Camping

My oldest sister camps on the beach in a motor home. My husband and son camp in our back yard while Abby and I sleep in our cozy beds in side! If I can't do the former, I'll take the latter! 

 

 

Abby watches the boys set up the tent.

Final touches.

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Failed Play Date

Today was a rainy, yucky morning that cleared up for a bit just in time for our play date with my MOPs mini-group. Unfortunately, we didn't get the notice that the date was canceled! My kids didn't seem to mind that we were the only ones at the park though. Without the danger of rouge children stomping on her, this was the first time I let Abby run free at the park and Daniel had fun trying to hit every activity before the rain started up again. I had to change Abby's sopping wet clothes when we were done but I think she enjoyed her new found freedom!

Climbing some stairs

Soccer Shots

We decided that Daniel needs a good outlet for his abundance of energy and a class-like setting to help him learn how to listen and follow directions.  Daniel and I have done two sessions of swimming lessons and now - Soccer!  Every Saturday morning he gets to run around for about 45 minutes, learn a few simple soccer basics, and have fun. 

After our first day we thought that perhaps we had made a mistake, that he wasn't ready yet for that kind of structure.  He didn't listen - ran the opposite way he was told to go, kicked when told to wait, picked up the ball a lot, etc.   Here he is off playing while everyone else is huddled around the coach listening to what comes next:

Abby on the sideline

Outer Banks Vacation

Okay, I am so lazy that rather than look for all my favorite pictures of the beach, I am adding a link to my sister's blog.  My camera didn't work the whole week so I only have five pictures so anything I could post is someone else's pictures anyhow!
This is a taste of our vacation.  I had a wonderful time and I know my kids did too. 

http://larslaurel.blogspot.com/2012/09/outer-banks-vacation.html

Beach Prep!

We are headed to the beach next week for a week of family fun with Kat's whole family - parents, sisters, and sisters' families (total of 8 adults and 7 kids ranging from age 5yrs to a few weeks old).

Daniel and Jason are prepping the truck for the long journey.

 

Tired Fireman

When Daniel was a baby he received a ride on/walk behind fire truck. Now he plops on his fire hat, hops on the truck and races around our house fighting fires! I recently took part in a consignment sale and got Daniel a snow suit. The overalls have become his fire pants which he has to put on and take off for each fire call.  The show Fireman Sam is a big instigator of this behavior - he even sits around waiting for a "fax" to come through (usually a BJs receipt), reads off where the crisis is located, and then jumps to action. Here he is resting post-fire:

 

The Rest of August

I am so terribly behind in my blogging and can't seem to get caught up so here is the rest of August!

Daniel and Jason did a lot of yard work.

We all did a lot of swimming, enjoying the super warm pool and the remaining summer days.

Daniel played himself out on a daily basis and apparently his toys need to rest too because he often takes some with him, lines them up, and then goes to sleep once all is in order.

Daniel and Abby playing "jump fort" on a rainy day.

 

Splashing in our little kiddie "pools" in the yard.  I fill the tiny tub with warm water for Abby but she has more fun splashing on the mat and Daniel likes the "hot tub".  Oh well, they have fun.

 

 

Abby has started to take cruising steps while holding onto furniture.  Her first such steps where while pushing her Fisher Price baby grand piano!  She looked like a geriatric patient in her jammies walking so unsure on rickety legs!  Abby is still remarkably beautiful, has a killer smile, and has become a flirt.  She has also developed some not so attractive habits like throwing her food and cup when no longer wanted, throwing fits when something doesn't go her way, and no longer being a good eater; she pretty much doesn't want to eat anything. She is as sweet as can be with her grandparents, especially my dad, and loves to watch and pet dogs.  Her first word was Woof Woof!