Father's Day Traditions

As it is with most celebrations...we do it up right in our family. We celebrated this year with the traditional Father's Day...

PINATA!

You got it...a pinata...and a tough one at that. Each kid got an attempt with a small stick...pinata didn't even crack. Then the kids got a bat! Still nothing...so Uncle Cole got volunteered to split the pinata...and boy did he do a good job. He took the head right off of that thing. The kids (and adults) scrambled for the candy from the Father's Day Pinata! :)

To tell the real story...we celebrated Father's Day this year with Gramps (my mom's dad) and the rest of our fun lovin' family. We traveled to see my cousin's new house and the kids were super excited to get to see Cousin Ethan. It was an incredibly HOT day, so the kids enjoyed a little swimming and splashing. Even Owen got in for a turn!

We ate a great meal and it was good getting to visit with everyone. Aunt Vicki got the pinata for the kids' entertainment...but it got a laugh from all of us.

To all the Father's in our life...I hope you had a wonderful day! We Love You!

Hello, My Name is...

BIG BOY!

Everytime anyone asks Owen what his name is...even strangers...he proudly says, "Big Boy!" Well, it certainly does seem like he is becoming more and more of a big boy everyday. Two weeks ago, we sold our baby crib in a garage sale. It had to be spur of the moment and I had to know it was going to a good home so I wouldn't be totally emotional about it. We put up the toddler bed for Owen and he LOVES it. He has had to adjust to going to sleep a little bit. We have to stay in there with him until he falls asleep, whereas before we just laid him in his bed. But other than that...it has been a wonderful transition for this teary-eyed momma!

Makin' Some Bread

Harper always gets excited when Harvest time comes around each year. She knows the drill...grab your boots, jeans, John Deere shirt, hat and pliers...and head for the farm. It was so fun to watch Owen's excitement this year too! He couldn't even walk last year so, it was all new to him this year. He loves his Boppy...and his Boppy loves farmin'...so in turn Owen is infatuated with anything to do with John Deere tractors/combines and the farm. Here's to another fun wheat harvest...not a very bountiful one...but fun none the less!

San Antonio Mini-Vacation

Over Memorial Day Weekend, my brother-in-law, Cole, planned a great escape for the whole family. It was a surprise for my sister's birthday and she had NO idea. They left from their house and my parents and our family loaded up in our car and headed out at the same time. We both ended up at a roadside Braum's and we surprised Aunt Melanie. We all yelled, "Surprise" and she said, "What are you doing here?" with an extremely puzzled look on her face. I think she first thought they had just run into us on accident.

It turned out to be an excellent three day mini-vacation in San Antonio, somewhere I haven't been since I was about Harper's age. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel downtown, visited the Alamo, ate Melanie's b-day dinner on the Riverwalk, swam, went to Sea World, road the Water Taxi, hit the mega outlet malls in San Marcos and had a WONDERFUL time. We will definitely go back to San Antonio!

{The Alamo!}

{Eating Sno Cones...they melted FAST!}

{Lounging on the Riverwalk!}

{Posing at Sea World}


{At the Shamu Show in the SOAK...I mean Splash Zone!}

{The Big One as Owen called him!}

{Ridin' the Carousel}

{My Ride Buddy}

{Look at Owen's Face...Priceless}

{The Beluga Whales...my favorite!}

Growin' Kids

My little rugrats had their well "baby/child" checkups on Friday. I didn't tell them until we were about to leave, since I wasn't sure if Harper would be getting any shots this time. The first words out of her mouth when I told her we were going to see Dr. B..."Am I going to get any shots?" She must have asked me 20 more times before the nurse finally told us that only Owen would get a shot. Whew! I wasn't ready to hold down that 6 year old.
Funny story though...Owen got his sucker and we laid him down for the nurse to give him his shot...I was preparred for crying. When she stuck him, he got a really distressed look on his face and said, "O-uuuu-cccc-hhh!" in a calm, concerned manner. We all started laughing, including the nurse, which then prompted him to cry...just for a few seconds though. I'm telling you that boy is made of steel!
Their stats...

Harper: 6 years old

Height: 49 inches (off the charts)

Weight: 49.5 lbs. (75%)

Owen: 2 years old

Height: 34.5 inches (50%, a huge leap from before)

Weight: 23.1 lbs. (3-5%)

Head: don't remember the measurement, but 95%! All Brains! :)

Last Day in the Big K!

May 27th marked the last day Harper was in Kindergarten! This year flew by (which I guess I am glad for...since we had three different teachers) but I was sad to know that Harper would be leaving Mrs. Kramp's class and will be heading the First Grade. I know I should be happy...but that means my baby girl is growing up!

{Last day of Kindergarten!}

{First Day of Kindergarten--Aug 2010)

{Harper Kitty after the Reading Carnival the last week of school!}

Harper really did end up enjoying Kindergarten this year. She loved going to all of the different centers to cook, play on the computers, write in her journal and many other fun activities. She has already started off the summer by reading me a few books. So, I know she learned a great deal in Kindergarten. She loves summer...but is so ready to go back to school. That day will be here before we know it!

Gymnast!

Harper, our little gymnast, finished up her last night of class with a performance for the parents. (...and of course they received a medal!) This year was her first year in the "big" gym and she has really enjoyed trying out all of the equipment like the older girls do. She has learned quite a bit and it was nice to see her in action. Way to Go Harper!