July 7, 2013

The fourth of July weekend of 2013.

1. Church pictures the Sunday before the 4th.  Everyone wants a turn holding Bethany.  Marianne could not look more adorable than she does in her old style patriotic boat dress which she loves.  My kids are getting so grown up.

2.  Our Culda Sac had a little fourth of July night.  BBBQ potluck with way too much food, kids riding bikes and skateboards, visiting with neighbors, pie, and fireworks.  It hardly gets more traditional July 4th than that.  The kids literally had the time of their life.... except for when Sam fell off a skateboard and was crying and it looked like he dented his head, but only because he would unfurl his eyebrows, when he did it was clear that he was fine.  The kids had never seen fireworks before.  Other than sparklers- which we also did, but not real ones.  They  loved them.  Especially Mary who called the sparkles, pretty and "whoooo"d and clapped the entire show.  Our kids also stayed up until almost 11pm which has never happened.  We are pretty strict about bed time, and even though it is summer and other kids are out our kids are in bed by 8:30pm..... we just can't handle the emotional breakdowns that happen when our kids stay up, so it was a super lucky and special day.

3.  Family trip to the splash pad.  Complete with a pizza picnic.  The 2nd picnic of the day as we also had  a picnic for lunch.  Kate and Sam were in the water seconds after we arrived, making friends, splashing and running a much.  Marianne was a bit timid at first, but after a few minutes she had found her new favorite thing to do- play at the splash pad.  We could hardly get anyone to stop playing for pizza.  Bethany wore her sun hat for the occasion, but did not leave the car seat except to nurse for a few minutes. It was a bit overcast but still very warm and so we were only there with a few other families instead of the usual large crowd.

4.  What fourth of July weekend could pass without mom coming home with a bag full of squirt guns for a family squirt gun fight.  Every one other than Beth who was napping, got in on the action.

5.  Around the house.  Bethany is adorable.  And smiling and laughing.  At her two month appointment she measured in the 76% for head and weight and 89% for height.  She was smiling and laughing at her appointment to which the doc informed me that he rarely sees children so young who can laugh and giggle.  Though I know most of our children were laughing around two months he tells me babies don't usually laugh until four months.  I know I've got delightfully happy social children.... or I am just that hilarious.  Bethy also rolled over this week for the first time, several times in one day and then not again.
Marianne eats a nutella toast and gets a chocolate mustache and it is awesome.
We have been working like crazy in the yard.  The front yard now has sod, and a pile of plants and trees waiting to be planted.  The sprinklers are almost in in the backyard.  And most importantly- I completed my dry creek.  My 100 foot long dry river bed that runs across two thirds of the backyard. It is awesome and didn't take as long it is should have. It feels so good to have completed a large project or task and know it will not be undone tomorrow.... like most other chores.  Also I moved some giant rocks to make it and it is beautiful.  I'm so proud.  I was going to say that the children are interested in the yard too, and over hear us talking about it and planning it. Today in sacrament meeting both children were drawing pictures of our future yard (they have seen me making sketches) and asking me if this or that was correct.  We can't wait until it is done so we can relax for the rest of the summer.....which may only be a few days.