Summer 2013 - So much to do!

We've done nearly everything on our summer list!  We've made some great memories along the way...

-fantastic beach trip to Clearwater
-meeting cousins at Grandma's house & savoring her special rolls
-3D IMAX film on Monarch butterflies
-swimming lessons - SUCCESS
-game night on our back patio using our new Costco outdoor furniture.  We love our new furniture...Perfect for morning coffee & bible studies, perfect for evening unwinding time with my husband, perfect for watching the rain showers with our boys, perfect for watching the boys play. 
-time with special friends Jesse & Nelson
-touring InnerSpace Caverns with cousins & Nana
-snowcones at Kawaii's....yum
-K1 gokart racing for Benjamin, Chase & Mason
-lots of evening swims with Nana & Papa
-Rockin' River Play date with Mason & Chase
-meeting Mr. Critterman & learning about lots of interesting creatures
-library summer reading program...lots of prizes & great coupons for the kids

Maybe we'll sneak a few more things in before Benjamin goes back to school on 8/12
? Round Rock Express Game
?Zip Zaps
?touring Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham

July 4, 2013

The week of July 4th was unseasonably cool & rainy. We enjoyed this break...however it did hamper our plans for frequenting the pool for an evening swim. There were little thunderstorm surprises nearly every evening. We watched the 4th of July parade with friends along Main Street in downtown Round Rock. The boys were fascinated by the bagpipes, marching bands, motorcycles & candy throwing. We missed seeing Mr. Curtis on stilts this year. Benjamin sure loved seeing that a few years ago.

Jax, Jory & Travis stayed for lunch after Sunday meeting.  The kids all had a grand time playing trains together.

We opted to stay home on July 4...Trevin had been begging to do fireworks, but as usual, he didn't really understand it. The whole experience of  was almost to much for him. The poppers were nearly too loud & he was so scared the sparklers were going to make a fire at our house.  He finally calmed down & enjoyed standing next to Benjamin & copying whatever his big brother was doing.

Making Music

Trevin started violin lessons this summer.  After waiting patiently until things slowed down for us, he is delighted to have a fiddle in his hand.  It was so sad for me when the teacher told us that the 1/16th violin [that Auntie Amy started on] was too small for him. I happen to think that little violins are one of the cutest things ever.  So, we found the next size up in our closet & it fits him fine.  

Benjamin & I performed our first duet ever on Father's Day...it was America the Beautiful.  He had played this piece in his string ensemble at Meridian this spring. Trevin played one song that involves plucking the strings & then I let him use the bow to play the first measure of Suzuki's 1st variation "Mississippi Hot Dog".  He also bowed while saying Hippopotamus.  So proud of our boys!  They both have a great ear for music...singing on pitch & knowing intervals quite easily.  I can tell that Trevin will be a fast learner.     

Birthdays & Celebrations

It is certainly a good thing we've been active this summer. There have been many reasons to bake, celebrate, eat cupcakes, & indulge. We celebrated Father's Day & Papa's birthday at Grandma Burnette's house in good old fashioned style with a carmel apple pie. Grandma also made a pecan pie. Benjamin declared that 'pie is the best'...following in the steps of Papa & Daddy. Both would choose pie over cake, on most days at least  Nana's birthday was celebrated over the span of a few days...cupakes from Gigi's (they serve gluten free ones!!!) before swimming one evening. I made & served a White Chocolate Rasberry Cheesecake (from Our Best Bites) at Tim & Nancy's with cousins.  Yes, we are totally full of sweetness now.     

Favorite things about our favorite people...
Papa...there is only 1 Papa, oh the boys love him.  He plays sharks & minnows with them in the pool, races with them, lets them play in this truck, and never loses patience with them when they want to be his little helpers during projects. 

Nana...she is so good with the boys.  She is a great book reader, moth & caterpillar fnder, and game expert with the boys...teaching Benjamin how to play checkers, & never too tired to play a quick game of hide & seek with the boys.  I'm so thankful the boys love, love, love their grandparents. They have a very special bond. 

June 2013

Our summer started sweetly...snow cones with our dear friend Peggy. Pizza & games with local friends was also a special treat. I love how Trevin bounced back & forth...playing with 2 precious girls & then over with the big boys. He is full of excitement now that Benjamin doesn't leave for school in the mornings which means lots of playtime together.

Thoughtful Thursday