Art Camp

Dominic chose art camp at the Art Mill.

It was only for four days, but we had a mommy & son date on the day he didn't have camp. So it worked out really well.

On the wall of his bedroom.

Isn't he a talented little boy!?

On the 2nd day when I picked him up he told me I could pick him up earlier than 2pm. 

"But Dominic, they told me that camp ended at 2pm."

"Well every one else leaves at 1:30pm. So I think she just told you that because she likes me best and wants to spend more time with me. You can really pick me up earlier if you want."

Wow! This kid certainly doesn't suffer from low self esteem.

Princess Ballet Camp

I gave the kids their choice of which camp to go to this summer. They had about 20-30 to choose from, but it wasn't a hard decision for either of them. As soon as I finished reading the lists, they both shouted out the very one I guessed they would pick.

Caitlin's choice was princess ballet camp at Stage One.

All week Caitlin kept telling me about the dances they were working on for their performance.

And she would bring home something relating to a princess that she had made during class - a wand, a necklace, a crown. 

On Friday I picked up Jon from work (he'd taken the bike to work) and we went to her dance performance. They made the crown and tutus in class that week.

There were four dances and it was absolutely precious.

Probably being a bit of a proud mom, but Caitlin was the cutest and best dancer out of everyone there! =)

 Sitting with her class for a final picture.

 This girl has one amazing Daddy. He took off work just to come watch his little princess.

She adores her Daddy, but someday I hope she realizes just how much he loves her.

Crazy Wild & Mixed Up Day

The post is crazy long and probably boring. But I wanted to put it here so I wouldn't forget about the crazy details later. You certainly don't have to bore yourself. =)

Yesterday was a bit crazy. It started the night before when Caitlin woke us up so many times we lost count. Still not sure why. So Jon and I were exhausted when we got up that morning.

Dominic and I woke up at 5:15am to go running since the kids had camp all morning and we wouldn't be able to run later.

It was a wonderful run. The moon was setting on one side, the sun was rising on the other and my favorite little boy was running beside me. We ran a two mile loop and then Dominic headed to the house for a shower while I ran the loop again.

I returned to find Jon cleaning out the freezer. When he had opened the door to the refrigerator everything was warm. So he hoped/figured that maybe there was something in the freezer blocking the airflow, since the freezer was working fine. Sure enough! I had to defrost a non-defrost freezer all day with my food in coolers. So after an emergency trip to the store for ice we soon had everything in coolers and the appliance empty. 

Only to realize that it was going to take a major effort and mess to get back into the coolers to get the stuff out to make Dominic a lunch for camp. He was one happy boy when I told him that we were stopping at Burger King for egg & cheese croissants.

 Dropped Caitlin off at camp at 9am. She was a bit nervous, but even more excited. My girly girl was getting to go to princess ballet camp. And she got to wear dance clothes. She was in heaven.

Dominic's camp didn't start until 9:45. So I rushed across town to put some more money on a gift card at the bike store. I've slowly, but surely been secretly putting money on a gift card to buy Jon this majorly expensive bike that he's been wanting. He had no idea we were so close to getting it. He thought we were only putting his mad money/allowance on it. But I was also putting my money on it, and every time I was paid for a review or survey I stuck that on there too. I was super excited. 

But back to the story - I arrived at the store to find they didn't open for another 30 minutes. So back across town we go. Arrive at the camp a few minutes early and spot a coffee shop that I have a gift card to. So I figured I'd try coffee again. I was definitely tired enough to need the caffeine boost. I got an iced chocolate/mint mocha. I couldn't taste the mint and the after taste was like eating an ashtray. It was terrible. And to make matters worse, my gift card had been erased. I knew how much was on it, so she just gave me a discount that was the equivalent. But still - for a terrible drink.

Dominic was beyond excited for class. It was art class and he was going to be painting Yoda. 

Life just doesn't get any better.

I leave there to go back to the bike shop. I can't find the gift cards. So I put the bike on layaway since we are getting close. I run some errands and return home to get the gift cards. Pick up Caitlin from dance camp and rush back to the store with the card. The card doesn't work. Same as the coffee shop. Thankfully the shop owner is able to retrieve everything and we are now within a few dollars of paying off the bike. I decide to leave the balance and show Jon at lunch.

Lunch was fun. Jon couldn't quit smiling when he realized he could bring his bike home that day. And I'll admit I wasn't far behind him. He's been dreaming about this bike FOR EVER! But with house issues, tuition, travel, etc. eating up our money we just hadn't made it a priority. But I decided Jon had sacrificed enough on the house for me, it was his turn. I mean, look at my library!!!

Caitlin and I go home to play princess and check on the fridge. It's still defrosting. We return at 2pm to pick up Dominic. I couldn't get over how amazing his picture was. Baby boy has some talent.

But I couldn't look at it long, because we were headed straight to the doctors office to check on his finger. On Saturday evening he was playing on his skateboard and pulled his finger back. It immediately swelled up and became painful to use. After his broken arm experience two years ago I decided to make an appointment. But he wasn't about to miss camp.

Ironically enough, I'd won a gift card to the clinic a year ago and saved it just in case something like this ever happened. They ask for my co-pay and I hand them the card. It's not working. And when it does, it says $11. Since I know I haven't used it, and there was $50 on there, I was a bit frustrated.

Long story short (and several hours later). Dominic does NOT have a broken finger and my gift card has been fixed. His finger was hyper extended and so it's been buddy wrapped to help it heal and we'll have to keep it wrapped for a week. But that is way better than a cast all summer.

When we all got home we sort of crashed. It has been a hairy day. But fingers are good, fridge is now defrosted and working again, Jon is in love with his new bike and the kids are anticipating the next day of camp.

 And this morning Caitlin summed up the night (and hopefully how today will go) when she said very sleepily as she woke up -

 

"I'm happy for me that didn't wake up you."

Baby girl suffers from the same verbal dyslexia as her mom does.

Sprinkler fun!

Pictures of the kids playing in the sprinkler this week.

Yoga

I received a magazine and the kids found this picture.

*

They decided that they wanted to try this pose.

This turned into other "tricks" they could do.

 

 *picture taken from Athleta magazine.

Beyond dirty!

Found these pictures on the camera.

Have you ever seen such dirt?

But they had a blast playing outside all day. Which is way more important than a bit of dirt.

Hair again

Dominic had about a week of being required to fix his hair every day. It wasn't all he'd imagined it to be and begged Jon to trim it up a bit. He wasn't very fond of all of the compliments he received either (which surprised me).

Not sure if it's those missing teeth or what, but that is one adorable little boy!

 

 

It's still a mohawk, but doesn't need to be fixed to still look cute. 

So he's happy!

Kids Stuff

Found these waiting for me in the bathroom when I went to take my shower.
At least they're dead.

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I'm big on loving on my kids. So I'm always trying to kiss Dominic's nose (to his distress) and I've told Caitlin I love her neck. It might have just a little something to do with the fact that they either don't like being kissed (Dominic) or are incredibly ticklish there (Caitlin). 

Today I was eating something and Caitlin asked for a bite. I thought I'd tease her and told her if she'd give me a bite of her neck I'd give her my food. With a serious face she asked -

"Is it Mother's Day?"

"No."

"Well I said I would let you kiss my neck on Mother's Day. But since it's not, you can't. Can I still have a bite?"

After I quit laughing I gave her some of my chocolate.

********

Today Dominic was lamenting his advance into Primary (we are at camp meeting).
"I sure miss Pastor Jim. He was awesome. Life is really hard. When you grow up you just can't go back to being the kid you use to be." This was accompanied by a very large sigh.

Yep! Six years old is pure ancient.

********

Today is Father's Day and Dominic made the comment at lunch that "when I'm a father in a couple of years. . ." Jon and I just about choked. We are NOT ready for grandchildren quite yet.

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Both of my children are afraid of the dark. So we have night lights and leave the doors open a crack so they can go to sleep. But occasionally even this doesn't seem to help. Still haven't figured out whether all of the times are real or some are ploys to stay up later. But after several nights of squeaks and protests of fear, I'd had it. I marched into Dominic's room and asked him -
Me - "Dominic, what is it that the dark does that has you so scared of it?"
Dominic - "I don't know, I'm just scared."
Me - "Can it snore?"
Dominic (a bit startled) - "No."
Me - "Can it sneeze, laugh, or growl?" (I demonstrated each one as I asked.)
Dominic (now laughing) - "No!"
Me - "Then what in the world can it do that scares you?"
He admitted that he wasn't sure, but that he was still kind of scared of it.
So I told him to picture the dark tooting and it would seem a lot less scary.
I left to quite a bit of laughter and haven't heard this complaint again.

Later I told Jon about it and made the comment that it was one conversation I never pictured  when I pictured sweet moments talking with my kids.

Tonight I had to have the same conversation with Caitlin. It got the same giggles and no more complaints about being scared. If only I'd thought about this several years ago, think of the electricity I could have saved by not having so many lights on all night.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to some amazing dads out there.

But today I'm thankful for my husband who is an amazing dad to our sweet kids

and for my daddy who has influenced me so much.

I've said it a million times, so I'm just going to show you some of my favorite pictures of them both.

My dad!

These pictures are old, but I love what they say.

They say my dad loves his grandchildren and loves to play with them.

He's always making up funny things to call them, telling them jokes and getting them to say funny new sounds. Even when he's exhausted he'll still get down on the floor to play. Or be up for one more game of hide and seek. I love my daddy, so it's extra special when he views my kids with the same love that he had for me as a child.

 

My husband

 When I went to pick out pictures for this post I couldn't decide which ones to choose. There are tons of pictures of Jon playing with the kids, letting them "help" him with work around the house, or reading stories to them.

 He clearly adores them and the feeling is mutual.

 

 He tucks them in at night, regardless of how small the bed is. =)

 He plays with them.

 It warms my heart that the man of my dreams loves our kids so much.

Every time I see something like this I fall even more in love with this wonderful guy!

Happy Father's day to two very special men!

Darth Vader

I heard some raspy breathing this morning as I opened my bedroom door.

"Cute, baby girl! Are you hungry for breakfast?"

"My name is Darth Vader. And yes, I'm hungry."

A visit with family

My sister and her family live at Fort Knox in Kentucky.

Caitlin and I were up there in February taking Kami our dog.

We had so much fun that we made plans to repeat it again this summer.

Andy (my sister's husband) is deployed and Kami thought us coming would be a good diversion for her and Lexi (my niece).

It was an amazing visit. The kids were good and played well together. Kami and I talked our heads off and I found a new favorite movie. We stayed up way too late and ate way too much chocolate.

We went to the park.

 

 The kids spent most of the day playing in the water so we fed them outside.

 Lexi and Caitlin played dress up. Dominic, naturally, wanted nothing to do with this. Pretty sure he watched a movie or something. =)

 The kids had a funeral for a lady bug. It was so precious that Kami and I had to go take pictures. Then we forced them to sit by the tree for more pictures.

 The kids with our Kami's Josie dog.

But probably the highlight was the waterpark.

The kids were upset when Kami and I made them leave after hours of playing.

 

 

It was so fun that we are hoping to have a repeat performance later this summer.

So thankful for a sister that I actually enjoy spending time with. We may have NOTHING in common. =) But that certainly didn't stop us from talking and laughing the entire time.

A Hike and a Haircut

Dominic informed me last week that he was going to have Jon give him a mohawk after his back packing trip. I was excited to have him finally ready to cut that mop of hair.

Jon and Dominic left on Saturday afternoon and headed to Virgin Falls to spend the afternoon and night.

 

My two favorite men!

I don't have any pictures of it, but my brother called a few minutes after they'd left and asked if he could drop in for a visit. He spent the entire afternoon and Caitlin and Leila had a blast. I really enjoyed the visit too. It was nice to relax and talk. My brother and I think quite a bit alike so it makes for some amusing conversations.

When Dominic returned on Sunday morning we had him take a shower and then the hair cutting commenced. 

Before shot.

 And after!

 Not sure if this is an improvement, but at least it's different. =)

 Dominic loves his new hairstyle and has faithfully fixed it every morning. It is surprisingly difficult to get hair this long to stick straight up.