Looks like we're having a....

GIRL!!

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Weekend in OKC

We went up to Oklahoma City this weekend to celebrate my grandpa's 90th birthday.  The girls got to spend time with him & my grandma, along with aunts and uncles, and their cousin they don't see very often.  I'm so thankful they get to know our extended family, but especially that they get to have a relationship with their great-grandparents!

Sarabeth & Great-Grandpa taking a walk in the backyard

Aunt Norene, Lauren & Great-Grandma

Lucas & Anabelle with Uncle Mitch

Happy Birthday to you!

A social experiment of sorts

I feel like parenting is one big experiment.  I have no idea what I'm doing, though I feel like the rest of you do.  Every day is a new test that either ends in complete failure & exhaustion or the occasional victory.  I'm proud to report I'm in the latter category tonight.  Here's how it happened.  Please hold your judgements until the end :}

I'm guilty of letting the girls watch too much tv.  I always have a great excuse though...I need to shower, I need to clean, I need to nap, I need a break from the screaming...you get the point.  Before too long, anything turns into a perfectly "reasonable" excuse to turn on our beloved Dora or any Disney princess movie (yes, the girls can name them all.)  The problem really became evident when they were arguing about what they were going to watch and when.  I mean really throwing fits when I said no or they didn't get their show of choice.  Sunday I decided enough was enough.  I officially (but very hesitantly!) made this a tv-free week.  

Sure, they've asked to watch a show here & there, but not one single fit when I said no.  They're playing together beautifully.  I'm more engaged with them on a regular basis.  The number and volume of outbursts and screaming fits has drastically decreased.  Who knew this kind of change could make such a huge impact?  

Here it is Thursday night- 5 days into my experiment- and I couldn't be happier.  As I type, Sarabeth is reading a book to Anabelle.  Too precious!

Haircut

Sarabeth has been chewing on her hair since Anabelle was born- it's like nails on a chalkboard for me.  I figured she'd grow out of it, but 2 years later it's become her trademark.  Our pediatrician told me that there's a condition called Rapunzel syndrome in which kids can literally get hair balls in their stomach.  Lovely, I know.  I've been putting this off but knew I needed to cut it- I just couldn't bring myself to do it!  I took her this morning to get it cut and she did great.  I was the one having a hard time with it but it turned out so cute!

Oh, Sarabeth

By now you've all heard about Sarabeth at naptime...climbing dressers, pouring water on her floor, covering herself with lotion, and the list goes on.  This was apparently today during naptime...

And this was after she said enthusiastically, "Mom!  Look at my door!"

Not sure what I'm going to do with this girl!

A 4th of July to remember!

For the last 25 years my parents have had a backyard bbq on the 4th.  This year we decided to stay home and relax instead of making the drive up to OKC.  We have several more trips over the next 2 months and wanted to take it easy while we could.  I talked to my mom on Friday as they were getting things ready for the next day and really wished we had gone up for the party.  We changed our plans last minute and drove up for the day Saturday (without telling anyone we were coming!)  It was a great surprise and we had a wonderful day, but it was unlike any other July 4th party we've had.  In the 25 years they've been doing this, it had never rained.  Until this year.  The afternoon was cloudy but nice and we got some time outside with the girls, took some cute pictures, and let them release some energy from the morning's drive.

sweet sister hugs

all set for the party!

taking a break on our walk

relaxing with daddy

the grandkids with Nana

checking out Nana's beautiful hydrangeas

stopping to smell the flowers

As we were coming down the driveway from our walk around the block we saw my dad frantically taking drinks, chairs, decorations back inside.  We helped put everything away and got inside just in time for everyone to start coming...and for the rain to start.  No big deal, just a little rain.  We still ate plenty of great food and had a blast.  Then the power went out.  The clouds from the storm were so dark that it looked more like 9:30 at night instead of 6:30.  We lit candles, found flashlights and made the best of it!

Josh & Sarabeth eating with John & Susan in by candlelight

A bbq in the dark

The rain finally slowed down and it had cooled off outside.  The girls went out on the front porch and splashed in the puddles the rest of the night!  Just as we had packed up the car to head home the power came back on.  Go figure!  It was definitely a trip we'll never forget!

the girls catching some rain

splashing in the puddles