Summer Fun in a Flash

Since we started school this week, our summer is officially over. It seems like it flew by, of course life seems to be flying by these days.

I'll try to cover the summer in a few posts. I'll start with June...

The kiddos started taking gymnastics at the Little Gym. They both loved it and A and I had a good time watching them and playing in the lobby. Bear loved running wild and he even did great doing rolls and walking on the beam. Although, he did like it much better when Sweet Pea was in his class (they went to a couple of make-up classes together). Sweet Pea also loved running around and she did pretty well on the beam and bars, too. And most weeks we would go out to eat as a family and Pappy would join us! I'm already missing "nastics nights".

In the middle of June I ventured out and took all three kids to the Children's museum. It isn't anything special, but the kids had a blast. I think their favorite activity was playing with the parachute man and the pulley. We ended up getting an annual membership, so I am guessing me and the boys will be frequenting the museum this fall.

The following weekend we went to see Toy Story 3 (opening weekend). I think that is the most excited I have ever been about a movie coming out. Bear and Sweet Pea had been talking about it for a year, so they were obviously beside themselves with excitement! We met Pappy at the theater for the second showing of the morning. And I should add that we were not disappointed - it was fabulous! And I even cried at the end when Andy talked about each of his toys.

The following week Sweet Pea and I went to Sea World with one of her friends and her momma. We had the best time! We watched a few shows, rode the Shamu coaster, played in the splash park and swam in the lazy river at the water park. The girls giggled and smiled all day which made my heart happy! I love spending time with my Sweet Pea and getting to see her precious personality.

Fun in May... Part 2

We finished off May with a bang! My sweet baby boy had his last day of school (first year in MDO) and my sweet baby girl graduated from preschool, after 3 years of MDO, as she heads off to kindergarten.

Bear had a great year. It started out a little rough with a few tears each morning at drop-off, but he always ended the day having fun. And he has learned a lot about playing with others, following instructions, being respectful and maybe even a few "school things". He also loved going to school with Sweet Pea and playing on the rocks with her afterwards.

Here he is on the first day of school:

And here he is on the last day, with each of his teachers

Sweet Pea's graduation was full of emotion. We were so excited for her to celebrate finishing the year, but it was obviously hard to say good-bye to this season of her life. She has been such a joy to watch grow up. Every one of her firsts, is also our first. The school put together a nice little graduation ceremony.

Here is our little Sweet Pea on her very first day of school in 2007:

And here are some pics from her last day and the graduation ceremony:

Fun in May

May was very busy month - We started out on a big trip through East Texas. We spent a couple of nights in D'ville with Pappy. We had fun playing at the park (which I can remember being built when I was in jr high), shopping for our fishing trip and visiting GiGi's grave. I wasn't sure how we would handle the questions, but I think it went very well. Sweet Pea asked A LOT of questions! But, as we pulled up to the area where her grave is, I told them "we are here". And Bear asked, "Mommy, are we in heaven"? My heart just melted.

I am so glad we got that visit in because that would be the last time we would go to my childhood home. My dad sold his house a month later. I am sooo happy to have Pappy so close, but I am also sad to say goodbye to the house I was "born" in and the house where I held my mom's hand as she took her last breaths. I just keep telling myself the memories I have in my heart will last forever:)

Our next stop was my aunt and uncle's lake house in E. Texas. We had an amazing time fishing and just hanging out amongst the beautiful scenery. Both kids caught their first fish! Bear was a natural and Sweet Pea was... well, she very pretty in her fishing gear.

Here's Bear with one of his first fish that he caught on the boat with Daddy and Pappy:

And Sweet Pea and Bear taking a ride in the cart with Pappy - they went exploring:

Here's Sweet Pea in her fishing gear and with her 1st fish:

Bear reeling in a fish all by himself and Daddy helping him get it off the hook:

The kids with Aunt P and Uncle J and all of us on the cart:

Our final stop was to visit N's grandparents in (further) E.Texas. We had a wonderful visit and the kids loved playing with their E.Tx cousins.

The following weekend was Sweet Pea's dance recital. Her class danced to "What a Wonderful World", which is the song my mom chose for the groom/mother-in-law dance at our wedding. I am pretty sure she chose it for Sweet Pea's first dance recital, too. She did wonderful. Although she did keep crossing her legs as she did the dance moves. After the show, I asked her why and she said, "Because I had to tee tee".

And here's the encore... a dance with Daddy

A Jumping Good Time

I haven't blogged since April and I have so much to catch up on. I'll start with Sweet Pea and Bear's joint birthday party. So, we booked "the jump house place" for a Saturday afternoon between their birthdays. The kids jumped, slid, ran, and giggled for an hour and a half with their friends. Then we had cake and opened presents. It was a great time!

Here are the birthday girl and birthday boy and baby brother having fun with daddy:

The birthday cupcake cakes:

And these... with her arm around him and him kissing her... it's just too much!

And here are some group shots... such great friends!

Little Brother had a blast, too!

This is how I knew they had a great time...

Our Lil' Bear is 3!

Our last birthday of the season was Bear's. He is now 3! His (and Sweet Pea's) party was the week before his actual birthday and he celebrated in his MDO class with a cookie cake the day before his birthday. He was so excited to have his friends sing Happy Birthday to him both times. For the big day, we went to a family picnic at their school and Chuck E. Cheese's that evening.

Oh, and when we woke up the morning of his birthday, this is what we found in the yard. Thanks MeMe!

He is so proud to be 3 now. It's been so fun to watch him progress over the past year. He is speaking more clearly, putting thoughts together, playing with bugs, jumping on and off of everything, loving Buzz Lightyear, liking Max and Ruby, throwing, kicking and bouncing anything round, casting a fishing rod (better than I ever could) every chance he gets, and snuggling so sweetly! He is all boy, but he has the most tender heart. My favorite words out of his mouth so far are "Mommy, you are my best in my world". Of course "Mommy, I love you co much" (he hasn't quite mastered his s's yet) and "Mommy, you are gorgeous" are right up there, too.

I am learning so much about little boys and I am loving every minute of it!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! I love you to infinity and beyond!