Fun Day

While Campbell and Ida were at the pool, John came over to play with Riley. They were so cute together. I wish they could stay this age forever!

After lunch we decided to take a stroller ride around the neighborhood. Then it was time to come back inside because of the heat and we took advantage of the playroom upstairs. Both of them headed straight for the table and started looking at books and playing with a few puzzle pieces.

Before long, the girls came back from the pool and the play date had ended. I couldn't believe how fast the time went by. Both toddlers were happy and played so well with each other.

I just hope John and Riley are just as good of friends as Campbell and Ida.

I Need A Vacation!!

I am so excited that we are leaving for vacation on Saturday. After this week, I am definitely going to need one! No, just kidding. Although, I do have a lot going on this week.

Yesterday and Today were actually relative calm. On Wednesday is when all the excitement begins.....

Wednesday:
10am - Take Campbell to see the Bee Movie
Lunch at Chic-fil-a immediately following the movie
1:30pm - Brent is playing golf with his dad
Start packing for our vacation, vacuum the entire house and do laundry
4:30pm - Take a meal to a friend who just had a baby
5:15pm - Nana is picking the girls up for dinner
5:30pm - Hair appointment

Thursday -
11:00 Watching a neighbor's little boy while she entertains Campbell and Ida at the pool (or maybe it's the other way around)
Continue packing for our trip and sweep and mop the hardwood floors.
5:30pm - Cookout with Nana and Papa

Friday -
Finish all the loose ends and do another couple loads of laundry
Put the girls down early for a nap
After nap have fun at the Salem Fair

Saturday -
South Carolina or BUST!!

Whew!! OK, now I need to get ready for bed because my 5am workout routine comes early!!

body parts and animal noises

Riley is starting to learn her body parts and animal noises. This is such a sweet stage in a toddlers life. It is so cute to see her pointing to her nose, eyes and ears and saying quack, moo and ruff. She really likes it when I sing "Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes" and the "Old McDonald" songs. Especially in public!

It's amazing what you will do and say when you have kids of your own!

Milkshake

Campbell earned her milkshake on Thursday during swimming lessons. She actually put her entire face in the water AND exhaled underwater.

We will definitely do this again next year! The instructors are so good with the children.

For those of you that are interested in learning more about swimming lessons through the Red Cross, here's the website. Once you open the website, you can call the main phone number to the Roanoke Chapter and ask for the Aquatic Department.


http://www.roanokevalleyredcross.org/index.cfm/fa/content.view/menuID/792.htm

The swimming lessons are completely full the rest of the summer, but they will be having some fall lessons this year.

Red Light

The girls and I were running errands one day this week. While we were stopped at a red light I was quizzing Campbell about the meaning of Red, Yellow and Green lights. It was silent for a few minutes (which never happens) and Campbell asked, "what does the purple light mean?"

Purple? Light?? What??

Campbell started laughing and she said that it meant you can go very fast!!

In the back of my mind I was thinking where can I get one of these?? That would definitely be my speed!

It definitely seems to fit considering Campbell pretends she is on a roller coaster every time she gets in the van with me.

Swim Lessons

Campbell started swim lessons this week. She has been talking about it nonstop ever since I signed her up a few weeks ago. We just finished our first week today and Campbell is loving it. Here's a recap:

Monday - Wasn't able to get in the water because of some storms in the area. So, all the kids practiced "big arm" strokes.

Tuesday - Practiced floating on her back and tummy. Also, jumped off the side of the pool.

Wednesday - Same as above but actually put her face in the water!!

Thursday - On the way to swim lessons I told her that I would buy her a milkshake if she would blow bubbles while her face was in the water. She didn't have the courage to do it today, but maybe next week.


This morning when Campbell woke up I asked her "How is my little swimmer?" She responded by saying, "I'm not your little swimmer, I'm Daddy's big swimmer!"

I stand corrected.....

Ice Cream

My parents are in town for a few days. So, after dinner I thought it would be nice for all of us to go out for ice cream. As you can tell from the picture above, Campbell and Riley loved the strawberry ice cream.

this ol' man...he said dance

Too cute for words

Fun In The Sun

It was such a nice day out so I thought it would be fun to let the girls play with the sprinkler. Or maybe it is called a water ring. Either way, the girls loved it.

Campbell enjoyed it so much last year, that I just knew Riley would too. Sure enough! Her favorite part was trying to catch water in her mouth.

how to eat a lollipop...our first youtube

A couple awhiles ago?

Earlier today I asked Campbell if she had gone to the potty recently. She said in her most confident voice that she had not but she did "a couple awhiles ago".

I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I'm sure it is significant in her own mind.

Would anyone like to translate?

Success

Campbell has gone two days without her pacifier. The first day during her nap time was a little rough, but once she got past that she has been doing great! The incentive actually worked!

If I had known that taking the pacifier away from her was going to be this easy, than I would have done it a lot sooner.

Apparently, change is harder on the adults than it is the child. Or at least it was for me.

Look Who's Walking....

Riley has decided to start walking this weekend. It all started yesterday when she was walking more than crawling out in Nana's backyard. It's usually the reverse.

She has been walking (running) for sometime behind her push car. We knew it was just a matter of time before she had the confidence to simply let go.

My little girl is growing up so fast......

Saying Goodbye

Brent and I decided that it is time for Campbell to say goodbye to the pacifier for good. She has been doing really well for the past few months about only using it during nap and bedtime.

We tried our best to prepare her last night for the inevitable. She's not exactly thrilled about it, but we assured her that she can still sleep with her blanket.

When asked what she would like to do with her pacifiers, Campbell suggested that we put them in a zip lock bag and store them in one of the kitchen cabinets. So, that is exactly what I'll do! Just way, way, way up high in the cabinet. A few months down the road I'll eventually throw them away after this phase has ended.

She also asked if we were going to take away Riley's pacifiers. (YIKES!) I explained to her that we were not at this time. Riley is still a baby and we will take hers away when she gets a little older. She seemed fine with this answer (thank goodness....).

Hopefully, this will be an easy transition for her. Otherwise it is going to be an extremely long weekend.

As her reward, she will be able to pick out a game for her Leapster. Let's keep our fingers crossed this incentive will work.

Please say a little prayer for us this weekend.

Good Manners

A couple days ago I wore some pink flops (a.k.a. flip flops) with ducks on them. Apparently they make a good conversation piece.....

Campbell: Mommy, I like your duck flip flops.

Mommy: I do too.

Campbell: Mommy, when someone gives you a compliment, you need to say, "thank you".

Mommy: You are exactly right. Thank you Campbell. : )

At least one of us is using our good manners.

Modern Art

Campbell loves crafts. She ask to do one practically everyday. She was especially proud of herself when she completed her "Modern Art" project. We used some simple household products around the house and glue. So simple, yet effective at the same time. I chose paper clips, noodles, bottle caps, cheerios and straws. However, the possibilities are endless. Especially if you are trying to clean out your junk drawer or the bottom of your purse.

The best part, she is so focused and it can hold her interest for quite a while.
Riley on the other hand, is just wide open at this point. If I give her a craft to do she thinks it's suppose to go in her mouth.

Picnic

Today was such a beautiful day that I decided to have a picnic in the front yard at the last minute. The girls loved it and it was a nice change of scenery.

Campbell told me it was the best picnic she has ever had!

Hippopotamus

The girls and I take time out of our busy schedules in the morning to pray. It just seems to make our day go smoother and I'm teaching them how to pray at the same time.

So, today when Campbell was praying, she prayed for our family, friends and the hippopotamus swimming in the water.

Hippo's? Where did that come from?

Oh well, they need prayer too....right?

Another Child to Love

Brent and I decided that we wanted to expand our family. So, we decided to invest in the life of a child through Compassion International.

I bet you thought I was going to say that we were expecting..... Nope....

Her name is Brenda from Mexico and she is 4 years old. Campbell really wanted to choose her because she had a Care Bear on her shirt. That was good enough for us!

This weekend we are going to write a letter and send her a family photo. We are excited to know that our love and support will help her to receive the assistance she needs to grow and develop.

Please remember Brenda in your prayers. I know that I will!

"...and whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me."
- Matthew 18:5