The Rest of the Fourth

This afternoon after the boys naps the Tavares Family came over to play and BBQ. We knew it was going to be hot so we set up our new knock off E-Z up tent with misters (Thanks MB) so we could stay cool while the boys played.

As soon as they heard the word outside both Jack and Ethan were waiting by the backdoor for us to let them out...Ethan was pretty close to getting out on his own...baby proofing is harder I see when they can open the doors...we're working on that now so we're ready for when Jack gets to that point.
Ethan dove right in. Poor thing...he didn't have a suit and so we got some of the bigger swim diapers I bought on sale last year...who knew their were boy and girl themes....he didn't mind...what a trooper!
Jack even spent a lot of time in the pool today....now if we could only get him to stop drinking the pool water...not only is it gross...but he chokes because it isn't a controlled flow like his sippy.
After swimming the boys dried off a little at the kiddie table under the tent. Check out Mr. Jonah in the background. He was cool, sun protected, and passed out in his carrier the whole time.
Dinner was great! Realize now us adults (minus Nick) must look pretty responsible with our wine glasses AND beers in front of our plates....Happy Fourth!
While the big kids played Wii Fit the boys did a GREAT job at playing together nicely. It is so much fun now that they are both walking and can comprehend some of what we tell them.
The park in Lisa and Patrick's neighborhood (across the street from us) had a great view of the fireworks so we loaded up, pulled down the tailgate, and enjoyed the show.
For it being past Jack's bedtime and him being worn out from playing so hard he did a great job watching his first fireworks show. Can't wait til he can see them in Disney one day.



Jack's in bed, Nick is working on scoring higher than Patrick in every Wii Fit Activity, and I'm off to bed...we have another dinner date tomorrow so we need to rest up. Hope everyone had a great Fourth!

Happy 4th of July!

Wow! What a difference a year makes! I was working on Jack's scrapbook last night and just happen to be on the 4th of July page from last year (I know...I'm a little behind). When I saw the pictures of Jack this time last year I knew I would need to post some so you could see the comparison yourself.

Happy Fourth of July 2007!
How sad...my bet is we pushed the photo shoot a bit too far. Still melts my heart just as much when he is crying.
The Relle Clan at the Tavares BBQ. Seems like I'm the only one that hasn't changed...pretty sure I can still fit in that outfit....Jack can't and neither can Nick-but for them it is a good thing...not so much for me. :(
Happy Fourth of July 2008!
"Mom before the Tavares's come over to BBQ can we change my outfit....I can tell Dad hates it. He thinks I look like a sissy! By the way...have you seen your headband...I think it would look great since my bangs are kinda getting long."

Pretty lazy Fourth for us...of course we didn't wake up in time to make it to the parade in Plano. Went to Garden Ridge (then cleaned up after we got back...that place is some shady)to look at black kitchen chairs that were on sale. This afternoon the Tavares Crew are coming over so the boys can play in the pool while we BBQ. Not sure yet about catching any fireworks..we'll see how the day plays out.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Tasty, and Safe Fourth of July!

GG and Grandpa Mac

Since Monday afternoon GG and Granpa Mac have been in town visiting The Relle Clan.

We broke the ice by playing a little ball in the living room.
Then GG and Grandpa watched the video from our family vacay. Tuesday while I was getting my hair cut the crew headed to McKinney for lunch at The Pantry and then a little antique shopping. Even though I wasn't there I'm pretty sure that Grandpa Mac is the one to the side making Jack smile from ear to ear....he thought Grandpa was so funny!
Back at home after an afternoon nap more ball playing was to be had before heading to dinner that night at Dodie's in McKinney so GG and Grandpa Mac could get some seafood.

After dinner we walked in a few shops around Dodie's and then what else...dessert....Jack loved his Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream...who wouldn't?!?
The next morning was another outing but this time to Frisco. We walked Ikea, had lunch in the cafe there, and even fit in Sam Moon. The car was a lot quieter on the way back to the house. Naptime for everyone!
GG and Grandpa didn't come empty handed...GG made Jack two precious outfits (the one in the picture above and another cute one that is red and white with trains), brought him some books, little frogs, and a Troll Baby Doll that was hilarious to watch him interact with.
Dinner that night was at the Cheesecake Factory that just opened up in Watters Creek by our house.
Dinner was delicious and Jack especially loved the sweet tea and Strawberry Cheesecake that Grandpa Mac fed him.



What a great trip. Hope ya'll have fun at the Tom Jones concert tonight. We miss you already!!

Jack Graduated

Ms. Linda, Jack's Gymboree teacher, had been out for a long time because of a family situation and she was finally back last week. After seeing how much her little Jack had grown she said he was ready to move up to Level 4. I was reluctant since we only have a few more weeks before I have to start working and we have made so many friends in our Level 3 class so we went on Monday to try it out in hopes that it made our decision easier. Jack did great and so we are moving him up to Level 4 for the remainder of the Summer (and Saturdays in August to finish out the Summer Session) so that he can experience some of it and he doesn't get bored in Level 3 (which I don't think is possible in such a fun environment).

Here are some great videos of Jack in action. Since Nick was there I was able to capture some of it on the digital camera and the camcorder for us to remember such a great year at Gymboree. For those of you that contributed to the funds for his classes....THANK YOU!

In level 4 they work on concepts every week rather than just developing motor skills. This week was pushing and pulling. Here is Nick pulling and pushing Jack on the rollie cart. For some reason in the video Nick makes it look like it is heavy and kinda makes you tired just watching...but Jack can push and pull it so it's not that heavy.

In Level 3 a signature activity that the kids do is right before parachute is that they push the log across the mat. They did it in Level 4 too. Just look how proud Jack is of himself when they make it to the end of the mat...clap, clap, clap!

This is one of the signature activities in Level 4...takes pushing the log a step further because they are pushing it back and forth to each other. At first Jack went with it beccause he is so used to pushing it by staying with it...by the end he got the hang of it. His face would light up when the line of Mommys and Kiddos across the mat would push it back their way.