It's Been A Day

Darn I was determined to write on this blog more! 

Here is today:

1. Lily has had goopy eyes for a week and today was kind of the last straw. We are going to the doctor tomorrow. Not one of my favorite Mom jobs. 

2. We found out our closing date has to be delayed two weeks. We are moving, by the way, and our house is full of boxes. More on that later. 

3. It took us about three hours to get out the door between showering, nursing, changing diapers, getting a kids dressed, breaking up Transformer fights, and cleaning up breakfast....

3. Once we got out the door (at 2:30pm) we pulled up to our first stop only to realize that Hayes was not wearing any shoes. 

4. We returned home to retrieve the shoes and on the way Hayes spilled his sprite all over the newly cleaned backseat.

5. Parker was playing with his racetracks in the living room this afternoon with a cup of water (still not sure why) and misunderstood me (or I misunderstood him) and used a towel with the expectation that it would protect several cup fulls of water that he needed for his game from getting the carpet wet. It didn't. 

6. I ordered a pizza and took the kids to the park tonight with plans for a fun picnic. Two kids who don't know how to swing and a grumpy baby and no napkins at a park is hard by yourself. 

7. A very kind Mom played with the boys (and her daughter) while I watched Lily. As we were leaving, I turned around to see Parker using the restroom WHILE WALKING near the swing set. That just doesn't work. Enter embarrassed Mom face.

8. The boys were screaming at each other after baths and Lily was crying at me to feed her. I grabbed the toy they were fighting over and yelled, "WE DO NOT YELL IN THIS FAMILY!" So that worked well.

9. I marched the kids to bed without stories and said a quick prayer that I be a more patient Mommy and they be more kind brothers and turned out the lights.

10. As soon as I walked out the door....the smoke alarm started beeping. Well, fudge. I may have mumbled a worse word when that happened.

You will be happy to know that I changed a smoke alarm battery for the first time in my life tonight. I am a grown up now!!

It wasn't all bad. I had some sweet moments singing with the kids this morning, watching the boys race cars, and I had chili cheese fries for lunch. Also, Bryan is coming home tomorrow! That's the best. 

Happy 3rd of July!

Yesterday we celebrated the 4th on the 3rd and it was every bit as fun as it usually is, wrong day and all. 

We chilled most of the day and did "relaxing" activities, including chalk, golf cart riding, and eating watermelon. 

I have taken extreme advantage of extra hands because I took a nap. And slept in (in between nursing...). Pretty much every day we've been here. It's been awesome! 




As I've said before, my family has been coming to this house on the bay since I was I think 7. We do pretty much the same things every year, and I am so happy to have my children join in on our traditions now! One of my favorites is the 4th (3rd) fish fry. My moms side of family are big fishermen (which is why the house was originally purchased), so they catch it and we eat it. 

 

I think Lily was a fan of the day. Mostly. Have I mentioned we are teething hard core right now?

I watched Hayes jump the waves for a bit. He sure is cute when he is not attacking his brother with styrofoam swords (which he is doing right now.) I think it makes me a preofessional Mom (or maybe just a bad Mom) that I can ignore that level of crazy. 

Lily went to be ocean for the first time!

My favorite favorite tradition is shooting off fireworks on the beach. Both boys were so into it this year and even got to light a few themselves! Lily didn't flinch at anything, and kept quiet in the golf cart with her paci and my mom's cousin Dixie for company.

4th of July may be my favorite holiday. I can't decide. Even when it's on he 3rd.

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Today (on the real 4th) we headed down to Murdocks and The Strand for some shopping and sweets. La Kings Confectionery didn't disappoint as usual especially because we got taffy from the taffy master as it was being pulled! Delicious. 

It's the cutest place.

 Also Lily bit me hard while I was nursing her at a table there and in my unexpected shock of pain I entertained several other patrons while they enjoyed their sweets. 

I went to Gracie's which is just the kind of store I would like to open if life ever allows. It's a fave!

I didn't get any photos of people today but I am tired and that's the way it goes.

Right now we are watching fireworks on TV and analyzing the Music (?) of Joe Jonas. 

The boys were so sandy and stinky but have been bathed and are playing Wahoo. 

And we are MISSING our Dad and Husband in Omaha!

Waterslides and French Fries

We have had quite the whirlwind of a week (I hope to update later), and have managed to get ourselves to Galveston to spend the 4th with my family. 

Bryan was called out to a storm so he was only able to enjoy the gulf breeze for a day before leaving for Omaha. We miss our husband and dad but are having a blast otherwise.

We've done a lot, but in an attempt to keep this short, I will just say that we have beached, we have napped, we have sat in the porch swing, gone on the boat, ate really good brisket and tomatoes, and today: we went to Schlitterbahn. 

Schlitterbahn is a family favorite and I especially love it now that I have two rambunctious little boys who are conquerors of the water slide and lazy river--I am kind of proud of this as a parent. Mama loves a good water slide! 

Hayes wa-hooed and yipeyed all the way down the big tube slides and kept up on the many (many many many) cases of stairs with me. And hung on to his paci. A feat many cannot master. 

Lily Mae was her usual stylish self and hung with Nonnie and my big sun hat. 

Lily is also teething. Her personal refrigerators are not fans. 

We took a tired and hungry crew with Shrimp N Stuff in the historic district of Galveston for supper. We waited a bit too long because, truly, we all could have eaten our arms by the time we got there and Hayes was on a mission to get a FWEN FYYYYYYYY!! French fry. I have never seen him so distraught over food! 

The meal was delicious and I highly recommend the coconut shrimp. 

I'm so thankful to spend this time with my family. We have been coming here for 22 years now. How's that for tradition? 

Push Pops Are Good

We are still in the middle of cousin week with Hensley and Beau and Aunt Alisha has joined the pack all the way from the "humids" of Houston! Last night we had Taco Tuesday (which my children speak of with reverence--I'm not kidding), played in the sand box, drew with chalk (I think I mention chalk in every summer post) and got in a bit of swimming (duh). 

Lily Mae also had her first taste of a push pop and like any good American child, she was a big fan. 

Speaking of being a fan, I am a huge one of her little curly top that is suddenly showing off. Hello, that is CUTE! I cannot wait to play with/braid her hair (with hopefully some curl in it) when she is older.

May I never forget the sweet smattering of freckles across Parker's cheeks and nose. I don't often use the word delicious to describe children, but with those freckles....I want to eat him up. 

A good push pop = happy and silent children. Give me a few of those and I will gladly distribute them all the days long. We are still loving all things summer, and I still love some peace and quiet. ;)

Freeze Frame

Do you know that really awesome 80's song, "Freeze Frame"? I love that song. It reminds me of being a little girl at the Booneville High School football games. The cheerleaders and majorettes had it in a halftime dance routine and froze in different poses at the "Freeze Frame!" parts of the song. (This was when I started my quest to become a cheerleader, by the way.)

Anyway, I have that song in my head a lot these days because lately when I take a picture of Parker he very spastically shoots out a pose for each photo, differing in either body movement or facial expression, and usually accompanied with a Minion-esque type of sound. It drives me crazy but it's also hilarious. 

See examples below:

Our cousins are still in town so we loaded up to see a movie in the theater yesterday. (Lily's first!) Cars 3. So very girly! I didn't pay much attention to it because let's be honest, I spent most of the movie refilling drinks, nursing, and finding pacis, but it seemed pretty cute despite my limited attention. Nothing like a dark theater with many small children to make you feel nice and tired! These are the days, man.

We recovered afterward with some outside time (bubbles and chalk, always) in the weird PERFECT weather we've had the last few days. It's been like 80 degrees and I love it! Unfortunately this is Texas so we will be back to the 100's in the next couple of days.

Our life is full and filled with so many good things and people, and so many opportunities to make sweet memories as a family. We have such great family and so many friends. I love this time of year but am tired and get a little frenzied at the lack of routine right now. Here's to trying to soak up all the good and to "just go with it!" Gosh, I wish I was one of those laid back people. 

Have a happy summer day!

Sweet Summertime

I don't have a favorite season because each one has its perks. 

In no particular order, here are my Summertime Favorites:

1. Swimming

2. Seeing all our family during trips.

3. Watermelon

4. Smores

5. Water Balloons

6. Movie Nights

7. Baseball Games

8. Days spent in jammies

9. VBS

10. 4th of July

11. Fireworks

12. Grilling out

13. Popsicles 

14. Evenings outside with good food and good company (and maybe good music)

15. More excuses to go to Sonic happy hour and half price milkshakes.

I'm happy to report that this last weekend consisted of a lot of my list and so it was pretty awesome! 

Friday we stayed in our jammies until around lunch. I measured the boys because I finally, finally remembered! 

I hope I never forget how precious and kissable my children are these days. I so easily take it for granted, but truly...

They can't get much cuter than this.

Our cousins Hensley and Beau are in town for the next couple of weeks so we headed to Grammy's house and did what we do best in the summer: SWIM. Lily Mae was looking adorably classic as usual in her little flutter sleeve suit. I wish I had bought it in every size!

The boys did most of the showing off with their dives and cannonballs, but I will say that I did a flip into the pool last weekend and was fairly impressed that my post-baby body could handle that level of exertion. 

My children are fish and it is truly the best! Something about sitting out by the water and watching them be so brave and carefree is good for my heart and mind.

Popsicles and pushpops were the very obvious choice for a post-swim snack. Hayes is so into saying "cheese" and I find it utterly cute.

Grammy ordered pizza for dinner and then we stole Hensley for our church's movie night on the lawn. I really love this new tradition (it was our second year to attend). We loaded up blankets, chairs, and a sack full of unhealthy snacks and chilled out while we watched Paddington. 

I almost fell asleep a few times. I never realized until I became a parent just how exhausting all of these fun childhood memories are to actually plan and create.

In other news,  Lilybug started pulling up on Saturday because apparently she is grown and will be starting college in August. I really and truly still think she is a newborn. WHY does she have to go and get all independent on her mama?

Saturday: Work and Relaxation (A Good Mix). We slept in, watched golf, did house projects, Bryan took the boys to Lowe's (which every boy mom knows is an actual play activity and keeps you on Good Parent status), worked in the yard, and I ORGANIZED OUR PANTRY. This is a big deal. I hate organizing the pantry but feel so good once it is done. 

Bryan grilled us some burgers and hot dogs for dinner and then we watched Toy Story 3 and roasted s'mores in the living room. Easily one of my favorite Pinterest Cool Mom hacks was buying those Sterno green cans so we can make s'mores whenever we please.

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I stayed up entirely too late to wrap Bryan's Father's Day gift and clean up the house but I just can't help myself. One of my favorite parts of being a Mom and Wife is getting to plan celebrations and holidays and Father's Day is no exception! This year the kids got him a new pair of Reef flip flops and some pecans and I got him a new golf hat and a gift card for a round of golf at Rawls. (Alright, I actually got him both gifts, but we can pretend.)

Lily and her friend (future beau?) Easton. I cannot believe that she is a week older than him or that they were due on the same day. Isn't that hilarious? Our little peanut. We joke that this will be in their wedding slideshow. (Which I'm crossing my fingers for--we love the Gillespie family!)

Bryan picked OTB for lunch which I believe everyone was happy about. Hayes could eat a pound of meixcan rice in one sitting and I'm a sucker for chips and queso so we are always safe with some Tex Mex after church. (Parker's only condition for restaurants is that there is a kid's menu with crayons. So typical and something that I love about him.)

We headed home and took naps/watched the U.S. Open on Sunday afternoon. "That's what I like about Sundays", yes? Sunday night was quite a treat because we were able to see Bryan's aunt and uncle, Doug and Lyn, who drove in from Gordon, and of course the rest of the Roberts family for a Father's Day celebration of BBQ, banana pudding, Texas sheet cake, and lots more swimming!

We also did water balloons. I feel this should be mentioned because they are quite possibly the highlight of my boys lives at the moment. A few weeks ago Parker got a hold of the last (filled) balloon and wanted to save it so we took it home and displayed it on our kitchen shelves like a trophy. Until Hayes climbed up there and threw it a few days later. You can't make this stuff up. Also, 2017 is getting super fancy with water balloons--we've been using these and they are just as fun to fill up as they are to throw. 

We ended the evening with some downtime (see also: Grammy's phone). Look how cute these little cousins are. There's nothing better than tired little ones with pool hair and clean jammies.

We got home and were able to FaceTime with my Dad and Mom for a good while before sending the kids to bed. It was a great Father's Day!

I am so thankful for the men in my life. After weekends like these, I can't help but think of how hard we all have to work and how intentional we must be to provide a life for our families that is happy, safe, and filled with sweet memories, and I know that the men in our family are the reasons we get to live our lives the way we do. They are wonderful leaders, servants, and examples for each of us!

From Lillie to Lily

You may have wondered why my the spelling of my daughter's nickname changed from Lillie Mae to Lily (sometimes Mae).

It's because I should never be allowed to name babies while super hormonal pregnant.

Totally my bad.

Lillian Mae was always a top contender when I was pregnant as Lillian is my beloved great-grandmother Isca's middle name and Mae is my beloved great-grandmother Ethel Mae's middle name. So the full legal name was easy but we wanted to give her the nickname Lily or Lilly or Lillie, because hello it's pretty and sweet and very vintage sounding which we both like for girls names.

Bryan pulled for the simple "y" version, because it was the most logical and meaningful way to spell it: both he and I have common names with the uncommon "y" spelling. (I am Katy not Katie and he is Bryan not Brian. )

In my hormonal, large, itrrational state (I cry a lot when I'm pregnant), I pulled for the "double l, i-e" version because it seemed the most obvious way to shorten Lillian, and since I'm the mom I won on the name argument. ;)

I like all spellings of the name. I do. But about a week after she was born and Facebook-announced I started to regret my resistance to use the more sentimental and flower-spelled "y" version, so in true Katy-fashion, I admitted my fault a little too late and we did our best to patch it up. We did a slow transition to the new spelling. I called her baby girl or sister a lot on social media in the hopes that people would forget how her nick name was originally spelled. (This was not entirely the case once I publicly switched to the "y" which is why I am offering this explanation.)

So there you go, blame the hormones!

Lily is currently not looking anything like the above adorable photo, but is crying straight at my face and I think it's because she knows I screwed this up. Bye!