Our little swordfish

Today, Sam received his graduation certificate from the Dolphin class.  He can do the front crawl, back strock and breath while swimming across the pool.

How can you not smile back?



A Sports Camp Summer

Sam is having a blast this summer.  So far he's done a tennis and soccer camp.  From the permanent grin on his face, I would say he's loved every minute of each one.

Pool time

It’s hot (as it should be during June in Texas) so we’ve been spending LOTS of time in the water.  Ben is enjoying his first solo (no mom or dad in the pool) lessons at the Houston Swim Club while Sam is sharpening his swimming skills.  I enjoy going the HSC as much as the boys as there are ALWAYS a few old friends to chat with while the boys are in their lessons.  In addition to classes, we’ve had some great pool time with friends and lots of low key water time in our backyard.   

Four smiling faces

Sometimes I wonder what our kids must think about having 3 other siblings. They don’t get the one-on-one attention that other children with fewer siblings get, and they have to fend for themselves a lot. But this worry is often pushed aside quickly by a situation that shows me that they are 100% content and in love with ALL of their siblings.

A few days ago, I was finishing up getting lunch together in the kitchen. I opened the playroom gate assuming that everyone would walk, crawl and scoot to the kitchen table to eat. After a few minutes, I hear hysterical laughter coming from the hallway. ALL of the kiddos are “racing” up and down the hallway on their knees (Ben actually went up and down on his back).

I couldn’t help but smile (and, of course, grab my camera) as I watched the scene unfold. Siblings…there is no greater bond.

Let's cook dinner!

The boys and I had such a fun time making homemade pizzas last night.  We bought premade crust, brushed on a little olive and added our favorite toppings.  Yum!

10 months old already?

Happy 10-month birthday to the sweetest, happiest and most loveable twins in history. 

Sisterly Love

Dear Grace,
One day, I'm sure, Graham will repay the kindness you bestowed on him as an infant. 

Now, try and place nice.

xo,
Mom

Dada, dada

I know that if his first word would have been on the approved list (Mom, Momma or Mama) then I would have gotten this post up weeks ago when he said his first word. 

In all seriousness, Graham hasn't stopped talking since he uttered his first word, Dada.  It's so cute and I love hearing him saying it over and over. 

Sweet Sam

Pictures taken by Sam

Sam is 100% my mini me.  This afternoon he grabbed my camera and started snapping away.  We have a future photographer in the making.

VBS: A fun week for the entire family

We had a bumpy start to Vacation Bible School this year.  One child after another seemed to have some sort of sickness at the beginning of the week.  Fortunately, we all woke up happy & healthy on Thursday.   

VBS is one of my favorite weeks of the year. We get to hang out with friends and talk about our faith in a loving and fun manner. This year the church hired a band (the Lads from Nashville) and they provided such excitement for all of the kids. We now own 3 of their CDs that I imagine will be on rotate in my car.

I truly love getting to experience VBS with our 4 kids. It was an exhausting week, but I think we all walked out of our church feeling fulfilled and reenergized for the summer weeks ahead of us.

Lindsey's having a girl!

On Saturday, we (left to right…me, my mom, aunt, Lindsey’s high school girlfriend & my cousin) hosted a shower for my adorable cousin at the most adorable baby store in my hometown, O'Sweet Pea.  We decided on an owl theme many months ago after finding the cutest fabric to make table runners from.  The guests created custom (iron on) onesies, bibs and burp cloths for baby girl to wear and then wrote on cardboard, decorated boxes that Lindsey can display in the nursery.  They dined on brunch style food and washed it all down with sweet tea (we’re from the South after all) and mimosas.  Upon leaving, they received handmade chocolate shaped owl chocolates that hopefully didn’t melt the second they stepped outside into the Texas heat.  Lindsey got wonderful gifts and I hope it was a day that she will never forget.  It was definitely a lot of fun to bring it all together!  Keep on cooking sweet Ella…but once you arrive, we’re ready to set up some play dates.

Water Fun Continues

G&G cannot get enough of the water.  They laugh and watch the older boys closely while chewing away on any toy that floats their way.

Sam & Ben were too funny this afternoon.  They sunbathed (who teached them these things???) and held contests on who could jump the highest into the alligator pool.  They are really enjoying each other right now, and it's fun to watch their relationship grow.

Sam & Ben loved to be pushed around in this dump truck when they were babies so I should have guessed that Graham would like it to.  While getting the babies undressed to dry them off, I decided to place Graham in the back of the dump truck so he wouldn't get grass on him.  Before I could grab the towel, Grace had crawled over and was trying to push Graham around the yard.  She wasn't quite strong enough, so Ben decided to take him for a spin.  Now that's the way to travel!