What I have been up to

I should be doing laundry. I should be playing with Nate. I should be cleaning bathrooms. I should be getting ready for my trip to Arkansas. But I can't seem to tear myself from this book my friend Rebecca loaned me. Man I love a good book!

Go Rangers!

Doing our best to experience Dallas life at it's fullest, we went to a Rangers game. After a one hour rain delay (during which we ate hot dogs under shelter) we had a ball. My favorite moment was during the 5th inning, when a Ranger hit a home run. Everybody in the stadium stood and cheered, including all of us and Camille and Ashley, clapping like crazy. They lit off a few fireworks and it was generally exciting. Camille leaned over to Justin and asked (while still clapping) "Daddy, what did he do?"

Since the game went so late, it was well past the kids bedtime in the 9th inning. Ashley claimed her spot on Adam's lap, and there at the end she stretched out horizontally across his legs, threw her head back and said, "I think I'm dehydrated!" We all cracked up and Adam mentioned that she probably didn't even know what that meant. So Justin asked her how you get not dehydrated--"Drink lots of water," she said. Well there you go. Any other questions?

For some reason Nate loves to hang upside down. Perhaps it's to alleviate the gravity pulling down on those cachetes.

Is there anything like this view? I ask you. Hearing the national anthem gets my heart pumping and sends chills down my back. I love being an American at a ball game.

Progress?

One night this week at dinner Ashley was throwing a fit because she wanted a blue cup to drink out of. She is carrying on and on while I'm trying to reason with a pouting exhausted toddler. Emma is offering her suggestions and adding to the confusion and Camille (who has the last clean blue cup) is just observing. Until she says, "I'll trade! I really wanted green anyway." Which isn't true, they always fight over blue. I had tears spring to my eyes, no really. Could I possibly be getting through to her?

Don't worry, when I sent them to bed later Ashley called me "mean mom!" so my head won't get too big.

Kid Funnies

CAM: Ashley! Comere! There's a roly poly...in the garage! Except, this is sad...it's dead.



CAM (to Justin while he bites the crust off her peanut butter and jelly sandwich): Did you know that you eat crust? Squirrels eat crust.



CAM: ASHALEE! Our blankies are not supposed to touch! And by the way, your blankie is touching the line!
ASH: CAMILLE! I like it the way it is supposed to be!



CAM: Did you know, that Todin (yes she's back!) lives in America?
ME: Really?
CAM: Yeah, and it's too bad because she has lots of tornados in her house.



JUSTIN: (We are getting ready to eat french dip sandwiches for dinner.) It's called Ahh Juice sauce (with drawl).
CAM: No it's not!
EM: You know what you're called?
ASH: Weak sauce!

I swear, I don't make this stuff up. I've been jotting down notes so I could remember!

Sum Sum Summertime

It is hard keeping these guys busy all day. I've tried to plan a somewhat repeating schedule. Mondays we clean, then do something fun like go for ice cream or do a craft. Wednesday we go to the AMC summer movie camp. Friday is our Friday Field Trip. And in the middle we usually have friends over or run little errands, and I try to keep up with the maintenance of the house. But even the best laid plans don't always work. This last week all three girls got strep--at different times of course. The pediatricians office already recognizes me I've been in there with all four kids every other day all week.

Still, I've had some fun times spending quality (and quantity) time with the kids. When things go smoothly it's fun to experience the family dynamics changing and growing. One of our favorite activities has been reading library books. Whenever there is a lull or I need to calm them down, I sit down and read to them. Emma loves to hang around with me and help out, and Camille and Ashley play with each other.

Coming soon: Scenery of McKinney. Don't hold your breath though, we all know how quick I am getting back to these posts!

Day with cousins

Last week we spent a day with our cousins. We went to a movie, then swimming. The kids were worn out at the end, but they had fun.

My twin neices, Brooke and Brittany

Emma playing with the boys. She was whipping them at "King of the Turtle"

Camille doesn't like to swim without a floatee, she tried on several including Nate's.

Nate was so sleepy! It was a hard day for a napping baby.

They loved the shower at our community pool. The pool is so nice, it was really great.