Fireworks Preview

After church tonight, the Busches invited us over to swim at Josh's mom's house.  It felt great after the incredibly hot day we had!  As we were getting ready to head home, we saw the first of the American Legion fireworks in the distance.  So, we all hurried into the cars and drove to our church parking lot for a surprisingly good view of the remainder of the display.  We could even hear the booms, which added to the experience.  The bigger kids loved standing on the center console in Allan's car and hanging out of the sun roof!  Brody got a great seat on his Daddy's shoulders.

Cleaner Mouth?

Harper (age 3 1/2!) got her mouth washed out with soap for the first time last night.  We have been threatening it as a consequence for her overuse of "potty" words (poop, pee, diarrhea, butt, pee pee, etc.) for a couple of weeks now, so it was time we followed through.  Allan held her tight and swiped the tiniest amount onto her tongue.  She screamed for a couple of minutes and ran downstairs to me for consolation.  I was  totally unaware of what was happening, which was probably for the best because I bet I would have tried to talk him out of it.  I gave her a drink of water and a couple of kisses and she was off and running again.  Her mouth did smell like soap the rest of the evening, though. :)  Here's hoping for a cleaner mouth!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  As far as I remember, I was a pretty good, obedient, responsible, kid.  However, my "smart mouth" got me in trouble daily.  I know for sure I got my mouth washed out with soap at least once, but probably more!

Keeping Cool

We are keeping cool this summer by spending a lot of time at the SIUE pool and playing in the kid pool and sprinkler in our backyard.

I love this picture of Delaney and Alayna playing lifeguard at the pool.  

It took us 3 summers, but finally we came up with the idea of putting our pool at the end of the slide in our backyard!  We stole Claire and Luke from their Nanny's house for a little while to play with us.  

Daddy's turn!  All evidence of Mommy's turn has been destroyed :)

Father's Day Festivities

Father's Day morning we went on a family bike ride with the Joneses and Dickempers.  Delaney got to ride the tag-a-long (pedal trailer) for the first time.  We rode to Red Apple for breakfast, then stopped at Drost Park on the way home to play.   Really great time!

Allan worked 12-5, then we had his parents and my mom and Ed over for dessert - a nice, relaxing evening.

Father's Day Interview

For Father's Day, I thought I would ask the girls questions about their favorite person - Daddy!!  They are both Daddy's girls through and through and he just adores them.  He is truly the best father I could ask for for my girls and I am so glad God gave him to us!

How old is Daddy?
D:  um, I don't know
H: Umm, I don't know, you tell me

How tall is Daddy?
D:  um, I don't know
H:  Huge

How much does Daddy weigh?
D:  I don't know :)
H:  15

What is Daddy's favorite food?
D:  spaghetti
H:  oatmeal

What is Daddy's job?
D:  to work at the bike store
H:  work on things

What makes Daddy mad?
D:  saying bad words
H:  biting

What does Daddy love to do?
D:  he likes to tickle me
H:  snuggle with me

What does Daddy do when he comes home from work?
D:  he whistles
H:  whistle

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
D:  play games with him
H:  um, play with him

What makes Daddy happy?
D:  my hugs
H:  not biting

What does Daddy do that makes you laugh?
D:  tickles me
H:  tickle me

Is Daddy a good singer?
D:  uh, no
H:  yes

What is Daddy's favorite song?
D:  uhhh, Twinkle Twinkle
H:  (shrugs shoulders)

What is the best food that Daddy makes you?
D:  cereal
H:  um, bagel with cream cheese

What is something that Daddy always tells you?
D:  you're silly
H:   be nice

What do you think Daddy does while you are sleeping?
D:  watch TV
H:  he is sleeping

How are you and Daddy the same?
D:  we're both silly
H:  (she couldn't come up with an answer)

How are you and Daddy different?
D:  we don't agree on if I am bad
H:  our hair

What do you love most about Daddy?
D:  he is crazy
H:  um, I love him

What does Daddy say is the most important rule?
D:  do not say potty words
H:  fix things

What is Daddy the best at?
D:  he is the best at silly things
H:  coloring

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  We love you so much!

2 Wheeler!

Delaney rode a 2-wheeler today for the first time!  She has been practicing on her balance bike (a bike with no pedals) for a month or so and was ready to try no training wheels today.  She got it on her very first try!  Allan wanted her to wear long sleeves and jeans while she was practicing by I said, "No way!"  It is a rite of passage and part of growing up to fall down and get scrapes while learning to ride a bike.  But, she didn't ever fall!  We are so proud of you, Delaney!  

Forest Park Day

Today was a perfect day for a family day at Forest Park - the zoo, a picnic, and playing in the fountains by the World's Fair Pavilion.

Delaney's Class Song

Ever since we got our new computer, I have been having trouble uploading videos to the blog - weird considering I'm using a Mac to get videos from my iPhone.  I digress. 

Anyway, I learned how to upload videos to youtube, so here is Delaney's class's song from her Pre K graduation ceremony.

First Campout of the Season!

Our neighbor Scott organized the first campout of the season tonight.   Allan and the girls have been anxious to sleep outside since we have been having such mild temps.  

 Harper and Lucas 

 All of the girls playing house in the Garman's tent

 Sami, Harper, Alayna, and Emma 

Scott set up their projector so the kids could watch a movie while the adults chatted by the fire pit.  I like this picture of all of them with their glow sticks and bracelets.

FBCM Family Fun Night

I don't know what came over me, but not only did we go to the library event today, we also went to a Family Fun Night at the church where the girls go to school!  I hate these sorts of things!!  The fact that it is less than a mile away and the girls both had good naps helped, although it took us 30 minutes to get out the door because they wanted to dilly dally around - frustrating!  

The first thing we did was stand in line to get their faces painted.  Both chose rainbows.  Then they went through the bounce house obstacle course.  (No pics because I have vowed to never take another bounce house picture again.  You've seen one, you've seen them all!)  Then we got sno cones for the girls and a hot dog for mom.  We played a few games, but I did not keep the tickets they were winning.  The girls do not even know that you can turn your tickets in for prizes (junk that clutters up my house) and I plan to keep it that way :)  I can just picture them in therapy someday lamenting the fact that their mom did not let them bring home cheap plastic rings and rubber dinosaurs from the treasure chest at the carnivals :(   

The best part of the night for me was the few songs they sang for the preschoolers.  My girls knew all of the songs from school and were all too happy to sing and do the motions with some of their friends.

Please excuse the horrible off-key voice (mine!) singing right into the phone microphone.  It took me until halfway through the song to realize that you would be able to hear me - sorry!  Seeing how cute Harper is while "rocking her guitar" is worth the embarrassment of my awful singing.

Library Summer Kickoff

At yoga this morning, someone mentioned that today was the E'vile library's summer reading program kickoff event at 1:00.  Then, at Music Camp drop off, Krista told me that she and the boys were planning to go.  Since the weather was perfect and the girls were in a good mood when I picked them up from camp, I thought we'd give it a shot.  I'm not usually a big fan of crowded, hot, outdoor events.  But, like I said the weather was just right and this was free!  

We arrived after Krista and Taryn and they had already secured a shady spot.  The two big attractions at today's program were free pancakes (so good!) and a concert by Bubaloo (sp?).  I'm so glad we ended up going.  The girls loved playing and dancing with their friends and the singer was pretty funny even to the adults.  I feel like we are at such a good spot right now with the girls having a little bit more independence.  I felt very comfortable staying put on the blanket while they ran up to the bubbles or to get a drum stick, bucket or beanbag.  They looked out for each other and always made their way back.  It was a great time!

Who doesn't love bubbles?

Pancakes!

My two girls

Giggling at a funny song about, what else? - underpants!

Tossing a bean bag to Lucas.

For one of the songs, they had to balance a bean bag in all sorts of weird places.  This time it was on their back.

In another song, they all got to go up and get a bucket and some drum sticks to play.  It was surprisingly well organized for as many kids were running around!

Dancing drummer girl

Lucas's 4th Birthday!

Today we celebrated Lucas's 4th birthday at Pride Gym.  The girls loved having free reign of the gymnastics facilities with their friends.  Delaney enjoyed showing off some of her new skills from her last gymnastics session at the Y.  Originally, I thought that I would be taking pictures with Krista's camera because she wasn't feeling well, so I didn't bring my own big camera.  She was able to come, so all of these pictures were taken with Allan's phone camera - not the best quality :)

 Balance beam

 The birthday boy!

 Flip on the bar

 Everybody loves to play the parachute game - even Daddy!

 Colin is the happiest baby I know!  He is really working on his army crawl.

 The bridge

 Trampoline!

 Harper gets some height on the trampoline.

All of the kiddos