Mama Said...

The other night during a storm, the girls were asking about why we shouldn't be outside when there is lightening.  I was explaining about how when lightening is really close, it can hit the ground and if you are by it, you could get really hurt.  One of the girls asked if you could die if lightening was by you and I told them that yes, you could die if you got hit by lightening. 

A while later, Zach was putting Briggs to bed.  Very seriously, Briggs told Zach, "We might die in the thunder.  Mama said."  Zach reassured him and said, "Don't worry, buddy.  We're safe inside the house."  Briggs responded, "Mama didn't say that."

Sometimes I feel like there's a fine line between being honest with your kids and scaring them.  Looks like I didn't walk that line very well this time.

Favorite Moments

I love when I can sit on the couch, relax, and get some things done while listening to my girls play and giggle together in the playroom while Briggs naps.

#sisterlove

#bestfriends

Good-bye, July!

It's hard to believe that July is already over.  In just two more weeks, school will start back up and summer break will officially end.  Luckily we filled up our July by checking lots of things off our summer bucket list.

Zoo fun with cousins

(Notice all the kids standing behind the rope except one.)

We enjoyed the Emergency Expo, which was a free event where we got to check out fire trucks, police cars, helicopters, ambulances, police horses, Coast Guard boats, and other emergency vehicles.

As you can imagine, one member of our family was particularly excited.

Adelie enjoyed her horse riding lesson.  The girls also did a free trial karate lesson.  Staley didn't really care for it.  On the other hand, Adelie loved it.  Not a surprise.  Even though Adelie really enjoyed it, I'm not sure we'll continue with lessons.  I'm not convinced that teaching Adelie how to punch and kick is the best idea.

There was a cousin sleepover.

Playdates with friends.

The kids enjoyed swimming in our blow-up pool on one of those uber-hot days.  I got so hot watching the kids in the pool that I decided to join them, clothes and all.

We fit in a bunch of our appointments and check-ups, including Briggs' first dentist appointment.  He did amazing!!  The hygienist commented that he was the best 2 year old check up she'd ever had.

Remember my post about Staley's face paint kit and my realization that it would consume the rest of my summer??  I wasn't wrong.  We've had plenty of costume parties and plays.

We've been enjoying plenty of ice cream treats on hot days.

And when it's too hot to play outside, a trip to the children's museum is a great way to stay cool.

The kids had sleepovers with their grandparents.

The sleepovers concluded with Family Fun Day at the Apostolic Christian Home.  The kids came home with prizes, treats, and (of course) face paint.

While the kids had their grandparent sleepovers, Zach and I went to St. Louis for a Guns and Roses concert.  One of us was a huge GNR fan growing up.  One of us was super-excited for the concert.  One of us LOVED the fact that the band played for 3.5 straight hours.  One of us really enjoyed the 10 minute guitar jam solos.  The other one of us was game to go along and found it enjoyable, although would have been happy to call it a night after the first 2 hours.  #thatonewasme

A fishing trip has been on the girls bucket list for the past few years.  Zach finally made it happen.  They were so excited.

I thought they'd last 15 minutes, tops.  Zach dragged them away 3 hours later.  Both girls caught a couple of fish, no one got snagged by a hook, and they had a blast.  Although Staley was disappointed that none of the fish were big enough to eat, it was a highly successful trip.

We made it to Peoria for a Chiefs baseball game. 

In addition to baseball, hot dogs, and mascots, it was also Super Hero night at the ball park.  Winner, winner!!

Briggs has a Green Lantern stuffed toy and brought it with him to the ballpark.  He was scared of most of the Super Heroes, but was excited to see Green Lantern.  I think Green Lantern was pretty pleased to finally be the main attraction.  #suckitbatman

We've also found plenty of time for things like chasing squirrels, building fairy houses, riding bikes and scooters, going to the library, swimming, and going on family walks.

It's been a very fun and full July!! 

They Say...

Briggs spent the night with my parents last night.  After dinner, he had a cookie.  This morning while eating breakfast with Grandpa, he asked if he could have another cookie.  Grandpa said, "We don't have cookies with breakfast."  Briggs replied, "I was asking Grammie."

#nofool

While Briggs stayed with my parents, Adelie and Staley (and 2 of their cousins) stayed with Zach's parents.  Adelie couldn't fall asleep and was keeping the rest of the girls awake.  At one point she came downstairs and told Uma, "I really want to be quiet, but I just have to be loud."

#truth

Today the girls were playing house together and had this conversation:

Adelie:  "I want to be the teenager."

Staley:  "No, I am the teenager.  You can be the mom."

Adelie:  "I don't want to be the mom.  I want to be the teenager."

Staley:  "I know!  You can be a teenager who is a mom."

#nothanks

Truth

I've determined that screen-free summer has had a bigger impact on me than on the kids.  Without TV time, there are very few moments where all 3 kids are occupied, silent, and not needing something.  They don't seem to miss it.  Unfortunately, I do.

Briggs Says...

Just like I hope I'll always remember how Adelie refers to night-time as "bed-night" or how she pronounces privilege as prigalive, I hope I also remember this time when Briggs is filling my days with cute little quotes that always make me smile.  I don't always remember to blog them in the moment and some just don't translate into writing, but here are a few recent gems:

Briggs still always says "mine" instead of "my."  One of his favorite questions is:  "Where are mine sisters?"

The other day at lunchtime, we had some unnecessary Adelie tears.  I told her that if she continued to cry, then maybe she was just too tired and would need to take a nap after lunch.  After we had eaten, I told Briggs that it was time for his nap.  He responded, "But I'm not crying."

A couple week-ends ago, I took the girls swimming at State Farm pool while Briggs went over to play with Grammie.  Last week-end we were getting ready to go to the pool as a family.  Zach was putting on Briggs's swimming suit.  Briggs looked down at his suit and then said, "I'll just play at Grammie's house."

When Briggs is doing something he's not supposed to, I will correct him and then tell him what his consequence will be if he continues with the behavior.  I always finish with, "Do you understand?"  Instead of answering with "yes" or "I understand", Briggs always responds by saying, "Got it."

Whenever we drive anywhere, Briggs is always letting me know whenever he sees any kind of exciting vehicle, like a train or a tractor or a digger.  I must always respond to him in the same way without realizing it.  The other day while we were driving, Briggs said, "I see a digger!"  I responded with, "I see it too."  Adamantly, Briggs corrected me.  "No!  You say, 'Awesome, buddy.'" 

One time Briggs used a public restroom that had a big, loud flush that startled him.  The next time he went into a public restroom, he asked if it had a scary flush.  Zach told him that this one would be better.  Now, anytime we use a public restroom, he asks if it has a scary flush or a better flush.

I sure do love this boy!

He always keeps me smiling.

Little Fish

All 3 of my kids are comfortable in the water.  They enjoy water-based activities, love bath time, and are always excited about opportunities to go swimming.  We aren't one of those families who gets to the pool every day during the summer, but we usually find our way to a pool every week or so throughout the summer.

This past week the girls had swimming lessons.  Staley and Adelie have both had some lessons in the past, but their lessons this week were amazing.  They were intense and all-business, but both girls made tremendous progress in their swimming skills...and had a really good time doing it. 

Adelie with her swim instructors Miss Gretchen and Miss Lisa

Today we went as a family to State Farm pool.  The girls had a great time showing off their new swimming skills.  Briggs' favorite activity was jumping off the side of the pool while holding our hands and then swimming back to the side by himself (with his Puddle Jumper on).  This was the first time he felt confident enough to "swim" without us holding onto him.  He thought he was big stuff!!

In lessons this week, Adelie was learning to float on her back and was starting to swim a few feet underwater from one instructor to the other.  At the pool, she loves to swim with her Puddle Jumper on.  She has no qualms about swimming off on her own.

Staley was in her element today.  Of all my kids, she is the one who LOVES the water.  In lessons this week, she went from doing a little underwater swimming to swimming across the pool.  She is always so determined child, not giving up until she meets her goal.  Today she taught herself to do a front flip under the water AND she jumped off the diving board by herself.  She'd jump off, pop up, and swim to the side...again and again and again.  She was so proud of herself.

I'm so glad that my kids are comfortable in the water and are learning how to swim.  And although it's a long time off before I can sit in a lounge chair and read while they enjoy the pool, I feel like we are one step closer.