FIREHOUSE! (Best Day Ever!)

      We went to the Fire Station with our play group this morning. Jeffrey LOVED it. We learned about what they do there, how the calls come in, what they wear, how not to be afraid of them in all that equipment, and got to climb around in both the fire trucks and ambulance. Jeffrey loved pretending to drive the truck, honk the LOUD horn and seeing the lights. It was a great experience for a little boy who loves trucks, has a fire truck and can name all kinds of trucks and machinery. The firemen were incredibly welcoming and kind. We brought them all kinds of goodies. Now we know how to be even more safe! And BONUS: as we were walking to the car to leave, they got a call and in 80 seconds were pulling out with sirens screamin'!

Father's Day

     We had a very nice and restful Father's Day weekend. We went to Bass Pro for Brant to do a little shopping and look at the fish and animals. Jeffrey got his first fishing rod, (a Disney Cars model, of course. It lights up and everything...Kachow!) We ate lunch there at Isla Morada and got fudge on the way out. Boy did the fudge get messy in the car on the ride home! After nap, Jeffrey had us casting all over the house and off the front porch, practice fishing. I kept telling him I got a big one this time and he kept telling me, no, it's another little one and I'd have to throw it back.
     On Sunday morning, it was my turn to teach Sunday School. Jeffrey and I went to church and Brant relaxed in peace and quiet at home. Jeffrey made him a card and some pictures for Father's Day.

 No more fudge in the car!

 casting off the porch

 we had a visitor who wanted to eat our rubber practice fish

I can't believe it's been 5 years since I've seen my Dad. As Lainey said, "just missing him loving me."

Little Fish

     Jeffrey loves to swim...but didn't enjoy swim lessons very much. He did alright for about three days, then it all fell apart. I thought it was because of the bad blisters on his toes, so I got him some swim shoes. That didn't help. He was the youngest in his class. I was so proud of him going off the diving board beginning on the first day. Then everyday got harder and harder as he cried and sniffled, "Mommy, Mommy!!!" 

 He even had to sit in time out!

     He does so much better at our neighborhood pool, which he now calls the "nice pool." I have been able to teach him a lot and I think we'll keep working there and wait until next summer to do more lessons, maybe private lessons. At our pool, he jumps in, "walks" his hands to the ladder and the stairs to pull himself out. He's working on getting out at the edge, "elbow, tummy, knees" style. He loves to play, go under, kick, blow bubbles, just not in the lesson setting and that's ok for now!

I have no pictures from our neighborhood pool because I do not take my eyes off him!

 Front yard water play

Morning on the Riverwalk

Jeffrey and I met up with Gigi, AJ, Lainey and Bo for breakfast at the Pearl and a riverwalk walk. We were going to go to the Museum of Art, but it was closed. We had a fun morning! 

Enjoying our aquas frescas after our walk

Jeffrey noticed and pointed out that he and Bo had the SAME SHOES!

A Concert Weekend! and more...

      Lainey spent the night on Friday. We left the boys at home and went to see Passing Strangers at our neighborhood's "Music in the Park." We danced our tail feathers off, ate pizza and snow cones, danced more and had a BLAST! This girl is so much fun!!!

 

      On Saturday, Brant and I went on a date while Gram and Grandpa came to stay with Jeffrey. He has absolutely no problem with us leaving him...whew! We ate a fabulous dinner at Silo and went to the Tobin Center to see Travis Tritt, one of my favorites. We sang our hearts out. It was a fabulous one man show with lots of feeling. Great idea, Brant!

 Making chocolate chip cookies with Lainey

 Scooping up our flour mess!

Never lets go of Mater, Sarge in his lap too.

A little taste of the Disney's CARS obsession:

He now has shirts and caps...none of which I purchased, but ALL of which he LOVES!!!

He must wear this bracelet or some kind of insect repellent  outside because mosquitoes eat him up!

 Reading books and snuggling on "Mama's Bed" before naptime

 

 Walk in the park, pointing at a bothersome fly

 Swinging with Clifford

 Leisurely morning painting time

Hard at work

Bo spent the night Monday. We had a great time and Bo is such a big help!

 Haircut

 Bo read 4 stories to J before nap AND before bed.

Morning!