The summer of swimming

We are so blessed to have a great pool right here in our new neighborhood and so this has been THE summer of swimming. They have made so much progress this summer. They have gone from being very afraid of the 'blue' water (aka deep end) to relishing in it. B and C can't get enough of it. B is mastering the front float and C is doing amazing at putting his head underwater and blowing bubbles! We are so excited to spend a few more days cooling down in the hot KC summer and learning even more skills next summer!

Wow! You really can grow watermelon if you plant their seeds!

I am so impressed by budding scientists! We have collected lots of bugs this summer with our bug vacuum and we have actually grown something with the seeds we have planted! Aunt JoJo and Uncle Jim didn't think we could do it--but we did! The cutest, tiniest little watermelon appeared the other day. Wow! Isn't SCIENCE amazing?!

Babyhood

A is leaving his baby days all too quickly, so we thought we would capture a few of my favorite things about being a baby. Greeting him in the morning in that crib and watching him take the bottle on his own. Oh--his beloved bottle--it is going to be a sad day for him when they are put away for good, but for now we will enjoy these last few months with them! And I woke up to the sweetest sound the other morning. B playing quietly in A's crib with him. He is in love with his baby and I just had to capture this moment because it won't be long before B is wrestling him just like he does C! Gotta love my babies!

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C is going to SCHOOL!

It's a big day! C's BACKPACK is here! It is sort of a rite of passage at the George house. When you are big enough to go to school, you get to have a backpack. We WAITED and WAITED and WAITED for that mailman to bring it to us and it finally arrived. Poor baby thought maybe the mailman would bring it the instant we placed the order online, so it has really been a long wait. The minute he received it, he started packing it. The Shrek innertube that we take to the pool didn't quite fit, so we stuffed it full of other odds and ends and at long last, every nook, cranny, and pocket in that thing is FULL! Hmm, I wonder where we will put his school supplies? Oh--and the best part of this whole adventure---C handed over his beloved paci to be able to earn the backpack. We are now going on 3 nights and naps--PACI FREE. It is indeed a big day here!

Trouble with a capital T

We just wanted to have a record of all of the things our little terror has broken, destroyed, caused a ruckus, etc. etc....Our sweet little Mr. 3 has 4 incidents on his record since May. Here they are...

1. Locked baby A in the house while he, B, and I were in the garage. My cell phone and house keys were also in the house, so we had to call the police to attempt to pick the lock. After about 45 minutes of attempting to break in, Matt finally arrived with the key to let open the door and save a hysterical baby A.

2. Pulled the chain to lock the door out of the frame. He wanted so badly to get outside by Daddy, that he pulled, and he pulled, and he pulled until it well...came flying out of the door frame. Nice--I feel safe now!

3. Got us called to the front of the store at Hy-Vee because he was messing with my car keys and managed to unlock the door and open the doors with the remote keyless entry. I am pretty sure all of the employees know to be prepared each Monday morning when the George boys arrive!

4. Crashed into mommy's pretties in the bathroom and caused lavendar infused oil to drip down the vent. Glass was everywhere and did I mention all of this occurred with his pants around his ankles and an unwiped bottom?

What's the favorite part of your day?

One of my favorite things to ask the kids each day is 'What was your favorite part of your day?". One particular day B responded 'eating cupcakes for dessert'. When it was C's turn he responded--his huge dimple shining--'the favorite part of my day was hugging you mommy!'. Oh boy--I'll have to try NOT to buy that kid anything he wants this week! Today he was walking around with his play microphone interviewing each of us like he was a news reporter about the favorite parts of our day! So sweet!!!

Tball Grand Finale!

Tball has ended for the season and we are anxiously awaiting soccer in the fall. B was rewarded with the famous medal to add to his collection and juice box to taunt C! C and A are such great sports to follow B around to his many activities! Tonight C was finally allowed to take a few pictures mommy's camera after countless times of asking 'puuuuhleeeezzzzzz'! Hope you enjoy his photography work!

Rain, Rain GO AWAY!!

It is NOT supposed to rain on the 4th of July! Isn't that written in the constitution somewhere? Well, we were determined to get in some outdoor fun, so we rushed outside to get some bike riding in before the rain came and even had a little fun after it started! (Grandma and Grandpa were so sweet to be good sports in our INSISTENCE that we have fun outside despite the rain!). Sadly, we missed the big fireworks show this year. We arrived to our favorite spot at 8:30pm and the RAIN came pooring down. B was crashed, A was screaming from his dirty diaper, and C told us he didn't really like fireworks anyway. Oh well--maybe next year!

Firecracker Firecracker Boom Boom Boom...

I love planning a party! This year Grandpa and Grandma joined us for our 4th of July festivities so we made it extra special! We enjoyed Johnny's ribs, red, white, and blue potato salad, watermelon, homemade ice cream and of course---firecracker cupcakes! Yummy!

RWB Pancake Time!

We eat red, white, and blue pancakes every year on the 4th of July! This year we were lucky to share our special treat the Grandma and Grumpa Huber! Let the feast begin!

Snack Time!

The other morning C begged for some rice krispies to eat while watching his cartoons. I wasn't a big fan of this idea because we don't like snacks in the living room and Cyler always attacks the kids when they don't eat at the table. I eventually gave in and was glad I did because I was able to witness the sweetest thing ever. Big brother C sharing with little A. Be still my heart--C DOES know how to share!

Meet Henry Fort!

We have a new member in the George family. His name is 'Henry Fort'! He is a lovely caterpillar (really a gross millipede) that we were priveleged to have crawling our living room floor this morning. B quickly captured him and gave him a home (in my good tupperware). He is now eating parsley and drinking (drowning) in water. We can't wait until he builds his cocoon and turns into a BEAUTIFUL butterfly (how do I explain that millipedes are not going to become butterflies?)! B promises to keep the lid on at all times--especially when he can fly! Henry Fort watched cartoons, took a bath, and even went shopping!