Claire's Birthday

When did I become old enough to have a three year old? (Yes, I am beginning Claire's post by referring everything to myself). Seriously though. I feel like three is a big deal. She'll be joining the ranks of Sunbeams at the beginning of the year. SUNBEAMS! She is not old enough, yet... I'm so excited for her well behaved body (haha) to sit in primary and sing songs. After that it's Preschool. AH! And Kindergarten is a measly 2 years away.

Bring out the tissues, people. My daughter is getting married in just, what, 18 years. Let's just bask in the fact that she's building number legos right now talking about 7 and 8 being best friends.

I feel like I didn't quite celebrate three enough. We celebrated after 1:00 church, time was cut short, her cake was already a day old, and my house wasn't clean. Church was Full. Of. Weirdness. and I wasn't in the best spirits. After a short and good cry to myself in the bathroom, I tried to come out and forget everything except her adorable smile. It worked.

Her princess cake that she wanted so badly was more than she wanted. It had a castle. It not only had Aurora, but Bell made the party along with Ariel and Cinderella. What could possibly be better? Oh, the fact that she put that cake her in mouth this year lit up my day. Hours in the making and she had the urge to taste it. That's a happy mother.

We finished off with presents, of which she was embarrassingly spoiled. The presents kept coming and I kept contemplating the thought, "we should have saved some for next year, huh?" In our defense, we had saved some books from last summer and only bought her one thing.

It was a good day. We had family here. Who could have asked for more?

Happy birthday, Claire!!

Making princess tiara's for the girlies. 

Haha! I can't stop laughing at this one. He just ate a crayon and he's saying, "CHEESE!" in the most slobbery way possible. I think he looks like a goblin.

Blurry...but still cute.

LOVES her new bike! 

I wish I got that scowl from the front. :)

Bedtime reading: one of my favorite times of the day! 

The July Post

Where did July go? I'm sitting here, on the very last day of the month, and I'm wondering where summer is flying off too. Maybe it's the fact that our summer is spent inside instead of sweating our hearts out in the heat and humidity. I think that has something to do with it.

Actually, to be honest, our summer here has been pretty mild and we've had lots of rain. It smells so good and it makes me so happy. It's the after-rain scorcher that's the real killer, but I've just embraced the fact that although things may be bigger and better in Texas, I am also uglier in Texas. My hair doesn't often get done beyond a ponytail and my makeup melts off my face. In fact, last week at play date, I got a weird heat rash on my cheek that hasn't yet gone away. I was just a sweatin' and went home with blisters all over my cheek. Weird? Yes.

 What's the first amazing thing I discovered about Texas? It's called The Ark. A local church has a free indoor playground, and it's amazing. The kids love it. I love that it's air conditioned and that they get worn out. I'd move here just for The Ark.

So sorry for the blurry picture, but Claire is already making it in with those older men. These boys loved her. Searched for her when she left them and helped her up and down the slide for about an hour.

I took the kids out during a rainstorm to experience rain under an umbrella. Did someone shoot me in the head with a stupid dart? Kids don't stay under umbrellas in the rain. They got wet. They got muddy. They got stinky. It was beautiful and I wished that I were a kid again and didn't have to get all that mud out of their clothes. Then I wouldn't have cared to ruin my favorite shorts.

Stomp, Stomp, Stomp!

Catching the run-a-way....again.

Grandma came to visit again! Geez, we sure have been spoiled in the Anderson visits lately! It's been so much fun this summer to have Brian's family so close and visiting so much! We haven't had this much time with them...ever, so we've just really loved it. His Brother just got a job in Houston, so they're moving today and it's been a little glum around here knowing that they're 4 hours away instead of 20 minutes. I know. Four hours. You'd think they crossed the earth two times over.  :)

Anyway, we went to the Dallas World Aquarium with Grandma and I think it was a huge hit! Other than the first exhibit being filled to the brim with people, we really enjoyed it. Claire keeps talking about "THE SHARKS!"

The Anteaters were my favorite 

Closeup anyone? 

Shark tank

That boy loves his fish!

A Book Per Week

So, I'm not going to lie, I totally stole this adorable idea from my friend Katelin (who is one of the most inventive and adorable mom's out there). Sorry Katelin- I even used the exact same craft. :) Thanks for helping me be a better mother and do something fun with my kiddos.

So, a book per week. Lately (ok always) I've been feeling like I'm not as good of a mom as I should be (more on that later) and I've wanted to do something creative with both kids that they would enjoy. Claire can't get enough as far as reading and books go, so this is a great thing for her. I don't read to Jared nearly enough because Claire pushes him off my lap and demands the book attention, so this is good for him too. Win, win, win.

This week we did the Very Hungry Caterpillar. We read this book all the time. We love it! Claire is really into watercoloring, she even spent 3 hours one day just painting, it was amazing. I cut up an egg carton, let her paint away. I helped Jared since eating paint and markers were more appealing, but after 3 days, they are still in love with their caterpillars and hide them all over the house.

See that paint on his top lip? 

Finished Caterpillar and Butterfly

This one's for you, Diane! I finally updated. :)