Preschool Cooking Camp

Annabelle attended an adorable little cooking camp with Mrs. Alisha! She loved it! It was so fun for her, and such a great experience. She was so excited on the 1st day, telling me she better take her apron and a backpack. On the last day she came out beaming, so excited to show me her new apron, her "grocery list," and her new recipe book which includes the following yummy, kid-friendly recipes: Chewy Chex Mix, Fruit and Cookie Salad, Mini Pizzas, Quick Fudge, Ham and Cheese Wraps, Fruit Kabobs, Snickerdoodles, and Mac and Cheese. During the camp, she learned all of these recipes and helped make them.

We have been including some of her recipes into our menu and she loves being in charge, showing me how to make a meal. I am so glad she was able to participate! Mrs. Alisha is a great friend and an awesome preschool teacher--such cute ideas! Annabelle will attend one more of her camps in July: Theatre Camp! She is excited to make a puppet, help make scenery, and put on a play! We hope she has just as much fun as she did in cooking camp, and we hope Stockton will eventually be able to say goodbye to her without having a meltdown :)

Her 1st day. She chose her outfit and hairstyle all by herself :)

So happy on the last day! She is holding her pink butterfly apron, Quick Fudge, Mini Pizza, and Grocery List.

This is what happened each time we dropped off Annabelle! He loves her so much!

Trying to tell me I'm leaving without "Abba." It's ok, we always come back Stocky! :)

Thanks Alisha! Can't wait for Theatre Camp!

The Splash Pad: Fun and Frantic

I decided to take the kids to the local splash pad for some afternoon fun in the sun. This particular day went well, although Stocky has a pretty hard time with the water temperature: Brrrrr!!! I have to admit, it is freezing, and I only run in when I have to chase one the kids for some reason or other :) Annabelle loves to take a sippy cup to play with. She fills it up over and over and over again. She loves it and has a lot of fun!

The 2nd time we went to the splash pad was quite scary. There was a little boy who had an awesome car wagon. Stockton was captivated and wanted to sit in it--badly! He kept going over to the wagon and trying to get in, at which point I would go get him (insert crazy, embarrassing tantrum right here). This happened a few times and he wouldn't let up. I tried everything! I tried distracting him; I tried getting into the ice cold water and playing with him; I tried getting Annabelle to play with him and distract him; I tried bringing him back to the blanket for a drink and snack. Nothing worked. Back he went, and back I went to get him, returning each time with a screaming and kicking toddler. As much as I loved repeating the episode in front of what I imagine to be very entertained spectators, I finally gave up the fight and told Annabelle it was time to go. She came quickly and as she was coming, back he went! I ran after him, picked him up, tried to calm him down, and turned around to ask Annabelle to get her things together. The problem? Annabelle was nowhere to be found! I looked everywhere; I sent men into the bathroom to search for her; I went in the bathroom to search for her; I started jogging around the splash pad looking everywhere, and I still couldn't find her. I started to feel real panic. The lump in my throat was bulging. I was about to start crying. I didn't know what to do or where to look next, as I had looked everywhere I thought possible. Luckily within a few seconds (after many silent prayers), the thought came to me: Go look in the car. It was clear enough that I didn't hesitate. I picked up my crazy crying Stockton and ran across the street to our car. I opened the back door and there she was, sitting in the back seat of the car. I could not believe it. She has never done that in her entire life; she even crossed the street by herself to get there. Feeling a mixture of relief, anger, and what if..., I buckled the 2 kids in their seats, ran back to grab the rest of our things, hopped in the car and cried the whole way home :) I haven't been able to go back since! Someday I'll go back, when I'm recovered emotionally from the trauma :)

I am so grateful for the voice of the spirit and answered prayers. I am so grateful she was safe. I am so grateful I didn't lose Stockton in the midst of trying to find her! I am so grateful she didn't get hit by a car when she crossed the street! I hugged and kissed the kids a few more times that night before tucking them into bed. What a rough day we'd had! Thank heavens it was over. Thank heavens for Heavenly Father's protection and love. I know the spirit spoke to me that day; I felt the prompting as clear as a loud voice from heaven. Annabelle has never in her life left me without saying anything; she has never crossed a street without me nearby, making sure she looks both ways; and she has never just headed to the car when it's time to go without waiting for me and Stockton. Heavenly Father prompted me through the spirit to look in the car because He knew I wouldn't have thought to look there on my own. We were so blessed.

Watch out little buddy: Annabelle is about to dump some cold water on you!

Swim Day at Grandma's

The kids LOVE swimming at Grandma's! Not only does she have cool pools, but she always has plenty of drinks and popsicles on hand--who wouldn't love that right? Each of the kids spent a few hours splashing around and having a good time. Stockton was slow to get comfortable, but after a little while he was a little fearless fish swimming and splashing with his cousin, Rusty. Those 2 boys are sure cute together!

I had a great time sitting outside, relaxing, and talking to my mom, Brittany, Angie and Brady. It's not too often that I get to sit and catch up with Brady, so it was nice to be able to spend some time with him. Brittany made a yummy summer pasta salad that I ate non-stop for far too long, and the kids played with their cousins for the rest of the night. A perfect summer afternoon!

Copying his big sister :)

I really love this picture--so beautiful!

Such JOY!

So excited Annabelle was gone and he could use her tube :)

Thanks for the fun day everyone--we love spending time with you!

The Pony Express Days Parade

We had a great time with friends at the Pony Express Days parade! Annabelle loved hanging out and playing with her cute little friends--catching candy, dancing in the streets, eating PB&J sandwiches (Thanks Anna and Jeff)! Stockton was so quiet in his stroller the entire time it was nuts! I parked him close by in an elevated spot with a good view, handed him a sucker every now and then, and he was perfectly content! I guess he likes parades :) Annabelle didn't hide in the bushes one time! :) Last year the loud noises were a bit too much for her, and she spent much of her time hiding in the bushes from all the noise. Before leaving the house this year, we discussed the noises we might hear, as well as a few different ways she could handle them. It worked like a charm--no crying, no screaming tantrums, and no hiding! She did cover her ears a couple times, and even ran to the top of the hill once, but she was determined to keep her cool and stay in control. It wasn't easy for her, I could tell, but she did it! Woohoo Annabelle!

Trying so hard not to scream :)





All the kids were dancing in the street--so cute!

Annabelle and a few of her best friends: Mercedes, Lily and Carly



More great friends: Emma, Will and Ashley



Annabelle's Bestie: Brayden

Arriving back home and hanging out. Annabelle is sitting by Addyson, Brayden's sister. Addyson loves Annabelle! :)

I am so grateful that Annabelle has such close friends! I have really come to love all these kids! They've been close friends ever since they were old enough to talk to each other! Haha It's crazy to think that Season and I met and moved in next to each other when we were pregnant with Annabelle and Lily! They are turning 5 this fall! Time goes too fast :( I wonder if we'll have a similar photo like this in a few years when Addyson, Stockton, Carly and Ashley are all best friends :) You never know...

Pony Express Days Carnival

We love the carnival! We go every year, and the kids love it! This year was no exception. It was so fun to see Stockton and Rusty go on the rides and get excited about them; I also loved watching Annabelle and Stockton go on rides together--so cute! She is such a great big sister to Stocky.

Annabelle is like her mommy though--she gets motion sickness easily! Oftentimes she gets nauseated in the car, and this year she got sick on the "Strawberry" ride :(  However, rather than take a little break after the ride to calm down, she quickly hopped on the "Jolly Roger," which went in circle after circle after circle, forwards then backwards. My heart went out to her when I could see she was beginning to feel sick, and the ride stopped only to reverse and begin again in the other direction! She threw up as soon as she stepped off :(  We wiped her down, got her a drink and a few snacks (thanks Grandma), and listened to her say "I knew I shouldn't have gone on the Strawberry ride--I knew I shouldn't have done that!" Over and over and over again she lamented and regretted her poor choice :) She still talks to her friends (and random strangers at the store) about how she "throwed up on the Jolly Roger." :) To her credit, she bounced back quickly and enjoyed the remainder of her night!

Little Stocky is fearless :) Love that little guy and all his craziness!!

Thanks for coming out everyone!

She is so focused and Stockton is so chill!

Stockton is so excited :)



Finally gets brave enough to take the wheel



Love her

So cute :) They look so little!

Brad and Paige trying to freak everyone out by leaning too far over the edge!

I let him go on this all alone. I was a little scared as I watched, but he was ok and enjoyed the ride :)

You can't go to a carnival and not get your face painted!

Cute Melody!