Happy Birthday Princess!

My baby girl turned 3 this past Sunday! She adds such joy and spunk to our house and I pray we have many more birthday celebrations to come. WE LOVE YOU EMMA!

Ooh La La

Grandma sent cupcakes home for the kids last weekend. They are from the fabulous

Ooh La La Bakery here in Katy. Watching them go after these enormous cupcakes was too cute!

Fall Festival

AM Slumber Party

A few days ago I woke up to an interesting site. Aidan had made his way into Emma's room at some point in the wee morning hours and they decided to have a little slumber party in her room. Notice how they completely dismantled the rocking chair to make Aidan comfy! Toys were everywhere, blinds were open, and the room was filled with the sweetest laughter. They had a blast....sneaky little things!

Still Here!

Yes, I know. It has been a LONG while since I have been in blog land! There are so many reasons for my hiatus and honestly (given that there is actually someone who reads this) most would be quite boring to you.

For me personally, this has unexpectedly been a very painful and emotional summer. I feel like I have so much to say and not one clue how to put it all into words. So, I will turn the attention elsewhere....kids!

As for the children's summer, I am afraid it has been a bit boring, but I can confidently say that they get an A+ in perfecting their pretend play skills!

Here are some of our summer pics........

I don't know that ANY of this ice cream made it in her mouth!

Beach Fun!

So, these last three pictures are a perfect example of the extreme difference in personalities of my children. When given a large piece of butcher paper, colored shaving cream and a brush (or spatula that Aidan requested) this is what happens. You have Aidan, who paints once color at a time ON THE PAPER. No messes, no paint anywhere but the PAPER. Then, there is sweet Emma. Given all the same materials, she decides to ditch them ALL and make her body the canvas! She had a BLAST. Until clean up time that is!

Playing @ Peckham Park

We had a great time playing with friends today at the park. The heat didn't hold them back!

Hey Mom!

Weee!

Big Girl Swing

Bubble Time

This thing isn't going anywhere!

Buddies...Jake and Aidan

Riding the dino

Look mom, no hands!

Little Monkey

Buzzin around

Paparazzi

OK, so some of you may be thinking that I am turning into the paparazzi mama, and I have to admit it is true. I realized how LITTLE I was using my camera and how quickly the kids are growing! To add to my camera compulsiveness, the kids actually ask to have their picture taken. So, once again, here are my cuties before we went to church last night.....

Of course they never BOTH want their picture taken at the same time!

Now he does!

Handy Man and the Dancer

Wow, this has been a full morning! The Handy Man came to fix odds and ends around the house and we took a princess to her new dance class. Although Aidan may not like it one day, I just could NOT resist the photo op. Emma enjoyed the first 30 minutes of dance, but decided to have a melt down with the last 15! Thank goodness her sweet freind Sarah Jane was with her!

Sweet Ballerinas

Ready for ballet class!

Ready for work Mom!

Marker Madness

I went to make a phone call today and while I was occupied (for LITERALLY a couple of minutes) my sweet little Emma got a hold of a marker. This is her masterpiece.

Notice the feet?

Mommy is making her clean it off!

Outside Fun

Painting and drawing

Stephen's chalk art!

My little monkey!

OK, so if you haven't noticed, my son is in full winter attire in the July afternoon heat! It was SO not worth the battle!

She IS the tether ball!

Swim Lessons

We started swim lessons this week! YEAH! We have had a few issues, but for the most part they are both doing well. Aidan loves his teacher and has done a great job doing what she asks. Emma cried a bit Monday, did a great job Tuesday and Wednesday, and wouldn't even get near the water today! Go figure! The pictures are a bit hazy because they are taken through the window, but I couldn't risk them seeing me and then wanting to come inside!

He LOVES the goggles!

Little fish!

Diving for toys.

Emma waiting patiently for Aidan to finish!

This is how Emma spends the majority of her lesson!

YEAH! She finally made it off the steps!

Saturday Splashing

We took the kids to La Centera to play in the water a couple weekends ago. The kids had a blast, but I was a nervous wreck! This place is SO conducive to an ER visit! I am not sure why the huge rocks were placed all around the wet, slippery ground, but in my opinion it wasn't thought through very well. Regardless, the kids had a blast and it was nice to get out for a while. We left with only minor bumps, bruises and scratches!