Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day to our most favorite Daddy!  However, we didn't really get to spend much of Father's Day with him because he was on the 2nd annual boys fishing trip with his college buddies.  That in itself was the "perfect" Father's Day present...4 days to act 18 again!

My co-worker found this idea on Pinterest, and we decided to make them for our husbands.  It turned out so cute, and Matt LOVED it!  He typically likes anything "silly"...and...Anna Lauren thought it was great because of the candy!

This may cause a fight between Matt, Mandi, and Anna Lauren...but...I decided what the heck...it would be fun for the summer.  You pay $6.99 for the cup and then you can refill it at any Kangaroo gas station for $.25 all summer.

Can we say two happy kids to see their Daddy?  Mommy was super excited to see him too!  Nanna came for the weekend, and we had a good time with her, but we still missed our Daddy.  We are just use to all being together and doing everything together.

And all I can say is I am so thankful that God has blessed me with this wonderful man to be my husband and the Daddy to these precious kiddos!  We love you, Daddy!

Big Girl at the Dentist...

When Anna Lauren was one, our peditrication informed us that the recommended age to start going to the dentist is one.  I laughed at him, and said, are you going to take her and hold her down...he just laughed because he knew it would be no easy task. 

Against her wishes and four years later, I got brave enough to take her.  She decided she wanted to go to my dentist rather than a pediatric dentist.  Therefore, when I was there a couple weeks ago I talked to them and they assured me it would be "no big deal" and they would only do what she would allow.  They would not force her to do anything on the 1st visit.

I made an 8 AM appointment so she wouldn't have all day to work herself up about it and actually I didn't tell her we were going until I woke her up for school.  She cried (complete fear) for a good 30 minutes before we left home but somehow she pulled herself together.

She was nervous when we got there, but the only time she cried was when they laid the chair back.  Think it just scared her but again, somehow she pulled herself together.  Whew!

On your first visit, you don't even have to see the dentist...and...Ms. Missy even let her brush her own teeth with the "fancy" toothbrush.

Checking out the "special crunchy" toothpaste...

She thought this was fun...Ms. Missy squirted water in her mouth and Anna Lauren used "Mr. Thirsty" to suck the water out of her mouth.

So after brushing her teeth, drinking some water, and letting Ms. Missy count her teeth (check for cavities), she got a great report and we'll return in 6 months.  They do a little more each time...the main goal is to get her comfortable so if ever a need for dental work, it will not be "scary" place.  Anna Lauren reported it was no big of a deal and was all smiles as she headed to school with her treat for being a big girl...candy to share with her friends! 

I was so, so proud of her...I had no idea what she would do, but I never expected it to go so well.  She is one of those you just know what you'll get kids...thankfully, this was a good day for her!

Children's Museum...

After church Sunday, the preschool ministry had pizza and then headed to the Children's Museum...



Spin art...the "art center" is probably one of Anna Lauren's favorite spots at the museum...

Daddy and Cooper climbing through a maze...

Cooper laughing at Daddy trying to get out...think Matt was a little too big, but he was a good sport and Cooper liked it!

Many of our church preschool friends went to the museum, but once we got there, we all got separated.  Of course, we spent our time with the Bounds family...these girls are pretty much attached at the hip.

Sweet sisters...

Scary to think but before I know it, she really will be driving!

Headed home after a fun couple of hours...Emmy, Anna Lauren, and Rileigh...

And before Cooper went to bed Sunday night, Anna Lauren felt the need to fix his hair...I must say...he is one cute little boy, but he would be one cute little girl too...ha ha!

A Rainy Day...

I must say...we enjoyed our rainy, lazy Saturday!  I grocery shopped and was back home before everyone else even woke up.  To many it sounds crazy, but I love Wal-Mart once a month between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.  And not to mention, I save probably $50 a month by not taking the kids (and Matt)!  

Around lunch time, we headed out in the rain to run a few errands and get some lunch...we were then back home for the rest of the day.  I love some good "home" time!  Everyone rested, and then we had family "craft" time! 

And this happy little guy...he looks like he has strep, huh?  He went to the after hours Thursday night because he was running fever and was diagnosed with a strep...and...got him a shot.  He was a trooper...literally, I don't think he even cried a minute.

Needless to say, he got to skip school and play with Daddy Friday (fun), but he had to miss sweet Emmy's 5th birthday party (no fun...we were sad).  Doctor said he should be good to go in 2 days so we are back to normal tomorrow...woo hoo!

And we got this sweet and sassy little girl back from Nanna's Friday afternoon...she spent the whole week with Nanna so she could go to VBS with Nanna and the rest of my family...she LOVES going to Nanna's VBS and really...just being at Nanna's...she would so live with Nanna if we would let her!
Sometimes that sounds like a good idea...whew...it was a piece of cake with just Cooper.

I am most proud of this...Anna Lauren decided she wanted to make picture frames out of colored popsicle sticks.  Since it was raining outside, we all sat down at the table (yes, even Cooper) and had "family" craft time and made these frames together.  We worked on this for over 2 hours...can I say this is HUGE!  I could not believe we kept Anna Lauren's attention...I think it is because we all did it together.

Now they are hanging in her play room and look oh so cute...she did a frame for each of her "Calvert" cousins and then one for her and Cooper.  She decided to put "friends" in her frame.

And last but not least, we ended our "family" time with Hungry Hungry Hippo...so fun...we all played...even Cooper!  Oh his smiles were priceless and my ears were hurting...we need a game that is not so loud.

Then it was time for our normal nightly routine...dinner, bath, bed.  Tomorrow we have a big day...preschool ministry is having lunch and then off to the Children's Museum.  The kids are excited!

Super Fun Fridays...

I LOVE my job, but I really LOVE my job in June and July because we only work 1/2 days on Friday!  Anna Lauren is old enough to understand 1/2 day Fridays so I assured her we would have "super fun Fridays" this summer.  Friday was our first 1/2 day Friday, and we for sure had super fun Friday!

When I picked Anna Lauren up from school, I also got Rileigh and Emmy.  Christy's birthday is Sunday so I decided I would let them "throw" her a surprise party when they came over for dinner.  We headed to Dollar Tree to get some supplies, Kroger, and then back home to decorate.  After the house was "party ready" we went to the pool for a little while and then back home to party.

Ms. Christy's zebra cake...Anna Lauren picked the zebra, and she was so proud when we picked it up at Kroger.  We had decorations all over the house...guess I got distracted with the craziness and didn't take any pictures. 

Anna Lauren, Emmy, Christy, and  Rileigh...and yes, the girls have dress-up clothes on...

Blowing out the candles...the little ones must help and then have another turn to blow them out themselves...they are too funny!

And the most exciting part was the girls got to spend the night...here they are all set on their "fluffy" pallet in the living room.

Saturday morning we got donuts and then headed to the park before the girls had to leave for another birthday party...

And sweet Cooper just watches the craziness, runs as fast as he can right behind them, and then cries when they will not let him play with them. And this is what it will be like the rest of his life...thankfully, Elliot will be bigger real soon and they can play!

Mini Photo Shoot...

Several weeks ago, one of my best friends, Christy Bounds with JC Bounds Photograpy, did a mini shoot of the kids.  Of course, I could order every single picture she took, but here a few of my favorites.  I'm most excited because her family is going to the beach with us in September and she is going to take the beach pictures of my family that I have always wanted...hopefully the kids will cooperate!  In these pictures, Anna Lauren is 5 and Cooper is 19 months.

Just a Summer Saturday...

It's Memorial Day weekend and even though we are a bit jealous that many of our friends are at the beach or doing something else really fun, we are making the best of just a laid back long weekend to do some of the things we enjoy at home.  Today we ended up doing several fun things and the kids seemed to really enjoy their day...

The kids started their day by watching the air conditioner man fix our air...thankfully, we have home warranty so this didn't require any money, and we are much cooler than we have been the past few weeks.

After Daddy finished cutting the grass, we headed to Newk's for lunch and then the splash pad. Cooper seemed to really enjoy the splash pad...

I mean...does it get any sweeter than this?

After everyone napped, we headed to the pool...Cooper is at the "in between" age...he is not thrilled about his float...he wants freedom.  Honestly, he makes me a nervous wreck...he has no fear...will just walk right into the water, go under, and come up laughing. 

And every second we were not doing something else, we were in the back yard watching our neighbors build a new fence...the kids LOVED watching them and cannot wait to watch again tomorrow.