Scooter Pooters

We spent some time out front this weekend letting the kiddos scooter. Ainsley can actually balance on one foot and kick with the other, steering is another story though. I suppose, as with all things, it will come with time and practice. I get a bit nervous, because Ian the Scooter King zips around her at 100 mph, but so far, no major accidents!

Girl's Night Out!

It turns out that Ainsley and I ended up having an impromptu "Girl's Night Out". I originally intended to take the whole family out for Amy's Ice Cream and then to play on the cow statues and fountains in the Arboretum. However, Ian was busted for lying, so as a punishment, he had to write "I will not lie" 30 times and he lost his trip to Amy's. Brady and I decided that it stunk that he was ruining the night for the whole family so he agreed to stay home with Ian while I took Ainsley out for ice cream. Although I missed having the whole family together, I did truly enjoy some one-on-one time with Ainsley. We shared some tasty Mexican Vanilla ice cream with strawberries, then we spent time just playing on the silly cows, splashing in the fountain, walking the paths and climbing the stairs (which she LOVES)! It was simple, but it was fun, and she is so sweet and funny when she's in good humor! I would actually love to make a new rule in the house, every other week we have a special family night where we Putt-Putt or go golfing or have movies and popcorn at home, it doesn't have to be out of the house, but something besides dinner and TV on the couch! Then every other week we split up and each take a kid to go have some one-on-one time with a parent. Then we'd swap kids the next time so we both get one date a month with each kid. That way we could have some quality family time, but also so quality parent-child time. It is just so hard with our schedule, but I think this is a good idea and I shall go forth and make it happen! Anyway, here are some cute photos of our girl's night. I missed Ian and I hope he learned his lesson. I have always told him lying would get him nowhere, and now he knows for sure that lying certainly will not get him ice cream and fun night out!

Messy ice cream face!




Hugging a cow!


Super happy on a cow!


Just the girls!

Playing at the park...

We met up with friends at the park last week and I managed to snap a couple of cute shots of the kids. Ainsley was having a blast laying on her belly and splashing in the creek. That girl is all about the water!

Ainsley's newest obsession

It turns out every week I have to listen for the trash truck and the recycling truck! If she hears it and doesn't get to see it, she throws a fit! I have to listen for it, find it, then call for her, then we all run outside so she can see it get the trash can or watch the recycling guys pick up the bins. This week was especially nice, while the guys were picking up the bins, they waved then honked their horn as they left. Ainsley get a huge kick out of this! You know your life might be kinda boring when seeing the trash truck makes your day! Kids are funny.

Firework photos!

Celebrating the 4th of July!

We packed up a picnic, some folding chairs, some blankets and a wagon and headed to Old Settler's Park for the 4th of July celebration! We met up with our friends, the Payne family and the Tena family. We had good food, visited and the kids ran around and played until the fireworks started. The display was very nice! Brady spent alot of time experimenting with the camera to get good fireworks photos. Ainsley really liked the fireworks, she would yell, "Bang Bang!" and laugh and clap! It was really quite cute! I also got a huge kick out of the running dialogue between Ian and his little friend Andy. They kept trying to guess what color the next firework would be and they decided some of them looked like palm trees and others looked like popcorn, they were so excited and SO loud! It was cracking us all up! I have always loved the 4th of July, I'm a big fan of the fireworks, but 4th of July, kind of like Christmas, is so much better when you have kids to share it with!

Kids waiting for the show.


Ian showing off his glo-sticks!


Hangin' with friends! Who says homeschoolers are unsocialized??


Mr. Muscle Man!


Happy Daddy waiting for fireworks!

What I love about Ian this week... also long overdue!

I love that he goes out of his way to find me, wherever I'm cleaning or doing yardwork, just to hug me and tell me he loves me! I love that he is so helpful and interested in our garden. He just helped me plant seeds yesterday and is already bugging me about when the seedlings will come up. I loved it when he found the first ripe tomatoes and he picked them and saved one for Brady. He was so proud to present that tiny little tomato to his Dad. I love that he loves that stinkin' lizard! He takes such good care of him and enjoys taking him out and feeding him worms (and don't get the wrong idea... we DO NOT need a lizard). I love his wild imagination and the way he brings in elements from all of his favorite movies into one little world. We have Thomas the Tank Engine being bombarded by Imperial Star Destroyers and being saved by Indiana Jones! It's quite entertaining! I LOVE that he still LOVES Iguana Don! The boy and the toy lizard are rarely apart. He has the lizard give me kisses and asks me to hug it often. It's very cute. I love when I ask him to do something he responds (well when he's in a good mood) with, "As you wish!" So Princess Bride and I adore it! And as always, I love those big, gorgeous eyes!

What I love about Ainsley this week... long overdue!

The last few weeks have been crazy! Starting with Daren and Rachel's wedding, followed by travel to Mexico, followed by me trying to get back into the groove of things, then getting stuff set up for Ainsley's party, house cleaning, garden tending, raised bed building, massive bush and vine removal in the backyard, anyway... it's been really busy around here and I haven't had the chance to sit and write about the kids much. So, what do I love about Ainsley this week? I love that she LOVES everybody! For her birthday party her goal was to "go downstairs and EVERYBODY hold her!" It wasn't about gifts or cupcakes, it was about getting hugs and attention from everyone. She really is quite sweet when she's not pissed off! She has recently become somewhat snuggly. She likes to come up and lay her head in my lap and just let me pet her hair for a bit. And speaking of her hair... I LOVE that she is showing signs of getting some curl! I thought for sure she was going to be my straight-haired girl! One of our favorite fast food places is Taco Cabana, I love that she calls it Taco Banana! I love when I tell her I love her, she looks me right in the eye and says, "I love you too, Mommy!" and I think she really means it! I love that she wants to do everything her big Bubba does. It frustrates the hell out of me too, but that little girl has no fear and if Bubba is going down the big slide on his back, upside-down, so is she! I LOVE that she loves to color and paint! My little artist in training! I love the way she gets this sneaky look on her face sometimes. She'll look down, then look up to the side from under her lashes and give you this sly little look, then grins really big. I often wonder what she's thinking and if I should be worried! I love and hate the fact that she has to do everything "MYSELF!" It is great that she wants to feed herself, but sucks that she won't let you buckle her highchair or her carseat. I'm late for everything due to this! It's great for helping to pick up toys, but not so great when I'm putting away dishes or putting laundry in the washer! Oh well, what is a pain while she's learning will be a blessing when she's bigger and has it under control. Mommy needs to have a little more patience! And these are the things I love about the Piggle this week!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

Ainsley also received a bubble machine. It was at least a half hour if not more of sheer delightful entertainment for her and her buddy Harper, but also for those of us watching them! Better than prime-time!

Bubbles crack her up!


Waiting patiently...


Boys eating bubbles? Yuck!

Time for PRESENTS!

This little girl made out like a fat rat... as usual! Although we noted on the invite that gifts were NOT necessary, I just think folks can't resist buying something fun for the little ones! The big hits of the night were her little pink iDog from Daddy and Bubba, her new pink Radio Flyer scooter, complete with pink helmet and her new babydoll from Grammy! But she got art supplies, tub toys, much needed outfits, a bubble blower, some new books and a game. All wonderful toys and we are so lucky to have such thoughtful friends and family! Here are some shots of the Piggy opening gifts (with a little help from every other child at the party!)

Opening the loot!


Uh-oh, an iDog!


New baby from Grammy!


Ainsley on her new scooter with her pink helmet, too cute!


Couldn't resist the close-up!

Piggle Wiggle turns 2!

Miss Ainsley actually turned 2 on the 22nd of June, however, we were unable to celebrate that weekend. We had planned on the next weekend but Brady got sick so we had to cancel that party. Well, we finally got it together and Miss Ainsley celebrated her birthday in style last night! We had an All-American BBQ complete with hot dogs and burgers, pasta salad, fruit salad, veggies, chips and homemade pico de gallo (we used a jalapeno right out of the garden!). We ate good food, hung out with family and friends and had a wonderful evening! And of course, Miss Piggle was the hit of the party! Brady and I also went a bit crazy with the cupcakes and fashioned them after her favorite book character, McDuff the West Highland White Terrier!

Mommy and Daddy made McDuff Cakes! (Seriously, it's gonna be hard to top these next year!)


Singing Happy Birthday!


Candles all blown out (with help from Bubba)!


Time to DIG IN!

Family night Putt-Putting!

Brady ended up not having band practice last night, so we took advantage of our extra evening together and took the family out for a fun-filled evening of Putt-Putt golf! Ian is terrible the first couple of holes, but once he gets into the swing of it (no pun intended) he does really well. In fact he got a hole in one! Ainsley of course spends most of her time swinging her club recklessly, trying to pick up everyone else's balls and throwing her ball all over the place! But that's OK, all that matters is she's having fun! We would do the first putt with her, then tell her to go pick it up and put it in the hole. That way we were all able to get it in the hole! Afterwards it was off to Sonic for milkshakes, mmmmmm!

More hangin' out with Spike the Wonder Lizard

Man, do these kids love that lizard!