Around Our House

I gave Tessa her 2nd haircut this week.

A teacher at Paul's school is raising bunnies so we took the kids over to see them. Tessa was in heaven holding and petting them. Rockwell's much more cautious around animals, but he did like to pet them and watch their cute little noses. Damon pet one a couple times and then grabbed her ear and wouldn't let go. Whoops!

We're still spending a whole lot of time swinging over here. I've never met someone who likes to swing as much as Tessa does. Damon lasts for a while, but then he wants to run around. I love the picture of Supergirl pushing Damon. :) Rockwell's so sweet and will spend time every day pushing her when I can't do it.

 

  

And as much as Tessa loves swinging, Damon equally loves playing peek-a-boo. He'll use anything to play: baskets, lids, walls, his hands, blankets, anything.

  

  

  

We went to Katie's one day this week, and Damon and Kenzie got some good play time in. They are both so stinkin' cute!

We had two birds trapped in our window well one day. They couldn't get out with the covers on. The kids checked on them all throughout the day and were very concerned when Paul got them out that they would make it back to their nest. It was so hard for Tessa not to touch the bird when it was within her reach, just sitting there. She always chases birds wanting to catch one so badly. We left for dance and when we came back the baby was gone, so we're hoping she's back with her family.

Buffie and her kids came over to play today. I finally got to meet Grayson. He's absolutely adorable! It's so fun to hold a tiny baby that holds still again. :) I love how well the big kids play together. They played outside from the minute Buffie got here until the minute they left, only coming in for water to drink or to put their dinosaurs in. Olivia and Rockwell always hug when it's time to go and find out when they're going to see each other again. So cute.

Damon's getting pretty good throwing balls and making baskets these days.

This summer has been so fun and so busy. I've really enjoyed the time we've had at home as a family lately. Some of my favorite times are just playing at home together.

I just love these kids of mine!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Paul and I often add 'Mc' to words, such as Cutie McPretty or Dum Dum McDummy. I know, weird. I blame Katie for starting this trend. Anyway, Rockwell has clearly noticed. He was telling Paul about a spider we had seen in the basement earlier that day, and he said, "It was Ugly McUgly!!"

Paul was microwaving some popcorn for the kids and Tessa wanted to watch it pop. As they were watching Tessa asked, "So the microwave gets them hot, and then they pop and get big?" Paul said she was right, and she said, "That's magical!"

I was getting the kids ready for bed one night and Rockwell told me, "Mom, you're the best mom in the whole solar system universe! That means you're the best mom on Earth, and the best mom on Venus, and the best mom on Pluto, and the best mom on Uranus..." Tessa cut in and said, "And MY-ranus!"

We were driving next to a semi truck with a bunch of cars on the back of it. Rockwell pointed it out and asked what that kind of truck is called. Tessa replied, "A carrier." I said she was right. Rockwell was quite impressed and asked her how she knew that. She said, in a very proud tone, "Rockwell, I know lots of things."

Life Lately

We found some cool shells in San Diego that had perfect holes in them for making necklaces. The kids had fun making some for themselves and Wyatt and Hallee.

  

Al took Rockwell to Classic with her kids. He had a blast. Hallee came to play with Tessa while they went. Everyone was happy. :)

One of my least favorite responsibilities is cutting baby's/toddler's nails. I always break a sweat trying to distract them from what's happening and actually getting all 20 nails cut. When I cut the older kids' nails they sit on a blanket and then I shake the nails outside when we're done. Damon watched me cut Rock and Tessa's nails one day. When I finished with both of them, he walked over, sat himself down on the blanket, and held his hand out for me to cut his nails. He sat there while I cut both hands and toes, and then stood up and clapped for himself. I couldn't believe it. He's amazing! Then he wanted to cut Tessa's nails too. :)

My friends and I went to dinner for Al's birthday. It's always a fun night with these ladies. Especially when we all get free dessert at Cafe Rio. :)

We went to Al and Keith's for cake and ice cream to celebrate Wyatt and Hallee's birthdays. Hallee was so sweet to share her new presents with Tessa. 

It was so cute to watch the girls playing Just Dance.

Tessa and Rockwell came up with a few tricks to show me on their bikes. Tessa's pose in this picture is cracking me up!

We did a few small fireworks one night. The names of them sounded cool, but they didn't end up being all that great. Tessa came out of her bed crying that night. As I was walking her back to bed, delirious and teary, she said, "I really didn't like those fireworks." Ha! We tried.

  

  

Photo Shoot

Al and I found these rompers and headbands for $4 total at a boutique, and we couldn't resist getting them and doing a photo shoot with these cute girls.

 

We also both ended up buying these outfits while we were shopping another night, so we did a costume change and took some more. :)

   

 

 

Al did a great job making the girls smile and getting some awesome pictures. Of course there needed to be a couple of these too.

 

Rockwell had a great time playing with Wyatt and Jonah while we took pictures. 

And Tessa was in heaven with Caitlyn pushing her on all the swings at the park.

We got to feed the ducks too.