Last week in July

We had yet another adventurous week last week.

It started with a few trips to the playground...

A fancy pantsy teeter-totter.

(I think Maggie and I outweighed Colin by a few pounds)

:)

Mags enjoying the swing, even though it was literally 105 degrees outside

Poor thing doesn't tolerate heat all that well.

I guess nobody really does when it's this hot...

An action shot of the 2 of them

Colin, getting his practice in before the Olympics.

His cousin Olivia is taking gymnastics at this little gym up in north KC.  We think Colin would really enjoy it, and especially now, with the Olympics on TV, he really thinks he needs to learn to do summersaults and flips.  

Then, we went to Colin's 3 year old well-child check. 

He is doing great!  His speech has really picked up, and minus the drooling issue that he has had since birth, we have nothing to worry about.  Our doc recommends to just keep an eye on the drooling, and if we're still concerned in a year or two, we can pursue some specialist appointment.

Here's his numbers: 31 pounds (50th percentile), and 40 inches tall (95 percentile).

Not bad!

Plus, he was super relieved that he didn't have to get any shots.  Phew!

We hit McDonald's on the way home as a treat for being so good at the doctor.  Bribery at it's finest!

Then, my birthday was on Wednesday.  Yes, I'm 31.

I got a gift certificate for an hour long massage (thanks Brian!)

and a really pretty bracelet from the kids.

Plus, Brian grilled out an amazing dinner for me and then we went swimming!

Splashing around with Daddy

Mags all snuggled up after her dip in the pool.

She really is starting to love the water a lot more.

The best picture after an attempt to get one of me and the kids.

Colin checking out the pavement and Maggie obviously less-than-thrilled.

Happy Birthday to me!

Then, the fun really started when we had "potty training weekend".

Colin actually did awesome, and I'm sure you all know, is a work in progress.

He figured things out really quickly and has only had a handful of accidents.

He thinks it's pretty cool running around in his undies.

Who wouldn't, it's hot enough, right?!

Killing time, ready to run to the potty at any moment

Maggie saying "eeze"

Colin looking like a big boy with his Lightning McQueen undies and band-aided knee.

So cute!

Playing with his newest obsession...little cars.

Life is good!

Colin's Car party day

Colin was so excited to have everyone over to his "new" house and party!

The morning started off when Colin and Maggie decided to put every single balloon into our bathtub and jump around.  It actually looked pretty cool, and if I would've had more time, it would be neat to get some pics of the kids with the balloons all around then.

Instead, I just got this...

Cheese!

I made it outside to mow while Brian and Chad put up a new ceiling fan in Colin's room.  Tiff took Colin to the pool and Meemaw was chasing after Maggie until her nap.  There was a lot going on, but it all worked out.  

Maggie found her way back to the bathtub, even in her party dress. 

If you look closely you can see the rash on her face and chest.

I think it was a combination of some teething (getting a couple of molars) and maybe a slight virus.  She really turned the corner on Sunday, so hopefully we kicked it!

Tiff and Colin after the pool.

I dropped those two off while I came home and did more party prep.  I thought I would get a call from Tiff around 45 minutes later, but they were having so much fun, I didn't end up getting a call AT ALL!  I had to go get them once lunch time rolled around.

Colin did so great for Tiff in the water.  He did things for her that he would've never attempted with Mom and Dad (what do we know about swimming, right?!)

He was jumping from the side, blowing tons of bubbles, pulling & kicking.  He really enjoyed himself.  And, he wore goggles with her for the first time, so we headed off to Target the next day to get some good ones for him.  He loves them (we wore them in the bathtub that night and had so much fun!)

Meemaw and I working hard on the birthday cake.  It was Lightning McQueen that I free-handed onto the cake.  Not perfect, but Colin loved it!

Colin and Olivia eating at Colin's new table.

Those two are so cute together.  They are best buds!

We grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs.  There was chips, baked beans, and huge fruit salad, and of course, cake and cake balls for dessert.  Yummy!

After lunch, we headed outside to race  in the cars that Meemaw made.

Unfortunately, it was literally 102 degrees, so they only lasted a few laps before it was too hot.

But, they got lots of laughs from the kids!

(almost) Aunt Caitlin joined in on the races.

The kids playing outside (plus Chad sticking his head through the hole!)

We came inside and opened some presents.  Colin got some really thoughtful gifts.  

A helmet from Katie & Michael, to wear with his bike and scooter.

Maggie, just being a ham!

Surprise!

She kept walking up to Chad (who was taking the pictures) and saying "Eeeeze" (translation: Cheese)

Now whenever she sees a camera, she says it.

Too cute!

He got a John Deere tractor that dumps out Mega Blocks

A cool Toy Story memory game and Lightning McQueen kickboard

A Lightning McQueen car (the "noisy car") that drives around on its own.

Olivia, also being a ham for the camera.

Colin modeling his Cars glasses.

You can never have too many sunglasses, I've learned.  They never seem to be in the car when you need them :)

Some Cars swim toys.

They will be perfect for hitting our neighborhood pools.

Colin also got a baseball bat and balls and more cars.  He got a pop up tent and a few really awesome outfits.  He also scored a cool little table and a Toy Story scooter.  It was a great birthday!

Then it was cake time.

Singing Happy Birthday.

He actually smiled this time when we sang it.

Such a good boy!

Tricky candles.

Olivia and Colin, along with some of my help, finally got them all blown out.

Daddy with his mini-me

Thumbs up on the cake, mom!

Birthday kisses for the birthday boy!

After all the party guests left, we headed outside for a spin on our new scooter.

Colin looked so cute in his helmet.  He kept ringing his bell all down the street.

And we definitely need some practice...he goes about 1 inch every time he pushes with his foot.

It takes a long time to get to our cul-de-sac...

The next day we went to church in the morning and pretty much just hung around the house and ran a few errands.

Oh, and we played with all of the new toys, of course!

Brian snagged this super cute pic of Maggie and I.

She and I couldn't look more different, huh?!

I got Colin some goggles at Target on Sunday, cause Aunt Piffy had some when they swam the day before and he needed some of his own, blue ones, of course.

He was so proud of them, wearing them around the house, using them in the bathtub, etc.  

He told me he needed them to brush his teeth on Sunday night before bed.

That must be some extreme tooth brushing going on if he needs eye protection! :)

And I got this sweet picture of Maggie on Monday morning.

She is such a doll baby!

So that was our crazy few days surrounding Colin's birthday celebrations.

Hope you enjoyed our pictures!

Colin's Chuck E Cheese birthday

On Thursday, my little man turned 3.

We had so much fun decorating for his day, and it was nice being able to get input from Colin as to what theme he wanted to have for his big day.

He waffled between Toy Story and Cars, but in the end, it was a Cars kinda birthday.

I had the day before, the day of, and the day after Colin's birthday off of work.  

This was mainly because Maggie decided to have another crazy high fever, which then turned into a rash.  I couldn't send her to daycare and so she was home with me, on what was supposed to be "my day" to do what needed to get done.  

Oh well, at least she's really fun to hang out with right now.

Meemaw came into town early to help me with the house and she brought some really cool party decorations that we used

Like this Cars birthday banner we hung in our stairwell...

and right outside of Colin's room we piled a bunch of balloons. 

His room is on the left.

Colin was so confused in the morning when he walked out and had to battle the balloons...

Colin requested blue cupcakes with blue frosting for his daycare friends.

It was pretty fun making them.

  

Colin had birthday donuts for breakfast and was so embarrassed when we sang to him.  

Don't know what he wished for...but I hope it came true!

Later that evening, we headed to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate with a few family members that could make it on a Thursday night.

Colin was so excited to give Chuck E a high-five.

Poor little Maggie got drug along to the party, even with a rash and not feeling the best.

What a trooper!

Colin and Daddy driving at a fun game.

I sat with Olivia and Colin waiting for Chuck E to throw us some tickets.

Johnny was in heaven cause of the balloons that Grandad got everyone.

That boy loves balls and balloons, for sure!

I made "dirt cups" for dessert, and we sang Colin happy birthday again at Chuck E Cheese.

He did much better this time, not nearly as shy about it.

Meemaw snapped a really cute family picture.

We were just getting ready to head out for home, and poor Colin looks worked over.

He has pudding on his nose, red fruit punch all over his shirt, and pizza sauce around his mouth.

Must've been a good party :)

So I had this idea in my mind.  I saw this really cute idea of making a car from old cardboard boxes and I thought Colin would absolutely love it.  It looked pretty simple and I thought my Meemaw could tackle the job.  Well, once she figured out the rather vague template, she had it down pat.

It wasn't as easy as I had thought, but Meemaw persevered and did great.

Here is Colin running around in the freshly painted blue car. 

A quick pic of my big 3 year old and I.

He is such a good kid.

It is amazing how smart Colin really is.

His speech and language is really taking off.  

His sense of humor is awesome (he must get that from me!)

He loves and treats his family so well.

He's everything to Brian and I.

Love you buddy!