Wet n' Wild Wednesday

Wednesday was a preview of what our summer vacation will be like at the lake. . .

Lots of kiddos

Lots of water
Lots of sand

Lots of fun

Hopefully, lots of sunshine!

It's Gr8 2 B 8!

Eight years ago today, I witnessed my big, blue baby slip into this world (his cord was wrapped around his neck twice). He laid upon my chest for about ten seconds and in those ten seconds, time stood still and I looked into this little being's eyes and knew that he was going to be okay. That he was, that he was. . . a little blow-by oxygen and he pinked up and then by three days old, he became that beautiful newborn jaundice. I fell in love with this little baby and his tiny little features.

I remember it was awkward calling him by name and today it rolls off my tongue without much thought or effort. I soaked up all his firsts and milestones. . .he still goes through milestones but just not at warp speed. His first word, "ball." His first tooth. Now, it's his first double and soon to be his first set of partial braces!

Oh, where does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I would tuck his tiny arms into a onesie and place him in the stroller and walk around the apartment complex, talking to him and showing him the world. Now, he's totally aware of his world and the distant places he's never seen.

Connor loves life! I've been so fortunate to watch life through his perspective and I'm so blessed to get a different view. Connor loves people! He's caring, thoughtful, and sensitive. Connor loves humor! He's always been a funny baby and now he gets real jokes, comments, sarcasm, and puns! If you ever meet Connor, you'll be lucky to know him and benefit from his presence in your life; he's left beautiful footprints on my heart and those footprints embed deeper and deeper.

At times, I think I'm talking to another adult because he gets life, but then I realize he's still a boy with much life to travel when he reaches for my hand to hold at Target, snuggles with me in bed, or when he spontaneously grabs me for a hug. We'll have a heavy conversation about life and then his next comment is about Lego Harry Potter video game. . .so I get little blips of the man he'll become, and today I'll enjoy the little boy that I have. . .

Beat the Heat!

93 degrees out.

Heat index & humidity makes it 100 degrees.

The wind knocks it down to 98 degrees.

At any rate, it is hot out for early June!

So the kids beat the heat with a water balloon toss this morning!

The anticipation is written all on her face!

Squeezing the balloon and making the water splash!
Yep! Just like that!

It's impossible to catch those things!

Careful with the tossing, now!

Play Ball!

He's in ready-position. . .planting his feet firmly in the dusty diamond.
Not afraid to slide and get dirty for a score.

Getting his glove ready, swinging the bat and hitting the ball hard, and running it out always. . .

Pitching, waiting to be up at bat, cooling down, and a looking determined. . .

He's a baseball player.

Service with a Smile!

Friday, was the big sale day. . . and the kids had eight patrons buy from them. Grandma & Grandpa Roberts, Aunt Angie, Marin, and Evan were there doing their duty as family and bought a few items. Marin was really excited about her new movies and Santa hat! We sold a baby gate, "Kangaroo Climber," movies, and some lemonade.

Connor thought of a marketing strategy that some businesses do here in the city: wave a sign and jump up and down!

The lemonade was a hot item! It was cute watching the kids man up to their jobs; Olivia asked their customer how many ice cubes she wanted and Connor filled the cup and made change. I was so proud my heart was swelling out of my chest--I think I had a little tear in my eye!

Connor had grandiose expectations; thinking all of his items would sell and he would collect a lot of money: they each made $15 (and then I gave them the rest of the money I had donated for change) so they ended up with $29. Connor was bummed, but when I told him that I made $4 at Grandma's garage sale, it made him feel better.

They were eager little beavers and hopefully they learned some lessons along the way.

Kid Inspired. . .

The kids have been planning, preparing, and plotting since last Saturday. . .They have decided to host a garage sale. I didn't have any desire to do one, but since they are so thrilled about it, I decided to be of help.

They have searched through all of their toys and belongings that they want to part with and I have added some extra items that I haven't touched since college [ahem, my exercise step]. Connor is the leader in this mission, his ideas have gone from using Olivia's Karaoke machine for sales marketing to selling lemonade for extra money. We've decided to sell lemonade since this Saturday is supposed to be hot.

Last night we tagged and priced the items (some of them I let the kids price, we'll have to see what our "patrons" will think of the prices;). Yes, Connor calls the customers patrons! The kids also decorated a garage sale sign and some lemonade signs. They continue to ask me if they can have their sale today? tomorrow? They just can't wait for Friday; of course their items have taken residence by the front door so they are reminded of their mission daily, hourly, minutes!

Business Signs. . .

Hopefully, the kids will get something out of their sale. . .the rest of the items we have decided to donate to Good Will.