The First of Many

Katherine's first day of Pre-Kindergarten was today and

she let us get some cute pictures this morning.

  

There are really no good words; 

words would only boil down to where did my baby go?

She's so excited to be a big girl now and loved going through her school folder this afternoon, but when I think of these two, this is what I picture . . .

my babies.

Seven

Happy Birthday, Jackson!!!

Zach and I have somehow become parents to a 7 year old.  I'm in disbelief and denial that he is no longer my baby.  Thankfully, he still asks me to lay down by him for a few minutes each night and will cuddle for a little while in the mornings.  We couldn't love him more or be more proud!

On the Road Again

Jackson and I have been to Alabama every single weekend in July.  While both he and Katherine were gone to grandparents this past week, I realized I was exhausted!  Anyway, 2 weeks ago, we went to Huntsville to meet sweet Anna!  She's already a month old here and still so tiny and the sweetest baby.

Zach and I didn't tell Katherine that Jackson and I were going to see Anna.  Katherine constantly talks about Anna and holding her.  All Katherine wants these days is a baby sister.  And a horse.

On Saturday, Leslie and I took the boys to the Space and Rocket Center.

Poor William has bunny ears.

Boys and Hummers!

Mr. Bossy

  

Snoozing by the pool!  It's a good life.

Even though our visits our numbered and short these days, it's always refreshing to see your best friend.  Refreshing at least until it's time to say, "See you next time."

Cooling Off

We spent the 4th in Alabama at Jackson and Katherine's favorite--the pool!

 Jackson is obsessed with bunny ears these days.

Poor Katherine has them in almost every recent picture of the two of them.

Taking a swimming break inside.

 We watched a great fireworks show;

Katherine freaked and hid at the site of these lanterns.

The epitome of summer fun! 

Sweet Summertime

Jackson and Katherine are enjoying summer!

 Poor Katherine was a little confused about her school and summer.  When we refer to Katherine's daycare, we usually call it 'school' in front of her.  She didn't quite understand that she still had to go to school even though Jackson's school was out for the summer.  I don't guess we ever thought that one through.

 They're getting their money's worth out of Grandma and Grandpa's pool.

 Back on the home front, Katherine is typical Katherine.  She had been playing with the top of a medicine dropper and I asked her where it was.  Her first response was she couldn't remember.  After a few seconds, she remembered she stuck it on her napping Daddy.  He never stirred.

Jackson will pick up frogs and Katherine will pick up rolly pollies.

  The poor rolly pollies usually meet their demise--

she means well, she just loves them a little too much.

Critter hand-off

While we were outside over the weekend, I snapped this sweet one of Katherine.  She was sitting in the back of the tahoe in the garage.  Strangely enough, the lighting is always really good back there and I've caught several good shots of them there over the years.  Just in case you were wondering.  :)

Brownies

There are several things I like about our new house, and the kitchen

island is one of those things!  It's huge and there isn't a sink or stove top on it to break up the amount of space.  I finally have an island where Jackson and Katherine can both sit on top and "help" cook.  And there is still plenty of extra room.

Today, we made brownies.

Or rather, we ate a good bit of the mix, cracked an egg all over us rather than in the bowl, stirred the ingredients 50 times per the instructions, and dumped it all in the pan.  Then we licked the bowl.  We love having space to move around . . . we love brownies mix too!

  

Happily Ever After

Katherine had her first dance recital a couple of weeks ago!

She did really well, especially during her tap routine!

She likes pointing her toe! 

 She had a dress rehearsal the week prior, and I think she was stunned when she came out on stage.  The theme was Disney, and the older dancers were dressed as different princesses and she wouldn't quit staring at all the princesses on stage!

Her favorite, "Shuffle kick"!  She does this constantly at home!

 Hitting all of her poses!

Her cheering crowd!

Katherine and her classmates did so well, and now that dance is over,

she is excited about her summer long cheer camp at school!