Daddy and Brant's Special Day

Brian picked up Brant at 2:30 in the afternoon last week and took him to meet some friends at Lifetime Fitness to swim. This was obviously a special treat because dad is usually working during the day, so Brant was really excited. They met Gary Fisher and his son Garren and got to take advantage of all the waterslides and other cool stuff at the Lifetime pool. Afterwards, they met mommy and Cate and Claire at the mall for a little fun and a little dinner. The girls rode the carousel, which they are really loving right now and we did a little shopping. Brant got some new Wall E and Power Rangers pjs and a new stuffed Wall E. Then we had dinner in the food court. Nice day.

Brant wants to wear his baseball hat all the time and I think it is so cute when he turns it around backwards.
Brant and Dad at the mall with his new Wall E.

Like mommy, like daughter. Claire loves to wear her sunglasses and I guess she has picked up on the wearing them as a headband-thing that mom does. Too funny.

Mommy and Cate and Claire on the carousel.

A happy Brant at home with his new Wall E pajamas and stuffed animal.

Happy Father's Day!

How blessed are we to have such a fun and loving daddy and husband? The answer is VERY. Brian is always up for a good time and a challenge, which is important when you have 3 little kids. Sometimes I think the effort isn't worth the result, but Brian is always up for trying new things with the kids so he keeps our lives fun. AND he is so loving with the kids. What a special daddy. Brant and Brian love to play video games and swim together and daddy usually is the one to tuck him in at night. Cate and Claire just melt his heart and they love to be chased and tickled by their daddy. I know he could not be more loved by the kids or myself. It means so much that he takes the time to be there for the kids special moments and also to give me a hand at those challenging times. He is a super hands-on dad and for that I am forever grateful. Happy Father's Day to the BEST dad ever. We love you!

On Father's Day this year we let daddy sleep in while I took the kids to pick up coffee and doughnuts. Then we laid around in our pajamas while Brian opened his gifts and we ate breakfast. Later we headed down to Papa/Dad's house to see him for Father's Day. They had just extended their patio, so it was nice to grill some steaks and let the kids play outside. It was super hot, so thank goodness Mitzi and Jeff brought a splash pool and Dad and Cynthia have the slip n slide. They were a big hit. It was great seeing everyone and taking a day to appreciate all the dads and Papa.


Brant giving Brian his present. Brant decorated the wrapping paper for a special surprise.

Claire and Brant helping Daddy open his gifts and cards.
Cate giving Daddy her picture and frame she decorated at preschool.

Daddy throwing the ball to Brant for a little baseball.

Pretty Reese is a great cousin--the girls just love her.

The kids loved splashing around in the wading pool. Thank goodness ZiZi and JJ brought it for us.

Cate-Cat trying out the slip-n-slide.

Aunt Ali and Uncle Andy are always fun to have around.

Brian and his sweet Claire (notice he let her have a Coke--BAD daddy).

Dad and his girls

Brant and Collin could not resist helping Papa open his Father's Day gifts.

Mama and her precious boy.

Uncle JJ provided some afternoon entertainment by slip-n-sliding for us all.

Summer is HERE!

Actually summer vacation started two weeks ago and it never ceases to amaze me how much 3 kids can get into in one day. We've been having fun swimming and enjoying things at home (and getting into mischief), but I'm glad we have some activities starting in a few weeks and some camps to shake things up a bit around the house.

I gave the kids a lesson in sand castle building, which they really enjoyed although I think we may need a bigger sandbox for 3 kids.

I love to see a big Brant smile.

Brant and Claire drawing with sidewalk chalk. Claire LOVES to color and draw (even on the walls inside the house--grrr) and Brant seems to be enjoying the sidewalk chalk more this year.

Claire watering mommy's roses with pool water.

SPLASHIN'

Happy Day! Cate got brave enough to start swimming independently with her life jacket, which has made swimming with the kids possible. It was practically impossible to keep an eye on all 3 of them without life jackets by myself because accidents can happen so quickly. Now we can swim during the day with just mommy and it is so nice.

Summer means watermelon. Yummy.

A happy Collin. We are so happy to have Reese and Collin so close to play with--what a blessing.

Cate eating her watermelon.

Claire taking a little rest poolside.

Trying on mommy's shoes.

The girls love to dig in the junk drawer much to my dismay. They found some little felt stickers to use on the bottom of furniture and decided to put them all over their faces. Pretty funny. And the "birthday" crown is Claire's crown of choice . . . by far her favorite. I have now idea why, but she loves it.

Cate showing off her stickers.

What a ham.

Splash Park!

Last weekend we took the kids over to the splash park. It took a few minutes for them to warm up and then they were off! Brant and Claire really love to run through the water. Cate enjoys it, but like her momma does not really like to get her face wet. There is a playground right next to the splash park, so they were able to go back and forth between the two.

Another Trip to the Dallas Zoo--our home away from home . . .

We have a family zoo pass and knowing the zoo so well makes it easier for me to take all 3 kids by myself, so we end up going to the zoo quite often. We mix it up and do a little something different each time and that keeps it interesting. This time we just saw the Wilds of Africa and then took a carousel ride and visited the children's zoo. The kids love to put on their swimsuits and run through the water in the children's area, but it still stresses me out trying to watch all of them running in different directions.

Where are you penguins?
Checking out the baboons.

It was so cool that this gorilla was right up at the glass munching on some leaves.

Cate Caroline.

Brant studies his map.

Claire says "Ta Da!"

Look at those big crocodiles!

We all rode in the bird's nest on the merry-go-round because mommy can't stand next to everyone's horse.

After a while Brant wanted a ride and Cate always wants to walk, so it worked out perfectly.

Wheee--we love the water!

Climbing through the tunnel.

Sweet brother, Brant, holding Cate's hand.

Climbing on the spider web.

Brant wanted to sit on the elephant sculpture on the way out. Super Brant!

Ahhhh-Claire falls asleep in the car with her blankie after a tiring morning.