4th of July...

We had a great 4th of July...especially with these two little firecrackers!!  They constantly make me smile!  My mom made a  delicious brunch and had all her grand kids over and it was so fun!  Aunt Jess brought a whole bunch of craft items and the kids all made an American flag out of construction paper, they turned out so cute!  Jeff had to work and we wish he could have spent the day with us, but he got home by 5 so we still got some good daddy time in.  We just played hard all day with Jessica, Carter, Bridger and Audri and the kids had so much fun.  Uncle John also got to spend some time with us for the brunch and again after his therapy and we stayed up and watched the Macy's Firework Celebration that night.  I just love celebrating this amazing country and I feel very blessed to be an American. 

Little Miss's Bike Riding 101...

Little Miss and I went out today to practice bike riding skills. 

Me (as little miss is looking everywhere but in front of her while she is riding): "Hey missy, you need to pay attention to where you are going!"

Little Miss: No response

Me: "Caitlin, please focus on what you are doing!"

Little Miss: No response

Me: "Caitlin..."

Little Miss: "Mother! Why are you talking to me while I am trying to focus!"

Me: "Why don't you come ride in the road? There is more room than on the sidewalk."

Little Miss: "Mother, come out of the road right now! If you don't, a car will come and you will die!"

Little Miss: "Mom, will you hold my bike while I run?"

Me: "No sis, you need to ride it back to Grammy's and get some practice."

Little Miss: "Mother, please take it. I really just want to be free."

And while riding, when she gets going really fast and feels like she is doing extra amazing, she will stop the bike, turn to me, and give me a huge thumbs up accompanied by the biggest smile.

Can I just say I love this girl...

Some of my favorite things...

1. Little Miss's "hair"...she always has a towel or sweater on her head and she even has me put it in a ponytail.  I would be ok if she never grew out of this!

2. Lyss's huge smile every morning when I get her out of bed.

3. Little Miss's vocabulary..."merote"(remote) "cocodot" (polkadot) "floppers"(flip-flops) "beautiful gown"(dress) "puter"(computer)

4. How Little Miss wants to help with EVERYTHING...cooking, cleaning, laundry, feeding Lyss...

5. Watching Little Miss dance.

6. Doing anything with Jeff...watching movies, playing games, laughing...pretty much anything:)

7. Making Lyss laugh and listening to her giggle!

...just to name a few:)

Birthday Guy...

We got to celebrate Jeff's birthday in April and there isn't much we like better than celebrating this guy!  He is the best hubby and daddy ever and we were so excited to make his day special.  I got him a new backpacking pack and he was totally surprised!  We went out to dinner at Winger's and had some friends over for cake and ice cream...it was a great day!

Just a little mud...

These pictures are proof of what a relaxed mom I have become!  It was pretty much a perfect day for both Little Miss and me...we both got to be outside in the beautiful weather and she was able to play for a couple hours, in a mud-hole, with some of her good friends.  They did all get hosed off at the Olsen's house after...I am not quite relaxed enough to let her inside looking like that.

I must say though, I was pretty impressed by how thoroughly muddy she was able to get...that's my girl:)

Time out...

I had the opportunity to go to Time Out For Women in Spokane in April and it was amazing!  Little Miss got to stay home and have a daddy-daughter weekend and I took Lyss with me...we all had a blast!  I have an awesome group of girlfriends, that I do most everything with since most of us are husbandless most of the time, and we were able to listen to so many talented and inspirational people.  I felt like I got such a spiritual uplift and I love being reminded that I am doing exactly what I was meant to do...be a wife and a mom.  

Swimming...

 

Little Miss took swim lessons this spring and she loved it!  She has absolutely no fear of the water and she picks up on the skills really well.  Now we just need to work a little harder on her "listening" skills and she will be a pro! :)