hallway camping

Bryan took Bryce camping this past weekend. They had a great time fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. I guess Bryce is ready to go again. Last night when I went up to bed I found Bryce in the hall in his sleeping bag with his pillow and Ellie. I had to take a picture he looked so adorable! I'm sure he was having a great dream about camping with his dad.

4th of July in June

Bryce and Callie's preschool (where they are going to summer camp) had a 4th of July parade on Thursday. They spent the week making hats, wands, and banners for the big event. It was so cute! They marched around the parking lot to patriotic music. Everyone had on Red, white, and blue and waved flages and homeade streamers. They even had patriotic tatoos on (Bryce has the US map in red, white, and blue smack dab in the middle of his forehead). It was a great way to end the first session of camp. Here are some pics from the event.

Video of Callie

Thought I would share a video of Callie saying she is five. One week later and she is still saying it!

Birthday Party

It has been a crazy week and I just realized that I haven't blogged in a while. I also realized that I did not blog about the birthday party last weekend. It went really well and everyone had a wonderful time. Lauren (Aunt RoRo) came into town last Thursday. It was great getting to visit and hang out. The kids loved having her here and are already asking when we can go visit her in NYC. Friday we picked up the water slide (it was huge and very heavy) and set it up in the yard. Saturday, party day, we spent the morning setting up and getting ready. I had a slight freak out about the weather but it ended up being perfect! The kids enjoyed playing on water slide and the bounce house. They also had fun with the pools and the waterguns! After Yummy cupcakes and homemade Ice Cream (yes, homemade....just call me Martha Stewart!) the kids left and the adults had thier own play time! We took turns on the slide which was soooo much fun! We even got my parents neighbors to try it out! All in all it was a wonderful birthday weekend. I can't believe that Bryce is 5 and Callie is 2! Time just seems to fly by. And a funny little tidbit about Callie....When you ask her how old she is she says five. When you say no Callie your 2 she laughs and says No, Five. She wants to be just like her big brother!! Below is a slide show of pics from the weekend.

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my little fish

Bryce has never been a fan of the water. Every summer we go to the pool and I get frustrated that he will not even try to learn to like the water. He cried every time someone splashed him and it would take him 10 minutes to get to the 3rd step with his swimmies on. Well, those days are gone! He has all of a sudden decided that swimming is fun. 3 days ago we showed him that goggles keep the water out of your eyes and we took off his swimmies He hasn't wanted to put them back on!! He is swimming under water, trying to dive off the steps, and jumping in off the side. The change in Bryce's swimming ability is so huge that 2 neighbors have asked where we took him for lessons!! Callie, not to be outdone by her brother, jumped in off the side all by herself today too! Thank goodness mommy was there to catch her. I have a feeling that swimming is going to be a favorite activity at our house this summer.

party planning

Bryce and Callie both have birthday's this month. We have decided to have a joint bday party for them. I found some cute party ware with a girl and boy monkey with surf boards, so we decided to go with a monkey theme this year. We are going to have the cute plates and napkins with the monkeys. We are going to order monkey beach balls and tattoos for each child as their "goody bag". I am also going to make monkey cupcakes!! We reserved one of the big waterslides for the yard and are also going to set up a small pool, a sprinkler, and a jumpy moonwalk. I worked on the invite this afternoon (I am doing them myself to save some money). Here is what I came up with. Let me know what you think......

a new friend and a trip to the pool

This afternoon was quite eventful. First Bryce found a new friend ( really...Bryan found the new friend and put it in a box for Bryce)....a turtle. Bryce and Callie had fun watching him walk around in the yard. Maxi wasn't too impressed and growled in it's direction whenever she could. Bryan wanted to let Bryce keep it as a pet, but I put my foot down. Thank goodness Bryce decided it would be a good idea to let it go free in the morning. So tonight the turtle is snuggled down in a nice box with some water and food.

We also took the kids to the pool this evening. Bryce put his face in the water and swam without his swimmies for the first time! Callie wasn't too sure about the water. She decided it was more fun to sit on the edge and watch everyone. I think she knew how cute she looked and was just showing off :) !! I loved last years suits but this one is my favorite by far. And check out the upside down sunglasses. She refuses any help and screams "by self!!" Gotta love a strong willed, independent girl!!

favorite conversations

Here are two examples why living with kids will keep you laughing:

This is a conversation that happened while riding in the car with Mary Glenn, Cody, Bryce and Callie:

Mary Glenn: Cody! Please stop shouting in the car. We are all right here and we can hear you just fine. Stop yelling in my ear.

Cody: But Mommy, Bryce can't hear me. I need to talk loud for him.

Mary Glenn: Cody....Bryce can hear you just fine and....

Bryce (interrupting Mary Glenn): What did you say Cody? I couldn't hear you!

Cody: See...I told you mommy.

Nothing like getting Tag Teamed by four year olds.

This is from today. Bryce got into trouble and was sitting in time out.

Bryce: I am so mad at you mommy. You are a bad mommy

Callie: no bad mommy. bad Bryce.

She is learning early that girls have to stick together!!!

lazy summer day

We had a great day today. I really just wanted to stay home and do nothing. I am craving a day at home. I can't even remember a day where we didn't go anywhere. That was pretty much the plan until I got a call this morning from a friend asking if Bryce could come over and play. He really wanted to go so I sucked it up, got everyone dressed and in the car, and drove over to my friends house for a "play date". I am happy that we decided to go because we had a great summer day. I hung out with my friend and Callie while the boys went to the barn with Cody's dad. They visited with the horses, chased the kittens, and rode on the golf cart. Later, we set up their HUGE pool / water slide in the backyard. The kids had a blast playing in the water. Even Callie had fun hanging with the big kids. Later we ate dinner and laughed at the boys and their antics. The playdate ended up turning into a spend the night party and that is where Bryce is right now (hopefully fast asleep and not causing any trouble!). The more I think about it the more I realize the lessons I learn from my kids. Why spend a beautiful day all by yourself when you can hang out with a good friend, laugh, and have fun?

boys will be boys, girls will be girls

It amazes me how kids seem to gravitate to your stereotypical gender specific toys. Bryce loves all things boy....trucks, mud, sword fights. Callie loves all things girl....dolls, purses, shoes.

sewing 101

I have been toying around with the idea of learning to sew. I decided to try to sew Callie a pillowcase dress... a project that seems pretty easy. Last weekend my mom and aunt Kay gave me a sewing lesson and I completed my first dress! I am hooked and can't wait to make another one. I am adding a sewing machine to my wishlist.w

fish fun

I just got these pictures downloaded to my laptop so I thought I would share. Last weekend my cousin Matt, his wife Krista, and their baby James Dylan (Jay for short) were in Atlanta. My extended family decided to take a trip to the aquarium and we were invited to go along. It was so much fun. Bryce had a blast...he kept saying "this is amazing!". It was a wonderful afternoon and it was so nice sharing it with family. The kids were completely worn out, which is also very nice! They both fell asleep within 5 min of getting back in the car!