Have you seen our daddy?

It's been too long since these two have seen their daddy. As far as they're concerned I'm a single mother and Daddy is that guy who's in some pictures on our walls. Dave leaves before they wake up and gets home after they're asleep every day. Anna gets mad because he's "taking so long at the hospbible!" We're used to it, but this month has been a loooong HOT stretch. And I'm tired of it. And it's a good thing August is coming up because that means a new rotation starts. And I really want my husband back. And these kids need their daddy. Even if it's just in time for a bedtime story. Can we just go to the beach again?

Here's what Anna thinks of you EGS!

Too bad we still have 2 more months of you this year. ugh.

Saucy

This boy loves his little exersaucer.

So many little toys right at his disposal.

Even his big sister has a hard time keeping her hands off it.

I'm a Tres Tres Fancy Girl

Last week when I was busy trying to get some housework done, Anna was running around working on some sort of project she had going on. She's a little "collector", she plays by grabbing one thing from 5 thousand different parts of the house and so I let her be knowing that it was just going to take another 20 minutes to put it all away when she was done. Then she asked me to get her "rainbrella" for her. I asked her why she needed it, but when I saw what she had put together, I figured it out.


She was trying to re-create this page in one of her Fancy Nancy books, Bonjour Butterfly.


And that made me laugh. So I had to take a picture, because she's just too funny. Then it was time for her and "Marabelle" to get on the train. So she set that up and told me that she's only talking to Marabelle and they're mostly speaking French. (because that's what happens next in the book of course) And then put in her earphones.

This little fancy girl of mine makes me smile. And I'm so glad she's having fun in her own little Fancy Nancy world. A life of a 3 1/2 year old is magical.

But it stopped there. No City Squire Motel this time. And I'm glad because she already had enough stuff to put away and that was only 2 pages of the book! And yes I helped her put it away because I'm trying to be a nicer, more fun Mom.

Love you Fancy Girl!

3rd of July

Dave had to work on the 3rd of July (surprise right?), but we still had fun celebrating with all our friends. One of our friends from church throws a big Independence Day bash each year and it all starts off with a little parade of bikes, trikes, and strollers. Anna did a great job decorating her tricycle and was so excited about it, as you can see.


A little serious while she's contemplating the parade that's about to start. She was thrilled to ride next to her friend Ella Ward. She's 6, but when they get together they are BFFs and you'd never know the age difference.
The parade is about to begin! I guess the parade route was too much for Anna. She made it about 2 houses and decided she'd rather walk. No Tour de France in her future.

After the parade, it was already super hot, so the water games were perfect to let these kiddos cool down.

Anna with her other pals, Jonah and Will Ward.


Water Balloons!

We decided to head out after the water games and our friends the Wards came back to our house to have some lunch.

Activity one complete.

A few hours later, we went to the beautiful home of our friends the Scott's for swimming and a yummy yummy BBQ. No pics from there. It gets a little tricky holding a baby and making sure your 3 year old doesn't drown while scarfing down a plate of food. Wish I had pics though, it was a blast. We only stayed for awhile though, despite Anna's efforts to stay.

Activity two complete.

Next we headed out to a big BBQ where everyone from the other ward was celebrating. This party was amazing. I had never met the hosts before, but they were so nice. Giving Popsicles, drinks, and sparklers to all the kids. Anna had a blast. I barely saw here the whole night. I did happen to notice though that her bottom was wet. She was having so much fun she wouldn't stop to take a potty break. And she didn't even care. I tried to ask her if she wanted to change, but she barely stopped long enough to tell me no. Whatever. In the spirit of Independence I just let her be. This group had a haul of illegal...I mean legal, fireworks and put on an amazing show at the end of the night. It was a blast! (sorry no pics again)

Activity three complete.

Both kiddos fell asleep in the car and our marathon of parties for the day was over unfortunately.

But the best part of having the 4th of July on a Sunday is that there's still the actual real holiday to celebrate! And this time Daddy would be home. We woke him up to head out to the park to meet our friends. Hung out for a few hours and then headed home before the fireworks started. Party poopers we are, but Dave had to wake up at 4 something the next morning and we didn't want to get stuck in a traffic jam.

Anna and Sierra sharing Skittles and M&Ms. Funny girls.

I truly love Independence Day! I am so grateful for this country and for all the freedoms that were fought so hard for.

grateful

So grateful for these two little people in my life.
As I replay the day in my head, it's clear that my actions don't always show how much I adore these two. I want to be better for them, so that they know.

After a long hard day, my BBQ catching on fire, a visit from the fire department, and then finding out the news of a sorority sister's too early death, leaving behind 2 children of her own, it just makes me think. I take for granted all these moments I get with them. Even the hard ones. Life is truly precious.


I have two beautiful children that I adore.

I get to spend every day with them.
And for that, I am grateful.

4 months

1 month older. 1 month of time going by too fast to take in this sweet boy in all his babyhood.

He's definitely graduated from any kind of "newborn" status and has even moved up a size in clothes.

14.2 pounds and 25 inches to love.

He's rolling over all of the time now and sometimes he gets a little frustrated when he gets stuck on his tummy for too long.

His hands are his favorite toy and he his thumb is his favorite thing to suck. I love how he sucks on it, with his fingers straight up like he's playing the trumpet. (gotta get a picture of that one)

He has started grasping toys and I love observing his curious interest and amazement at each one.

He is such a smiley little guy and is so content to just hang out. And I just want to bottle up that little belly laugh he'll give out occasionally. He does not, however, like his car seat much unless the car is actually moving. He loves baths and makes quite a mess these days with all of his kicking and splashing around. He must be watching the Tour de France with his daddy because his legs are always moving these days.

Love all 4 months of you Zack!