WEEK SIX - HOW DID WE DO??

We made it to week six of our summer. I feel like I'm in school and should be producing a report card. If I was, I guess we would be getting an A-. I think that is because I am failing at getting picks of our week.

We did have a lot of fun. We started off the week every morning with swim lessons. Let me just tell you what a difference a weekend made. On Saturday, we headed out to our neighborhood pool with daddy. It went really well. She was sitting on the stairs and cried a bit, but something just changed and she was so happy. We got out of the pool to head home, and she walked back to the pool, and got in herself. Now, we did watch her to see what she would do, but we were right there to get her. Let's just say when we finally left she cried. It was classic. Who knew? I didn't.

Maggie crying when we left the pool. I never thought I would see this.


After the pool and naps, we headed out to Taste of Dallas with our friends the Abraham's. It was lots of fun. I even got to have a "mommy" drink. It was yummy. Maggie and Will were very hot, but I think they enjoyed it as well. Let me just tell you my favorite part was the "Cake Balls!" I wish I was cleaver enough to come up with that idea. It was so yummy!!!

Maggie and Will just hanging out. They did so good.


So, for week six we went to swim class on Monday and had no tears. It was awesome. We headed back to the pool with our friends the Saavedra's and the Abraham's. After that we went to lunch at the Saavedra's and back home for a nap. The Abraham's came over for Spaghetti dinner and play time outside.

Lunch time at the Saavedra's. Will, Maggie and Michael all eating "Cizza!! (Pizza!)


On Tuesday, we were back in swim class and then lunch out with the Saavedra's. Maggie decided to have an explosive diaper on me. It was not fun. I had to tell the people at Chick - fil - la that we had to use their sink in a crazy way. After that we went to my sister Amy's house to hang out and visit while Maggie napped. We then went over to the Abraham's for dinner. Jenny made a yummy pasta and shrimp dish. It was good!!

Maddy, Kiki, Aly and Maggie playing with pattern blocks. My baby is getting so big.



Wednesday was a slow day after swim class. We headed over to Amy's house to chat and play and then came home for nap time. I think I took a nap on Wednesday as well. That night we went to my favorite place Spring Creek BBQ for dinner.

Thursday was our last day of swim class. Guess what, we graduated!!! It was so fun. Maggie swam underwater, and just did a great job. I am a believer of all things happen on Maggie time!!! She is a crazy girl that loves to make her mommy wait!! We then headed out to go shopping and run errands with our friends. It was good times.

Maggie ready to leave for swim class. She got a new purse and was ready to hit the road.



On Friday we didn't have to wake up early. It was nice. We headed out to library time and then lunch with a special friend. Who knew that I would still be chatting it up with a former parent of mine? Kathy is a special person in my life, and I am so glad that we still talk and hang out. Her son was in my 1st 4th grade class, and I will never forget the day I meet her. He graduated this year and is headed off to the military. He will be in the Marine Core band. I am so proud of him. He graduated 89th in his class of 1200 something. Wow, that must be some amazing work that his teachers did! After lunch we came home to my sister-in-law Ashley and all my nieces and nephews. We had a crazy night with taking pictures with Kala. You will have to go to her blog to check out our sneak peak! She is one amazing person and with 100 degree heat at 7:00, she did amazing! I can't wait to see the rest.

http://sweetpeasneakpeeks.blogspot.com/


We had a fun weekend. On Saturday we got up and hung out, went swimming and I went to a birthday party for my nieces and nephews on my side. It was a great time. Overall, we had a great weekend with our family. We love when we get to see them!

The family picture with all the cousins. Drake, Maddy, Dirk, Aly, and Robby. Maggie was at home napping and Kiki just was to hot and decided to sit this one out.


Playing outside on Saturday with the water table.


Bath time with Kate, Caroline, and Maggie.


What will week seven have in store for us? I just have to say that we didn't have to set an alarm!!!

WEEK FIVE - TORTURE ME MORE, PLEASE

This week was a very crazy week for us. We ended our 4th of July holiday with Daddy having the day off on Monday, and Maggie starting her 1st week of "torture", I mean swim classes. Let's just say, I don't know who had it bad, me or her. Maggie has always loved the water. She has never not wanted to go swimming until last Monday. She cried, and cried, and screamed, and kicked, and so on. It was so awful. The class is full of moms and dads, and babies that were younger than Maggie. They all did a great job, but my kid sat on the sidelines crying. So, I figured the next day would be better. Here is a picture of her one morning on the way to class. Do you think she wanted to go?


After swim class we met up with Jack and headed to the Apple store. I got a new phone, no not a brand new phone, but a new phone for my version. It was a pretty cool treat. After that we ate at my favorite place, Cheesecake factory, and then headed home for nap time. It was a fun way to wrap up the 4th of July. We had lots of fun.

On Tuesday we headed back out to swim class. Day two was not any better. She got dressed, got excited to leave, and as the gates opened up for us to head into Mrs. Margaret's pool, she froze up and started screaming. I wanted to just die. I started to leave, but I got the courage to go inside and handle it. Maggie set in the water and just screamed. It was not a fun experience. I thought that maybe heading out to our neighborhood pool would make it easier, and boy was I wrong. We even met Jenny and Will, and that didn't help. It was a long day for both of us, but we managed to make the best of it and have fun.

After torture class number 3 for the week, we met up with some old friends that I use to work with at our pool. It was lots of fun, and good times. Maggie did get into the pool with my frieds today and had fun, so I was thinking that Thursday at Mrs. Margarets house would be better. WRONG AGAIN!! We did finish out the day at Jenny's house and had lots of fun just hanging out and chatting.

So, day four of swimming rolls around. You think it would be better, right? WRONG! She cried harder this day over any other day. Mrs. Margaret told me that day three would be the hardest. Well, it was day four. After swim class we meet Jack for lunch and just spent a quiet afternoon at home.

Here is a picture of Maggie walking in my shoes and learning how to drink from a straw sippy cup. I remember last summer trying to get her to drink out of a sippy cup. Wow, what a difference a year makes.



So, we have now reached day 5 of swim lessons. I really didn't expect much at this point and really wanted to just count my losses and give up. I decided to keep going, but it didn't get any better. I even cried on my way home. I really didn't think I could take much more. So, my only hope was practicing over the weekend and trying again on Monday.

After a week long of torture class, we headed out to meet Jack at the Honda dealership. They were doing their annual fundraiser for the RMH and we need to get the car inspected and oil changed. What a better way then lunch, and seeing daddy. We had a great time. That evening we went to the Saavedra's house for pizza and games. The kids had so much fun. Here they are during bath time!



Overall, we had a pretty good week. Hopefully, this week will turn around in swim class and we will see success. Check back with us for our progress!

THAT MRS. 4TH OF JULY TO YOU!!!

As many of my friends will tell you 4th of July is my favorite holiday! I would have been married on 4th of July just to have fireworks! Yes, I know I'm crazy, but I love fireworks to music and just celebrating the good old Holiday. I think I would rather have the 4th over my birthday any day! This year we had so much fun. I am starting the post with our library time on Friday. I had Mags dressed up in her 4th of July dress. It was her dress from last year. Here is a little before and after. What a difference a year makes.




I paid $5.00 for it and have gotten a lot of use out of it. Now, I am looking for one that she can wear on the beach. Anyone got any ideas, or know someone who will make me a white one for cheep?

Okay, back to our 4th of July fun! We went to the library on Friday with our friends. Here is a picture of Madison and Maggie dancing at story time. Madison is so fun and loud. She cheers after every story.


Here is Will and Kinsley waiting for bubbles. The kids love when they do the bubbles. We love our friends at the library. It makes for fun times!



After the library, we went to eat lunch and then run some errands. Do you think Maggie and Will will get tired of each other? I hope not. Jenny and I have so much fun on a weekly basis. What would we do without Jenny and Will?


Later that night we headed out in the pouring rain to my nephew's 10th birthday! Once again my sister had big plans. We were to go put-putting! Well, the rain came and came! Put-putting was out. We tried to go bowling, but ended up singing on the Wii instead. Here is Jack and Maggie singing and rocking out! Lots of fun was had. I don't know how Maggie slept through the house of screaming kids and loud adults. We had a lot of fun!



Here is Robby enjoying is ice cream cake! It was yummy!!!



On Saturday we were very unsure of the weather. We always do fireworks on the lake for the 4th. The weather looked kind-of iffy and we didn't know what are plans were. We finally got out on the lake. It was a lot of fun until the big storm rolled in. We did make it safely back to the slip and just hung out there until the rain passed. Here are a few pics form the day!

Here are Aly, Maggie and Kiki looking at the water! It was so cute how much fun they were having.

Here is Maggie in her 4th of July swimsuit! She was very hot at this point and wanted in the water!

Here is Maggie driving the boat. Watch out Captain Dewey!

Here is Maggie and her daddy! They are so cute!!

Maggie and her cousin Robby! He is so great to her.


After we swim, eat, and hang out we head out to watch the fireworks. This is the best part.

The best part of the night are the glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces from the dollar store. Here are Aly and Maddy showing them off!


Fireworks don't show up very well on camera, but here is what I love best!

Here is what I love the most. My daughter enjoying the fireworks right beside me. Jack was taking the pic, but I love him as well!


On the 4th we headed out to Rick and Stacy's to enjoy a yummy dinner, play outside with the water table and head to the park to watch fireworks. The kids stayed up late and had so much fun. Michael kept saying, "How pretty, can we go yet?" It was fun. Here is Maggie in her pj's with Michael watching the fireworks.


Once again it was a successful 4th! We had so much fun! Watch out lady liberty, this is my holiday!!!

WEEK FOUR - OOPS, I FORGOT MY CAMERA

Does it surprise you that I forgot my camera? I go in periods of where I have it, and then I go in spurts where I don't have it. We had a very good week, but very low-key week. On Monday we celebrated my niece Aly's 8th birthday. I remember her being born. Wow, what a crazy 8 years ago it was. She is a wonderful little girl and is such a great cousin to Maggie. She is so helpful and kind. We spent the whole day with my family. We were going to have a swim party, but the rain came and canceled that plan. My sister took everyone on at her house and we ate pizza and played. It was a fun night.


On Tuesday, Maggie and I helped my mom move. It was yet another crazy move. Maggie did go nap at Jenny's house and we got a lot moved. We went to dinner and then went to the park. Maggie loves the park, she cried when we left. After dinner we went back over to my moms house to continue the move. Maggie went to bed at the Abraham's. I guess you can call that her second home!

On Wednesday, Maggie and daddy had a daddy daughter day. I was in a workshop, and Jack and Mags hung out. He failed at taking pics for me, but they went to the Apple store, Dillard's, and hung out at home and played. I got to try my first Dimples Cupcake! I will say it was a yummy treat. It makes me want to bake and create my own kind of cupcakes. That won't help in my weight loss battle!!!

On Thursday we had a big day. We meet up with my old Story friends for lunch at Chuy's. We picked Jenny and Will up. It was a fun time in the car! Now, lunch for Maggie, was not so fun.


Maggie had to be entertained all through lunch. Thank goodness for the IPhone and lots of kids toys. Here is Maggie modeling her sunglasses! Strike a pose!


Will was a great boy at lunch! Here is Will wearing Maggie's shades. He is so stinking cute!!


Thursday night we had Stacy, Michael, Jonathan, Jenny and Will over for dinner. Their husbands were out of town, so we had a yummy pasta dinner and then went outside to play. The kids has so much fun. We played in diapers, and then Maggie took hers off and it was downhill from there.
Michael and Will playing at the water table.


Maggie playing with the chalk.


Here is a picture of all of them together, but as everyone knows it is hard to get a great picture of little kids.


We ended the week at library time on Friday and Robby's birthday bash! I can't wait to post all of that in my 4th of July post.

HEAVY HEART

As many of you know, I am a blog stalker. I can get sucked into peoples blogs all night long. Jack usually makes fun of me, because I have no idea who any of these people are. Over the past few weeks, I have been following so many different stories that make my heart very heavy. From my best friends little niece, Laural, to Praying for Keith Beasley, one of my sorority sisters, Saving Grace, and many more. Over the past few months I have been following a story of Baby Cohen and his journey into this world. With a heavy heart it makes me sad to say that Baby Cohen didn't make it. I have so many friends and family members who have battled trying to have a baby, and eventually they are lucky enough to have a baby or babies. So, for me this is so sad. I can't even imagine the hurt one most go through. Megan is a strong person for not shutting out the world. She has continued to move forward and share her story. Today, I ask that you pray for her family and their healing. I will also provide links to my other stories if you too would like to follow the journeys of so many.



It is one of those things that we don't know why God calls people home, but I live on the faith that one day I will know. Until that day, please take this time to remember your family members and friends and how each one of them touches our lives somehow!




Ashley

Links to read up on:
http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/ - Baby Cohen's site

http://kaylananddylan.blogspot.com/ - Saving Grace - The journey of a friend whose babies were born early and their journey into life.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurelbatch - My best friends niece who is battling cancer.

Pray for Keith Beasley - I go through facebook

These are just a few that I have found. I know their are many more out there. Let me know if you know of anyone else.