The Definition of Summer

Today we had our friends over and had a water day! The weather and the fun times we had with our friends is the definition of summer!

Tents, pools, boxes of fun, picnic table with snacks, water hopscotch, etc




Water hopscotch


Lyric and Ben in the "castle"


Ben decided to try and cannon ball into the little pools. Looked painful but he loved it!








Even Nathan got in on the fun day








Thankfully, nobody was crabby today

Washing Cars

Bryan asked Ben if he wanted to help wash cars so Ben dashed upstairs and came back down wearing this:








GOTTA LOVE IT!

Nathan's First Time Eating Cereal

Tonight was Nathan's first time eating rice cereal and while at first he wasn't sure about it, he found out pretty quick that he liked it!

Not sure about this . . .


Messy Face


Can you tell he likes it?

Celebrating 6 Years

Today is our 6 year wedding anniversary. This year we decided to take Ben on a date night (Friday night) instead of just going out by ourselves so tonight (our actual anniversary) we just stayed home and hung out as a family. It was actually really nice to just spend time together.

Even though we were staying home, I still wanted to do something special for dinner so my mother-in-law and Grandma Emiko (Bryan's grandma) came over and I made spinach and mushroom manicotti (my first time making manicotti), garlic bread, and salad. Then we went outside and enjoyed the summer night playing cars, swinging, kicking balls, etc. Then it was time to make s'mores (on the BBQ). They were delicious and the perfect end to a great day!

Nothing better than s'mores




Grandma Emiko and Nathan

Trying out the new shade tent we got for our camping trip to the beach and our trip to the lake this summer. It will be great to keep Nathan out of the sun and wind, and for privacy while nursing. Ben thinks that it is just super fun and could not stop laughing.

Ben's First Movie: Cars 2

On Friday we took Ben on a special date with mommy and daddy to see his first movie! We dropped Nathan off at Papa Dave and Grandma Donna's and then we were off. First we headed to In'N'Out for dinner- it was nice to just be able to sit and talk to Ben about various things going on recently like starting school. Then after dinner we headed to see Cars 2 (opening night). We had bought boxes of candy at Target earlier in the week but we decided that since it was Ben's first movie we just had to get popcorn (which he loved). Finally we had all the things we needed and it was time for the movie to start. Halfway through Ben got a little antsy and needed to move around but then he settled back in and watched the rest of the movie. Ben had a great time and when we walked out he said "I love he movies mommy"- cracks me up! It was a great night and really special to take Ben to his first movie and get to see him experience "big boy" things. He is growing up so fast and I just fall more and more in love with him each day!

Dinner at In'N'Out


At the movies


Ready for the movie to start


Mesmerized by the movie

Nathan's 4 Month Check Up

We just got back from Nathan's 4 month check up and here are his stats:

14lbs 4oz (30th percentile for his age)
25" long (47th percentile for his age)
Head cirum: 16" (35th percentile for his age)

... Long and skinny for his age but perfectly healthy and happy!

PS. just for comparison: Ben at this age was:
Weighed: 15lbs 9oz
was 26 1/2 inches long
his head is 16 1/2 inches around

A Glimpse Into Our Crazy Day

Today has been a VERY busy day!

Ben was a great doctor and made sure that we were all healthy with this creative stethoscope :)


Nathan helped cook dinner- what a cutie!


Then later, after a banana fell on the floor, Ben thought he would be helpful and "fix" it for me LOL


Finally, after a busy day, the kids headed off to bed, some in very interesting positions: he scooted all the way down in his bed in his sleep ad put his feet up haha!

Couponing Update

I have been sticking with my couponing the past month and I have been shocked with how much I have saved. I have decreased my Target budget and have cut my grocery bill in more than half! Here is one of my recent Target savings:


2 ritz crackerfuls
2 BBQ sauce
5 salad dressing
5 scissors
2 boxes of hefty storage bags
2 baby fruit mash
1 vitamin water

beginning total: $34
final cost (after coupons) $12

I LOVE COUPONING!

First Official Haircut

Nathan has had a head full of hair since he was born. In fact, when he was just 3 days old, Bryan gave him his first trim (not that I was at all happy about that). Anyways, a few trims later, his hair was still out of control and growing like a weed so today while Bryan was getting his hair cut, we also gave Nathan his first official haircut! I was very nervous at first but I gotta admit, he is still looking just a cute as ever!


Then after haircuts it was time to head home and hit the showers :)


A clean and happy, and very handsome boy!

Painting wiith Bubbles

This morning Ben and I tried something new: painting with bubbles. It actually turned out pretty cool and most importantly, we had a great time doing it!

Simply pour some bubble solution in containers and then add 2 drops of food coloring to each container. Next, simply stir and start blowing bubbles in the direction of the paper. When the bubbles pop on the paper it leaves cool designs. The bigger the bubble, the better it looks!

Brotherly Love

Ben's First Day Of Pre-School

Where has the past (almost) 3 years gone??? How is it that I am sending my little baby off to preschool already???


We laid out his clothes last night and packed his backpack and he was really excited about getting to use his new backpack. I asked him what he wanted to put into his backpack (besides a change of clothes) and he said "a lollipop for all his new friends"- what a sweetie!

Well this morning we had a special breakfast for Ben: his favorite, waffles, with a special mommy touch


Then we were headed off for school








Before getting to school though we made a quick stop for a first day of school treat: a smoothie. Ben LOVES smoothies so this was a special treat for him


Mommy and Ben


Daddy took the morning off work to take Ben to his first day of school


Then it was time for mommy and daddy to leave so Ben could get started with his first day which started by playing puzzles and meeting new friends




After a few hours it was time to head back and pick Ben up. When I picked him up he greeted me with a huge smile and told me about all the fun things he had done and the new friends he had made. Then we headed off for a special first day of school lunch at Wendy's and then home for naps. Preschool must have worn him out though because he slept from 1:30-5:15pm :)

Although I was very excited for Ben to go to school today, I must admit it was emotionally a little harder for me today than I had expected it would be but I am truly very excited for him to start this next phase of life because I know that it's what's best for him and that he is having a great time. However after spending everyday with him for the past 4 months straight, it was hard to have him away and not know what he is doing, wonder if he is behaving, wonder if he is having fun, and not being able to share things with him. But I know full well that it is healthy for him to be at school gaining independence, being challenged mentally, and learning to interact with other kids his age and it is only 3 hours a day 3 days a week. I am so blessed that we are in a position to send Ben to a great preschool where he can learn vital skills and learn more about how much Jesus loves him!