My Birthday

I celebrated another birthday!  Thinking back to when I was little I thought 30 was old.  Now I am 34.  I am almost in my MID 30s!  Time flies.  I had a wonderful birthday.  We had a girls' day while Dad and Weston went golfing.  We had pedicures which were amazing.  It was Macie's first time and she was very excited about the experience. I loved watching her as the lady scrubbed her feet, had the chair massage her, and watch intently as the lady painted her toes. We enjoyed lunch and found some good deals shopping. We SHOPPED until we dropped.  Macie really did drop.  Once we were in the car, she was out and didn't wake up while we loaded my car to head back to Keller. I loved spending time with two of my most favorite people.  My heart was filled with such love for my dad because he took Weston for the whole day.(We couldn't have had a girls day with Weston. HE would have been bored in about 5 minutes.) They were going to just putt but the course was open so they ended up playing 9 holes.  Pappy and Weston had a great time.  I loved hearing the stories and will upload some pictures once I get them from my Dad. Yes, my dad took pictures because I begged him to capture the moment. Oh and then on Saturday Weston saw golf on TV so he sat and watched it. He kept saying Pappy and Golf.  Once we got home, Zack got back from a work trip.  He surprised me with a Kitchen Aid REAL MIXER!  I have always wanted one!  The kids and I made chocolate muffins with it the other day! 

GIRLS' DAY

 Nonnie and the kids made my favorite cake, "CHOCOLATE CHIP Cookie CAKE!"

 Pappy had real clubs for Weston to play with when they golfed. Weston cried when we left because he wanted to take them with him.  We decided that they are best left at Pappy's so that he doesn't end up whacking Macie or his new sis in the head. 

 While we stayed with Nonnie, we got to spend time with the BEST Cousins. I actually got to watch Blake and Blair while Lyndsie ran an errand after we went to the splash park.  It was just precious watching Weston and Blair play and hug. It is so cute how he says her name.  I also loved listening to Blake and Macie.  Macie said, "Blake, I am having the best time. Thank you for inviting me to your house."  His response was, "I know.  You are my best cousin."

So the girls are out numbered but with another little girl on the way, at least they aren't too outnumbered.

Summer Fun

 Daddy and Macie went on a date to the movies. They watched Monster's Anniversary and Macie wasn't impressed.  She asked to leave.  Zack said it is better if we just stick with the princess movies.  I hope they make another one soon.

 As I was carrying in groceries, Weston grabbed the cornstarch from the pantry shelf and dumped it all over my freshly mopped floor.  He thought it was hysterical.  I had to take a picture before we cleaned up.  As I was cleaning, he was rolling around in it.  Cornstarch was everywhere.  Then a few days later he grabbed pancake mixed and started the process again.  Luckily, I stopped him in the process.  He must have forgotten that he had just gotten in trouble for the same thing a few days before.

 We were getting ready to go swimming so Weston put on his swim diaper...over his swimsuit.

 Pants in the summer?!?  Yes, Macie insisted on the outfit but it ended up working out perfectly because we went to a bounce house place and it was pouring down rain.

 Weston is excited about his big boy bedding.

 The other day we played with Cool Whip for about 30 minutes.  I remember the first time I did this with Macie. She played and played not realizing she could eat it.  Now she is too smart for that and Weston caught on quickly.  I think they mainly ate and forgot about designing pictures.

 JUST LIKE DADDY

Weston got an early birthday present from Nonnie and Pappy which has been perfect for the summer.  He loves helping Daddy mow the grass.  Since getting his lawn mower and his outside helping the whole time.  It really does my heart GOOD!  Zack and I were just talking last night about how much Weston copies and follows him around.  We have such a great responsibility as parents!  Our actions are being learned.

 So we are about to start working on going potty.  Weston sits on the potty a lot now and tries with all his might to "go."  However, his trying hasn't been effective yet.  In a couple of weeks, we are going to get down to business and hopefully have THIS BIG BOY going potty.

 Trying out the bed

 Weston still isn't watching TV for more than 5 minutes but he loves to get in bed with Macie and watch "Jake."  I think he just thinks he is big like his sissy.

 Macie loves working on her ballet.  She is showing off a swimsuit that I got for next year at a great price.

 The smallest swimming pool ever

 UNDIES! SHOES! TAPE MEASURE!

He is ready for his day.

 As Zack was watering the plants last night (and we have big cucumbers), the kids got drenches.  Clothes came off and this became their shower before bedtime.  They loved it.  Macie would say she was drenched so Weston would copy her and say the same thing.

All Dressed Up



More Summer Fun

 The kids love the sidewalk paint and we like it too because it just washes right off.  Some of my Pinterest finds are awesome but some are flops.

 Macie painted pinecones like the princes did on Sophia the Princess.  It was really fun. She loves mixing colors to see what new color will be made.

 This picture is blurry but the foam princess are a huge hit!

 Swimming is something Macie and Weston can't get enough of.  "Macie Mermaid McClung" swims really well for not having lots of swimming lessons. She sort of taught herself last year and this year she only got a few days of swim in and then was sick.  She keeps saying that her swim teachers are going to be so impressed.  We still need to get more lessons so she can work on the correct technique but I do love watching her dive, twirl and do her tricks in the water.  Weston is impressive, too!  He loves jumping off the side and likes to go in the "deep in."  He actually ask to go to the deep part.  I think he feels big like his Sissy.  He kicks pretty well and moves his arms.  I just get nervous when they get water in their mouths.  Swimming is a blast but it also makes the kids sleepy. It is a little stressful for me because I don't take my eyes off them for a second.

 Weston got an early birthday present from Nonnie and Pappy so he can mow like his daddy.

Movie Date

Zack took Macie to see Monsters Anniversary.  She was excited to go and LOVED her popcorn he bought her.  However, she was asking to leave because she got scared.  Zack said, "We better just stick with princess movies."

 Macie is checking out the lizard her daddy spotted.

Weston is ready to go swimming.  He was ready but he put another swim diaper on.  I heard Macie, "Weston, you look hilarious.  Go show, Mom."  He had both legs in one leg.  I told him he did a great job and he said, "Big kid." 

 He has really started working on putting on his clothes and shoes lately.  It takes a lot of concentration.  It is so fun to watch his determination.  Also when he does something great I will say, "Excellent" and he repeats it as best he can.  I JUST LOVE IT!

So I have been a bit emotional lately when I think about Weston turning two in a month and no longer being my baby once his sis arrives. We are getting ready for the big boy bed, potty training, and all the other things I hope to have accomplished before his sister's arrival.  When people say a boy is ALL BOY, I know exactly what they mean. Weston loves to be dirty, loves to jump off things, loves to play with balls, and just acts like a boy. Weston has a smile that just charms me and I think will someday charm all the girls.  He loves to give me his charming smile when he is in time out or when he has thrown food all over. The other day he emptied the last of the Cheetos on the table and tried to dump cereal out on the table. All those little crumbs go everywhere which kind of drives me crazy.  He is great at making messes and the funny thing is he will get the broom and dustpan to clean up his messes, too.   Weston is also so good at sharing, showing love to Macie and others, and loves life.  I LOVE my sweet little boy so much!  

So anyway.....

 I was worrying the other night about him being the only boy and the middle child.  I am thrilled to have a girl but would have been just as thrilled to have a boy so Weston could have a partner in crime.  

BUT

MAYBE NOT

 Mr. Weston Reid found a box of cornstarch from the pantry this morning and thought it was hilarious to dump it out everywhere which I was grabbing groceries out of the car.I felt like my loud , "NOOOOOOOOO" was in slow motion as I watch the final about of cornstarch was dumped on the ground.  I was annoyed with the mess.  I can't lie especially because I had just mopped.  However, I grabbed the camera to document his disaster.  I am not sure the camera does this mess justice because it was tracked into the hallway, living and dining room, and the garage (it's great having dogs right there in the action).  As I was putting the camera down to start cleaning he decided to slide through the cornstarch.  He was laughing hysterically. Weston did try to help me clean it up and cried when I wouldn't let him vacuum the disaster. Macie kept telling me that she didn't the mess but she thought she should slide through it just once as well.  OH MY! OH MY!  I guess God decided that one boy was the perfect fit for our family!

4th of July

4th of July

This year we celebrate the 4th at home with several neighbors.  There ended up being about 7-8 families there which included lots of kids running around.  It is so much fun knowing our neighbors and enjoying their friendship.  I just love it.  We cooked out, visited, and later had our little firework show.  The kids swam, threw water balloons, and ate all the fun 4th of July desserts. We bought some small fireworks earlier in the day which was crazy.  The firework stand was packed.  I can not imagine what they make in a day.  Macie couldn't wait to pop all the fireworks.  They both loved the firework show. Weston and Macie stayed up really later.  It was Weston's first night to stay up until 9:30-10 which we assumed meant he would sleep until his usual 8 or later wake up.  However, he decided he needed to wake up at 7 and MACIE who is always up by 6:30 slept until 8.  You just never know.

 This was our second year to make chocolate covered strawberries.  Macie got started by herself because we knew that when Weston got involved it would turn a little crazy and a little, NO, a lot messy.

  And...

 it did turn out pretty MESSY!

Zack said it stressed him out but I was prepared for the mess.  Sprinkles were everywhere, strawberries and chocolate were licked and licked, but the kids loved it.  Macie handed some out to her friends which I am not sure was the best idea being that extreme taste testing was going on.

Macie wore an impressive 4th outfit.  I tried to convince her to wear something else but some battles are not worth it.

 Making Popsicle for the night's festivities. 

 We filled up the pool for all the kids to swim in which they did.  It worked out perfectly.  The kids stayed over in our yard while the food and adults stayed at my neighbors.

 Macie had her first lemonade stand which I told her kids wouldn't have money and we didn't make a sign.  This was her last minute plan but she said it was free.  The kids drank the lemonade like it was the best thing on earth.  We kept making more which just thrilled Macie.  The sweet boy in the picture gave her about $1.50 which she was just thrilled about.

 Here are a few of the kids.

 PINTEREST POPSICLE 

All the kids loved them!

In fact, I think Weston maybe had one bite of something nutritious the whole night. I looked up and he was stuffing puff Cheetos down his throat and dancing in a circle at one point. He had two cupcakes and another Popsicle.  Some of the bigger kids love spoiling my kids.

 FINALLY it got dark enough to pop fireworks.

 I love Zack's face.

 Since Weston always wants to be by his daddy he was trying so hard to sneak away from me to be a part of the action.  This was his only shot.

Weston did get to shoot one firework which he thought was cool.  One of the funniest things that happened was we had one firework that came in our pack that was a little bigger.  I jokingly said, "This is the grand finale."  A couple of kids repeated it and were so excited.  The firework shot in the air about 3 or 4 times.  It was quite impressive...not like these $100,000 shows that cities put on.