Happy 4th of July 2018!

Brock playing on an inflatable in the middle of downtown Apex?? Must mean it's Apex's Olde Fashioned Fourth of July!

Kade attempted this obstacle course as well, but he got stuck after the second hill and I had to rescue him out!

I feel like we did it smarter this year.... we were there at 8:55 - 5 minutes before the official start time - and Brock was able to go on a few things multiple times before the lines got out of control! Also, it was better to get in before the heat struck us out!

Brock saw this climbing apparatus as we walked in and very confidently, asked me if he could climb it. I love that I'm seeing that more and more!

As Brock was getting all suited up, Kade took a water break in the shade!

Off he went!

We love stopping in at the fire station to take a picture on the old fashioned fire truck!

This year we made it all the way down the other end and discovered WATER SLIDES! They weren't completely pools yet, so I let Brock down once - but now we'll know for next year!

Jammin' to the music in the middle of the street! I love that younger brother is totally all in to it and big brother is just not impressed.

One ice cream, two cups please! And for $4.75, they really didn't need to have their own! ;)

Too hot, we were done!

Back at the house, Moose got all patriotic and posed for the camera!

I'm going to bet we had steaks that night. Then it was time for fireworks - right before a torrential downpour happened!

Next year I'm just buying 4 boxes of the pop-its! That's all they cared about anyway!!

Our "fireworks". One day we'll go to see the big ones. :)

Happy 242nd Birthday America!!

Kade's Sproutsongs 3rd Birthday Party

Let me start by saying the night before Kade's party, I really thought it was going to be a disaster! Our power went out around 5pm and stayed out for a loooong time. That was a hot day and as the time went on, it was only getting hotter in the house. Brent came to the rescue and plugged our indoor refrigerator, outdoor refrigerator, AND box freezer into the generator. We even had enough power for two lamps and a floor fan! We all camped out downstairs until the power FINALLY came back on at 2AM! (Sidenote, the boys STILL talk about this and how much fun they had "camping" downstairs. We will do some camping in our backyard when it gets cooler.)

Kade's birthday party was held at our neighborhood clubhouse - the same power grid that was out the night before. The musical-themed party would have had to change to a pool party! (I'm sure everyone would have enjoyed that more, but this was the intended PLAN!)

Kade really has a love for music. He has a memory like an elephant, but it's still impressive when he comes home fully singing all the words to a new song! I thought he'd love Sproutsongs visiting him. 

Yes, packing blankets on the hardwood floor!

We liked more activity-musical things - singing and holding this stretchy ribbon/rope was fun!

Look! Even some dads got in on the action!!

Our leader in the middle!

All Kade does is eat the icing - then he leaves the cake on the plate! I decided I'm not spending money on cakes/cupcakes for that little boy to waste - I'll order themed cookies! These were amazing and so well done - they looked good AND tasted good!

No birthday cake for candles, no problem - we have a birthday train complements of Aunt Katherin!

Kade's Godfather, Adam!!

Present-Time!!

Notes on Kade turning three..... He is our very energetic, bright, happy, little boy. Kade absorbs it all - reciting planets in order, counting to 100 by 10's, recognizing each of his classmates names on a display board, naming off all the current Battlebots, including explanations of how they fared in their last battle. His favorite thing to do is help out his teachers at school - picture below caught him in the act - pointing to the numbers on the board, just like his teacher, so the other children could shout them out. He's a helper at home too - wanting to do more and more on his own and to help Mommy! He's a leader and has a really kind heart. He's definitely found his way sweet talking all the teachers and female classmates: "Katherine has nice hair." He's such a cuddle-bug and always asks for me to sit next to him while watching a show. Kade and Brock have their fair share of arguments, but I think overall we are getting a bit better every day. It's so fun to see them interested in the same thing (besides competing about it!!) and how he genuinely wants his brother's opinion. 

We love you Kade and looking forward to what the next year brings - hopefully completing this potty training 100%!!! ;) 

Kade turns 3!!

Brent was finally on his way back after a week in Prague - what should I do to occupy the children that won't be too taxing..... Splash Park! I did ask the birthday boy what he'd prefer to do - pool or splash park. :)

So much fun in the water!

Brent returned about dinner time and we celebrated with a few presents to open! 

The next day, I decided to show him his birthday gift without his big brother around. This year we went BIG - now that we have these sprawling .54 acres of land, Kade need some way to traverse it! ;) 

He was thrilled! He actually asked for a yellow truck (probably thinking somewhat smaller), so it was awesome to find this one! 

Literally jumping up and down!

We're still figuring out how to steer. ;) The big party was the following weekend! 

Brock's Last Teeball Game & Party

 

Brock's last teeball game of 2018 was a HOT one! Thank goodness we were on one of the only fields with full shade!!

He even made some defensive plays!

Getting ready to go up to bat!

Brock's last hit of 2018!

Kade needed a way to stay cool too!

A few days later, we met for the end of year party for pizza and cake! (Hard to get 15 families together on a Friday night!)

Brent was the only coach to attend picture day (and wrangle all those kids), so he received the Coach's plaque. My boys!!