And you can count on the fact that if anyone wants to come visit us..... We will for sure take you to our zoo.

It is standard that EVERY time we go to the zoo we get a bug picture.

As like last year..... The peacocks are still obsessed with Lulu. It is quite scary the way they flock to her. And she just yells..... "Oh NO the COCKS are coming!"

Ruthie feeding the giraffe's. Lulu has always been hesitant but was very interested in getting to know them this year. Not going to push it all in one day.

Also got to see our new brick for this year. We like to be supporting members of the community especially something that we use so frequently. The girls love looking for their bricks!

*** Also would like to point out that Ruthie always gets herself dressed in the morning. And lately the Team Bisson shirt has taken 1st place! Who cares that it is too small. It makes me proud.

Birthday Party in Cleveland

Ruthie likes to pack her own stuff and nothing ever gets left behind.

Last weekend we headed to Cleveland for My best friend Kelly's son's birthday party on Saturday. Lulu and Jack are 2 weeks apart. So we always come home for Jacks birthday and then have our birthday party the next day. Lots of partying, lots of cake. Good times.

Birthday girls

The girls opted for another swimming party like last year. The love going to the rec center pool especially with their uncle Kevin. We were very blessed to have many wonderful family and friends come to help celebrate. The girls love seeing everyone and talk about them all the time when we are away.

Lulu loved the Ugg flip flops from Katie and also the personalized buckeye towel. They already used it for swim lessons here in Michigan and as you can imagine it is a HUGE hit.

I initially was going to have my friend make cupcakes for the girls, but once the girls saw the cake book in the grocery store they were ALL about picking out their own "cheesy" cake. And since they each get their own cake. They will never have to share. It is bad enough their birthday's are so close. But no shared cake! Ruthie - Chocolate. Lulu - BA-Nilla.

Yeah, totally had 2 BOY cakes for my daughters party. These are EXACTLY what they wanted even with all the princesses and barbie cakes. Nope, not for them. 2 boy cakes! Awesome!

Simon and I even were able to have a night out while in Cleveland. We hit a great happy hour then went to Kelly and Justin's and built a large fire in the backyard. It was great to catch up!

Afternoon of golf and napping

While researching how we are all going to be a family that golf together (Ruthie had me at the store today with all of her money from her piggy bank trying to buy golf clubs). The girls sat on Daddy's lap to watch some golf.

For me golf on TV has ALWAYS been a snoozefest. Love the sport, but honestly if I ever have a hard time taking a nap, I always turn on a good golf game and watch or snooze away.

I learned from the best. My Papa always snoozed through golf on Saturday afternoon.

Easter Sunday

We had a wonderful easter morning with an indoor easter egg hunt and looking for baskets. Then we went to church. We were at church for 2 hours and the girls were ANGELS.

They are normally well behaved. (Simon's standards, I usually get really uptight at church and do not tolerate bad behavior. Side story: One week I was particulary emotional feeling that the girls were not good. Too many requests to go out for water. Death of dehydration at church is common.... Lo and behold, we go to the grocery store after church and someone stopped us that saw us at church and commented to us how wonerfully the girls behaved and how they wished their children behaved that good. (Simon was holding back the "I told you so" but had a huge grin of victory)

Anyhoo, great day put off the brunch to enjoy the beautiful weather and had brunch for dinner. Couldn't get any great pics of the girls except for on my camera phone.

Coloring Eggs and Egg Hunt

We colored eggs the other night. We actually tried a new thing with egg painting them. Just as much fun as the old stick them in the cup of color and vinegar.

Also, went to an Easter Egg hunt. Ruthie loved running after all the eggs and Lulu loved taking her time with daddy. Too bad neither of them really like candy. Lulu doesn't like chocolate and all they wanted was the starburst. Left tons of yummy stuff for mommy. Maybe that isn't so bad.

A Family That Golf's Together...

A few weeks ago wihle having some pleasant weather we went to the club for dinner and while driving past the golf course Ruthie spotted a family of 4 with kids who looks to be her size or a few years older (granted Ruthie looks like your typical 6 year old) playing golf. She was immediately focused on SHE needed to play golf just like that family of 4 and we could all golf together for family fun night. She enjoys hitting the ball around the yard and manages to connect sometimes and really sends it flying!

We are going to sign her and Lulu up for golf lessons through First Tee and hopefully we can be that family that golfs together.

Until the lessons start they will just play with daddy in the yard.

Adventures of Michigan

First, every night lately whenever I have to get up, I like to look out of the big picture window in our bedroom. Every time I look out the window I am amazed at the wildlife. Eight deer have been hanging out in our front yard holding court every night I look out. One night I looked out and tried to take a picture but it wouldn't work throught the window.

In the morning when I let Guernsey out they crossed the street and just taunted him from across the street. CRAZY.

Also, we counted 12 Wild Turkey in our neighbors backyard the other day. Didn't have the camera.

Last, the snowman was built by Ruthie and I on Monday night after we had a few inches of snow. Lulu being sick couldn't help, but we let her put on the scraf and be in the picture.

Gotta love the crazy Midwest!

Michigan

What people in Michigan don't really understand is that this shirt is totally normal. Highly acceptable and usually sells out in any store. So, when 3 years ago we announced we were moving to Michigan you can understand everyone's doom of a response. Also, when we go to Cleveland/Columbus for a visit and tell people where we live the same moans and groans happen too!

Go Ohio State Buckeyes!

Chicago Trip

Before we were struck down with the Flu we went to Chicago for 3 days. The girls were ecstatic to see Grammy Ruthie (my grandmother, Ruthie's namesake) That is all Ruthie wanted to do for her birthday. Ruthie packed her own bag of toys and blankey's and of course has to have sunglasses just like daddy.

We stayed a block away from the Water Tower and were lucky enough to see Katie and Pingu who were in town while Tim had business in Chicago. We went to the Shedd Aquarium, which was alot of fun, with Katie and Pingu. Ruthie really got into it. And at times Lulu was excited but a little overwhelmed with "The people". As you can imagine the major amounts of people in the big city compared to here!

Another HUGE draw was American Girl. Lulu has a bitty baby named "Annie" that she got for Christmas that she ADORES. And Ruthie was in pursuit for a Bitty Baby just like Annie. She has a different bitty baby already.

The girls loved American Girl. Ruthie especially since she sleeps with the catalog on many nights! She loves the Ruthie doll and thinks it is also cool there is a Molly doll. Lulu was disappointed there wasn't a Lulu doll. We'll have to call someone about that. Ruthie really wanted to take the double stroller home. We convinced her that it was just for the store to play with!

Ruthie doll in purple is right next to Molly in the store!

Lulu took her baby to the hospital since she spends so much time at the hospital/doctor and her baby needed her head buffed! She was extremely nervous about that!

Ruthie and Lulu loved watching the dolls get their hair done.

We were in the store for about an hour and a half. Then the wheels started to fall off.... Ruthie hit rock bottom. At one point she laid down on the floor and said she was too tired to move.

This picture was taken after we peeled her off the floor.

In the end. Lulu wanted nothing (except for a doll named Lulu) but we convinced her to get a pair of pajamas just like her Annie's. Ruthie picked out a baby just like Lulu's (great, at least we know which one is which since Lulu has banged her babies head a few times too many.) And pajamas.

After the store, we ran right home threw them in the bath, and new pajamas had dinner and the girls were in bed by 6pm. That 1 hour time change apparently really rocked their world.

Last, we had planned on taking them for a special birthday lunch with their babies on Friday at American Girl. They do this awesome lunch/dinner, but with people starting to feel bad and exhaustion setting in that did not happen. The girls were up early and cranky so we just opted to pass on the special lunch and do it another time.

Turns out our wonderful friends Vicki and Tony as a surprise had arranged for the girls with American Girl to pay for the lunch as a surprise for all of Team Bisson. What a huge disappointment. We were so touched, and felt horrible that we didn't make it to lunch. We didn't find out about the arrangements until we got home to Michigan. Hopefully the next time we plan it we can go WITH Vicki and Tony in NYC. (on our list of things to do).

Illness Strikes Again!!

OHHH I am so at the point of screaming! We are sick AGAIN!!!!!!!!

This has been a horrible year for Team Bisson. Lulu spiked a fever this weekend and her fevers are usually bad. So when is has been at or above 103 for 3 days it is time to call the doctor. I made them run every test on her. Of course, she just got over pnemonia not 4 weeks ago, so my mind immediately goes there. Nope. Not there.

THE FLU.

Seriously. I had the flu last year and it was the sickest I have ever been IN MY LIFE. Childbirth was a breeze compared to how sick I got. I should have known when all she wants to do is sleep all day. And was sleeping 13+ hours at night.

In reviewing the list of this years illnesses I think we have them all covered. Ear infections, strep, bronchitis, pnemonia, bladder/kidney infection, flu, now granted these are all minor when I think about some things that families go through so that is bringing me peace of mind that really this is nothing. Also, the fact that I am at home with them and not having to stress about vacation/sick time is a true blessing (always have to find the silver lining!)

It just gets old being stuck in the house with sick kids. How many video's can a person watch, books be read, and pictures to paint/color? My kids are the kind of kids that need to run!!!!

I have very good eaters, they love their fruit and vegetables, drink tons of milk, and eat meat and fish! They drink plenty of fluids and get 12+ hours of sleep at night plenty of excercise. Simon keeps the house immaculate. Vacuuming and sanitizing daily. (you know Simon and his cleaning - I am truly blessed) Why oh why do we catch EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

I think it is Guernsey who is the carrier. Darn Dog!

(in sticking with Simon's rule no posts without pictures here are some from a recent photo shoot)

Happy Birthday Lulu - 3 Years Old!

Happy Birthday Lulu! This was a big year for Lulu! Some accomplishments

getting a big girl bed

riding her bike with training wheels

loving music class

enjoying her special mommy time

identifying all her colors and letters

spelling her name

Lulu is so cautious. She loves spending time in her comfort zone of her home and with the people she trusts the most. She takes a while to warm up to people and when in a new situation usually becomes extremely quiet and most times will not speak. Those who she lets in to her circle quickly learn that she is so loving and sweet. She is positively daddy's girl and has convinced him that she cannot do anything without his help. From this aspect she is (I think) extremely intelligent. Watch out though, she does have a destructive side. No house plant, flower, or plants are safe! This I feel is going to be a really big year for Lulu as she hopefully becomes more independent and confident!

Happy Birthday Ruthie - 4 Years Old!!!!

Happy Birthday Ruthie. What a Huge year this was for Ruthie. Some accomplishments...

Riding a bike without training wheels

turning into a BMX trickster on her bike

snowboarding

starting school

writing her name

making new friends at school

becoming an even better big sister than she already was

crazy flips and tricks on her swingset

loving church and learning her prayers, proudly saying them

Hugely adventurous and majorly independent

established her own sense of fashion

This has been a huge year for Ruthie. She is so independent and ready for any new adventure. She is so caring and helpful and a wonderful, loving big sister. She has taken on a HUGE infatuation with Little Miss Sunshine. Rather fitting because she truly is out Little Miss Sunshine.