Happy Birthday Daddy!

Emma, Uncle Tom, horsey purse and cowgirl hat.  All set!

Two princesses.

Slush in a boot.

Toe-tappin' in her new shoes.  Thanks Auntie Karen & Uncle Tom!

Cowgirl loving the show!



Today is Daddy's birthday but he was scheduled to work unfortunately.  I had the kids "farmed-out" so that I could get some stuff done.  Auntie Chris, her hubby, Gary and Rachel too Clark and Kendall to the Oak Ridge Children's Museum.  They loved it.  Auntie Karen & Uncle Tom took Emma to the Dixie Stampede show in Sevierville/Pigeon Forge.  She had a great time and was completely engaged during the show.
And I should also mention that she is doing well at potty-training.  I haten't see any accidents, but you just never know.
I have GOT to get some sleep, so I'll catch up more later.
Happy Birthday Daddy!

Swim-time with Mr. Mike

Emma, I should warn you that those are mighty big shoes to fill.

Kendall thinking she could swim on her own after a turtle ride.

Emma is just too silly.

Look at that girl kick!

Chill-time for Clarkie.

I think she was snacking for about an hour.

Tiny dancer.

Oops.

 

Funny face.

Snack time x 3

Learning to trust Mr. Mike.

Thinking.....

Mr. Mike and Ms. Lisa invited us over for some swim-time (and sort of mini swim lesson).  The kids had so much fun once they got used to the idea.  We even convinced them that Mr. Mike could offer great turtle rides like Daddy.  Kendall and Emma eventually warmed up to the concept of jumping into the water to Mr. Mike.  Kendall did a really great job kicking in the water and I think she even held her breath once.
At one point, she thought that she wanted out of her suit and back into dry clothes and ran around the grass which gave me a great opportunity to take some pictures.  Clark also lost interest in hanging out in a wet suit and switched to dry clothes for some play time.  Emma stuck it out in the pool because she knew Daddy was coming once he was done working. 
All three were back in the pool (Clark sans suit) once Daddy got in and it was time for another round.  Mr. Mike waited them out as well and offered lots of chances to jump in and swim or just take another turtle ride. 
After swimming, we were lucky enough to enjoy BBQ, sides and a birthday cake (Daddy's birthday is tomorrow).  Kendall blew out all of the candles while they sort of sang for Daddy.  I should note that the cake was out-of-this-world yummy (from Butler & Bailey)!
Thanks so much Mr. Mike and Ms. Lisa for a great evening.  I think they will sleep well tonight.

Happy Birthday Poo Pa!

We were so happy that Poo Pa and Uncle Albert could come over for a mini-celebration this evening.  We had fruit with angel food cake and "creme" (whipped creme from the can).  The kids were even able to help him blow out his candle.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera during the singing and cake, but did manage to catch some fun with the whipped creme.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY POO PA!

Mommy & Daddy had a special treat when the kids practiced the bedtime prayer that they are learning at Discovery Kids (First Baptist Concord).  We've worked on clasping hands together, bowing our heads and closing our eyes, but they never seemed to focus and go through the process.  After just three days at Discovery Kids, the girls are already getting it!  Kendall even told me, "Mommy, close your eyes" when she saw me watching her.  Emma shouted a big "Amen!" at the end.

I thought the bedtime prayer was sweet and would be a good way to close out my post:

"Thank you, God, as this day ends,
For my family and my friends.
Taking time to sit and pray,
Thank you, God, for this great day."

Happy Birthday America!

We had some fun family time today as both Mommy & Daddy were off from work.  We finally joined the pool in Nanny Barb's subdivision and the five of us spent a few hours there this morning/early afternoon.  It was a nice change for us (the parents as the kids have been there 6 out of 7 days this week).

After naptime, we met Poo Pa, Uncle Albert and Uncle Stevie at Pelancho's for dinner to celebrate Poo Pa's birthday this Wednesday and Daddy's birthday coming up on Saturday.  The food was tasty and the kids really enjoyed the chips (Kendall appears to love salsa as well). 

Once we were back at home, the kids wanted to play outdoors, so that gave me a chance to take some pictures at my favorite time of day.  I feel a little alienated from my camera lately and even find it difficult to get decent shots, but I'm always thankful for opportunities like this evening where I can just sit back and watch the fun and try to get pictures along the way.

Fun before the Fourth

Mommy and Daddy took a brief trip to Nashville and Clarksville for a wedding Saturday afternoon and Nanny Barb graciously agreed to babysit for 24 hours so that we could go sans kids.  She kept them busy all day (along with her sister, Rose) at the pool and then they made a trip to Miss Patti's house to check out the new playset.  And they hit the pool again on Sunday morning.  Our plans are to join this pool and take them tomorrow morning, but of course, they all wailed "No pool!" when Daddy shared our ideas for the fun pool adventure.   Seriously?!  They WILL be going to the pool tomorrow. **smiling through gritted teeth**  I know they will have lots of fun once we are there, so it will just take some follow-through on our part.

Yummy ice cream!  Wait....

All three with Miss Rose. 

This girl loves to climb!

Check out that playset in the background!  She has ONE grandson.  Lucky boy, huh?!?

It even has a snack table!

Pool boy, please get me a tall glass of ice water and some Smarties.

Just lounging.

Striking a pose.

Water ballet.

We wish everyone a wonderful Fourth of July and are reminded to take a moment to thank our troops for their service, pray for the families who have lost loved ones while serving our country and just be thankful that we are living in this great country!