Open Gym...and a birthday shout out

I've been a lazy blogger. Since the last post, we had a fun-filled 3-week vacation in South Carolina and another Fourth of July passed by, along with four days of rain. Today we got another freak thunderstorm and I was glad I picked our morning activity to be open gym instead of the beach.

The boys loved running around and trying out all the equipment. Jude was a natural. I kept losing sight of him and then I'd catch him jumping across the trampoline, trying out the balance beam or playing on the rings (his favorite).

Back home, we got soaked running from the car to the carport (a whole three feet...I'm telling you, that rain was ridiculous). 

We had to strip down in the dining room and wrap up in towels. My hair was so wet I could ring out the water! Maddox cried, then we all started laughing and couldn't stop. I hope we didn't wake Andrew up. He started mid-shift when we came back to Florida and I don't know how he sleeps during the day with such noise, but he does.

And before I go and enjoy some quiet time with my coffee, I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom. She is my best friend and everything else. I sure do love her and miss her!

The Lazy Morning

Usually it happens on a Saturday, but today is a Thursday. It's the lazy morning. And when it happens, I'm always thankful for  Curious George.

Life Lately

It's been hot. And I mean, HOT.

Most things we do involve either water or the AC.

We made a robot. Maddox named him Mr. Beard and thanks to Jude, Mr. Beard is now armless and nearly decapitated. But it was fun while it lasted.

 Speaking of the little prankster, he behaved like an angel at the doctor this week. First time ever! Usually, he runs around the office, tries his best to climb on every piece of furniture and screams as soon as he sees the nurse. But this time, he sat in his chair, smiled at the doctor and said four new words.

Maddox fell asleep at 6:15 one night. He is hilarious when he sleeps. Sometimes he sits up, mumbles and I swear his curly poof grows a few inches taller every time.

We took a morning walk to the sound near our house. It was beautiful, but so hot we were sweaty, grumpy and starving by the time we got back home. Maybe the 10am walk should be pushed back to 7am to prevent heat stroke. I mean, phew!

 The view is priceless though. Hello, Destin! It takes us nearly 30 minutes to drive to you in the summer and yet by water, you are so close.

Ready for fall, anyone?

Recap: Memorial Day

Memorial Day was beautiful, quiet and actually kind of lazy. It was a good way to end the busy weekend! The boys enjoyed their little pool, Andrew enjoyed firing up the grill and I enjoyed the company of a good friend who brought over some birthday goodies for me. 

Maddox helped make some strawberries dipped in white chocolate then sprinkles. They were Jude's favorite at dinner. He would lick off all the chocolate and sprinkles, then say, "More. More!" We ended up with a lot of licked strawberries. Thankfully Andrew doesn't mind leftovers! ;)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day and remembered all those who gave their lives for our freedom. We are blessed and should be grateful, not just on Memorial Day, but every day. 

Lunch got a little crazy....

Ranch dressing.

Is it food...or face paint?

The Big Weekend: Part 2

The middle of the weekend was filled with lots of eating and shopping. We ventured to Destin twice...and that is a big venture in the summer (with all the tourists).

On Saturday we all had gelato for the first time. It's basically ice cream with a fancy Italian name. 

 Maddox made me a birthday card and he was very proud of it. He didn't think it was fair, though, for me to have the only birthday card, so he made one for Andrew, Jude, Piper and of course himself.

On the big day (when I turned the big 27), I woke up to a super sweet card from Andrew. Then I did what I wish I could do every morning: hit up Starbucks for an "artisan breakfast sandwich" and a white mocha. It started things off right. The boys had a blast tip-toeing around the water fountains at the splash pad while I shopped. Eventually, they were soaked, but it was ok. It was so hot they dried in no time.

 Lunch was Tropical Smoothie. And that's when the birthday starting going downhill. Jude threw one of his all-time most memorable tantrums (complete with lying prostrate on the floor, throwing food, and screaming so loud everyone in the restaurant actually jumped). That's our Jude! The boy has a temper.

I've learned to just let it go, though. All of the eyes looking our way is not the greatest feeling in the world, but what can you do? We plopped his cranky butt in the stroller as fast as possible and made our escape. 

Still, the strawberry lemonade was worth the embarrassment. 

To continue our "get fat in one day" plan, we did Longhorn for dinner (we were smart and went with the carry out option) and Baskin Robbins/Bippy's for dessert. Last year I had a strawberry sundae from there and I needed to keep up the tradition.

We waited in the drive through about 20 minutes for it.

Andrew said, "If it wasn't your birthday, we wouldn't be sitting here all night."

But it was my birthday...and a fun one it was! I mean, it had its embarrassing moments, but those keep us humble.