Saturday Clay and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown, but at the same time I still remember our first one bedroom apartment in Dallas, and how we would walk to the grocery store and Clay rode the train to work every day. It’s a little overwhelming to me to think of all the things we’ve done, the place we’ve been, the friends we’ve made, the places we’ve lived, etc. in the past 6 years – not to mention becoming parents in there somewhere. To highlight this momentous occasion, I’ve added a picture of “young” Clay and Lisa before we were even engaged. And since it’s our 6th anniversary, here are 6 things that I love about my husband (in no particular order):

1. He can ALWAYS make me laugh
2. He is an incredibly talented architect and works very hard
3. He thinks of games and ways to play with Ethan that would NEVER cross my mind, and of course Ethan thinks they’re all hilarious
4. Not only can he play the guitar and sing, but he’s not afraid to play and sing in front of people…I love that!
5. He’s a Christian man that loves God
6. He is SO handy…seriously, he can do anything (and do it well!)

And while I’m on the list kick, here’s how we’ve celebrated past anniversaries:

1. Sea World, Fiesta Texas and the riverwalk
2. B&B in Fort Worth
3. A VERY random weeklong road trip through Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee
4. A movie (yes, I’m serious)
5. Disney World!
6. Downtown Fort Worth and the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine

So, happy anniversary to all of you who share August anniversaries.

For a few months now I’ve been scouring antique shops/flea markets for old toys in fairly decent shape to put up in Ethan’s room. I wasn’t necessarily buying them for him to play with – more for decoration. Well, tonight Clay got down the little pull toy xylophone that we had as kids, and the original wooden Tinkertoys (what else would you use for drumsticks?!?) and Ethan was going nuts! He was so happy banging around on that old xylophone. I have no idea exactly how old it is, but I think it probably sounds just like it did the day some lucky
kid took it home brand new. I really don’t think they make things like that anymore. Sigh. But this has motivated me to keep up my search for some old toys because apparently they’re just as fun as the new ones!

That was last night’s mantra as we encountered a momentous occasion for the SFB – we took out Ethan’s crib and rocking chair and moved in the twin bed. We actually rearranged his entire room, and of course Ethan was very ‘helpful’ in the process. Clay and I aren’t really sure what struck us to make the switch yesterday, but we’ve had his bed in a box for about 6 months and just really want to set it up. Ethan was very excited about the whole process, and immediately started jumping on his bed (I know my brother got in BIG trouble for this as a kid, but we thought it was hilarious – we’ll probably regret this later). We were a little leary of the whole bedtime process, but everything seemed to be going just fine…until it was time for me to actually leave the room. Sigh. It’s funny how in certain situations one parent definitely has the magic touch over another, and I’m usually the bedtime magician. But last night Clay got the gold star in his crown because after I had been in Ethan’s room for about an hour with him begging me not to leave, Clay came in, sang him a song, kissed him goodnight, turned the nightlight on (this proved to be the winning combo), and then he went right to sleep. But he did sleep all night without waking up, and was very excited to see us this morning. Night one down…just millions more to go. As I look at him sleeping in this big bed he looks so tiny, and it’s a little overwhelming to think that he could still be sleeping in this bed when he’s 13 years old. I just can’t imagine him ever being older than he is right now. Such is the life of a parent. Now if we can just get to work on cleaning the boxes out the nursery and get this baby furniture out of the hall!

Not much news to report here…just wanted to give a shout out to the fans. SFB went to Tyler this weekend to say goodbye to my cousin, Clint, and his family as they move to St. Louis. While we did have a great weekend, we only spent one night and that was enough. Ethan was up ALL NIGHT coughing, crying, rubbing his eyes, etc. This exact thing happened when I was there 2 weeks ago, so apparently there’s something in that town that doesn’t agree with Ethan’s allergies (took a genius to figure that one out).

Other than that, we’ve just been staying in and hanging out. I know I’ve said this before, but I can’t wait for the fall. I’ll post some pictures this weekend of Ethan’s first petting zoo birthday party. His friend Caden is having his 2nd birthday party complete with petting zoo so I’m sure Ethan will be in heaven (if he isn’t allergic to the animals!). Hopefully we’ll have something more exciting to post next time.

I don’t know how “it” happened, or even when “it” happened, but one night Ethan just grew up. I know he’s still a toddler, but he just seems so much older now. He can play by himself for an hour with his cars, coloring books, etc.; he follows me around the house asking if he can help (he’s very good at spraying Windex, unloading the dishwasher, and vacuumming the couch with the little attachment); he does really silly things just to make us laugh; his new “routine” is taking a bath and then watching a couple of the REALLY old Mickey Mouse cartoons with Clay (or “Mickmey and Quack” as he calls them); and he even looks older to me. Here are a few pics of Ethan’s activities over the past couple of weeks.

Showing us how he can count to 3!

Unloading the dishwasher – he brings me each piece on a plate (very carefully)

Looking at a Halloween costume catalog – apparently Ethan wants to be Elmo or a train

Not exactly “inside the lines,” but close!

CLAY’S HIJACKED THE BLOG AND I’M TAKING IT BACK!!!
I just don’t know how much longer I can stand this heat. I know, I know, it’s much hotter in Phoenix and El Paso and places like that, but I live here and it’s hot here. I had all these great ideas of Ethan and I taking long walks on the days I’m home, and how we could walk to the sno cone stand down the road, etc., etc. Well, it’s just too hot. And I feel so bad for Ethan because the kid LOVES to be outside. Last night we were at my parent’s house for dinner and we put his little pool in the shade and you could just see the relief on his face. I guess we’ll have to start planning more 8 p.m. outdoor events.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older or what, but I just don’t remember it being this hot as a kid. Bryan and I would be outside from the moment we woke up until it was too dark to catch crawdads anymore. And all of our friends were outside, too. Sigh. At least the fall is right around the corner. When October gets here and I’m feeling tired, I’ll remind myself to look back at this post and GET OUTSIDE!

Hope you’re all enjoying the hot summer!

For all the SMB fans out there…this one’s for you.

I found this a few years ago and just re-discovered recently. I have now idea who created it, but it is dang funny. I am pretty sure this is the reason the internet was invented, so 2 guys, a drum, and a little bit o’ nostalgia can make it in this crazy, mixed up world. Right-click on the image and hit ‘play’. Have your speakers on…

Also, check out the new Games page on the right hand side. Good times. mmm-hmm.