So far this summer...

... has been great!  I was kind of afraid that having all three kids home all day would drive me crazy, but it hasn't yet.  We've had a lot of fun and the right mix of down time and friend time and family time and work time.   

So far we have:

made bracelets

taken advantage of 1/2 price shakes at sonic on the first day of summer!

eaten homemade juice popsicles in the backyard

gone to the science museum

done some tricks at the pool

gone swimming with daddy

gotten all dressed up for church, I made the boys' ties from scraps and their shirts were on clearance for $3!

gone swimming at the gym (obviously we swim a LOT)

played dress-up

gone on a date to the mall without Colton

 and gotten a little bit spoiled!

and we are trying to ignore the fact that it is now officially the heat of the summer.  Temperatures were in the 100's all week...whether we can survive ANOTHER ridiculous Texas summer is yet to be seen!

The last 2 weeks

Well I survived girls' camp.  And Chris survived a week flying solo with the kids.  He went to Arkansas to visit his parents and had two cousins with him, which pretty much makes him my hero because that means he was dealing with 5 kids all week.  His mom was there to help, but still, 5 kids' worth of arguing, snacking, and making messes is a LOT!  The kids had fun though!

I had a blast at camp.  I love girls camp.  Even as a leader, it's so much fun.  And the girls in my ward are just awesome.  They all got along so well and were really good sports.  We had one day of 95 degrees, two days of pouring rain, and one gorgeous, perfect day at the end!

archery

the theme this year was "Heroes in His Kingdom" so (with a little help) I made all the girls super hero capes!

and I did some hair braiding!  I just can't pass up a chance to do fun braids on a girl who will hold still and not whine!

Then it was back to reality.  With sick boys.  Darn.  Those kids of mine puke like crazy.  Jax and Colton both had some sort of virus the Sunday after girls' camp.

poor guy, he never just falls asleep on the couch like this

poor Madi was very neglected that day as both the boys were sick, so after we put them to bed I taught her to play skip bo!  This girl loves playing games and it's nice to have advanced beyond Candyland!

We went to the doctor last week for 4 and 6 year check-ups. Here are their stats:

Madi: 30% on height, 50% on weight

Jax: 95% on height, 90% on weight

Madi is only 1.75 inches taller and 1 pound heavier than Jaxon!

Then last weekend for father's day, Chris and I dropped the kids off with their cousins and had a little overnight.  We went to downtown Dallas and stayed the night in the Ritz! (Chris gets discounts.)  It was fun to go and see Chris's new office.  His company moved downtown last winter and I haven't made it down there yet.  It made me realize that Dallas is actually a pretty fun city!

the view from our hotel

we also went to the 6th floor museum, which is about the JFK assassination, and yes, I'm making a ridiculous face in this picture because I'm in the middle of the street and a car was coming, I'm standing on the X that marks where he was shot, the building behind me is where Lee Harvey Oswald was positioned, on the 6th floor, hence the name of the museum

We had a fun father's day, but I didn't take any pictures.  I was too busy cooking all day :)

And finally, just for fun, Colton decided to get sick again yesterday.  He woke up from his nap kind of sluggish, but no fever, so I took the kids to the gym and he puked on the child care worker at the gym.  I was mortified.  I am definitely going to be buying that poor girl and "I'm sorry my kid puked on you" present.  Seriously, so gross and so embarrassing!

In honor of Jaxon

Look who turned 4 yesterday!!

he got his Star Wars legos

we went swimming on Saturday to celebrate

he got a chocolate chip cookie cake filled with ice cream (cause he insisted on ANOTHER cake and I'm getting sick of cake) and no I didn't have the right number candle, I NEVER do

and we skyped with Madi, who is in Arkansas with Grandma and Grandpa, look how cute Colton is trying to see his sister

Jaxon is probably the funniest kid I have ever met.  The way his brain works cracks me up.  Here are a few recent quotes:

While I was eating lunch one day:

Jax: "Mom, I know what you are thinking.  You are thinking 'We should have another spy kids fight!'"

Obviously that is what was on my mind right at that moment.

Before going on a run:

Jax: "Mom, I have an idea, why don't we tie my surfboard to the back of the stroller and you can run while I surf."

Before watching Star Wars:

Jax: "Ethan has a white vader, but this movie has a dark Vader, you know the black guy?!"

While discussing gospel principles: 

Jax: "Jesus is standing at the door and he is knocking and he can't come in because there isn't a handle.  So we have to let him in.  We have to say 'Knock louder, knock louder.'"

While writing:

Jax: "Look mom the "I" and the "S" are friends.  They are talking to each other.  They are saying 'Hi'" to each other.  

I love that kid!  He's so fun!  

Now, off to camp tomorrow!!!  Wish me luck!