Swimming, biking and baseball

This past weekend, Mamaw Kat and Pappaw came for a visit. It provided the perfect opportunity for Matt and I to go to a Mississippi Braves game and since he got tickets in the suite, we couldn't turn it down. It was so nice to have a night to ourselves...Matt got to enjoy watching the game he loves and I got to sit in the nice night air with a little peace and quiet.Since Matt's riding buddy was out of town for the weekend, Matt suggested that I ride bikes with him on Saturday. Again, having babysitters handy, I couldn't turn down the offer. The Natchez Trace was beautiful, but 22 miles later, I began to reconsider my eagerness to tag along. I guess he forgot that I was riding a mountain bike...not a suped up road bike like he was, and that he has been training for a triathlon while I've been at home watching kiddos. Thankfully, my spinning class came in handy because I really didn't get sore. Who knows? I may just decide to do a triathlon myself!

Once we got back, Caroline informed me that she needed to teach Mamaw Kat to swim, so we headed to the pool for the kids to show off their swimming skills. Since we opted not to do swimming lessons this summer, Matt and I have been teaching the kids to swim. Suprisingly, they are doing really well. Both will jump in the pool without floaties or a noodle and both can swim underwater. Caroline is beginning to swim short distances by herself, but still prefers to have a noodle under her belly.
Will the Thrill is fearless in the pool and it scares me to death. We have to keep him close by because you never know what swimming trick he has under his sleeve. It was a great weekend filled with beautiful weather and lots of time spent outside...who can ask for more?

He's going to regret this

One day Will will regret posing for this picture, but right now it is too cute not to share...

Can I tell you a secret?

Will's new thing is telling secrets. He grabs your face and brings your ears right up to his mouth so that he can then whisper gibberish into it. I should probably mention that his version of a whisper is about the same decibel as he normally speaks. After he finishes telling his secret, he cackles a bit and expects you to do the same regardless of the fact that you have no idea what he said.

Splish, splash

As I've mentioned before, the kids and I have become water park fanatics this summer. Once we finally talked Matt into joining in on the fun over the 4th of July holiday, he decided to take another day off work to go when there wouldn't be quite so many people there. This trip, Matt and I even got to go down some of the big slides while Pop watched the kids. Honestly, I hope my kids don't try to venture down those monstrosities anytime soon because I have obviously lost the desire and courage I once had to go down those bullets. As you can tell, we played so hard and stayed until they closed up the park.

Sunfish

Last weekend we packed up and headed to Meridian so that Matt could participate in the Sunfish Triathlon. Of course the kids and I were more than happy to accompany him because that meant we could stay and play with Nana and Pop Buddy. Matt finished the race in an 1 hour and 40 minutes, which I consider to be great considering he swam 1/3 mile, biked 17 miles and ran 3.1 miles. Hopefully all this training will serve him well when he tackles the big daddy of them all in Mississippi next weekend...Philadelphia's very own Heart of Dixie. After Matt finished his race, we headed back to join the kids at Nana and Pop Buddy's. Thankfully, they let us take a little nap before we loaded the boat and headed to their beach to play. The kids enjoyed driving the boat...riding the tube...
flying in the sky...and swimming.Before we knew it, we were ready for another nap. Of course that was short-lived because there were lots of little fishes wanting us to catch them. Once we got the first little critter to shore, Will decided to check him out...up close and personal. I just wonder what he'll do when he gets his first deer!

Happy Birthday KK!

I am a day late and a dollar short on posting this, but I figure she'll forgive me just this once! Besides, the kids did call and sing the sweetest rendition of Happy Birthday to her for her big day. KK, we hope you had a great birthday and wish you many more to come! We can't wait to come see you and welcome your new little bundle of joy to the family!

Latest project

Since it seems we are wrapping up with the garden, I finally got back behind the sewing machine. I could hardly wait to make something cute for Caroline out of this precious patchwork fabric. She loves her new dress and it was super easy to make. I was a little concerned that she won't have long to wear it since we're almost halfway through the summer, but I don't think this dreadful heat is leaving us anytime soon.

All in a day's work

Yes, my 3-year old nicely folded and stacked this laundry.

This just in....

The CDC has determined that the Swine Flu has hit our household.Fortunately, everyone is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the very competent medical professionals caring for them.

A lesson learned

I've debated as to whether or not I should post this story because let's face it...no one really wants to tell everyone any of the "not so proud parenting moments". Then you have to admit that yes, you are that child's parents and no, you did not teach her to do that but are in fact trying to instill good values and characteristics...I digress.

Anyway, a few weeks ago (I told you I've been debating about posting this) Matt took the kids to Kroger to get a few items. I was pulling out my hair from all the energy they had all week and needed a break, so he decided to brave the store alone with both of them. Keep in mind that he never does this and this is probably only the 2nd time he's been to the grocery store since we've been here. (Well, it may be trip #5...but it's only been a handful.)

Anyway, when they returned, he came in the house and left the kids in the car. He told me that I could get them out. I replied, "was there a problem?" To which he responded, "Well, let's just say that Caroline did not appreciate having to return the gum she stole." WHAT??? Yes, my darling 3-year old swiped a pack of gum.

When I asked the sobbing accused of what had happened, she said, "Daddy wouldn't get me any gum so I stoled it (no, that is not a spelling error...that is her pronunciation)." For a full version of the story I turned to her Daddy who informed me that at the checkout line she asked for gum and he denied her request. So, when they got to the car, he noticed her pulling out a pack of gum from under her shirt. According to him, she was just hiding the gum from him and didn't realize she was actually stealing. While that did make me feel a little better, she does know she is not to hide stuff from us.

Anyway, Matt made her go back inside and return her treasured item all the while crying. She of course faced repercussions for her actions. After all had settled down at our house and Caroline had plenty of time to think of her recent shopping experience, I went in and explained to her about the Ten Commandments and the fact that stealing is actually breaking the law. To ensure that she fully got the extent of how serious an offense she committed, I also informed her that the police arrest (and take to jail) people who steal. Well, that did it for her and I am pretty positive that this won't be happening again. Especially considering that when we saw some "popo" as she calls them at Chick-fil-A the following day, she ran over to me and held on tight. I realized then that she thought they were going to get her for what she had done. I assured her that since she had returned the gum and vowed to never do it again, that they would let her off the hook this time.

For our family and friends that we visit frequently...hopefully since now she more fully understands the concept of not taking things that don't belong to you...you will not have to pat her down as we leave to ensure we are not leaving with anything we didn't bring!

Deep thoughts by Caroline

Lately, Caroline has been asking a lot of questions about God, Jesus and heaven. She also has been making a few cute statements about them as well. Here's a few:

When Will was spraying water out of the water hose toward the sky, she said, "Mommy, look...Will is spraying God."

Then there are the many guesses as to what God looks like. She saw a statue in someone's yard and asked, "Is that what God looks like?"

And probably my favorite was our ride home from Philly late one night. Out of the blue she said, "I know how we can get to heaven...we can go on a plane."

Don't you just love a 3-year old's imagination? She may not fully understand our Awesome God, but I am so proud that she knows she has a Heavenly Father who loves her.

RED, WHITE &

BLUE.

This 4th of July we opted to stay a little closer to home to enjoy the holiday. Since Matt was off (woohoo....a new concept for my bean counter who has always had to work the 4th holiday in years past), we began our holiday by working in the garden. Then we joined the rest of the Mississippi on Friday at Geyser Falls. Don't you just love our picture in the parking lot? I decided not to have to keep up with my camera this time! Despite the crowd, we had a great time. It was his first trip, and since Caroline and Will are veteran waterpark babies, they were excited to show their Daddy the lay of the land.

Saturday we had fun just hanging out at our house and then had the Whites over for dinner. As you can see, these three are like peas in a pod. Hmm...perhaps I'm getting a little too much time in the garden. After dinner we headed to Liberty Park and watched all the fancy fireworks. When we got back home, Daddy thought it would be a good idea to get the homemade ice cream back out for a little late night snack. Of course the rest of the herd joined him at the trough and devoured the treat in a matter of seconds.

Like Father...like son

I wondered how long it would take Will to figure out that he could help his Daddy mow the yard. Well, not long because the other evening when he saw Matt mowing, he ran into the garage, got his lawnmower and started following him around the yard.