Water Babies

This summer has been so much fun.  Pools opened here the last week in April and we have gone a minimum of three times a week since then.  Big B has come so far with his swimming, and like most kids, he loves, loves it.  Back in March he took one set of swim classes, and at that time I had seen a lot of improvement, but he was still hesitant in many ways.  But by the time we did swim lessons again last month... wow!  His teacher had great compliments about his potential and how he's doing for his age, especially since this is really the first summer he's been in the pools consistently. (Sorry for bragging... I'm one proud momma!). 

Vivian has also shown to be a pretty good water baby.  Especially now that she gets around better and isn't confined to my arms or a baby raft.  Living in Cinco Ranch (with more than 6 neighborhood pools) and belonging to the YMCA has made it very easy for us to enjoy spending time at the pool... and beating the heat!!! 

The final day of swim class at the YMCA with his teacher Miss Chelsea.  Here he's using a bar so he can work on techinque for kicking his legs, while still moving forward.

This was a huge deal for him to float on his back.  In March... it was a huge battle for him to even try it. 

Swimming to catch the duck.  One of his favorite games to play in the water.

Class is over... hitting up the water playground!  He was in such a rush he got there before anyone else did.

Braden with his teacher and the two other boys in his class playing around

Three of my favorite people

She's free to explore!

Nearly all summer she tolerated the hat I would make her wear in the sun... but no more.  So now I just spray her head all over with the sunblock. 

The pools here are so nice... it's obviously a very family friendly area and the design of the recreation spaces is a great example of that. This particular one has this area, a big pool with diving boards and another kid pool that has a baby area and two slides for the toddlers.

SUMMER TIME!

The Fort

We all have childhood memories of building forts and playing for hours.  It is something Braden has just gotten interested in.  Chad has his style... gathers all the pillows from the couch and makes a tunnel using the coffee table and couch.  But me... I kind of cheat...

Ta-da...Blankets over the dining room table and pillows to close in the gaps on the end.  Not much of an architect, am I?  Good thing my customers aren't too demanding.

An excited 3 year old gathered some of his horses and an empty diaper box and got straight to work.

I got this picture when I climbed into the fort with the camera and had limited light.  I won't claim it's all that artistic... but I liked what it captured.

Another little person climbed in to see what all the fuss what about

And... she's out.  Too dark and not interesting enough for her.

Purpose

July 10th is always a day to remember.  It was Chad and Keith's father's birthday.  It was only fitting that this be the day that we place his ashes in a special place.  It was about 2 1/2 years ago that he passed away... but worth the wait.  Paula had found out about the Aggie Field of Honor at Texas A&M University a few months ago (it just opened a year ago) and she arranged a visit when she came to visit us in April and got a place for Jimmy that looks our towards Kyle Field (the football stadium).  It truly is the best place... he was a graduate of A&M and Aggie for life, and this was his hometown.  To get to do this on his birthday and surrounded with family (everyone decked out in A&M gear)... it was perfect.  It was a nice day (a bit humid) but we were able to gather and take pictures. 

Keith placing the ashes

Let me tell you something amazing about this picture.  There are 19 of us... and in just one picture every single person is looking at the camera, all 5 kids included.  This happened because at this exact moment a plane flying low flew over the field in the direction that got everyone's attention.  I'm not the sort of person that really gets into "it was something sent from the unknown"... but it sort of feels like it was something special sent from somewhere.  Paula was hoping for a great picture to capture the memory of the day, and I think she got it.

We were lucky to be joined with Great Grandma Doris (Jimmy's mom), Aunt Beverly (Jimmy's sister) and her husband, Uncle Rick, Cousins Melinda, Liz, and Jenny, her fiance, Trey, and Paula's sister, Aunt Carmen and brother-in-law, Uncle Wayne. 

Thank you to everyone for making it there to celebrate and Jimmy.  Also a big thank you to Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev for opening up their home so we could extend our visit together.  I look forward to seeing you again soon. 

GG and the babes

GG... Great Grandma Doris lives in Bryan, TX.  It's only 90 minutes from us.  We're grateful that we're close enough to spend time with her, as well as Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev, who graciously have hosted all the get togethers.  (We've also gotten to spend time with the other side of the family that lives in Bryan... shout out to Aunt Carmen and Uncle Wayne).  You can see that GG Doris is so happy to see her great grandchildren... and I'd like to think that her and Miss Vivian are making quite the connection!  (They do share a middle name after all!).  When Viv giggles... Great Grandma lights up... watching the two of them together is one of the most genuine moments and brings a smile to your face.  In July, we were lucky to have five of the great-grandchildren together and spend some quality time together. 

What a precious moment!  Two happy ladies!

Aunt Bev, Kylie, Grandma, Vivian and Great Grandma

The older kids fishing in the "pond"

Logan and Great Grandpa Fred had a special connection

Hey... not too bad for trying to get five kids 4 years and younger to look at the camera at the same time.

She's at such a cute age!  And I think Great Grandma Doris would agree!  Right before this picture these two were cracking up!

Aunt Beverly and Vivian in matching outfits!

Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev's house is one of Braden's favorite places.  As if the two of them weren't fun enough already... Uncle Rick has a saddle and the kids could not get enough of it.  I thought this picture captured my tough guy who was taking his saddle time very seriously.  If he winds up a kid on a horse herding cattle at sometime in his future, then this picture will be priceless.  Hey, we live in Texas now... it could happen!

Another trip to the Beach

Braden loved having his cousins here to play all week.  We managed to trip a Galveston where there was plenty of sand and sun (ok... maybe it was overcast part of the day, but that kept things a little cooler!). 

My little stud...

The twins having some fun in the sand.  Looks like they are taking their job very seriously!

Ky-Ky was really into collecting seashells

Grandma occupying Miss Vivian, trying to keep her in the shade.

Enjoying every moment and soaking it all in... this is the life

Family Time

The first week in July we were lucky to have family visit.  Chad's mom, Keith, Casse and their three kids, Kylie (4) and identical twins boys Logan and Jackson (2 1/2).  Which meant five adults and five kids. We had a great 4th of July, made a trip to the beach,the pool, we passed around a nasty stomach bug (8 of the 10 of us got it), spent a great time with more family in Bryan, TX and mostly importantly, and the purpose of the visit... we honored Papa Ramsey at the Aggie Field of Honor.  I'll go into each separately and start with the 4th of July.

You think of Texas in July and probably think of hibernating the air conditioning... however we lucked out and actually had relatively mild weather and able to spend the entire afternoon and evening outside.  We grilled steaks (thanks to our neighbor, his dad has cattle), kids played on the trampoline, and of course fireworks.  Our neighbors put on a great show right outside our front door!  And we also got some other shows from surrounding neighborhoods without having to leave the driveway! All in all.... the kids were exhausted after staying up late to get the show!  (Kylie fell asleep on my lap... precious!  And Miss Vivian slept through all of it... and it was NOT quiet). 

Grandma treating Vivian to a Popsicle... she was loving it!

Since I didn't want her cute shirt stained orange... we took it off and it never made it back on.  At least she had shorts on.  The rest of the kiddos spent of lot of the afternoon  in their birthday suits running through sprinklers and staying cool.

 

What entertains a 9 month old babe?  Pour water on the table and let her splash to her hearts content. 

I'm so in love with this little lady.

I look awful... blame it on the humidity (and my desperate need for highlights) and the bug bite on my eyeball... yes, seriously.  And my poor girl is half dressed.  But we don't get a lot of pictures together so I'm throwing out my own vanity and sharing it anyway.

Kids playing in the driveway... probably looking for toads and worms.  We've got a lot of them.

Right back at ya kiddo! :)

Braden and Kylie... at dusk with a sparkler to celebrate our nations birthday!  Happy 234th birthday USA!

Kylie and Braden... they are good buddies, Braden adores her.  She's such a sweet girl too.  They are just 6 months apart in age.  I've said this before... but I just can't get over it... they really look more like siblings than cousins!

Thoughts on a Tuesday...

Here's a list of what's been going on, and random thoughts on my mind... and my thoughts are all over the place.

***  Braden can officially "swim".  He can't swim the length of the pool by himself or anything, but he's doing awesome.  We're so proud of him and he LOVES the pool.  Good thing since we're there at least three, but usually five days a week.

***  Vivian is at an awesome age.  Not totally mobile, but able to get around and play well.  Her personality is starting to show.  She has five teeth and working on a few more, and while she's cute and fun... it's not as cute and fun when those teeth bother her at 3:30 in the morning.

***  Chad is having a summer of fun.  When he's not doing projects around the house or coming to the pool with us, he's spending three weekends (within seven weeks) with friends for two bachelor parties and a wedding.  I'm happy for him... but of course I appreciate when he's here on weekends to help out and spend some time with the kids. 

***  As a fun payback for all the weekend time away, I'm off to Vegas with 12 girlfriends in August.  And it just happened to work out I'll be with friends on my birthday!  I am so, so, so, so excited about this obviously, and I am kind of dorking out about the whole thing. 

***  I knew that my husband liked that I blog... but he's pretty annoyed I've been such a slacker the last two months.  Add that to a few kind emails I've gotten and I know I need to write more.  It's not for lack of having things to share!  I just don't spend as much time on the computer as I used to, and there are two little people that keep my pretty busy!

***  Chad already wants me to get Vivian's hair cut again.  I'm trying to explain it's just an awkward growing out phase and we just have to wait it out.

***  Braden went to the dentist today.  I didn't realize what a great photo op it would have been and cursed myself the entire time.  It just won't be the same the next time when it isn't the first time. 

***  I've had the pleasure of joining the neighborhood ladies as a sub for their monthly Bunco three times so far.  Like the game, love the fun night out of the house! 

***  At the last Bunco game one of the women mentioned she has three daughters, two of them are in high school and love to babysit... waaa-hooo!  FINALLY, we can do date nights... and double date nights... and better yet.  They live three doors down.  Chad can just walk them home at the end of the night!

***  Although we may have figured out child care so we can go out on the town...  We still haven't solved the problem that one of us have to get up with our children in the morning after a night on the town.  Those "discussions" deciding is never really the finest moments of our marriage.  Especially when we're "deciding" in the morning when they wake up, and we're both "tired". 

***  But I think the pros of getting out as a couple makes it worth it. 

***  Big B is a "kid" now and not a toddler anymore.  I love it and hate it all at the same time.  Seriously, he'll be four this year.  What? 

***  I got sucked into watching three hours worth of Bachelorette stuff on TV last night.  That's pretty much all I have to say about that.  Thankfully the season ends next week so I can stop wasting away my entire Monday night... until next season.  (I think I'm passing on the whole Bachelor Pad show).

***  Shutter Island... I really liked the movie. 

***  We are a Netflix household.  Chad manages the whole process, he's a movie freak.  He will watch ANYTHING.  That includes a foreign language Kung Fu movie made before we were born (yes, seriously he did two weeks ago).  I am not a die hard.  I am picky about what I will decide to commit to for my entire evening.  Chad watches the movie the day it comes in and has it in the mail the next morning.  I don't... I know it's annoying that I do it on my time, but isn't that the advantage of the whole process?  My point... I don't really have one.  

***  It's come to my attention three times over the last week I haven't seen "Gone With the Wind".  I'd like to ask Chad to get it on Netflix... but how am I going to know if it comes in randomly on a Thursday night it's a good night for me to commit to the longest movie ever and make sure it's back in the mail the next day? 

***  The End.

First Trim

I'm about a month behind on getting this up here, but still worth documenting.  I really wanted to wait until Vivian was a year old before her first haircut.  (Braden didn't need a haircut until he was 18 months old).  She was born with a full head of hair and it was increasingly becoming a hot mess, so I gave in and went the week she turned 9 months old.  It looked much, much better to get her hair cleaned up.  I feel like by the time she has her first birthday she'll be in desperate need for another one. 

I don't know it yet, but I'm about to get "my hairs cut" this morning!

At the hair salon... last shot before.  See all that clumpy mess!

Such a trooper... and loved sitting in the fun car

I'm making a super silly face here... but I'm just so happy the hair is out of my eyes!

Much better

I'm pretty cute with my "new do"