VBS - God's Big Backyard

VBS is upon us and this year's theme is God's Big Backyard.  The whole church is decorated to look like the outside, complete with flowers, large ants, houses, children playing and some really cool treehouses.  I got a pic of Cam today by the large ants on their ant mound.  

I can't even begin to describe the extraordinary people that work to pull off VBS.  Our children's ministers, their spouses and then a whole slew of really crafty people spend hours working on these paper creations.  It's really amazing to see the final product each year.

Innov-is 900D is Here!

I've been begging for an embroidery machine for about a year now.  Chris kept laughing and saying okay whatever.  But he finally agreed that I could get one and ordered it from Sew Contempo last week.  I called last night and they said it had just walked through the door, so we picked it up this afternoon.

I've got to get playing with it so I can embroider Chris' & David's (FIL) golf bags for their big adventure in August.  However, my official classes are not until August 13 & 20.  From what I've been told by a few friends that already have similar machines, they are so easy to use so the classes will just be icing on the cake.

Check out the machine at http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=nv900d

UHCL Campus pics

The University of Houston Clear Lake campus is really beautiful.  I'm struck by how nice the grounds are every time I go there.  I took some shots of Cam & Maggie lounging in the grass and playing under the shady trees.  

No real reason for taking the pics, just enjoying the afternoon.

Art Class - Week 2

So I'm really loving Cam's time at art class and he is enjoying the work he's getting to do.  On Tuesday they studied Vincent Van Gogh, and the piece above is what he created.  They used oil pastels, which can get a bit messy.  He had reds on his hands and his neck, not really sure how it got back there.  

On Thursday they studied the printmaking which I found really interesting.  The day was hectic and I forgot the camera or I would have a pic of that too.  They "drew" into flat foam type boards, then painted on them, flipped them over onto the paper, and that was their print.  I was highly impressed by the whole process and that he really seemed to get it.  

It's funny to read the class syllabus because it says that the kids will "produce their own creative expressions."  I think it's safe to say that 3-5 year olds are going to do their own thing!

Maggie's 2 month

Maggie had her 2 month appointment this morning at 9A.  She weighed in at 11lb 15 oz (75th percentile) and 22 inches long (30th percentile).  She did not like getting her shots, her poor little lip trembled, and she did that scream where no sound comes out.  It was very sad.  I thought Cam might offer her some words of comfort, but instead he just held his hands over his ears.  What great support, big brother was!  Anyway, the shot above is about an hour after her appointment, she was still sacked out in the car seat.  I finally moved her and got a shot of her band aids.  Poor little girl, but at least we know she's good for 2 more months.

 

Cam @ the Dentist - Fillings

Cameron went to get his 4 fillings at the dentist this morning.  The nurse came out the first time to let me know that he was doing well.  She also said he was really funny and was just talking and talking.  I guess he comes by that naturally.  Then when she brought him out at the end, she said that they'd really like to keep him because he was so entertaining.  That's our kid, the entertainer and comedian.  He was not scared at any point and I was proud of him for handling it all so well.  The first picture is with his kid sized gas mask and it smells like grapes.  The second pic he is showing off his prizes from the dentist - balloon, sticker and small car.  He told me this morning that he wanted a red balloon and I told him to make sure he told the doctor.  I have no doubt that was one of the many things he told the doctors.  We'll return in 6 months for another regular cleaning and cross our fingers that there are no further cavities at that point.

2 month Pics - Part 2 of 2

2 Month Pics - Part 1 of 2

Have you ever been to Portrait Innovations for their $9.99 special?  We have, and we have yet to walk out the door with just the special, today was no exception.  I just love what a great job they do of capturing my kid's personalities.  These are just the shots we actually purchased today, but they took over 90 pics of Maggie today.  She was such a trooper and only cried a few time while we tried to get her positioned just right.  I can't wait to hand out our million pictures to everyone.  

Maggie's Baby Blessing

Today, on Father's Day, we had Maggie's Baby Blessing.  It is a dedication and short prayer stating that we plan to bring Maggie up in the church, with God as her Savior.  We also ask our church family to be a part of our family in leading Maggie in her Christian faith.  We were so excited to do it on Father's Day, since our nephew Zachary was dedicated at his church on Mother's Day. 

Bubble Beard

I got Cam some Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath this week and he's really been enjoying the artistic capabilities he has with the large amount of bubbles.  He was so proud of his bubble beard and was making us all laugh.  

Pablo Picasso is living in my house!

Cameron started an art class at the University of Houston's Clear Lake Campus on Tuesday.  The focus of the class is on landscape artists, but taken down to a 3-5 year olds level.  They are shown a piece of art, hear a story, and then do something artistic.  The artists they are studying include Monet, O'Keefe, Cezanne, and some I don't even recognize.  He gets to work with paint, oil pastels, crayons, and even clay, as you can see in the picture.  The first day they worked with paint and he told me "Mommy, I mixed red and yellow and made orange."  Indeed his picture was primarily orange, not really a landscape, but oh well he was excited to mix colors.  

Today their artist was Edward Hicks and they were to sculpt animals out of the clay.  When I came into the class Cam was so proud and said "Look mommy it's a sheep!"  I'm so glad he told me what it was, I was thinking more along the lines of a turtle.   

So as long as he's enjoying his art time, we'll keep this class in our rotation of things to do.  I'm excited about all the cool pieces I'm going to get to display in our house when he's finished.

New Maggie Pics

I did a photo session with Maggie this morning because my mom was wanting to see some new pics of her.  Just look at those rolls on my girls arms!  She's such a champion eater.  

The blanket she's laying on is from the Allen family at our church.  Maggie just loves this blanket.  It's a nice fuzzy material on one side and then a soft pink cheetah print on the other side.  When I wrap her in it, she just sighs and falls right to sleep.  Sort of like my kitty blanket from childhood. 

Moody Gardens Saturday

On Saturday we packed up and headed down to Galveston and Moody Gardens to play.  We met our friends, the Gammon's and the Kornegay's, and started the day at Palm Beach.  The kids had a blast splashing in the water, playing in the sand, and going down the slides.  Even Maggie took a dip in the pool with everyone.  Then we cleaned up and headed out for lunch at Mario's Italian Restaurant where "We speak very little English, but we make the Best Pizza!"  And they do, it's excellent pizza.  Then we headed back to Moody Gardens to check out the Rainforest Pyramid, an Imax, and finally the Aquarium Pyramid.  It was a really long day, but great for getting the kids to bed that night.

We also had cousin Shelby accompany us for the day.  Cameron really likes his cousin and talks about her often.  When we stopped by her house to get her swimsuit he stayed in the car with me and told me he was sad and missed Shelby, right when she was getting out of the car.  When she had to go home at the end of the day he put on a big pouty face and again said he was going to miss Shelby.  I think he likes her so much because she'll actually listen to what he's saying.  

Swim Lessons

Cam started swim lessons this week and is really enjoying them.  The week started out with 2 girls and another boy in his class, but the little boy stopped coming on Thursday.  So of course it's Cam & the ladies.  His instructor is even a woman!  

Ms. Melissa is teaching them to blow bubbles, ice cream scoop hands, superman arms, airplane arms, and of course to kick.  Cam's setback is that he hates to get his face and ears wet, so he won't put his face all of the way in the water or float on his back very well.  Ms. Melissa even tried to 'trick' him to putting his face in the water, but he still refused.  She put her whistle on her knee, under water and told him to grab it.  Instead of putting his face in to see it under water, he just reached down and felt around till he found it.  Little trickster.

He will, however, jump full on into the pool with no problems.  Somehow he manages to keep his head pretty much out of the water then too.  I'm thinking he won't be an Olympic swimmer, but at least he's having fun!

Cam's First Dentist Visit

Cam went to see the dentist (Dr. Bogert) for the first time today.  Chris went back with him for the initial questions, the x-rays, and the cleaning.  Then I came back with Maggie while the dentist checked out Cam's teeth.  He has 4 cavities!   So I'm totally blaming that on Chris, cause I have never had a cavity.  We'll take him back in a couple of weeks to get them filed.  The dentist said that we've caught them early, so he won't have to use the drill.  He's also going to have crowded teeth when his adult teeth start to come in, which is what I had as a kid too and the dentist always threatened to pull some teeth to make room.

At least he thought the visit was cool, he got a balloon, stickers, and a new Mater toothbrush.  The nurse was also nice enough to bring me out a gum brush for Maggie to start using.  

Callie's Dance Recital

Cam's "girlfriend" Callie had a dance recital on Sunday and we went to watch her perform.  The dance she's doing in this picture is to the song "L is for the way you look at me, O is for the . . ."  She was just too cute in that little tutu!  

Gentlemen . . .

Start your Engines!  My friend Vanessa is getting started in a new at home venture "Uppercase Living."  It's rub-ons for your walls.  There are hundreds to choose from and you can even customize them.  I ordered the checkered flag decor for Cam's car room.  He really likes the new addition to his wall.  The morning after Chris put it up, I brought Maggie to his room and laid her in bed with him.  He asked me to move out of the way and then said "Tada!  Gentlemen, Start your Engines!  Look Maggie!"  So I know I ordered the right art for his room.

I also got a growth chart for Maggie, but it's going to take both of us to get it up on the wall.  It's pretty big.  

Bass Pro Shop

We headed out to the brand new Bass Pro Shop in Pearland on Saturday for lunch and to explore with our friends the Gammon's.  Andrew and Cameron enjoyed feeding the huge catfish that are in the pond.  
Also close by is this neat display of our presidents.  We didn't get to explore this area, but plan to make a trip back soon.

Olympic Day - Saturday

This weekend Cameron had Olympic Day at his gym to show off the things he's learned this last semester.  They ran the kids through a variety of exercises and then each of them go to stand on the podium to receive a trophy and medal.  Cameron was very proud of his accomplishments and so were we.  He's a real monkey on those rings.

Another dip in the pool

Just had to show off Maggie's other suit for the weekend.  She's sporting a classic rainbow bathing suit that belonged to her Aunt Bekah when she was a baby.  Nana had so much fun with both Maggie & Zachary in the pool.
Just loved this shot of my boys and their sunglasses.

Water Polo

So the dads had a little bit of fun with the boys in the water.  Joe & Quentin, Chris & Cameron, and Nick & Kaiden were playing a bit of toss the kid in the pool.  It's pretty funny, the kids were laughing, and everyone was completely safe.  Bekah is in the middle of the toss.

More Clothes & Shoes

So part of the fun of Memorial Day weekend was getting to open more presents for Maggie.  She got some beautiful new outfits and MORE SHOES!  The girl will be addicted to shoes before she's even walking.  
We really loved the baby blanket that Momma Dot worked so hard to finish for Maggie.  It's a beautiful cross-stitch of animals and lovely purple and pink flowers.  
Both babies got new towels from Angie, Marty & the girls.  Maggie has a ducky and Zachary got a horse.  Way too cute, and they were even monogrammed.

4 generations

It was so special and amazing to have 4 generations of Chris' family together over Memorial Day weekend.  In the first picture Momma Dot is holding  Maggie and kissing Cameron, while Aunt Jody is holding Zachary.  The second picture is Memaw and Papaw holding the babies.  We just love that the kids are growing up with love and attention from so much family.

Funny Faces

This weekend Daddy discovered he could get Maggie to smile for him.  He taps her hand up by her mouth and a smile appears.  I am unable to get her to repeat this for me.  

She also does her eyebrows just like her daddy, one up and one down.  She really is daddy's little girl.