Now!: August 2012

Splash Pads Galore!

We've been enjoying the splash pads - I've heard they often shut them off after Labor Day....so we've been trying to utilize them as much as possible while we can.

Mowgli Bear Walk is out in full force at the splash pad

Swinging and Sliding is also tons of fun at McPherson Park.

Double cuteness!

We were super excited to hear that a SplashPad opened up right down the street from us! Whites Branch Park It was a bit crowded - but we enjoyed having a pizza dinner there followed by the kids splashing in the water. It took Bryce a little while to decide that it was fun - but before long he was loving it.

A little girl befriended Brianne...and joined her in the Mowgli Bear Cub walk. Cracked me up - and I just love watching my kids make friends!

Pumpkin Goodness

My favorite sign that Summer is nearing an end is when various pumpkin treats start showing up.

We've been indulging in some pumpkin beer.

And some pumpkin coffee!

And of course you can count on Pinterest to provide some of the greatest/easiest pumpkin recipes! I made pumpkin muffins.......the recipe called for just two ingredients: Box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Of course I had to throw in some chocolate chips for good measure. Simple and delicious....yes - I think I'll be making these agains!!! Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

ISPY

Aunt Kerri made the kids some AMAZING quilts....each square is something different - perfect for playing ISPY with my little eye.

Other Happenings

Picked up Bryce from daycare to find he'd stumbled coming down the slide....guessing it was quite the face plant from the looks of his nose.


Poor lil' dude - it's finally starting to look better!

The next day they had another incident report for me to sign..........this time it read that he'd hit a friend with a puzzle piece and the friend responded by biting him.......toddler times are tough! I have a feeling we are to the stage when parenting gets really fun......and challenging!

Skyping with Grandma Suzie - she had the kids clapping along with her and singing songs. Skype is so wonderful for keeping in touch with the grandparents!!!

We ventured out to Decatur on Sunday night for a friend's B-day dinner at Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes. The kiddos enjoyed relaxing on the bench...and we enjoyed a delicious steak dinner!

Lucy Fest!

I was thankful to get a free pass for Saturday afternoon. Mark took the kiddos to the zoo - and I headed out to a local winery with the girls for Lucy Fest to enjoy some grape crushing!

Confession: I've never really watched I Love Lucy - but I did look up the great stomping scene on YouTube and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The dress code called for a skirt, a bandana, and a blouse - it was fun seeing the various Lucy outfits!

The girls - we had a great time!

Pretty Lucy's

More pretty Lucy's

Mr. Lucy :)

Squishy grapes!

Spray down after squishing grapes is an essential part of the process

Feet in the grapes!

First Day Back at Kinderfrogs

This school is amazing and we are so thrilled that our little girl is able to go here. From the school's website they describe it as an "early-intervention educational program for children ages 18 months to six years with Down syndrome and other developmental delays". I often tell people that Brianne is going there and they are preparing her to be main streamed when she goes to Kindergarten. Words can't come close to describing this place....it's amazing - it's right up there in the ranks with Disney World. The staff all have gigantic hearts and love our kids and they are on a mission to see them succeed. They do not baby our kids - they work them and have high expectations for them. Brianne loves it - when we drop her off we are lucky to get a wave goodbye before she is off and playing and learning with her friends.

Yearbook from last year - the mom that put this together is amazing!!! Filled with great pics of last year's adventures!

We are super excited about what this school year will bring! Already they have our little girl walking more and more - she has taken a few steps on her own, and she is getting more steady walking with just one hand for support...she'll be cruising around soon!

Celebrating the 1st Day of School with a Braum's Sundae!

Grocery Shopping

Every now and then I get a crazy notion that I'm super mom and can do things with both kids and it will be simple. The other day I ventured to the grocery store with the two little ones - thinking that I would be able to put the kids in one of the fun car carts that has 2 spots for lil ones....but of course when we got there all of those carts were in use. So Brianne got to sit in the cart - and I carried Bryce while pushing the cart and would let him walk and hold my hand when he got heavy. I will admit I had to try really hard to refrain from giving the stink eye to the people I saw rolling around in the car carts...with just one kid. But we managed - and even got almost everything on our shopping list!

Really mom...I thought you told me I was going to sit in a fun Car Shopping Cart!

My Lil' Shoppers

Shopping Take II - Crusin' In Style at Target

Of course when we go shopping with Daddy we score a big double cart!

Construction Party!

We had a fabulous time celebrating our friend Caden's 3rd Birthday! His momma did a fantastic job putting together decorations - and she made the most amazing cake that looked AND tasted great!!