Wait. You don't eat this way?

This was Collin's third pear of the day. But it was his most original way of eating it.

And he made sure he threw the core in the garbage all by himself.

World's cutest lemonade stand.

My only contribution was the polka dot banner. Everything else was Shane and Lydia. Shane's strawberry lemonade was a hit. He's the best daddy ever.

Just after Bathtime

Shane has Lydia out tonight, so it is just me and Collin.

Summer on the Camera Phone

It seems like we have done so much these last weeks before school starts. Good thing I always have the camera on my phone at the ready.

Collin's first snow cone.

Lydia doesn't care about the flavor, as long as it's pink.

We took the kids to Pojo's (a lot like Chucky Cheese). They prefer the non moving parts of the carrousel.

Lydia made one attempt at a moving horse.

Ah, there's a smile.

All by herself!

Went to the Boise Zoo with some friends. So much fun!

Except for the butterfly room. I think they will both be having butterfly nightmares for a while. 

I am so proud of my little Collin! He went up the big slide and down again, all by himself!

Don't you love when you get a cool shot even with a so so camera?

Lydia made a check list for all the animals she saw. She didn't use words. Or pictures. 

I'm guessing she had a very genius method I just didn't get.

Collin and Shane made brownies one day, but Shane made Collin practice with the whisk for a bit first. 

I love seeing my boys in aprons. They may need some more manish cooking attire though.

Collin has found that when your arms don't reach your pockets, there is always a compromise.

Our most common summer activity this year seem to be going to the gas station to get slurpees (for the kids), soda (for me) and free popcorn. There is a nice shaded patio and we enjoy our little treat. Doesn't Collin have nice manners?

Oh mommy, with eyes like mine, I don't have to be polite. (Nice Slurpee spill on his shirt.)

Hello lover.

Mama, you crazy.

That's okay, cause I am too.

*****

I know everyone keeps saying summer is almost over, but it is still close to 100 degrees and Lydia is only in Kindergarten half days. I'm planning on enjoying summer until I feel the temperature drop.

Collin at the Park

I'm going to get you!

Never mind, can't get me!

Mommy, I'm stuck.

I love the park! And candy!!!

Oh, I WILL have my way.

All within about 20 seconds

The last line is Collin noticing Daddy walking out with dessert. And then getting his.

See Lydia's 20 seconds here.

Almost time for Kindergarten

5 minutes with Collin

And one very random 49 seconds....

Freedom Day Parade

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Provo UT for a family reunion. The day of the 4th, I, along with the kids, my parents, my brother and his girlfriend ventured the 2 blocks from our hotel to watch the Freedom Day parade. I thought I was going to melt into the pavement. Shane opted to enjoy a nice relaxing, air conditioned breakfast at the hotel. He may have had the right idea.

Lydia loved the parade. Collin was just too hot to care.

Pretty Grandma :)

Uncle Zac saves the day and takes Collin home.

First Really Hot Day

Went to the splash park along with every other family in the area. Lydia was there too, but every photo of her is just a blur of her running past.

90 degrees in Boise is nothing. It's like 75 degrees in the South. LOVE IT!

He's Two.

Don't judge me for taking these photos. I was sitting on the bed with my camera in my hands as this all went down. I like to capture the fun reality of our days.

A little stumble can cause a big upset that just keeps going....

and going....

and going.

Until finally the moment arrives when exhaustion takes over.

And it's playtime again!

It helps that Daddy has the magic touch.

Visiting the Spokane Falls

Little Ballerina

Last weekend was Lydia's final dance recital. It was pretty darling. 

Lydia's sweet friend Ava. 

It isn't hard to pick Lydia out from a crowd. 

And she is just so ladylike.

Collin usually has other things on his mind during dance class.

Mom. Leave me alone please.

Ta Da!

Even after missing the last month of rehearsals, Liddy did great. It was fun to see her perform. Of course it was the same night we were supposed to see U2 in concert in Seattle. If anyone tells you that being a parent isn't a sacrifice, don't believe them. Parenthood is awesome. But it tends to change things just a tad. Often in ways that aren't so awesome.

Now we enter a summer where I have absolutely nothing planned. I'm a little scared.