Fun times...

Friday: playing with chalk on the driveway.







Saturday: We went to the park with the new kite we recently got. It broke before we ever got it airborne. :(




So we took the kids to play on the playground for a while instead.

Gracie's new 'trick'.


Bradley likes to walk across like the big kids, but I won't let him do it alone yet.


He loves to swing.


Daddy really had her going around on this thing until she was begging him to stop.


They were both out when bedtime rolled around...

is there anything more precious than a sleeping child?


Today it got up to 33C (91F) so we turned on the sprinkler to help keep the kids cool. We're lucky that we're used to Texas heat, because this 91 didn't phase us. It got a little warm in the house, but we opened up the windows and it let the breeze flow in to keep it from getting too uncomfortable.




Bradley going down the 'water slide'.


It really was a fun day until Gracie's meltdown tonight. Maybe she was just worn out and after a good night sleep, she'll be back to happy Gracie tomorrow. I sure hope so.

Bipolar???

Is it possible for a six year old to be bipolar? Sometimes it feels like Gracie is with her crazy mood swings. In a span of 5 minutes today she told me she hated me and wanted her daddy and then threw a fit because she wanted me instead of her daddy. I sure hope it's normal six year old behavior.

It's exhausting. And even when I know she doesn't mean it, it really hurts when she says she hates me or doesn't want me. I am scared of what it will be like in 7-10 years if it is this bad now... yikes!

Summer Vacation!

Yesterday was the first day of summer vacation and we were very lazy. The kids slept in (so I did too) and we stayed in PJs until noon. We stayed in all day. I was ready for a lot of outside time, but none of the neighbors went out, so we didn't go out either. The kids played great together all day. And we did a lot of puzzles.





I also managed to get a few loads of laundry done. Gracie thought it would be funny to put her laundry basket on her head and chase me as the 'laundry basket monster'. It was hilarious.


Today, it's after 10 and we're all still in PJs. Guess we should get dressed now, eh? ;)

Gracie's last day of school

My baby girl is no longer in Kindergarten. *sniff sniff

She had a great last day. She came home with a scrapbook of her work from this year. I still haven't worked my way through it all. She also came home with a report card showing that she meets or exceeds expectations on everything. Whew! I'm one of those moms who puts huge expectations on my kid (horrible, I know) so it's good to know that she's on target with people who know where she should be.

I'm looking forward to no more alarm clocks in the morning and lots of outside time every day. I love the summer here. Our highs have been in the 70's and this morning it was so cool out that we needed jackets for our walk to school. On June 25th... Crazy!

We're looking forward to the visit from Doug's parents a week from tomorrow. We made our reservation to take them to Banff while they're here. The kids are thrilled to go back to the waterslides again. :)

Oh and yes I suck for not remembering to take my camera today and get some pics of her on her last day. Sorry. :(

Water fight!!!!!

Yesterday was a great day. The kids and I spent a lot of time outside. In the late afternoon, several more kids came out and started playing with water. Before we knew it, there were teams (boys vs girls) and we busted out our water balloons which were a huge hit.

Doesn't she look cute?


Ready to throw a balloon at the boys.


Bradley just played in the water. He was neutral. :)


Afterwards, wrapped in a towel to warm up.


Gracie had goose bumps, she was so cold.


Bradley didn't throw any balloons, he just held them until they broke. This one lasted a while.


We ate both lunch and dinner outside yesterday. The kids enjoyed ice cream cones after dinner. (I will only let them have cones if we are outside.)


We picked Daddy up at the airport this afternoon and then we were back outside for round 2 of water fighting.

Bradley splashing Daddy.


Gracie joins in.


Life is good.

Hats!

One of Doug's coworkers told him that Calgary was one of the sunniest locations in all of North America last year, so I figured sun hats for the kids were a good investment. And they look so stinkin' cute in them too!






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Tuesday night, I was so tired I went to bed before it was dark (10:15). Last night I was back to my horrible sleeping habits and was up past 12:30. I'll be glad when Doug is home and I can SLEEP again!

Welcome baby Landon!

My cousin's wife delivered their first baby, Landon Robert, today via c-section. He was 7 lbs, 12 oz and 20.5 inches long. Congrats Jason and Michelle! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see pics of little Landon with his head full of red hair.

A great day

Yesterday's high was 21C (low 70's), so we spent all afternoon outside. We ate lunch out there and then stayed out until dinner time and then went back out again for a bit after dinner. At one point there were 9 kids in our backyard playing.

Gracie and Bradley played in the sand A LOT. Good thing it was a bath night.


Bradley sporting his new shades.


Gracie loves to pose for pics.


This is what I was doing when I wasn't pushing kids on the swing, playing with chalk or bubbles, etc.


The only bad part of the day was when we called Daddy so the kids could say goodnight and I discovered that he was eating with two of our best friends. They were eating Mexican food too, which added to my jealousy. I miss you guys (and Mexican food) more than you know. I wish I could have been there with you. When are you going to come see me??? :)

You asked for it...

I have almost a month worth of pics to put on here, so sit back and enjoy.

Blowing bubbles with Grandpa.


On the way to Banff.


The mountains got larger as we went. In case any of you were thinking about coming to visit, maybe this will tempt you...






The cheesecake we ordered in the hotel on our night away from the kids.


Gracie helps Grammy highlight her book.


Grandpa and Bradley play with blocks.


Grammy cut Bradley's hair. He hated it!


Bradley was so tired, he was falling asleep at dinner.


The flowers my brother sent to my mom and I for Mother's Day.


We went to the zoo on the 20th with Grammy and Grandpa.
Gracie checks out the tortoise.


Bradley checks out the giant snake. Grandpa commented that if the snake wanted to, he could probably eat Gracie and Bradley. (It was that big!)


Grammy and Bradley looking at the giraffes.


Gracie has the best seat in the house.


Gracie and Bradley get their own private show from this peacock.


These two bears were playing (or fighting??).


Love the prairie dogs.


Grandpa did most of the wagon pulling. Sorry Grandpa.


Cruising with their sunglasses that they didn't really need.


Posing with the elephant.


Gracie's birthday was the 22nd.

She told me how to decorate her cake and helped put on the sugar hearts.


Gracie with the finished cake.


Ready to blow out the candle.


The whole gang (minus Daddy who took the pic) ready for cake. Notice that we are all in long sleeves. Crazy!

Posing with her #6 candle she picked out.

Bradley liked the cake.

Opening the Backyardigans movie she got from Ticia...

the puzzle from Bradley...


and the Snow White doll from Grandma and Grandpa.

Grammy and Grandpa got a little something for Bradley and he waited patiently to open it while Gracie opened her gifts.

Opening the Princess pajamas from Grammy and Grandpa...

and the new doll case from Mommy and Daddy.


Bradley got his turn when she was done. Stickers!

Grammy and Bradley take on...

Gracie and Mommy at Guess Who.

Daddy's turn to play Gracie.

Grandpa and Bradley take on Gracie.

Gracie poses with the 'flowers' she picked.


The week after her birthday, she got a gift in the mail from Uncle Robert, Aunt Jennifer, Grace and Baby Robert.
She couldn't wait to open it, so she opened it outside.

Modeling her new Hello Kitty hat...

and sunglasses.


Here is Bradley with the alphabet mat that he plays with all the time. He put it together this day by color.

Gracie & Bradley playing with Geo Trax.


Last Friday, we mowed for the first time. It needed it for several weeks before that, but between the daily rain and Doug's work schedule, we didn't get to it until Friday.

The weather has finally warmed up and the kids have been having popsicles to cool down in the afternoons.



On Saturday afternoon, we went to the zoo.

We finally saw the baby elephant!

Checking out the elephant with Daddy.

I'm so glad we brought the wagon since the kids chose to walk almost the whole day.

This bear wanted OUT. He was setting off the electric fence in an attempt to get out.

Checking out the favorite prairie dogs. :)


It started sprinkling right at the end and Bradley covered his head to keep from getting wet.

Checking out the carabou daddy and baby.


And that's it. We're caught up for now. Whew!

Doug left yesterday for Houston and comes back Sat. The weather was great yesterday and we spent over 3 hours outside. Today looks great too, so we'll be out there a lot today. I think it's finally time for shorts!! Yup. It's June 16th and it's finally shorts weather. I had no idea what I signed up for. LOL