Tate jumping

Tate making sure the camera is ready.

His version of a cannonball - just before the splash!

Lake jumping

He was checking to make sure I had the camera ready.

His version of a cannonball.

On the second level of the platform. The park closed the top level a few years ago. This is as high as you can get to jump into the pool!

To give you a little perspective.

Catching up

OK. I know I've not been posting as often as I would like. However, it's summer, school is out and my children are growing up too fast for me.

We are spending most of our days at the water park near our house. Everyone gets along and there is no arguing amongst the children. Usually it is just lots of smiles and splashing. Rosie has learned how to swim. Tate is now jumping off the highest platform. Lake will go down the long white slide by himself. Daisy can touch the bottom of the three feet if she is on her tip toes.

Life is good.

And it is going to get better.

We are leaving for the beach this weekend and staying for a week.

Daisy has never been to the beach. When I asked her what she thought she'd see at the beach she replied, "Pigs?"

I guess in her mind she had built it to be a sort of zoo. So, we've been showing her pictures of the beach and talking about what lives in the ocean. I can't wait to see her expression when she actually sees it for the first time. Rosie will be much the same - she has only been once and she was three months old at the time.

Today we are going swimming for a few hours, finishing up the laundry and packing. I'll have my computer with me and if time allows, I'll post pictures of our trip. Otherwise you will have to wait until we return.

Seven!

Happy Birthday, Tate!

Several months ago I posted that Tate told us he didn't plan on getting married until he was either as old as Yoda or turned green. This bag was perfect for one of his gifts!

So, has he decided where we are dining tonight?

No.

Trixie wanted to know what the three choices are:

Bell Buckle Cafe - this is a tiny place that he loves to go to because of the live music on the weekends. It's also about 90 minutes away from our home. They have a website - check it out if you are interested. Sorry I can't get it to link...

Rosie's Mexican Cantina - this is about 30 minutes from our home.

Chick-fil-a - This is always on his list of favorite places. I may take him there for lunch because it looks like we may be going to Bell Buckle for dinner. Don't worry about the drive - it's very close to John Henry's mom's home and we'll spend the night with her!

Almost Seven

Tate's seventh birthday is Friday. However, we decided to have the party on Tuesday evening because we could rent the place privately. Any other day of the week, you can have a party but will have to contend with countless other children.
It's basically an indoor playground with lots of inflatables, oversized tricycles and plenty of room to run around.
I think everyone had a good time.

He appears to be really concentrating on the candle! His favorite gift was a bag of art supplies. He was up late last night trying out the different markers.

This was the best picture I could get with most of the guests - I know atleast two children are not in this photo as well as a few adults.

We will celebrate his birthday on Friday with the family. Tate gets to pick where he wants to have dinner. Right now he has narrowed his choices down to three places.

Sunscreen

I am having trouble finding a good sunscreen that works. I try to use atleast SPF 40, usually SPF 50. I apply about 15 minutes before we swim and then again about every hour. The problem is that the kids are still getting sunburned. The only one being spared is Daisy.

What kind of sunscreen do you use? Do you use the same for face and body or do you use two separate kinds?

Help, please!

Recital

Rosie's dance recital was yesterday. I took a few pictures at the rehearsal on Friday but they are really too blurry.

Waiting to go!

Backstage