Verse A Day

Monday, September 10, 2012

Beach Bums

 We headed out last Sunday after church to the BEACH!  
Our first solo week-long family vacation :)
Surf Board and Guitar- check
A packed out van- check
Two sweet sleeping kiddos- YES!
 We hit the beach as soon as we got there and got our bags in!
 We borrowed the life vests from the river house so that we'd feel better about the kids actually going in.  It turns out they could only get in Sunday and Monday b/c a tropical depression was out in the ocean causing "dangerous shore break and rip currents" the rest of the time.
 Holly was with us for the week (woohoo!) so she and I took one and Mike took the other.  
It was perfect. The kids LOVED it!
 our little camp... tho we never really spent any time sitting there, as you can imagine, with two bambinos on our hands ;)
The kids were MOST excited that the house had bunk beds.  Lily couldn't stop talking about it the first day. Thankfully, there were 2 sets so they each got a bottom bunk.  We told them they couldn't bunk on top til they were at least 10 and 12 (maybe not that long, but one of my kids has a reason not to sleep on top... well, that and a broken arm and surgery from falling off a bed).  ;)
But they did thoroughly enjoy sharing a room... tempts me for home.
As you know, we have an early riser in the family.  So here was an art session our first morning there.  I have to say (as I have before) that Peter has come SO FAR in his interest and ability in coloring/fine motor.  And it never grows old to be thankful for that progress.  Mike and I appreciated it over and over during the week.  He seriously colored the entire coloring book last week that Aunt Emily had given him for his 2nd, maybe 3rd birthday (that he'd barely touched before)!!
Its easier to wake up for sunrise when you know you'll have a view like that!
And it was fun to have coffee with Holly each morning before work for the rest of the week.
{such a picture of Peter's life... ;) }
showing Woody the sunrise
soooo nice to see this all week!
 We were thrilled to have Holly with us the whole first day since it was a holiday.  
We had sausage for breakfast and thought of Alvin.

The kids enjoyed each other (look at Lily's smile) 
One afternoon we went to ride bumper cars (we really wanted go-carts but this was the closest thing).  We had to, esp since the kids' story is about that each night. The kids loved it.
Each day after lunch we had popsicles on the deck 
(tho Lily is eating yogurt this day... and making SILLY FACES!)

 It rained only two afternoons... Mike showing Lily the rain.
 Mike couldn't be outdone by Uncle John.  So he painted Lily's fingers and toes while we were there.
 The kids would say their favorite part of "our new house" as they called it (we can dream!) was the POOL.  
We splurged a little to have one since it was off-seasons rates.  And it was so worth it! 
We didn't break out their floats til half way through the week.  Before that, they were swimming, swimming and looking like little water bugs.  But after we broke them out, there was no going back.
 Don't look too closely at Peter's lower half.
 My handsome, hot wannabesurferdude husband.  :)
Kathy and Ski spoiled us and came down for the day at the end of the week.  We thought we were trying to get them to enjoy our beach house but really they just babysat our kids for us all day!
Wanting to do the "Little Chubby Snowman" song with Goo
Mike and I headed out for a lunch date the day after our 9th anniversary!
We knew a local who told us about an AMAZING place on the Sound!  ;)
 One eve we made brownies and Aunt Holly had the idea to treat the kids to eating the batter.  She knows how to get in on their good side!
 Holly taught the kids how to talk underwater and guess what the other one says.
 and shoulder jumping... 
 A rainbow on our last eve :)
That's all for now... hopefully, more to come!  :)

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Squeezin' It Out / Last Days of Summer

We enjoyed and took advantage of the awesome sunny weather we had for the last official week of summer.  We made it to the pool every day!  I know we have tough goals over here.  But I'm always so sad to see summer go.
I was really proud of Peter, remembering that at the start of summer he wasn't really able to get a dive stick off the bottom but now he does it over and over.

 Lots of Jumping...  
There's just something about that aqua blue water and sunshine that brings the blood pressure and stress level down :)

 Plenty of just playing and pretending.  
We made the switch this summer to spending most all of our time in the "big pool" instead of the baby pool.
 I was quite proud of my cleverness... Blue Moon Beer for the blue moon on the night of Peter's birthday :-)
This was all we could see of the Blue Moon.

 And one final weekend day with Daddy.  It was cloudy so that made it a little easier to leave.
Peter swam all the way across the pool TWICE without any help!  Not sure why we didn't think to practice this before the last day.  :(  
Hopefully, that will be the norm next summer.
 Final times down the slide... 
Bye-Bye Summer of 2012!  We had fun!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

GRANDparents Party!

We had a fantastic time celebrating Peter's birthday yesterday.  
(Keeping it real: Not without a few reminders, thoughts, sorrow & tears about our babies in heaven.)  
Maw and I snuck out for pedis before the party got started :)!  Then both sets of grandparents came over to celebrate the boy with us.  We often comment that we just feel so blessed to have two wonderful sets of parents.  Our hearts were full after having a {cozy} house full of love for the evening!

Is this not the picture of childhood?
Peter was THRILLED with his gifts.  At his request, he got the "BIG" Buzz Lightyear and Woody.  Here they are each playing with one before we party started.  
(Yes, Peter got to open before the party!)
(Oh, and CUTE banner is coutesy of Goo!!)
 Peter is Buzz and Lily is Woody.
 Everyone sitting down for pizza and salad
 Peter was found out, not eating his pizza ;)
 Goo & Maw hadn't been here in a few weeks so Lily wanted to show them her new art wall and paintings.  I am loving the kids' artwork too!
 Time for cupcakes!
 Goo treated us with some really fancy cupcakes!  Lily wanted the heart!
 I love this picture of the stringy hair... the evidence that (shhh!) we haven't given the kids a bath all week b/c we've gone to the pool EVERY day!  Yay, Fun!!
 ~Maw and Paw~
 ~Goo and Pop~
Kathy and I decided on NO MORE pizza and cupcakes until at least November.  We've only had pizza and cupcakes, what feels like every other day for the month of August.  
We love our Aug birthdays!
 While the adults continued to socialize, the kids colored Peter's new Thomas book from NeeNee
 Goodbye hugs for Goo
 Maw and Goo Hug!
a tan little one bidding farewell to Goo and Pop
 Goodbye Hugs for Maw
 Goodbye Lovin' for Maw
 Clovey is going on a little trip so Lily bids her farewell.
WHAT A FUN EVE!!
Thank you, Maw & Paw, Goo & Pop!  We love you!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

5 years ago tonight...

We were preparing to meet this little man....
just look at him... all squishy and fresh
There's nothing like meeting your child for the first time.
Thank you, Lord, for letting us share in your image.

{This is one of my favorite articles about childbirth.}