We can go outside!

It's a miracle!  The temperature dropped 20 degrees overnight and it's amazing!  Yesterday I pulled out of the garage and watched the temp gauge actually drop.  It went from 97 to like 72 or something.  Right now as I'm typing TWC says 89 feels like 88.  When was the last time that has happened?  It feels cooler than it actually is?!?  OMG, we can play outside and not sweat. During the day.  I'm talking sunlight.  And it's still August.  All those 110+ days were TERRIBLE but this is wonderful.  I'm sure it won't last long and we'll have another 100 spell but man this is so nice.  In fact, today we went swimming at a friend's house and the pool was so cold we had to stay in the hot tub!

Tonight Ella is staying the night at her friend Taylor's and Chris is out with friends so it's just me and B.  We were out playing (without sweating).  His new favorite thing to do lately is play golf off of the fort.  He just stays up there and swings his clubs.

Yes, we know he's hitting the ball with his club upside down but he's a lefty when it comes to swinging and little dude clubs are all made for righty's.

He's trying to hit is down the slide.  So cute!

Lake time

This past weekend we went to the lake.  Friday Chris flew in from the Philippines.  We picked him up at 4pm and started our drive to Lake Travis.  Austin.  Yes, he's a good daddy/husband to fly home and then drive 4 hours after being gone for 10 days and sitting on a plane for about 20 hours.  My friend Dara's mom lives on the lake and opened up her house to us and three other families plus Dara's.  We got in Friday night and Susie's house is like a toy store.  Oh my gosh, I wish I had a picture so you could see the heaven my kids were in.  Ella saw the TUB of Polly Pockets and had eyes the size of quarters and then didn't leave the bar for over an hour until she had to go to bed.  I promise you I've never seen so many Polly Pockets before.  She had a Dora doll house, another doll house, Strawberry Shortcake doll house, Buzz Lightyear big toy, tons and tons of toys that filled up a big bookshelf and then she had so many kid movies.   And, this was just grandma's house.  Oh my goodness!  On Saturday after breakfast we all went out on the boats.  E&B loved it.  In fact, Ella said, "This is the best day ever!!"  And, "Can daddy buy a boat?"  I'm all for a boat.  I love the lake and everything about it but something tells me my fair-skinned, red headed husband will never go for buying a boat.  Bennett was jumping off the back of the boat into the water having the time of his life.  Yes, the boat was parked at this moment.  Ella particularly enjoyed cruising around the lake and wanted to go "faster".  After the boat rides we went back to the house for lunch and then out back to swim in the pool.  Bennett might be the most fearless child ever.  He just jumps right into the pool and doesn't care if anyone is around to make sure he is, you know, BREATHING.  Susie also has a Step Two Roller Coaster on the deck.  Again, the kids thought this was awesome.  When Bennett was finished riding he'd just run over to the pool and jump on in.  Scared me a little.  All the while, the dads are out playing on the boat.  B kept me on my toes and didn't take a nap.  After swimming the kids went inside to bathe and then play in Toy Land.  Ella resumed her Polly Pocket spot, of course.  After dinner Dara took the kids on a walk to collect sticks for the S'mores fire.  S'mores sound like they're going to be a lot of fun but none of the kids really ate them except one or two.  Mine sure didn't.  I think the roasted marshmallows are delicious all on their own.  Finally, after dark we got those kids to bed and the adults we were able to sit outside (because it wasn't 100+ in the country), drink some beers, listen to tunes and be silly.  It was a great weekend with great friends!  Ella is already planning her next trip to Susie's house.

The first pictures of the lake/boat were not taken by me.  They are from Rachael and Heather's cameras.  I took them from our group site. :)

I wonder what these sweet girls are discussing...

I think Ella was telling Dara what she wants for her birthday.  I just thought the view was pretty.

Me and my babies

KK & Ella

Swimming with Susie

Ella and Shelby

Collecting sticks

Sunset

S'mores

Ella modeling

Dutch was one kid that enjoyed S'mores!

Trampoline fun

I forgot to mention that Ella woke up Saturday morning with blisters on her chest in the formation of a circle.  I was concerned but trying not to freak out.  We were out in the middle of no where with five other kids.  Thankfully our friend Gabe has connections in the dermatology world.  He sent a pic to a Dr. friend and Nobu called him and told him what he thought it might be - one of three things: 1) bug bite, 2) allergic reaction or 3) chicken pox.  What???  Ok, I was a little freaked because apparently even if they get the vaccine they can still get the chicken pox.  Great.  She had no fever and it wasn't spreading.  You just saw the pictures so clearly she had a ball and wasn't affected.  I kept my eye on her at all times.  She never touched her chest or complained.  Except maybe when I put sunscreen on.  She cried a little due to burning when some of the blisters had opened which made me want to cry.  On Monday I called the pediatrician's office first thing and made an appointment.  He said it looked like a bug bite and prescribed an antibiotic cream.  She still hasn't really complained.  She has said it itches maybe once or twice.  Such a good girl.  Well, about this.  Ask me about her brother and that's a whole different story. :)

Soccer is in the air

With the start of school so close means the fall soccer season is about to begin.  Ella will start her first season of soccer this fall.  She is very excited about it.  I think it helps that her friend, Ava, across the street is playing and will most likely be on her team.  They play together all the time and get along really well.  On Sunday I picked up some shin guards, socks and shorts and then we all went out and got her some soccer cleats.  She came home and immediately put everything on and started running around outback in the 100+ temp kicking a ball.  I sure hope she does that when it comes to game time!!

Oh, and don't you worry, she starts ballet/tap in two weeks!

Weekend of cousin fun!

This past weekend we had the cousins over for some fun times!  We had a house of five kids for two nights.  Thankfully the kids were all easy to please all weekend despite the temperature rising to the hottest its been so far.  Friday night the boys went straight to bed while the girls stayed up late in Ella's room.  I have no idea how late they were up because I had a migraine and went to bed.  Saturday morning after breakfast we started the morning off out back with the slip 'n slide.  We got that in before Chris left for golf since he'd be gone until the kids were going to bed that evening.

Later after the boys took their naps we headed out back for some popsicles.

Those girls did some serious playing in Ella's room!  I think they were having fun. :)

It was a great weekend!  Ella loves to be around her cousins and wishes they didn't live and hour or so away.  We look forward to lots of sleep overs in the future and now more with the baby cousin that just moved back to Dallas!!! :)