All This and a Month to Go

Today's date is July 31st.  This signifies two things.  One, the summer is two-thirds over and we only have one third of our first, last, and only two-four summer to go.  (Two-four as in Penny is nearly two and Cooper is nearly four.)  Today's date also means I only have one month to complete the rest of our summer activities and projects before the craziness of fall sets in, and only one month to figure out how we are going to celebrate Penny's 2nd birthday on August 27th.  (This date is also the first day of school.)  The last two months have been pleasantly busy, with the kids attending various day camps, me working part time, swim lessons, out of town trips, trips to the aquarium and mall (has a play area that is air-conditioned), and miscellaneous projects around the house.  

Original artwork by Cooper...completed at various day camps which included Cooking Camp, Art Camp, Drama Camp, All about Egypt and All about Mexico.  I think this last week, Space Camp, is going to be his favorite, though he was SUPER proud of the cake he made and his chef's hat from Cooking Camp.  (Though something tells me they won't hold a candle to the rocket ship he got to help build yesterday.)

Summer of course means lots of swimming!  Penny did great getting comfortable with the water and learning some basics.  I have TWO water babies!

Mama did a few things too!  I completed a few sewing projects, namely a dress for Penny and changing pad covers (see cute fabric above) for  our friends' new baby (He's here!  Hooray!!).  I also FINALLY finished painting that sun room ceiling, re-framed some old art for David's office, and organized my home office.  (No there are no "before" pictures...it was too embarrassing before!)  We have also found a resurgence in our zeal to paint the outside of our house, though that project will carry us long into the fall.

This is the last week of day camp, so next week we largely go back to me being a full-time mom until preschool begins again.  I have four short weeks to enjoy, learn, and explore with my two favorite companions.  We plan on a visit from our cousins, a trip to the museum, another trip or two to the aquarium, and just plain winding down at home, doing what we do:  swim, play with our trains, read stories, sculpt play-doh, run around outside, and watch our fave shows (Thomas and Friends, Dora, The Rubber-dubbers, Spot, and Finding Nemo).  

Oh yeah, and string beads.  Both kids LOVE to string pony beads onto pipe cleaners...it keeps them busy for an hour or more!  In the meantime, I'll be working some, momming around, painting, planning birthday parties, back-to-school prep, and sewing some more.

A project in waiting...got this fabric on sale for super cheap...it is screaming to be made into something for a sweet almost-two-year-old I know.

Another project in waiting...new cloth napkins.

August is going to rock!

San Antonio, Short and Sweet

We spent last weekend in San Antonio in order to attend my cousin's wedding.  Congratulations Alyssa and Paul!  We enjoyed the slow pace of the weekend with swimming at the hotel pool and a little shopping.  Then we had lunch with Ma-Mas, Pa-Pa, and Uncle Clint at one of my favorite places, Pico de Gallo's.  That evening, after a little wardrobe mishap and a cranky Penny, we attended the wedding.  The wedding was beautiful and the bride breath taking and I enjoyed visiting with my family.  I think the kids had the most fun of all.  Cooper and Penny ran around the reception with their cousins pretty much until they dropped.  Cooper had so much fun that on Sunday morning he asked if we could go to another wedding that night.  We were in a big rush to leave town on Friday, so I forgot my camera!  Luckily David was able to capture the little ones with his new phone...

Cheese!

I am soooo not saying cheese!

After breakfast with Uncle Clint, we took a quick walk along the Riverwalk before heading home.  I always hate to leave San Antonio!

Going Coastal

 We spent most of last weekend on the boat.  We went to the Egger Boat Party on Saturday, and followed up with a leisurely boat ride on Sunday afternoon with Ma-Mas and Pa-Pa.  It's weekends like these that remind us how cool it really is to live on the coast.  Having fun and getting wet go hand in hand with being together as a family, and I love how we are able to instill a sense of adventure in our kids.  

Coop couldn't be happier than right here on the water's edge.

Actually, he is happier IN the water.

Penny says, "Go that way!"

Cooper loved being on the boat with one of his favorite people.

Our little water sports enthusiasts.

Still Sewing

Over the weekend Nonnie, aka my sewing mentor, came to visit us.  Sadly I didn't think to pull out the camera even once to capture the time she spent with the kids.  I can assure you, however, we all enjoyed each other's company.  I did snap a few pictures of my latest sewing venture...With Nonnie's guidance, I sewed from a pattern for the first time ever to create a little dress for Penny!  I am quite proud of it, to say the least.  Next up on the sewing agenda is a changing pad cover for our friends that are expecting a baby very soon. (I am so, so, SO excited for them, I can hardly stand it!)

Penny's new little dress.

Closer up.

More Scenes From the Frio...

Just about had the place to ourselves in the morning.

First family photo we've taken in a long while!

Hoping to spot some deer.

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Ready for the river already!

Toobin'

A rare rainstorm.

Frio River Trip...Part One

Last week we completed my 2012 to do list item #10...Take a vacation with the kids.  We spent three nights at our friend's parents' house at the Frio River.  This was a perfect vacation spot because we LOVE the Texas Hill Country because of its beauty and we had a blast being with friends and swimming in the river. David and I both had our cameras going, resulting in LOTS of pictures, so this is part one of a two-post collage of pictures from our trip.

Night One...the kids were happy to swim in the wading pool on the  porch

Buds.

Hilltop view.

Testing the waters.

Weeeee!

Penny!

Coop has his game face on.

A Special Goodbye

Yesterday morning we joined Ma-Mas and our family in saying goodbye to our dear Granny.  It was a sad day, because our sweet Granny was a beautiful person who will be deeply missed.  The day was special and unique in that all twelve of her children and nearly all of her twenty-seven grandchildren were there to celebrate her life and say goodbye.  Having everyone all together was a comfort and a testament to the legacy she left behind. We love you Granny and may you rest in peace.

Dorothy Mathilda Arhelger
October 13, 1921 - June 26, 2012

Granny, happy to be with her family at my cousin Zoe's wedding in 2007.