Soccer Camp Day 4

It was Gregory's last day of soccer camp. 

The coaches said Gregory was the most improved of the players, and that he'd be ready for rookie soccer in the fall.

Double Ear Infection

Poor little Thomas.  The antibiotic the doctor gave him didn't treat his ear infection.  Today we went back to the doctor after another rough night, and he was prescribed something else.  The ear infection is now in both ears and spreading to his throat.

The worst part, I saw Thomas getting worse and assumed that it was something new and viral he had picked up and that it would pass. 

Live and learn, next time my kid has an ear infection and what appears to be a cold that doesn't get better with antibiotics I will take him in much soon.

Of course, he also doesn't act sick at all unless it's sometime between midnight and 4 am.

Soccer Camp Days 2 & 3

These past two days have been much better.  There have been no ants or ball problems.

The coaches are really great at getting all of the kids involved and helping the younger ones.

I think Gregory might actually be learning some soccer skills while having fun.

Soccer Camp Day #1

I don't think either of the coaches will be forgetting Gregory any time soon.

First he got into some ants while they were warming up.  The ants got into his socks and shinguards and bit him.  This resulted in him coming to me, crying, telling me how much he hated soccer and wanted to go home.  We removed the guards and replaced his socks and shoes.

Then he did okay for a little while - the coaches were very encouraging even when Gregory obviously didn't want to do the group activity. He mainly wanted to kick his soccer ball by himself.

During potty break, Gregory almost fell head first into the toilet.

Camp ended with a mini soccer game during which Gregory cried the whole time because they wouldn't use his specific ball.

Afterwards I asked Gregory if he wanted to go to camp tomorrow.

Gregory:  Yes. Soccer camp is fun!

I must have given him a funny look for he then said: "I only fuss a little of the time"

Quiet Days

We haven't been up to much lately.  This past week Thomas' antibiotic has been upsetting his stomach and I haven't felt that comfortable being out and about with him.

After a few days of staying home I begin to go a little crazy.  I end up pulling out all sorts of things, rearranging furniture, and filling up boxes and bags of things to give away or throw out.  I guess it's a good thing to clean things out every so often, but it usually makes a big mess while I'm at it.

This next week Clare and Gregory both have camp.  I'm excited about it.  Gregory's is a little soccer camp - only 1 hour a day, and Clare's is at her school in the mornings.  I'm happy to have somewhere to go everyday.  (And I'll admit, I'm ready for school to start up again in mid-August.)

Hope everyone else has a fun week ahead of them.

Lion Love

Thomas is our first child to have a lovey.

The little lion cub in his hands goes everywhere with him.  He even says 'liiiooon,' it's so cute.

We went out and got a second one just in case he loses the first. Unfortunately he knows about it and now he's walking around with 2 lions - double the love.

If you remember his stuffed lamb, you could say that the lions lie down with the lamb every night.  And a little child needs them.

Fishing Inside

When it's too hot outside, fish inside

We spent all morning cutting and decorating fish.

Then we placed a paper clip on each fish, attached some magnetic clips to string and went fishing.

To make it more of a math game, I'm thinking about putting values on the back of each fish, and then having Clare add them all up.  Another idea would be to put words on back and make her come up with sentences.

Stylin'

Good looking guys fighting over the same hat.

Hair Cuts

Last Week at the Arboretum

I've got quite a bit of catching up to do.  Last week we went to the Arboretum and found fountains, flowers and face painting.

This time Gregory decided to be a dragon.

This picture makes me think of beauty and the beast.

Daydreaming

So close to the butterfly!

Thomas has an ear infection, which surfaced right as VBS ended.  I have things to post, but no chance to post them.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll get some sleep and some more time.

Climb every mountain...

stool or laundry basket

I'm  up!

Surfing USA

Steady now, steady!

And what are you going to do about it, Mom?

Princess Tea Party

Clare turned 6 today!

She is such a little princess and we love her very very much!

Here are some more pictures from her princess party. 

We had a face painter who did a wonderful job!

Clare is showing off her arms too

What a pretty bunch of princesses and a penguin.

The older girl was a daughter of a friend who came as a "real" princess.  She was so sweet and great.

All of the little girls dressed up, painted, and being silly.

They were so quiet that Thomas slept through the party.

Clare's cake

This picture was from the beginning of the party when they were decorating crowns and placemats

Busy! Busy!

Last week we were quite busy with birthday and VBS preparations

We painted, played and prepared for Vacation Bible School at the Church

The girl helping Clare is so sweet - even when Gregory jumps on her.

 

Plus, we were out shopping for party supplies quite a bit.

Thomas is very upset that his basket selections did not make the cut.

Who we are today

Butterflies

and Tigers

The big 3-0!

John, the kids, and my friends did a great job of celebrating my birthday.

Yesterday we had dinner and cake with our friends here.

Today John and the kids treated me to burgers and cupcakes.  It was a great way to start my 30's.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful 4th of July!

Cookie Baking

We made the yummiest chocolate M&M cookies.

The only problem is they keep disappearing too quickly!

Giggle Giggle Quack

Have you read this book?

My kids love it and all of the duck books by Doreen Cronin.

We got to see the Dallas Children's Theatre's production of this work courtesy of our summer reading program.

It was cute, funny and just plain sweet.

After the show all of the actors came out and signed the kids' programs in character.

Clare loved it and Gregory, well, it was after his bedtime and a little over his head.  He kept asking me where the characters from the book actually were.  I think he'd been expecting a movie.

Pig

Farmer Brown/Brother Bob

Duck

Hen

Duck Pond

One of the local malls has an indoor duck pond.

I guess it is a pretty high-end mall, there are tons of designer stores, plus numerous art and plant displays throughout the building.  However there are no areas for children to play in.

(For what it's worth, we saw someone pushing 2 dogs in a stroller.)

Of course children will find ways to play just about anywhere.  They both kept climbing and sliding down the planter behind them.

And we all watched the ducks and turtles play.

The cutest thing was this little duck sitting in the waterfall showering the whole time.