Hands-On in the Kitchen

As our kids are getting older, they are able to help more in the kitchen.  It used to be considered "help" but now it is sort of leaning into actual help.  We have had the kids plan a meal, make grocery lists, shop for ingredients, and pull it all together into a main entree. We are working on knife skills, working appliances, complimenting the chef, and some clean up to name a few skills. All entrees must have at least 3 types of vegetables.

Sophie, with Dad's help, made bagel pizzas.  They were honestly delicious.

Rhys went page by page through a healthy children's cookbook from our library complete with large, colored pictures. He chose turkey burgers.  They were also well liked and made with apples, onions, and seasonings in the mixture.

Our tummies are happily anticipating their next recipe!

Independence Day

It appears that we like the small town feel of the downtown McKinney Independence Day Parade, as it might becoming a tradition.  This year there were no motorcyclists but there was an addition of a goat.  I am pretty sure the goat was Collin or McKinney that reside at the local farmer's market but it was hard to tell because he was disguised as an American flag.

One of the highlights of the parade was not "in" the parade at all.  As you probably know, it is not uncommon for those  in the parade to throw candy to the onlookers.  Well, Sophie was given a piece of candy and made sure that the boy giving the candy shelled out a piece for her little brother as well.  She did it politely, too.  She is such a kindhearted kid.  We love her for it.

 

After the parade we headed out to visit with the Huffs and enjoy a BBQ and pool party. Great way to spend the day with longtime friends. This was the first time Rhys went sans arm floaties without drowning himself. He really wanted to try doing it without the floaties so we said it was okay as long as one of his parents was directly by his side.  He kept his head above water for the most part.  I don't think it will be too long before he's got the feel for being a fish.

Hope you enjoyed your 4th too!

Great Weather but Rainy Days

This year isn't over yet and already Neal and I are understanding the value of saving for a rainy day. Boy, Oh Boy! We've had both cars worked on due to an unexpected slide on ice and hail damage, the roof done because of hail damage, the oven die (but fortunately replaced with a $80 one off craigslist), the treadmill die, the garage door die (and replaced), we recently ordered glasses for Rhys, our van is due for new tires, and the fence needs repair! Yikes! Someone get us an umbrella already!  It seems like it is pouring pretty hard but I know it could be worse.

Thankfully, we have car, home, and medical insurance. The Craigslist oven find was a blessing. I can run outside for several more months without losing my will to move my body.  A bit overwhelming? Yes.  Doable? Yes, so far. Would I rather be getting a pedicure on a cruise ship? Yes.

Raising Giants

With both kids birthdays behind them, we took them for their yearly well checks and could not wait to see how the numbers corresponded with the high water pant legs and inability of us, the parents, to easily lift our offspring.

Rhys got his results first. At five-years-old, he weighed in at 51.2 pounds, and measured 46 inches tall, both placing him at approximately the 95th percentile.  He was up 6 pounds and 2 inches from the previous year.

Although Rhys has Sophie beat based on sheer heft, Sophie, took the lead on growth!  At her recent well check, our seven-year-old cutie weighed in at 50.4 pounds, and measured 49 inches tall. She is at the 50th percentile for her weight and the 72nd percentile for her height. She gained 6 pounds and 2.5 inches since last year.

Additionally, Rhys, having not passed the vision screening was referred to the eye doctor.  That appointment ended with the purchase of a cool pair of spectacles for him.  Pictures to come when the glasses arrive.

Neal Turns 38!

Neal's birthday is, sadly, always low key because we are worn out from everyone else's birthdays.  This year it was on Sunday so we blamed it on keeping the Sabbath day holy.  He left church early anyway to pick up John G. from the airport.  The plus there is that he could listen to the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Mexico, in which his people won.  Upon arriving home he got to open token gifts as his larger gift isn't till much later--we are going to see Les Miserables on stage.  We ended the evening with lime bars, at his request. He got his birthday dinner the next day when we went out to his favorite local Thai restaurant.

Allen USA Celebration

The evening of Sophie's birthday party, we still couldn't get enough celebrating in so we headed to this year's Allen USA Celebration for family fun.  We checked out the booths, explored some vintage fire engines, listed to the concert featuring Pentatonix, an a cappella group. The kids were entertained by the other little ones around, food, and glow necklaces and wands.

 

The evening ended with a long fireworks show set to a music montage.  Rhys made it about halfway through the fireworks before nodding off which was way better than when we came two years prior, and he was out 40 minutes before they even started the pyrotechnics.  As parents, we did better this year as well.  We brought a wagon to hall the kids back to the car in.  Fun night!

Sophie is 7!

It's flippin' adorable when your groggy 5-year-old son wakes to tell you he want to help make his sister's breakfast because it's her birthday.  I said peanut butter banana toasts and he improved upon it by suggesting we use the Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) he got for his birthday instead of peanut butter. I like the way he rolls--and so did Sophie who was awakened by Rhys and I softly singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

After breakfast, we were off to pick up donations from Whole Foods to deliver to the food pantry. I let her pick one treat of all the full bins--lemon bites.  Yum!

Then with a well packed purse we were off to a surprise.  They guessed and asked over and over but I wasn't telling.  They hoped for Kid Mania, a two-story, indoor playground maze but their hopes were dashed when they realized they were both wearing flip flops and Kid Mania required socks.  I even drove passed it and then entered a back way to throw them, and it worked.  When they realized where they were going, they also found out how brilliant their mother is, having packed their favorite socks in her purse. Yes!

After hours of play we had lunch at home, and had a low key afternoon. When Dad arrived home we were off to Cici's Pizza, a mediocre pizza buffet place that was obviously the birthday girl's request.

Upon arriving home we opened presents and got calls from friends and grandparents.

She chose birthday cake ice cream which I garnished with sprinkles and a cookies and cream hershey's fun-size bar.  Then off to bed because her birthday breakfast party was in the morning.

In the morning, Neal set to making pancakes as guest arrived for Sophie's Birthday Breakfast complete with pajamas!  After taking part in the pancake bar with sprinkles, whipped topping, and strawberries, the games began!

We first played Button, Button (search for button based on everyone singing Happy Birthday softer or louder), Freeze Dance (in which you were never out but if you moved you had to give 10 jumping jacks or push-ups as the music restarted), Hot Potato, and then Balloon Bust (popping a prize filled balloon with only your bum). Then Sophie opened gifts because we had to fill time a little bit, and many people enjoy that.  We ended with the kids decorating the walkway and front sidewalk with chalked birthday messages.  Then home they went with some favors.  Sophie was happy and we felt it turned out well enough.

It is so exciting to see Sophie growing up! She was a very good hostess.  She is a love and playful kid.  Thanks to all who provided gifts, cards, calls, and birthday wishes!

Sophie couldn't wait to model her new bathing suit from Grandma and Grandpa. Bust a move!