Playin at the Lake

I wish I had photos since it's rare Paul gets to come on an outing with us, but we had a great day out as a family (as I said, a rarity!!) at a local lake playing in the water. Gussie's swimming skills have improved so much with this last round of swimming lessons and she surprises me with her abilities each time we go in the water. Winky was finally willing to try the little arm floaties and could join us in the deeper water with a little dog paddle. We'll be BBQ'ing tonight and then a fabulous day will be had by all! If there wasn't rain in the forecast we would be letting the girls sleep outside in the tent tonight but I have no desire to get rained on, so we'll save that for another weekend. ;-) You can't expend all the fun in one day, can you??

Birthday at the Beach

We spent my Mom's birthday at the beach and had a great time. Winky has a fear of either paddle boats or life jackets, not sure which, so she stayed on the shore, but Gussie got to go on a paddle boat ride with some close family friends. We all played in the water and the girls had a lot of fun in the sun. It's not San Diego, but it's about as close as Iowa can come to it.

Winky took a brief nap on the ride there and when she woke up she was in rare form. She can be a little strange sometimes.... It's oddly charming as long as there's no screaming involved.

Gussie was all smiles and ready for a great day.

Winky swimming with her ring. Both girls are taking swimming lessons right now and Gussie is close to being able to swim on her own but Winky still needs something to keep her afloat. She thinks she's a swimmer like the big girls.

Playing in the sand and making sand castles.

And last but not least, blowing out the candles on the cake.

Winky helped Grandma blow out the candles.

Backyard Fun

It's my Mom's birthday this weekend and we had a GREAT, fun-filled weekend! The girls went to Space Chimps with Grandma, we spent a day at the beach, and lots of little bits of fun in between. Here's a few pictures to start off.

Winky is about as stubborn as they come sometimes, and her sense of fashion is off the charts. This was the ensemble she came up with to wear out this weekend. If you're curious what's on her head, that would be a Winky-decorated dinosaur head on top of her favorite hat. VERY fashionable this year!

It's been a hot weekend and the girls had a lot of fun playing in the sprinkler to cool off on Saturday afternoon.

Both girls thought it was quite amusing to spit the water at each other, in the air, at me, at the dogs, anywhere they had a target. Here's a picture of Gussie as a fountain, although she wasn't as thrilled when it came back and hit her in the face. I'll admit I found that quite amusing. ;-)

Panya wouldn't play with us in the water but she looked so cute in the ferns that I couldn't help taking her picture, too. Jungle Panya! I hope to post the pictures from our day at the beach soon.

Independence Day

Parades, BBQ's, and Fireworks... seems to be the American way for the 4th. We had a great holiday weekend with lots of food, family time and fun!

We had to start the weekend with crafts. Sometimes I feel guilty because Gussie and I did crafts for EVERY holiday and filled the house with all of her creations when she was little. Winky is a different kind of kid and crafts with her are a mess-filled experience. Gussie still loves them so it's worth the effort when we do manage to find things that make both of them happy.

We went to the parade and had a good time. The girls collected lots of candy and other miscellaneous items. Groups gave out crayons, sparklers, water bottles, t-shirts, ice pops, beads, and food coupons, just to name a few. This has been a family tradition since we moved back to Iowa and the girls really enjoyed it.

Here's John and Paul BBQ'ing lunch.

Gussie took this picture of our picnic dinner as we waited for the fireworks to start. Winky had a very hard time with the concept of waiting until dark.

Winky with her "ears" on. The girls wore these for the fireworks and they worked great. Neither of them liked the loud booms, but with the ears on, they could watch them without being bothered by the loud noise.

Gussie and Grandma cuddling up. The weather was perfect this year. Not too hot, not too cold, and no rain. I don't think I could have asked for anything better.

Just For Today

I saw this and I think it really effects you as a parent. It's a reminder to me to cherish each day with the girls and embrace who they are, and really be grateful for what we have in life.


Just For Today
by Sally Meyer

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face...
and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly in your flannel p.j.'s...
and hold you until you are ready to stir.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear...
and I will say how beautiful you are.

Just for this morning, I will step over the laundry to pick you up...
and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink...
and let you teach me how to put your puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off...
and sit with you in the gardenblowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble
when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck...
and I will buy you one, if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up...
I will simply love you for the joy you bring me.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me make cookies...
and I wont stand over you . . . trying to 'fix things.'

Just for this afternoon, I will take you to McDonald's and buy us both a 'Happy Meal'...
so you can have two toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and
tell you the story of how you were born...
and how much we love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the bathtub...
and I won't get angry when you pour water over your sister's head.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late...
while we sit on the porch swing and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will bring you glasses of water...
and snuggle beside you for hours...
and miss my favorite t.v. show.

And tonight when you are sleeping safe and warm in your bed,
I will think of the mothers and fathers who mourn

for the children they have lost.
I will remember the parents who sit by hospital beds,
watching over the little ones they love.
I will weep for those parents whose children are cold,
hungry and suffering, and .... this evening,
when I kneel down to pray,

I will simply be grateful for all that I have and
not ask for anything...except just one more day.