A Rockin 4th

So much to do

so little 4th.

So, we partied for 3 days!

Starting with a parade.

We told Trent he needed to bring a bag to collect candy.

He said "Bucket".

OK, seems a little big.

But he was right,

he filled that bucket!

Time for a nap....

in his big boy bed!

He loves it

and has done very well.

When he wakes up he yells

"Awake Mommy!"

Before getting out of bed.

Time to cool off

in the pool!

We have started doing "swim lessons"

which means he has to take off his vest

and swim under water.

He loves his goggles and has not been scared.

He kind of floats down then back up,

eyes open under water the entire time.

Then pops up and says "eyes open!"

This is his big concern over kicking and moving his arms.

But its a start!

Next on to the carnival!

Relax Daddy,

it will be fun!

His first rides.

We didn't know how it would go

but he loved them!

He took this driving very seriously!

Some photos by Trent

After Church

naps

and a BBQ

time for fireworks!

Big guy enjoyed lighting them

catching his first fireflies...

holding his first sparkler

(very still!)

and watching

Gracie

our super fire dog!

We were up super late

the boys still woke at their normal

6:30 am.

But were still tired

so were back in bed

at 8:30.

I enjoyed some quiet time.

I have been neglecting myself lately

inside and out.

So this little bit

of reading

felt great.

Time for more play with baby.

Who last week found his hands.

Then on this day

discovered

those toes!

So cute how he just stares and stares

with his little crossed eyes!

While we played

big guy helped Daddy

smoke dinner.

Yum!

More swimming!

Some learning about the day

thanks to Aunt Neila!

Cooking up a batch of

homemade ice cream!

And not to be forgotten

our

red white and blue dessert!

Then off to the big fireworks show

with his best buddy.

I thought baby would be scared.

We were directly under the fireworks

so I knew it would be super loud.

But they both loved the show!

Baby followed every firecracker

from the ground to the sky

without a flinch.

Hope your 4th was as spectacular as ours!

love, the rockinryans

6:27

6/27 A day that changed our lives forever!

He showed his independence early on,

refusing to meet us until 9 days after

what was predicted.

But he was well worth the wait.

In my last post I did not mention

a third proud mommy moment.

I took the boys into a restaurant for dinner.

As we walked toward our table

there was a man in a wheelchair.

His hands and arms were so contorted

that his fingers touched the insides of his wrists.

He was hanging half out of his wheel chair.

His fingers trying with all their might

to pick up a tiny piece of french fry

off the floor.

He could not grasp the fry

it was just being pushed around.

Don't worry about the fry! 

I thought....

my kid will make a much bigger mess!

But he was determined.

Trent watched

I look up

to see

a family of 6

staring.

A feeling of nausea hit.

I look at the girl

staring

eyes wide

mouth open.

I look at my inquisitive son.

Do I want him to be a gawker?

Is he scared?

Will I be asking too much?

"Bubba, could you hand him his fry?"

He did not hesitate

his face was one of

completing a mission

not fear.

He put the fry in the mans hand.

Eye contact.

A crooked toothless smile

to a crooked toothless smile

a high five

and thank you.

I know why he was born on this day.

Luke 6:27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.31Do to others as you would have them do to you.33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

I was very grateful to be able to spend the day with my
birthday boy.
We started the day
swimming with friends.

He gets real excited when his girl visits!

Next on to lunch and play

no surprise where that was!

Appetisers!

Then FINALLY

what he had been waiting all summer for!

Dirt, tractors, daddy!

Last year I couldn't get him off the machinery.

This time,

this was the closest he would get.

He talks about tractors constantly

but really did NOT want to get in one.

That's OK,

the best part was a picnic with daddy and Uncle Scott

anyway!

It was an excellent day

ended with passing out

as soon as the seat belt clicked.

Love, the rockinryans

A very Jabara weekend....

I wasn't so sure about what to do last weekend.

To travel alone to Wichita

by myself

with two under 2

or not.

I decided to go for it.

The first challenge came with

getting everyone up

packed

fed

and out the door

by 6:30am.

Baby woke to eat at 5 and fell back asleep.

I really wanted to go back to bed too,

but decided that would be too dangerous.

A big pot of coffee was mine instead of that soft pillow.

Luckily they both woke with smiles

and cooperative attitudes at 6.

Trent told me he was "Excited mommy!!"

So we hit the road.

The trip went great.

Baby slept the entire time (no surprise)

and Big Guy talked the entire time (no surprise).

But I was glad for the conversation.

It was good bonding time for us.

He taught me all about tractors and dirt.

I interviewed him.

Have you ever interviewed a 2 year old?

I was laughing pretty hard!

We made it safely,

ran to my doctors appointment

with Sittie in tow.

I had lots planned for my busy guy.

First up was a summer hair cut.

Poor guy would get so hot with all that hair!

After lunch I decided to take him to the new

Kansas Humane Society.

I hadn't been there yet and thought he would like to

visit the kitties and puppies.

On the way there I explained to him

why the animals were in this building and

they might be sad

so we needed to go cheer them up.

I also told him we were going to give the people

who cared for the animals

some money

to help pay for their food.

To this he replied~

*"Bubbas pennies?"

Oh be still my heart.....

When you hear your child say something like this

without prompting

knowing it was from his heart

words can not explain how proud a mom is!

*(He gets pennies for doing chores which he then puts in the candy machine. His pennies are his prized possession!

And he calls himself Bubba!)

We had a fun time visiting the animals

and giving them some "pennies".

That evening cousin shared her fun water table

and baby fussed more than I have ever seen

1. Why didn't I have my camera out for cousin play?

2. Why the fuss....did he miss daddy?

The next morning was going to be crazy at the house.

My moms family making their way into her kitchen

to prepare an amazing Lebanese feast for 80.

So we decided to hit the road.

Did you know my deprived child has never been to a donut shop?

Poor guy! I decided to remedy that problem.

He enjoyed it!

"Yuuummmm!"

We ran out some energy and practiced gymnastics, somersaults

and dancing at "My Gym".

As a parent I struggle with "pushing" my child to do things.

I want him to experience things,

to not miss out,

to not be a scardy-cat like his mom!

But yet, I always told myself I would never make him do things he didn't want to do.

The other kids at the gym were pretty wild.

Swinging high on the net swing,

running with no fear across the balance beam,

flipping themselves on the floor with no fear.

Not my son.

He is careful

timid.

He stands back to check things out

examine.

I love this about him.

But dang

that swing looked fun!

I wanted to put him up there so bad!!

But, I didn't.

He gets the fear of heights and speed from me.

So, I can't be mad.

Plus, he was the only kid there that knew all the colors

of the bean bags.....

another proud moment for mommy!

Next we

did a little shopping

then back for some Lebanese lunch!

He enjoyed visiting with his Sit-sittie.

All three of us crashed for a long nap

then went to see cousins new pad.

What a beautiful home!

We can't wait to go back and destroy the place visit.

The next morning it was finally time for the reunion.

Lots of food, family and swimming!

 

Photos by Trent...

Lots of available babysitters

while I took big guy swimming!

The trip home went just as well

we unpacked

crashed into our beds

to get ready for the next big day.......

someone FINALLY turned 2 for real!!

Guess what he wanted to do?

love, the rockinryans