The Days are Long but the Years are Short

Today is the last day of July, 2009 and it has been an eventful and exciting month! We have had two birthdays, a family reunion, museum school, swim lessons, lots of nights out with our friends, and just all sorts of fun! I am a little sad that today is the last day of July because next month school starts and summer officially ends and this has been a really busy, really wonderful summer. The boys are getting bigger and it makes the days long in a different sort of way than with feedings and naps, but I know these years are going to pass quickly. When I take the boys out and I'm about to lose my marbles because one of them is climbing a shelf, one is dumping something out and one of them is screeching at the top of his lungs, a little old lady will look at me and smile and say: Honey, these days will be over in no time and these are the moments you will miss most. Sometimes it is difficult to believe but I know it's true.

A few funny quotes from Colin...

Colin: Carter,that girl's name is Natalie. And Mommy's name is Natalie. So there are two Natalies.

Colin (after I agreed to do a science experiment with him): Mommy, you're the best person in the whole world.

Colin: Mommy, are you happy I'm six years old?

After swimming lessons the instructor gives me a report on how the boys did. The other day after his lesson, Colin looked at his instructor and said, "How great was I?" =)

The Spice of Life!

Colin's birthday party was SO much fun! Thanks to Uncle Rick and Mindy who let us have a pool party at their house and to everyone who helped us celebrate in one way or another! Andy and I still can't believe we have a six-year-old!
Funny story: The other day I found dirt in Carter's bed. It felt like sand but looked like soil and I couldn't figure it out.
Me: Carter, do you know what this is in your bed?
Carter: Pepper.
Me: Why do you have pepper in your bed?
Carter (throwing his head back crying): I'M IN HUGE TROUBLE!!!!

Terrible Twos, Hissers and Croakers

This summer is flying! We had a fun weekend with firworks at home and Clayton's second birthday with Nana and Papa, Aunt Bertie and Uncle Dukes. Then Colin had museum school this week. Yesterday was his last day of "Hissers and Croakers" and today he is occassionally tearing up when he remembers it is over. He LOVED it! If you have little ones, check out Fort Worth's Museum School. Today we're relaxing at home: it's 100+ degrees outside so we'll probably stay indoors or else go to Uncle Rick and Aunt Mindy's pool down the street!
And tomorrow? The Weatherford Peach Festival!!

My best friend Stephanie had her second baby (a little boy!) this morning--congratulations, Steph!

No Bull

Happy Fourth of July!! Last night we went to Canyon West with Uncle Rick and Aunt Mindy to see fireworks and it was a total blast! There were tons of things to do for everyone and we all had fun. The fireworks display lasted about 22 minutes and it was set to Christian music and patriotic music that was awesome. There was even an occasional breeze which made the night even more relaxing. (At 7:45 yesterday it was still 97 degrees!) As you can see, the boys got to sit on a bull with enormous horns (named Oreo). My camera died after our pictures with Oreo, so I don't have pictures of the fireworks but I do have quotes for you!
Colin: These fireworks are making me happy!
Carter: I wish I was a firework.
And Clayton pretty much sat there in awe with a huge smile on his face.

Today Nana and Papa are arriving from Tampa for Kristina's surgery on Tuesday. (Please pray Kristina's kidney transplant goes well on Tuesday!) We are meeting Nana and Papa, AUNT BERTIE (there, Bert, you happy now?) and Uncle Nick, and Uncle Dukes for dinner tonight and then we'll light some locally bought fireworks here at the house. (The boys are super excited!) Happy Fourth everybody!