July 26th - Space cadet

Charlie's class is learning about space this week. Jen Madsen brought in a bunch of show and tell items including this helmet and flightsuit. The kids also got to try on a real EMU glove and see what astronaut food looks like.

July 24th - The less important circus

Today we went to the real circus. The kids had lunch on the way there. I made peanut butter sandwiches and packed veggie crisps for the kids. Charlie would take a big bite of his crisp and then give the last little bit to Josie. It was the cutest thing. Usually he would just hand them to her, but sometimes he would put it in her mouth. Sometimes he takes care of her like she is his child. It is just the sweetest thing.

Ronny and I got lunch at the circus. I had to move Josie off my lap to make room for my food, so I just slid her in next to Charlie. He quickly makes room and puts his arm around her so she will be safe. So nice.

July 20th - Iron Maiden

Ronny had the amazing opportunity to go to an Iron Maiden concert in Washington DC. They had backstage passes and got to chat with some of the band members. He had a great time.

July 19th - Josie's favorite

While Grandma is on a trip to Minnesota, Ronny and I are spending more time at home taking care of Josie. She is becoming even more of a Mommy's girl than before, if that is possible. But one person ranks above me - my favorite 10-year-old Emma. She has come over a few days to help out with Josie. Josie just adores her. And Emma does such a great job. I've known Emma since she was born and it is amazing to see what a smart, mature, and delightful girl she has become.

This picture was taken after I had come home from working for a few hours. Usually Josie DEMANDS to be held by me the minute she sees me, but this afternoon she wouldn't even come to me. She would just go to Emma. What a tease!

July 17th - The playground

July 16th - The most important circus

Jack was a strong man with his classmates in the school circus. My crafty husband made the most awesome dumbbell.

And here is my clown.

July 7-13

There was a face painting day at school. Charlie was a clown and Jack was a mean pirate.

Josie watches out the window when the boys leave.

Giant baby eats dinosaur.

There is a circus day coming up at the boys' school and Charlie is going to be a clown so I ordered a little costume for him.

July 4th - Happy Independence Day!

We went to the Nassau Bay fireworks show. They are the earliest show in our area and very accessible (no traffic). We enjoyed the show at 9pm and we were home by 10. Even Grandma came. She hadn't been to a firework show in decades.

July 3rd - Bike Parade

So last year for our neighborhood bike parade, Ronny drove to the start of the parade with Jack and his bicycle and Charlie and his Big Wheel. He didn't realize how fast Jack would go and thought he could just walk along as the boys rode their wheels. He ended up running after Jack while carrying Charlie and his Big Wheel. I parked at the end of the parade route and walked to meet them with Josie in the double stroller. I took Charlie and Ronny kept running after Jack. This is really why we all got bicycles this year. In any case, this year's bike parade was a bit less stressful. Charlie wasn't quite ready to ride, so I took him and Josie in the wagon - her first wagon ride.

When we get to the F page in Josie's ABC book, she likes to match her feet up to the feet on the page.

Jack and I made some chocolate chip cookie bars in the big mixer. Jack had a great time and kept trying to increase the speed of the mixer.

July 1-2

Charlie's small stuff basketball league plays with the little hoops, although he can reach the rim and prefers to just put the ball straight in.

Josie likes to get ready for school by taking a few laps around the house with her brothers' backpacks.

June 24th - Your mama wears combat boots

I got to fly zero g again and Josie enjoyed trying on my flight boots.

June 23rd - Charlie's field trip

I went with Charlie on a field trip to Kemah. We started at the Aquarium. We had a little educational session about reefs. Then we went into an area where we got to feed stingrays, which was pretty cool.

Piranhas.

This was a scorpion that turned green in the dark. I think it was Charlie's favorite part.

There was a little time to play at a playground before lunch.

Ronny joined us just in time for lunch. After we ate, we went to the amusement park and went on a few rides. We had to dodge a few raindrops, but we had fun.