We are BA-AAACK!

We are home from our almost 2 week long vacation... but, more on that later.

I am so glad to be back in my bed, in my house, eating home-cooked food, and getting back to my normal life.  I do miss the beach - A LOT. 

Maybe I can have Ryan build a beach in my backyard.  That way we can enjoy the comfort of our home with all the luxuries of the beach. 

Eh, probably not. 

Yesterday, we had a little celebration with just our family for Ryan's birthday. The kids got him a remote controlled helicopter (Christian has one already, so its something they can do together).   I got him and CK, both, four private golf lessons.  Then ran a few errands and took Ryan out for a birthday lunch.  While we were outside of the store waiting on Ryan, I heard CK tell Tay to eat a "cigar" (cigarette) that was on the ground.  I put him in time-out and turned around to see Tay spit something out of her mouth.  I quickly looked at the cigarette, which was still there.  Whew, right?!  Not quite.  I saw this, instead...

Old black gum with two fresh fingernail marks running through it.

Yep, she tasted it.

So, I put her in time-out, too.

They both look completely devastated about their punishment, huh?

Today, I woke up at 8:30 a.m. in order to get a few things done before the kids got up.  I went and checked on the kids and saw Tay's bedroom door wide open... but where was Taylor Rose?

  

I thought, "Where could she be?  She wasn't in Christian's room.  I didn't see her on my walk across the house.  Maybe she is with Ryan somewhere?  In the garage?  Out front?!?! Oh, gosh.  Kinda getting worried here."  (All of that crossed my mind in about 1/8 of a second) 

Then I remembered seeing the pantry door open.  Maybe she was digging around in there.

I walked into the kitchen and found this:

What a BIG  girl!!!  And she got herself two yogurt cups to mark the occasion!  I was so impressed and proud!  She didn't go in CK's room to wake him up, didn't get into anything, no messes, nothing destroyed... just a little angel. 

So, I turned on PBS Kids and left her to finish her breakfast while I went to brush my teeth. 

Not but just a few minutes later, I returned to this...

She had polished her entire stool using her yogurt.  Luckily, Bam was very willing to help with the clean up.  I may have jumped the gun a bit and slightly overestimated her trustability.

I gave her a little bit of dry cereal to keep her occupied while I cleaned up, then turned around to see she had dumped it all on the carpet. 
I might need more dogs to help me keep up with this kid.

WHAT A HANDFUL AND A HALF!!!