Leapin Lizards

Today, Mandy and I took the kiddos to Leapin Lizards. This is the first time I have taken both kids since Liam was big enough to enjoy himself there. It made for a chaotic morning, but we had a great time. If we ever win the lottery, one of the first things I will do is make an entire room made out of inflatables. I love (and they do too) that they can jump and fall and never get hurt and laugh and laugh about it all! There is nothing in this world that I love the sound of more that my kids laughing. I got to hear it a lot today!

This is hysterical!!!

This dress may be a touch too big!

Griff laid down like this for like 5 minutes...all the excitement got to him, I guess!

Wheeeee!

Liam really had a blast.. the only problem was that he would get stuck and the inflatables are not really made for adults to fit through

Annah's favorite thing to do today was climb up to the top of the slide and JUMP!

THIS was my favorite part of going to Leapin Lizards!

Vacation Bible School

Last week Annah's preschool had Vacation Bible School. The finale (if you will) was at last Sunday's service. All the kids from VBS preformed several songs. It was pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself! Annah did not so much sing, but did go to school every day (no tears) and got on stage with everyone, so I'm OK with the no singing!

This is pretty much the face she made during the whole performance

I put this picture in for one reason...see the teachers in front of all the kids? They are doing the motions that the kids are supposed to be doing. Notice that not a single child is doing that motion!

Delainey did a great job
Did I mention that Delainey went to VBS too?

Delainey, all smiles!

Annah...same face!

Happy Dad's Day

As I said on Mother's Day, I am not good at putting emotion into words (at least not words that would make sense to anyone), so here is one of my favorite quotes...

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a Daddy."

so, so, so true!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

The auto-focus on mom's camera was screwed up...a shame b/c I think this would be a great picture if you could just see it

(I seem to be noticing a theme with the pictures on here lately)

Fancy Nancy

I have mentioned Fancy Nancy a lot in this blog, mostly b/c Annah loves some Fancy Nancy! Last Saturday Barnes and Noble hosted a Fancy Nancy Tea Party. They had pink (of course) "tea" and pink (of course) cookies plus a huge selection (of course) of Fancy Nancy books and toys we could all buy! Annah had to wear her FN hat and beads and flower wand. I was a little worried she would be the only one dressed up, but I was wrong...way wrong! There were little girls in full princess garb. It was hilarious!

One must be fancy for a Fancy Nancy tea party!

The train table was a hit for Annah and Liam...hint, hint, hint, Santa

My Big Helper

Since Annah has been at Vacation Bible School this week, Liam has been enjoying his status as an only child (for a couple hours a day at least). He has taken over the role as Mommy's Helper in the mornings. Here are some of my favorite examples:

Liam helped me look up a number in the phone book...

It was easier to find the numbers if the pages were actually all spread out!

"Mommy, I think I found the right page!"

He helped clean up after lunch

And helped load the dishwasher

"Mommy, the spoons go here!"

He even helped put the laundry away

"Move, Dogs! I have work to do!"

First Week '09

I am not sure why some of these pictures uploaded so small...actually, the ones that are so small are ones that Micah took with her camera...maybe this is my computer's way of making sure I don't take credit for someone else's photos (not that I would--and even if I did you could totally tell b/c Micah does a much better job than I do of taking pictures). Anyway, some of them are tiny, and it's unfortunate b/c they are my faves. We had so much fun at the beach with all the kids. I think the kids had a lot of fun too. I hope Annah isn't expecting the same crowd every time we head down there now!

AAAGGGGHHH!

This picture is amazing if you could just see it! You can see Annah's reflection in Liam's eyes. You can tell he is just watching her...so cool!

"If only I could walk! I hate the sand on my knees!"

"I see Ariel! Look, Tucker and Ty, she's right there!"

"Dancing Queen"

aka Drama Queen

This business of building sand castles is very serious

I love this picture...LAID BACK...literally!

We walked to get ice cream one night and on the way back, the firemen were outside and offered the kids a chance to see the firetrucks up close. Of course we jumped at the chance. Those guys are so incredibly nice. They let them get in the truck and on the rescue jet skis, gave them all goody bags and hat, and were great with them in general. It was a neat experience for the moms too!

Rub-a-dub-dub, 4 kids in the tub!
Clockwise from top: Ty, Annah, Barrett, Tyler

Ty, Griff, Tyler, Liam, Annah, Mattox, Tucker, Barrett

Not pictured: Delainey and Jac

My how things have changed. 12 years ago, First Week had a whole different meaning...12 years seems like a lifetime ago (Will and I just started dating, we had no responsibilities, no real worries, just fun), but in the grand scheme of things, it's really not that long ago at all. In 12 short years, our lives have changed drastically and thankfully so have the lives of several of our friends because this first week just wouldn't have been the same without them!

The First and The Last

Last Friday was a big day for Annah. It was her last day of school and her first real sleepover all in the same day! For her last day of school, they had a family picnic. Everyone packed a picnic lunch and even Will managed a cameo. Annah got to spend a little time playing with her best school friend, Amelia. Annah's teacher also told me she had suggested that Annah and Amelia be in the same class next year. I am so proud of the turn-around that Annah made in school this year. I remember (vividly) the first few months when I would leave and hear her crying all the way in the parking lot...or see her on the playground all by herself just shaking, she was so upset. But by the end of the year, she was ready to go in the morning, made some really good friends, and seemed to really come into her own. While I would love to think that this was all due to some mommy-magic I preformed, but I really have to give her teachers (and Annah) all the credit.

Annah and Amelia

After her last day of school, Annah had her first sleepover (well, first that didn't involve a relative). Delainey spent Friday night at our house. They did great...went right to sleep and never heard a peep until Saturday morning. So cute, but makes me realize (once again) my baby is growing up!

Bedtime snack

I couldn't resist