Good Eats.

 Parks likes to eat.  At six months, we started him on solid foods.  He makes crazy noises when he eats-a big talker and likes to hear himself yell.  We continue to enjoy this sweet boy.  We've been busy lately with beach trips and other fun activities.  I sometimes feel like I'm treading water with three kids-there's so much in life to enjoy and such a short time to enjoy it all. 

This week I'm doing my first triathlon.  I enjoy races-I always feel so inspired when I do them.  We had a fun work out last Sat.  We went to a bike trail in Irving.  Carleton roller bladed, Apollo biked, and Annie and Parks rode in the stroller (Annie had a fever).  Apollo is crazy about biking like his dad and can go over curbs and go on long rides.  When I told him another down hill was coming (and another uphill on the other side)-he said with determination, "I can do it."  We are totally enjoying this time and stage with Apollo.  He is a good boy and so enjoyable to be around.  I am going to really treasure this last year with him before he goes to kindergarten.  We have some very fun plans this year.

Because she has a brother, Annie loves playing with cars and Legos (along with all her girly stuff).  I came down the other morning (she's our earlier riser) and saw this.  She said they're working on Holley (the car in the middle).

 

 Annie and I did our first mask.  Love having a girl.  We've been into fun nails lately.  We both have painted nails with glitter we sprinkled on top right now.

The kids love to take turns and dance for me.  We love dance parties in general.

God Bless America

 We have had a fun filled summer.  I was due on the fourth of July but my mom and doctor wanted to enjoy the 4th so they put it off a couple days.  When my mom went to watch the fireworks, people asked when she was due and she answered, "today."  I have been thinking of some memories that stand out in my mind over my life and these are what came to mind:

-kneeling across the altar from Carleton and feeling so thankful
-teaching my Argentine companion how to dance in the rain
-running my first marathon and crossing the finish line with Ken, Cameo, and Carleton
-trips to Moab with the fam-I really enjoy being with my family and always have
-exploring ruins with Mom.  I remember hugging the wall of a cliff to get to one as a little girl.  She always took us on fun adventures.
-becoming a mother for the first time after a long wait.  Apollo brings me joy every day.
-Annie's birth.  She was beautiful.  I was overcome with an incredible joy that things went so well and that she was mine.
-I pinch myself every day that Parks is so happy. 
-One day I left my high school students for a minute and when I came back, all my students were standing and clapping for me as I entered-what a beautiful moment!  I really loved that class and had a special bond with them.  I had told them earlier it was my secret wish (just like when Oprah came to start her show in front of her audience).
-Visiting my Grandparents and them visiting me.  I've always been close to my grandparents and have a million special memories with them.
-Teaching life and learning camps-meeting Aileen had a big impact on my life
-Praying to know what my life's purpose was.  I looked up and saw a wedding picture and a picture of Apollo.  I felt that it was to find joy in being a wife and mother and share this with others.

I was just thinking today how little things shape your life.  I remember coloring with my  mom and how she would do the most incredible job.  Annie told me today that she was coloring in circles like me and I said I got that from Grandma Tammy.  Mom was always refinishing furniture and making our homes beautiful and I never paid too much attention to it.  Now, both Heidi and I love to go thrift shopping (I get a rush from it) and refinishing furniture.  As a child, we always went on family trips.  I grew to love the outdoors and love adventure. 

In high school, I went on my Senior trip with my friend Liz.  We would run during the days-I was amazed that I could run for an hour straight.  I have loved running ever since.  I loved high school.  I had great friends.  Now Liz is pregnant with twins and I'll see her next week.

Rachel was my best pal in college.  I called her after Parks was born, crying because I always struggle after having kids and was not in a good place mentally.  She just had her fourth kiddo and had some great advice.  She has been a great pal.

I am thankful every day for my sister.  She is my best pal.  I miss her every day.

I could go on and on.  It's been a great time to reflect on my life.  I feel very blessed for good friends and family.  Carleton planned some really fun things for me for my birthday.  I had no idea...I love surprises!



 Fun day at the beach with the Giles and Moyers.

 

 This has been a summer of projects...

 ...and babies.  Welcome Bennie.

 The kids all got wet so they all changed into Apollo's clothes.  We pretended we couldn't tell which one was Apollo.

 Fourth of July.  We had breakfast at Tanya's house-right on Main, where we could watch the parade from there.

Parks has a "don't mess with Mia" face.  He'll be her little protector.

Parks and Apollo light up when they see each other.  When I have a hard time getting Apollo up in the morning...I just put Parks up in his bed and Apollo wakes up immediately to chat with his brother.  

The girls got decked out for the 4th.

 We had a fun day swimming and eating.  Annie couldn't make it through the fireworks.

 Neither could Parks.

 I asked Apollo if he liked frisbee, swimming, or biking better.  He said swimming.  If I ask him next time he's on his bike, maybe he'll change his mind.  They are doing a great job swimming now.

So In Love.

Right now Annie and Apollo are in Parks' room (Annie on a chair and Apollo on the floor) because they want to be with him.  I could hear them singing to him.  We are all very enamored with Parks.  When he was given a name and a blessing part of it was that he would "bring joy to your family and peace and happiness to your mother and siblings."  This could not be more true.  I was amazed when he came home and he would literally fall asleep if we rocked or sang to him.  He is so happy if anyone holds him and everyone comments on how happy he is.  The kids adore him and love to play with him, hold him, and talk to him.    Apollo slept in the chair by his bed the other night and Annie had tears in her eyes because she wanted to and I told her she could the next night.

Parks is already a thrill seeker.  He does little back flips off Carleton's lap.  Parks will lean back and kick off.  He loves to be held.  He's starting to be ticklish and giggles when I get his sides or under his chin.  He sits up with help.  His eyes roll back in his head when he eats-it's obvious that the boy is a good eater.  Parks like to kick in his bath.  I can worry or stress about things at times and having him in our home brings me great peace.  We are a busy family and love adventure-our little guy is a trooper and fits right in...so easy going.  I just feel so blessed to have him, to be his mom, and I look forward to watching him grow. 

Annie and Orion are doing a little reading class right now.  I love that Annie has her own thing.  She went on her first field trip without me or Apollo.  She was soooo excited and kept asking when Christie was coming.  She looked so beautiful and she didn't look back as she walked out with her water bottle and lunch box in hand.  It's fun for Apollo to be my helper with their class.  He reads to them as part of the class.  She's such a girlie girl.  She has two little 99 cent nail polishes and she goes outside daily to paint her nails.

 Welcome baby Elise.  Parks' buddy has arrived.

 

 Annie's check ups.  Annie always comes to me (the "doctor") for her check ups (she has a baby dinosaur in her tummy).  I ask her if she's eating her veggies and she says she eats her fake food (there's lots of veggies in her fake food she plays with).  She says she feels the baby kicking, that she's drinking a lot of water, and not eating much ice cream.  She's named her Elise after "Suzana's baby."

 Water + Trampoline = Summer Entertainment.

 Carnival Copa.  I made a list of activities and food for the kids to play "Choose your Adventure" and "Choose your Adventure...Meal".  It was fun to let them choose their meals, snacks, and activities off a list for a week.  I tried to mimic what we did on the cruise.  They looooved it.  I'm going to post the recipes and pics on my creative blog so check it out.