Perfect morning...

for a donut, or two.

Never a shortage...

...of superhero's in my house.

I love how both Nick and Jonathan feel a need to omit the drawers when donning the superhero attire...as if wearing them makes them "too human".

Oh, and there's never a shortage of princesses either (and you've seen the boys look adorable in royal wears too).

I told her to make her best princess face...

Bliss

I'll be sad when summer is over.

Recent Sessions

A very big deal!

She woke up on Sunday and decided it was the day...the day to take that final transition from our baby girl to our little girl. We had been actively "pre-potty training" for some time, but this gal wasn't quite getting it. I've cleaned up my fair share of accidents on the floor in the last month or so. When they are ready, they are ready.

For the last three days, Kate has worn panties instead of diapers. For the last three days, she has "done her business" in the potty and had no accidents! Cause for loud rejoicing, right? So why am I kinda disheartened? We are both very proud of her. Really. This is a big achievement, a milestone, a coming-of-age moment in her sweet little lifetime. And it's great to see those wide eyes and beaming smile of pride when she says, "Mommy, I did it! I pee-peed (or poo pooed) in 'da potty!" and (with little finger wagging and head shaking back and forth) "No pee pee in my panieeees. I a big girl!" I waved good-bye to poo-poo the other day as it swirled down the drain. And I was surprisingly sincere about it.

There is still a small part of me that is saddened by this achievement. A part that equates her being in diapers to her being my last little baby. A part that still wants her to drink from a sippy cup, still wants help putting on her shoes, still wants me to rock and cuddle her.

Jason and I have been looking forward to this moment for a while now....to move past the baby stage with all three of our children. I've never understood parents who can't seem to let their kids grow up. My baby's a big girl, yet here I am, sad that my little girl is growing up. I almost feel like whining that I'll wake up one day soon and she'll be driving or going off to college or getting married.

I think I'll concentrate on cheering for pee-pee right now.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Jonathan is FIVE!

We celebrated Jonathan's 5th Birthday this past weekend.

FIVE?

REALLY.

I may be partial, but...

WHAT AN AMAZING KID!

My town

Okay, so it's not really my town, but it once was. In many ways, it always will be.

It's coming home.

You know how you have those holidays that come and go and for whatever reason, just don't have the "celebratory feel"? It's over before it even began?

This was NOT one of those holidays!

It started with dinner at El Sambre Friday night (where Jason and I had our first ever date at the ripe old ages of 14 & 16) followed by evening ice cream and catching fireflies in my parents yard.

Saturday morning, my incredible husband ran his 2nd ever 5K. (It was so fun watching confused faces as they watched him pin the number on instead of me). We saw old high school running friends and former coaches.


Later Saturday morning, we headed to the parade with both sets of grandparents and had fun meeting up with friends Becky and Derek and their amazingly cute children, Greta and Jack. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision our children side by side scrambling for parade goodies!




Saturday evening the kids enjoyed the carnival rides and once again, we ran into old friends. Conversations quickly changed from shared childhood memories to stories of parenting.

They weren't going to let a little sprinkle spoil the fun!







Ice cream at 1/2 Pints

Sunday we had a traditional 4th of July bbq with family followed by fireworks, more fireworks and more fireworks....followed by the Old Glory Days firework display.

Zoo...again.

The weather here has been fabulous this week...great for early morning runs, great most of the day (and by that, I mean, less humidity and less warm than usual this time of year). Another last minute trip to the zoo seemed to be a great way to spend the morning yesterday. Off we went with our neighbors and it appeared that most of KC thought it was a great day for the zoo as well. :)