cousins

what could make bauer so happy? why cousins of course!!

our favorite day cousin, setler, spent the weekend with us. we did lots of fun stuff, but the kids loved the pool the best...

don't you think?! ;)

and the weekend before that, shannon and jackson came for a visit.

popsicles on the front stoop...a summer time favorite!

swim lessons

this year we decided was a good year to start swim lessons. after much debate we chose private lessons with coach karen. they are pricey, but clif said it best. "this is just an investment in their future and safety." (and might i add, mommy's sanity!) friday was our first lesson. and it was GREAT!

because coach karen is a professional she requires some (what i considered) extra stuff....like swim caps. but when your kids look this cute....i mean who cares? right?!

so far, i have been very pleased. in one short lesson they learned how to safely get in and out of the pool (without needing stairs), how to hang on to the edge and scoot around, how to hold your breath and go under, and how to float. not too shabby!!

ruby spends the night

last thursday after school ruby came over to spend the night. even though steph has had vivian several times, this was a first for us! steph marked the event with a special surprise for both girls!

matching short sets and fun sun glasses!! i think the girls liked them.

after a full day of playing and giggling, it was time to get cleaned up and snuggle up with popcorn and a movie. ruby brought her favorite "barbie's princess and the pauper".

the next morning the girls were only too happy to get dressed up in their new goodies!! they look TOO cute! but wait...i know you are worried about bauer and what he did....

well....you could say he enjoyed himself....or maybe he even found his inner elton john?! ;)

vivian's school play

this year vivian's class presented a little program for the parents to show their vast knowledge of all they have learned throughout the year. the theme was nursery rhymes, and the program was fantastic!!

miss twinkle twinkle little star.

brother and sister after the program.

little miss muffett.

and vivian's favorite part: making firecrackers after singing "we love our flag" and reciting the pledge of allegiance! we are so very proud of you miss vivian!!

little boys...big brawl...

see these little cuties?! looking all innocent and sweet? one minute tame, the next...hackles raised and ready to pounce! check it out....

bauer: "hey man, did you see that?"
nate: "yep...that just fires me up!"

b: "why on earth?!"
n: "just closing my eyes and counting to three..."

n: "don't hold me back man...let me at 'em!"
b: "hold on man...easy there...i got your back."

n: "ahhhh....you're right, bauer. thanks for talking me down..."
b: "sure dude....all's good!"

;) teehee

work and play

balance is the key to life. recently we had to do a little work to the house. we needed a new garbage disposal...

and apparently, one plumber wasn't enough to finish the job.

"dad, i think that requires the wrench..."

"here...let me just screw this in for you."

but life isn't full of all work and NO play. we also have had plenty of princess adventures with miss anna.

and fun at the museum with the reeves.

a bit o'clarity

i am in a slump. i don't know if it is the weather (aka never ending muggy\monsoon) or what but i have NO motivation. and i am SLEEEEPY. no laundry, no dishes, no house picked up, no field trips, no yard work....nuttin'. can't even find the motivation to book the hotel for the impending vaca (don't worry c, i'll do it tonight....i hope). WHY do i share all this...welllll.....maybe because this little bit of....well, let's just call it what it is, sheer laziness...has opened my eyes to a little bit of something else. my husband rocks. seriously...without complaint the man bathes the kids, loads the dishwasher, etc. i guess the point is this....whether the man gets me a candy bar or has the kids color on a post it note with highlighter (both past mom's day gifts), he has given me the best gift i can ask for this week.....a partner. what mother's doesn't need a good tag team partner? thanks honey....i love you.

grand-day's

inspired by our fayetteville adventures, we decided to head to tennessee to see the day grandparents, gege and pawpaw....and man did we have some grand days!! (ok enough with the puns.)

immediately upon arrival they headed out back to the swing set.

i must admit after six hours in the car...anything outside sounded like a great idea!!

after a great night sleep, and a little oatmeal breakfast. (the headbands came in a three pack, and were meant to keep vivian's hair out of her oatmeal. the third one is on gege, but i didn't think she would appreciate that on the blog...you can thank me later, joan! but i digress....)

it was off to nashville. we decided to stop near the grand ole opry...and do some look-e-see.

gege helped the kids check out the enormous catfish...

while mommy attempted to feed the stingrays. (where is daddy when you really need him? it turns out this is a bit more nerve wracking than you would imagine, because you had to stick half your arm UNDER the water so they could suck the foot out of your hand. needless to say, i was the only one from the group that even attempted this feat.)

but the rays were pretty...

and bauer enjoyed watching the reef sharks, too.

next it was off to rain forest cafe for lunch. although i read about this place in dallas, this was our first try.

at first the kids weren't sure....there were actual rain storms with thunder and lightening and all the animals went wild....but after a few times they were hooked. and vivian now says it was her favorite place!

they even had these really cool bar stools. (please excuse the optical illusion on the size of my rear end....short sweater plus booty at odd angle equal bad picture. but look how cute miss v is!)

lastly, we checked out some tropical fish, and after a quick little drive....we were back at the day's.

gege made dinner. and just as we had done as children...the kids enjoyed a warm evening on the porch with popsicles. (my favorite pic of the trip!!)

the next day we headed to the park.

where we played in the sand...

and climbed up the....what do you call that thing?

and went down the slide, with a little help from pawpaw.

back home....vivian found a little place to relax while brother napped.

and after a full day of playing gege read some bedtime stories.

the next morning...even before breakfast...the kiddos were outside helping pawpaw with the "tractor". and then it was off to see pawpaw's new plant.

bauer immediately found something to play with....

and vivian was a very quick learner when it came to the crane (clif says this was one of his favorite things to do at chicopee when he was little).

we even got a "lift" on the forklift. (ok...last pun i promise!)

but wait....uh-oh.....who is trying to work the crane now? without supervision?! ;)

after four days it was time to head back to arkansas....someone had a hard time saying goodbye. we had such a great time...thanks again, gege and pawpaw!!!