Gold Belt Glory

Last month Eli was invited to another belt testing ceremony to receive his "gold" belt. Once the kids reach this level, they are required to wear sparring gear to class each week. The gear includes a helmet, chest protector, gloves, shin protectors, foot protectors, jock strap and cup (he-he!) and mouthpiece (uh-oh!)

Eli was fine with everything--except the mouthpiece. Let's just say it was just like "pulling teeth." After 1 hour of tears, threats, and screaming, Eli was finally able to conquer his fear of gagging and proudly wears the mouthpiece to sparring days each week. Whew!!!

Frisco Fire Safety Town

Last night, I took the boys to a free family night at Frisco's Fire Safety Town. Inside, were a real fire truck they could climb around in and a smoky demo room to practice fire evacuation. The boys were somewhat entertained, but the real fun was outside!

The bulk of our evening was spent in the kid-sized replica of downtown Frisco---complete with stop lights and even a "Walmart!" Every 30 minutes the kids could switch from riding bikes to driving Jeeps around the little streets. Eli got a kick out of driving he and his brother by himself---(I just had to help with the traffic laws). All I can say is that I am glad we have many more years before he will be driving! Before we left, I thought it would be cute to get a picture in front of the "police station" for Daddy :)

Starting a New Chapter

As some of you know, I celebrated my 30th birthday a couple of days ago. My sweet husband had already started spoiling me with gifts a few weeks prior. I was able to add quite a variety of Pampered Chef products to my collection and later I picked out a new water bottle (to add to that collection as well---Jerry says I have a water bottle obsession).

The day before my birthday, I started receiving a large amount of emails from friends and family wishing me a Happy Birthday. Come to find out, Jerry had secretly sent out a request to all my contacts to help make this birthday special for me! But he didn't stop there....The night before my birthday, he was also so kind to paint our master bathroom in the color I picked out!

On the day of my birthday, I received some flowers from my mother-in-law. As you would imagine, the balloons were spoken for immediately. The boys were so thrilled as they ran through the house with Mommy's birthday balloons! Eli kept asking if we could throw me a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese and eat grilled cheese at Sonic. I told him we could talk about doing those things for his birthday instead! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next year :)

This year, I also decided to try a recipe I have for an ice cream cake. When peanut butter cup ice cream is sandwiched between devils food cake and topped with chocolate ganache---who wouldn't love a piece? Jerry---that's who! Oh, well. More for me and the boys!! Isaiah did not hesitate to dig right in :)

4th of July

This year, we joined the Collins family for Plano's Independence Day Parade. Eli was so excited to be spending the morning with his very best friend Carson for such a fun event! We arrived just in time to some reserved seating (thanks to Carson's dad) under a nice shady tree.

The parade was a huge hit! Isaiah enjoyed waving his flag and people watching, while the older kids were preoccupied with gathering the free candy passing by. After the parade, we spent a couple more hours playing at Carson's house, which is always a delight for Eli. It made for a great start to our big day...

Later that afternoon (in 103 degree weather), I convinced Jerry to go with us to check out the neighborhood block party. Luckily, there was a shade set up with some misters spraying, so we hung out in there while Eli playing in a water-bounce house. After an hour or so, we headed home for some relief from the heat. That night, Jerry worked the Friso Freedom Fest, and the boys and I went to Little Elm's July Jubilee.

After 2 jump houses, a blue snow cone (which Eli dropped half-way through), 2 glow bracelets, and some nachos, we ready for the fireworks. The boys were not quite as excited this time--since they had just seen fireworks the weekend before--but it was still a good show. Our night concluded with a sweaty shuttle ride back to our van where we were most thankful for the A/C on our drive home. Overall, it was a FUN-filled day and I look forward to next year!

June in a Nutshell

The boys and I drove down to Dallas to spend the evening with our old friends, The Ahlums, who were in town for the weekend. Jerry and I knew them when we lived in Stillwater, OK. After 3+ years, it was fun to finally meet each other's kids and catch up on everybody's lives. It eneded up being a pretty late night, but the boys did great---and of course konked out on the drive home! We look forward to taking a road trip in the future and crashing at the "Ahlum Hotel" in Arkansas.

One weekday, the boys and I spent a few hours at the local swimming beach at Little Elm Park. I found it easier than taking them to the pool because I didn't have to worry about Isaiah falling over the edge or whatever. The boys played in the sand and Eli tried his hand at building a sand castle (which he quickly gave up on----didn't turn out like the ones in books or on TV.) After a sandy lunch, we ended our time with one last "float/swim" out to the deep end so Eli could touch the yellow "fingy" (barrier/rope). I don't think I have heard him stop asking when we can go back to the beach again!

The last weekend in June, the boys and I drove up to the Celina Balloon Festival to see the hot air balloons and the fireworks show! Despite the extreme heat and humidity, we had a good couple of hours sharing a HUGE strawberry-banana smoothie and watching the balloon glow at dusk. As expected, we all loved the fireworks---Eli was laying with his head on my lap and little Isaiah was hugging me just as tight as he could (scared, but too curious not to look). With each firework that lit the sky, Isaiah would say "Woah." It was such a sweet, memorable night.