Fourth of July

Fourth of July. Happens every year and is truly one of my favorite holidays. Mainly because it's patriotic. And relaxed. And includes fireworks.

But - I'm not gonna lie - the last few years I've found it difficult to actually get out of the house and celebrate said holiday. Crowds aren't really my thing, the teen thinks she's too old for a parade, and the little one was a hot allergy mess last year.

But this year we forced ourselves to have a bit of fun. Sure, we could've braved the parade or hosted a giant family BBQ. But we didn't. We did, however, have a bit of family time together. And it was perfect. For us. 

And that's all that truly matters, right?

So the truth of our semi-active day goes a little like this, friends. We thought about going to the parade but didn't. So we watched a bit of it on television. And then Tiny fell asleep. It was about that time I remembered we had some Hawaiian Falls passes from the granite company we're using on the house so...Tiny went to the water park!

And she looked ADORABLE!

And she played.

And enjoyed the water. As long as Daddy was close by. :)

After several hours of fun in the sun - and at least half a bottle of baby sunscreen for our fair li'l one - we headed to pick up Sissy and someone took a nap before we headed to Valley Mills for a fireworks show. This was the first time we went to this particular location but I'd heard it was less crowded - it was - and more family friendly - also true. 

There was a fireworks stand and the kiddos were able to shoot them on one of the little league fields. And when it was finally time for the big show, it lasted 30+ minutes. Holy. Cow. The longest show I've ever seen, y'all!

Miss Thang loved the fireworks. Again, as long as Daddy was close by. And, yes, the teen even accompanied us. Though she definitely was NOT going to allow photographic evidence. 

All in all, a sweet, peaceful, still patriotic Fourth of July.

Sum-Sum-Summertime

Summertime is upon us. And we are enjoying these slower days. Don't get me wrong - life is still wackadoodle crazy with a toddler and teen but it's at least crazy at a bit slower pace right now. Tiny has taken full advantage of more down time and has recently become absolutely enamored by stuffed animals, dolls and toys of all sorts. She also prefers that Dave get in on the play game.

Truth be told, he's much better play time than I am. :)

We also checked out the local splash pad and, while she looked adorable, Tiny had no idea what to do at this place with random water. Hopefully she'll get into the swing of things next time.

We also went to the SLC pool (i.e. indoor) where she preferred the hot tub. And let's be clear that it wasn't actually hot. More like lukewarm. The rest of the water was quite cold and she was NOT having it. 

Surveying the lawn and neighborhood has become a bit of a summer staple. As have adorable outfits and shoes I wish came in my size.

She's also become quite the tiny terror when it's time for me to get dressed in the mornings. We generally have a short week when Dave only works a couple of week days followed by a long week where he works four or five 12-hour shifts in a row. That would be this week. So getting dressed with this munchkin is, let's say, an adventure. And tonight will be full of pizza, baseball and an early bedtime. Momma is tired.

Today was also my baby's last day in the baby room at daycare. It's amazing to me just how tiny she was on her first day. She was wearing preemie clothes and diapers. And they were too big! Now she's in a size 4 diaper and 9-12 month clothes. Yes, she's almost 19 months old so she's still super small. But the progress she's made is remarkable. As is the love her sweet teachers have shown her.

She is very rough and tumble, though, so I have no doubt she'll full embrace being an official toddler, going out side to the playground, and being a "big kid." :-)

Call of the Wild

Because of the unusual monsoon season we've been experiencing in Central Texas for far too many months, our outdoor activities have been somewhat limited. We wanted desperately to take Tiny to the zoo but the opportunities seemed to evade us...until Memorial Day. :)

She donned her finest patriotic accessories, hopped into the stroller (for a few minutes anyway) and became immediately fascinated by the various animals. It was an unseasonably cool - and less than 85% humidity - so it ended up being the perfect zoo day.

Told ya she only spent a few minutes in the stroller - she likes to be at eye level with the tallest person in attendance at any given event.

There was a pretty serious storm brewing - it flooded later in the afternoon - but that apparently makes the animals either active or lazy.

Can we talk about the funnel fries that are now available at the zoo? YUM!

Seriously. All of the animals were out. Except the giraffes.

We had such a fun morning with our little while the teen was sleeping in. We've had a bit more summer fun lately as well but the photo overload here has probably been enough for today. :)

And, yes, this picture is absolutely on of my favorites. EVER.

No Longer a Freshman

This has been a post I've been putting off because, honestly, it makes me kind of sad. I'm not upset at all that school is out and lazy summer days are in full force but knowing that my baby will never be a freshman again - and continues to grow up at an alarming pace - makes me a bit anxious. 

As does thinking about the fact that she'll only be in my house for a bit over three more years. Though I'm committed to making the absolute most of those years, I also don't want to let her go. But that's another discussion for another time.

It seems like yesterday that I dropped her off at the big ol' high school for her first day of 9th grade. She was nervous about the size of the school and wondered if she would ever find all of her classes. But she made it through the first day, sent me the pic below indicating they had survived, and - yes - she mastered that big ol' school very quickly.

For the most part, freshman year was much easier than I anticipated. The last time we transitioned to a new campus and way of doing things - 7th grade - was a HOT MESS for almost the entire year. So I was optimistic. But guarded. And she totally exceeded all of my expectations.

She thrived in class and ended the year with a GPA of well over 90. She and Dottie did extremely well in the ring and were Grand Champions multiple times...not to mention their second place finish in Houston. She continued to make good decisions about friends - and eventually a boyfriend (gasp!) - and surrounded herself with peers who are encouraging, fun to be around, and push each other to new heights. All while being normal teenagers. She also took on new challenges and was selected for Youth Council at church and is a Heart o' Texas Sweetheart.

She loves people. Truly cares for them. Is witty and makes me laugh every day. She enjoys Baby S much more than she'll admit and is quickly becoming one of Tiny's favorite people on the planet. She's growing up. Is so much more mature than I ever was at that age. Has a quirky and striking sense of fashion and has - along the way - also learned to be a gracious loser when things don't work out her way. 

Not gonna lie - I HATE that she has to learn that life isn't always fair and that you can't be successful all the time - but I'm so proud of how she's handled those situations.

So, as we wrap up a highly successful first year of high school, I could not be more proud of this sweet girl. Not only have she and her friends become even more stunning as the days have gone by, they've also become even better equipped to take on this big, scary world. 

And now we'll spend three months of campus, conventions, mission trips, weekend trips, beach vacations, and more fun than we can possibly stand. Wouldn't change it for a second. :)

Midway FFA

Last night was the annual end of year banquet for Midway FFA. This was the first year the girl donned official dress (mainly because I didn't buy it until last summer when she attended convention) and, because she's now in high school, it kind of felt like her first "official" banquet. :)

She was recognized for her CDE participation...

...speaking event success (1st at district and 2nd at area)...

...and LDE team event as well.

It was a fun night, the slide show brought back a ton of memories throughout the year, and also served - in my mind - as the wrap up of the year. Officially. Because Mama is tired and needs a break. Not gonna lie.

But, seriously, these four have my heart. I love all the FFA kiddos but these are the ones who are literally like my other children.

I also watched my girl sob at the thought of bidding her senior buddy farewell. This was also a first. :)

Sweet Hallie...

...and Calvin...

...and Em (with Ms. Antis) will always be Taylor's best buddies, I believe. They're just a tightly knit little group.

And I really can't say enough about how much Ms. Burch has encouraged Taylor this year. (Also, love me some Amorie.)

At the end of the day, Taylor had an amazing year. In addition to the aforementioned, she was also recognized for her SAE (livestock) participation - and we're so thankful for the great success she and Dottie had this year - received her Chapter Degree, and was chosen to attend Texas FFA State Convention in Corpus this July.

I could not be more proud of this girl. And have no doubt the best is yet to come.

Prom 2K15

Last weekend was a big one for my oldest. You see, she got a very special invitation a few weeks ago...

...so she headed to prom with one of her good friends who happens to be quite the gentleman.

I won't say that prom dress shopping was easy but it was definitely memorable. We scoured Waco and ended up in Dallas one Sunday before we found "the one." Of course, we were in a bit of a pickle because we didn't really have time to order anything and she was afraid if she did get something in time, she might not like it. So we bought the one she liked and had it heavily altered. :)

And, in the end, she was STUNNING. If I do say so myself.

Her adorable date picked her up and we met them at Brazos Park East to take group photos. Unfortunately, Dave was sick AGAIN (they actually thought he had meningitis this time but turned out to be a virus that mimics meningitis - for. the. love.) so my parents took the baby for the day while I got ready with Taylor. They were able to come back and see her all gussied up for the big event, which was super fun.

I mean - are they not adorable?

T's sweet friend who is also a HOT Sweetheart.

The girls made all of the flowers on Thursday night before the prom. They did an amazing job. Three cheers for Floral Design, right? :)

Again with the cuteness. And check out those amazing shoes. Let's just say that she HAD TO HAVE THEM. And she will be wearing them to every prom she attends. She also took them off as soon as she got to the venue because her feet hurt. Shocking, huh? (And, yes, he carried her purse and - later - her shoes for her all evening.)

More fun shots...

...and these are the FFA girlies who show together.

Love this fun pic with the old truck one of the girls' dates brought along.

She had a blast and ended up tuckered out and came home much earlier than anticipated. But that's ok because she's a freshman. And there will be many more opportunities for her to keep me up all night making sure she's safe. :-)

So grateful she had this chance and that she's surrounded herself with an amazing group of friends. I marvel every day at how much more mature and level headed she is now than I was at her age. And I'm so very thankful that her priorities are not solely makeup and boys. Like her mother as a teenager.