centennial fountain

One of the items on our Summer Fun list was to play in a fountain. Micah had kind of touched the one in Savannah but didn't ever get brave enough to play in it. Around Atlanta the best place for FREE water fun is Centennial Park and we'd never taken them there so it seemed like the right time. We asked the Cardozas if they wanted to come along so we both battled the traffic (roadwork is insane) to get downtown. We got a much later start than I anticipated because 15 minutes before we were going to leave our realtor called to say someone wanted to see the house and nowadays that pretty much takes precedent over everything :)

Once we were there it took Micah about 5+ minutes of watching everyone else to decide if this was really something he wanted to do but after his first run through he was hooked and he and Isabella jumped over and through the water like crazy people. William loved it as well but loved the frisbee a man was passing out even better and decided he would prefer to practice his form on the sidelines for awhile instead. Connor liked the water as long as I was holding him (surprise, surprise) but did occasionally reach out and touch it on his own.

It was great fun and one of those Atlanta things we've always wanted to do. I have to admit as much as I like my small towns the big city has it's perks :)

'tato heads

Recently one of Micah's favorite things to play with are his 'tato heads. He's finally able to get the pieces in and out easily so that definitely helps. I usually play with him because I like 'tato heads too but when I don't he loves to put all the pieces in the wrong places and come and show me how silly they look. His favorite combo is any potato with a pirate hat and has been taking it everywhere we go!

{embrace the camera} kind of

If I was to do a true embrace the camera of our recent life it would be me in the driver's seat and the boys locked up in their seats. We have been on. the. go! and while we're at home it's been hard to stop and think about taking one. Anyone else wish they had a photographer following them around occasionally just to snap those precious moments that no one else sees!! Today I asked Zach to take a picture of Micah and I watching Lion King. When Micah sees a movie for the first time he latches on and watches over and over and over. I can't blame him because I love rewatching and rewatching movies!! Micah who will usually snuggle right in (atleast during movie time) of course decided to be a toot because he knew the camera was watching too. Oh well, I love my little nut anyway!

bike rides

Zach and I got bicycles for our 6th anniversary present. We rode them a couple times at the beach together because we had built in babysitters for the boys but since then he has only been able to go because we had no way to bring Connor and Micah with us. We had been planning on buying a trailer for his bike but wanted to find a good deal (they are pricey brand new) and hadn't been able to yet. Our friend Steve knew of a lady who was wanting to give one away to someone who would use it. When he asked we said "YES! It will definitely get used." All she asked was that when we were finished to pass it on to someone else who will use it. Good Deal! Tonight to celebrate being back together (the boys and I have been in Enterprise since last Saturday) we went on our first family bike ride. We only rode around our neighborhood but it was oh so fun. They loved sitting and 'vrooming' behind daddy, I loved watching them and getting exercise while also having fun, plus you just can't beat your own built in breeze! The plan is to go to Stone Mountain our first free Saturday or Sunday afternoon to do some real bike trails and see some pretty scenery. Can't wait!

test ride to make sure no one freaked out :)

all smiles and ready to roll

Zach finishing up the ride while I grabbed the camera

Micah begging for one last time

and me just cause I look so cute in a helmet...right ;)

real boys x 2

Micah and Connor woke up to P.L.A.Y on Monday. like for real! From the moment they both popped out of bed they went non stop dragging out toys, climbing on couches, roaring their dinosaurs, throwing the balls and climbing in and falling on the tunnel. Even with naptime thrown in I was exhausted just keeping them from completely destroying my house or themselves. After they left this wake of destruction...

we took the party outside! Micah has been loving the sprinkler (a.k.a sprinkle) from the beginning of the summer but Connor was never a big fan until Silas's birthday party and now he's all about it. They ran ran ran ran ran and jumped jumped jumped jumped through the water for a good two hours.

Then Zach came home and I had crazy boys x 3! He took over the boy duty while I fixed dinner. But they made sure to get in some 'haul around huge sticks' time in before they had to come in.

After days like this one I'd like to tell the people who think gender stereotypes are due to nurture that they're insane!!! Boys are mess making, stick loving, crazy acting people and I have the pictures to prove it!

sunday song

Hungry

hungry I come to You
for I know You satisfy
I am empty
but I know Your love does not run dry
and I wait
and I wait
so I wait for You
so I wait for You

chorus
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

broken I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You

I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait

I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

hungry I come to you,
for I know You satisfy

swimming lessons

It has been a full week! The boys had swimming lessons this week at the swim center. Connor was in the water babies class from 2:30-3:00 and Micah had level 1 classes from 3:00-4:00. When you add in the 20+ minute drive two and from plus this was a daily 2 1/2 hour ordeal. Added in to the schedule along with errands, lunch, nap and dinner, everyday was a whirl wind!

Connor was not a fan of his class. They focus on getting your child used to the water which basically consists of making them go under back and forth between the teachers, float on their backs and go to the bottom to pick up a toy. Honestly he screamed the. entire. time. He didn't calm down even when I was holding him in the water. He just clung to my neck in fear that I might make him do something else. I'm really hoping I have not scarred him for the rest of the summer! I did learn good skills that I can help him with in the pool myself so yay for that.

Micah did great the first 20 minutes of his first lesson and then freaked out about something (I'm still not sure what) and preceded to cry and sometimes scream for the remainder of his class. Day 2 started the same was Day 1 ended until I had HAD ENOUGH. I calmly picked him up out of the pool and explained to him that screaming was inappropriate and ridiculous, he was fine and was going to have to stay in the pool so calm down and listen. This apparently worked because the rest of the class and week was great. I can't say he had perfect form or that he even paid attention the whole time, but he enjoyed being in the water and felt at ease around new classmates and teachers. SUCCESS!!!