Bubbles

Just as the weather decided to attempt some unseasonable cool off for the day, we had the Sprayground planned on our summer calendar.  Isn't life funny.  

However, I am mighty happy to say that the dropped temperatures did nothing to deter our wet fun.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure my girls noticed.  I can't lie I was watching my car thermostat the entire way there praying for each degree.  Just one more, just one more.  Can you blame me...I was foreseeing a day of whining and shivering.

But once Lucy saw the "bubbles" I knew we were in the clear.  This little gal of mine can bring the party.  I'm telling you her excitement is beyond contagious and I just cannot get enough of her happiness.  Mmmm...I wish I could bottle it up and douse a little of it all around {as you will see later in this post}. 

Maggie, too, was her sweet sunshine self.  My tutu princess has been an absolute pleasure to spend this summer with.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but I'm thinking her "challenging" stage came and went in a blink of an eye.  

Excuse me while I go knock on wood.  Actually, bang on it.

Fellow tutu princess, Eliza Kate, was also in attendance with her family.  The girls had a great time reuniting after an entire summer of not seeing one another.  Oh my, I have missed this sweet family.

I'm only hoping we can make up for lost time and the girls will be in the same class next year.  It would certainly make my Mags a happy girl {and her mama too}!

After a lot of bubbles, we dried off at the park for a bit and then enjoyed a picnic lunch in the shade with our friends.  

And in case you've been wondering where this big boy has been, well, that's a whole other blog post.  Jack was dealing with a case of the grumps today.  It happens to the best of us, I suppose.  He snapped out of it, oh, about 10 minutes to departure time.  

I was two for three today in the kiddo department.  And as much as I'd love for them to be, unfortunately everyday can't be perfect.  

But, we certainly ended it with a big splash...

Way to come around big brother!

Grammy's Weekend

We spent a lovely July weekend with Grammy.  It seems our extended family just can't get enough of us here lately and the feeling is nothing but mutual.  Needless to say the littles are feeling mighty loved right about now.

The girls were ecstatic to find Grammy in their living room when they woke from naps on Friday afternoon.  Lucy was bit shy but warmed up in no time flat.  As a matter of fact, Grammy's lap is generally where you could find Lu throughout the weekend.

Before Maggie could even get a greeting in she was ready to shower Grammy with birthday presents.  We did a bit of an early impromptu birthday celebration followed by dinner.

Is it obvious that Lucy went birthday card shopping with me?

I'm pretty sure Grammy loved her Stella and Dot jewelry and travel case.  One of my new faves in their  summer line.  {I was lucky enough to get one for my birthday too from my sweet Mom.}

We spent Saturday at the Aquarium {which I don't ever recommend doing}.  I knew better, but it was on the kid's summer lists and Grammy was in town, so we gave it a shot.  We were doing fine until about lunch time when the droves of crowds took over every square inch of the place.  I mean it had to be to fire hazard at that point.  Grammy was a trooper as always, the kids had a grand time, and I was slowly suffocating.

This was Lucy's very first visit to the Aquarium.  I could not get enough of her mesmerizing eyes and joyous squeals.  Every first with her is beyond precious and totally picture worthy.

Because this was a special occasion, with a special guest after all, the kid's managed to walk out of their hometown Aquarium with a souvenir.  I generally like to save the whole souvenir thing for actual vacations.  How was I to say no though, it's not every day that Grammy is with us.

As you can imagine, both girls gravitated to every pink stuffed aquatic creature they could find.  In the end these Seahorses won out.  Maggie named hers Pearl and Lucy named hers Dora.  They've been on every car ride and in their beds ever since.  Lucky me.

And after diligent searching for just the right piece of junk souvenir, Jack walked out with this nifty binocular/compass/magnifying glass contraption.  I'm sure it will come in handy when he "grows up and becomes an explorer".

The rest of the weekend was spent cozying up to Grammy with books, playing games, eating out a lot, and doing our best to avoid crowds.

Grammy gave Clay and I the greatest gift of all-a night out to see a movie.  The kids stayed in for a movie night of their own and we headed to the theatre to see Begin Again.  Great movie by the way.  Absolutely adored it and I'm pretty picky.  I'm sure my addiction to buttery movie theater popcorn didn't hurt the cause.

This morning we said our hurried goodbyes as Grammy was rushed out to the airport.  I imagine she enjoyed a restful flight home as our party of five can wear anyone out.  Trust me.

Thanks for a lovely weekend Grammy!  We adore you!  Come back soon {after you get a good nap}.

Appleseed Lane

I am here to sing praises about this brilliant little company I stumbled upon called Appleseed Lane.

Okay, so here is how it works...

Basically you receive a box in the mail once a month that is filled with theme related science experiments and activities for kids.  Not knowing exactly what to expect, I signed up for two months to get us through the summer.

When we received the first box it exceeded all my expectations.  I'm thinking the assembler may share my same Type A brain.  And you know that's a score for me.  Not to mention the kids are having a blast with it.

All the contents are packaged in this conveniently sized box which we have held on to.  When the kids are finished we just store the materials back in the box and put it away in a drawer.

The theme cards were located right on top when we opened our package.  We were elated to see not only one card, but two!   Each monthly theme is a surprise.  This box contained Intro to Engineering {someone HAD to have known Jack lived here} and Green Science.

But what I find to be the best part.  Every material needed is located in the box, individually wrapped, and labeled.  I mean down to the tape for goodness sake.  I was drooling over the labeled packages...brilliant!  Not to mention you don't have to run to the store for all those pinterest ideas and pick up materials that you will never use again or only need a couple of.

Each theme has it's own guide card with step by step directions including pictures for each activity.  Jack could easily follow the steps on his own and Maggie was able to do so with guidance.  

I have loved finding something that both of my kids can enjoy together.  That's not always easy with a tutu wearing princess and a Lego maniac.  As much as I loved the packaging, I may need to recant my earlier statement.  This may actually be the best part...

The bigs spent a fair amount of quality time {working together!} this afternoon creating the catapult launcher.

Once it was completed, I even joined in the fun with a pom pom ball catapult contest.  Note the blue pom pom flying past Jack's face.

We could hardly believe it when sweet Mags won three in a row.

In an effort to savor the joy, I've tried to limit them to two activities a day.  It's nearly impossible with Jack.  He can't wait to get his hands in the box every afternoon.

I swear I don't own stock in the company, but this has been so fun and educational.  And it's it seems to be great for a wide range of ages.  I just had to share!

I'm thinking, in addition to summer fulfillment, a subscription to this would be a fabulous kiddo birthday present.

I Loathe Mosquitos

It seems littlest Lu just can't catch a break this summer.  Poor girl finally recovers from that dreaded virus that lasted umpteen days and now this. 

We have come to find out two valuable facts this summer.  (1) Mosquitos love Lucy.  And (2) she has a serious allergic reaction to them.  

In all my life I have never seen a mosquito bite wreak havoc like this.  And on my precious baby's face too.  I could just sob.

And if you think this is pitiful, she's got a matching one on her leg.  It looks like a golf ball.

And my lovely Lucy smiles through it all.  I sure do love this little gal.

I must note, this was after several applications of mosquito spray.  I have tried every home remedy possible to ease the swelling...banana peels, alcohol, baking soda.  I've even given a dose or two of Benadryl.  I am most certain she looked worse by bedtime with her eye nearly swollen shut.

I'm open to any tips or tricks.

And with that, I think it's fair to say...I absolutely loathe mosquitos.  Pesky little insects...ugh!