Independence Day Festivities

I absolutely love the 4th of July and always look forward to the festivities.  I think it is one of my favorite family holidays!  I have so many good memories from when I was a kid, and I look forward to many more memories for our little family!

This year, we headed downtown on Tuesday evening for the eventful Light Up Arlington.  We got there kind of late because we didn't know how long the girls would make it, and we wanted to stay for fireworks.  So, we only did a few fun things, but I think they left a lasting impression--at least for Tylie.  We started with a Duckie Derby, where Tylie won and picked out a hammer.

Next we went to the blow-up playground area--and forgot to take pictures--where there were bounce houses, huge slides, a long train, and other inflatable entertainment.

The most memorable moment of the night was the pony ride.  Tylie is still talking about the black horse she got to ride, and that Kaelisse got to ride a white one.  She had such a wonderful time, that we decided we need to plan a trip to Aunt Angie's house so we can ride some real horses!

After this, we spent a little while in the farm area where the girls got to pet and brush goats, sheep, a cow, bunnies, etc.  They always have a good time with animal interaction, so it was naturally a hit.  

That's all we really had time to do, and it felt like plenty with two little girls.  Then we went and found a spot for the fireworks. We weren't sure how well this was going to go.  Tylie has been increasingly sensitive to loud noises lately, and Kaelisse hasn't really experienced the boom of fireworks before.  Luckily, they both made it through the 25 minute display, and we all had a wonderful time!

 This is how Tylie spent the first half of the show.  Hehe.

 Kaelisse was in awe the whole time.  The noise didn't phase her.

 They both wanted to stay cuddled up to daddy the whole time.  I love watching the girls with Brent...they love him so much!

 The next morning, we went downtown again to enjoy the parade.  I look forward to the parade every year! I think I enjoy it almost more than most kids do.  I simply love the atmosphere of patriotism, and always enjoy all the local talent that comes out to participate. 

 Tylie standing for the flag as it passed.

 Such a precious moment!

 Kaelisse thought she wanted to be a part of the action...running out into the road!

Here are some of the more interesting items from our parade this year:

UTA--Go Mavericks!  Tylie likes to see Blaze anywhere she can.

 Approximately 30 Elvis impersonators...on mini motorcycles.

 An entire crew of belly dancers.

 A really large, spy-movie-looking fire truck.

 Um....??

 ???

 I think this one looked like a circus version of the character from Narnia...what was his name??

What a wonderful holiday and a wonderful couple of days full of entertainment.  As a family, we really had a great time!

Unfortunately...only a few hours after returning home from the parade, we ended up in the hospital with Kaelisse--what a way to spend a holiday!  Thankfully, this was her shortest stay yet, and she was hooked up to far fewer machines for the most part.  We're thankful she recovered quickly and is feeling so much better!

Hope all of you had a great holiday like we did!  And hopefully, amid all the excitement, we remembered to be grateful for this wonderful country we live in and the freedoms we enjoy!  

I'm proud to be an American!!!

Random pictures we have taken recently:

Hanging with my favorite two girls in the universe!  They make me smile all day long--most of the time!  :D

Reading together...I absolutely love watching them read books.  I'm glad they both seem to love them so much already!

 After we put swimsuits on, Kaelisse wastes no time grabbing her floatie and waiting at the door for the rest of us to catch up!  She and Tylie are such water babies!  They love swimming, and are frighteningly confident about their abilities in the water.  We're teaching them....but I think it may be time to bring in the professionals.  (Also, I LOVE her "cheese" face!)

Pictures

Here are some random pictures from the last couple of weeks.  As you can see, our summer ROCKS!

Tylie and Kaelisse were standing by each other, both in their "helmets." But by the time I got my camera out, Kaeliesse had moved on.

One of her favorite books right now, even though it doesn't look that way here. 

Vegging to a little television that mom is guilty of using to entertain them for a minute.

Tylie's first day swimming, with her bee floatie.

This girl's smile gets me every time!

Anyone want to guess what this picture is all about?  Hehe...

Yep...we've been potty training!  Tylie is showing me what it looks like to go "number 2" in a big girl potty!  :)

Covered in rice from head to toe.  She loves rice, so we continue to feed it to her.  But, we always eat the sticky rice, and it is a beast to clean up!

This is Kaelisse being dramatic....her normal.  I love the look on her face and they way she holds her hands when she wants us to pick her up.  

I just have to take pictures of Tylie every time I have the camera out, so here she is being silly.

This CRACKED me up this morning.  Right after Kaelisse woke up, Tylie asked if she could hold her.  LOL We haven't done this since Kaeliesse stopped being a tiny baby who held still for it.  

Kaelisse loved it, and sat there perfectly happy for a few minutes.  I think Kaelisse is as big as Tylie is!  Too funny!

Not a great quality pic, but it makes me laugh.  Kaelisse fights sleeping so much that she often tires out and falls asleep sitting up in her crib.  When we find her finally snoozing, she has just tipped over into any corner that is near.

Family Time

   Our summer officially started a couple weeks ago.  However, between Brent working some baseball camps, me babysitting for a friend, and everything else that we've had going on, we really hadn't begun to enjoy it.  That is what made Friday so wonderful!  For the first time in a while, we really celebrated some quality family time...so great!!!
   We started by going out to lunch thanks to an end-of-the-year gift card from one of my students (just one of the MANY perks of being a teacher).
   Then we headed to a nearby petting farm that has free admission.  It was such a wonderful little place, and my girls had an incredible time!  We'll definitely be going back.

The zombie face here has nothing to do with her boredom of animals, and everything to do with  the fact that she had only had a mini-sized nap--not to mention the searing heat.

Tylie almost wore out the volunteers.  She wanted to go into the goat pen, then out to pet the bunny, then back into the goat pen.....you get the picture.  The teenage guy working was very gracious and walked back and forth as many times as she wanted.

Kaelisse was thrilled with all the living, moving things.  It was so  fun to watch her get overly excited at everything she looked at.

She is becoming a very expressive little thing....we laugh all the time at her faces.

   When we came home, the pool was empty so we changed our clothes and headed over there to cool off.  It was our first dip this year, and was a great time.  Both of our girls love the water so much, so I anticipate spending many hours there over the next couple months.  

She is starting to look and act so much more grown up all the time!  Slow down baby!

   We ended the day by going grocery shopping.  This is....let's all admit it....not a fun task.  However, it was more time spent together, and that's always worth it!

   I'm so excited for the weeks of summer that we have ahead of us.  I'm thankful that Brent and I are both working jobs right now that allow us to spend so much time together during these warm months.  While I'm working during the school year, I always feel like my poor sweet girls are neglected and denied their mommy time, and the summer helps me make up some of that!

Baseball Season Comes to a Close

We have felt very fortunate this year to be a part of the UTA basball fan club. They had a really great season, ending in the NCAA regional playoffs.  Brent has a nice "racoon" tan line to prove his regular attendance (working as their head athletic trainer).  The girls and I went to as many home games as nap schedules, weather, and time would allow.  We really had a great time and enjoyed learning more about the game and the players.  Tylie was one of their best cheerleaders....always clapping and woo-hooing (although not always for the right team).  Kaelisse wasn't near as interested in the game as she was in the food and the climbing apparatus.  I loved relaxing in the sun while my girls were busily entertained by everyone and everything around them!

Thank you, Maveriks, for a great season of entertainment!  Can't wait for next season!

Sad Mommy Moment

So, I know it was inevitable.  I also know it holds no real emotional meaning besides frustration in the moment.  But, it still broke my heart a little tonight when Tylie said, "Go away, Kaelisse!  I don't like you!"