Fake Believe

I recorded this video a few weeks back and forgot to post it. He's singing his version of Fake Believe from They Might Be Giants.

It's a keeper. The ending cracks me up every single time I watch it.

Rub A Dub

Okay, she's a bit big for her tub. But it's a lot easier to contain my crazy little girl this way. I can't get over sometimes how she can look different in every shot. Love her!

We'll Miss You!!

My bestest friend Heidi left today for Nashville. :( I've been pretty sad leading up to her departure. She and her little girls have been a constant presence in our lives the last few years. Park dates, craft dates, lunch dates, drink dates, etc...

But she reminded me it's not goodbye, just see you later. And she's right. I'm happy for her that she gets to be closer to her family.

We had one last lunch/playdate with them yesterday. We were both emotional, especially saying goodbye to each other's kids. Driving away, I said to Nick it would be the last time we would see them at that house. Nick responded sadly, " it will be the last time I get to play with... that guitar and microphone." Sad indeed.

We will miss you guys like crazy! Hope you get settled in quickly and come back to visit us often! Love you guys!!

Swim Lessons

Yesterday was Nick's final day of swim lessons for the summer. He took one 2 week session in June. Right at the end he showed so much progress that we decided to let him go for another. The second time around he only went twice a week. Thank goodness, too. It's amazing how a half hour lesson seemingly took all morning to prepare for.

We couldn't be prouder of him! He did amazing really, considering last year he hated just getting his face wet. It probably didn't hurt that he thought his swim instructor, Miss Bethany, was pretty.

Here are some pictures and a video from his last day.

Photo Op - Day 94

Cooking up some trouble...

Project Runway

Nick designed a couple of t-shirts yesterday. The water spots are from the iron. He refused to wait until they dried to put on his shirts. Ed Hardy's got nothin' on him.

Visitors

We had some special visitors over the weekend. Scott's parents, his sister, Jill, and her husband, Denis, stopped by for a quick visit. We always appreciate it when they take the time to visit. We know how long the drive is. Thanks for coming to see us!

Photo Op - Day 93

This last picture of Haley made me laugh. I was watching Heidi's girls for a few hours. When she made this face, I immediately texted Heidi and asked if she had taught her that. We had a good laugh over this.

"Pool" Party

Nick's MDO teacher, Miss Beth, hosted a "pool" party for all the kids at the end of the summer session. She is a brave woman. There were lots of kids. She had all sorts of pools, blow up slides, sprinklers set up. It was a good thing I spoke w/ my friend Heidi ahead of time. I thought it was a real pool party and was going to wear my duds. So glad I was able to spare everyone!

My friend Erin

Photo Op - Day 92

Jason was out of town so Heidi and her girls joined us for dinner.

Life in the Fast Lanes

We bowled the afternoon away this particular Saturday at Fast Lanes. Abby was not too impressed w/ the proceedings as evidenced by her expression below. She did not complain however.

Photo Op - Day 91

Nicholas calls this carnival set Silver Dollar City

Photo Op - Day 90

Love it when they let me take pictures of them together.

Photo Op - Day 89

Coming back from visiting his Magi and Grandad. He did not want to leave that morning.

Photo Op - Day 88

Thanks for the cute outfit, Heidi!

July 4th Weekend

Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th. We had a fun weekend. For the most part. We drove up to Eureka Springs on Saturday to stay w/ our friends, Thao and Alan, and their little boy Joshua. Alan's dad owns a house there and it was the perfect little vacation home, don't know why I didn't take a picture. It's been forever since I've been to Eureka. I'd forgotten how winding the roads were. But the scenic downtown made up for it.

The kids got along pretty well. Every time we'd put Abby near Joshua, she'd lean in to kiss him. Who knew she was such a flirt. He is a handsome little fellow though, so who could blame her. Thao and I walked down Main Street and got ourselves massages. Scott and Alan took the kids to check out the shops. That apparently did not last long as they were back way before we were. At least Scott made it to the fudge shop, and that was all that really mattered. We had originally planned on staying until Monday, but there were no fireworks shows. Nick was so fired up about seeing a fireworks show, it was hard to say no.

We headed out early the next morning (or as early has having small kids will allow) to Branson for Silver Dollar City. Nick could barely contain his excitement. I was less enthused about the drive. I knew the curves on the way there would be brutal so I took my Dramamine. Good thing, too, but I'll get to that in a minute. The group split up after lunch. Scott took Nick on most of the rides as I get too nauseous on those things. Poor fellows, a couple of times they stood in line forever only to be around for maintenance right as it was their turns. It was hot and humid, but thankfully cloudy. We managed to stick around until 3. Nick and Scott took one last ride on the big swings.

Scott said that last ride was a little rough, but seemed fine. We weren't on the road for more than 10 mins and we had to pull over. Scott was so nauseous he couldn't drive. This from a guy who never gets motion sickness. I suspect he was dehydrated and it exacerbated the problem. Nick was also feeling queasy and howled and complained nonstop. Poor Abby was hungry, but had to wait until I was able to find a place to pull over to feed her. So what should have been a 2 hour drive turned into 4. I later learned that Alan got a ticket going home, so their trip was not all peachy either.

Once we made it home, I put both father and daughter to bed. Nick and I had a date at a fireworks show. We went and bought ourselves some sparklers and then grabbed dinner at the Olive Garden. The fireworks show was across the street so we just sat in the car, ate our dinner and waited. He LOVED doing this btw. I waited in the car w/ a hyperactive 4 yr old for 1 1/2 hours. Mercifully the show finally started. After only 10 mins, Nicholas turned to me and asked why the show was so long. When would it be over? Could we go home? I about strangled my son at that moment. We cut out of there early, thus the end of a very long day and this very long story.

Thank you to Thao and Alan for inviting us. We always enjoy spending time w/you.

My friend Thao and sweet little Joshua

Doing what he does best, getting down.

Abby was so good on this trip.

Seriously, how cute is this picture.

Thao, Alan and J on the tram to Silver Dollar City.

The infamous big swing

This is the first time she has ever napped in her stroller.

Outside Olive Garden waiting for the fireworks show.