And the fun continues...

The kids have had a pretty good summer. (at least I think so!) We have gone swimming once a week, storytime, playdates and visits with relatives. I just started taking the kids to a free movie at the theater once a week too. We stay very busy!

The kids also find time to entertain themselves. Here is a cute picture of Benjamin...

He swiped Sarah's banana and climbed onto the couch to eat it. I found him just like this!

This just might be the loudest thing I've ever let my kids do... I think my ears are still ringing! They had a great time though!

We were invited to the art museum with some of our storytime friends. They have a "Babar's World Tour" exibit. It is completely free, and the kids get to visit different countries with their passports. There is a lot of dressing up and pretend play. My kids played for 2 hours, and didn't want to go home! Of course, I was so worried that I'd be late that I left without the camera. I only have a few pictures that one of the other moms took. We will definitely go again before it leaves in September!

The kids got crowns to wear, along with paper passports. Here they are listening to different languages, and looking at books about each country. Maddy was learing Japanese.

They had a room full of tables and chairs and LOTS of play food, and chef costumes. The kids didn't want to move on from that room!

One of the rooms had a fashion runway (see the lights?) Here is Ben with his friend (they are only weeks apart, with matching red hair!) They were working the runway... This room had fancy dresses, and suits with tons of accessories for the kids to model. SO FUN! (Sarah was there too! I promise! You can see her pink polka dot shirt in the background!)

There are so many pictures that I missed out on, and rooms that I haven't talked about. I can't wait to take the kids back!!

At the end, the kids got to write postcards from different countries and "mail" them. Then they could write a thank you note on the dry erase board! I'm so glad we were invited to this... What a fun day. If you have the opportunity to go, I think you should. The kids will love it!

Fun with Friends

We have been having a blast this summer. We got the kids a pool for the backyard, and they have really enjoyed it! We had a huge thunderstorm a few weeks ago, accompanied by massive winds that blew our pool away (there was no water in it, just patio furniture). I had to drive around the neighborhood with the kids trying to find it. We found it, and I was able to get it home, but apparently it has a teeny hole somewhere. A couple hours after filling it up it started to deflate on one side...

Sarah having a good time... and she's actually smiling!

Our poor droopy pool... The kids didn't care! They still had fun with their friends!

Maddy playing with Mikaela's squirt gun

We have also discovered the beautiful River Walk here in Conway. We walked a small part of it a couple of weeks ago, and then invited my parents and siblings to join us for Family Home Evening last week. It was so nice!

Natuarally, Sarah was attached to Erynn. There was no separating them!

Ben was enjoying himself too!

There is a really neat park there too... The kids had a great time playing on the playground. There are also picnic tables that I think we'll take advantage of next time. Ben tried out the swing for the first time... He LOVED it.

We decided to continue down the path, and see where it led, but Maddy was not happy. She just wanted to play on the playground.

I wish I took more pictures! The path continues along the river and there are bench swings all along the way for you to swing and enjoy the view. The trees and flowers are just beautiful. There is also a large gazebo with several rocking chairs overlooking the river as well. I am definitely taking my -out of town- family members when they come visit...

Now, after this wonderful evening in nature... we invited the family back to our house to help us build the swingset we got for the kids. WHAT A PAIN!! We love it now that it's finished, but it took a week to build. Joseph worked on it every night for a couple of hours, and even had family come help. Grrrrr. Lets just say that the instructions weren't that clear, and pre assembled parts weren't assembled correctly. I guess all that matters is that it's done, and the kids LOVE it!

I thought this picture was funny... Maddy is jumping off the slide backwards and somehow I caught a picture of it!

It has a "flying saucer" on the far left side with a 200 lb weight limit, so I get to lay in it with the kids. I totally love it. Sarah doesn't like to swing. She wants to sit and not move... so its nice to just plop her in the saucer with a pillow. Ben loves it too! The kids haven't been able to enjoy it too much with the temperature reaching 110* plus with the heat index. But any opportunity they have, they are outside. We like to have our friends come over and play too... We love the Atkinsons!!

Ben's First Haircut!

My sweet little baby is not so little anymore.... He had the cutest little curls on the back of his head, but only when he was sweaty, or at the pool. When the hair wasn't curled, there was nothing cute about it... unless you are into the whole mullet look!

I've been wanting to cut it for months now... but I needed more hands, and someone to take pictures! So I asked my wonderful friend Jen to cut it for me! What a good friend :)

BEFORE

We gave him a sucker and had Maddy entertain him... Her idea of distracting him was getting him to give her licks of his sucker... What a sucker! He thought it was the greatest thing in the world.

No more curls!

What in the world am I doing in this picture?? Let's try to ignore that and focus on how grown up Ben looks!

What a big boy! Thanks a million Jen!

Red Head Appreciation Day!

I've heard that by some date in the distant future, there will be no more red heads... Something about the gene for red hair being recessive... Is it true? I have my doubts, especially seeing that all three children I have given birth to have red hair. I am trying my best to make sure the red head population sticks around :)

I believe that red headed children hold a power that they are unaware of... You see, I can't go to the grocery store without being stopped, and my children praised for the color of their hair. The person who stopped me then proceeds to tell me a story about their family history, and how they used to have red hair, or a relative did and how they were so hoping for red headed grandchildren... but alas, no luck. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say to these people...I'm sorry?

Finally I got some information I could use! Yesterday, Marble Slab had "RED HEAD APPRECIATION DAY" if you have red hair, you could come in for a free scoop of Red Velvet icecream. I'm so glad my husband, and children could be rewarded for all their hard work as Red Heads...
Ben LOVED his, and ate it ALL! ....and cried when it was gone

They let the them have one mix in, and much to Sarah's liking, she had Red Velvet icecream with M&M's!

Maddy took this picture... Pretty good!

We picked Joseph up from work and took him out for his free scoop... It may have been 11 am, but it's never too early for free icecream!

Maddy also had M&M's in her icecream. She was much neater eating hers though...

Thank You Marble Slab!!

It's about time someone recognize these people for all they contribute to society with all of their red hair! haha! Actually, where is the recognition for the Mother's who gave birth to these red headed people! No icecream for me?? Sadly, I just sat and watched my four red heads enjoy their icecream. Maybe one day they'll have "Brown Hair Appreciation Day!"



After our moring icecream run, I took the kids over to see my grandparents. Ben LOVES my grandpa's wheel chair... I'm always worried he's going to stick his hands in it, and Papa is going to drive off no knowing. It is so hard to keep Ben away from it! But today, he got to ride it! He sad on Papa's lap, and took a ride around the house. He LOVED it!

This boys loves some WHEELS!

He then tried to figure out how to drive it himself...

Maddy was jealous that Ben was having all that fun, so she went for a ride too. I think Papa was a very happy man... He's better than an amusement park!

Later, I trapped Ben in his stroller... He kept looking at his wheels, then at Papa's wheels. I don't think he was impressed with his... Silly boy!

Independence Day!!

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate... (Christmas being THE favorite.) Every year I listen to Joseph excitedly recount the actions of our forefathers that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I always feel the need to sign up for an American History class... Anyone who has been to our house has seen Joseph's bookcase... It is full of books on George Washington and the Revolutionary War. He loves to learn about it, and share that knowledge with others. And every year, I enjoy being reminded of all those who gave their lives so we could be free... and all those who have fought, are fighting, or who lost their lives fighting to protect that freedom that we still enjoy today.

We celebrate with both sides of the family, every year. It makes for a long day, with family and friends, LOTS of good food, fun on the Black River, and FIREWORKS!

Of course, my camera battery was acting up, so I was completely dependent on my family members to take pictures, and send them to me! I've learned that Joseph's family is on the ball... mine? not so much! So I only have pictures of the first half of the day.

We headed down to Georgetown to spend the day with Josephs Aunts, Uncles and cousins. They own some property on the Black River, and we BBQ, and have fun on the River. It was so hot! Maddy and Sarah down a Caprison while they wait for their turn on the boat.

They are so cute! They were holding hands while they watched Daddy knee board...

Ready to go!

Sarah was fine until the boat started moving.... then she closed her eyes and went limp!
I kept asking her if she was okay, and she'd shake her head no... But then when she was asked if she wanted a turn driving the boat -she hoped right up and did just that!

Maddy driving
She did so well! She did everything she was told to! We even got stopped by the river patrol... I don't know if that is what they're called, but they wanted to make sure we had the right safety equipment on the boat and that we weren't drinking. I thought they were going to bust us for having a driver that was under the age of 5... But they didn't seem to care!

Sarah Driving

When he said "hold it steady" she'd jerk it to the right... I was sort of scared for my life! Okay, not really, but she did scare me a little bit! She was all about it though! When she was done, she came and sat back by me, and went right back to the whole eyes closed and body limp thing. Crazy girl!

Watching the other cousins out in the water

After our boat ride, Joseph got talked into knee boarding. He got the hang of it thanks to his cousin Ethan. (knee boarding right next to him in the blue life jacket) But he is SO sore! He loved it though!

Next year I want to try!

Ben and Granddaddy watching from the dock

As if Granddaddy wasn't tall enough...

I guess Ben needed a higher view of everyone else in the river!

Or maybe this was the only way to keep Ben still... Either way, Uncle Ryan was a huge help taking care of him while we went out on the boat.

Look! Another picture of me! Maybe I'll just not get my camera fixed so I can be in some pictures!

Ben, me and Joseph's cousin Emily

I love this... Joseph's cousin Tim took this picture right before we headed out. Ben is trying to escape, and Sarah is pondering in her thinking chair.. TOO funny.

We headed to my Grandparents house for the Passey style celebration. We BBQ'd, and had a birthday party for Ben. When it got dark we had fun with fireworks. I bought $25 worth of fireworks from Walmart. I'm positive that my parents and siblings were NOT impressed. They referred to it as their PRE show. (thanks guys) But, my children loved them, and my 3 month old nephew liked them too. Once the "GOOD" fireworks started, all the kids under the age of 5 were terrified, and ended up in the house before it was all said and done. SO, at least my fireworks were enjoyed by the children.... right? Hopefully my mom and sister send me some pictures so I can post them on here!

Ben's First Birthday!!

One year ago, my life forever changed when this little boy came into the world. (and not just because I haven't had a full nights sleep in one year either...) What a sweet little boy we have. He is full of life, and has a smile that literally lights up a room. I can't believe he is already a year old! I find myself wondering where the time has gone. Ben is my cuddley baby, a mama's boy to the core. I have enjoyed watching him grow, and look forward to the future. Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

Poor baby! Turning one isn't all fun and games. It means Dr's offices and SHOTS. I should have planned this a little better, but Ben had to have his 12 month check up ON his birthday... He's 21 lbs 4 oz. A far cry from the 7lbs 9oz baby that was placed into my arms one year ago! He was not happy to be at the Dr's office, and was ready to leave before the nurse even had a chance to give him his shots. He was devastated when he got his shots and cried until I walked out the door. Then he gave me this "yay! we're outside!" look and was a happy boy the rest of the day! He helped me pick out his birthday balloons ( and I took a picture with this hat, because I wasn't about to spend $8 on it!)


We are having 2 parties for him... we have too many people in our family to get schedules all lined up! So we celebrated with Joseph's family, and our friends. We just had them over for pizza and cupcakes. No biggie.

Ben LOVING his birthday pizza!

This picture is actually of him eating his cupcake, but Uncle Ryan was holding the Croquet mallet over his head, and he thought is was great...so I snapped a picture!

He loved the frosting from his cupcake! He kept licking his lips over and over!

Grandmomma and Granddaddy eating their pizza

Presents!! Sarah couldn't handle the fact that they were for Ben. She kept opening them, and then trying to hand them to Ben. I told her to stop, so she started carrying them to Joseph. When he wouldn't open it, she moved on to Granddaddy... She know how to get what she wants!

Here she is trying to give me Ben's card... It wasn't exciting like his toys!

This toy was a big hit! When Maddy turned one we got her a fisher price farm. She didn't care. When Sarah turned one, we gave her a drum with other instruments inside... She didn't care! But this time, I got it right!Our gift to Ben, (I love Ross!) Ben played with it for a while, and left all the other toys alone! I knew I liked this kid!

Happy Boy!!

I realize that these baseball cupcakes pale in comparison to Sarah's Dora cake... but hey, I tried!

Ben loved it, so I guess that's all that matters!

I decided to give Ben his sherbet cup outside... This proved to be a WISE decision.

He attempted to eat with a spoon...

Then to licking...

Then it melted enough to slurp...

Yup. It was good.

Yeah buddy!

Ben went strait into the tub soon after this picture was taken! He seriously LOVED this sherbet!!

Our girls loved it too! They also loved having Mikaela and Tayte to hang out with.

The adults set up a game of Croquet in the backyard. Maddy thought they were crutches...

They played until well after dark It was great. I think they had a good time. Glad we got to celebrate our little Ben's birthday with family and friends. We are going to have Birthday party round two with my parents and grandparents on the 4th of July! Ben's going to think every year people light fireworks just for him!