The pop & lock-er.

Layton is the most outgoing kid I know.
Unless, it has to do with performing something in front of people.

We discovered this a few months ago with his first musical program at school.
Grandpa bribed him with money, I bribed him with ice cream and it was still a struggle to get him to go on stage.
He did it, but seriously looked like he might crap himself at any second.
That memory will be embedded in my brain until the day I die.

This trait in him he gets from me - poor kid.

Last night we were at The Roses for a BBQ.
As soon as the music started, Kaylee started hassling him to dance.
[He will entertain us at home sometimes, and we always get a kick out of it.]
After much coercing, he finally caved.

I was thrilled that Lee CAUGHT THIS ON TAPE.

Obviously, the boy has rythym.
This however... he did NOT get from his mom.

The little swimmer.

Kay's first meet was on Thursday.
This is her first year on swim team so she isn't the fastest... yet.
However, she puts her heart and soul into it and that is an amazing thing to watch.
I love her determination and her desire to be great at something that she loves.
It just goes to show that she's no quitter - and that right there? Is something to be proud about.

My biggest fan.

As of lately, I am considered the 'total shit' in Sydneys opinion.
Over the weekend she was practically joined at my hip - following me around and loving all the attention I was giving her.
She just couldn't get enough of my kisses, tickles, and hugs.
The Auntie in me must admit that I enjoyed it just as much as she did... if not more.

Afterall, she is the cutest and COOLEST 2 year old on the freaking PLANET.

The road trip.

We ventured out this weekend (without Lee) and headed for Roseburg with the family for a wedding.
Halfway in - about and hour or so after taking off I realized something: I hate driving long distances.
I don't think I realized it before then because normally that is Lee's job, but luckily, my kids do awesome in the car for hours. I don't think I even heard a 'are we there yet?' once. [Lucky for them.]

We stayed in a cute little motel and had the best waffles for breakfast each morning.
I think Kaylee and Layton enjoyed the elevator, the key card, and being under the same roof as their cousins the most.

We were spoiled with beautiful weather both days, and the wedding was just as pretty.

On the way home we stopped off at The Wildlife Safari and that was a super COOL experience. We even had an encouter with two ginormous girraffes who were just inches from our car.
The kids (and myself) were in total awe.
[Unfortunately, my phone malfunctioned (okay, so maybe it was me) and I don't have the video that I thought I was recording.] Otherwise, it would be on here. GRRR.

Anyhoo, This trip was super fun and we enjoyed all the time spent with the family.
Can't wait for more of our summer-adventures that await us.

[[This was taken at the wedding and just goes to show that sometimes it is nearly impossible to get these two to cooperate for a picture... Stinkers.]]

The rescue.

Our cat likes to drag in creatures sometimes through the doggie-door.
I hate it because I cant stand the mess afterwards.
Kaylee hates it because she loves animals and it breaks her heart to see them hurt.

Today Patches attacked a baby bird and I thought Kaylee was going to have a panic attack.
She scooped it up before I could stop her and held the poor thing FOREVER.
Finally, it fluttered in her hands and flew away.

The look on her face when it was finally free was priceless.
This girl of mine.
I just LOVE her heart.

This week.

Has exhausted me already.

I find it interesting how for the past month or more I have been dying for summer to get here.
Ready for the kids to be out of school, ready for the sun, the trips, all the fun stuff that usually comes with it.

But, one week in? I am wanting a break already.
I've been overwhelmed with all of the things that I've been needing to accomplish and honesty I am wondering what I signed up for.

Kaylee started morning swim practices this week, so I am up at 7. EVERYDAY. [Oh, and to those people who are thinking: 'oh, pleeaasse... I get up earlier than that every day] Ummm, SAVE. IT.

I don't work (which makes me also want to point out: that this phrase is a crock-of-shit BTW. I'm 'working' my rear off daily just trying to keep stuff around here running smoothly.) 

Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. Um... I don't have a job outside the house so forgive me for wanting to sleep in sometimes. Summer should consist of staying in bed until 11 if I want to at least once a week.

But, this week? Fat chance.
I have been running all day. Everyday.
Each day I literally don't sit on my couch until 10 o'clock at night - sometimes later.
I have fallen asleep everynight after a few seconds of lying down.

Between practices, hair appoitments, laundry, packing for our upcoming weekend away. birthday parties, end-of-season-parties, a visit to the vet, grocery shopping, and a few other thing that I know I am forgetting to list - I think I am quickly losing my mind.

I've had no time to blog, no time to relax, no time to spend with my husband, no time for the bestie, no time for anything really.

Um, What is UP with that?
I glanced at my calendar and see that next week is a bit less hectic but the week after that? It picks right back up.

Oh summer, when did you get so stressful?

It's DAD'S day.

~ and I know that my kids are more than lucky to have such an AMAZING one.