Candyland

It rained Sunday, so when Jon David went down for his nap, we pulled out the Candyland game Santa had brought Eleanor. She absolutely loved it and it's all she wants to do now. You should have seen the look on her face when we explained to her that you don't always win. Poor princess!

Bummin' It

I honestly don't think we could get any lazier. When they talk about the "Lazy Days of Summer", they're talking about us. We roll out of bed about 8. We play upstairs in the gameroom for a bit and then it's strudel time. After that, we lay on the sofa and watch Playhouse Disney for a while. Around 11, we finally swap out our jammies for swim suits and mosey over to the pool.

It is pathetic, but we've completely embraced our inner slackers. I've been thinking about it, and I've decided I'm really doing the kids a favor. Jonathan and I both come from families of over-achievers. Eleanor and Jon David may never know how to sit and do completely nothing if someone doesn't take the time and teach them this valuable skill. It's my duty as their mother to show them the ways. They'll thank me when they get to college.

Speaking of the pool, I think it's time for some swimmin'. I've got some funny stories of the kiddos to post, though, so check back soon.

Everyone keep Abby and Jason in their prayers. Her due date was yesterday, so Baby Jack will be here ANY day now. We love you guys!!!

Best Friends

...most of the time.

One Flower, Two Dogs, and Daddy's Shoes

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The kids and I went for a big walk this morning. It was an absolutely beautiful day. It felt way more like early June than mid July. There was a breeze and blue skies and low humidity (relatively speaking!). I had my camera with me...of course...and at one point just had to stop and take a picture of how absolutely beautiful this area is. This is just a shot on the sidewalk basically of Lantana Trail. But, it's just beautiful to me. I love it here!

My Backyardigans

Geez! It got hot fast! It finally quits raining so we can play outside and the temperture is blazing. Oh well. Doesn't seem to phase the kiddos.

"Jon David, you're getting your diapies all wet!" It's like he has two moms, poor thing!

Here's us trying out my new 17-50mm lens. Sweet!

Pics from this week

After a rainy week spent couped up inside, the kids really enjoyed getting to spend time in Mem and D's pool this weekend!


Playing inside this week. Waiting for the sun.

Eleanor decided that Brazos needed a blanket, too.Jon David squishing up his toes while he reads "I Love Trucks".


Eleanor taking care of her "babies".

Saturday Waitin'

Mem and Papa D GRACIOUSLY came and got the kiddos at eight o'clock this morning. Their plan was breakfast, dress-up, and pool. I'm sure there are going to be some detours as well! Eleanor was so excited that she was dressed head to toe before we even went upstairs to get them up. Pink striped tshirt with floral red skort. "But it DOES match, Mommy!"

We're supposed to be using this time to reeeally clean the house. A two and four year old can destroy a house in ways never imagined possible. There's stuff EVERYWHERE. It's driving Jonathan nuts. It's so messy, he had to go back to bed.

And I'm stalking the UPS site. This week I sold every lens I own to buy a new wide angle zoom lens. It says that at 1am it was shipped from Mesquite to Denton. It should be here any minute, right? I can't pick up upstairs until it gets here because I want to use it to get awesome shots of everything "completely all spread out". I have procrastination down to a science.

Scatter Shooting

"No, Mommy, the game room isn't all messy. It's just completely all spread out."

"Mommy, you cracks me up."

Catch Up

I took Eleanor to register for her first ballet lessons last weekend. It was very exciting for her AND Mommy. I found the great dance studio just across the road from us. She'll be in the Babies II class on Monday mornings. It's twenty minutes of tap, twenty minutes of ballet, and five minutes to change shoes. Can't you just imagaine?!

She came home and told Daddy all about it. Jonathan, joking, of course, asked her if her Jon David was going to get to go with her. Eleanor smiled and shook her head. "No, Daddy. He's too not a girl."

Both of them got to stay up and see their first fireworks show(wa-works, if you're Jon David) this Fourth of July. We all waited patiently in Mem and Papa D's backyard for them to start. Eleanor, who naturally was dressed to the nines in her princess gear,was beginning to lose her patience. We all told her to wave her wand and get those fireworks going.

Eleanor took this mission very seriously. She waved that wand everywhere with great determination shouting "Bibbity Bobbity BOO!" Suddenly, the show started...KABOOOOOM! Her eyes were saucers and she was speechless for a moment....then started jumping around the yard with her wand held high in the air shouting, "It works! It works! It works!"

On our way home through the country roads we got to see many more fireworks. Eleanor was in the backseat waving that wand and Jon David would squeal and say "Yeah, Yeya, You deed another one!" We're expecting the letter from Hogwarts any day.

Saturday was a big day. Drew Stuckey had his FOURTH birthday party and we trecked back down to Dallas to help celebrate. Allison and Shawn transformed their backyard into Drews and Diego's Animal Rescue Center. They had a huge bounce house slip 'n slide and all kinds of fun stuff. And cake, of course. It was so fun to see all our old friends. And the kids had a blast, too!

Here's a few pics from the fiesta.

Have a great week everyone.

Aunt Abby, hang in there. That Baby Jack will be here before you know it!
Notice Jon David's stratigic location. He was standing next to me when we all gathered for the cake. Suddenly, I'm snapping pictues and I see Jon David in the view finder. He had weaseled his way to the front of the table right next to Aunt Allison's leg just waiting for that first cupcake. Oh, and he managed to find a spoon to bring with him. Heaven help the fool who gets between Buboo and his cake.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Here's the kids sharing their Happy Meals and cracking each other up. Just your regular lunch!




Then we went upstairs and played.









My two peas in a pod.

Ella the Artist

Eleanor drew her first stick person this week. She came running over to me and had to tell me all about it.

See, there's two eyes, a mouth, two arms, a hand, and two legs. She was so proud...and so am I.