Air Show Fun!

I was so happy that the weather finally cleared and we were able to go to the Air Show on Sunday, Mike really wanted to do this for his birthday.  We didn't get there until around one, but it was plenty of time for the kids.

Daddy snuggled Dawson in his lap to watch part of the show.

Ava and Carter checked out the helicopters together.

Pilot Ava

Checking out the insides of large cargo planes.

Another fun fact: Brendan is as tall as Mike now.

Carter did push ups to get himself an army lanyard.  Then he came back and did more for his sister who claimed she couldn't do a push up (I think she was scared/intimidated.)  What a nice big brother!

Cuddling on our blanket

Dawson and Carter were pretty interested in watching the show.  Although Dawson did spend a lot of time playing with the warm tar in the cracks on the concrete.

While Ava decided that oral hygiene was more important than the planes.  Yes, that is floss hanging out of her mouth.

But the air show must have made an impact on her because when we left she couldn't decide whether she wanted to be an art teacher or join the Navy.

A fun day together! 

A visit to Aunt Margie

This past weekend we went to visit Aunt Margie.  She recently purchased a home very close to Wright State.  So for sake of nostalgia we drove the kids around campus and stopped at 1287 Maple Hall.

Where Mike and I met fifteen years ago!  Can you believe it has been that long!!

On Saturday it rained pretty much nonstop until two in the afternoon.  Although Mike wanted to go to the Air Show, it was just too wet.  So we went to the Air Force Museum instead.  Miss Ava was very lucky to have such a great cousin to carry her around.

Had to take a picture of the Goodyear Tire!

I have to say, Ava did not have a very big interest in the air force museum.  I think the mints in Meme's purse were her highlight.

Dawson did a great job walking around the Museum.  I was tired and had to sit down, but his little legs kept on powering through!

Carter was at a fun age to visit the Air Force Museum.  He asked so many questions and he wanted to read everything.  I know that he really enjoyed it!

Ava the Selfie Monster!!!

Meanwhile, Dawson decided to take a bath in the neighborhood puddles which were overflowing due to all the rain we had that morning.

And of course, we sang Happy Birthday to the best Daddy in the world.  We love you!

Visiting the little Cousins

I'm a little behind, but I wanted to put some pictures up earlier this month when the kids went to visit their little cousins.  I unfortunately decided to stay home to paint because I really don't know how else to get these things done with kids running around.  But everyone had a wonderful time and here are the pictures to prove it!

Dirty Dirty Boy

Carter was in heaven

Swimming with friends

Three dirty happy played out kids plus a little cousin buddy too!

Safety Village

Hooray for Ava, our little Safety Village graduate!  Daddy had off from work this day, so he was able to see the ceremony.

Ava had a ball at Safety village, it was so funny to hear her singing all the different songs they learned. 

She had big smiles all week long, and she made a point to tell me that she already knew everything.  But it's always good for a little review!

Our Family

Dawson is now really excited for his turn at Safety Village.

Summer Pics

I'm so happy that summer is here!  It's nice because the kids are getting tons of outside play time, sleeping as much as needed and spending time together.  All of these things are sorely lacking during the school year.  And now some pictures of what we have been up to:

Ava loves to be creative and she recently read a book about Biscuit who wins a prize at a pet show for #1 friend.  Later that week she left me a little prize on my night stand for #1 parent.  Thanks for the surprise Ava!

Park Day!  We visited twice and probably spent six hours there between two days.  We also had a pretty fun baseball game going.

And of course, take a kid to the park and they come home with a virus.  Poor little Doc was just absolutely wiped out.  He woke up at 7:30 and fell back asleep around 9:00 and then took a three hour nap on the couch.  By the afternoon he was back in top form and eating like a mad man.

We celebrated the end of baseball/softball season.  While I had such a blast watching them play, I'm glad for the five games a week to be over.  

Shadow is officially one!  We took her to the dog park so she could run to her hearts content and play with other dogs.  

Man, he is looking so grown up lately with his mohawk and sunglasses.

We went to the summer reading kick off at our library and the kids loved making their own super hero cape.  Is it any wonder that all three of them chose to make a Batman cape?  I swear I didn't line them up against the wall like this, I just asked them to show me their capes!

What a fun summer we have ahead!

Summer Time Fun!

You (three) are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

when skies are grey

You'll never know dear(s)

how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

As you can see we are enjoying the sunshine!  While I worked on washing the van these three had a ball playing with the hose.

Four and a Half!

Dawson boy, I've been squeezing you extra tight this week because you officially turned four and a half.  

This is you right now: a mischievous grin, wearing a John Deere or camo and digging and constructing in the dirt.  I love how passionate and involved you become in your interests.  You love to learn about construction equipment, fire trucks and tractors of course.  If we are outside you are riding your bike, playing trucks in the garden or chalking up the sidewalk.  Inside the house you are playing with legos and you love to play board games with me.  When your brother and sister are at school we have played a lot of memory, the ladybug game and perfection.

Let's put our heads together

OH!  I can't believe that I have never put this on the blog before but you have this funny little quirk that you do while you are sleeping:  you smack your lips together.  Daddy says you are eating cheeseburgers in your sleep.  You have done this since you were an infant, one day I'll have to try to get it on video.

Your favorite television show is Paw Patrol.  Dad and I have used this to help entice you to stay in your bed at night.  After staying in your bed for five nights, you got a paw patrol toy.  Then you stayed in your bed for six nights, seven nights, and now we are working on eight nights.  Wow!  That means you have slept in your own bed for twenty nights!  There were a couple of nights with thunderstorms where all the kids slept in our room, but overall you are doing really well.  I have to say, it really didn't bother me to wake up to your sweet little sleeping body on the floor next to me but you have been wandering.  One night you got the dog out of the crate and Mike woke up to doggie kisses and on another night I caught you walking down the stairs.  But thankfully you are highly motivated by Paw Patrol and you are sleeping in your bed at night.  I almost forgot, we also "glue" or "tape" you into bed at night with tickles and hugs.  It's become a silly little nightly routine and I don't know if it helps at all but you ask for it.

crazy eyes, dirty face

Recently we were having a play date at our house.  The kids were in the basement and I heard a loud boom boom boom.  I went down to investigate and there was Dawson taking a plastic golf club and hitting the wooden stairs as hard as he could.  I asked him "What are you doing?"  He told me "sorry Mom I thought it was under demolition."  That is just so you!  So mischievous, but how could I do anything but laugh?

My sweet little baby boy, thank you for making me laugh a thousand times a day.  Thank you for challenging me and loving me.  Thank you for just being you!

Happy four and a half years little guy!!