Celebration USA

Last night was our town's 4th of July celebration.   It is always Lily's favorite night of the year and this year didn't disappoint.  We started out by all meeting up at Beth and Adam's house for a BBQ and pool time before we headed over to the park to listen to the band -- the lead singer from Styx -- and watch the fireworks.  I didn't get any pics at the pool, but everyone had a blast!

 

 

Carys, Emily, Lily and Maddie

 Abby and Dani

 Snack time!

 The "big" girls had fun with the wagon.

 Lily's best friend from school, Logan, came to join us at the park!

 All the kids!

 Logan, Emily, Lily, Maddie and Carys

 The city always puts on the best firework show!!  Dani sat in my lap the whole time and loved every second of it -- she wasn't scared or startled at all.  But I didn't really think she would be.

Maddie and Lily on the walk back to the cars at the end of the night.  It was a great night -- it is no wonder this is Lily's favorite night of the year.

Summer Fun!

We've only been in Summer Vacation for 3 weeks and it has already been pretty perfect.  I am appreciating the break SO much more this year after Lily's full year of "real school".  It is so nice to not have to set an alarm every day, pack lunches, worry about schedules or assignments and just relax and have fun.  I still have my work to do, but so far I've managed with it all pretty well.  Having the pool in the backyard is just the cherry on top!  It is so nice to not have to pack up everything and walk (all the way) down the street and share the pool. :)  I think it will be good for practicing Lily's emerging swimming skills.  Plus it is fun!  Friday Chip was home early, so we all got to go play in the pool!! 

 

Lily was doing laps, and diving for toys.  We were trying to teach her how to do somersaults and handstands.  I was even having fun throwing her across the pool -- it is awesome now that she can swim and I can have fun with her and not worry too much about drowning her!   But poor Dani was getting kinda of annoyed just floating around.  When I put her in her little life-vest thing, I still have to hold her -- she'll never have full freedom in the pool (this year at least) and she tends to just try to drink all  the water.  So I like to try to keep her in the float as long as possible.  As I was throwing Lily, Chip got the idea to throw Dani -- float and all.  Needless to say she LOVED it and wouldn't let us stop!!

 That is one happy baby!

 I like the above picture because I can tell they are both saying "2".  Dani helps count down to the throw . . ."1 . . .2. . .3!!"

 Surprisingly, it worked well.  She never went under and the raft held her up.  It was awesome and she had a blast.

 Lily retrieving her Belle water toy from the bottom of the pool.

 I LOVE these pictures of my sweet girls.  Dani was cuddling up to Lily and Lily was loving it.  I love that they both love each other so much.

 We spent about 2 hours out there before we had to get out for dinner.  So much fun!  I expect many more nights like this over the summer!

Poor Baby . . . .

. . . .  It's a rough life.

Wawa!!!!!

I seriously think only one day this week has gone by where Dani didn't get it a pool of some kinds (Lily was in a pool everyday!).  It's been fun and my tan is rockin!!  Wednesday we met Lily at the community pool -- she was there on a playdate with Logan.  It is nice that I am comfortable enough with Lily's swim abilities to let her go.  Granted I know Logan's mom is super paranoid and over protective in the water AND she is a nurse, so I knew Lily was in good hands.  But I am also becoming more confident in Lily's swimming skills. 

 

I need to get a waterproof phone case or camera, as this was the only picture I got at the community pool.  Dani LOVES the water (aka wawa).  In fact lately if we get dressed and I don't put a swim diaper on her and try to put on real clothes, instead of her baiting suit, she gets pissed.   Early Thursday morning she brought me her baiting suits, then her flip flops, then her floaty device.  Finally I looked up and she was wearing her swim hat:

 I think she was trying to tell me something.

Super Chip has been busy trying to get our pool set up.  It was a little challenging to make sure it was perfectly flat and he had to go buy chlorine and chemicals, but he did it and it is awesome!!  The girls and I first tried it out on Thursday evening!  Dani was a little annoyed in her raft, but it is the perfect size for Lily.  She can touch the bottom, but it is deep enough that she can swim across and retrieve drive toys from the bottom.  It is like a real pool for her.  I love it!

Three Day Play Date!!!

I love summer and somewhat spontaneous play-dates that literally last three straight days!!   I also love having such good friends that we can take their kids for three days and everyone is happy -- it's like extended family.  It started on Sunday night, we all went over to Elan's and Jeff's for dinner and swimming. Lily had a blast playing with Cary and Matthew and Abby and Danielle got into all kinds of trouble playing in t he closet under the stairs.    Then we took Carys home with us for a sleepover!  Lily was SO excited -- finally her first sleepover at her house!!

 

All ready for bed. 

 I let them take the ipad and ipod to watch to help wind down after a fun day.

  

This is how I found them a bit later -- both snuggled into one bed watching a movie.

In the morning we got donuts for breakfast and then Matthew came over to play and join the fun.  They played outside in the backyard in our "pool" for awhile and even made a water slide!

  

We got Chick Fil-A for lunch and the kids did makeovers -- Matthew did a good job as the makeup artist! :)

 

After the babies' naps Abby and Rhiannon came over and we all played in the splash pool for awhile.  As we were coming in we heard the ice cream truck!!!  It was perfect timing for a perfect summer day!

 Technically, Dani didn't get an ice cream, but she managed to steal Chip's from him.

After ice cream we all went out to dinner and then Carys came back home with us for another sleepover!!!!  In the morning we went met Rhiannon, Elan and my mom for breakfast and to return Carys.  But instead of just taking Carys, Elan took Lily too and they all went back to Mamgu's house to swim!!  I ended up getting Lily at 5pm on Tuesday. 

 Abby and Dani playing at Dinner on Monday night.

The kids swimming at Elan's house.  They stopped at Target and Elan got the girl's matching baiting suits!!

Needless to say, it was a FUN time from Sunday to Tuesday and the kids were EXHAUSTED!!

Dani's New Spot

Who need a couch when you can just sit on Mommy's neck and face to watch videos on the ipad.  She was so comfy -- she would have sat there all day if I let her.  

1950s Party

Last Saturday night we went to Marc's 40th birthday party.  It was technically a "Mad Men" themed party, but the invite just said 50s.  So I dressed 50s and everyone else was more late 50s.  But it was still fun! 

 Rhiannon, Sara and me at the S'Mores bar!

The girls!