While Bu had Swim lessons

Em got to hang out in the pool with Cam, she did really well at not getting in the way. She LOVES the water!!

Swim Lessons

Cam had a few swim lessons that were AWESOME~ he learned a lot and more than anything his confidence in being in the water ramped up WAY high!

The only thing really left to work on is the rolling his head to breathe. He worked on it, but didn't quite get it yet. But, going from NOT swimming at the beginning of the summer to now...crazy man in the water, jumping off the diving board! Its wonderful! Thank you Jordan for the lessons

The 5th of July, the lesser known holiday

For some reason here the park district has a bash on the 5th of July...fireworks, concert...the whole nine yards.

We were invited over to a bash at Jane's house with LOTS of super YUM food (chess cake, Stuart was in heaven, oh that silly Weight Watchers)

The kids had SO much fun with the glow bracelets Miss Angie supplied!!

Unfortunately the fireworks didn't start until 11pm-ish (and by ish I mean later) Ugg.

Tired kids, melting down...but fireworks, you just can't leave early.

The pic of Em is her taking a "picture" of me

Cincinnati Reds

While in Cinti for Stu's conference we hit a Red's game! Stu blew the whole entertainment budget on some AWESOME seats! They were WONDERFUL and it kept both kids pretty into the game. Hard to do with Em! The Cotton Candy didn't hurt :)

We saw a bunch of home runs from both sides, unfortunately the Red's lost. However Emmy did get to meet the mascot, Mr. Red Legs, with whom she was infatuated.

Cam was TOTALLY pumped up for the game and enjoyed EVERY single bit of the experience. Beautiful night at the ball park. It reminded me of a certain game we went to with Frank and Amanda...Cubs, Wrigley, down right near the field...baseball at the actual park is a beautiful thing.

carousel...

At the zoo waterpark

The kids were so great at the zoo. There's a splash park there and Cam helped Em do the slides...I LOVE the way he took care of her, holding her shoulders, making sure she stayed in line and getting her down the slide safely. WHAT A GREAT BIG BROTHER!

Then, ofcourse, the carousel, always a crowd pleaser!

Important Info

If you are planning on a short trip of any kind it is IMPERATIVE that:
NO ONE sleeps the night before

This gives the grumpy children and parents some quality yelling time trapped in the car together.
It will be simply lovely.

Currently I'm finishing packing (ummm. blogging) whilst the children have been sent to their respective rooms and are lying in their beds. GRUMPY.

Packing...

Just a few words.

Packing with kids:
Snacks, books, extra undies, blankets and animals, swim stuff, snacks, drinks, toothbrushes, shampoo, diapers, wipes, music, toys, stroller, pack n play?, tylenol just in case, clothes, sun screen, snacks (did I mention these?)

Packing for me: clothes, deodorant, toothbrush, book, eye liner, OH and ear plugs, cause the kids are in the same room.

Why in the world do I feel the need to pack their room up and take it with us?
This is why I hate hotels. At least at someone else's house there are toys and food, or at least the fridge to put stuff in. The hotel thing, as fun as it sounds, is hard.

Before kids we'd throw in a backpack. And babydom...wow, traveling with a baby is just like packing to move! Goodnight, a baby requires its own transportation, the special stroller the size of the dining room table and enough diapers to cover Rhode Island at least.

At least I feel like we're on the downward slope of packing. Emmy doesn't require as much now. And honestly Cam would wear the same thing 6 days in a row. Its just the food and entertainment factor. And with gas being 27.99 per gallon...we ain't stoppin' for food! And entertainment...LOOK OUT THE WINDOW you say, but there is something to a quiet back seat that allows the adult passengers to speak to one another for the first time in, say 16 days. Conversation is worth more than gas these days. So, I like the kids quiet back there. (horrible momma). So, entertainment is of upmost importance.

So there is it...my rant on packing. Now I just need to make that list and do it. Sigh...

In the car

So, today was lovely.
A jaunt to Louisville to hear Rachel sing. Oh. my. word.
Our friends, Tom and Beth, have this little girl...okay she's 19...and boy can she sing.
We sat in the park and soaked it in, as much as possible with a no napped two year old and a still tired 5 year old.
It was beautiful. And I'm going to be glad to say, "I knew her when..." she was a free gig! :)

Then Andrew Peterson's kid's CD is in the car aplayin' and there's a lovely falsetto part in one of the songs.
This is where it doesn't get any better: CAM sings the falsetto! LOVING IT.
You can't laugh. Its sincere. BUT wow, its about the cutest thing.

And not to be out done, Em pulls out ALL the words to our fav. song, Beautiful Girl.

Andrew Peterson, Bugs and Slugs.
Beautiful moments in the car. (inbetween the silbling wars ofcourse! mine mine, no mine...)

The Trophy

Our last game...and a trophy.

We have the best coaches in the world, wow! They made this season so special, presented each kid with a trophy and had nice things to say about each player.

Cam was thrilled beyond words!

Plus, last hit - awesome

The Team

Cam's T-ball Team pics

Playin' at Befanee's house

I dropped of Em at Bethany's while Cam and I went to Big Lots (thank you Nora).
Apparently at Bethany's eating lunch can be dangerous, so Em decided to play it safe and wear the bike helmet. She's very safety conscience. We are so proud.

Please note, the dress up she's wearing is about 3 sizes too small, Nora said soon after lunch she asked for it to come off.