The Tots' first swimming lesson!

I finally got around to signing the kids up for swim lessons!! I was excited but a little unsure how they would respond!  My dad asked if he could come watch and so he was able to take some pictures!  (And cheer them on from the sides when they were screaming)  These lessons are just the basics to get them comfortable with the water and so they can eventually learn to swim by themselves.

Lyla was up first!  She was so excited and happy.  We started in the shallow end and let the kids walk (or in Lyla's case bear crawl) so they were comfortable in the water.  Lyla loved being able to crawl in the water...she kept crawling out.  

 

Then they place the kids further back so they had to lift their chin as they crawled.  She did great!  This really taught them to not freak out if their face got wet.  It shows them that all they have to do is lift their head (or stand up) and they are fine!  

 

  

They also taught them how to reach for the wall, then hang onto the wall, and eventually crawl out.  I was amazed that Lyla could already hang on to the wall by herself.  Her she let go and got her face under water, she'd just pull herself back up.  Amazing how early they can learn this stuff!

We went to the deeper water next and let them lay on their backs and learn to kick!!  She was doing great UNTIL...the instructor showed us how to dunk them under water.  After she came up she was super mad.  She clung to me like a cat and she decided the lesson was over.  I was determined to end on a happy note so I kept trying to get her to enjoy other stuff.  Eventually she crawled some more in the shallow end and played with the fountains.

Cade's class did basically the same stuff but expected more from them.  Cade enjoyed it for the most part.  After they taught him how to reach for the wall and hold on to the side, the instructor put Cade near the wall and let him go.  Cade was under water for a little bit but finally found the wall and pulled himself up.  He was really scared after that (I guess, who wouldn't be).  But the important thing was that he could do it!  He was a great kicker and could even swim with his arms already.  I hope that his confidence increases over the next few weeks.  He didn't really calm down after going under the water until my dad took him outside and swam with him.

 

 

Hoping for a better outcome next week!!

 

Southwestern Pizza!!

I'm always looking for new recipes that don't appear to be too "weird" so that Ryan will eat them.  I don't have to worry about Cade or especially Lyla not eating my meals, I just have to worry about Ryan.  He's done a lot better venturing out with what he likes and lately he's been trying to eat less processed foods...So, that means more homemade cooking!

This is what we had tonight and it turned out great!!  We had all the ingredients on hand which was even better!

Southwestern Pizza with black beans and corn!  

Here's where it came from...The Kitchn

The only problem was our avocados weren't ripe enough so we didn't get to enjoy the guacamole topping :(.  But the fresh tomatoes from our garden made up for that.  Cade helped me roll out the dough and smoosh it down.  He also poked holes in it..oops, the recipe didn't call for that! 

Sea World

I'm so thankful that Ryan had a free weekend a few weeks ago and we were able to take Cade to Sea World.  Thankfully "Baba" agreed to watch Lyla.  She would have been a little bit harder to keep happy the whole time since she couldn't enjoy it as much.  We loved being able to give Cade some one on one time.  Hopefully we will go back in the fall and Lyla will get to go!  

We had actually planned on going a different weekend but that was the weekend that the kids took turns throwing up, so I'm glad we waited a week for Sea World...AND...that meant we got to go with our good friends, the Shouses!  Bishop is Cade little friend and we think his parents are pretty cool too!

While we were waiting for a show to start, Cade just took off climbing up a huge rope net wall.  Everyone just watched him climb up it.  Then I realized I wasn't sure how he was going to get down, so I climbed up it too!  Then the only way down was to go through the tunnels that are in the SKY! or try to come back down a steep wall.  I just followed Cade who had no idea how far up he was.  I'm not usually afraid of heights, but the thought of just these ropes holding me up was a little scary. 

Flamingos!

Sesame Street Bay of Play!

Elmo 4D Movie!  Cade kept the glasses on the whole time!

Waiting to see Shamu!

I love how interested they were in Shamu!  Cade still talks about Shamu and Sea World.

Penguins

Watching the dolphins.

Cade loved the shark tank with all the different kinds of fish.  He saw a clown fish and kept asking where Dory was? 

He loved getting to ride a "horse"

Stayed awake the whole day until we got into the parking lot.  Then he was out.  He woke up in the car and talked to us the whole way home!

 He got to pick out an animal and he got a penguin.  He also got a little Shamu for Lyla!  Can't wait to go again!!

Lyla 9 Months

Lyla 9 Months!

You are such a joy!  I love how excited you get over the simplest things.  

You can sign the word "more" and you can clap your hands.  You stand up by yourself without pulling up on anything and you've started to use a walker to walk around.  Cade thinks that is so funny watching you walk around. He cheers you on!  You also like to shake your "booty" when you hear music.  You do alot of bear crawling around the house.  You are so quick....sometimes too quick and fall on your face.  Daddy likes to all you little bit and I call you squirmy wormy!  You are so quick.  Cade calls you Lyla (with his tongue handing out of his mouth)

You like to drink out of a sippy cup now..just like brother.

Such a big girl standing by yourself.

so pretty!!!

You can give your brother a run for his money when it comes to being messy!

Getting ready to swim!

Memorial day party!

I have got to get Ryan to take more pictures of me with my little ones!  These are precious.

Cade at 9 months!!

Lyla at 9 months!

You keep your tongue out of your mouth just like Cade did and still does.

Every month it becomes more of a challenge to get them to sit still!! But I love these "mischievous" pictures too!

Lately...

I've been so busy that I haven't been able to blog about what I've been doing the past few weeks...

Ryan and I have noticed in the past month that Lyla has turned over a new "leaf".  She is now happy almost all the time and if she's upset there's a reason.  So different than her first several months of life!  Her blue eyes and eyelashes are just amazing!!!  God is such an amazing creator.

Since, I'm an only child I was really nervous about having 2 kids.  I always wanted a big family, but I pray for children that care for their siblings and want the best for them.  Obviously there will be fights and tears, but overall I want to see love!  It's amazing how Cade and Lyla already have such a bond.  Since Lyla was born Cade has wanted to include her in everything.  When he learns how to do something he also wants Lyla to learn.  His latest accomplishment is teaching Lyla the sign for "more".  She can do it now and it makes Cade giggle every time.

Brotherly hugs and kisses.

And we're done...

My boys!

Lyla can now stand on her own and stand up without pulling up on anything. I know it took Cade along time to learn that.  He was walking on his own before he could actually get up in the middle of the floor.  She is so strong.  I've seen her stand up then squat then get back up.  She will do that over and over again.  She is just now starting to think about taking a few steps. 

Cade's buddy, Bishop came over the other day and they were pretending to sleep.  I love these two so much and can't wait to see them grow up together!  Bishop already antagonizes Cade like they were brothers.

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A few weeks ago I had to say good-bye to one of the closest friends I've ever had.  Our pastor moved to a church in Waxahachie which unfortunately meant his wife went too.  I mean, good that she followed him there but sad for us.  Angela and I would see each other almost every day.  Our boys played at each other's houses and we went on countless walks around the block and to the park.  Every time we go on a walk now, Cade always asks to go to Angie's house.  He doesn't understand that they have a new house (that isn't in walking distance).  I'm excited to go see the Ritsema's in July and to see Angela's baby belly!  Cade will be so happy to see them too, especially Toby (the dog). 

May Birthday Parties

We got to attend two wonderful birthday parties...they were so creative and fun I thought I'd share!

Bishop turned 2!  He had a Cars Movie Birthday Party.  What more could Cade have asked for.  His parents made cars out of boxes that all the kids could play with.  Cade didn't care for them much, but here's a picture of Bishop running around.  He did that for his entire party!

Bishop's Grandpa had a bunch of antique metal cars and trucks that he brought.  They made a road on the pavement and the kids pushed cars in circles all night!

Lyla made herself at home and climbed on the table and got some cake.  I guess she didn't want to wait until she turned 1!

At the end of the night they projected the Cars 2 on a sheet in the backyard.  I let Cade have his party favor early!  Great party!!!

Blake turned 2 as well.  Her and Bishop's birthdays are one day apart.  This was the crazy water park/slide in their backyard.

The kids Sunday School teacher came and of course all the kids went and played with her the whole time.  What an amazing Godly woman! 

Cade knows how to relax...he gets this from his daddy!

Birthday girl!

Blake and her sister Dylan.