Summer fun!

Still enjoying the wonderful weather! Since the temperature was only in the upper 70's Monday, I took Connell to play in the fountains. We haven't done this at all this summer because it's just been too hot to sit there. Maybe I should get in the water next time!

What a big boy!!!!!

Connell loving on my baby belly before Mommy's "girls night out!"

Grandma Comes to Town!

Grandpa is on a long distance Harley trip, so Grandma decided to come spend the weekend with us. We got a lot accomplished in Emma's room, and I managed to rest a little since Connell was so busy with Grandma.
The weather this weekend was absolutely perfect, and very unusual for July. Mid 70's! WHAT???!!!! I am definitely enjoying a break from the heat!

Sharing popsicles!

Choppin!
Connell told Grandma he wanted to take all his toys to Emma's room. :)

Reagan & Taylor turn 7!

And celebrated with a rockin Tinkerbell Swimming party!

Taylor under the sprinkler with her new umbrella

Sugar sugar!

Reagan on her new bike!

Taylor's new bike!

Awesome Tinkerbell cake!

Tinkerbell tattoos!

Miscellaneous!

We have had an interesting summer. Connell makes sure to keep it interesting. He also keeps us laughing so hard our sides hurt! :) We have definitely noticed some changes in behavior (sigh!) since he turned 2 a few months ago. But really, overall, he's still the sweet boy he has always been. The thing that really balances out the frustrating moments of toddlerhood, is the utter amazement we have looking at how much he's grown, how much he is learning EVERYDAY, and the funny things he says! Since he turned 2, he has just been talking more and more each day, and it's so fun! We can really have little conversations now! Here is a sample of a few of Connell's favorite topics:

• Police cars. ("Pleece" cars) - Having Connell in the truck is like a built-in radar detector. He can spot a police car a mile away. Very helpful!
• Pee Pee on the Potty & Treat Jar (see below).
• Choo Choos and Choo Choo Tracks. He knows where all the train tracks are in town, and gets so excited if we happen to see a train.
• This past week, Connell was counting his blueberries at breakfast and counted from 2 to 10! He just skips 1.
• Connell is now very much into cars/trucks. He has several little ones that he plays with, and last week, we got him a 'city' mat for his room. He drives his cars/trucks around on it to the airport and the school, etc and makes this cute little sound while he drives. It makes me smile when I hear it.
• Connell likes to tell you that the Bible is all about Jesus.
• Singing. Daddy is generally the one that puts Connell to bed at night. Since Connell was a very little baby, Tim wanted to do that so it was their special time. We read a story together and then Tim and Connell do prayers and Tim sings a song to Connell. It's an old hymn called "And We Bid You Goodnight" (done at some point by the Grateful Dead - one of my hubby's faves). About a month ago, I started to hear Connell singing along with Tim. It almost brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. So, this has become known as Daddy's song. Sometimes when I put Connell to bed he'll ask me to sing Daddy's song, but interrupts me in the middle - I think he only likes for Daddy to sing it! That's okay, we have a Mommy's song too. It's "You Are My Sunshine." I've been singing that to Connell since he was in my belly and he has recently started to sing along with me as well. He also refers to it as the "happy" song - I guess because of the line "you make me happy when skies are gray." And of course, we now have Emma's song - Twinkle Twinkle. I started singing this with Connell to Baby Emma in my belly, and now he will lean right over and sing to my belly, and he can really sing this song by himself now. It's the most precious thing ever. I keep telling Tim we really need to get that on video.
• In addition to singing to Baby Emma - he has been sharing his money with her. He likes to put coins in his piggy bank, and now he wants to put some in her bank as well. Now that is a sweet brother!

As I already mentioned, the POTTY has been a big deal around our house lately. I bought Connell a potty about a month ago, and he peed in it a few times, and then the fun passed. Last Monday, we started putting big boy underwear on him anytime we are home...so diapers only at nap and bedtime. We are also trying to stay home more, which is good anyway! It's too hot to be out. Tim and I are very impressed. He is doing really really well with it so far. That's not to say that he is potty trained YET, but I would say that we are definitely on our way. And I would also say, this child is highly motivated by the "treat jar!" I hope he isn't 10 years old and asking for the treat jar after he goes to the bathroom. Hahaha! It's okay...whatever works. He gets a little fruit snack or an animal cracker. It's a whole lot cheaper than buying diapers! And to top it off, I think the BIG payoff for Connell is getting to flush the toilet. He LOVES it! You have to really watch, he will flush it like 10 times in a row. I see a plumbing call in our near future. :)

Wow, this may be my longest post ever. I am usually not this wordy. Just wanted to share with everyone what's going on in our house these days. Here are some random pics to go along with my random post!

We started keeping the potty chart a few days ago! Of course, this comes AFTER the treat jar!

Mommy & Emma going to play bunco - 32 weeks!

Daddy & Connell having some fun pool time

Pizza Night!

This past weekend, we had a Pizza-Making party! Connell stood on his little stool and helped make a cheesy pizza! He loves his "pizza pie"!

Just a little sauce on the elbow!

July 4th Fun!

Friday night, we had a great time with our friends, the Jacobs, on their boat. Connell had been on the lake before, but this was his first time to swim in it. He loved it! It was so neat to watch him having fun with Ian and Chloe. And did I mention, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. At 9 when the fireworks started, it was 75 degrees! Thank you Jacobs, for a super fun time!

Watching a movie while we waited for the fireworks to start
Chad made sure we had the best view of the fireworks!!!

Saturday evening we went to a cookout and played some more with friends, however, there are no pictures. 2 reasons...I forgot my camera, and even if I would have had it, Connell was in "wildman" mode, so I wouldn't have been able to take a picture anyway! Too much partying for a 2 year old!

Sunday, my friend Amy (we went to high school together) and her family came through town on their way to vacation in Gatlinburg. We cooked out and just had a fun evening of family time!

Connell, Tanner & Ally! Too cute!

Me & Amy

"Baby Emma's Room"

Delivery!!!
Daddy's helper

Slowly but surely, we are getting things ready in Emma's room. It's actually now starting to come together, since her furniture arrived via special delivery last week. We ordered her crib and dresser from a store in Memphis because they were telling us 4 weeks to get it in and the store in Nashville was telling us 12 weeks! Same stuff, same price. Who knows!!??? Anyway, Grandpa and Grandma were willing to be the delivery service - and within 3 weeks, they had the furniture. Grandpa just got a brand new truck, so he was happy to take it on the road and on their way to Asheville last weekend, stopped off to deliver Emma's furniture. Thank you again, Grandpa and Grandma!

When we got back from our trip, Daddy and Connell assembled the crib. Connell was very excited to help and when their work was done, he put her little pink teddy bear in the crib so she'll have a 'friend'! I have a feeling she might have another 'friend' that wants to climb into her crib... :)