The Storm is Scary

I was putting the boys to bed and a storm is brewing outside. . .

Ridge: Mommy, the storm is scary
Me: I know it's loud. But Cobby is in here with you. He can protect you.
Cobb: Not after I fall asleep! I can't protect him while I'm asleep
Ridge: (Ridge puts on a scared face) It's scary mommy!
Me: The storm can't get into the house. We are safe in the house that God has given us.
Cobb: Lightening can break through a roof.
Ridge: But what about the lightening!
Me: You can talk to God if you are scared. He's our protector. And God made the lightening and the thunder and the rain. Rain helps the plants to grow
Ridge: Tell the storm not to scare me
Me: Do you want to tell it?
Ridge: Storm, don't scare me! (he said this in a very forceful voice)
Me: Is that better?
Ridge: yeah. It not scare me any more.
Me: Okay, well, I'll see you in the morning!

Are You Just So Cute?

Charly: You know what? My friend is only scared of big boys, but not scared of my little brother.
Ridge: Huh?
Charly: She's not scared of you Ridge. Just Cobb
Ridge: oh
Charly: How come everyone likes you?
Ridge: D'know?
Charly: Because you are just SO cute?
Ridge: Yeah, I'm cute.

Ridge is already attempting the "I'm cute so I can get away with it" method. Conversations like this are just going to encourage him to try harder!

Ridge the Swimmer

I realize that I never posted about Ridge's swim lessons. He had one week of lessons with Mrs. Debra at the end of July. He was so terrified of the water, so my goal was that he would be comfortable being held by me in the deep end. Mrs. Debra not only helped him feel more comfortable in the water, but also taught him to kick to the side & get out when/if he falls in. He cried so much the first few days of lessons, that he was hoarse! But it was all worth it. I took pictures on the last day, the only day I was able to watch (his tears were too much for me).
Below she demonstrated to me how he can swim to the side. . .


Below, she has just dropped him into the deep end, and my big boy found his way to the ladder and crawled out.

And his favorite was riding on Mrs. Debra's back.

This made our life a ton easier in Florida! He loved the water, asked to swim to the side many times(when in the pool), and rode on Rob's or my back the majority of the time we swam. It's so cute when he is on the steps, and he says, "Are you ready mommy???" When I say yes, he gets a bubble in his mouth and ducks into the water towards me. Every once in a while I have to remind him to kick, but he does really well for the most part. THANKS Mrs. Debra!!!!

Cobb's Birthday Celebration Part II

Cobb had his party at ASI gymnastics near our house. The kids had a great time, and there was lots of laughter and activity! Cobb wanted his friends to wear costumes. His brother obliged

His sister wore Supergirl for a brief while. . .

And Mommy even wore the Flash mask for a little while. . .


He is the Flash character. Can you find him in this trampoline pic?



His brother and little cousin Jack were both batman. They had their own little batman battle, and it was so cute! On guard!

fake fall. . .

And dramatic roll over. . .

Here's the whole gang in the pit. . .

Blowing out his candles. . .

And satisfied success. . .


Happy B-day big boy! So glad you are six years old.

Cobb's Birthday Celebration Part I

Cobb had about a week of celebration for his 6th b-day. We started the day with donuts and then his Kindergarten ice cream social. For lunch we went to Gatti town with Aunt Kiki and Uncle Nick. So my kids had plenty of sugar and junk food. All Cobb's choice. We had a commitment that evening so the celebration was "on hold" til the next day.


SO. . . the next night, we had a slumber party for Cobb. His FIRST slumber party! He invited two friends, and they had a blast!

We just arrived at Chuckee Cheese!

yummy pizza. . .



collecting tickets!

At home we decorated cupcakes, sang happy birthday, then ate!



Lots of wrestling/sword fighting with Daddy!

Then we finished the night with a movie for the boys. Charly & Ridge had already gone to bed.

The next morning we had some Wii action. . .

And fort building. . .

It was a great first slumber party experience! Even Mommy & Daddy had fun!

Trip to H-town

After Echo, the kids and I headed to Houston for a few days to visit my parents & sisters. Plus, I got to attend the wedding of one of my sister's dear friends. Anyway, we had a great time, and the kids just love seeing their cousins Abran & Jameson.
Ridge & Jameson at the pool:

All 5 kiddos waiting to get in the water!

Me and my two sisters (Caroline & Marlo)

An attempt to get a good pic of all the cousins:

And the best I got:

It was a blast. Can't wait til we get to hang again!

Echo (playing catch up)

I didn't do well blogging this summer. Even though Rob tried to pick up my slack, we left out a few great things so I'm going to play some catch up over the next few blogs. . .

The last weekend of July, Rob's company had his 2nd annual Echo Conference. I was able to help out during registration, and then attend 3 of the key note speakers. I unfortunately kept forgetting to take pictures, but if you want to read more about the conference or see some pics you can check out http://www.echoconference.com/blog.

I really enjoyed all of it, but my favorite moment was watching my hubby perform as Johnny! Yes, Johnny & Chachi performed a 90s medley. Here it is!


If you want to see it in better quality with a wider screen you can click on it, and watch on youtube. :)

Bedtime Convo with Ridge

Ridge: When I wake up, do I get to watch a show?
Me: Yes, but remember, don't get out of bed til the sun wakes up. If you wake up early, just lay still and quiet until you see the sun.
Ridge: When the sun wakes up, a lion is gonna come
Me: A lion?
Ridge: Yeah, a lion. And I'm gonna punch it!
Me: oh, you are going to punch it?
Ridge: Yeah. I'm gonna be a bad guy and punch the lion. (He makes a dramatic punching gesture)
Me: ok, but don't be a bad guy until the sun wakes up. Ok?
Ridge: The lion is BIG mommy. I gonna punch it! ok?
Me: Ok. I love you.
Ridge: I get to watch a show when I wake up?
Me: Sure Ridge. Sure. Goodnight!
Ridge: I punch it!

Don't ask me what all that means. I have NO idea.

Charly's First Soccer Practice!

Rob & I had no idea how she would do with soccer, but she was a champ! She was so excited to wear her new soccer shoes & soccer socks that she picked out. And she has bright, shiny silver shin guards underneath those socks! And of course, she has to have the pink ball. Here she is with her friend Bella. They had matching shoes! This was a huge hit!

Listening to her coach. . .

And learning to stop the ball. . .

She was really into it, and worked really hard. She turned sporty on me! But then, of course, my "girly girl" came back as soon as she was off the field. In the car on the way to church she asked, "Wait, am I wearing my soccer outfit to church?????"
I said, "yes, but I brought your flip flops so you could take your cleats off."
Horrified, she says, "Mom!! I don't want to wear this! Well, maybe the shirt, but not the shorts."
I reply, "I'm so sorry Charly, you don't have a choice. I don't have anything else."
Softly she says, "ok."

Sweet girl.

Mr. Independent

Here's Cobb walking to school this a.m. He started racing me. . .

And actually got pretty far ahead! He said he knew the way.

We got a picture with his wonderful teacher today. Here's Mrs. Bush!