Fun over Christmas Break 2016

It was nice to just be home this year and not go anywhere over Christmas break.  It was a lot of days (at times that has its downfalls too) to hangout.

The gingerbread houses served as constant access to candy for the kids.  

The Karaoke machine was hit with the whole family

Maxwell liked hanging out with Tyler (likely because he was on a screen a lot of the time).

We all went to a trampoline place.  It was super fun!

Whew - no major injuries

We went to see a movie (although can't remember what it was now one year later...)  Emmalyn and Maxwell were excited to take their snackeez cups (the lid on top opens up to a container for snacks which was perfect for popcorn).

Playing with Maxwell's new glitter glue pens

Enjoying nice weather outside with chalk

Uno!

We went next door to make smores outside on their new outdoor fire pit

We made our traditional pretzels topped with hugs and M&Ms.

Maxwell got a science experiment kit for Christmas and was super excited to start doing the experiments.   He did a great job of reading and following (with guidance) the directions.

Maxwell's friend met Luckshya met us at the park to play.

I bought a piano!  A guy in the neighborhood was selling it for 100.00 so we got a uhaul and picked it up.  I am sooooo excited!  It needs to be tuned but is in decent condition.

This stinker is heavy!  It took 3 guys to move it.

Breaking in the new piano.

More science experiments

The kids and I went with Kimberly to the Dallas Arboretum but first stopped at Tida's shop to say hi and then picked up some BBQ for a picnic lunch.

Gianni showing Maxwell the big mixer

It may be winter but it's always a good time for a popsicle!

We got lots of running in on the pretty grass in the sunshine.  We didn't end up exploring the Arboretum much beyond the portion by the entrance.

Peter and I went on a date out to eat and then to see the Book of Mormon musical (which neither of us really liked).

Another night we went to a movie and then over to Tida and Jason's.  Kimberly watched the kids (they had a great time).

Second week of June

We are easily getting into the summer mode.  :)  It's so much fun!

Maxwell helped me harvest some strawberries

They aren't super impressive but at least they made it into our mouths!  (The kids found them tart.)

We grabbed subs and went to enjoy an outdoor concert down at Frisco Square.  The weather was gorgeous and it was fun to enjoy the music.

Emmalyn got her hair braided.

Max "lifting" a fake barbell

The family rocking our new sunglasses!  (I entered a contest on social media with these glasses and ended up winning a $25 gift card because of it!)

Last stop - a candy shop for a piece of candy

Maxwell didn't play as well in his second soccer game, it was frustrating to see him go backwards a little bit.

Pleading with dad about something

So much energy.  It's hard to keep her entertained during the games.

I hold off as long as possible but eventually we pull out the phone.

Our mazda hit an exciting milestone:

Right before...

BAM!

Dinner at Chick-fil-a

Enjoying another concert in the square (and yummy treats) with my friends - Jessica, Mary Ann, and Melissa.  The mosquitoes have been bad this year so lots of bug spray!

We discovered that Emmalyn finally has a birthmark!!!  I'm not sure exactly when it showed up but neither Peter nor I have ever seen it before.

Emmalyn loves to be close to her big brother...

...most of the time, he doesn't like it

Summer reading!  We are doing a challenge through the library.

We had our little neighborhood friends Owen and Avery over to play.  Avery (who is Maxwell's age) had fun with Emmalyn and Owen played with Maxwell.  Emmalyn had fun playing doll house with another girl.

The boys played video games.

We then worked on making Father's Day cards.  Our fun time was cut short when Owen and Avery started fighting and Owen punched Avery in the mouth.  Sibling love!  I hope Maxwell and Emmalyn don't end up beating each other up but it will probably happen.  I remember beating up on Kimberly, too.

Britt set up some sand for the kids to play with at her house

She took them to a new park 

Brittany and I took all the kids to a family night at the library.  They had some fun things but it was WAY to overcrowded and hot.

Maxwell wrote me a sweet note with chalk that said "I love you mom"

The kids watched some science experiments (the hand fans didn't help - it was HOT)

We gave up and left early because it wasn't worth it.  Instead we went and got snow cones.

I love summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maxwell can jump to turn the lights off but still can't turn them on.

He will swim forever - he just keeps bobbing his head out if the water to get air because he can't touch and doesn't need to swim to the side.

He's enjoying the summer break from normal routine.

His common response to learning something new or just his reflex response is 

"that's funny",.

Emmalyn grunts/groans when she doesn't like something. 

Her hair us a crazy mess and she takes it out which only makes it worse.

Her top left 2 year molar is in but she has still so much drool!  Another tooth has come in behind that one too but only on the left side

She's done well without the gate on the stairs, which has been nice.

She likes hiding and closing herself into closets and can reach the door knob to shut it but can't open it.

She is struggling to sleep soundly lately and doesn't want to take naps and then when she does they are short.

She can take off her sleep sack and some pajamas by herself, can put her sandals on.

Emmalyn loves wearing her Dora backpack and necklace/sunglasses.

She eats very little at dinner. Speaking of dinner, I feel like both kids are picky. They will try it and if they like it will only eat a couple bites.

She's so bold in swimming and loves jumping in, good kicks and mostly good with going under but doesn't close her mouth when she's under.  She can blow bubbles and can roll to her back and roll to belly.  She's not yet happy about sticking her face in but will stick in chin.

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