Boys!

So, Jack is 5 and therefore fascinated with his anatomy. Wow. He has told me recently, "there is a bone inside my penis." He also found an athletic cup at Target last weekend. He held it up and yelled across the aisle to Muddie, "It is for my penis, it protects my penis." Mom (Muddie) tried to convince Jack that he didn't need it quite yet. He wasn't buying it, he needed it! I tried to tell him that maybe it wasn't big enough, he might need a bigger size that they don't have at Target right now. He announced, "no, it's big enough, my penis is that big Mom." Wow, I am going to use that later in life!!! Helen then said, "I have a penis too." Hello.

Don't they see me sweating?

Helen loves slides!

Jack and Helen like the sprinklers!
Jack said "it tickles my butt". sigh.
Ahh, the rainbow.

I have never been a summer person. I could care less about swimming. But now that I have Jack and Helen, I am forced to embrace summer (with a grimace and dragging my feet sometimes). These two love to be outside even when the heat index is 100 and the humidity is like 150%!!! Where do they get it from? Maybe they just have better cooling systems than me. I don't mind being out if we are in or near water, but really, I would rather stay cool. Jack loves to swim, loves it! And is very good. Helen is a little more like me, slow to the water, she could take it or leave it. She is the "cabana girl" this year at Muddie's, she likes to be on the periphery of the pool and the stairs. She likes to push people in and laugh. Jack, you have to drag Jack out of the pool! Let' s see how the rest of this miserable humidity and 90degree plus days goes....as for me, I am looking forward to cooler weather!
But the joy of watching Jack and Helen playing at the splash park at the Y is worth it. They laugh and run and slide and actually play together (most of the time)! Here are a few pictures from yesterday's afternoon at the Y. Hey, I had to bribe them with swimming so I could work out inside when we were done. We're bribers and we are not ashamed!

Our Trip to the Holt Farm

What a nice day! We drove the scenic drive to Rosendale, MO to visit our friends Lindy, Derek and Wyatt. Jessica was in town and Katie and Keileen came up to visit as well. Derek's boss Leon was gracious enough to take Jack and Helen on a tractor ride. I'm sure Jack talked his ear off. When I asked Leon he said "he had a few questions". I think he was being kind!
We are invited to come back in the fall so they can ride in the combine!

4th of July Fun!

Wow! The day started with a parade and ended with exhausted kids. In between was the carnival, swimming, and fireworks. The weather was perfect for the parade, not too hot or humid and the kids did great! We got cold swimming at mom's because the air had cooled off so much. It was a great day.

Oceans of Fun

It has been a really, really long time since I have been to Oceans of Fun. Probably almost 20 years! I am not a big swimmer myself, I can take it or leave it. Helen is kind of like me, and Jack loves to swim! Helen and Jack both loved it, as did the cousins!
At first, Helen wasn't sure about the splashing water, but then she embraced it and loved it, couldn't get enough of it. Jack does not need to get used to the water, he loves it from the get go!
Here are some pictures, the good, the bad, the ugly......:)

Jack Playing Tee Ball

Jack is really having fun playing tee ball. He is of course a great hitter but also a pretty good first base man. Steve says he is advanced for his team! Spoken like a true dad......Here are a few pictures from his most recent game.

Madison and Helen and Grandma's 86th Birthday

Madison and Helen are becoming really good friends! Helen told me today that "she loves her, she is gorgeous". I really enjoyed seeing them play together last night at Jennifer and Bryan's house, including bath time. Helen was funny because she really got into "washing" Madison....I don't think Madison was ready for that!
Even though Grandma's party got moved from the lake to Grandma's house, it still turned out to be a fun day. Including a "great walk" lead by Uncle Bill. He was like a renegade boy scout leader! Here are a few pictures......