Sprinkler Action

Carlee trying to stop the water like a superhero. Reminds me of a pose I use to do when I was her age.
Running through the water.... tongue out and all.

Zachary's excitement about the sprinkler. It didn't last long.

Cold and shivering after being in the water for 5 minutes.

When all else fails... there is always the swings.

Carlee obviously taught Zachary everything he knows.

I let the kids play in our new $3.00 sprinkler yesterday. They loved it for the first 5 seconds and then wanted to be dry and warm. I guess I started it a little too early in the day. Carlee liked it more than Zachary. Zachary can't stand to have water in his face so there were tears shed pretty quickly. The rest of the day was spent outside swinging, drawing with sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles. We're really making the most of this great weather while it's here.

Fun At Market Street

My friend, Holly
Carlee fliyng her kite. It wasn't very windy so she had some help from a little girl.

Eric and Carlee having fun on their "motorcycles."

Zachary flying his kite and loving every minute of it.

This past Wednesday, we went to meet my friend Holly for a picnic lunch at Market Street. Holly is one of my closest friends in the Woodlands and she is moving to a different area in Houston. She and I share so much in common. I feel like I rarely ever have to explain myself to her. I love Holly and will miss her being so close by. Thankfully, I know we will continue to see each other even though we will be farther apart. There's no way I'm saying good-bye. However, I don't know what I'm going to do without my pool buddy and shopping buddy. haha

The butterfly hatched!

The cocoon right before it hatched.
The butterfly is here!

Greg holding the butterfly and Zachary pointing
"Therefore if you are in Christ, you are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come!" 2 Cor. 5:17 This is us in the hands of our Lord. We are a beautiful creation, pure and spotless. The Lord molds us into something beautiful when we are in Him.

Carlee and Zachary looking at the butterfly on the ground

Still waiting for it's wings to dry in our backyard

Carlee sitting next to the butterfly

Well out of the 10 caterpillars we had on the milk weed, only 2 made it and built their cocoons. It had been about 10 days since they made there cocoons and we knew they were coming soon. We spent the whole day yesterday, watching and waiting for this butterfly on our back patio to hatch. I felt like an expectant mother waiting for her baby to be born. I was literally on my toes all day watching a waiting. When it finally arrived, we were all amazed and excited. The butterfly stayed in the back patio for about an hour waiting for it's wings to dry. Carlee said,"Wow, that is so beautiful! This is so special!" She stood very close to the butterfly encouraging it to spread it's wings, as if she were it's teacher. It was the sweetest moment. I know she will always remember this moment. Zachary "oh"ed and awed and made lots of sound effects when he saw the butterfly. I feel so blessed to be able to capture the simple things in life and am so grateful for them.

Outside

Watching mommy be ridiculous, just to get a picture. I love how their expressions are similar.
Looking at a spider

My girl.... sweet smiles

Priceless

Tasting the bubbles

We spent most of yesterday outside. The weather has been amazing. We ate lunch outside, went to the park, blew bubbles, played in the sand box, waited for the butterfly to hatch, and swung on the swings. It was a wonderful day. If I could live it over I would. I think we were outside for 4 hours. I love to stay at home with my kids and play

Ballet Dress Rehersal or 4 Going On 14

Ok.... so.... I applied a whole set of make-up on Carlee for the first time for her dress rehersal on Friday (foundation, powder, blush, lipstick and eye liner). Talk about growing up right before my eyes. The whole time I was applying her make-up, I told her that she does not need make-up to feel or look beautiful and that God made her beautiful on the inside and that is what matters the most. She loved wearing it and could not stop looking at herself and admiring her beauty. It was fun watching her and being girly together. She loved her costume and is looking forward to her first production on stage. This is still so foreign to me. I really hope she actually dances for the production. It should be fun no matter what happens.

Park Days

Aubery and her daddy
Lily (Carlee's Best Friend)

Zachary is looking a little red cheeked

Carlee with some icing on her nose

The Big 1 year old (or should I say the petite 1 year old) Amelia

We went to the park to celebrate Amelia's first birthday. It was a hot day, but still beautiful. Carlee and Zachary played with their friends and had a great time eating cupcakes.

Mother's Day

Lounging at Grammy and Pawpaw's
Carlee gave Grammy a homemade card and I received a cute purse and a Pampered Chef round stone. Yeah for great gifts!

I had a lovely Mother's Day even though Carlee wasn't feeling 100%. We spent the day with family and the kids gave me a talking card that had their voices recorded on it (soooo cute). It was a special day and I love being a mom.

SWINGING

Maybe this is one way I can get a good picture of them together and smiling despite the blur.

Proud Carlee

These outside times are the sweetest times of the day especially when the temperature outside is below 80. My kids spend hours on these swings and guess who pushes them.... Me!!! Our day is not complete until we have swung. I love it! I push them both at the same time (it's my arm workout) and make it fun by singing songs, counting, looking at airplanes flying by or squirrels jumping from tree to tree, or by throwing beach balls in front of their feet for them to kick (this is the latest fav). Well, today Carlee showed me how she can get started on the swing and how she can push herself by pumping her legs, go high and keep going. WOW!! I was amazed! My child has grown up. She insisted that she could do it all by herself and she did! I not once helped or pushed. In a way I was sad that my girl is growing up and she is needing me less (I'm in tears) and in a way I was excited to see her mature and experience the true thrill it is to do something all by herself.

I can remember when my best friend Diana and I swung on my swing set when we were little- singing songs and talking. We would kick our shoes off and try to get them as far as possible. Sometimes, they would go over the fence. I remember my sister and I making up countless routines on our swing set to Kids Praise songs. Those were the days! Being a child is so much fun! Good times are ahead of us!

Amazing

I love God's creation. This evening Greg was looking at our butterfly plant (Milkweed) and noticing how all the leaves were starting to get holes in them. As he looked closer he saw about 10 caterpillars on it. Wow!! Carlee was thrilled! We had to call grandpa and let him know the plant was doing it's job. I can't wait to see 10 butterflies flying around it soon.
This picture was taken the other day before our trip. The butterfly hung out for awhile. Long enough for me to go inside get my camera, change the batteries and snap a few shots. SO COOL!! I guess this butterfly has found it's home. We get to see her (she is a beautiful Monarch) all the time now.

Thanks again dad for blessing us we these plants. We are overjoyed right now! I love the simple things!