Summer swing

It is officially summer, and the twins are busy in it!

Playing in the park by the "big fountain" 

 Hanging by their new water table (the other one finally broke!)

Cutting up melon (they're just butter knives, I promise)

Lived through more than a couple big thunderstorms and spent some time in the basement

 Watched the deer that hang out in the yard

 Been to the summer arts festival and got faces painted

Helped at the dog wash...

...and stopped for a donut break

got our official pictures taken for Blastball - there's only one game left!

and even had a day at the beach for a little R&R

Hope the summer is off to a good start everywhere else too! More to come - follow-up from Parker's last procedure, our last Blastball game and a special picnic.

Happy June!

We started June off with a bang...and I am already tired. After a gloomy Saturday at home, we busted out of the house early Sunday morning for the annual dog wash to benefit Relay For Life. Since the twins are old enough to help now, they were part of the dog drying team along with their friend Liam.

After we came home and cleaned up, we went to Stacey's house to help celebrate Hailey's birthday. So much fun to see everyone. I love just getting to hang out with them. And finally, I had a moment where it was real...my two crazies are just part of the gang. Finally. So exciting.

I am in love with this picture. Love. Happy 13th birthday Hailey!

And we were all rested, relaxed and ready for school this morning to start our summer camps. Whew!

Sun, Sand and Dogs...Oh My!

 The beginning of summer and that means there's lots to do! The past weekend was B-U-S-Y. And TONS of fun. Friday night started with something very special. We got the chance to participate in Dream Night at the zoo. Dream Night lets families with kiddos with all sorts of special needs to go to the zoo after hours, with a much smaller crowd. We had the chance to really look at some things that normally go by too fast in the crowd for little eyes. It was seriously amazing. I'm still on cloud nine over it all. Do you know how nice it is to see the zoo and be able to do it on your own time and really see it. Payton got her hand painted, Parker play maracas in a band in the pavilion, we had dinner in the Tree Tops Restaurant, we pet a penguin which Parker decided should be named Deuce, we had our first trip through the jungle. Amazing. And they had a ball! 

 

 

Love this picture of Aunt Bo and Parker checking out the jellyfish tank!

 

 Saturday morning was Sand in the City downtown so we packed up and headed there with MaMaw. The different sand castles were awesome. After we checked them all out, we played a few games. Payton decided to be brave and try the bounce house while Parker and I headed over to the sand to play for a while. And you always know you had a good time when you win a package of fruit snacks.

We stopped after we were done playing in the sand for a quick lunch. Like the look on Payton's face?

Later that afternoon, we stopped by the park. We hadn't been to see the fountain yet since they turned it back on. Parker wasn't too sure about it, but Payton was pretty interested. Love this picture of her talking with Daddy about it.

Sunday morning we got up early and I pushed the dynamic duo down to Christy Creme in the jogger for the annual Dog Wash for Relay for Life. They had breakfast outside, played with Liam and helped wash a few puppies and earn their keep (just kidding!). After a few hours in the sun and having been so busy all ready, they were ready to go, so they hopped back in the jogger and we headed home. Thanks Dave and the whole crew at Christy Creme for letting us hold the wash again, matching all funds raised, and helping feed and entertain the duo.

 

A long weekend of playing outside. Love it! They're looking sun-kissed and happy these days.  

This week coming up we're going to try a few more new things - Summer Arts Festival, Italian Festival, Relay for Life...so much to do! Stay tuned!