Swimming, Tacos and Family

We recently invited a couple of families with similar-aged kids over to swim at the neighborhood pool and then come back to the house for dinner. There were three 4/5 year-olds and three 2 year-olds. Everyone got along great and we had the best time! Ben and Elizabeth are still talking about our fun and Elizabeth screams at the top of her lungs each time we pass the pool, “SWIMMING! I SWIM HERE!” We haven’t gone a ton this summer and need to squeeze in a few more times before the pool closes for the season as it is a big hit. Ben has already planned to sign up for fall swimming classes among many other things (which we’ll have to work on narrowing down). Anyway, the evening was a success and my kids are eager for the next round.

On Sunday of that weekend we got the chance to have our cousins over and got to see Baby Miles practice his crawling. Ben especially wanted to interact with Miles and brought him tons of toys to play with and tried to get him to come to different parts of the room. E decided she would rather play ball and do some other things, but eventually was rolling the ball to him and joining in the group as well.

During our visit, Grandma Elaine arrived on her way to Dallas to see our niece/cousin for a few days. The kids loved playing with Grandma and enjoyed the evening doing bubbles, reading books and eating pizza. It was a full weekend of special times with friends and family!

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.