First day of my vacation. I woke up at 5 this morning - but hell no - I went back to sleep! I didn't get up until 8. We are going to Indy tomorrow so I wanted to make sure I got some sleeping in today!

Today was Piper's movie day. We went to see Horton Hears A Whoo. It was pretty cute. Piper has never been to the movies yet. So, of course mom had to take a picture of her at the first movie she gets to go to!!! There was NO ONE in the movie theater. We went at 10 o'clock this morning. We went to the cheap movies. I was afraid she wouldn't like it and I didn't want to be out the price of the expensive movies!! Since there was no one there - I didn't have to worry too much about her disturbing others! She was actually pretty good though. She got up a couple of times and went back and forth between us. But not too bad.

Last night we played Monopoly. WOW! Ashley and Riley have lots to learn!!! Goofball Ashley sold her crooked dad Boardwalk at the beginning of the game and he already owned Park Place. MAN - what a mistake. I knew just what was going to happen and sure enough by the end he had freakin' hotels up on those places..... I am happy to say that I never landed on them. But I did land on some properties that he took from Ashley and he had put hotels on and it cost me! But I was smart. I didn't leave all my money on the table. I was putting it in my pocket so the whole time they were all thinking I didn't have much money. But my husband ripped me off. He landed on one of my properties and I had to make change and he said an amount and I just thought that sounded right and he ripped me off $100. Oh well! It was fun. Lots of fun. I really enjoyed it and I hope we can fit much more nights in before our summertime with them is over.

Tonight is Story Time. I am really hoping to get Piper there. I think Steve is going to go with us again too. I like that he is going. Won't be long and story time will be on our visitation night and he won't be able to go - unless the big kids don't have homework! Yeah right!

I almost forgot! Last night when I put Piper in the tub - as soon as I got her in there - she was fussin' around and pointing to the potty.... I asked her if she had to go and she shook her head yes. So, I pulled her out and put her on the potty. And HOLY Shit! She had to go. She went potty and she told me she had to go!!! YEAH! She got her toilet paper and wiped her butt and back in the bath we went! It was awesome. This is going to be interesting....

The Weekend:

I was really busy over last weekend and didn't get a chance to keep up with my blog.

Friday Night - we went straight to supper after I got home with Piper from the sitter. Went to Cebolla's - had a margarita to kick off the weekend. After supper went to pick up the movies and then headed home. Steve suspected we had another leak with the pool. This time in the yard where the pipes run - because we had a mini swamp in the back yard. The leak guy was coming to our house Friday night at 7:15 so we had to be home. It all worked out good. I had the best intentions to get the girls rooms flipped and Ashley's needed painted! So, Friday night I moved all Ashley's stuff out of her old room and stored it in Riley's room. His room was full by time I got done. I spent from 7-9 moving as much of her stuff out so I could put as much of Piper's in. By time Piper went to bed the only thing left in her old room was her bed, changing table and rocker. Only thing left in Ashley's old room that was Ashley's was her dresser. I had put several of Piper's thing in the room though. Plan was Saturday morning - move Piper's bed and changing table out of her old room and start painting to make it Ashley's room!

Saturday- it was Steve's mom's birthday so he called and invited everyone over for a cook out that night. I really wanted to do it - but I had big plans for the day. So I got to work. I moved the bed and changing table out of the room and started painting. I did a good job - I only had to paint the bottom half it turned out. I was painting her room the yellow color that I had used on the top half of the nursery walls. I thought it wouldn't blend together and I would have to paint the whole walls - but it did! SWEET! By 11 - I was done painting and had my shower already!!

When I put Piper down for her afternoon nap - Steve went to the store for food for that night and I worked my butt off! I got Ashley's room pretty much put together. Bed, with new linens, nightstand, bookcase all moved in her new room. After Piper was awake we moved Ashley's dresser out and the recliner in. By time everybody came over for the cookout - the room was pretty much done except for the closets. I was exhausted. So was Steve, he had to get up at 6 that morning to start pumping water out of the hole where we DID have a leak and work on diggin the hole bigger.

The family came over and we had a cookout for his mom's birthday and had a cake. Everybody went swimming too. Some funnies from the night.... Lilly picked out Gloria's birthday cake - it had a princess crown and wand on it and Lilly picked out Gloria a Barbie princess birthday card! Piper pooped in the pool.

Saturday night after it all chilled out Steve and I watched the movie The Other Boylen Girl. I liked it alot. Steve didn't so much care for it. Friday night we watched 21 ! Awesome movie! Really worth the time!

Sunday - Steve had plans to go biking. He still hasn't been feeling the best but he was determined to go! I called my mom to see what she was up to. Piper and I headed for Huntington. That worked out great. I needed to get her baby bed out of the house. So, I packed it up and took it to Huntington with me. We went down for a visit. We ran over to Wal-Mart to get some fabric for mom's friend to make Piper some pillow cases. I don't like to go to the Huntington Wal-Mart. I see people I know.... and here I was on Sunday in the Wal-Mart with NO MAKE-UP on! I can't believe I went to the HUNTINGTON Wal-Mart period but without makeup - holy shit! After that we went back to my parents and ate some lunch. During lunch I felt a good headache coming on. So, I had to head for home. By time I got home - I made it to the couch and Steve put Piper down for a nap. I slept for 2 hours like Piper did!!

After our afternoon naps, we went to Target. Yes, I was having withdrawl and needed just a few things. With Ashley's big room move she was getting lots of new things, nice new things. I wanted to do something nice for Riley. I told Steve what I was thinking. I was thinking about getting him something we normally would NEVER buy him. The one thing that came to my mind was Guitar Hero game for his Nintendo DS and they had it on sale (if you call that a sale) So, we got him the game.

When we got home from getting the kids, I didn't tell Ashley her room was done - she was surprised when she went upstairs. I asked Riley if he had been in his room yet - and he hadn't. But we heard him when he did go in. He was so excited. He told me he has been wanting this forever! Ashley was very happy with her room but kept telling Piper how big her room was. I think she just meant with all her(Ashley's) stuff out of it. Everybody seemed happy and mom and dad were exhausted!!

Yesterday started the week off for Steve. I just have to work Monday and Tuesday. Since he still isn't feeling good he called and made a dr. appt for today. So, hopefully we will find something out. Him and the kids just kinda hung out yesterday. He had supper cooking when I got home. That was nice and that made our evening feel like forever. We were done eating supper at 6 o'clock! But that was good because we still had to move closets between the girls rooms. I thought it would take forever - but it didn't ! Watched Jon & Kate plus 8 and went to bed! I have Ashley and Riley addicted to the show now!

Not much happened on Thursday. The kids spent the day with their Grandma and their new friends. The stayed up way to late at Grandma's and swam most of the day so they were both very tired last night.

After supper we went to the park (the girls) and the guys went biking. Piper had a blast at the park. She was bouncing in her seat when I pulled in to the parking lot! After we got done at the park we took her over to the pond where all the ducks are. She thought they were pretty cool too! Next time we go over I will have to take some bread so she can feed them. I can't even imagine how much fun she will think that is!

Ashley tried to go biking with the guys. But she broke her glasses Wednesday night and they tried to fix them so she can wear them and it just isn't working out. So, she couldn't really see to go biking in the woods where there are lots of trees!

Took Piper home after the park and ducks and gave her a bath. I always feel so dirty after we have been at the park - I mean I feel she is so dirty. She prolly feels fine - but not mom! I have to give her a bath after park nights. The playground equipment is so disgusting. So rather than flip out while I am there..... I just make sure she gets a good scrub down when we get home. Gross...

Piper had NO bites yesterday at the sitter! YEAH! When I got to the sitter - the mother of the biter was just getting ready to leave and she said she was trying to get out before all the mothers got there. I felt bad for her. That would be so hard. I am not pissed at all - I just don't want my kid bit and I am sure those parents don't want him to bite! So, we all want the same thing -it will work out!

But when I did get Piper last night the sitter was telling me that after her vacation next week - she wants to start potty training Piper. I said lets go for it. At least try and see what we get. Apparently, yesterday Piper went in to the bathroom pulled up her shirt and sat on the bathroom scales. lol.... she does this at home often. Then when the sitter found her - Piper pointed to the toilet and made her Piper noise. I told the sitter I do want to start potty training soon I just figured with a new bed change, and this weekend (hopefully) a new room change I just didn't want to overload Piper with big changes in her life. But she will have a week and then we will try the potty training. Man I can't even imagine not buying diapers.... and wipes..... wow! Course prolly still have to get some pull-ups for night time for awhile. (when this all finally happens) The sitter doesn't want pull-ups at all. She wants panties and the plastic pants that go over top. So, off shopping we go this weekend!

Last night in the middle of the night - I went in to check on Piper. She had apparently fallen or gotten out of bed and was laying on the floor curled up in ball over in front of her changing table!!! She was asleep and stayed asleep when I put her back in bed and covered her up.

Not too big of plans this weekend. I want to get Ashley's new room painted and stuff moved over and Piper moved in to her new bedroom. I am determined to get this done this weekend. I want the change done. The big kids go to their mom's this weekend. So, I won't have their help but I won't have them in the way either!!! I really want Steve to get in some major biking this weekend. He was looking forward to biking last night and things kinda got screwed up so I told him to bike Saturday and Sunday this weekend. And I would like to see my parents sometime this weekend. Hopefully we can fit all that in with a grocery store stop(man these big kids are eating us out of house and home), Target run, JC Penny run(maybe) and laundry and cleaning!

p.s. We watched that movie The Bank Job - I liked it. I would recommended it. If you have bigger kids there is a heck of a sex scene at the beginning and a short one later so just be prepared. But the movie overall was pretty good!

Wednesday July 23

Overall it was a good day. I was busy at work which makes the day go fast.

The original plans were that the big kids go to their mom's tonight for visitation and we were going to have wings for supper and take Piper to story time again. Well, things don't always go as planned and that is ok. The big kids mom called and she wanted to add her 3 hours of visitation on to Sunday (her weekend) because they are going to a party Sunday and she wants to make sure they have all the time they can get there. So, cool - the big kids can go to the library. They have been asking about doing that anyway so they can go to story time and get books too. On Tuesday night when we were talking about going to story time - Riley was acting all bent out of shape that we were going without them - so now he gets to go!

Off to story time we go! When we get there for story time they are having a puppet show! And I don't mean a little puppet show. They had a big stage and cool puppets. I thought - sweet - she will sit still for this. You wouldn't believe the look on her face when the puppet dog appeared! She did really well. She had a cushion on the floor like all the other kids and she would go back and forth from the cushion to my lap. We had one time were she started to walk up to the front by the stage. Other than that - the puppet show was funny and she did pretty good. She didn't want to leave the library when we were done. The big kids were able to get some books they had been wanting too!

Piper got bit at the sitter again today. Just once today. But it must have hurt worse than the 2 times the other day. When I got there and put her on my lap and her babysitter was telling me what happened. Piper showed me where he bit her. It was in the morning and it was still a really good mark on her hand by late afternoon. Everybody is just beside themselves on what to do. I feel for everybody and more so for my daughter!

The big kids went to Grandma Weber's house to spend the night tonight. Grandma's other half is watching his grandkids for a couple of days and they are right at our kids ages. They came over swimming today and all of them hit it off and had a great time. So, the big kids took games and went over to have a sleepover at Grandma's house. They were both excited. Then tomorrow they are going to hang out and swim again.

I got a movie for us to watch tonight. The Bank Job. It has that Jason Statham that hubby had on his blog last week. I will have to let you know how it is!

So, I have already heard from one of my friends that my music sucks.... thanks Keith! Well, I happen to love it!

The big kids have not being doing such a good job at home. They have been slacking on their chores, slacking on their homework and just plain being lazy. They haven't even been getting in their 30 minutes of Wii Fit a day. Most days, Ashley seems to get her stuff done but Riley isn't doing so well with any of his duties. Tomorrow Steve is taking the remote to the tv to work with him!!!

Tonight was a nice evening. I was able to get a couple of loads of laundry done, we had personal pizzas we each made for supper, went for a swim and Piper went to bed with no problem! It was a nice evening.

When we went swimming tonight we tried water wings on Piper. At first we had to do alot of talking to get them on her. Once they were on and I got her in the water and she realized that she could float on her own. SHE LOVED THEM! Of course I was never far from her because being her first time she really wasn't sure of what was going on. But she loved them.

I am so excited - soon it will be time to get Piper's 2nd year pictures taken. I really wanted to at that time get all 3 kids taken together too. My friend at work recently had some family pictures taken and the photographer is really good. They are not all posing pictures. There are alot of candid shots she takes. http://www.kimrossphotography.com/index2.php The only problem is the lady does this as her part time job so she doesn't work alot of days - in other words hard to get in to her! I checked ahead and on Sept. 6th we are going to have family pictures taken and Piper's 2nd year pictures taken. Steve wants her picture taken her tricycle. We might even get a family picture taken with all our bikes! The photographer goes all over the place so now we have to decide where to go get them taken. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to this. We haven't had a family picture taken since probably 2001!

Another Piper funny - well, I don't think it's too funny but her dad does. Steve taught her that when he ask her "What do you think of Strawberry Shortcake" - she sticks her finger in her mouth and acts like she is gagging! NICE! Of course we all laugh - so she thinks it's funny and does it every time you ask her! Well, too late I am getting her birthday stuff in Strawberry Shortcake.

Piper was bit twice at the sitter today. A little boy at the sitter is going thru his biting phase. The one time he bit her fingers (no marks) and the other time he bit her on the arm and you can see his FULL mouth on her arm. The top teeth and the bottom teeth. WOW! It must have hurt. I am so glad Piper never went thru this phase. I don't know what I would've done. I feel for the parents of this kid - but at the same time I wish he would quit biting my daughter. He has actually bit her a total of 4 times. And the babysitter is afraid I am going to pull Piper from her.

Just a quick update on my mom for all that are wondering. She seems to be doing fine. I thought when I talked to her on the phone Monday that she sounded tired. I hope that she is taken it as easy as she can and going home and resting like she should. But I know she isn't! She has made her next dr. appt with the dr. that will now be her family dr. and help get her and keep her on whatever meds she needs.

Check out my music! I put some of my all time favorites over there, some old stand-bys and the current songs I like. As you will see, I like ALL kinds of music. Also, I wanted you all to see what DIFFERENT taste in music I have from my hubbby!

What a Monday! I was tired when I woke up and I'm still tired tonight!! I was busy and accomplished quite a bit at work today.

The big kids were scared from some storms that came thru today. Riley is TOTALLY freaked out about storms. If he sees a storm cloud - he gets out of the pool. He is just freaked out when the wind STARTS to blow. I think they sat and watched the weather channel the whole day today! And Steve received SEVERAL phone calls at work! I guess that they think we just go to work to wait on their calls!!

I just didn't know what to fix for supper tonight. I was just completely drawing a blank... I have plenty to cook - hell Steve spent $230 at the store last Friday - there better be stuff to eat! So, we decided to tacos. Piper ate butter bread, blueberries, mac and cheese and pickles! She loves pickles! Steve eats pickles with every meal and I do mean every meal (breakfast - yes) and now so does my 2(almost) year old!

Even after just going to the grocery store on Friday - we still needed to make a Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) run tonight. I hate going places like this during the week. Our evenings are just so short the way it is and to add to the mix of the evening shopping I would rather not do it. But sometimes it has to be done - so off we went.

The big kids had to go back to their mom's for the evening. BOY - they are always full of some cool information when they come back from there.

Piper was a stinker at bedtime tonight. Steve rocked her for a bit and put her down. I noticed that she was making this certain "noise" so up the stairs I went- sure enough she was standing on her bed looking out the window watching Riley and his friends swimming. So, I rocked her a bit more and she just wasn't givin' in! Finally I had to put her down - Jon and Kate plus 8 was on... so I laid her down and I haven't heard a word since! Hopefully she is asleep all night!

Another weekend bites the dust.....today was a busy day but a nice day. I did laundry all day long I think. I am trying to keep it all up and done with the big kids being here everyday now.

We ran out to the mall to exchange some shorts we had gotten Riley. I hit the sales rack at JC Penny for Ashley. I picked up 2 shirts for her on sale - a great sale - one was 2.97 and the other was 6.97. I wasn't going to get them and then I knew if I didn't I would regret it when it comes time to school shop and I would remember that I passed up those nice - cheap shirts!! We really didn't spend a whole lot of time at the mall. It was lunch time and I was HUNGRY! We had decided not to eat out - spent too much money already this weekend. So I was ready to head for home and chow down. I didn't think hot dogs on the grill could taste so good!!

After lunch I TRIED to lay Piper down for a nap (notice the word TRIED) - Well I put her in bed at around 12:30 and finally at 2:20 I let her get up and come downstairs! I guess she wasn't tired......She was really well behaved the rest of afternoon.

Since she was up for the rest of the day I decided to hit her bedroom and worked on it.... with the coming of the new toddler bed comes also a new era in Piper's life! Ashley currently has the biggest kids bedroom - well, we are going to switch Piper and Ashley's room. With this of course comes redecorating....but really it's time for Ashley - her bedding is from when she was 7 years old. It's still in really good shape but just time to move on to the cool teenager stuff. So, we got her a new comforter, sheets and bedskirt all that match. With her taking Piper's old room - ummmm it's a little nursery like - not as bad as it could be - but not something a teenager is wanting. In Piper's room I had hung a border at chair rail height. So I have to take that down so I can paint the room. Actually the top half of the room is already painted the color that we are going to paint the rest of the walls.... In 1 hour I had the border off! SWEET! Ashley went behind me and cleaned up the trash. That worked out great and then I had her wash the glue off the walls too. So, ready to paint I am. I plan on doing that this coming weekend. She will be at her mom's house - but that is ok - I really prefer to paint myself. I don't mind doing it and I would rather do it by myself! I will post a picture of her new cool room once we get it all done.

After finishing, the boys headed to the Franke park for a ride and the girls stayed home and hit the pool. It was so refreshing.... we swam for awhile and then got out and laid in the sun (well, Piper didn't lay in the sun) I couldn't believe that Steve went biking. He just wasn't himself all weekend. He told me today that he just hasn't felt good all weekend. BUT my goofball husband won't sit and chill very well and he DOESN'T listen to me when I tell him to!

I made chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and corn for supper. Yummy - it was good. Even all the family chowed them down. I never think they taste good when I make them myself. I still think my mom makes them better!

The big kids went to the Three Rivers fireworks with their Grandpa and his nice new lady friend. Steve's dad has met a really nice lady. We joked about how once she mets the real Jim she isn't going to be around long.... anybody who knows Steve's dad knows what I mean! But our lovely son Riley told his grandpa that Steve and I said this and then of course Jim couldn't wait to go tell her! Thanks Riley - I explained to Riley that some things said between all of us are not to be repeated to others!!

Off to work tomorrow. I have to work this week and Monday - Tuesday the next - then it's time for some much needed days off in a row....

Well, today we made it to the WWII Victory Museum and also there is a car collection museum there. Here is a picture of the kids in front of THE General Lee. This area was pretty cool. They had the Bat Mobile and the A-Team Van, and THE Knight Rider. It was fun to see this stuff.

On the WWII side of the museum it was unreal how much stuff they had. The had a huge picture of Hitler there. It was unreal. It was only $25 for our whole family to get in. The have a family package price. Not too bad of a deal!

Then it was lunch time after we got done. So, we headed into Auburn and ate lunch at Applebee's. Eating at Applebee's is so expensive for our family now. The big kids eat big meals now and we have to get Piper a kids meal and we just can't out of there very cheap anymore!!

We got home and I put Piper down for her nap and Steve and Riley went to get their hair cut. While they were getting their hair cut I put the pictures from today on Walgreens. I decided that with all the little family trips we have planned this summer I would make a good effort to get them on the internet and printed out in a timely fashion... so I put today's trip on and sent them to print at Walgreens.

After the guys got home, Ashley and I went to Walgreens. I got the kids little photo albums that were plain on the front and they decorated up and put their pictures in. I think every summer I think about doing this - well hopefully this summer I actually get it accomplished!! We are starting off good!!

We grilled ham for supper. YUMMY! I love ham slices on the grill with barb'q sauce. My fav.... and we have a couple of movies to watch... you all know what we are doing the rest of the evening. I almost have my laundry finished... sweet!

Well, Friday is almost over... I was having trouble at work today staying focused... it's that time of year where I know the kids are home and it would be nice to be home doing stuff with them!

After Steve got off work he took the big kids with him to the grocery store. WOW! I think he spent his paycheck there! I can not believe the cost of food these days. I notice the price increase in gas but I tell you one place I really notice it is at the grocery store. It is unbelieveable how much everything cost at the grocery. If you eat many fresh veggies and fruit - and just try to eat at home a bunch you too are feeling our pain!

The plan for the night was to go to a downtown pizza place called Pint & Slice and then go to the Shriners Parade. Well, we did part of the plan.. we ate at Pint & Slice but didn't go to the parade. Too hot to sit there and wait an hour for the parade and then sit for the parade. So, off to Target we went to get that stuff out of the way. Back to the Pint & Slice place.... didn't really do it for us. It was pretty greasy pizza and just not very good. Now that is the Weber take on the pizza. The beer was good though!

Tomorrow the plans are... to go to the Auburn Victory Museum....http://www.wwiivictory.org/visitus/directions We have been wanting to go so we are heading up there for some fun. I don't think it will take all day but at least we can mark it off our to do list. Plus I love the WWII stuff - the Hitler stuff really interest me. I can not believe he was able to pull off the things he did. Schindler's List is one of my favorite movies and visiting Auschwitz is on my bucket list http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/new/index.php?language=EN&tryb=start&id=675&menu=g.... I want to visit there as much as I want to visit the Biltmore.

The other night we watched the movie Drillbit Taylor... it was pretty good. Check it out. And the hubby is dead on with the Fool's Gold movie... my man Matthew is HOT -but the movie SUCKED!

I don't even know where to begin. Life has just been out of control......

Last Friday, I received the call no child no matter how old you are, doesn't want to receive about a parent. I was at my desk, eating my breakfast and starting up with computer when I received a call.... I have caller id and noticed it was my dad's cell number. I knew right then and there that something was wrong. My dad never calls me at work. When I answered he was calling to let me know that my mom had been taken to the hospital and they thought she had had a stroke...... I left work immediately. Thanks to my friends at work who shut all my stuff up and off and gave me the kleenex for the drive to Huntington! I knew that we would end up in Ft. Wayne at the hospital but I was headed to Huntington first. By time I arrived they were loading her up to go to Ft. Wayne. I took my dad with me - to which we passed my brother on the way to Ft. Wayne and he was on his way to Huntington... We spent most of the day in the er and then by about 3ish she was moved to her room. To make a long story short..... she had what they call a TIA - it is a mini-stroke - a warning sign for a possiblity to a massive stroke. They kept her in the hospital until Monday and did several tests. They thought she had a hole or tear in her heart but with the test performed on Monday - she did not. So they just have her on some meds for blood pressure, etc. now and she is suppose to get with the family physician.

Last Friday pretty much sucked as Steve was sick also and he came to the hospital too. I left my mom to get sit with my husband while he had his chest x-rayed - to which we found out on Saturday - he has pneumonia. So, it was quite a weekend for me between kids, traveling back and forth to the hospital and having a sick husband.

But happy to report - both of the sickies seem to be getting much better!!

There has been so much stuff going on that I can't even begin to remember. We now have the big kids for our half of summer. Things are going ok with them being home. Some memorable moments of the week are...... them not doing their chores and thinking that we wouldn't figure it out, Riley yesterday cooking a chicken patty in the microwave and doing it "exactly like the package said to" - 1 - 1 1/2 minutes and cooking it for 11 minutes to the effect that it was burnt and smoking and our house still smells today!

This week there was a first for Piper. We took her Wednesday night to story time at the library. She loved it but wasn't sure what she was suppose to do. At several points, she just got up and started walking (or running) around. Now, we didn't let that happen - we got her and made her sit down. The story time was cool. They read 3 stories, ran songs, and even had a person in a frog costume come in. I was surprised Piper wasn't scared of the frog. She didn't get real close but closer than she did to Chuck E Cheese!!!

Another exciting thing in our house within the last week - Piper is no longer sleeping in a baby crib! YEAH! She is loving the toddler bed. We have only really had 2 nights so far of problems with her getting out of her bed when she was suppose to be falling asleep. The first night she wasn't smart enough to play with quiet toys.... and by the 3rd time putting her back in bed she stayed in and went to sleep. Last night as another story..... we heard her making noise up in her room - but it sounded like just hitting the side of her bed. When I went up to check on her (I thought she had fallen asleep) she was in her bed then but had for sure been out playing... she had books in her bed, toys all over and for some reason she pulled out several pairs of her socks everywhere! She got a talking to - and then I rocked her for a bit and laid her down to which I never heard another word from her. I think some nights it's just hard to fall asleep with all the daylight still outside!

We have been using the crap out of our pool and if the big kids could get someone to supervise them during the day - they would be using it all day long! It has been so nice to go out in the evening and take a swim - you would not believe how much it cools you off! It's great. It's also great that we are using it so much. Steve was pretty bent about last year - we apparently didn't use it enough to his satisfaction.. but this year Piper is easier to take swiming and the big kids are back on track of wanting to swim.

We have lots of things planned for the next several weeks the big kids are here. I will try to post the fun that is going on. They have already hit me up about the library and several other things. It will be over with before I know it..... and then it's time for school.

And before I know it - my baby girl will be turning 2! I have already started with the birthday preparations..... Strawberry Shortcake is the party theme this year. We don't have big parties but they are fun parties!!