Party at our house!!

OK so this fourth of July, mom had the great idea that we would be hosting our neighborhood party at our house....complete with a HUGE water slide, water balloon fight, lots of food and TONS of people!  It was a fabulous time, and I have the best neighbors who all stuck around and helped us clean up.  Matt was thrilled not too happy about the grass issue, as we had a mud pit in our backyard after the continuous splashing of the water slide, but overall we had a grand time.  We had over 70 people at our house, and my kitchen floors took the worst of it.  It made my night, though, to see Laynie having a blast with her neighbors and friends.  We are so lucky to live in such a great neighborhood! We also had a grand finale for the fireworks show that would have rivaled any on the Strip.  One of the neighbors pulled up with literally a truck full of fireworks.  I think like 57 of the big huge, shooting in the sky (ahem....illegal) ones.  It was pretty cool.

Other highlights of the day included the icky weather which threatened to ruin our whole day (see pics with water slide...clouds and rain all day until about 5:00pm), Gabi's meltdown at the end of the day (see above for pic), mom (me) getting stung by a wasp at the beginning of the party, the wonderful bike decorating contest and parade.  Good times!!!

catching up.....again

Wow. Has it already been 9 months since my last post? So much for blogging more often! Sheesh. Just wanted to make a quick entry about my little loves. Laynie is the most beautiful 6-year-old I know. She has the best heart. She finished kindergarten reading at the highest level of all her classmates! She is still my sensitive Susan, but she is gaining more confidence through spending more time with her neighbor friends and she has recently started karate. She is my BFF. She is also a paper hog, constantly making signs and art and all kinds of stuff. She loves Justin Bieber and has a wall full of JB posters!!

Frankie is still a little firecracker, but when she smiles, she can light up a room. She is learning more about how to be a big sister, and she and Gabi are having fun spending time together (when Frankie isn't hitting her). She loves her lalaloopsy dolls and these two little people dolls named Shinny and Barbara. She has a great imagination and can play by herself just making up all kinds of stories.

My Gab is certainly growing up. She is quite a little babbler (more than the other girls were at this age)and it is amazing to hear more of her babbles turning into words. She loves to say things like "uh oh" and "oh no" and I love to hear her say her own name. It sounds like "Gah-bee". Most importantly, she sure adores her Nana. I think her favorite place is sitting on Nana's lap, sucking her fingers.

I continue to be so blessed by these daughters of mine. Summer is here and we have had our moments, but I thank God for them everyday.