Four On The 4th

We spent a wonderful weekend as a family of 4 this Independence Day weekend. I mention this because it doesn't happen all that often. It's usually, "Will you watch her while I take him to XYZ?' or "I've got her while you two are gone". Ahhh...the joy of juggling two.

But, this weekend it just so happened that everything worked out for us to be together as a family of 4. Not to mention, our first July 4th as a family of 4. Somehow our social calendar worked perfectly with naps and feeding schedules, and that meant we got to spend a full weekend celebrating America's Birthday together.

And this is what it looked like...

On Saturday we attended a cook out hosted by the Zimmermans. Jack was in "all boy" heaven playing with Carson and Miller in the baby pool, which is really suppose to be a hot tub. Either way the boys loved it!

Maggie sat poolside and admired her newborn girly friends, Eliza Kate and Bradley. (and note two girls are dressed alike...oh no!, party foe pa...Maggie sure didn't mind though:)

Who needs the water? Mags was perfectly content gnawing on pool toys and watching all the action from the sidelines.

Mommies and Baby Girls! From L to R-Me and Maggie, Tasha and Karen, & Erica and Eliza Kate. I just realized there is a baby missing...where is Karen and Bradley?

Sunday was no less busy! We attended the neighborhood club 4th party and cookout. The Miccas and Harris' were even there--wow!, two days in a row?

When Jack wasn't making a splash or playing water chase with Sophia, he was checking on his baby sister. I swear this Big Bro is smitten.

And back in action...Jack asked me if I would take a picture of him "playing monkey in the pool". He sure takes his nickname literally. (check out that tan line too)

So after the 4th party at the club, this family of 4 actually did have to break up. My Maggie was done for, so we headed home for sweet dreams. The boys hung back and stayed up until dark to watch the fireworks! I in no way would have guessed that Jack could have made it. But, he surprised me once again. Upon retuning home he said with wide eyes, "they looked like stars in the sky". And then he crashed...hard...until 9:15 am the next morning. I wish I could have been there to see his first fireworks experience. I guess I'll catch it when Maggie is 3!

Gym Baby

I finally took my camera to Maggie's Wednesday Gym Class and got some pictures! She has been a student of Gym Class for a month now so it was about time.

Okay, let me just say this girl loves getting out of the house for her class. After keeping her quarantined for nearly the first 5 months of her life, I know she is thrilled to know there is life outside of her nursery walls. Not to mention, I love my Mommy and Mags time.

I've yet to determine what fascinates her more about Gym. It's either the other babies or the balls. She literally cackles at the sight of little ones her size. And trust me, there are plenty of them all around. She has also been known to let a few squeals/whines out when she can't get to the ball she wants. She prefers to have a ball in hand, or better yet, in mouth the entire class.

With her not being mobile yet, we are limited in some of the obstacles (no complaints here). However, since starting class, I've noticed a few lunges on her part. Give Mags something worth working for and she just might put a little effort into it.

Maggie is suppose to be learning to "share". In this obstacle she was to roll the ball back and forth with another gymmate. The only problem was when it came her turn to roll, she lunged on the ball, grabbed it with both hands, and squealed when it was time to release. Hmmm...she might pan out to be an interesting toddler.

Is it possible for a 7 month old to have a favorite color? If so, Maggie's is definitely purple. It is the first color she goes to when playing with these wiffle balls and if it happens to roll away she will not take her eyes off of it. It's crazy!

Did I mention Maggie likes balls?

Sprinkler Playdate

It has been so hot here, as I'm sure it has been everywhere. We've made several pool visits already this summer to beat the heat. This week I decided to change things up a bit and host a sprinkler play date in the front yard. Key word..."try".

Before everyone's arrival, I set up the water table, some outdoor toys, and the beach ball sprinkler. I made a trial run and everything was working just fine. Not even an hour later when all of the kiddos got here in great anticipation, I turned on the giant beach ball sprinkler and bad news--it wouldn't work! I have no idea what happened in that hour. We were all so bummed! I tried everything and no luck.

The good news is Jack and I did have a back up Caterpillar water sprinkler--not as exciting, but it served the purpose. Surprisingly, the little ones spent most of the time at the water table and chasing one another around the front yard instead. Regardless, I think everyone had fun. It was nice playing a little catch up with the adult guests. Ugh...nothing like inviting everyone over for a sprinkler play date and the sprinkler, of all things, not working!

Jack had the, all important, task of passing out the Dora Popsicles after lunch.

Jack was very adamant about getting a green one.

We all enjoyed a picnic lunch...if you call 90 degree weather enjoyable.

Maggie had it made in the shade and was perfectly content watching the "big kids" play.

One of the few pictures I have of my kids together! And you better believe Mags was eyeing that green popsicle the whole time.

Because I spent 90% of my time working on that ***** beach ball sprinkler, I didn't get any pictures of the kids actually playing! I promise they did. By lunch, I had given up and decided it was time to pull out the camera. So this is what you get!

Maggie's Sitting Session

Now that Maggie is an official sitter, we had her sitting photo session with Lisa Russo. This is such a great age for pictures that I was really hoping for some good images. However, in the past month or so Mag's has been exhibiting serious separation anxiety. So to be honest, going into the session I was nervous.

In the first moments of sitting her down...Maggie cried...and hard. We gave her a minute or two to warm up to the camera and Lisa, dried her red teary face, and before we knew it she was all smiles--just like the Maggie I know.

So hoping for good images is nothing in comparison to what we got...they are beyond that...in my opinion they are fabulous! I don't know how I will ever choose!

Click on the link below to see for yourself and PLEASE give me your thoughts. I'll need all of the input I can get.

Maggie & Jack.