Pool Party!

Violet got a kids pool for her birthday just in time! It has been hott. And with no AC in our van, we do our driving to day camp and the gym in the morning and then camp out at home in the afternoon. Which is fine. This is a choice. I could get it fixed, but would rather save for *other things* aka *medical baby making* right now, and besides, they didn't always have AC in vehicles, right? We are so spoiled.

I also LOVE having my kids at home. I can't believe the amount of teaching opportunities we've had over the past week. About real things, about real life, real emotions, real reactions, etc. It is wonderful. I just want to eat every day up. I made a list of things to work on with the girls, and we are well into it. I'll share it once I take a picture. It's a simple list, but as long as I teach each girl one thing a day the girls and myself are happy.

North has been potty training. I hesitate to say this because I love big announcement blogs like, "Potty Trained!" or something like that. You know what I mean. But I have NEVER attempted training before two. Even though he turns two on Sunday, I can't believe a BOY was that ready. But you know what? Every time he goes on the potty I am eternally grateful I am not changing poo or washing that diaper. Last week I ran out of my very last diaper pack and I told myself I was not going to buy any more. So he's been back in cloth, which is great because he feels the wetness, or running around naked at home. Day three we only had two accidents, and he woke up dry for his nap. Next week I'm going to not go to the gym so we will perfect it then. My baby is growing up.

Anyway, you wanted to see pictures of a pool party, right? I just thought I'd explain why North is naked in all the pictures first. That's all.

Happy Father's Day 2012

Some of these gifts are just too cute. And we still love each other.

It is always hilarious kissing in front of kids. They scream, giggle rediculously and hide their faces. But I'm sure deep down inside it's nice to know that their parents still love each other.

Ava's Last Day of Kindergarten

From this:




To this:













Eight teeth and a few inches in height and hair length later ... she is ready for first grade.

I'll miss this cute little girl though.

Rainbow Cake

This year Violet said she wanted a rainbow cake. Little did she know I had "pinned" one on Pinterest. So I gave it a good shot. If your child is allergic to raw eggs I would not recommend the frosting though. I thought because the eggs were heated it would be okay.. It was not. But she still enjoyed the ice cream and looking at it. (Her allergies seem to be getting worse. Now cheese is in the category.)

Six cakes.

 

19 eggs.



Six tubes of gel and four containers of liquid food coloring.



Six sticks of butter.



So pretty.



I compare the look to a bowl of Trix cereal.



The colors almost hypnotized me to eat a couple slices. Or the whole cake.



Delicious.

Happy 5th Birthday Violet

Dear Violet,
You are so smart and beautiful. Up until now you may have been viewed as shy, but this year you found your voice and love to sing and talk. Sometimes quite loudly! You are learning how to make friends but at the same time can easily play by yourself for a long time. You and North have become friends and have spent a lot of time together over the past year which I am thankful for. At no other time will you get to be the only two in the house together. He needs a great big sister like you. You are so obedient and take pride in following directions. Mommy loves this. You fold your clothes and can make your bed very well. You are becoming a little girl. But I know you will always be sweet and willing to give great hugs.

Love, Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Tyler turned 30 today. It's been a crazy weekend, but I hope it was at least a little special. Now he is as old as I am and he can't make fun of me for being old anymore.




 Tyler doesn't like this kind of ice cream, but it had an old man on the front of it so I had to buy it.

 





And yesterday we had a family party for him. Kruse & Muer pizza and home made Tres Leche cake.





Happy Birthday babe! Love you!

Violet's Dance Recital

Every Thursday morning from 9:15 am to 10 am North and I have taken Violet to her "Dance Baby Dance" class. At first she did not want to go. After a couple tries, I was about to pull her out because all she would do was stand there. But she had a wonderful teacher, and I talked to her about going, and then something clicked! She has really enjoyed it each week. This is her teacher, Miss Heather.
 Walking afterward with her flowers.

 
 Sisters!
 
Mom and her Witch Doctor (the name of the dance)
 
Daddy and his Tiny Dancer
 
She did wonderful! I am so proud of her for sticking it out all these weeks.

Picnic Season!

Memorial Day picnic with the ward. It was HOT, but we discovered an awesome new park called Riverside (or something like that). We will definitely be going back.

 

 Bowman (my grandma's maiden name) Family Picnic. Although I only have two cousins I have tons of second cousins. Sadly my grandma couldn't come, but we still had a good time. North is upset in this picture about the wind.

 

Still winkin'