Beating the Heat

At Pump it Up last week. As usual, Maggie had a blast doing everything the boys do.

Because their moms forgot to communicate that morning, the boys ended up in matching shirts. They loved it!

And matching swim suits/shirts at the water park...I didn't get a picture of their matching outfits at church on Sunday!

Maggie on her way down from being thrown for about the 100th time that day!

Poor baby played so hard at the water park-this is leaving the parking lot.

It's next to impossible to beat the heat here this summer, but so far our favorite options are Pump It Up and the water park. There's only so much playing in a plastic pool or running through sprinklers one can do! We've also just started swim lessons with both the kids and their friends Ethan and Tyler, so hopefully I'll be able to take them swimming more by myself once that's over. For now they're too much for me to handle without another set of hands (and eyes!).

We also celebrated my Dad's birthday last Saturday. Happy Birthday Chief! I didn't grow up close to my grandfather, so it makes it even more special watching my kids with theirs. I was working on a project for his birthday and I was looking back through a bunch of old pictures from when Will was a baby. I thought I'd post a few since he didn't get his first two years captured on a blog!

Will at 5 days old. This was the picture for his birth announcement

He still makes this face when he's either deep in thought or trying not to cry. How sweet is that little face?

This was the picture on his first birthday invite. I know, he needed a haircut, but I had always heard it was bad luck to cut it before the first birthday! Is it fair that he had all that hair so early and his poor little sister still doesn't?

Swimming at the old house. I think he was about three months old here.

At 9 months. It wasn't enough to play with the toys, he had to sit in the toy basket. I think we were in Shreveport here.

He looks thrilled, doesn't he?

As promised, the day of his first birthday we took him for his first haircut

I just like this picture. I think he was about 5 months old.

At our old house, Will would sit at the tupperware cabinet and empty it all out onto the floor. I got so tired of washing it everyday that I decided to give him a whole drawer in the kitchen with balls to empty out and play with. This is the exact moment he discovered the drawer.

On a trip to the cabin in Oklahoma for New Years with Shayla and her fam.

His first Easter. Oh how I miss dressing my baby in shortalls and knee socks.

I think this was one of our first trips to the zoo. Pretty sure he's zonked out here.



He's always had a special bond with Payton. He still calls her his dog.

I think he was about 6 months here. He was just starting to use those push walkers to get around.

One of his first year portraits

Adventures of a Three Year Old

Sorry for all the "candids." I'm learning that getting two children to look at the camera and smile while enjoying whatever activity it is, for me, is next to impossible!

Maggie and Will in the exam chair at the ENT

Will having his teeth examined for the first time!

Will, Tyler, and Carter at VBS. They were supposed to be at a Jewish Marketplace-thus the yamakas!

They were supposed to be writing their names in Hebrew. I'm no expert, but...

By the time the petting zoo got there, most of the kids were heading out, so Will had lots of one on one with the goats. Unfortunately they were pretty picky eaters and didn't want what he had to offer!

Will has had quite a busy week! Along with the normal playdates and trips to the park and friends' houses, we threw in his very first trip to the dentist, his first official VBS (last year was a special one for 2 year olds), and a trip to the ENT. He did a great job at the dentist-I have to admit I was a little surprised. You never know what you're going to get with a three year old! VBS was lots of fun too-he loves to do anything with his friends and there were several "building" crafts that he enjoyed, not to mention the candy shop!

This part is kind of boring, I just want to write it down so I don't forget and for those who may actually be interested in the details---the ENT said that his tubes have detached, probably a few months ago, and that is why he started having ear infections again around that time. He also said that the tube in his right ear kind of stuck to his eardrum, even though it's not functioning anymore, and that it is causing some localized irritation that could mimic an ear infection to a "non specialist." Have I mentioned our ENT is very high on his specialty? He's supposed to be one of the best, and he'll tell you that if you have any questions! Anyway, he said to do ear drops for several weeks and come back. If he has more trouble with ear infections or if this tube won't detach, he may need surgery again. Honestly I wish they would have just done another set of tubes when Maggie is getting hers, which BTW is next weekend. Her pre-op appt. is Friday and the surgery will be sometime Saturday.

The kids are doing really well. Maggie is starting to really talk and her little personality is just so cute (I know, I'm biased). We are really having fun with her at this age and she always has us laughing at something she's come up with. She still follows Will around everywhere and wants to do everything he's doing. Some of the time he likes it, sometimes he runs to his room and asks for his "privacy." He's turning into such a big boy now-hardly any "baby" left in him at all! His favorite things these days are painting, playing "I Spy", using his scissors, playing hide and seek (does this ever get old???), and being with his friends. He wakes up everyday asking who's coming over or where are we going today? We actually spent the whole day today just Will, Maggie, and me at home for the first time in forever and all day long he kept asking why. Guess I'm not as fun as I used to be!

Hope all is well with everyone!

Happy Fourth!

Just had to add this one in-how sweet is that? I was getting ready to rock her for her nap today and Will said he wanted to, so he climbed up in the chair and held his arms out. I wasn't sure what she was going to think about letting go of me, but she just reached out to him and laid her head on his shoulder. He gently sang "Jesus Loves Me" and rocked her and just as she was almost asleep and his song was done, he pushed her off and said "I'm all done Mom."

Daddy and Will at the ballpark. They are having such a great time with all the father-son things they're getting to do!

Tyler and Will driving down the street in Tyler's golf cart.

I know it seems like she's always got something to eat, but I'm not sure any of it actually makes it INTO her mouth!

Last time Maggie didn't get to go to the Airhogs game and this time she made sure she didn't miss out on anything!

Will with a "real" ball player! All these guys were so nice, staying out on the field and playing with the kids, signing autographs, etc.

She literally ran around the entire ballpark when we got there, checking it all out.

Uncle Scotty helping Will catch a fly ball in the outfield

Maggie and Will both LOVED the fireworks this year

At the end of a VERY long and VERY fun Fourth of July holiday!

We've had another fun few weeks since I last blogged; unfortunately I've been HORRIBLE about taking pictures. It's very unlike me, I know! We've been back to the zoo, this time with some friends for Will and some little girlfriends for Maggie too. We had great weather and a great time visiting! We've been swimming a lot, both in the play pools in our own backyard and some good friends and family's "real" pools. Both the kids are loving the water, but Maggie is getting a little daring for her mama's taste.

Our holiday weekend has been so much fun, and I have to say I am EXHAUSTED! Thursday night, we went with some friends to catch the first of the fireworks displays at the horse track. I thought Maggie would sleep through it, but I didn't want to miss out on seeing Will watch them, so I went ahead and took her. Not only did she stay awake until the show, I think she liked them the most! She was saying "pop" and "bang" and grinning ear to ear. After our late night, we slept in Friday, then headed to my brother's house for swimming and lunch with my family. A three hour nap later, and all 10 of us headed out to the Airhogs game. There were SO many more people out there than I think they expected, so after the game, the fireworks, playing on the field, and the traffic getting out of there, the kids got to bed around midnight. No mother of the year awards coming my way this year! But they had such a great time. Will loved being out there and playing, and Maggie just loved all the wide open space to run. We had plans to spend this evening with more friends and catching one more fireworks show, but we just didn't have it in us. After a cookout with friends, both the kids crashed by 9:00! Will was asking where the fireworks were as he drifted to sleep. It seems like so long ago that Maggie's bedtime was 7:30 or 8---not just Wednesday!

Sorry I don't have more pictures of other fun things, and again for the delay in between blogs. Time seems to be going so fast this summer-I can't believe it's already July! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Sum Sum Summertime...

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! It is impossible to overexaggerate this, though I know it sounds crazy. Maggie is OBSESSED with these shoes. As you can tell, they are pretty worn. She literally WILL NOT wear another pair. When she wakes up in the morning, she is saying "SHOES" and looking in her shoe drawer for these. She will cry and throw fits until these shoes are on her feet. Try another pair, and you get kicked by a crazy wiggle worm who is screaming "NO" and looking for her favorites. It started out kind of funny, but it is getting a little out of control. And what's even more scary is that they are now getting to be too small. I bought them on clearance at the end of last year so now I can't find them anywhere! I've checked ebay, online stores, outlets, everywhere I can think of. So if anyone sees THIS style shoe in a size 5.5, please tell me!




We've had such a fun beginning to our summer! Father's Day was nice-church with my family, lunch at a restaraunt of Eric's, my Dad's and brother's choice, then home for a nap! That night we did ice cream with some friends and a visit to the kids' favorite fountain to splash a little. Since then we've been busy with water parks, minor league baseball games, swimming, and just enjoying our summer. We had Maggie's 15 month check up today and she broke the 19 pound barrier! Yea Maggie! Bad news for both kiddos is a trip to the ENT. Maggie needs tubes (no shock there) and Will is probably going to have to get another set. Other than that, the kids are doing great and for the most part, they don't seem to affected by their ear troubles. Okay, onto the pictures...

 

Father's Day-The kids are so blessed to have such wonderful men in their lives!

 

The family that pees together...
Maggie is still into whatever Will is doing, even if it includes going like a country girl/boy!




And inside the house too of course.

 

Eric and Will going through the lazy river at the water park.

 

Will with the "Airhog" at the game. What is that really?

 

At the top of the "mountain." Apparently they had tons of activities for kids. I'm not really sure they actually watched any baseball

 

Maggie and I went to our first Mother-Daughter Tea this weekend. Mags is a big fan of the tea sandwich. When she had been "cut off" by her great granny, grammy, and mommy, she took it upon herself to find some more.

Two weeks of crazy!

 

Will playing hide and seek in the middle of my Dad's ferns, groundcover, etc. Yes, he took a snack with him to hide!

 

Maggie in our friends' baby swing

 

Macy, Maggie, Molly

 

Eric may kill me for putting this picture on here, but Will did LOVE Molly's "fluffy" shoes

 

At Home Depot day last Saturday. This picture is probably only funny to those who know this is totally NOT Molly's cup of tea.

 

This is the baby swing set that my parents have in their backyard and these kids climbed all over it. For some reason, the swing was pretty popular. If there was a weight limit on here, safe to say we probably exceeded it.

 

The kids with their catamarans

 

 

 

Maggie's famous "busted" face

 

 

 

Mine and Erics' moms enjoying the cool of the fans under the patio-maybe our best investment yet!

I know I've been a bad blogger lately, but it has been such a busy few weeks with visitors! First my sister's girls were here for 8 days while Shayla was on vacation, then overlapping with that, Eric's Mom came into town! We had a great time with everyone and are so thankful for the time we had with them. Will always loves to be with Macy and Molly, of course, and then to get spoiled by Grandma too was the best! For those who don't know, she is from Scotland and is still very active in the Scottish community, especially Scottish dance, so she was in town to judge at the Arlington Highland Games this past weekend. After she finished up, it was time for a trip to the toy store where Will was literally piling everything into the cart that he saw! The rest of the week was spent trying out all the new stuff and trying to adjust Grandma to this Texas heat!

Also, I wanted to wish Maggie a Happy 15 Months. She was going to get her own blog, but I'm behind and then Father's Day is coming up so I was afraid I'd never get back to it! What a special little girl God has blessed our family with. She brings such joy into our home with her HUGE cheesy grins, her loving hugs and huge open mouth sugars, hilarious dances, imitations of all her favorite animals, the way she follows Will no matter what he is up to, how she needs a bow in her hair as soon as her outfit is on and how she loves to pick out her own shoes (even though they rarely match her outfit or each other!), how she eats from the second her eyes are open to the time they close at night and she still just weighs 18 pounds, how excited she gets when she sees a familiar face, her constant game of "peekaboo" and how much she loves to play it! She is really starting to talk now too. Some of my favorites are "Mommeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee", "Daddy", "Will"(it's about 3 syllables and is the cutest thing ever), bow, baby (she loves to love those sweet babies), any facial feature because she will grab onto whosever nose it is she's describing and laugh that mischevious laugh, and shoes. I love that her "Texas accent" is going to be just as pronounced as Will's!

Hope everyone has a Happy Father's Day!

Flashbacks

I can't upload new pictures right now because something's going on with my cord, so here are some extras from Mexico and randoms from the past couple weeks.

Will and Molly in Mexico-we drink that V8 Fusion here, but they had it in juice box form there. The kids never knew they were drinking a fruit and a vegetable serving in each box!

This is all of us getting ice cream one night.

 

Maggie is finally leaving bows in her hair, even while swimming! It's funny now-each time we get her dressed, she starts saying, "bow" over and over until she has one in place, then she checks herself out in the mirror, goes to get her purse and a necklace (Mardi Gras beads) and heads for the door.

 

The kids haven't quite gotten the hang of the slip and slide yet. That's at Tyler's birthday party a couple weeks ago.

 

We are having a crazy week with half my family leaving town and the other half coming in. Anyway, I haven't posted anything for awhile and don't have much time now, but I wanted to tell you moms about a new thing we found online. We have always liked the www.gamequarium.com site, but my Dad stumbled onto something new on the site that we are really enjoying. Will has been into Dr. Suess books for awhile, and on the site, if you click on the icon with Horton from Horton Hears a Who, it gives you the option to select one of about 30 different titles where it plays a little movie of each book. I don't know if anyone else is into those books right now, but they're pretty short and if you've ever tried to read Fox in Sox, you'll appreciate someone else doing the tongue twisting for once!

**I forgot to mention Will's three year check up. She said that he had been in the 20 percentile for weight and 50 for height at his two year check up and now he's in the 70 for height and 50 for weight. I love our doctor, especially for well checks because she spend so much time on every little thing and is full of positive feedback! Unfortunately, he had some more ear issues. Another double ear infection and one of his tubes is clogged. He had no symptoms at all and never even mentioned to me that his ears were bothering him. I'm starting to really think he just always has an infection and doesn't know what life is like without one. Poor thing. We go back to the ENT sometime soon, so I'm curious what they'll do next. Maggie also has another ear infection. Their eustachian tubes must be completely level. She had tons of symptoms, so at least she still knows the difference. Anyway, just pray that their poor little ears, especially Will's, get better soon. She said his ears were more likely to blame for his sudden separation anxiety and "three year oldness" than him actually turning three!

Hope everyone is having a great start to their summers.