More from the Rodeo

I think my little ones make the cutest cowboys. Maybe my dad's upbringing in 4H will rub off on them.

Yee Haw!

We went to the Poway Rodeo last night... so fun! The boys have been so into farm animals since the county fair so I knew they'd love it. Austin was so enthralled with it all. He kept yelling and waving his arms, "Hi cow, hi horse!" So funny. He was so focused. Mid-way through he got a little antsy, but then Papa bought popcorn and he was good to go. Parker loved it too. We were worried the calf roping would be a little brutal for Parker, but we just compared it to wrestling with Austin and he was good. He called the bucking broncos "silly horses." Who would sign up to get bucked off like that? Crazy.

Checking out the animals earlier in the day with Papa.

August flashback

A few long lost pics from my cousins visit from Nebraska. 

We played lots of baseball in the backyard. My grandpa playing pitcher with his great grandson. Wow. 

 Austin loving on Gran.

 Cousins and brother and Grandmommy.

 Austin, Katie, Chloe...

 Can you believe that dog?

 The word book... of course.

Visit to the great grandparents

At the last minute we decided to visit my grandparents on Monday. My mom decided to go along too, so she helped me manage the boys. It was a fun, quick trip. The boys love their backyard. Austin requested a ball as soon as he walked in the door. The cozy coupe is another highlight. But boy can we do a lot of damage in very little time. Parker ran right threw the screen door and pushed it all the way out... bummer. Then my mom was looking for a puzzle piece under the couch and knocked a lamp over, shattering a bulb. We couldn't get out of there fast enough! We offered to have them come visit in a few weeks, but after the whirlwind they just experienced I they seemed to need some time to think about it:) Just kidding, but really they are good sports about their energy. 

I'm so thankful that the boys have my grandparents in their lives. To have active great grandparents who are willing to roll them around the concrete in the car or pitch balls to them is a priceless gift. 

 The Word Book... all of their grandkids were raised on this book sitting just like this on Grandaddy's lap and now the great grandkids are getting the same upbringing. I love it.

A smile for a Monday morning

Austin is just so cute running around everywhere, playing independently and following after Parker all day long. What a joy he is. 

 About 4-5 times a week, Parker ends up waking up Austin when he goes to get in bed (Austin goes to bed an hour before he does, so that he can fall fast asleep:)) It's annoying and Parker has yet to learn that while it is fun to chat and play with him for the first 5-10 minutes, it's not so fun when Park is ready to go to sleep but Austin is still chatty/crying. The other night, Parker comes out complaining that he couldn't sleep because, "Austin keeps saying words." Pete offered him to sleep on the couch and he fell right asleep.

B'ball boys

The boys love playing ball together. Any kind of ball... they are into it. Here they are out on the patio playing with the hoop.

 Austin's excited "I just made a basket" face.

Winner, winner, winner

If you know me, you know I love a good bargain. You know I am fairly frugal, but also an avid shopper. Well Pete has been in the market for a new suit for a while. Several months ago, I went shopping with my bro in-law and scored a $500 suit for $89. I was pretty stoked about that.

Well, Pete and I went out looking a month or so go. We first went to Nordstrom Rack and didn't find anything exceptional. So we walked next door to the Banana Republic Outlet. Love it... the whole store was 40% off first of all. We found a very nice navy suit with subtle striping. Very nice. I think that retailed for about $320 regular price. Then I found a clearance suit which was also very nice and fit well for $75 total (also regularly $320). Score. So we go up to the cashier ecstatic about these finds, and expecting to pay about $300 for both suits. Well because we spent over $200 we got an additional 25% off, bringing our total down to $200! $200 for two suits!!!!! With no alterations required. I told the cashier I feel like they should make an announcement over the loud speaker or something. Great day, great day.

My twinner...

Lounging on the couch with my boy... one of my very favorite things.

 Austin hanging out in the house... in a stroller, with plenty of sun protection:)

Ryan and Chloe brave the zoo

Parker is one lucky kid. Ryan and Chloe took him to the zoo last week. Just Parker... what a special day! At first he was apprehensive to go without me, but he quickly came around to the idea. They bought him a special hat first thing (because I forgot to send his... but I specifically told Ryan not to let him choose one with the spinner on top... apparently that was the first one he went for). Then they had a blast seeing all the animals and even going backstage at the bird area because Ryan had a friend who worked there. I even got to facetime them from the Skyfari. At the end, Parker got to pick out a cool train and picked out an elephant for Austin (he's always thinking of his brother)! Thanks, Ryan and Chloe. Parker told me it was the "best day he ever had!"

Seaport Village

We had a fun family night at Seaport Village on Saturday night. We walked around and enjoyed the sights and the beautiful water. It was nice to just be out!

One of the peddle-cabs featured a Michigan flag... Go blue! Man, that game Saturday was too close!

 Family...

 Austin and Parker running through the grass.

Wee Sing

We are off and running with our third season of Kids Sing and Wee Sing. It's so exciting to think we've built this business from the ground up. We've had nothing but positive feedback and it's been a lot of fun putting together these musical performances. Kids Sing has about 30 kids this season, which is more than we had in the spring. Our show features cute music and darling costumes. Can't wait. 

Wee Sing (preschool group) started last week, and I'm so excited because Parker is in it for the first time. He loves it. I was nervous he'd be rowdy since Aunt Denise is his teacher, but so far so good. His friend Sadie is also in it. 

A few kids are assigned a solo each week. They get to come to the microphone and sing in front of the group. I didn't know Parker had a solo assigned to him today, but lo and behold he got up, said his name and declared he'd be singing Old McDonald. Here we go...

I was so proud of him. He sings all the time, but he doesn't really like doing things on demand. This shows a lot of growth and maturity in him that he'd get up with such confidence. Sadie also had a solo and did a great job!

Love this thought...

Each stage of life has its blessings and its challenges. Sometimes I want to freeze time with Austin at 18 months old, or I want to watch Parker singing his 3 year old heart out forever. Sometimes I want to fast forward through the tornado of mess in my house every day or fast forward to a point where Pete is further down the line in his career when we can see him more. But if we embrace each day and each possibility of something better down the road, we can have great hope for a bright future.

Poway Days Parade

My mom's neighbor founded a therapeutic riding center in our area, called POVA. It's amazing what she's done. She has a huge facility where children with special needs receive therapy/lessons through horse riding. So many of these kids grow leaps and bounds after participating in these lessons. Quite an inspiring thing. This is the same place I helped out with over the summer when we did arts and crafts with the kids. 

Anyway, the center was going to have a "float" in the Poway Days Parade last weekend, and Ingrid asked if we wanted to be on their float. Of course we would! Parker was so excited! We got to ride in the back of a trailer sitting on hay bales and Parker loved waving to all the people. Every time people would cheer for us, Parker would ask, "Are we winning?" At the end he was thrilled that "we won"!!!!! It was hot but a lot of fun. 

Serious conversations with a three year old...

Parker and I had a very serious conversation yesterday on the way home from preschool...

"Mama... why do some people have big buns?" (he is totally serious, not just using potty talk for humor's sake). "I don't know Parker, why do you think they do?" "I don't know. Sometimes if they have big buns they have a big tummy too." "Yes, sometimes it is like that."

He brought up this same question to my mom today.

He also told me today when I took away the post-its he was scattering everywhere, "Mom, you ruined my whole day!"

Hullaballoo

Don't you just love the word "hullaballoo?" So fun. Anyway, we went to a kiddie concert at the Bernardo Winery last Friday, where they have a guitarist sing and play for the kids. It was really fun and age appropriate. They sang, danced with scarves, and played maracas. Then we went and walked around the farmer's market and got some delicious hummus. Fun day!

 Then Austin Facetimed with Elmo on Kate's phone while I took Parker to the bathroom. He was enthralled, as you can see.