Fourth of July Weekend

We started the weekend with the annual parade at school. It was an extra hot one this year so it was cut short at one lap around the building and followed by ice cream in the classrooms. Ben was shy when he saw us waving at him and made a funny mouth and looked away. Elizabeth was terrified by the whole experience and started crying as soon as she saw Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. They both looked cute though and E still has the dye spots on her scalp to prove her patriotism!

Saturday was another big day. We started with a camping themed double birthday party with some of our good friends who were turning 5 and 2. The kids had a blast doing all of the “camp activities” and are now determined to make s’mores at home all the time.

After nap we headed out to see Cars 2 with Grandma and Grandpa. We thought they would get a kick out of seeing the kids at a movie as well as hopefully enjoying the movie itself. Everyone got a taste of why Elizabeth should not be invited (she is a mover and a shaker!). And a few minutes into a shooting scene Ben climbed over Grandpa to get in Mom’s lap and plead his case on why the family should pack up and leave. Mom convinced him to hang in there and he was glad eventually, but isn’t sure he will want to watch it again. This one was a little dark and violent compared to the first. Winnie the Pooh is next on our list to lighten things up!

Sunday we geared up all day for the big party at Aunt Terry’s house. The kids were looking forward to water play, animals, fireworks and treats. We all had a blast and kept cool in the sprinklers, enjoyed cooling off the horses and had some great fun with friends and family. On the way home we were able to see lots of fireworks from the car. We were on the Creek bridge as the Riverwalk show was starting so we looped back around to have more time near the fireworks. Neither kid was impressed with that idea. E cried, “You scare me! I go home to my bed!” Ben was determined that our car was going to get hit and that we were driving way too close. He is not a fan of the noise either. So we headed home realizing that it would be at least another year until we can watch fireworks up close.

On the 4^th, we ran some errands and relaxed at home some. After nap we headed to some old friends’ house and enjoyed some swimming and grilling. The kids both had a blast in the pool and enjoyed the trampoline. They also enjoyed watching the older kids light “snakes” and do other small fireworks (with hands over ears if they had any noise). We headed home before the big show on the golf course. Hopefully in a couple of years we’ll be able to enjoy the big shows again.

Ellisms

E’s cutest conversations right now are if you can catch her talking to or about one of her babies.

This baby is so stinky! I need lots of wipes!

Baby, I am getting your boogers.

Baby is naughty – time out, baby! Let’s go check her, Mom.

Over here, Baby. I take your picture on my phone!

She also sings to her babies which is so sweet.

E’s best friends per her proclamation: Daddy, Grandpa, Kiva (teacher), Quis (teacher), Ben Hixon (boy in class), Jakey (boy in class), Cooper (boy that is in another class), Grayson (boy in class) . . . Other than her teachers, E is all about the boys!! Although at the very end, she got really shy and said “Claire” and giggled a lot. We have a sweet friend who is three and Elizabeth thinks she is pretty cool.

Recently E learned Mom’s and Dad’s real names. The best part is how she says them. Dad is usually Bandon or Bwandon and Mom is Kitty. She will often be yelling across the house, “Mom, where is Bwandon?” and then laughing hysterically. She will tell people “My mom is Kitty!” and after she gets a laugh she just beams and is so proud to have this new information. Thank you, Grandma Lyn! :)

E makes a kissy sound with her mouth.

E – “What’s that noisy?”

Mom – “I am not sure what that could be.” (Playing along for the hundredth time.) :)

E – “It’s in my mouth!!” Giggles hysterically and then starts over by making the noise again and asking what it is.

Benisms

Dad gave Ben a haircut at home for the first time and kept mentioning that it might need to be a “buzz cut”. After he was done, Ben told Dad that he liked it but maybe next time he would try a “Woody cut”. Guess Lightyear is the only Buzz that Ben knows!

“Mom, please tell Sister to be quiet – I am contemplating!”

“Wow, that is a big word – what does contemplating mean, Ben?”

“It means I am thinking hard. Maybe I mean concentrating. Anyway, please make her be quiet!”

“Mom, did you know that the taxi is a family member of the bus? I know that because Grandpa David told it to me!” “Did you also know that cars have computers inside? Isn’t that amazing?”

“Pirates don’t wear underwear!” This is a fun fact that was learned at school during pirate week that has come back to haunt Grandma and Grandpa. Ben streaks through their house and claims he is a pirate so he doesn’t need underwear. It was probably funny the first time!

A basket of bread with butter was served at our table at a restaurant. Ben's eyes lit up and asked if we would all get ice cream with our dinner. (He thought the little scoop of butter was vanilla ice cream.)