Only Entrant?

Ok, so I am totally the biased mother, and have the most wonderful artistic little children...but I think that perhaps we might have been the only entrant on our newspapers coloring contest for Julia's age group... =)

Funny Neighbor

We have some funny neighbors...I got this letter after blogging about our unusual front-yard farming...

On stage!

Ry waves to the paparazzi (Krista and I) as he walks in the auditorium.

I think he has met his match--this little guy in the center seems to be just as excited about singing as Ry!

Julia dances while Tyler watches the stage like he's tuned in to his favorite television show or something. =)

Foot in Mouth

I love that Ry is talking more, but I'm not sure this new stage has been so great...Ry's verbalizing more is really challenging some relationships...really putting my PR skills to the test...

For example-

In the playland at MacDonalds:
Crying girl: Mommy, that boy up there was mean to me!
Me: Ryan, why were you mean to her?
Ry: She wouldn't pay her toll, and I don't like that brown on her!
(She was a cute little African-American girl).

At the Y waiting for Julia's gymnastics class to end:
Ry to woman, 34ish years old: Are you here to pick up your grandkids?

At our house:
Ry to neighbor: Is there a baby in your belly?
Neighbor: Um, no...
Ry pointing to tummy area: What is that?

Who needs a toenail anyways...

A few weeks ago Julia fell and her toenail pulled up a bit. I never thought too much of it, until she started complaining this week that he toe was hurting. After closer inspection, and a trip to the pediatrician, we've learned that the nail will need to come off.
Here, she sits and soaks in "my salt" (Epson salt bath) for 30 minutes while reading library books.
I have a feeling this is going to mess with our pedicures just a bit...=)

Tennis and Gymnastics

Ok, so it might just be possible I have been waiting for this moment for the last 4 1/2 years! Ryan (and his friend Izzy) took their first tennis lesson today!
We'll just say we are a LONG way from Wimbledon...but some serious potential here. =)

And Julia took her first gymnastics class today! (Ok..confession, her first class in general! Poor second child has been dragged along to Ry's stuff, but this was the first thing I actually signed her up for!) See her face? All day I would say to her, "Julia, you are so cute!" and she would say "NO, I AM NOT!!"

Girls Weekend

I sure hope that "calories don't count with friends" is true, or we are in SUCH trouble! Emily, Melissa, Amanda and I just spent an awesome weekend down at the Lake...chillaxin, shopping, talking eating, and laughing, laughing and more laughing.
Melissa and I clearly missed our calling in life to be movie stars. =)

While I had a GREAT time with the girls, I must say one of the highlights actually happened on my return when Jeff told me, "Wow, I SO appreciate you! It was really hard with the kids and getting them all packed up and everything. And then I spent like half a day cleaning, and could hardly tell I even did any work!" Um, I think maybe I need to leave them more often!?!

Camping

The kids were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Harriss (who have been gone for the entire summer in NY). They decided to drive up to Olney, IL and meet up with them on their journey home for a little weekend camping.

Kids at preschool = closet cleaning time =
I can never ever ever again use the excuse I have nothing to wear! =)

M-I-Z-Z-O-U

Does anyone know what in the world this formation is supposed to be?

What a great day (despite some rain!)we had at the Mizzou/Illinois Bragging Rights Game! We went kid-free (thanks Aunt Stacy!) for some tailgating fun with great friends, had a fantastic dinner at Llywelyn's and got to check out Lumiere Place (totally overated, in my opinion) before turning in for the night at Union Station.

Family Movie Night

Friday night + tired parents = indoor picnic/family movie night!

= very happy kiddos!

Happy 60th, Papa Harriss

Papa-

RyRy made this for you. Happy Birthday. Dear papa, I love you all the time. And I love you. Come home from your camp and see me and Julia and Mommy and Daddy. Lets have icing and a sleepover. We can sing to you outside on your front deck way up high. I love you all and I love your trailer and your truck and grandma. And I love the kitchen door and our trainset that goes around in circles.

He dictated that to me. =)

Curious or Crazy?

I fed a little of my favorite "drug" to a weed out in the landscaping tonight...wondering what will happen when the weed drinks up some of the Pepsi Max!? I've heard before that 7up is great for plants...but not so sure on dark soda. Updates to follow...

UPDATE: SEPT 17, The weed is still growing strong...think it's time to pull it. =)
PepsiMax is not an effective weed killer.

Our Illegal Garden

See this?

(I'm not talking about the hottie hubby).

This cantalope did NOT come from a supermarket.

Uh..yeah. We have a GARDEN! Sorta...

See, earlier this summer, Jeff threw a cantalope seed into our front landscaping...not thinking much of it. And then we noticed we had quite a vine growing. And it kept getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. And while I was trying to figure out what it was, and if I should pull this weed (?) like thing or not...And then we noticed about 20 cantalope starting to grow! Of course, we had to keep it then!

I am sure this breaks some major rule in our neighborhood association's book (which makes me, the rule-follower cringe!), but since we haven't gotten a letter about it or any negative verbal feedback yet, we're keeping it! Besides...I figure we could "pay off" those naysayers with some free fruit! (No worries...if we try this again next year, it will be in the back!)

Ryan shows his entrepreneur side and climbs the pole to announce he is selling "fresh ant-elope from my garden for sale!"

By the way, I made him put on pants to go outside. We are going through another naked phase. I can't wait until that ends, since now Julia does everything her brother does! I am trying to look on the bright side.

Naked phase = less laundry!!

Welcome to Preschool!

Today was the first day of preschool for the kids. Somehow, this was the best photo I got that morning. (What a Kodak moment, huh? But I suppose it does represent "real" life! Lucas (1) was mad about being put down for the photo, Ry (4) was trying to cheer him up, Tyler (2) was obediently standing still for a pic, and Julia(2) was giving me the diva look about being asked to pose for a pic). Julia and Tyler are in the same class, which I am super excited about for them to get to spend this time together!

After dropoff, we moms decided to spend the first bit of our free time enjoying breakfast at Cracker Barrel down the street!