Back to a Routine!

This weekend, we had 85 of our relatives join us in Grapevine for a wonderful family reunion. With a weekend full of swimming, playing, HOT weather, shopping, eating, and good old conversation everyone was off schedule. Once we got home yesterday, the kids were cranky around 3:00...maybe because I just then realized I forgot to feed them lunch! We were so caught up in all the family fun, we were lucky enough to get some sleep here and there. To a full week of recovery...

100

Today's High: 100
Heat Index: 104
Pool Temperature: 93
Happy Kids: 3

Smart Summer

Summertime is always a challenge for keeping kids in learning mode. You can only join so many reading clubs (Half Price Books has a great one going), visit so many museums, and practice writing so many ways. I am always looking for creative ways to keep their juices flowing. Fruit kabobs are a great way to practice patterns and repetition, while you have help preparing those play-date snacks at the same time!

Big's Turn!

We knew it would take no time at all, with the pressure of seeing Little cruise the streets. After Daddy found this bike for sale on our neighborhood message board for only $5 (I would have easily paid $50) and in PERFECT condition, Big was riding his bike without training wheels in less than 30 minutes!

Up Close and Personal

As another mom said "We picked the hottest day of the year to ride in the back of a pickup truck!" But looking back it was well worth it. Another fabulous road trip to Fossil Rim. Kids over 2 showed their bravery and rode in the back of the truck, not afraid to hand-feed the animals. We were hot, sweaty, and smiling!

More up close and personal photos!

Splish Splash

Trying to stay cool from this Texas heat, we headed out to the neighborhood mini-version water park. It was Ms. Pink's first visit...definitely love at first sight for this water bug. The boys were a big help holding her hand and pushing her down the slides. After 3 hours of fun, we were all ready for a quick dinner and bed.

Pate Museum

If you know me at all, I cannot pass a museum that is open, missing the opportunity to expose my children to some type of learning experience. The Pate Museum is about an hour west of DFW. Full of planes, cars, boats and thing that go, it brought back wonderful memories of a museum we visited in Helsinki. Admission is "donation only" and per my husband, the museum has lost many attractions he remembers 28 years ago. Still worth the stop!

For 50+ photos of the entire weekend...click here!

Family, Farm, Fun

We headed towards west Texas this weekend so the kids could meet a set of great-grandparents we have only known through Christmas cards. They had the best of times riding their 4-wheeler, feeding the long-tailed sheep, and climbing on the tractor. A perfect weekend for just getting dirty, one of our favorite things to do. We are so grateful to finally meet them and for the quality time with another set of grandparents from Ohio.

I'm A Pepper

We stopped off for the 118th birthday celebration of the oldest Dr. Pepper bottler in the small town Dublin, now Dr. Pepper, TX! The boys both tried their first soda ever (aside from an Ocean Water from Sonic) and loved it. We were afraid the pure cane sugar and caffeine would get to them but an energy boost was not noticed. After checking out the carnival and enjoying a slice of birthday cake...our road trip continued.

Soccer Camp take 2...

The camp finished up this morning and each participant was rewarded with a British soccer tee and certificate. Even though we were rained our yesterday with over 8 inches of torrential downpour and 3100+ lightening strikes in a 1 hour period (that is NOT a typo), the boys still enjoyed their first taste of soccer. They learned enough basics to play on a league next fall (if willing) and also realized we have the cutest cheerleading sister!

Little has a first, FIRST!

When you have 2 boys only 14 months apart, competition is a given. And in MOST cases, Big is the first to succeed...writing, reading, will go to Kindergarten first, tying shoes, etc. So when Little rode his bike today without training wheels, the guy could not stop smiling. Big was frustrated and tried himself, but God blessed him with more brains than athletic ability.

We are in the middle of baking a special cake for dessert to celebrate his accomplishment and I am sure the next few days Big will succeed too. Until then, Little has finally had a first, FIRST!

Soccer Camp take 1...

Soccer camp is half over! The boys have learned to dribble, pass, what part of the foot to use and when, the importance of water breaks, creative ways of stretching and not to mention how to pout, sit on the ball, and lose your power bar treat during water breaks. I have learned 90 minutes is a LONG time to keep any ones attention (especially kids 4 and 5 years), how to take away the power bar treat if you refuse to play, and what to do with a crying 4 year old during camp.

Austin City Limits

Road trip #2 complete...we took a short 2 day trip down I-35 to visit our cousins and enjoy Austin. After dinner at Rudy's, a trip to Austin Children's Museum, a peek at Town Lake, and quality time in with the buddies, we headed back home. It was too quick but well worth the time.