Houston

Last weekend we all flew to Houston to see Emily, Ben & Bluet in their new home! Originally I was supposed to take the kids by myself. Man am I glad that plans changed and Scott was able to go with us. Sometimes I think I can do too much. Sure, we would have been fine, but I just can't complain nearly as much when Scott's not around:) No one to complain to! I left the good camera at home so bear with the iPhone pics!

I should feel flattered that both kids want to sit by me and not by Scott. I am. Sort of. I sat in the middle of them on the way there and on the way back. 

Next time you see Scott, ask him where he sat and what he did during the flights.

We were so glad to be reunited with our family! So glad that I didn't take 1 picture of the reunion! But it was awesome, let me tell ya.

On Friday morning, Scott, Ben, and Nate went to the Space Center. I have to admit I was jealous. But the little girls probably would not have enjoyed it, so Emily and I ran errands and just enjoyed being together.

Scott & Nate were very impressed with the Space Center. They got to see the real shuttle and both said it was much larger than they expected.

They also got to see Mission Control. Scott said it was awesome as I expected that it would be. Nate said it was just so-so. I guess he needs to watch that old movie Space Camp with John Travolta's wife in it.

We hung out by the pool ALOT. My kids would stay in the pool 16 hours a day if I would let them. Here's Miss Bluet. So sweet!

She and Lila enjoyed each other and didn't fight over toys too much:)

On Saturday morning, we went to Natchee's for breakfast where they had a sand pit. Score for the little kids. Here's what most pictures of the 3 of us look like.

In the sand pit...

This picture is so out of focus but I like it for 2 reasons. She's doing her fake smile and she looks SO long! She's getting taller every day. Say it isn't so.

After more pool time, a viewing of Monsters University (for me & Nate), we headed to Onion Creek for dinner. I loved the place! It reminded me a lot of Sportmans' in Nashville. So kid friendly and good food.  Love them. 

Bluet has grown up so much since we saw them in February! We got to visit her school and it is nice to be able to picture what she does during the day.

The newest Houstonians!

Such a handsome boy...

I know this picture is out of focus too (aren't they all?) but I had to include it because Nate was laughing so hard at something. Probably the little girls trying to feed themselves ice cream and failing. Who knows.

Big and little. Bluet loves Nate so much and would follow him around as her activity of choice.

Can't stop talking long enough for a picture. And the Cardinals losing in the background.

I tried to doctor up this picture but I couldn't do it. Next time I will bring the camera! My little family of 4. I love you so much!

Visiting

We did a little visiting this past weekend...

and had a great time with one of our cousins...

Stay tuned!

Pool & Kiddo Tags

I don't have a lot of news lately. Unless you want to hear that we've been to the pool 4 out of the last 5 days. Because we have. We are addicts. I sort of feel like I'm back in my CCC days (Charleston Country Club), when we saw the inside of that pool every single day during the summer. It's a goal I aspire to meet, along with being the sitting in the chair mom at the pool.

But my idea for this post really has nothing to do with the pool, or maybe it does just a bit. I'm a little tired these days so I tend to go off on tangents.

Have you heard of Kiddo Tags? If you have small children that go to public places, i.e...school, daycare, church, camp, the POOL, etc...then these are lifesavers. I first found them when Lila was a baby. Since Nate didn't go to organized care until he was out of the bottle stage, I didn't really have to worry about labeling bottles and pacifiers. But with Lila, I did.

I knew I wanted something that would go through the dishwasher, so I googled it. And back came Kiddo Tags. I used them for Lila's bottles and really anything that needed labeling. They stayed on a didn't fray for a year until we threw out the bottles. Amazing.

When it came time for Nate to go to camp last summer, I ordered him some. To put on water bottles, lunch box stuff, books, etc...I've been known to put them on our iPhone chargers so that no one steals them:)

I think my favorite product is the laundry washable tags. Lila's school has water play every day in the summer. So they change out of their clothes twice a day (those WONDERFUL teachers). Everything has to be labeled. Funny that I didn't mind taking a permanent marker to Nate's school clothes back in the day, but no way was I doing that to Lila's. Even her school clothes (way too pretty!). They stick right onto the tag or right on the garment (since so many clothes are tagless these days).

Kiddo Tags does not know I'm writing this and are not compensating me in any way. I just thought you might want to know about these tags if you have a small child in your life!

Swimming Weekend

Since we spent the last 3 days mostly at the pool, I don't have that many pictures of our weekend. Because I'm not taking my camera or my phone inside the pool area. Way too much risk and yes, it will happen to me! 

On Friday, the kids and I went to the Soulard Farmer's Market. I love it down there. All the surroundings are so old and the produce is so fresh of course. We had fun picking out grapes, tomatoes (for Scott of course), lettuce, and potatoes. I would give Nate the money and he would pay and get the change. Great learning experience. Excuse the blurriness, they would not stop moving. 

There is a park next to the market and when we were done, we stopped and played for a little bit. Then we were surrounded by a group from a nearby daycare, so we wandered up to the next park. Where I had to explain homeless people. Such a hard thing for Nate to comprehend. But I'm thankful for any experience that allows me to share with him just how blessed we are.

Then we proceeded to the pool after naps. And spent copious amounts of time in the water, going off the diving board, and down the slides. It was the first time I've left Nate in the pool, while taking Lila to the bathroom. That experience combined with him playing with his friends AWAY from me the entire time almost made me cry. I'm so proud of him and his swimming abilities. Makes me wish I had pushed swim team a little harder this year. My dream for him.

After swimming, we went to eat dinner at Steak N Shake. The kids were well behaved and the grilled cheese tasted heavenly after all that swimming. Score.

More swimming on Saturday and a friend's BBQ and then we were into Father's Day. And Scott had to work. But we hit up the Majestic for breakfast before he had to go in. It was barely sprinkling, but Lila had to take her umbrella anyway.

Shame on me for not getting a picture of the kids with Scott for Father's Day. We had a good breakfast and then he was off to a very long day at work. We of course, went swimming.

Thank you Scott for all that you do for us! Now when do we get to the 7 off?? :)

Front Yard Labor

This labor of love has finally come together. A big thanks to Scott's Dad, Kevin for finishing it up last week! 

A little back story...

After our late March snow storm, our front hedge bushes were out of control. The snow was so heavy that the branches fell over on the sidewalk, making it impassable. I was waiting for the city to write me a citation any day. Well after everything melted, the bushes looked worse than before. Which is saying something since they've been an eyesore since the day we moved in. But I actually kind of liked them because they blocked off our yard from the street. And that was good to have for the kids. 

But Scott hated them. So we went back and forth about getting the trimmed or pulling them out after the snow storm. We finally decided to just have them trimmed...why put any more money into our house when we will hopefully be moving soon. 

So I called the guy that has trimmed them before. And of course he was booked with all the other snow storm victims for several weeks. His crew finally came in mid-April when I happened to be out of town. Scott called me that night and said the dreaded words..."Um. The bushes look AWFUL." 

Great. Just Great. I told him I was sure they weren't that bad and it would all be OK. And then I got home. At night. They didn't look so bad. But hales bales, when I went outside the next morning I nearly died from embarrassment! Scott called the guy to come look at them and told them his wife was having a heart attack. 

Long story already long, he came out and said they were not reparable and that he would give us a discount on pulling them out. So we bit the bullet and did it. We didn't really know what we were going to do after they were gone. But thankfully, Scott is handy and built a retaining wall as well as cleaned up the railroad ties in the front. 

I love it so much! The yard looks bigger and cleaner for sure. We've gotten so many compliments on it.

When Kevin & Mary were here last week, he planted the hostas and the flowers to finish it off. It looks perfect! So I guess we should be thanking that snow storm. I'll think about it.

Cabin Adventures

After our busy week last week, we headed off to the cabin for some R&R. It was Mimi & Paka's first visit and we were excited to show them around! 

Sister Lou loves it there and loves to get dirty. Good thing there is a washing machine. She is a total mess. Ready to go exploring at the river!

Scott had to feed the cows while we were there. It's quite humorous. He's not a country boy at heart but has taken on the task of learning! Our sweet cowgirl...

Nate loves to be there too - especially around the fire and making up stories all over the place.

Getting ready for our canoe trip on Saturday!

Nate caught the most fish on the trip - he was so excited!

Mimi's first ever canoe trip! I think she loved it! Or at least liked it alot:) She said camping was still far off for her. I totally get that.

We also celebrated a very big occasion while at the cabin...Mimi & Paka's 40th wedding anniversary! 

Lila had to help open the BIG gift!

Paka got Mimi a beautiful ring and she loved it! Way to go Paka!

We celebrated with a champagne toast, steak dinner, and red velvet cupcakes for dessert! We were glad to get to celebrate with them and we missed Amanda, David, Noah, Gavin & Levi very much!

A couple pictures of Nate's favorite past time.  Stoking the fire.

He was covered in ash from head to toe - but at least it kept the ticks off of him!

A big thanks to my Mom & Dad for envisioning and building such a special place. I hope my kids will always remember spending time here!

Cardinals X 2

I've been visiting with my peeps in Nashville this week, so better late than never updating on last weekend's activities! On Friday, the kids and I were running errands when I got a phone call from the art studio where Nate has taken some classes. I had made a donation and was entered into a raffle for 4 Cardinals tickets. Well. I won! I never win anything so I was so excited. Then I remembered that Scott was working. But quickly decided that I would just take the kids by myself. CRA-zy. But Scott ended up switching shifts and was able to join us. 

My sweet ones before the game. 2 games in 1 week! We were excited!

I know it sounds weird, but even after all these years, and all the games I've been to, I still get butterflies when I walk into Busch Stadium. It's electric in there. You may laugh now. 

Lila's favorite player is Yadi and she was so excited to see him! It must have been fate that we won the tickets because it was Kids Day and they were handing out Yadi practice jerseys to all the kids. Score! My dear friend Penny gave us this Cardinals necklace and it made for the perfect accessory.

We were so glad to have Scott join us - I love this picture of Nate! So So happy.

Little Miss was pretty good. Or pretty wild. She is a total mess.

After our great time at the game, we headed home for a good night's rest because Mimi & Paka were coming on Sunday! Everybody was so glad to see them and we're happy to have them here for the week. On Sunday afternoon, we took a walk to Nate's new school and played on the playground. Here's Nate on top of the big boulder.

Of course Lila had to join him. With help from Paka.

Sweet babies...

Now we're headed into the weekend again and I'm so glad it's almost Friday!