Sweet Things

Here are some things I have had the pleasure to see as I have stayed at home with the kids this summer.

• Caitlyn and Brent were sitting together watching a movie and Caitlyn reached over and put her arm around Brent and kissed him on the head.
• Today at Chick-Fil-A I told Caitlyn to keep an eye on her brother while playing and she was with him every step of the way, until he took off ahead of her! It was so fun to see them come down the slide together.
  
• Then they shared ice cream and she even tried to feed him but ended up gagging him. LOL!
• Caitlyn will tell Brent, "say das, say das." And he will. I have to correct her to tell him the correct word YES so he is hearing the correct language.
• Caitlyn has gone in to the bathroom and fixed his toothbrush up for him.
• Brent will do everything Caitlyn does. If she leans against a tree, he will too. Today Caitlyn was leaning against a wall doing a special drawing game, so Brent got a game and leaned against the wall and read his book.
• Tonight the kids got their blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and books and had a camp out.

I especially love to see them hug each other and see their special bond grow stronger each day.

Cooking, Playing and Poppins

These pictures show what a typical day of summer might look around our house when we don't get out of the house all day. I turned my back for a couple of minutes and Caitlyn had all these kitchen tools out and was cooking up a mean dish of "spicy" cheese sticks with salt and pepper. To me it looks like more dishes to wash. But the smile is worth it, huh!
Caitlyn and Brent are loving there swing set/play area outside now that the weather has cooled off and it is not a blazing 110 degrees! Brent prefers to be outside and Caitlyn is fine with it as long as she can dress up and take all her toys too. Bonus for me: They love playing together!
First they were playing inside the dog houses. Gross - I know! Then they began crawling all over the tops of them and I finally figured out they are "airplanes." Gotta love those imaginations!
Last night Caitlyn and I had a movie date to watch Mary Poppins. This was her first musical and I was so hoping she would love it. She did! Mary Poppins, the musical is coming to Dallas in September and October and I'm hoping to get us tickets to go.

For our movie night we had to have popcorn and candy. How did she know this? Not quite sure. We have taken her to the movie once, at Christmas time and I don't remember making a big deal about the food. The movie on the other hand will forever stick out in my mind, it was the new movie about dogs and we thought she would love it. What we didn't know and now feel kind of dumb admitting it is that it was a tear jerker, Marley & Me. So I was holding her and trying not to lose it.

I digress. We had a great time and I can't wait to take her to the musical.

Lazy Saturdays

I love lazy days when you can lounge around in your pj's, drink coffee and watch the kids play. Today has been one of those days.

I have been letting the kids go outside and play early in the morning, usually anywhere between 7 and 9 before it gets scorching hot. Yesterday and today we have had a break in our 17 day stretch of over 100 degree temperatures so the kids got to enjoy playing longer. Which was really good since we slept in 'til 9:15!!! Lucky break for me!

Caitlyn went out in her nightgown, bracelet and princess shoes. Don't think she forgot her purse! It was so cute to watch her go up the ladder and down the slide all decked out. She and Brent were playing restaurant. I wish I would have gotten pictures, but then it wouldn't have been a lazy day!

Brent can now go up the ladder all on his own and is so proud of himself when he gets to the top. I know I say it every time but he is getting so big, so fast.

When the kids were ready to come inside we went upstairs to play dollhouse, kitchen, dancing, and of course doctor.

I got to be the patient. My ailment was an upset tummy. Caitlyn looked around for the doctor toys. Her dad lets her play with some of his doctor kit when he is home and playing her (nothing like starting her off early, huh?).

I explained that is off limits so she begins to look around for other options and to watch her brain begin to work. So she uses a ketchup bottle to take my temperature. She gives me a shot with a dollhouse lamp. Then she runs to Brent's room and grabs 4 blocks and runs back in.

Now while she was gone, she has instructed Brent to rub my feet. He does. Nice! I'm liking this! Then she puts 2 blocks underneath each heel. "Hey, is this some kind of acupuncture medicine?"

She begins to move to the stomach area. "So mommy. You have a baby in your tummy, right."
"No"
"Yes"
Back and forth we go.
I was cracking up. This little one of mine. Hand-full!!! Love her so much.

Hurricane Harbor

We recently headed to the water park with these two cuties! Love those hats.
They love the water. Caitlyn is happy to walk around in her princess glory and maybe grace the slides. We have always been able to tell that Brent was our water boy since he was very young.
This particular day Brent decided to start going under water and he loves to jump in from the side of the pool.
Caitlyn has finally gotten comfortable swimming by herself with her life jacket on. All in good time!
I love the expression on her face. "I can do this! I can be brave!"
Brent loves to splash and to be one with the water!
Either way we all had a great day and were worn out when all was said and done!

Recital Princess

Caitlyn joined the dance class at her daycare when she began in March. Their recital was at the end of May. After her "performance" at Little Gym we were unsure what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. She performed and did what she was supposed to. She smiled, danced, and followed the choreography. We enjoyed watching her and the other girls, 4 year olds can always make you smile and laugh with their specials "goofs".

One of our favorite things about dance class is that she goes during the day, so we don't have to go after work and find something to do with Brent to keep him happy or rush to feed the kids before class.
Here are the kids before the recital or pictures - I can't remember.
Here is Caitlyn with her friend Sophia and her trophy after the recital.

Special Connection

This summer has been so special for so many reasons but mostly I'm enjoying the tiny moments. I love finding Caitlyn and Brent together.
Brent is always imitating his big sister. And Caitlyn is always patient and gentle with him too.
On a side note, this week Brent began walking down the stairs foward facing. Another big milestone. He is growing up way too fast.

San Diego Vacation 2009

This post along with so many others are so late in being completed. But in someone's famous words, "Better late, than never!"

Jeff and I had the opportunity to go to San Diego with the kids this summer. We went to Sea World, Wild Animal Park, and the World's Famous San Diego Zoo. However the highlight of our trip was when Jeff met his dad. We had a great time reconnecting.

I have uploaded the pictures to www.snapfish.com and am not sure how well this will work but if you get a chance to breeze through them enjoy. We truly had a great time!