Pool, Party, Pottery, Pancakes... Part 2

The rest of the story was that we went to one of those pottery places where you can paint the piece you choose. Stella loved it! I loved it! Yates participated for a while then decided to roam around and barely touch everything in there. At one point he pulled his shorts off and put them back on. Who knows... S and Y made father's day gifts for Michael, a mug and a lidded box. They're going to be sooo cute!

As we were leaving it started to pour and we were soaked. Once we had all made it into the car we were all laughing so hard b/c we were so, so wet. It turned into some silly song about our hair being wet, our toes being wet and even our baby was all wet. Sweet Rex looked pretty confused about how and why he had gotten so wet but didn't complain.

We ended up at Breadwinners for lunch and the kids both chose to have pancakes for lunch. Its summertime. Why not?

All of these pictures are from my iphone. Sorry about that. But this last one is a rare shot of Stella and Yates sitting together peacefully. Yates walked up to Stella and asked if he could sit with her... how cute. She said sure and made him a spot.

I'd also like to point out Yates' shirts in these pictures. One is a too small turquoise tshirt with Bam Bam's body and neck. Its pretty atrocious, but he loves it and insists on wearing it. If the Bam Bam shirt is dirty, then he insists on wearing his too small gray bulldozer shirt. One might say, buy the boy some clothes that fit. I do! I've even sacrificed my own fashion rules and have purchased shirts with cranes and jeeps and stuff on them. He will not wear them. Basically, Yates is only happy with his outfit 2 days a week. Bam Bam day and bulldozer day. The rest of the week he regretfully settles on some of his more attractive shirts. We have the same issue with the shoes. Right now he is only wearing old, too tight green crocs or his rainbow flip flops. I took his little bootie to Nordstrom and showed him the wall of crocs. I told him he could choose any color he wanted. "Nope, I like green." "Well, lets get you a new green pair that fit better." "Nope, I like these." This went on and on and on. He didn't budge. We tried looking at new shirts too. "Nope, I not like those shirts." So, if you see Yates looking silly, thats why. He's a man.

Pool, Party, Pottery, Pancakes...

walking to the pool

The summer bonanza continues...

We've been spending some time at the pool and the kids are loving it. This picture is IT for me. All of my babies (and me) having fun in the pool... my favorite. Stella has even been jumping in with her head going under. Yates is fearless. He loves to jump in and go under over and over and over. Luckily he waits for a catcher b/c he drops to the bottom like a rock is happy to stay there. Rex is happy as a lark as long as I'll hold him. Gets sleepy, takes a nap in his stroller, then is ready for more. Such an easy baby!

My little Stella baby turned 4!!!!!

that face. she was so happy.

I absolutely can not believe she is four years old. I can't stand it. She is such an amazing little girl. I am so lucky to be her mommy. I have said a thousand times that she surprises me every day and she does. I wish I had time to sit and stare and play and talk to her alone, one on one, all day every day. It breaks my heart every time she is telling one of her super long drawn out stories and I don't get the whole thing or when she needs me to look or help and I just can't. Its hard to know that you can't do it all when you want to so much. I love her so much and hope that I do well enough as her mommy to help her reach her full potential.

So, to celebrate the big day Gigi, Gabby, Pink and Bop came and we had a big huge fabulous Butterfly Sprinkler party (totally her idea) with lots and lots of friends. It turned out really well and the kids had lots of fun, despite the fact that it was about 200 degrees outside. The grandparents all helped so much and I couldn't have done that day without them.

The real birthday morning. I gave her a "singing candle" in the center of a donut and she thought it was amazing.

On the real birthday day we took a long trip up the tollway, rode the carousel and went to the Disney store. The carousel was a hit and S and Y chose one Disney toy. I told them they could eacg choose 1 thing in the store. Out of all of the things there S chose another Ariel Barbie and sweet little Yates chose a blue Buzz Lightyear flip phone off of the junk rack... they are so random.

-- real quick story about the tollway--

S and Y are obsessed with the tollway. They have these conversations in the back of the car about whether or not we're on the tollway. Yates will say, "Dallah (stella) we on tooooollbaaay" and she'll say, "Oookay, let me pull my puppy up." Sounds weird but its their ritual. Stella has this stuffed yorkie with no name and a purple collar and leash, who is laced through the granny bar. When we're on the tollway, she HAS TO pull the puppy's leash and have him dangle in the window. Why? I have no idea, but its hilarious to me over and over.

Another day we decided to go... I'll have to finish this later.

Green eyes? I can't decide...

Pink gave Yates a viewmaster. He LOVES it!