Randoms

The dog hair all over my house is driving me insane. It is making me want to get dogs that don't shed next time around. UGGH! Have I mentioned how much I hate cleaning floors.. The girls have broken into their closet (which we lock) and change clothes about 4 times a day. It is so frustrating and then they never pick it up. I can't force myself to go in there and clean it up. I know it will be a war when it goes down. There will probably be tears and lots of things being thrown away. Girls, girls, girls! I am in process of planning a birthday party for Hayes and Georgia. Pirate theme. Excited about making it special for them, nervous about dealing with our swimming pool and lots of little kids around. The kids have been getting along pretty well lately. They have those moments where 3 is a hard number and someone gets picked on or left out. Even at Hayes' young age, they really do play together, sometimes a game or pretending to be Mommy and Daddy. It is fun to sneak and listen to their conversations. Hayes has started this squealing noise when he is annoyed or someone is bothering him. It is sooooooooooooo obnoxious. I really hope he grows out of it soon. On a nicer note he has good manners and says "Thank you Momma" even when he doesn't need to. He also got so sad when we dropped off the girls at VBS. He was sobbing and pointing back at the church saying, "Sistas!" (seestas) Georgia has been funny lately. She is chatting non stop, about anything. She just talks! One of my favorite things she says: I will notice some clothing has gotten too small for her and say, Oh no you are growing up too fast.. And she will always get real serious and tilt her head and say, "but Mommy, that's ok. I can still be your baby even when I'm big!" That's pure sweetness! Emmaline has been a big help as usual and she really is protective over Hayes and Georgia. She is ready for school to start and ready for her Dance Camp she is attending in CS. I have really enjoyed sneaking in VBS this week and watching her sing and dance her heart out for Jesus! She is having a blast and learning so much. She also let me know the other day she is anxious about starting a new school and meeting new friends..ME TOO! We are in the process of closing on a house. Me and Daniel are excited about it's potential and probably a little nervous about all the work to do. We will know more in a week's time. Inspection was today and everything went pretty good. Yesterday was my birthday! Daniel surprised me with a massage and a dinner date out to the country club. We had amazing white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. Me and the kids spent the day biking at the park, swimming & we made my favorite strawberry cake. I also got a new lens for my camera. Thanks to everyone for all the sweet birthday gifts, cards & wishes! It was a fun day! Me and the kids are heading north this weekend for our last roadtrip for a long while! Our first stop in SA and Schlitterbahn, then CS and finally Dallas to meet Mr. Chase Kamrowski!! He looks like a Streetman for sure. And then we will be back home for the long haul as Emmaline starts Kinder August 16th!! **I am so excited about the Olympics starting!!!!!! YEA!!**

SA visits the RGV

Recently, we had visitors from San Antonio come all the way down here to see us. Well, technically the Morgans came to stay with their inlaws who live here, but we were lucky to get to see them, visit the beach together & have them spend a night with us!The girls loved the beach and probably could have stayed there all day if the rainstorm hadn't blown in.On Sunday morning they came over to our house to play, swim & snack. We were all having a great time, then in a split second, Charlotte feel wrong on the trampoline and broke her collar bone! YIKES! We felt so bad..seriously, at least Daniel wasn't the one on the trampoline bouncing her..it was her dad! Because of that unfortunate incident, Jillian and her girls chose to spend a few extra nights her. So we took full advantage and went to see a movie & had a sleep over! Our kids played well together and we can't wait to do it again!! "Come visit us - I mean, come visit your family!!" The next group from SA were the McLeans! Leslie, Ainsley & Cambrie came to see us, while Jason worked and Britton attended his first overnight camp! We hit up the splashpad & had a little picnic! Cambrie was such a champ and loved it! She even bloodied up her toes and knees and kept on playing! One day we had a spa day for the older kids while the babies napped! They were so surprised when we walked in with lotions, hot water, towels, & tons of nail polish! We also made 'mud masks' & foot scrub! The mud masks was an actual delicious chocolate homemade paste from cocoa powder, honey & yogurt. Georgia literally was scraping her fingers down her face and licking it off! The scrub was orange juice & corn meal - not as appetizing but still edible! Don't forget the cucumbers!! Lucky for us they decided to stay an extra night. We got to try out the Children's Museum in Brownsville. It was really fun so we got an annual pass. Hayes & Georgia loved constructing their own mini tables and chairs! Leslie got to experience the RGV in all it's glory..she even found out that plastic bags at Target cost $1.00 instead of being free like in normal cities. Let's not forget karaoke and Girls' Night Out at Applebee's! They made trains, played Barbies, cooked fake cupcakes & dressed up! It was a fabulous time! We went swimming at the Club and Cambrie was so cute, quite a handful, but cute floating around! Look who wants to be an Aggie!!! Gig 'Em Cambrie!! Her Baylor Bear mom was horrified!!

our memories of the 4th

We had the best time on the 4th of July. It really was one of my most favorite memories to date. I like having family and/or friends around on holidays, for some reason I always equate holidays with big groups of family. Since the 4th landed midweek I think it helped it not feel like a big deal! Me, Daniel and the kids made plans to head to the beach whenever we got there, stay at his dad's condo and just do whatever we wanted! It worked out perfectly and there was no pressure to be anywhere or do anything (other than watch fireworks of course)! We slowly loaded up Wednesday morning, got to the island in record time with minimal traffic and had a quick homemade lunch on his dad's balcony. The kids are always up for the beach, so we lugged our wagon the one block to the beach access and were ready to set up shop. It was crowded but we managed to find some of Daniel's work friends who were really prepared. They had 3 tents set up, a grill going and brownies for the kids! We had the best day at the beach. Everyone was in a good mood and the weather was nice. After getting sun for a few hours, we walked home for naps. Some napped, others didn't - the usual around here these days. I haven't even talked about the missing naps around here. It's bittersweet for sure!We cleaned up for an early dinner at Tom & Jerry's then did what everyone else was doing..we went back to see our friends at the beach! There were no other kids in the group our kids' ages, but the beauty of having kids all young, they like to do the same things. Georgia's favorite beach activity is playing in the sand and building stuff. Emmaline loves the waves and likes to try and boogie board, though G is naturally good at it. Hayes pretty much does it all. He isn't too afraid of the waves, but thankfully won't go to far out by himself. I think he just knows he is supposed to love the beach and just runs around giggling and laughing with joy! We stayed at the beach till nearly dark, then quickly showered and readied ourselves for the fireworks. We could have watched from the balcony, but we chose to get a tad closer to the bayside (where they shoot from) and walked to the end of the street. They were 30 minutes long! And as soon as they started Georgia freaked out..really freaked out. Bless her heart it was racing so fast. I held her and talked to her and told her to put her fingers in her ears. That did the trick and she was much happier. Hayes liked them and was clapping as we walked away. Emmaline kept asking when the finale was..she is always wanting to move on to the next thing. Live in the moment, child! The next morning we ate at Yummies and the kids' drinks were so large and delicious looking! I was sad I chose orange juice. I definitely want to go back there..everything was yummy! It was trully a wonderful 4th! I am so thankful for my little family..we just might make it doing holidays by ourselves. And Daniel finally took the girls to see Brave on Thursday..they loved it! Me and HB stayed home and mowed the yard, swam in our undies and ate popsicles..who's to say who had more fun?!?!

The 4th!!

I love the 4th. We are super excited to celebrate and here are a few things we have made so far. I have some fun red, white & blue treats I am making for tomorrow too. I think the kids will be excited! We needed bigger paper to really make the 'flags' turn out better but the kids loved it and now I have another art work with their prints! Hayes loved getting messy and smacked him hands down on the paper with glee! He was too funny and then I scooped him up in all this painted glory and sprayed him off in the sink - which he also loved!We used his feet for the 'flag' because he didn't want to cooperate with his hands. Using his feet I could control it so much easier!! Emmaline's fingerprints & handprints! Georgia's work of art!! I think I totally underestimate how much I love this holiday. I love fireworks & parades and watermelon..I can't wait to watch them from the beach with my babies. Georgia still does not love the loud booms but does like the colors, so I know I will get some snuggles from her! Emmaline and Hayes loved them when we saw them a few weeks ago, so I think they will be just as enamored. and of course, I had to have Daniel make me his delicious homemade apple pie! This time he made minis and one was perfect for our family, eventhough I could have eaten the whole thing myself!Happy 4th ya'll & let freedom ring!!