Warriors

We know Vanessa likes to fiercely compete with the boys but it's becoming apparent that Zane wants to compete too. They practiced their American Ninja Warrior skills to climb up the warped wall of the bounce house slide. Zane was a good sport and laughed it off when he couldn't reach the top. Vanessa doesn't brush off failed attempts as easily but her intense determination also brought her success.

Zane's isn't heavy enough to propel down the Slip 'N Slides as fast as the bigger kids, but again, he sure enjoyed trying . . .  and we enjoyed watching him.

And finally, here's video of Zane crossing monkey bars by himself:

Nonstandard

How many gigantic checkers tall are you?

One little boy got really upset to see Vanessa using the checkers at COSI this way. Good thing we finished soon after he got there so he could correct us and explain the standard way for using them. And no, he didn't want to play a game with them -- we were just doing it all wrong.

Holey Moley

We could say Vanessa is like her mom in how she is slow to lose her teeth. She's like her dad with the mole on her lower back.

Vanessa pulled out her top tooth all by herself at the beginning of last week. Mommy and Zane were still in bed when she climbed in with us for a second and before leaving to work on the tooth using the magnifying mirror. She just twisted and pushed it out.

Getting Down to Business

A few weeks ago Vanessa and Zane set up a lemonade stand in the backyard. They weren't really interested in customers off the street, but they were very interested in serving their mother and father while we worked around the house and in the yard.

They created a system where we collected play money from Zane and then we purchased our order from Vanessa. Daddy decided he would surprise them with real money. Vanessa smiled and accepted it, seemingly surprised, and Zane just pointed out Daddy wasn't following their system. There must have been something in that lemonade -- when they were all done, they left the real money behind, as if it Daddy was only playing too. They didn't realize he was just getting down to business.

Fairly Grounded

I look at this picture and it really sinks in that my little boy has gotten so big. (And yes, I realize too that I need to clean out his jean drawer.)

Yet he's still not big enough to ride what he really wanted to ride. He's fearless. But he settled for the kiddie rides, which took a whole lot of convincing.

What a super time with friends! Daniel is so awesome with Zane. Zane admires him so much.

And what a trooper Daddy was to go with Vanessa and Audrey on the ferris wheel. Zane called it the big wheel. He's clever like that.

Can you see Zane and Daniel? They're up there.

It wouldn't be a good trip to the fair without checking out the horses.

Vanessa enjoyed running into schoolmates from Avery and even enjoyed a ride or two with them. I think Ella and Audrey helped Vanessa muster up the courage to ride this circular, high-flying ride. She didn't get sick but she kept telling herself that she would be okay when she got really scared. I'm very proud of her for trying it.

Zane didn't have any problems on the big wheel.

And after all that and then some, Zane got to do his most favorite thing.

Happy Birthday, Zach!

*This pic was stolen from his dad as well.

Trail Riders

Zane has been eager to complete his summer library activities so he can get a raffle ticket for a big boy bike. I can see an 8-year-old on the bike, but not my 3-year-old. :-) It's green and huge. It's become difficult to visit the library because of his obsession.

He wants to get rid of his training wheels but we make him keep them on . . . because we said so. (He recently checked his growth on the vintage bike at COSI again -- he's so close to being able to rest both feet on its peddles.) He's a big boy, and he can cross the monkey bars at home now, but he's not that big of a boy. :-) Until it's time, we're practicing following the rules for the trails.

So Deep

"Mom, open up my tummy so I can see what's in it."
"I can't."
"Oh, that's right. It's a part of me and my skin is over it.. . .  Mom, how do you take my skin off?"
"You shouldn't take off your skin."
"Why?"
"It protects your insides, like your tummy, heart . . ."
"Let's feel my heart. . . . Did workers make me?"
"God made you."
"How did God make me?"
"He made you very special."

Risk Takers

While exploring the woods and going off the beaten path, Vanessa freaked, begging Daddy to turn around and to not go any further. She was worried for what we would walk into and how we would find our way back.  We assured her that we would never intentionally put her in danger.

Zane has no problem following Daddy and is even intrigued by the unknown. Yet Vanessa has no problems venturing out onto the skinniest branches twenty or so feet in the air. And Daddy is excited to follow.

Happy Birthday Seth!!

Playing With Fire

Posing in the dark makes for funky eyes. And check out our mess of PJ patterns!

Happy Fourth of July/Birthday to Sally!

The kids and I were feeling pretty silly when we came up with this idea. :-) We love that it could be considered awkward. It actually presented a great learning opportunity. A few days ago we talked about independence from what -- Vanessa's interest is way more involved than ever. Zane likes talking about the parts of the flag and making his own. They both stood with hearts covered as Old Glory initiated the start of the short-lived parade.

We lasted about two-thirds of the parade but the second third was mostly forced. :-) Zane's favorite part were the horsies. So much so his emotions welled up while begging for his very own horse. Vanessa liked watching for friends and the Hilliard Davidson band and cheerleaders.

And of course -- could we forget?! Heck no! the kids love the blooper in this video . . .