Reading Time

This morning, Sarah and Jackson climbed into her bed to read together.

Jack always loves when Sissy reads to him, and I think it's just precious!

I hope they're always this sweet together!

An Indoor Cookout

Last night, we had an indoor cookout for dinner because it was so stinkin' hot outside!  We grilled hot dogs and onions on the stove.

 Then, we made s'mores...

...by broiling marshmallows in the oven. 

It was really fun to change up the normal dinner routine and do something different.  And s'mores are always delicious!

Root Beer Float Day!

Yesterday was Root Beer Float Day, so naturally, we celebrated after dinner!

Sarah just started liking and drinking carbonated beverages in the past couple of months, so this was her first time having root beer and a float!  She was pretty excited!

Jackson still doesn't drink cokes either, because they're "spicy" but we didn't him to feel left out.

 

The kids thought this was such a fun little treat!

Mambo Italiano!

Last night, we did another theme night for dinner!  Italian!

 

We listened to Italian classics like "Mambo Italiano" and "That's Amore" while we ate!

I was going to make lasagna, but I didn't have enough noodles!  So, I made spaghetti with homemade sauce.

 Caprese salad.

Homemade focaccia bread.

And finally, Italian soda and cannoli--I make the filling for these, and it's one of the kids' favorite desserts!

Because we had spaghetti, we had to take J's shirt off after dinner!  Then, while I did dishes, he built a "castle" of pillows around himself and Daddy while they watched TV.

This is what Jackson's "castle" looks like!  They are too cute!

Jackson's Bed

Now that Jackson sleeps in a big boy bed, he loves that he can just get out and help himself to any of the toys in his bedroom to play with until he falls asleep!  Usually, we'll go in at some point during the night to remove everything but his stuffed animals from his bed, but I guess I forgot to on Saturday night while Bryan was on call!

 

Yesterday morning when I went in to wake him up for church, there were so many toys in his bed, I had a hard time finding him for a second!  I began to sneak out to grab the camera to document just how ridiculous his bed is, but he woke up!  I asked if he could pretend to be asleep so I could still take a picture, and he was more than happy to oblige!

I honestly don't know how the child sleeps!

Bedtime Sweetness

We always read Jackson a book before we kiss him goodnight, just as we did with Sarah when she was his age.  I'm usually the one to read him the story, but a couple of nights ago, Daddy did.  I just had to capture the sweetness.  Bryan's the best Dad!

Immunizations

When I took Jackson to his check-up a couple of weeks ago, I discovered that Sarah was due for 3 immunizations as well.  Now, Sarah's 11, but she's the worst when it comes to getting shots!  J is 4, and yes, he cried when the nurse stuck the first needle for the first immunization in his thigh, but once all of his shots were finished, I picked him up, and he stopped crying.  Sarah freaks out from the moment she knows she has to get a shot until they're over.  So, while we've had her appointment in the books for 2 weeks now, we waited until last night at dinner to tell her.  And just like we expected, she flipped!  Jackson was sweet though--he kept telling her that it was going to be ok!

 

Then, this morning, once we were at the doctor's office, Sarah was crying again because she was so scared.  These are just a few of the things she said:

"It's so unfair!  Why do I have to get shots?!"

"I'm afraid I'm going to say a bad word.  I'm sorry if I do!"
"Oh God!  Why do I have to do this?!  I can't do it!"
"I would rather get the disease than the shots."
"I'm going to try to think of something funny."
"I know when she comes in I'm going to freak out, even if I'm not looking."
"How does Daddy get so many shots?!  I don't think I could be a doctor and get so many shots."
"Do you think it hurts worse than a scorpion sting?  Which one hurts worse do you think?"
"Why hasn't someone invented the mist yet?"
"I'm so scared!  It's going to hurt so bad!"
"You have no idea how scared I am of shots!  I think about it every day!"
"I prayed to God last night that I wouldn't have to get shots and that they wouldn't hurt, but He didn't do the first one, so I think it's going to hurt!"
She is too much!

 

While we were waiting on the nurse to come with the immunizations, Jackson held Sarah's hand and kept repeating, "It will be ok, Sarah!"

He was so sweet trying to console her, and I think it really helped...until the nurse came in!  Sarah screamed as soon as she walked in the room!  She yelled, "I don't want to get shots!"  The nurse is just great; she is so patient and kind.  She told Sarah exactly what she was going to do and when.  She instructed Sarah not to look at the needles, but Sarah couldn't help herself!  That caused her to freak out even more!  After a few minutes of both the nurse and me talking to Sarah, we calmed her down enough to where she could get the first shot.  Sarah screamed when the needle went in.  She then commented on how it wasn't that bad!!  Jackson had his ears covered so Sissy's screams and shrieks wouldn't be so loud!  After the second shot in her left arm, the nurse had to move to her right arm to put in the last one.  Sarah lost it again.  She screamed when the needle went in, and Jackson kept his ears covered because he knew it was coming!  Sarah and I both hugged the nurse!  And then, we hightailed it out of there!

 

Afterwards, we went to get a treat wherever Sarah wanted!  The double chocolate milkshake made her so happy! 

Jackson got a cone with strawberry ice cream!  I love this picture of him--holes in his jeans and cowboy boots on!

I love these too!  And I love that shots are finished...for now at least!

Pizza in a Fort

Sunday afternoon, we got pizza from our favorite little Italian restaurant, built a fort, and watched a movie!  It was so much fun!  I just love spending time with my family!

Soulmate

Always.

 

And forever.

Little Dates

Our family loves dates, and sometimes simple, little dates are the best!

 

Sarah went to College Station on Wednesday with Bryan's mom to visit Aunt Rachel and Uncle Gus.  That morning before she left, she and I had a little girl time with hot tea, scones,  great conversation, and lots of laughs!

Thursday, while Bryan was on call and Sarah was out of town, I asked J where he wanted to go on our date.  He chose Starbucks and "Old McDonald's"!  So, we got cake pops (his favorite) from Starbucks, then had Happy Meals at McDonald's.  He's never actually been inside a McDonald's, so he was pretty excited!

Last night after we tucked Jack in, Bryan and I had a date!  He grilled steaks, and I made homemade mac and cheese with fontina and bacon and sautéed spinach.  We ate it in our jammies on the couch while watching our shows on the dvr.  It was delightful!

Starbucks and School Supplies

This morning, the kids and I went on a little Starbucks date.

Then, we got school supplies for the annual backpack drive at our church.  The kids loved collecting all of the goodies, and I love that they're learning to serve others.

Family Date

Yesterday, Bryan got home a little early, so we went to our favorite burger place for an early dinner...

...and milkshakes!

While we were there, Jackson asked if we could get ice cream after we ate.  We all laughed, then Daddy asked him what was in front of him.  Jack said "a milkshake--can we get ice cream when we're done?!"  He cracks us up!

We just love family dates!



Pizza Lunch

Yesterday evening, I made some homemade pizza dough, and today after church, we made pizza for lunch!

We love pizza at our house!

And it's even more fun to make pizza together!

Jackson loves getting his hands dirty while cooking...

...Sarah, not as much!

Spreading our homemade sauce.

Topping it with cheese.

When the kids finished topping their pizza, Jack helped Daddy top ours with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.

J wanted to try to a little basil on his pizza!

It was a yummy lunch!

Date Day

Yesterday, we thought it would be fun to take the kids on dates!

 

Sarah asked me a couple of weeks ago if we could go to a tea room that we used to visit a lot when we lived in Ft. Worth.  So I surprised her with this little invitation yesterday morning.  She squealed and gave me the biggest hug.

I just adore her.

We had a delightful time!

How is she getting so big?!

For dessert, we shared a scone!

 

Daddy drove Jackson to a little town north of us to have a boys lunch at Babe's.  Daddy had fried chicken, and Jack had chicken fried steak!

I love this picture!