Swimming Lessons

I signed Brig and Vanessa up for swimming lessons at the Nixa Pool. I also decided to get a pool pass so that I could take Benson and Annabelle since I can't put them in swimming. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have two in swimming while we were swimming. But it was fun to watch. Brig didn't get in most of the first day. Once his teacher connected with him a little, he went in and had no issues the rest of the week. The second week though, he had another teacher, so now there were two. Brigham now had issues adjusting to that teacher. He went the first day but I think it had a lot to do with Jon being there that day (he had a late start day at work so he was able to come for a little bit). Because out of the four days we had that week, Brig did not get in the water two of those days. The last day he did but it was just a play day the whole time. He's so silly sometimes. I wish I could figure out how to see things through his perspective and help ease his anxiety. 

Vanessa's class started jumping off the diving board during class and then she was hooked. Brigham watched and also wanted to do it. However, during open swim they would not let Jon and I catch him. He's not a strong enough swimmer without his floaties (which also weren't allowed). So we had to ask Vanessa's teacher to let him jump to her during swimming lessons. Brigham did it twice. I have both jumps on video but didn't think to take a picture for the book. So proud of that dude! Despite Brig being funny about getting in the water, he still passed his level and is ready for Level 1. Vanessa also passed her level and is ready for level 3.

Staycation with Cousins

 We drove up to Kansas City in June to meet Tommy and Nicole. We checked into the Great Wolf Lodge which has been on our "vacation" list for quite some time. It is a hotel with an indoor water park. It is a bit pricey but the kids had a blast. We only stayed for one night. We were able to swim for awhile the day we checked in and then again in the morning. Then we checked out and went to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch. Followed by a quick stop to Trader Joes and then a drive up to Liberty Jail.

Then we drove back down to Nixa and stayed at the house for about four days. While here, we played outside a lot. We went to Busiek one day and Silver Dollar City another. We also checked out Bass Pro. The day we went to Silver Dollar City, we had a surprise visit from Grandpa Brady. He had driven all night to bring the families' new puppies out so the kids could see them.  The Bradys bought one and then Tommy and Nicole ended up buying the sister. Both puppies had been sick so they hadn't been able to bring her along for the trip. The kids were so excited to see these puppies. They may have stolen the show, even over all the other things we did.

The first year Jon and I were here we bought season passes to SDC and forced ourselves to go enough to make them worth it. We haven't been back since. But they added a new kids area and Benson is obviously tall enough to go on the rides (that we feel would be safe for him). So this time around was a lot more fun. Brooklyn would have been tall enough to go on some of the older kid rides but there was still plenty for them to do. We filled the entire day and didn't leave until closing.

 It was also our first time doing the Marvel Cave. They make the hike sound like it will be akin to completing a marathon before you start. Really, it wasn't bad and even the little ones did it just fine. There were a lot of stairs but they were spread out. I carried Annabelle and drug Brig through and Jon had Benson in the Ergo. Brigham had some pretty intense anxiety throughout the journey. There was a lot of dripping water and he kept worrying that it was blood from vampire bats. At the beginning of the tour, they talked a lot about all the bats, though none of them were said to be vampire bats. Despite his worrying, and sometimes crying a bit, he made it through and walked the whole way. It was a really cool cave and I'm glad we did it.

 Here are the puppies. Mitty and Chewy. Everyone loved the puppies but Benson always found a way to steal them from everyone. Especially Chewy.

Vanessa's Birthday

This was an exciting birthday for Vanessa. She had a very clear picture of what she wanted and she really consistently stuck with her decisions. We spent several days making a rabbit cage out of an armoir we already had. Then, the day before her birthday we went and picked up her bunny.
The morning of her birthday, the kids and I went to the mall to get her ears pierced. She was so sure she wanted this. As they got the guns out to pierce, she started to get really nervous. She was so brave until they did it and then let a little sob out. It made me feel like I should have discouraged her from wanting to get them pierced. She did recover and it has been fine. Although we are now two months out and her ears are still tender and it still hurts if they get bumped.
That evening we opened gifts, which mostly consisted of bunny supplies and a new bike.

 On Saturday, we had a friend party. We had pizza first, then played a few games outside, including the much anticipated pinata. Then we opened presents and had cake. It was a very fun couple of days and Vanessa was very spoiled. I think we made up for moving over her birthday last year.

In Their Words

Brigham: "Mom! Benson drove on my foot!"

Me: "Where? Let me see."

Brigham: "See? On my big toe. That's my favorite toe. It fights monsters."

March 15
The kids and I are filling out a worksheet talking about "people I would like to meet."
Benson: "Ninja Turtles, Incredibles, Power Rangers."
Me: "Those are all really good. But lets think of some real people too. Because those are just characters in movies."
Vanessa: "Oh! The Easter Bunny!"

Next question on the worksheet is "important people in my life."
Benson: "Doctors, teachers, ....."
Me: "What about your family?"
Benson: "Ya! And don't forget Jesus!"

May 8
Brig: "Mom, puff up your cheeks like this."
"Good. Now I'm going to count. 16, 14, 19."
"Don't make me say 1!"
"Ok. You can breathe."

May 10
Vanessa: "I have a baseball game next week too? Will we get a trophy then too?"
Me: "I don't think you get trophies."
Vanessa: "oh, just a medal?"
Me: "I don't think so. I think you just win."
Vanessa: "Oh, so we don't like have to work that hard."


May
Benson: "Mom I met the most beautiful girl in the world today. And I'm going to marry her."


June
Benson: "How old do you have to be to get married?"
Benson: "Mom, what if the girl I want to marry, marries someone else first?"


June 26
Brigham: "Mom, DONE!" {pooping}
Me: "wow. It's a snake poop."
Brigham: "I wanna see."
"Oh ya. It is."
"Wait! We ate snake?!?!"

Bathroom Remodel

Feb 27

Feb 27

March 15

March 15

March 3

March 17

April 30

May 9

September 10