Thank you to our teachers

Last Thursday Dallas was working so late he decided to stay at the company hotel. He called me a little before lunch and let me know. While I was at the grocery store I picked up some paint brushes for the kids. I figured we would do a project after dinner. The kids had been putting their daycare teachers, Krystal and Camille, through the ringer during nap time for weeks. I decided we would make them a 'sorry for all the extra trouble' painting. Ha!

The kids were very excited about making the pictures for their teachers. I wrote "Thank you for all you do" on them, dated and signed the kids names. Then the kids went to town painting in some of Daddy's old under shirts. The next morning Paige gave her to Miss Krystal but Miss Camille was out that morning. Krystal hid Camille's picture and let Ethan give his to her when she got in the room. They loved their paintings and they are on the wall in their room at daycare. Just another reason I love those two ladies! They go out of their way to make those kids feel special!


They loved the brushes. We have only finger painted at home before.




Ethan's looked like a heart when he was done.


That would be Paige's fake 'Cheese' face.

All their art drying

Relaxed Sunday

Sunday, August 30th we took the kids to the park for a while to play. Dallas and I had been working on the house and garage during the weekend so the kids had been stuck in the house. We were off after a quick stop at McDonald's for Mom and Dad who were starving.

The kids enjoying a biscuit before running off to play.


Then it was off to the equipment...

or under the equipment.


Swinging with Mommy. They were disappointed I did not bring duck food.


I was impressed they both could climb this.


Notice Dad going up the wrong way! I had to keep the kids from following his lead. :)

We headed home after the park and had lunch and a nap.

Paige wore these wings around playing forever. They were just so cute in their half pj's.


She also decided to wear this hat all day! What a nice relaxing Sunday.

I'm A Pie!

The kids new favorite thing to do is climb up on the top of the car bed we have in the playroom. They started with a version of 'whack a mole'. One would climb on top and wait while the other would pop their heads through the top. The one on top would whack the other one on the head and they would both laugh. Crazy kids!


Then it progressed to them both climbing on top and sitting with their feet dangling through the opening. They would pronounce, "I'm a pie" over and over again. For those of you who do not have a two year old at home that would translate into "I'm up high".


Most recently Ethan has started to swing from his arms through the top of the car. He literally looks like he is on even bars at the gym swinging back and forth by his arms.

Just missed him swinging. Oh and jumping on top of each other of course.


At first I tried desperately to stop this behavior of climbing on the top of the bed but again I have given up. I decided if I must pick my battles this was not one of them. I figured they would learn eventually if they fell enough times. So far my strategy has failed miserably! They love climbing on this thing and they love being 'A Pie' (Up High).

Kings and Queens

Dallas and I have always prided ourselves on coming up with some pretty interesting games to play with the kids. Sometimes we intentionally make up a game and other times they just happen. One afternoon when Cheyenne and Kingston were over I started the King and Queen game. Our kids love it but Kingston had never seen it before because his parents are not as crazy as us. Ha! He had so much fun!!! He was laughing and smiling from ear to ear and as usual our kids just love having another member of the party.

It started a long time ago with Dallas and a blanket. He would always cover his head up and the kids would have to find him. This evolved into them getting under the blanket with him and eventually I started wrapping the blankets around their necks like a King's robe. I sing a song while I announce them as King Ethan and Queen Paigey. They walk around like they are really something. They love it and so did Kingston. I think the song I sing is actually for the Presidents arrival but who cares. :)

Presenting Queen Paige and Kings Ethan and Kingston!





The blankets kept falling off since we were using light weight ones. The kids would line up in front of me to fix them and then they were off again.

Paige had to move up on the 'stage'. (Sorry the color is way off in that one.)

Her fellow royalty of course followed.


Paige taking the walk down the stage as I sing. Kingston was ready for his turn.

We decided on this particular day to take the kids outside before bath and let them draw with chalk. I had some cool chalk 'brushes' I had bought them so we headed outside for a little while.


Chalk is always fun and messy


They liked the chalk brushes until the chalk started breaking.


Wouldn't you know the chalk in the brushes was a different size than the other chalk we own.



Some how Cheyenne always ends up participating in the kids activities.

She wanted to get the kids to sit in a picture with their names. Yea right!


This is what she got... our kids colored on the names and Kingston just starred at her confused.

I found a punch ball I had bought in the bag with the chalk brushes. Paige was completly involved in drawing so I let Ethan play with it.

He loved that punch ball but kept letting it go.


This would be Cheyenne's reaction when she was picking it up out of the grass and it popped. It scared her to death and I laughed so hard.

Good times!!

Sunday with the Schumanns

Sunday, August 16th we finally got together with April, Mike, Reese and baby Kai. Due to work schedules and such we had not seen them in forever! Reese was beginning to get very cranky about seeing Ethan and Paige. That morning I called April to verify we were still on for after nap and Reese was screaming in excitement. I knew the twins would be thrilled to see their good friend as well. I was a little nervous about the afternoon since Paige did not take a nap but she did well. The kids played in every room of the house almost. Reese is old enough to lead the group now and Ethan and Paige are old enough to want to follow. In another year we will end up with a bunch of fighting but for now they all love playing together.


Ethan loves baby Kai and his toys.


Paige and Reese cooking us dinner before the show started.

Reese found the microphones and we were in for a show! Ethan joined her immediately. They were having so much fun and we were laughing hysterically.

Reese singing Twinkle Twinkle... and a bow.


They were really getting into it and even had to move to a higher stage.


Ta Da! Paige joined the second act.


Reese was cracking us up! She danced while they sang.



Paige got in trouble for throwing her microphone. Ethan went to sit with her in time out and she was NOT happy. She screamed more and pushed him away. He will eventually learn to leave a woman alone when she is upset. :)


Back to the show...


Snack time


Uncle Keith also stopped by for a while. He was so patient with the kids. He took turns letting each one strum the guitar. Reese was so excited!


Ethan couldn't get the motion down but I doubt it will take him long considering his genes.


Paige was the least interested. We think she is going to be our sports and art kid. Ethan is extremely into music and dancing.

Ethan spilled stuff on his clothes. Before I could get new clothes on him he was covered up in bed with Reese. We had to give Mike a hard time about Reese being in bed with a naked boy already. He was not amused. Ha!


Kai puts his foot in his mouth when April tries to feed him. Too cute!


Reese started another game... fill the truck with balls then back it up and dump them.


and start over again.

We had to force Reese out the door when it was time to go. We will try not to let it take so long to get together again.