Backyard Fun

As you can see from the previous post, we have had a very busy weekend so far. Today we decided to lay low and catch-up on some much needed rest. After accomplishing many chores for the day, I decided to make a run to Wal-Mart and get the kids some backyard water fun! As always, I am a Daddy who likes to go slightly overboard. Below is a video of our backyard water park! (Remember to scrolled down and turn off the music before playing the video)

Out with a BANG!

Our family celebrated the actual 4th with just as much of a bang as the 3rd. We went over to Rachel and David's house (kid's friends) around noon for swimming and BBQ until the late afternoon. There were no fireworks going off here (we were in the backyard with a bunch of kids), but Claire and Landon love swimming and playing on the playset with their "BEST" friends. Rachel and David are pretty much the same ages as Claire and Landon and therefore make the perfect playdate for us...and we get together often! Afterwards, we headed home for a nap and then went over to a neighbor's house to celebrate some more. We ate, again, and then went out front to shoot off what fireworks were left from the night before. This was still a huge display and lots of fun to watch! Landon enjoyed the sparklers, and actually let me take a picture of him doing one. Claire enjoyed sitting in the back of the neighbor's truck to watch the fireworks. This happened the night before also, and therefore is now the "cool" thing to do with her friends. It was an earlier night, but not by much. This morning, the kids slept in until 9:45!!! Geoff and I were so glad, for we needed a little extra sleep also! What will we do today? Well, since it has been raining off and on, NOTHING!!! And that is just way this family needs it! I hope everyone had a safe and celebratory 4th!

Independence Day Eve Celebration!

Geoff and I hosted a neighborhood party last night to celebrate the Fourth of July. We had 7 families attend, and it was good times all night long! We had burgers and dogs and let the kids play while we had margaritas! Then, at the threat of rain, we headed out to the end of the street (where there are still just a few houses) and started the "show". Geoff and our neighbors Scott and Chuck have been anxiously awaiting this moment for several weeks now. They have made a name for themselves...The Backstreet Boys...because they have a bit of a reputation after last year's fourth. The fireworks were spectacular and we all enjoyed sitting back and watching the natural and man-made fireworks (the lightening continued most of the time we were out although we didn't get sprinkled on for over an hour and a half!). The kiddos did some sparklers and liked the ladybug fireworks best. The kids finally went to bed at 11:30, but the dads were still out shooting firecrackers (and starting fires!!!) long into the night. On a side note...this made Claire VERY upset. In her words "Why can't those men just stop it already so I can get some sleep. They are being rude!". Oh baby, just wait for tonight! I'm hoping to get some good pics of the kids doing sparklers...this is still a dangerous feat considering Landon is obsessed with them and is not old enough to understand being burned. One last tidbit, the kiddos made some decorations for the party and there is a pic included of them holding a couple of them. They thought they were pretty cool with all the comments they received!

Picnic Playdate

We invited some girls over to have a picnic and playdate this noon. Although one ended up sick and another had to go out of town, we still had four little girls (and a baby brother!) that had a blast together! The girls at a picnic under the tree in the backyard while the Mommy's had some lunch and visited. The Mommy's were actually allowed quite a bit of time to chat as the girls pretty much entertained themselves with painting nails, doing makeovers and playing dressup! A fashion show followed as you can see. Note: Landon also joined in the fun after much disagreement with the girls initially. He looked just as good as they did (the pic is of his toes!), until Daddy came home early and found out! Claire went to art class with Blair and Ally, and Blair also lives in our neighborhood and goes to dance class with Claire.

In other news...

We went and saw the movie Wall-E Monday afternoon. It was pretty cute, although Landon fell asleep during the last half (guess he didn't enjoy it as much as Claire). This makes the news because last year at this time I tried to take Landon to the movies. He screamed (and I mean screamed) through the whole thing. I spent it in the lobby or outside, while Claire watched it with the neighbors we met there. We tried again last week at the $1 movie I mentioned earlier and he did great, so I think he has matured! We also had a playdate yesterday at a friend's house. They have a "real pool", at least that's what Claire was telling everyone she saw before we got there. It was a warm afternoon; perfect for swimming with friends!

Go Diego Go!...and other adventures.

Our family went to Go Diego Go Live! yesterday evening. It was so much fun! Every child received a Baby Jaguar mask to hold up during the show when they were instructed to do Baby Jaguar things, like growl, scratch and jump. Landon really go into this part!

My original thought was that Landon would be the one who would absolutely love this production...however, big sister thoroughly enjoyed it also! (This from my child who says every once in a while that she is "too old" for Dora and Diego.) The show had lots of singing and dancing, along with plenty of audience participation. The kids did most of it, along with Mommy! Dora even made an appearance, which was the highlight of the show for most! When asked their favorite parts, Landon and Claire both said "All of it!!". I particularly enjoyed Rescue Pack, who could dance quite well! Overall, a great family event!

Our other adventure yesterday was playing in the over-abundance of rain water flowing in front of our driveway! It stormed all night Friday, and rained most of Saturday, so there were plenty of puddles to splash around in. So, while we were anxiously awaiting the time to leave for the show, we went outside and played. The pics also include Claire doing her "model" pose, and Landon giving me a "flower", which is one of his new past times...I have a whole glass full in my kitchen! So who ended up the wettest after our outdoor adventure? Mommy, of course!!!

"I Love You Mommy"

Landon, the one-liner king, has a new one...and it's my favorite! He tells me, out of the blue, at anytime of the day, "I love you Mommy". He also tells Daddy and Sissy, and it is just darling! Now, the kicker to this one? You have to say it back, or he'll keep telling you over and over. This is pretty easy, unless you don't hear him or understand him...then frustration ensues! But generally this is quite sweet and makes me melt in my shoes!

In other news...we've been busy this week with random things. We went to the dollar movie Tuesday (the movie theater runs kids movies in the mornings for $1), the kiddos had Jesus Crew on Wednesday (our church sponsors 5 weeks of parents day out for young children in the summer), visited the library Thursday and Friday, swam with the neighbors and had a playdate. Claire attended "Rock Star" camp at her dance studio, and had a total blast dressing up and rockin' to the music, while Landon went to the mall with me to get some new shoes and play in the fountain. Claire finished up her pom class this week, and Landon started back to Gymboree after an extended break due to traveling, VBS and my illness. Good times! We are going to Go Diego Go Live tomorrow evening...I think I'm as excited as the kids are! We'll post pics of that later!

Pictures from the weekend

Claire and Landon enjoy a mascot, while Papa and Claire cheese it up for a pic at the ball park!

Claire loves her baby neice. The kiddos all enjoyed some cupcakes, although Landon REALLY enjoyed the chips!

The best part of the zoo...the monkeys, chimps, and gorillas!! We also liked the rainforest.

Papa and Landon watch the pelicans together while enjoying a drink.