No girls allowed. No boys allowed.

The anticipation has been high at our house, awaiting the arrival of meemaw and grandpa. Kids are always super excited to see them, but this time even more so because of some special adventures planned. Today, Paul, Tom and Pierce headed out for a "boy's only fishing trip." Pierce is BEYOND excited about this. Getting out without his mom telling him to "be careful" every other second, making him eat his veggies and fruit, belching loudly, and staying up late, the chance to catch big ol' stinky fish..... I mean what more can a kid wish for? I on the other hand have being giving Paul one lecture after another how to properly take care of Pierce for one whole day, dramatic maybe? Paul just kind of says, "yes dear" and laughs at me, you mom's understand, right? ;)

So, ready to get the show on the road!!! NO GIRLS ALLOWED.
Now what would the girls do without those stinky boys around?
Go get pedicures!! NO BOYS ALLOWED.
This was a first for Hopie. She's a natural at this of course, as she is with all things laced in heavy estrogen.
She was about 4 chairs down from me, just chatting up a storm, and telling 'Lucy' exactly what she wanted.

Purple, with sparkles and polka dots. PERFECT ;)Here we all are done up. It's fun being a girl, I mean who wants to go fishing??
Of course one of the many instructions given was to take lots of pictures for me. I've already been sent a few and wanted to share....


I soooo hope they have a great time, but I can't wait until they are all back here with me :-)

Tomorrow's agenda for girl time? Shop of course.

Just back from the land that flows with milk and honey....

Okay, so maybe I exaggerate a little. Maybe Indiana isn't exactly paradise, but it's not far from it ;) On Thursday we loaded up the family van (minus Rico) and headed up for a friend/family/eat 65,000 calorie a day visit. With all the visitors, and little trips we're having summer is fly-ing by!! Let's all figure out how to make it slow down please....

So, here's a recap of the visit....

Girlie time. Always a must!!

SUSHI!!! Woot!!! No place has better sushi than Kansai, and I had the pleasure of not going once, but twice to stuff my face. Consider this my own PSA....if you have not had sushi (Tracey) or are to chicken to try sushi (Tracey) then your life is not complete. Trust me on this one. Oh, and I've decided to eat it weekly.
More friend time!! So happy to have a chance to see a high school friend. Lyndsay and I used to rock the 'dance routines' together, we used to live by each other, and share lots of memories. She's great :)
I got to see Jami, and her BEAUTIFUL new house (excuse the blurry photo, 6 year old in training) We actually had the opportunity to see each other twice!! Woot!!
:-)
The kids were super happy to see their friends and have lots of play time together!
Pierce showing Cooper how to break the rules.
Weeeee!!!
So fun!!! :-)
And the kids were beyond happy to see their cousins. Let me tell you, they A-DORE them, the boys are older and cool and still play with Pierce and Hope. It's the best!! This was a fun lunch at Buckhead's, on such a beautiful day :)
Cody (one in red shirt) is about to get his permit. It's ridiculous that he's that old now. RIDICULOUS I say!!
I captured many sweet moments this weekend. Just look at the love.
Sweetness that Nathan who is a cool 12 year old boy, spends the days playing little kid games (he does keep cell phone handy, as you can see ;))

Second trip to Kansai, this time with aunt Jo-Jo, and Neena and Papaw.

More sweet moments....
Dad watching Beauty and the Beast with the kids :-)
Happy that I was able to spend time with my dad on Father's Day.
As much as we enjoyed our visit to paradise, we were HAPPY to get home and see daddy and celebrate Father's Day together :-)
Now we are counting down the hours/minutes/seconds for Memmaw and Grandpa to arrive!!!

Night and Day.

I love watching my kids grow up. As much as I complain about it, because it's going too fast, I do love it. I always find myself day dreaming about what they'll be like as teens or young adults, how will they adapt throughout life, what will their challenges and strengths be....I could go on and on, but I'll spare all that.

One thing I can say for sure, is these two are as different as night and day. I am always praying for wisdom on how to train each one and adapt to their differences. After I had Pierce and knew Hope was on her way, I thought she would be just.like.him. Guess my mind doesn't think too much out of the box, and I assume if I had 12 kids, they would all be different.

Pierce Matthew....

Shy in new situations and slow to warm up. Usually sticks with one or two friends and seems more loyal to those in particular. Very tender hearted, and sensitive to others feelings.

A perfectionist and doesn't settle for less. Gets frustrated with things don't go as he sees they should, but usually sees it through. A rule follower and people pleaser.
Naturally athletic and artistic, and a funny boy. He's a joy!

Hope Elizabeth....

Not a shy bone in her body. In new situations with new people, just marches right in the middle and makes herself fit. Always interested in friends, and lots of them. Will do anything for a laugh.
Doesn't like to think she's hurt any one's feelings, and hates it if she's thinks her mommy or daddy are angry with her. Also, has a tough side to her, that can be very matter of fact and seems to want to take on the world.
A go getter, and a natural light!! She's a joy!!!
I couldn't love them or their differences more :-)

Happy Weekend.

We've had a great weekend!! You know as a stay at home mom, you would think the weekends would be no different than the week, but they are!! I still get all excited for the weekends, even though they are much different than my weekends used to be, they are still fun ;)

We have had lots of company lately, first Tracey came for a visit, then my parents, and we had another special visitor this weekend (more on that later) and Paul's parents will be here next week. I love visitors!!! :-)

What have we done this weekend??

Lots of this right here.

Having a pool where we live has been great!! We go almost daily. The kids absolutely LOVE it, and check out Pierce, he's really doing great swimming...


I still want to get him into swimming lessons, but I'm surprised how much he's taken off. By the end of the summer, I think he'll be a little champ!

We also had Pierce's awards at karate. Little man starts his new class on Monday, and he's ready!!!
Off with the old belt....
Getting his new one!!

You think he had a little sun lately?? ;) His certificate says "Little Dragons Graduate" But the big event of the weekend???

Aunt Jo-Jo came for a visit!! She hasn't been here since we moved, so we were very happy to have her!! Kids must have said her name 689 times this weekend, and lots of tears over her leaving :(
My favorite part of having her here (or whoever else visits) I don't have to split my time. I can just focus on that one person, it's nice. Funny, growing up we were not close at.all. We had 6 years between us, and different as can be. But once we had kids, we became close, it's good to have a sister!! :)
We even seem to do more silly things on the weekends, like blow up the air mattress and let the kids have at it!!


:-)Maybe because we're more relaxed on weekends, kids imagination even seem to work better ;)Yes, it's been a happy weekend, indeed!!