it would be an understatement...

...to say that my kids like dress-up! I never know what I will find them wearing. Today I turned around and was surprised to find her disguised as a crazy pirate. That's fun and a little out of the ordinary! And her little sister was a Pirate Princess, who was needing her protection, of course. Note: they discovered that markers make great makeup...hmmm.

We are dog sitting my mom's sweet dog, Gracie. She escaped into the front yard while we were documenting the pirate game. No joke, she says, "Mom, I saved the dog from the deep water!" They are just so full of imagination!

We had to end the whole adventure with a group dance to a Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang song that came on spontaneously on the iPod shuffle.

Childhood is so short-lived. I pray that I can see more of these moments and stop long enough to take part in them.

wet n' wild wednesday

Classic...dad teaching her how to defend herself. Her water gun could beat up all the other water guns!

Backyard Bible club :: Day 1

Day 2

So much fun...in need of a major bath!

snacktime

learning about the gospel in our driveway...so cool

For one week, volunteers at our church host backyard Bible clubs in their neighborhoods. This year there are about 40 clubs going on in and around Pflugerville. We are always so encouraged to see teenagers from our church give so much of their time in the summer to train and lead these clubs. They lead 4 clubs a day...wow! They are prepared in leading lots of games, teaching a Bible story and clearly teaching the gospel to kids. The kids love them too!

On a side note: I'm recovering from bronchitis and I still have a kid on antibiotics for strep throat...it hasn't been the easiest week. But seeing these pictures and telling some stories about club today has really helped me be grateful (for this week of clubs and the opportunities we have to show our neighbors that we care for them).

flower child

I took these pictures to document the enormous flower she grew in her garden (which is about as tall as she is). Later, I realized that she was wearing her tie-dye tee...which made this look like a total hippie shot. Not planned. But it does suit her.

She grew this zinnia from a tiny little seed. Her little garden is closer to the house and gets a little more shade in the afternoon, so she actually has a few flowers growing. Big sis' garden is getting fried in the heat right now. Big sis' requested today that I have Dad move her garden to a better location. She's always carrying some wild ideas. "I didn't see him nail it down or anything. He could move it," she's thinking.

that face.

I feel like one day I woke up and suddenly she had dramatically changed. She's a little, bitty girl. Just look at the those teeth! I still can't believe she's 1. I'm loving the kisses and the games she plays. I love her little gibberish. The girlie can eat a whole piece of pizza...cut up into teeny-tiny pieces. (where does all that go?) I love that I get to share my days with her.

We love him. He's our hero.

the girls

I'm a little obsessed with this gal's freckles. Her daddy had them when he was a boy. I love them.

This little peach is enjoying "funny faces" for the camera too frequently in my opinion. I'm not sure that I love this, but I love her!

This poor, sweet baby girl. She has to put up with so much and she stays laid back. Love that too.