Playing Catch Up

Okay, in the past 1 and 1/2 to two weeks we have

had swimming lessons for both kids
had dance class for Annabelle
gone to the beach
went to a parade
visited the Air Zoo
had a cook out
put a new slider door in (well, it wasn't so much "we" as it was Darrin)

and much more that I can't remember at the moment.

My camera was stuck in display mode for several of the events so much to my dismay I couldn't get any pictures. After banging it up a bit I was able to get it working again today just in time for our visit to the Air Zoo. And I had also planned to get lots of pictures of swimming lessons on their last day but unfortunately a child in the class before ours got sick in the pool and it was cancelled. I was so sad not to get any pictures of that. Bennett was in the water with just the teacher this year. This was Annabelle's last summer of being with a parent. The start was rough but every day got better. They ended up having a lot of fun. For a picture of Bennett on the side of the pool and a few of Annabelle at dance class, visit the Burgess blog.
This is what Bennett enjoyed doing most while waiting for his turn at swimming lessons.

Bennett flying high

ready to lauch

"hello" from our first visit to the Air Zoo

we made these collages today. A's is on the top. B's is on the the bottom.

And Darrin got in on the fun and made this hat.

Sweet Summer

Today was a very productive summer day spent at home. It included: car detailing, cake ball making, terra cotta pot scrubbing, golf watching, main level house cleaning, dog walking, child bathing, sand box playing, sock matching, bill paying, and down the road strolling, and now we're tuckered out and going to bed. Goodnight y'all! We're sleeping in our John Deere t-shirts tonight because it's finally warm out!! And we love it!
(They weren't too cooperative for this picture. I wanted to get a really cute one but it just wasn't working out. I just thought they were so cute in their matching t-shirts after their bath. This is the best I could get :).

Bennett was sneaky one day and found this bag of trail mix, and without us knowing he ate every last m&m out of it. He was so proud of himself!!

And here is Annabelle on Tuesday sitting so nicely for her FIRST haircut. She did great! Here is the final product. She just needed a good trim.

Annabelle + Mosquitos =

This poor, poor girl has such terrible reactions to any bug bites. We have been to the pediatrician a number of times because of excessive swelling due to bites (most of them mosquito). She literally can't even go from the house to the car during the summer without being bit. Believe me, we apply bug repellant often but any biting bug must think she smells/tastes great because she is their first and usually only target. She has a couple on ber back that are whelts the size of a half dollar. Thanks Brenda for the Benadryl advice! It didn't improve the swelling but I hope it improved the itch. Tomorrow I'm going to stock up on repellent and put them in several places in and around our house so it's always handy. I really don't want her to only be able to see out of one eye again. Darrin says it looks like she went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!

What we've been up to so far this summer (or is it fall?!?... brrr)

I continue to enjoy getting a good bargain. Jenny and I took advantage of KMarts coupon doubling this week. Here are just a couple of my good deals. The barbecue sauce was free, each package of diapers was six dollars and the cereal was 90 cents. I admit that I've never bought this kind of cereal before and I always think it's a waste of money even if it is a "good deal" to buy things you wouldnt normally. But they made a great snack for the kids and Darrin really liked them...and they're already gone!

Darrin started off his summer vacation with some landscaping which he (and the kids) really enjoy. He extended the landcaping in the front of our yard around more to the side by adding more bricks and plants. It looks really nice. We just need to get more wood chips.

And he added this to the side of our house. All these rocks came from the Sharps farm. He picked up every one by himself, and you may not be able to tell from the picture, but there are some huge rocks in there :). In addition to the rocks, he flattened out the yard a bit so there isn't as much of a slope. We're just waiting for the grass to grow in and it will look perfect.

We've enjoyed our dinners from the grill.

This big man has moved up to this bigger bike. Sometimes I look at him and forget he's still only 3 and 1/2. He's getting so big and acting so old :(...where does the time go?! And he DOES wear a helmet when riding the bike but I just needed to snap this quick picture, and he was happy to oblige.

And Annabelle...well...

she just

keeps

right on

dancing!

Toddler Dancing Queen

This girl woke up this morning

in football pajamas and a tutu (yes, she slept in this tutu)

ready to DANCE!

By afternoon, the tutu had to remain but she wanted her ever present paparazzi to leave her alone!

She is my dancing queen (and sometimes my drama queen).

And we love her!!