Boys and Rocks

What is it about boys and rocks?

All it took to keep these two entertained was a pathway of small rocks and some measuring cups.
Aren't they just the cutest cousins? They're starting to play together more and more. Anytime Charlie sees a picture of Jacob he says "Cupub! Cupub!" He gets so excited when he's around. They're going to be the best of friends.

Snoopy Sno-Cones

It was a hot day on Saturday. Grace felt like "just having a Daddy day at home," so we decided it was time to break out the Snoopy Sno-Cone Maker. Ryan and Lindsay gave this to Grace quite awhile ago, but for some reason we still had it hidden away at the top of a closet. Boy, have we been missing out! It was a big hit with the kids AND the adults. What a flashback to our childhoods!

"Mmmmmm." Charlie joined in the fun a little late because he was napping. He wasn't so sure about the cold "snow".
Check out his hot (literally!) after-nap hair. Poor guy!

Budding Friendship

We are very blessed to live in a neighborhood full of kids to play with. This summer we have especially enjoyed getting to know the neighbors who live directly behind us. They have a little boy 5 months older than Charlie named William. The boys are just starting to move beyond the parallel play phase and are beginning to play with each other. Its fun to watch this friendship begin.

William came over to play this morning, and after getting wet in the sprinkler outside, both he and Charlie were running around in their matching diapers. I tried to catch a picture , but trying to get a picture with two one-year-olds is next to impossible. They are so cute together!

Three-Year-Old Wisdom

You shouldn't eat baby dolls. Baby dolls are people and you don't eat people.

People are people.

Animals are animals.

Food is food.

You should only eat food and dessert.

There's nothing like the clarity of a three year old mind to clear things up!

Reason #476 to Move to our Neighborhood

Our neighborhood celebrates the 4th of July each year with a parade and carnival. We had gorgeous hot weather this year and both kids had a blast participating in the parade, going for pony rides, taking a trip on the train, and much, much more. Did I mention that all of this is free?!? Our good friends The Gilberts joined us for the celebration. Grace loved having her buddy Eli along for the fun!We had our very own cheering section!
After Grandma and Boppo saw us come by in the parade, they headed to the pony rides to get a spot in line. We ended up at the very front which was so great because most people had to wait in line at least an hour. We got there a little before the ponies were ready, so we still had to wait a few minutes and everyone took turns "containing" Charlie. Grace hopped right onto her horse this year, and had a great ride with "Stormy". Charlie, on the other hand, was not so sure about this large moving creature was sitting on.

Eventually he settled into it.

And by the end...

Grace got her face painted,

had her first taste of cotton candy (and ate the WHOLE THING!),

played in a bouncy house (she actually went inside this year),and spent lots of time playing chase with Eli. It was a very fun afternoon!

My Boys

Jeff and Charlie ended up wearing outfits that were just too well coordinated not to take a picture or two (or fifteen!) Here they are, my two favorite boys in the whole world.

Sleepy Girl

Grace has a history of falling asleep in some pretty strange places, but this is my new favorite. She was feeling a little under the weather today and fell asleep on the couch. At one point I heard her stir and thought she had woken up. I peeked at her a moment later and saw this:
She must have started to get up then decided she actually wanted to sleep awhile longer. (Almost an hour longer actually.) That girl can get comfortable just about anywhere!