Weekend update

Mom is the mountains and occasionally checking the web so I thought I'd try to be more consistent with the blogging.

We've had a semi-productive weekend. We moved the kitchen table (a rectangle) into the dining room and moved the dining room table (a circle in its smallest form) into the kitchen. In order to do this, I unpacked the last few kitchen boxes and moved a lot of boxes around.

We also finished the DVD organization. Probably a good thing not very many movies have come out lately that we like enough to buy. Same with TV series.

I cleared the mantle of random hardware and put the 8 x 10 pictures of the kids up. In the process I loaded the most recent pics into the frames. Turns out I never sent any of Laney's 3 year old pictures out - I still have the grandparent 5 x7s and full sheets of wallets meant for family and friends. Oops.

Laney's room is officially unpacked. I am almost afraid to say that in case there is one sneaky box hiding somewhere. We went through the hand me downs - washed some, put some in drawer ready for cooler weather, hung up the dresses and put the rest away in a plastic tub. Her room is done, with the exception of wall art. I have a poster & a painting to hang and I bought her some new Princesses for her walls. That'll just have to wait until most of the boxes are gone.

The initial round of school supplies is purchased. I don't have a list yet for Laney, that will most likely be issued in her first week. I bought Kat the basics - pens, pencils, folders. We'll still have to buy the random essential items required by her teachers. Most likely at least one item will require a trip to a specialty store.

Alex is learning to clap. One of the ladies in the church nursery mentioned it to me (the same one who convinced him to hold his own bottle). He doesn't get both hands together every time, but he is definitely working on it.

Laney swam without her life jacket today. She was kicking around the pool with just the noodle. I am ready to try to get her float belt like they used in swimming lessons last year.

Band camp starts tomorrow.

My boss & my coworker are back from vacation (they didn't go together, just at the same time). Hallelujah. It was a little nuts last week.

I think that covers it.

I think it may be time for an intervention . . .

Tonight's project was moving these DVDs
Into these boxes.

I think it was around 180 discs, but several movies were 2-disc sets. Bonus phrase - we alphabetize and this will make it easier to add new movies.

Still to come - filing the kids movies in the upstairs game room:

And finding some place to put the series (we have several already in binders):

And this doesn't count VHS - which we still watch. Help us.

Lake Whitney

Ah the best laid plans - the original idea was a three day weekend at the beach in Lala Land for Rob, the kids and me. But Lala had midterms, so we changed to location to Lake Whitney to stay with my parents. Then one of Rob's clients scheduled a major software install for the weekend we were due to leave so that left me & the kids. I braved the 4 hour drive and off we went. It was worth it.

Friday afternoon was rainy. Laney was desperate to go for a walk so my parents took her and her umbrella for a walk (while I got a short nap)
Saturday we headed to the pool - how cute are these two!

Laney did not like the pool at first. After quite some time we finally got her out in the deeper part of the pool paddling around and playing with the splash balls. Alex, on the other hand, took to the water immediately. He thought it was fantastic and splashed more than he ever has before.

Saturday evening my parents took Laney out in the red boat aka the canoe. Laney has been curious about the canoe sent it spent several days in our backyard about a year ago.

Alex seeing his sister off

Mama Janie & Laney in the canoe

Off they go!

The kiddos in Mama Janie & Daddy Ron's hide-a-bed Sunday morning.

We went back to the pool on Sunday before we left for home. Laney actually took off on her own a few times. The noodle keeps her life jacket from flipping her backwards (which it is designed r.to do for emergencies) and helps her navigate in the water.

Daddy Ron & Alex

The pool got to be a little much for my little mister and he crashed in a chaise lounge.

My little swimmer

The following Sunday we took Daddy to the pool in our neighborhoood so he could see the Elena swim and Alex splash.

Independent Kids

All dressed up for Independence day at school
Dancing to her fridge DJ

Ready to go

What happens if you hold a bike parade and nobody shows? Ok, not nobody - but only 2 members of the HOA, one pre-schooler and her mom? You get a parade route tailor-made for the pre-schooler, a $15 gift card for best decorated bike and a happy Laney!

Laney really didn't care that she was the only one - she had a blast. She still talks about it when we drive by the parking lot where we met. And hey, I got meet a member of the HOA board and pick his brain about our new neighborhood.

July 4th was the nations birthday and Alex's 7 month birthday. So without further ado - Toby pictures . . .

I chose to shoot them in his crib. As of July 5th, he'd only been sleeping in it (heck, it had only been set up) for two weeks. In addition to his very own room, 7 months has brought a big boy car seat in Mommy's car, way more solid foods, size 3 diapers and lots of toys. He is also ready to take off, as soon as he can get his knees under him and his belly off the ground.

Kat's Birthday

I am desperately behind on blogging - I am going to try to catch up this week. First some pictures of Kathryn's early 16th birthday party. We had it the Friday night before she left for three weeks with her mom. We'll have a bigger shindig in August with her friends.

Kathryn - complete with Laney's tiara
Getting photobombed by little brother

16 candles!

Alex was very disappointed that he didn't get to lick any frosting off a candle!

Kat was super-psyched to turn 16 - desptie the fact that there was no car or even driver's license involved. Hopefully everything will fall into place for her to take driver's ed after marching season is over.

It's about time

It only took 9 months & 22 days - women have been pregnant that long!

Our house is sold! Our new house is purchased! We move on Thursday! I am exclamation point happy!

I will post pictures of the new place when things calm enough to do so.

Alex's baptism

Photos from Alex's baptism on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.



The family


Alex with the grandparents - Daddy Ron, Mama Janie, Nana Jackie & Granddaddy

With his godparents - Uncle Ronny, Aunt Lauren (Lala) and Neil (the guest of honor is sound asleep)

Styling in Neil's hat pre-service

The kids with Father Desmond after the service - he has now baptized all three of them