Family and the Fourth!

Happy 4th of July....we are just trying to swim and stay cool today. It's 90 degrees and we are having a blast!

Everyone had to wear their July 4th hats to the golf cart parade...it's a tradition. Notice how hot Dawson was in her hat.

Just relaxing....

Swimming with our cousin Sophia. Our dog friend Hailey decided she was hot too...in she came to the pool. Dawson and Sophia were quite surprised but, full of giggles!

Soccer Tournament and Jump Roping

We are spending five days out of town at a soccer tournament with Kennedy. This is a huge tournament for her team won the State Cup for Ohio so the games are very intense and competitive. Our first game brought us 91 degree weather in the middle of the afternoon. Dawson was sitting on my chair, sweating and saying, "this soccer is driving me crazy!" She not only said this once but, over and over again. Then she went on to say I'm sweating and why am I so wet! I'm not so sure she is going to make a good soccer fan! After game one, I headed to Walmart and bought a few things to entertain us for the next three games! We ended up with Silly Bandz, Buzz Light Years and a jump rope. Yes, she really wanted a jump rope at three! I never thought she would be able to do it, but she did! Wow!!! Check out her jumping below!

Here she is hot and full of joy to be here at the game. It was 91 degrees.........

Happy 3rd Birthday Dawson!

Yesterday, we celebrated Dawson's third birthday with eight of her favorite friends and relatives at "Bear on the Square." The concept is similar to Build a Bear but, the kids do more of the work, which they really liked a lot!

As we walked into the room, they had put up a magnetic sign wishing Dawson a Happy Birthday. In Dawson style, she wanted to look around and wasn't sure she was up to all the attention!

As the guests arrived, they were asked to decorate a white tshirt for the animal they were about to make. This took a little bit of time to accomplish with some parent help too! Here is Dawson with her friend Mayna working hard on their bear shirts!

Next, came the picking of the animal. Everyone went out into the store to pick from over 40 animals to stuff. It was fun to see what each person had in mind. It didn't surprise me that Dawson picked a pink and white poodle!

Then came the stuffing. Each animal came partially filled in the leg and head area. This left the body to be stuffed by the children. They unzipped the back and self stuffed the animals. A small heart ceremony also happened so each animal had something special inside them. They looked so serious as they were filling their furry friends!

Landry working hard at stuffing her friend named "Flipper."

The final poodle...given the name "Poodle" by Dawson. Each animal was then given an official birth certificate with the animals name, eye color and owner. I think we had a Tulip, Flipper, Poodle, Kira, and a few other interesting names.

Every animal then got a quick burst of air, otherwise known as a shower to make them clean! I think this was a favorite part of the party!

Almost everyone holding their finished products....look how cute they these animals and children are!

Pizza time!

It was time to cut the cake but, I was told no one could clap after we sang. When I lit the candle, Dawson covered her ears and decided she didn't want us to sing or to blow out the candle. It's her birthday so we did it her way....after all, it was her day!

Dawson and Will looking at her new baby doll.

Cece and Dawson sharing a hug...

Grace and Dawson opening presents together...

Dawson and her cousin Sophia looking at a new dot painting book.

At the end, all the children took their animals on a small parade through the store, out the door around the building and back inside. The did stop for a quick photo opportunity.

Finally, back into the store to say thank you and good bye to all our friends!

Thank you everyone for celebrating Dawson's birthday with us. We had a very fun and exciting day!

Happy Birthday Sweet Dawson!

Pizza and Friends

Last night we had a few friends over for some appetizers and pizza. I filled the water table, filled the pool, drug out all the riding toys and set the kids free. They had a blast just playing on the swingset and pretend "camping out." The adults had a few minutes to just talk and enjoy the evening. Thanks everyone for coming!

Having a cool drink with Teddy at our new picnic table!

Check out this campout! These three girls were just talking and laughing all night long! Notice Grace, she was busy talking on the cell phone! Watch out LYNN!

Hopscotch

Where is summer? We have only had a few days of sun this past week and I'm tired of it. It's interrupting our zoo trips, our swinging and our swimming. In between all this rain we have had a few moments of sun so Dawson and I have been playing hopscotch...over and over and over again. Not only are we playing it a lot but, because of the rain, I am drawing it a lot! I love the way you can hear her say "one foot, two foot, one foot, two foot." She's not so bad for an almost three year old!!!

Ariel..I mean Dawson!

We enjoyed a day at the pool just swimming and eating lunch. I notice a small change from last years swimming but, not a lot. Dawson loves to just walk around, crawl around and jump around in the shallow part of the pool. Loves the water but, she's still not sure about things like the slide, squirting water or going under the water. We shall see what the rest of the summer will bring us! If it's anything like potty training, it will happen in a day!!!

Our First Day of Summer Together!

Finally, the end of the school year is here! It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy summer. When we woke up Monday morning, I asked Dawson what she wanted to do for the day. Immediately her response was "the ZOO!" Not a surprise at all. Lynn, Grace and the two of us have spent many days at the zoo these past two years!

We smelled the flowers...

Played in the log cabins...

Walked around the pole...

and around the pole....

and around the pole.

When we got home, it was time to take the babies for a walk. Yes, this is the beautiful baby Snow White and baby Cinderella. (Snow White must be the ugliest doll I have ever seen but, she LOVES her! Check out the hairstyle!) On a side note, last Thursday Dawson decided to wear panties and get rid of her diapers. She has had one accident that day and none since. She has even been dry at naps and night. No PULLUPS, NO NOTHING! As predicted, when she puts her mind to it, she can do anything...on her terms! Yikes! Baby Cinderella has been waiting for her to be potty trained by sitting on top of the refrigerator. She finally got her, even though she was a little bit dusty from waiting!

Look how happy she is walking her babies. Both feet are off the ground because she was skipping and jumping!