Playing House and a Fire Truck

Parker is pretending to be Mike and Iris is Val and Tia is the baby....hmm...she is little but I didn't think she could actually fit into the baby doll pack and play....
I never dreamt Iris could fit into it...it is like a clown car...maybe it will even hold me!

At our visit to the park after school the local fire truck was doing testing and training. The kids were super excited to see the ladder all the way up in the air and shooting water out. The firemen were nice enough to give them hats too.

Iris made a big mess

I was inside cleaning up after dinner and the kids went to play outside. Next thing I know Parker runs in and says Mommy, Iris made a big mess....Tia comes in next and says Big Mess Mommy....so I take a deep breath and go outside to see what the mess is. On the driveway is a big blue puddle of fabric softener...over half of the Costco size bottle was spilled out and Iris is smiling her devilish smile and pushing the lawn mower through it. I get the hose out and let Parker help, of course Iris and Tia end up soaking wet and screaming.

Pennsylvania here we come and go...

The kids did great in the long car rides --so super great! We drove to Penn State on the way out...the kids were bored by mom and dad reliving the memories and anxious to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa and loved the fish pond in the yard. They even got to feed the fish. Mom and Dad had fun at the wedding and really enjoyed getting away for the night. It all went so quickly...even the 25 hrs of driving wasn't bad.

Parker's First Day of School

Parker has started 4 year old preschool, here he is with his friends Finnegan and Katelyn. He shares a cubbie with Katelyn too (he talks about it all of the time). I forgot the camera on Iris' first day of school---we'll get a picture soon. They are both really enjoying school and Tia starts next week.

Daddy brought home a pet....

Meet Leah...the pet lizard (technically, a leopard gecko). Hmm...I thought Daddy was joking when he called that he was bringing home a pet lizard. Leah did not eat the first 5 days of being in her new home....yesterday was my first day on lizard duty, Mike is back to work... last night I wake up to myself turning all the lights on and searching the bed for the lizard and I realize I am having a nightmare about the lizard...great, I am sure looking forward to going to sleep again tonight.

Birthday Party

Musical Chairs, the gold fish game, and birthday cake. Parker really enjoyed his party with his friends. He has been so trying since the party, it is such a let down to go back to normal day to do after an exciting, attention filled birthday weekend.
We are looking forward to heading to PA for the weekend for a friend's wedding and to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa...we are anxious about the 13 hr. car ride...hopefully it will turn out just like the one to Georgia back in April...perfect (we are certainly not expecting that..but one can hope).

An Afternoon Break and Air and Water Show

Here are Parker, Iris and Tia enjoying a break together after playing in the yard. Parker and Iris love to play Mommy and Daddy (or they call each other Mike and Val) and Tia is the baby with a new name everyday. Tia used to fight this and has given up. Now that she enjoys it, they all play together happily.

On Sunday (Aug. 18) we went to the Air and Water Show. We drove in early to the city and ate and Mommy and Daddy's favorite breakfast spot, Ann Sather's. The kids were great in the restaurant. They enjoyed being down by the lake and playing football and running around. They liked seeing the airplanes but after the second one went by they could have cared less. If you've seen one airplane you've seen them all. Mike and I kept pointing out all of the different planes and when they were doing stunts they just looked at us like ok, how is that different than the last one.