This was the party thrown together in a weeks time. Earlier in the year, we had decided that there would be no party this year, but once we decided to put in the pool, we felt we had free entertainment. But then has the date approached and we were faced with several pool delays, I felt it just wouldn't be possible. I was in favor of calling it all off, with just a small celebration with grandparents, but Rick was insistent that we move forward with the party as planned. In the end we compromised somewhat to invite just a few friends and family. In the event that the pool wasn't ready, I was extremely nervous about entertaining a large crowd of children.
Rick and my brother worked extremely hard this week to get the backyard back in shape and ready for today. I decided not to do three cakes this year and opted to try and combine our interest for a Disney Hollywood theme. I have to admit I was kind of disappointed as this is not exactly how I had ordered the cake but the kids didn't seem to notice.
And after all of their hard work it was another mild August day leaving the water somewhat chilly. The kids seem to split their time between the pool and the play set. 
The kids had been quite insistent for some time now that their next birthday party include a pinata.
In the end, we manged to entertain the crew with some good old fashion backyard party fun. Hopefully by next year, we will have our patio finished and better equipped, so we can invite more of our friends.
Uncle Patrick and Aunt Julie gave the kids their first fishing poles with the promise to take them fishing. Now our poor kids will get some much needed real experience versus only the virtual iPhone version. As soon as most of of the guest had left, they decided to practice casting into the pool. 
Last pictures of day and I finally got some genuine smiles! We capped off our day with a trip to Wal-Mart, where they used their birthday cash to purchase the much anticipated Nintendo DSi's. It was a great celebration and the kids are looking forward to vacation, but I think they still have no idea of what is to come.
Concrete was poured on Monday so the kids couldn't wait to get home on Tuesday and take their first big plunge into the pool. They were loving the fact that they could jump in. I'm already counting down the days until next summer. 
To cool off and to celebrate Jax's homerun, Rick decided we could finally take our first dip in the pool. 
It definitely cooled us down. It was pretty chilly but I even got in. I couldn't be left out of our first family swim. Concrete is scheduled to be poured tomorrow. We are praying all goes smoothly.
The kids have been drinking close to a gallon of chocolate milk a day since they were a year old. Because they had always drank so much of it, I had always bought the pre-made Great Value chocolate milk, which they had always preferred hands down to any other chocolate milk. On occasion when the boys were desperate for some milk, they would break down and drink a different brand. To bring this into perspective, they drank chocolate milk first thing in the morning and always ended their day with a couple of cups during their settle down time. If they were hot, tired, or thirsty, it was always chocolate milk. Here and there they would have some kool-aid, juice, or root beer but all in all it was their milk that kept them happy.
Recently, I had began thinking that it was past time to take away the sippy cups, but it was just easier managing spills, especially since they always drank their milk when watching cartoons. I also knew that milk wouldn't quite be the same. At times, you could actually hear Baylor let out a big, "ahhh..." after chugging a glass of his tasty milk.
Within the past few days the kids began to complain that the milk tasted yucky. So, I checked the milk and it didn't seem bad but I decided to pour it out and gave them fresh milk from a new gallon but they still didn't seem satisfied. Then my mom reported to me later in the week that they were refusing to drink the chocolate milk she had bought for them. They kept saying, "Did you buy bunny milk? This milk taste funny. It's yucky."
And so it seems we are finished with milk. I tried mixing them chocolate milk but that was a no go. Today two of them tried a little strawberry. They said it was okay but then didn't bother to finish the glass. So, I guess you could say they have kicked the habit.
Ironically, my cousins boy who was an avid chocolate milk drinker did the same thing two weeks ago. I can only assume that Great Value switched suppliers. I suppose the good news is I don't have to find a way to break them from sippy cups and our vacation will be a little less complicated knowing we don't have to have chocolate milk at bedtime each evening. I won't be hearing, "Mom, more mmiiilllk...." each evening. Guess God takes care of all things, big and small. Now, hopefully their little bodies won't go into lack of calcium shock.
I am fortunate to have first hour plan so I was able to arrive a little late today. Rick and I were both able to take them; however, I think they would have been fine to walk into school all on their own.
The kids moved across the hall and two doors down from their old classroom so they are completely comfortable with their surroundings. We were one of the first to arrive and Mrs. Fisher greeted them and explained morning procedures. I think they were a little confused as it was a little different than Pre-K.
The kids settled in quickly and I hit the road. No tears this year. I was only excited for them. They go to an awesome school with great teachers. Now, Kindergarten graduation might be a different story.
Everyone came back happy and excited about their day. They loved having lunch at school and they saw lots of their friends from last year on the playground. They are already looking forward to tomorrow.
The kids have learned so much this summer. After watching their cousin Brookelyn climb the rock wall, both Jax and Delaney gave it a try. Delaney was determined to make it to the top, which she did.
For the past month or so, Jax has been obsessed with learning how to dive. He's had more belly busters but I think he has finally got the hang of it. Baylor gave it a whirl as well, and pretty much got it on the first try.
It was really nice to relax and spend some quality time together. Tomorrow, it's back to work and all that hectic chaos that goes along with trying to balance work, home, and children's activities.
Monday, I ventured back to my classroom to begin the set up for a new year, and when I returned home there was a huge hole in my backyard. Finally... the pool crew had arrived (just a couple of weeks late).
Tuesday, I took the boys to see a movie and then the kids spent the rest of the afternoon watching phase two.
By Thursday, we had a pool filled with water.
It's been a busy week at work, and I am already missing the leisurely days of summer. Today, I sipped my coffee in bed and tried to enjoy my last day of summer vacation. We had planned to go swimming, but it didn't work out because the Electrician, who was running electric to the pool pump, took most of the day. The kids were disappointed. They decided they wanted to play with playdough but most of our playdough was dried up, so in an effort to keep everyone entertained and happy, I searched the internet for a playdough recipe. The trick was finding one with ingredients we had in the house. We settled on an edible recipe made with peanut butter. Jax had to lick it right away. I have to say it didn't taste bad, but for the most part, they stuck to playing with it.
And so that's how we ended our summer vacation. We stayed in our PJ's until afternoon, played, made a huge mess, and finally ended our day with a trip to the grocery store. Nothing big but then again...sometimes those are the best moments.
Here's my favorite moment from the day (We are having grilled cheese sandwhiches for lunch)
Baylor: Mom, are grilled cheeses, girly? Are only girls suppose to eat grilled cheese? (this is when I realize he thinks they are called GIRLED Cheese)
Me: I explain that it is a GRILLED cheese. I spelled it, sounded it out, and show them that you Grill it on the stove, therefore it is a GRILLED cheese.
Now this didn't really surprise me all that much, as this is the kid who also still says, Hoscume instead of costume, Tokoyo's Gardens instead of Tokoyo Garden etc. However, a few minutes later to my surprise, I hear Delaney, our little explainer of the universe, telling Baylor that mommy use to call them, Girled Cheese and now calls them Grilled cheese. She changed the name of them!
The thought of camping just brings out the best in everyone.
The kids were awesome little campers and loved sleeping in the pop-up. More importantly this time around when it was time to sleep, they actually slept. Saturday morning it began raining around 6:30 a.m. and rained for a solid two hours before clearing. By mid afternoon, the sunshine began to peek out so we could enjoy the outdoors.
The kids took their first ride on sea doos.
Jared cooked up some mean hot dogs and burgers. Why does food always taste so much better at the lake?
The Gillion's arrived in time for lunch and then we headed out on their boat for the afternoon. Who would have thought you could put 7 kids and 6 adults on a boat?
At times it can be a little crazy and can seem like a circus with so many little people running around, but it is so fun to watch them play, explore and know that they are making memories that they will one day look back on. We built a little campfire that evening for roasting marshmallows and then we settled into an evening of playing games. Jax now thinks Jared is the checkers king.
I thought this picture sort of summed up our weekend. It wasn't the beautiful sandy white beaches of Destin this year, but it was great to reunite with good friends, laugh and enjoy our crazy beautiful lives together.
