Sweaty Hand Holding

A few weeks ago, there was a fall. I'm not even sure how it happened, now. That's the state of my brain as we head into summer. Am I supposed to bring plates to the preschool last day of school party? I'm not even sure. I think so. Here's hoping! 

Anyway, there was a fall. 

And our girl's lip looked like this :

We've never had to go the ER with this girl (she's no daredevil, I'm I right?) so this was worth noting.  Ah, yes. Now I remember. It involved our dog (who was strapped to the stroller), a stranger (who approached the stroller) and the two kids (not in the stroller). At which point, the entire stroller fell on top of the kids when the dog protectively ran to protect us, yanking the stroller -- a double Bob mind you, behind him. And she slammed her little face into the pavement. Ker-boom.

But all was well by the next day... back in the tiny pool (before her birthday when they got a new, bigger one, which as you can see, was perfect timing, seeing the way they've filled this one out)...

And by the next day, at our final bible study for the year, there was actual hand holding without prompting. I almost fainted. Dead away. It was pretty sweet. And no one smacked anyone else afterward. Miraculous.

And the rest of the week was filled with even more hand-holding. I'm not sure what happened. Or who was initiating this, but I loved it. I cherished it. 

I cherished it for the obvious reasons but also because there are plenty of days when it just seems like they either exist next to each other, with zero feeling toward each other. Or, worse, with plenty of hollering and selfish "me" talk. And this makes me so weary. 

"Love each other! You're all you've got!"I want to say, most days. So, this was worth cherishing.

And since then, Fordy has been pretty sister-crazy. From the back seat I'll hear, "Hi Abby. Hiiiiiiiii Aaaaaaabby!" If she's holding a "baby" in the car (the usual), he's gotta have something too. Of course, the usual hitting, arguing and general grumpiness still occurs between them but he's taken a turn.  One minute his own boy, doing his own thing and the next....Abby's biggest fan. 

I hope it never ends.

922. workout goals
923. the flights working out
924. honesty being the best policy. even when no one notices
925. hand holding and sweetness

Happy 4th Birthday Abby!

I am sure you will be shocked to know that Abby wanted a Rapunzel party this year. Once Grandma and Papa got here, the surprises started rolling out.... and the night before as we were setting things up, a bubble machine was introduced. It was mayhem. In the best way.

Although I refrained from having Tangled-themed cups and plates, I gave in on the Princess themed bounce house. However, my prayers were answered when they "had" to face it sideways (so didn't have to stare at the princess theme!) during the party. And, Grant was thrilled that this cool carousel sign that he bought at an estate sale got some use. Finally!

Everyone was encouraged to dress princessy (I've been assured this phase ends within 18 months!) so she got her Rapunzel dress (which was wildly uncomfortable from the way she was fussing with it all day -- but she would never admit it!) and Rapunzel shoes (also a loser -- bloody ankles-- she wouldn't admit to) as an early gift the morning of the party. 

After needing some lemonade, she was ready....  (see the Rapunzel braid that Grandma made) :

Her little friend Avery showed up first. Two tiny girls bouncing away (or laying down) led to some much needed hydration...

 but of course they didn't go for water...."princesses need to hydrate!"

...what is it about lemonade with a straw? Such a treat.

I had a few crafts planned -- a few spin offs from the movie -- in case the bounce house was a flop. We were skeptical. But it was a massive hit. Even for Fordy...

He was so happy to be hanging with the big kids that day..."I'm big! I'm 2!"

Not sure about this pose.... I think she's been practicing.

First up, deocrating Rapunzel braids (thank you, Pinterest! & thank you Grandma for prepping them!). Glitter glue and flowers. Those globs took over 24 hours to dry. Eeeek.

And next.... painting lanterns with "Rapunzel Paints".

Even Itty Bitty got to sit at the table with Makenna...

And Snow White took this very seriously...

Soon it was cupcake time (thank you, Etsy for the cupcake toppers)...

And here is Fordy's "cheese!" face....

After some inside play time...

And even more bouncing (mama getting in on the act!)

it was time to shut things down. 

Fordy cried when Francisco came to pick up the bounce house. "Mine! Bounce. House!" Sometimes I forget the reality that comes through a 2 year old's eyes. He thought it was here to stay. 

Our girl turned four. 

I can hardly believe it. 

Everybody says it... but it's true.

I've asked her to stay four forever.

She says she won't do it. 

But she will always live at home. With me. 

I'll take it.

917.  anniversary shoes

918. an early, super fun night out

919. nine years. so thankful

920. a still-healthy heart

921. cow hide in the closet

Spring Concert

Just to make sure our day was jam packed, the night of Fordy's pony ride adventures, we had Abby's Spring Concert. She'd been working on a song but we didn't really know what to expect.

Here are my people.... looking smart and heading inside.

We thought it was a tiny thing -- a few classes getting up and singing old school style. So, when we got there and the sanctuary was filling up, we realized it was a good thing we actually had her take a bath and do her hair beforehand. Whew!

Here she is, doing the final song with the entire preschool, sitting two seats away from her teacher, a wonderful gal who is an answer to our prayers.

I should call this "Book Every 6 Months" because I always forget to do this.... but we just read this book and we loved, loved, loved it. You will, too!

913. not a tear shed at school this year
914. a teacher that blesses us
915. a teacher that prays for our girl
916. smiles on stage

Ponies and Trains and Shakes, Oh My!

For the past few weeks, whenever Ford sees a horse in our neighborhood, we hear "Ride. It. Ride. It." So, apparently, the kids wants to be a cowboy.

We trekked over to the Griffith Park pony rides the morning after his birthday. We were the only ones there upon arrival so it all happened kind of fast. Abby kept telling us she didn't want to go but once she sat on one, she was all smiles. They put the leather strap around their waists, unhooked the ponies from their "station" and literally, they were off without a goodbye. Thankfully we got a few pictures before the ponies just up and did their thing (which they do hundreds of times per day, I'm sure.)

You can see the little strap that holds them in (does it?!) here.... thankfully we told Ford to hold on!

Checking out his pony...

Ready to ride!

And there they went.

So you can imagine when I started seeing Abby list to the side (was it my imagination? or the angle?)...

that I said, "Grant! Is she falling off? She won't say anything! It'll just happen!" that Grant almost ran through the gate, "Hey! Hey, man! (as the guy is checking his cell phone)  Is she falling off?! Hey!" And we hear some voice from the peanut gallery say, "We've been doing this for 60 years, buddy. We got it." Which of course led to comments about heart surgery, making light of being over protective....

It was all my fault. Anyway!

Round and around they went.... smiling the whole time.

Abby made sure to tell us that when her pony stopped (and Fordy looked back saying, "Abby! Abby!") that she gave him a little kick.... and he was off again.

So, that was super exciting. But after that, we rode the train. And Ford was over the moon.

Even Snow White got a front row seat.

Lunch was calling us .... so milkshakes and junky food was up next.

And that was the last time I'll be stepping into Bob's Big Boy for another 15 years. The things we do for our kids. We love you, Fordy!

908. a boy who loves to nap
909. a boy who sleeps through the night
910. a boy who's putting words together
911. a boy who's happy go lucky
912. a boy who loves to sing