A hot treat

What a beautiful and HOT weekend it was! We are excited that part of our little construction project is coming to an end, so the kids are finally getting their backyard back! We have missed being able to play on the swingset and in the playhouse- it has just been too dirty and messy back there for the kids to play. Now, since the construction has all moved inside, we can play a little bit when the temperatures aren't insane. Speaking of construction on the inside, Scott came in town this weekend to help Eric tear up our hardwood floors in the kitchen so that we can have the tile put down this week! Yay! The kids were sooooo excited to see Uncle Scott, and he was a huge help to Eric.  The guys worked all day and did such a good job- our contractor was quite impressed!  Here are a few pictures I took from the day...

Little Joys

In these 3 1/2 years of being a mom I have learned many, many things. I have become more patient, I don't plan ahead as much (because really you just never know what a day may bring!!), I never leave the house without toys, sippy cups, snacks, wipees, and "treats," if I want to be on time somewhere I have to plan on leaving at least 15 minutes before necessary so that MAYBE I will walk out the door on time, but most of all I have learned that there are SO many joys and blessings in every single day and all it takes is stopping a moment and paying attention to these precious kiddos. 

Some of the blessings and joys of this week are as simple as watching Grafton eat all of her lunch without me having to nag her, laughing at James as he climbs up on the chair and grabs the cord of the blinds so he can pull them up and down, and watching the kids play with their Doctor kit and taking turns pretending to be sick.  One day we had a camp out in the playroom during nap time...which of course resulted in no afternoon nap but lots of giggles and stories!  Today we went to the ice cream shop and filled up on ice cream and candy at noon, THEN went home for lunch....breaking the rules here and there can't hurt right?! I love watching the kids hug and cuddle, I never get tired of hearing Grafton say "I love you so much James-y boy!" and it makes me laugh as I watch James follow Grafton EVERYWHERE and copy EVERYTHING that she does.  My little joys include fun bath times, making silly faces at each other, reading the same book over and over, listening to Grafton make up bug songs, and taking naps with James.  As I think about all the little itty bitty fun moments of the day I realize that there is just sooooo much to be thankful for.  Even the bad moments aren't really so bad when I think of how blessed I am to be able to experience ALL of the moments with the kids each day.  I thank God that He has given me this opportunity to be a mother and that He has opened my eyes to so much more than just diapers, bottles, and lovies.

This is what I found one morning this week when I got out of the shower...the kids were piled into a laundry basket playing games! Funny way to start off the morning!

Our ice cream and candy lunch (sorry for the quality- taken with my phone). Doesn't this face crack you up? He is quite animated!

Nap time cuddles! James LOVES it when Grafton hugs on him. 

Dr. Graeber

This is how I found him watching TV one day

All smiles after nap time

I could just squeeze her all day

His first jersey! Needless to say he LOVES it!

A busy month

It has been nearly 3 weeks since I have posted anything, and I really don't know where the time has gone!!  This month has been insanely busy- between holidays, DeeDee moving, construction on our house, friends' birthday parties, camp, VBS, and getting ready for Price to get here- I feel like I barely have a free moment! The kids have been great with all this construction going on, but it is very very difficult to deal with all the banging, all the dust, all the workers in and out, and all the "stuff" laying around that kids can get into.  We were under the impression that our little addition/renovation would be coming to an end around now, but instead it is looking like the end may come around the week that Price makes her appearance in a month!!  Oh the joys of construction!

I haven't taken many pictures of the kids over the past few weeks, but I did sneak a few in a couple of weeks ago when we went to an adventure place with some friends. It was our first time to try it out- there are lots of bounce houses, plasma cars, riding machines, and toys for the kids to play with.  It was a fantastic time with some sweet friends, and both kids really had a blast and were worn out afterwards!  Here are a few pictures I was able to snap--

A bittersweet pool day

Yesterday marked our last pool day at DeeDee's house, since she is moving to a new house today with no pool.  The kids will definitely miss her beautiful home and fantastic pool; they have really enjoyed it this summer! We had one last pool day yesterday and it may have been the most fun we have had in it all summer.  What a great way to say goodbye to that little piece of paradise and look forward to the new, fun memories to be made beginning today in her new place! Praise God for the joy he puts in these children's hearts that serves as a reminder of His love and presence in every moment!

Happy 4th of July!

This year we celebrated the 4th of July in a different way than we usually do. Normally we are cooking out, pool-side, with friends and family, and spend all day eating yummy food and anticipating the fireworks that night.  Instead, we spent time with friends and family moving some boxes and furniture to Mom's new house and remembering how blessed we all are to have some amazing people in our life and to live in a great country.  I was determined to continue some of our usual traditions for the kids, so I braved the heat to take them to the children's parade on the square, I picked up burgers (since grilling out wasn't an option!) for everyone who helped move, and spent some good cuddle time with the kids during naps (since I am obviously in no condition to pick up heavy boxes!).  We went to a cook-out with some sweet friends that afternoon, then headed to the grove for some kid activities before calling it a night.  We missed out on fireworks this year....Grafton is currently afraid of them after her experience at the Grizzlies game with Eric this past Spring, but we did catch a few different displays on TV before bedtime.  Although it was a different day than usual, we still had a fantastic time and were reminded all day of the love and friendship that surrounds us all.

At the parade on the square

Cooking out with friends!

Petting zoo in the Grove

My "Super Mom" attempt

In an attempt to be Super Mom, I decided to brave the heat and take the kids to the zoo this morning!  For some reason, Mondays are always our best days.  The kids are always super happy on Monday mornings, they play well together all day, and by the end of the day I am left thinking "Gosh, this is a piece of cake...bring on baby Price!"  Granted by Friday morning I am praying that Eric will surprise me and stay home to help me with these rascals because I am exhausted, and Monday morning is a distant memory!  So this Monday morning I surprised the kids with a trip to the zoo, and they were both so good and had such a fun time!  If only I wasn't 7 1/2 months pregnant then it would have been a whole lot easier for me, but even waddling around with these two kiddos was really a lot of fun.  It was a full day, I'm exhausted, but I am also so proud of my kids for being easy and precious for me and proud of myself for braving the trip! 

On a side note, I will admit that I got lots of funny looks as I pushed around the double stroller with my big ole belly.  I had several comments like "Oh gosh, another one on the way?!" and "Wow, will that be 3 under 3?!" (no, 3 under 4 by the way)  and "Oh you poor thing!" It was comical at times, but we survived!!  Here are some pictures from my day...