A couple of weeks ago Ethan and I had a Friday date and it was so much fun hanging out with him.  We went to Target and I told him he could pick one treat as part of our date.  After 45 minutes of debating through every toy aisle, we walked away with a transformer.  We went to lunch and then headed for the big surprise – a show at UTA’s planetarium.  Well, when we got to the ticket window the teenager working very politely told us that the show had been cancelled that afternoon for a private event.  Great.  It actually turned out okay because we just spent some time walking around the campus.  Ethan was fascinated with all of the college students and the big buildings.  We walked in one of the buildings and I realized how long it’s been since I’ve been on a college campus.  I guess all academic buildings have the same feel, smell, etc. because as soon as I stepped in the door I felt like I was back in 1997 going to a bio lab or something.  Anyway, after that we headed to the mall to use a Build-a-Bear gift card and successfully added BatDog to our family.  When we were driving home I asked Ethan what his favorite part of the day was.  His answer?  Driving around in circles at the top of the parking garage because I let him hang his head out the window.  I’ll remember that next time I plan an elaborate day.

In my little world, every day would have a list of things that have to get done, a list of things that probably should get done, and a list of things that sure would be fun to do.  Well, around May I started making a list of fun things we could do this summer and it wasn’t hard to fill it up.  So, in the spirit of embracing the summer, I ditched the lists of things that have to get done and probably should get done and we’re just focusing on the fun.  Lately we’ve been to The Tubes at Irving Bible Church (a great free activity if you live around here), to the splash park by ourselves (a completely different experience by yourselves than with a bunch of other people), Clay took the kids to a balloon festival which was really more of an aircraft show (check Nicole’s blog for pics), played in the front yard in the sprinklers, made some new friends (check Ashley’s blog for pics), went to the lake with some friends and let the kids go tubing, Ethan started t-ball practice, we’ve been to the park, and we’ve also been to the movies a couple of times.  Now if I can just get my back to start feeling better we’ll start exploring some other cool things on my list (anyone know of a black market that sells portable epidurals?  I’m thinking that’s the only way to go to get some relief at this point). 

At the park

Jack & E

At The Tubes

At the splash park

E & Sophia at the lake

Clay and Rachel tubing

Rachel dodging the sprinkler

E in the sprinkler

And as a side note, Rachel has been speaking another language for the past 2 days. 

On Thursday I met up with Cara and Shelly so we could gab the kids could play together.  This is the best picture I got of all the mobile kids (Jack was at the farm):

And it was fun being joined by these 2 little guys:

Looking forward to another lunch date, girls!

Last weekend we took the kids to a Fort Worth Cats game as a birthday gift to one of Ethan’s friends, Brant.  Despite the presence of lightning and some light rain, we had a great time.  If you live in the area and haven’t been to a Cats game, GO!  The ballpark is so nice, the atmosphere is very family friendly and relaxed, and tickets start at $4.  Here’s a small glimpse into what we did:

Ate…a lot

Climbed on the rails

Got in trouble for sitting up here

Played catch

Suckered other kids into playing catch

Clay entertained Rachel

And of course I dutifully watched the players the game

We loaded up the kids around 10 p.m. and they were so wired that they giggled all the way home.  Fun Friday night.

We’re so happy Josh & Erin and Co. have moved back to Weatherford because we can finally hang out again.  Thanks for having us over for a fantastic meal last night.  We love you guys!

I love hole in the wall places – the shop where I bought my wedding dress, the little Italian restaurant in a basement that Clay took me on our 2nd anniversary, the local bakery that I love.  It makes me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about them.  But I do not get warm and fuzzy thinking about how our house has become a hole in the wall kind of place…

Curse you, slab leak.  (although I did secretly say one prayer of thanksgiving that I can finally rid the laundry room of that hideous tile circa 1977)

I guess this would explain why I had to use kleenex today…you never know around here.

Oh, glorious summer.  Last year I did not embrace summer.  In fact, I think I may have even cursed it a few times.  However, we’ve kicked off this summer with new attitudes, a general love of the water by all, no swim diapers or morning naps, and lots of fun to be had.  It’s week 2 and we already have a nice tan brewing…gonna be a great summer.

I really think God was laughing when He created Rachel.  She is unlike any other child I’ve known.  Of course I love that about her, but it really does keep me on my toes.  Today we were at the park with some friends and one of the moms said, “You must grin all day long at her.”  My response?  “I’m either grinning or gritting.” 

Grinning?  When I took Ethan to the bathroom at swim lessons this morning and I turn around to find her doing this:

Gritting?  When we’re at the splash park, she has to use the bathroom, and she can’t wait the 5 seconds it will take me to stand up so she just pulls her swimsuit to the side and goes to town right there in the grass…in front of everyone.  (Yes, Mom, I know I totally deserve that one)

The grandparents will be very sad about the lack of pictures in this post (fine, you can go ahead and stop reading now), but the camera is in my car and that seems like a really long way from the comfort of this chair.  In the past few days we’ve been to the zoo, had a garage sale, put Ethan in bunk beds and Rachel in Ethan’s twin bed, sold the crib which made me tear up just a bit, had dinner at a friend’s house, hosted lots of teenagers at our house for a devotional, started Ethan’s swim lessons, and played at a new park.  And now I’m enjoying being in a clean and quiet house for another 30 minutes.