Kimee and Audrey's Birthday

We had such a fun day on Kimberly and Audrey's birthday. It started with Kimee's choice of eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast.  Then we started setting up for the party. Some of our favorite cousins were here to help out (thank you so much!). Corndogs were Audrey's choice for lunch, followed by a movie to relax a little before the chaos started. Dave and I finished getting things ready, including making the beignets (ben-yays) to serve at Tiana's Palace.

Then the party started. We had a Princess and the Frog party since the movie is still pretty new, the girls love it, and we could include water! When the guests got here, they had to kiss a frog. Then they entered the bayou, where they played several frog games and got to go down the waterslide.

Once they completed everything in the bayou, including making a wish on the evening star, they had to get a kiss to turn back into a prince or princess.  Then the could do the princess activities and eat at Tiana's Palace.

 At the end, we sang "Happy Birthday" and had frog cupcakes.

It was such a fun party! Thanks to everyone who helped and who came to celebrate these amazing girls! We love Kimee and Audrey so much!

Summer's End

A couple of friends asked me today if I was ready for school to start. I shuddered at the question, and said I'm not even thinking about it yet. I usually try to take the entire month of July off from school. So I have one day left.

I actually did go in and do some bulletin boards this month, with my kids, but that's a distant memory.
When my laptop died, I covered some of my anger by just pretending that I never had a laptop. And since I still don't have it back, I subconsciously feel like I'm not a district employee. Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I do have school starting in the back of my mind, and I'm trying to mentally gear up for it. The truth is, there is a lot to look forward to. Most moms are probably the opposite of me and can't wait for school to start. I love teaching, don't get me wrong. But spending summer with my kids and just being a mom has been a lot of fun. Working full time while being the mom of young children has it's benefits, but it can also be stressful at times.

Here are the things I am looking forward to:

• Not having so many little (and big) messes to clean up after
• Being so busy that I don't eat too much, because I'm bored, eating treats, etc. (By the way, I must add one success of the summer has been completely weaning Maddi and not gaining 10 pounds like I did with my other girls. Yeah!!)
• Being too busy to be constantly thinking of new ways to improve my home, and all the money that costs
• Not spending so much money shopping online (Amazon loves me!)
• Actually getting back to earning some money
• No more candy stands so my kids aren't constantly eating candy! (I am NOT looking forward to our next dental visit.)

Truth is, I'm sad summer is ending, but I love school too. Hopefully this will be an even better year than last (it was a great year, so that will be hard to top :).

a visit to Grandma & Grandpa

After going to the aquarium, we went to visit my mom and dad. I don't know why I never put it together that the aquarium is so close to their new home. We will have to make more combined visits in the future!

We had a little time to play and a lovely dinner, that Kimee commented was delicious like a restaurant. Then we went for a walk with Grandma (Grandpa had to take a nap) down the riverwalk to feed the ducks.

Wow, these ducks were so happy to see us!

 This one even took a piece of bread out of the stroller!

One bit Audrey's dress!

On the way back home, Maddi wanted to get out and walk. 

Kimee and Audrey were so tired of walking, they squished into the stroller!

Thanks mom and dad for a fun visit!

aquarium

As one of the last things on our summer to do list, we took a trip up to the aquarium. (I have been wanting to go ever since they added the penguin exhibit.)

touching the manta rays

Kimee was able to reach on her own and got lots of chances to feel the manta rays. Audrey couldn't reach as well, and whenever one got close she would chicken out. Luckily, she was able to get in one touch before we moved on to something else. Hooray!

My favorite part was the penguins. They were so fun to watch! 

There were lots of fun things to see at the aquarium. We got a pass for a year so we can go back as much as we want!

dogpile on Dad

The girls love their dad so much!
Poor Dave has to suffer all sorts of torture. 

Thanks for being such a great Dad!

IHOP with Grandma

We may have started a new tradition. For Mother's Day, we took Grandma P. out to lunch at IHOP. Ever since then, everytime we see an IHOP (and there seem to be a lot around) Audrey points out that that's where we went with Grandma. Recently, Kimee and Audrey started saying that they really want to go to IHOP with Grandma again. So, we went the Saturday before their birthday.

 Audrey was so cute asking Grandma to describe everything on the menu.

 Gotta have at least one silly face from Audrey ;)

Afterwards, we went to WalMart (always conveniently near IHOP) and the girls picked out their gift from Grandma. They both got princess dolls-Kimee got Mulan and Audrey got Cinderella. 

Thanks, Grandma P. for a fun afternoon!

Cousins

It's so nice to have cousins nearby to play with.

 Mariah, Emi, and Hadley had a sleepover at our house the night before Kimee and Audrey's birthday. Here they are watching Saddle Club before bed.

We love spending time with our cousins!

Swimming Lessons, again

This week we are doing our second round of swimming lessons. The girls have improved, especially Kimberly. She has always loved swimming, but she's finally catching on and doing the strokes really well. Audrey loves swimming too, but she can't quite swim on her own yet. They both loved going off the diving board, and even tried to do some tricks!

Kimee and her friend Stephanie.

Kimee and Stephanie leading the race!

Audrey jumping on the tramp while she waits for her lesson.

Maddi loves watching and eating fruit snacks.

Kimee going off the diving board.

Audrey waiting on the steps for Bronson to call her name.

Audrey doing the back float.

Audrey going off the diving board.

Thank you, Hadley!

My niece Hadley brought us a bunch of apples that were past their prime, but still edible.
We took a trip to the horses by WalMart to feed them a yummy treat.

There were a couple foals too!

Maddi got to watch from here. On the way there, she said horse!

The girls, and the horses too, were in heaven!

Thanks, Hadley, for thinking of us. We love you!

funny story

My mom and dad took Kimee and Audrey to McDonald's on Monday with two of their cousins. She sent me this email telling a funny story that happened while they were there. I can just picture this and have to laugh.

I wish you could have peeked into the window at McDonald's today. They had
such a good time. While they were eating their fries and apple dippers and
nuggets, one of them (I think it was Kimee) read the sign that is over two
of the slides which were right close to our table that read, "Please no
climbing." So, we talked about the sign for a minute, then I said, "What
if the sign said, "Please no sliding." All four of them burst into
giggles. Then Audrey came up with, "What if it said, 'Please no
laughing.'" And all four laughed and laughed again. So, for a full 30
minutes, they each came up with some funny thing, like "What if it said,
"Please no blue eyes." And they all laughed hard again because everyone
had blue eyes, but Kimee said she had hazel eyes.

Each time the person's suggestion received rounds of laughter. Then I
would throw in one once in awhile, like, "What if it said, 'Please no
purple shirts.'"

This went on and on for half an hour. Even James was coming up with good
ideas just as good as the older kids. We were so loud, I know the whole
place was in on this, but these four were all so cute and witty thinking
up what the sign could say, eating their fries at the same time as
thinking up these funny little ideas. It was just hilarious. The whole
restaurant was listening, we were so loud.