Beau's Birthday!

Beau turned 7 !!! Our little boy is 7!!! We had a great time celebrating! We surprised him when he woke up with the present he's been asking for forever....a snake...an albino cornsnake to be exact. "What were you thinking?" you may be asking, and yes we ask that too!

Breakfast in bed, Water stuff, Cake, Friends, Snake... what could be better?? We love you Beau!

Ugh...

I am so struggling with having a good attitude this summer! I want the kids to be able to play by themselves without needing me to provide them with entertainment!! I think we (Travis & I - not society) have spoiled them by always taking them places and planning activities for them so when there aren't any "planned" activities they resort to trying to kill me by nagging. I am trying to teach them something new which is...play with each other and think of your own thing to do. I am not a cruise director! Furthermore, I have been doing them a disservice by always providing their fun and will not continue to do that on a daily basis. Ah, the venting is over. Hopefully.

Sitting up!!!

Travis is trying to help Theo learn to sit on his own! He's getting it!

Please don't grow up anymore!

Ok, whatever, I know the kids have to grow to indicate they are living - but I hate it!! The big boys are growing into huge people and learning things about the world that make me sad they know. They wrestle with more fervor now and they don't let me squish them all the time, only sometimes - - WAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! But they are so loving to their little bro! They adore Theo and think every little thing he does is fabulous and totally indicative of a genius baby. If they could just stay 8 1/2 and almost 7 forever that would be awesome because this is the biggest I can accept. And Theo better stop growing up too.

LOVE THESE GUYS!! Theo looks a bit unsure of his future ;) and Maizie... a whole other story... WE ARE BLESSED!!

July 4th Fun

July 4ths in Long Beach always ROCK!! This is one thing super cool about our neighborhood - the Bike Parade! The kids decorate their bikes and get to ride down Country Club Blvd. with their neighbors and friends while others wave from the side of the street. It's just awesome!! Attempting a family pic with no one's nonsense...

Someday we'll get one with everyone smiling and looking at the camera and not having grumpy faces!! Beau & Maizie are eager to ride!! This is Maizie's first parade where she gets to ride her own bike! The princess bike debut!

After the parade we went to our friends' Wes & Michelle Turnbow's house a few blocks away and had some good fun in the sun. It took Maizie 3 starts and stops to get all the way down the slip 'n' slide but she finally arrived at the end!

How many kids can you fit in the kiddie pool?

Tons of fun!!