It's a bird, it's a crane...it's not superman

How on earth did all the stars align today? From the time the electricians came (8:00), until our spa arrived and was dropped by the crane (1:30) until the time our swim spa was filled with water (6:00), happened in a blink of an eye; compared to how long it's taken to get to this day. 

Our yard has been in complete disarray, but you two have managed to use the untouched space to find entertainment. I even had to get you guys away from the crawfish spot to make sure you didn't miss watching this...

We had some angels watching over us today and hope they continue to watch over this construction space. We even managed to escape a crack in the driveway, phew!

Jacob reminded us that if the pool was dropped on our house we could stay at our old house. 

Julia took the alarm to stop filling up the pool seriously, especially since we forgot to check on it! 

Is this getting exciting??? Yes, and all of the neighbor kids are asking good questions, a lot of them! Now when will the deck be finished? Good question. 

Can I come whish you?

Girl, you have always wanted to come with me. You have been glued to my side for the most part of the last four and a half years...(not even counting the 37 weeks we were growing together).

As of late, I am hearing this less and less. Our days are together but you crave neighborhood friends more, and me less. 

It took a bribe of a hot dog, my half of a candy bar and a pink pair of sneakers and a ring pop in order for you to shop with me and grandma. Thanks for hanging with me, today. I hope you will still want something to do with me when I miss you terribly. 

30/52

Lately, you two have been spending time together playing and it's lasted longer than 5 minutes without tears. I guess it's just fun to see you together all day. Thankfully you have let your sister be around you and your friends. You've  included her in the Pokemon card trading and nerf gun battles. 

Sadly for you two you have had a couple bumps that slowed you down for longer than a minute. Hopefully, you'll be back to normal tomorrow...but it was an excuse to get Chinese at the store today and some more ice cream of course.

Save a little

Today we made a trip to the bank to empty the bottle banks, not piggy banks, and cash in those heavy coins.

They have been counted several times and dumped in many wallets, but this time they went into a machine and didn't come back out. (Should have done this before we moved)

Julia, even though you were handed thirty plus dollars, you are still wondering when they are going to give you back your money since they counted it. 

Jacob, money burns a hole in your pocket, but luckily you get distracted and listen to me sorta when I give you the usual, "sleep on it or ask Santa."

I figured we'd better beef up the cash in your savings since we/you used most of your money to buy your new bike. I can still remember to this day going to buy my red 10 speed bike at Sears. 

What will we let you spend your money on? Hopefully, we are raising a couple savers, practical spenders and generous souls. Lord knows you are surrounded by all those types of people. 

Remember when...

We were taking a trip down memory lane on the couch this morning and I couldn't even remember your first words, Julia! Sorry. All I can remember is you yelling for me from your crib, just like you do today when you want some company or conversation in the bathroom.

So I had to look through some pictures from four years ago to take me back in time...to help me remember. 

This one is at 5 months when I caught you in the act of rolling over. You hated tummy time! 

Not too many days would you lay and play in your bed happily.

For the most part you adored your brother and he was pretty good with you.  He never showed any jealousy and seemed to be ok sharing his mom. 

You weren't a big fan of anyone other than me and grandma when she was around. Your sleep patterns weren't awful but they didn't allow me to ever feel rested...well that is until I snuck you in our bed when you showed signs of being an early riser. 

I loved your blue eyes. I still love your eyes because you can show so much emotion with them. I can't believe this picture was from just last year...man how you have grown! Your short haircut doesn't help and you "Mary" like expressions just has me baffled! 

Your Mary shoes were it last summer and now it's anything you can find and happen to slip on so you can hop in your bike and run to the neighbors! 

Neighbors

We left some pretty amazing neighbors back at the old house. Some of them wished they could move along with us or would prefer seeing us across the street more often. However, we have gained some really great neighbors. One of them even said, I already know what I'm getting your kids for Christmas! Wow. I haven't even had them over or shared any leftover with them.

So last night we had kids over for tacos, but the night before we were treated to steak...that's fair, right? 

I'm so thankful you were able to get along with everyone all day long...but we can't stay up late every night. 

More adventures

Because we moved, we can do this, this and this. Our friends even enjoyed the inside of your house and it's not even close to 100% done and unpacked. However, I am totally ok with not unpacking to make sure I keep a close eye on you at all times.

So glad we moved, even if it will take some time to get it the way we'd like it...but to little kids eyes, it's pretty good already. 

Pursuing Picasso

We are slowly getting our house pieced together. Our walls are bare except for a few random wall hangings because of a leftover hook or because it's light enough to go up with a tac. 

We found some shade on our driveway and I unpacked the paint from the load from yesterday. We brought down the canvases and went to work. Jacob, not sure why you didn't want to jump right in, but Julia went to town. 

White horse is now ready to make your bare wall pop! We could use a trip to the home store but I don't think I'll ever take the both of you there again! We will find things around the house to jazz it up! 

I love the colors of your new room, Jacob. I can't wait to find the right spot and more accessories to go with it! 

Not crazy about the brown spot, but you sure thought it was beautiful! 

THE LARGE fish

Look who caught the big one! We were just looking at him the other night and wondering who was going to catch him first. With a little more help and a little more patience you were able to take an up close and personal look of the prize fish. The best part was the second bass caught had another fish inside its belly...now that is something you don't see every day! 

This week...

I can't seem to remember what went on this week, but it sure went by fast. 

After the holiday you guys got a taste of the library routine and time with a friend. I managed to bring over half of my closet while you guys were playing and am not in a hurry to bring any more of it. 

Somehow you managed to get more Pokemon cards and pie and ice cream for dinner. You even helped yourself to another dessert! 

You sure made Grace's day buy letting her hug on you and stopping by for donuts/cookies two times this week. 

Good thing she moved on to sharing cookies...she might see more of you! 

Work continued on the house periodically with the weather...it's a slow process but will keep us content for  while. 

You both were the best at panera for nearly 2 hours! Your soup was devoured and you affection to little ones was sweeter than you half eaten sugar cookie. Thanks for you help. Julia, after reading 5 little monkies jumping on the bed for the 15th time you said you were out of breath! 

A dip and a visit with Stephanie and Bill accompanied by some Dublin souvenirs made you guys happy campers! However, you still could get to bed before 10 which made for a tired mom today.

(Still have my bug boy!)

After buying a helmet and two new bikes, Jacob summed it all up on our bike ride around the new subdivision by saying "Now this is a family bike ride!"

Time

The days are just flying by and we feel like we just moved here. Tomorrow it will be three weeks and I just want time to slow down a bit and let me get more done so I can just sit and enjoy. (I'll save it for when the deck and pool are done) 

Our days are on the go. I barely feed you, yet alone, in the kitchen long enough to make a meal. Thank goodness we took our neighbors up for dinner on the fourth.  You filled your belly with kid friendly food and had scrambled eggs the next morning while sorting fireworks. 

Anyhow, we made it to the library and comic book store today and you two did your usual exploring.

Here's a few shots of the end of June and the beginning of our July. 

Cherry picking wasn't as fun because we didn't do anything with the cherries but freeze them. Last year was special and who knows what next season will bring. 

Julia...your silliness and goofy personality is saving you right now. Thanks for being the fun one! 

Here's to the rest of the week and not driving each other crazy while dad goes back to work and I try to meet up with some friends with kids in tow!