July Catch Up - Week Two

After Puna and Papa left, the kids were sad, so Mommy organized a play date with some friends to the splash park.  We had three other families come with us.  The kids had a great time showing their friends the park.

We tried another carousel ride, but we didn't take Tommy this time.  The rest of the week passed quickly.  Tommy was up to his usual shenanigans of throwing everything down the stairs.  If we ever can't find something, the stairs are the first place we look.  Nothing is safe from Bubba and his stairs game!

Daddy caught Lily reading Five Silly Monkeys to Bubba one night before bed.  Tommy actually sat through the whole book and Lily did an awesome job "reading" it to her brother.

Daddy has been plugging away at the garage.  He finished all the insulation and dry wall this week.  He also extended out the platform off the door for us.  Mommy asked him to create a cubby for each child to hang coats, backpacks, boots, etc.  Hopefully it will be a good clutter management tool - especially in the winter months.  And it will keep dirty shoes and wet clothes out of the house....maybe. Once Mommy chooses a design, Daddy will get to work on the units.

The big news for the week happened on Saturday. Mommy surprised the girls with a Mommy-Daughters date (with tag-along Tommy) to meet Elsa and Anna from the movie Frozen.  A local craft boutique opened in downtown Idaho Falls earlier this summer.  They hosted a free Frozen event to showcase their store and their line of custom made Frozen merchandise - dresses, necklaces, crowns, capes, you name it, they will make it!  Lily and Annie didn't know what we were going to see or do on the date until we arrived.  I'm so glad I kept it a surprise because their reaction was priceless.

When the girls walked in and saw the princesses sitting there, they were speechless.  Lily was completely overcome and started holding her breath.  I had to help her calm down and breathe.  Annie was so happy to see Anna and show off her own dress and pink boots, but she was too amazed to say anything. I had no idea they would be so wrapped up in the magic and enjoy this visit so much.  I started to cry just from seeing the joy the kids were experiencing.  It was such a sweet afternoon.  I hope I never forget how awestruck the girls were.

At the event, each child got to make a snowflake craft.  Oh boy!  Glitter and glue and sparkles galore!

 After making the snowflake and having a few minutes to spend with the princesses, Lily and Annie relaxed and enjoyed getting one on one time with each character.  The girls are convinced they met the real Anna and Elsa and keep asking me to take them back to the store.  I told them it was a one time deal and the princesses had to go back to Arendelle.  Now Lily and Annie want me to take them to Arendelle.  Oh dear!  It is hard keeping magic alive in a child's heart.  But it is so much fun too.

Lily and Annie hugged the princesses goodbye so tightly.  I was so impressed with the kindness of the princesses.  They made our girls' dreams come true.  Lily didn't want to say goodbye, but a balloon proved to be a good distraction.  The kids danced down Park Avenue back to the car with their heads in the clouds.  Their imaginations were running wild the rest of the day.  I don't think they have ever hugged and kissed me so much in one day.  Before going home I took them out for an ice cream cone.  That's when Tommy's fun began......

He insisted on holding it all by himself. He polished off one cone all on his own.  He charmed everyone around us with his ice cream love affair.  He was jabbering and dancing and jumping.  His big brown eyes were all sparkle and shine.  Saturday was a joyful day for all of our littles!

And that finally catches us up for the month.  See you next Sunday with more shenanigans!