"Lazy Days of Summer"?!?!

Aggghhh! Who ever coined the term the "lazy days of summer" apparently never had children! We are on the go constantly -- it feels like summer has just begun, when in fact, we are already in August!

Here's a quick recap of the end of July (I PROMISED myself that I'd do an individual post on James and Ellie's birthday party -- so that will be coming in the (hopefully near) future!)

In late July Ellie got her cast off! The after-cast x-ray confirmed that she had a break through the growth plate in her humerus, so we'll be taking another trip to the pediatric orthopedic doc in six months to confirm that everything is growing correctly. Just before heading into the doctor we all signed Ellie's cast -- and when they took it off in the doctors office she very LOUDLY screamed "mine" when they took it away from her. The doctor sent her home with the cast as a memento, though I quickly stashed it up high because it smelled horrendous! When Dave got home (he was in Memphis for the week) Ellie showed it to him very proudly -- I then asked her if we could throw it away, and she promptly walked over to the garbage can and threw it out!

(James signing Ellie's cast)

(Signatures)

Ellie w/ Mommy, Mama Hayes, and Russell

Hopefully our next broken bone experience is a LONG way down the road!

That same week Belle and Russell finished their swimming lessons. They both passed with flying colors and were super proud to show me that they are able to jump off the high-dive and swim by themselves(!!!) to the edge! It was really amazing watching them do that, because the last time they were in water without a life jacket they were not even CLOSE to that level. They made great strides this summer... if only we could make it to the pool more often to ensure that they keep moving forward!

(Belle jumping off the high-dive)

(Russell jumping off the high-dive)(VERY proud of themselves!)

Here are some pictures of how William, Ellie, James and myself spent our time while Belle and Russell were swimming! James LOVED going to their swim lessons daily, because that meant that he got an hour of play time in the park!

(William, Ellie, and James - playing at the park!)

That same week James did parent-tot swim lessons at night. Dave went with him the first couple sessions, I joined him for one night, and Mama Hayes took him for the last night. He had a great time, and is absolutely ready for the next level (without parent involvement) of lessons!

At the end of that week Kaylee and Caprice came over for dinner and a visit. (Other than for an hour last weekend) the last time we saw them was last July for Aunt Jenny's wedding! It's amazing how quickly kids and teenagers age -- both of them look so mature it's crazy! To think that I used to babysit Kaylee when she was younger than Ellie... I guess that shows how old I'm getting too! Of course the kids loved having them over -- they've been asking ever since when they are going to come for the next visit!

(Russell, Caprice, James, Kaylee, Ellie, William and Belle -- Ellie and Papa Hayes)

That weekend the Watsons came to town for an overnight visit. They brought burgers with to grill out (and the rest of lunch as well because Dave still hadn't returned from Memphis, and I hadn't gone grocery shopping the entire week...). They showed up just before noon, and about 30 minutes later Dave got home as well! (It sounds like a war zone when Dave arrives after a long time out of town - the kids go absolutely crazy!!) Bryon and Angie went out to celebrate Bryon's birthday that night, so we hung out with Joey. The next morning they took off bright and early, and we headed to church.(Joey and Ellie - BFF!)

(Belle, William, and Joey)

The following week we did lots of playdates with friends (the Rublys, the Schumachers, and the Donglingers) and I gave the kids a total break from anything school related... I guess that was the closest we are going to come to the "lazy days of summer".

So... I'm up to the big birthday bash! How is it possible that my baby girl has turned two and James is about to be four... I keep telling them not to grow up, but for some reason they aren't following my instructions!