Summer Means...

Standing on your parents' bed while singing a preschooler's rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" at the top of your lungs on your toy microphone before belly flopping from exhaustion.


"I wonder if Steve Perry looked like this before falling out exhausted from being awesome."



Sleeping late then dive-bombing your parents' bed while making sheet angels.




Catching fat frogs in the front yard with your net and bare hands.




Wishing for rain.

I Couldn't Love You More...

Ah. Last week, I had the best weekend I've had in a long time. Brian and I got to experience a mini-vacation sans kids. While I missed the boys terribly, it was so nice to get away.
He got us tickets to see Sade in Houston and reserved a suite at Embassy Suites. Freakin' awesome is what it was. Our first stop was at Buc-ee's on 45 in Madisonville. That place is the bomb! And then, we stopped in The Woodlands for some shopping. After arriving at the hotel, we were not in the mood to go searching for a place to eat. So, room service for dinner while we watched crap movies on t.v. before the concert. And, seeing how we were only a half of a block away from the Toyota Center, we didn't have to rush to get ready.
The concert was spectacular. I have never heard an artist sound better live than recorded (sorry, Sting). Sade was energetic and beautiful. I was awestruck. Sade has such a great soul. She brought out her old stuff and a few of her new songs. LOVED her. John Legend, who opened for her, was just as great. I hadn't really paid attention to him before last weekend. Two words- astounding talent. I wanted to bring my good camera in but, due to the Toyota Center's rules, that was prohibited. I had to use the crappy camera on my phone instead.
We walked back to the hotel (in no rush because we didn't have to relieve any babysitters) and watched the traffic pile up, thankful that we were well within walking distance. Next morning, we were given a gourmet breakfast (which I still dream about) before packing up and heading home.







On our way we ended up stopping in Kemah at the Boardwalk to scope it out. Wow. Really cool place and very reminiscent of a 1930's boardwalk with games, rides, restaurants, shops, and old school snacks. Brian said he felt like he was cheating on our kids because we were having fun without them. hah! I told him their lives are one big carnival and they'll forgive us for having a little fun.

Of all things to find on the boardwalk, I spy with my brown eyes, a... yes ma'am!


I also found this sign by the roller coaster. Very fitting for some people I know. I may just have to find or make this and employ its use frequently.



I love my husband and although we've been married for ten years, it has been one hell of a ride. I can't wait for the next 40+ years.

For my boys

I am your PARENT, you are my CHILD
I am your QUIET PLACE, you are my WILD

I am your CALM FACE, you are my GIGGLE
I am your WAIT, you are my WIGGLE

I am your DINNER, you are my CHOCOLATE CAKE
I am your BEDTIME, you are my WIDE AWAKE

I am your LULLABY, you are my PEEKABOO
I am your GOODNIGHT KISS, you are my I LOVE YOU

And this, this is summer

Fourth of July

I love fireworks shows. I love how everyone just shuts up and oohs and ahhs over the spectacular display.


We got to the park three hours early to secure a spot. We got a good one! We saved our friends the Harmons a place. So glad we did. To bide our time though, the boys and I listened to music and took pictures. Brian, on the other hand, busied himself with some reading. In case you couldn't see the magazine he's reading, it's Popular Mechanics and the article he's so enthralled with is titles "100 Skills Every Man Should Know" As he's reading, he's marking down the ones he knows how to do. I love testosterone driven checklists!!


Oooh guurrrrrrl! This is mah jam!!!



Not a big enough tent to hold this circus!



Eatin' a sammich under the umbrella-ella-ella. Yeah, we brought our picnic dinner. Boys loved it. And for the record, the heat was not terribly unbearable.


And the little turds brought water guns. Caden was pew-pew-pewing at every car that passed. Go ahead and judge me. I'll wait.

And for some reason, they brought a yo-yo and a lantern. Get this: they used the yo-yo to hook the lantern to the tent and made themselves a redneck chandelier. Then, before the fireworks started, they, along with the Harmon girls, used it to seek out insects. Awesome.

I love being a mom to boys.

Ethan brought his harmonica to play around the lantern in the tent. The tunes he regaled us with were rival that of any guest star on Hee-Haw.

A lil' bit extra

Katie and I went sightseeing around town while the kids were down for a nap with JB and Brian. We stumbled upon this little kitschy shop called Gratitude. The lady that owned it was spunky, awesome, and just radiated positivity. I LOVED her. She was about 60-something and had hot pink streaks throughout her blonde hair and wore tons of leopard print. Anyway, I found this sign in her store and bought it. Anyone who knows what I've been through in the last 2 years knows why I bought it...and plus, I have loved Audrey Hepburn since I was 10.

A beach pass that is good for an entire year. Um, yes please! This means we can go back at Thanksgiving, no??

Stopping to have a picture and walk-through of the giant shark is a must when visiting. In this case, he has a chunk of the beastie brothers in his teeth.





"Hey moooooom! We're in a shark's butt!! Cool, huh?!"


The sweetest night swimmer's face you'll ever see!

Disco Stu is a sand sculpture.