Independence Day

I hope everyone had a fun, safe and relaxing 4th of July. For the most part my family did - as much as you can with twins that are going through the terrible threes and a five year old. We did have fun and the weather couldn't have been better. A little rain in the morning with temps falling into I'm guessing the low 70's. We actually got a little chilly at times while watching the fireworks.
The day was spent with Matt's folks who came down from Omaha and my parents. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the kids with Grandparents as they had not napped (the kids) and were not very cooperative and only half tolerated me taking these few pictures. But the kids enjoyed see the Grandparents giving lots of hugs and kisses to all.
Can you believe how grown up these two have gotten? I am so proud of them ~ even on days when they try all of the few nerves I have left. We recently took Garrett to have his speech checked. He talks up a storm, has a little trouble with pronunciation and does a thing with his tongue that we were concerned about. Turns out his language skills are at the 4 1/2 year old level - WOW. But his does have a very slight tongue issue in how he holds it for certain words. Thankfully the speech therapist said get rid of the binkie (which we did a little over 2 weeks ago) and he should be okay. We'll have him rechecked, if necessary, in the fall. Claire is right up there in the speech and language department.


This year the city of Blue Springs did not have a fireworks show. Opting out due to too much construction going on at the two schools where the fireworks are shot off from and where people watch them from. But our neighbors did not disappoint. They blew off fireworks starting at around 6:30 until a little after midnight.

The kids were outside when the neighbor teenagers started shooting off firecrackers. Which of course sent my kids running for the hills. They are not fans of the loud noises. Garrett and Claire actually went to bed about 6:30 and thankfully slept through it all. Avary actually went out and watch a few go off before deciding that it would be more fun to watch from the comfort of home. I'll have to post some of those pictures at another time and leave with these last two.

Thanks to all of the men and women who serve and protect this country to allow us the freedoms we have today. I come from several generations that have served in the armed forces and am proud of all that they do. But I want to especially thank my brother for his current service to our country. Please be safe, keep your gun close, your boots handy and your head down ~ we miss you!!!

Dress Up

What happens when my kids have a Sunday afternoon when their Mom is sick and Daddy was working on the phone downstairs?  They play dress-up.  Interestingly they decided to use their snow boots, gloves, hats and mittens.  

Too Tired

Wow I have been very neglectful of this blog.  Sorry about that.  It's not like there hasn't been anything to share, we have just been that busy. This won't be a long post, just a quick one to share this picture of Avary.

This was from a few weeks ago.  She had been sick all weekend, we think from the heat.  This particular day she had started to feel better, but had gotten up at 2 a.m.  We could not get her to go back to bed or rest the entire day.  Then while Matt was putting dinner plates together, he turned around to find her like this.  Oh my sweet girl.

Stay tuned for several more posts this week.  Still want to share pictures of what happens when Mom is sick, Dad is working and 3 kids decide to dress-up.  Also pictures from a Build-a-bear party and the 4th of July.

Graduation Day

I still can't get over the fact that Avary is 5 years old and on her way to Kindergarten.  It really only seems like last year that she was a tiny baby.  She is such a beautiful child, smart, pleasant (most of the time) and I am so very thankful to have her for a daughter.  Hopefully the next 13 years won't go too fast!

Here are a few other pictures of her with her friends from her Pre-K class at daycare.  

Avary and Miracle have been going to KinderCare together since they were 6 months and 4 months old.  It has been a joy to watch them grow up together and continue to be friends.

Here are Miracle, Avary, Natalie and Kaylynn all together.  Can't you just see this same picture of them as teenagers graduating from high school!  For Natalie and Avary this is a very good possibility.  We live near each other and as of right now they will be going to the same schools.

First Hair Cut

We came upon another milestone this weekend for Claire - her first hair cut.  We had been talking about it for several weeks.  She had gone with us once when Avary and Garrett had their hair done.  So she had been talking about it and how much fun it was going to be.  

Until Saturday morning.  Then she informed me that she was not going to see Amber and was NOT going to get her hair cut.  I told her that was fine, because really it didn't have to be done.  But I wanted her to go and just be with the other two.  She went, but when she walked in she informed Amber that "your not going to cut my hair!".  

After Garrett and Avary were finished Claire decided that she could sit in Amber's chair.  Then she said it would be okay for her to get her hair washed.  During which time she told Amber that she could cut her hair.  It was lots of fun and she wouldn't let me take her hair out until Sunday.