Skinny Dippin'

Our boy has really cut back on his nekkedness.  But old habits die hard, you know.  Have no fear, Zeke The Streak is alive and thriving.  Let me set the scene for you...

It was a beautiful summer day in Texas.  The Daniels family was hungry for adventure, so they loaded into their Swagger Wagon destined for the creek.  As Abe ventured in the water, Zeke ripped off his shoes and followed suit.  The water quickly became deep on his short little legs, so his father suggested he may need to take off his shorts.  Boom!  That boy was out of the water and pulling down the shorts.  The underwear came off, too.  I told him that was called skinny dipping.  Without hesitation the shirt came off, too.  "That's skinny skinny dipping!" he exclaimed as he frolicked in the water.

Epicureous

I have been considering starting Eli on solids.  Daisy, however,  beat me to the punch.  We were eating spaghetti.   I turned my back for a minute and this is what I saw when I came back:

"Eli's cleaning off my fingers!"  she happily announced.  Why be bothered with napkins when you've got a little brother?

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"If your hands are dirty that means it's yummy,"  explained Zeke through a mouthful of cookie.    My chocolate chip cookies (the real deal, not break-n-bake, which really can't be beat; don't know why I continue to try to make them from scratch), finally passed the taste test.  Or at least the dirty test.

Elijah is not quite the smooth talker that his older brother is.  He's more of an 'open mouth and insert foot' kind of guy.

Lil' Swimmers

Zeke and Daisy had swimming lessons the past couple weeks.  Zekers can't get enough of the water.  He actually learned to swim a couple feet by himself this year!  That's him in the middle that plugs his nose before he goes in.

He was the first in line to go off the diving board. The only thing he didn't like about it was that he couldn't keep doing it over and over.

Daisy's experience was a bit different.  She was upset that she couldn't be in Zeke's class, so her participation was a bit hit and miss, and my frustration level with her was at a maximum. 

However, when she finally decided to do it, she had a great time. This is Daise 'swimming' on her back with her teacher.

She was all talk on diving board day.  When she actually got to the end of the board, my non-risk taker had a change of heart.  Here she it contemplating it.

...And here she is walking back off the board.

The little man patiently watched and waited in the heat. 

He snuck in a few naps here and there.

He even had a sleep on Grannie whilst in the pool.  That poor boy has it rough.

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Not All Pool Experiences Are Created Equal

Roll out of bed whenever you feel like it.  Tumble down the stairs to the pool.  Drift of to sleep  as the floaty rocks in time to the gurgle of the water fountain.   Get a perfectly even tan.  Have a drink, or several, as your friends arrive home from work.  Climb the stairs at the end of the day, fall into bed.  Repeat.  All.  Summer. Long.

Pack lunches, including plenty of goldfish.  Remember sippy cups.  Put on 4 swimming suits, including plenty of sunscreen.  Grab 3 towels and a swim nappy.  Load everyone in the van 'swagger wagon.'  Pile on the bags and push stroller like a pack mule.  Pay to get into the pool.  Reapply sunscreen to fair skinned boys.  Feed said lunches.  Nurse.  Get in the water with 3 kids of my own, plus a few others who seem to want to tag along.  Get out and feed kids rest of lunch.  Take girl to potty.  Nurse again.  Swim again, with 3 kids hanging on you.  Get out and take 5 minutes to warm up and get some coveted, precious sun rays, whilst making sure the end of the chair is in the shade so baby doesn't get too much exposure.  Buy ice cream.  Repeat unloading process, but backwards as we go home.

I came to the realization today that pool time isn't what it used to be.

Duck Pond Disaster

We had an appointment for family pictures last weekend.  (Shout out to my friend Jessica; she's very positive and upbeat, as well as talented.  Let me know if you want her contact info.)  The plans were to go to the Botanic Gardens, but there was a concert in the gardens, so we hopped on over to the duck pond.  Things were going well for about the first 20 minutes.  Then Zeke decided to throw some mulch into the water.  He was leaning over the swinging chain fence-thing and it swung forward, knocking his feet straight up in the air and his head straight into the pond.  Luckily we happened to be watching and rushed over.  Zeke reacted very cool under pressure--I was impressed.   I was watching him struggle to his feet (it was shallow, but very slippery on the moss) as The Pops stepped in to grab him.  As I was viewing this in slow motion, I realized I heard screaming, but Zeke's mouth was shut.  It was Daisy, who was freaking out because her brother had fallen in.  Later I asked her why she was crying and she was afraid the ducks were going to eat Zeke and "he would be died."

Our photo session was cut short due to the wet clothes and crying children. After Zekers was pulled out the relief rushed over him and he started crying, too. Here are a few shots we got.   More to come later when we try again...at a location without a duck pond.

Here you can see Zeke grabbing the fence he would fling over a few minutes later.

Since our boy was rescued from any real danger, Abe and I can laugh at it.  Zeke, however, has not had enough time yet to see the humor.  You can see his wet clothes coming off on the ground, and then the nekked ride home.   

And his head boo boo.  Don't worry--it's only a flesh wound.

Oh, Baby! Daisy is 3!

When Daisy said she wanted a baby party, I didn't know how I was going to pull that one off.  It all came together, and she had a wonderful birthday party.  BYOB (bring your own baby) was optional~Daisy had plenty to share if you didn't bring one~and the little mommies and daddies took their babies out for a few errands.  Of course they needed their diaper bags to carry necessities.

 The little parents had some grocery shopping to do.

The babies went to the doctor and got a few shots.  Ouch! 

Some of the babies went to the park to play.

And there was milk and cookies at Grandma's.

Everyone got in on the fun.

I think it was the best baby party everyone had been to...yes, the only baby party, but still the best.  :)

 Grandma, Grandpa and Koko came for the weekend.  We love it when they're here!  We all enjoy our Koko walks.

The actual birthday day was spent playing...with babies.

This is the gift that Zekers picked out for his sister.  What a thoughtful big brother.

The little daddy assembled The Birthday Girl's new buggy as she patiently watched and waited. 

Perfect kind of day to play with the flower sprinkler...

and water gun gifts.

Anytime is a good time to play with babies and accessories. 

Happy 3rd birthday, sweet Daisy!