Signs of Summer

I love summer! School is officially out. I am packed and ready to move to 2nd grade, just waiting on the go-ahead (probably late July). So, now I get to relax and enjoy my time off with my babies. I love my job, but there is nothing like watching the wonderful discoveries through your own child's eyes. In honor of summer vacation, here are my top ten Signs of Summer. Need I remind you I am NOT David Letterman?

10. The sun is up before I am.

9. Ice-cream trucks--I miss the music and sight of children and adults flocking to the truck. Maybe, just maybe, it will turn down our country road some hot summer night.

8. Trips to the zoo with a picnic lunch to follow

7. Fresh-squeezed lemonade (made by my mom, of course)

6. Bike rides to the park

5. Trips to Dale Hollow and Raccoon Lake

4. T-ball games

3. Swimming

2. Eating dinner on the patio

1. Playing all day long with 3 very important people

Just One More

This weekend we celebrated my niece's 4th birthday. While the family was together, my sister-in-law gave me this photo from our visit with baby Max last week. I showed the photograph to Paul. He does not have the fever like I do. Oh well, I guess I can just ohh and ahh over Max.

Big "Brudder"

One of my dear friends recently blogged about the joys of having an older brother. I have two wonderful brothers who are fantastic with my children. I pray that my children will have a similar bond with one another.

Ethan stayed over with B'maw and Pop'O this weekend. During his absence, Erica often asked, "Where is my brudder?" Ellie and Ethan were also happy to be back together. Ethan is an outstanding big brother to his sisters. I truly delight in the moments that they share, like this one. I captured this moment after I placed Gabrielle to bed this evening. They were holding hands. I am thankful that they have each other.

Splish Splash

Paul and I decided to clean up the our kiddie pool and slide for the kids. Cleaning the pool was almost as much fun as actually swimming. Ethan and Erica took turns spraying down the pool after I scrubbed out the winter grime. We were soaked before we even began to fill our pool.

The kids did not even mind that the water was ice cold. Even Ellie wanted in on the fun. She stood at the edge of the pool watching Ethan and Erica take turns on the slide. She was splashed many times, but she just laughed and kicked with delight.

Ethan had many great moves sliding into the pool. He went head first, feet first on his tummy, even head first on his back. I decided that I am going to put numbers on sheets of paper so that I can rate his moves. I did have to outlaw jumping from the fireplace wall into the pool. Ethan accepted the rule. Surprisingly, Erica is the one that tested it many times.

The Long Awaited Arrival

Max Benjamin Buening arrived this morning at 9:20 a.m. We were all so excited to meet him that we headed to the hospital right after work. Ethan and Erica loved him to pieces. Erica wanted to see all of him. She was very intrigued by his feet and his tummy. Ethan loved Aunt Erin's hospital bed (and her hospital food). He tried out almost every button on the bed--poor Erin. But, most importantly, we were able to visit and snuggle with our new little bundle of joy. He is so handsome! He has a very proud family, especially his momma and poppa.

Doesn't Paul look fantastic holding a baby? Fever anyone?

Put Some BOB on It

On our last day of vacation, Paul, Ethan and I were in the ocean all day long. Ethan did not even want to stop for lunch. I was able to drag him out of the water long enough to apply more sunscreen and let it soak in before he headed back out to the waves. In the heat of the day, four applications of sunscreen were not good enough. My poor Ethan ended up with a sunburn on his back and shoulders. (The day I leave his swim shirt in the hotel room.) Thank goodness my mom brought some aloe with her. It was blue and all week Ethan stated that it reminded him of BOB from the Monsters vs. Aliens movie. We put some BOB on his back and shoulders to ease the burn. P.S. I think that I am the current front-runner for the "Mother of the Year Award."

My Favorite Photo

It doesn't get much better than this! My babies are enjoying the ocean waves and one another.

B'maw's Great Idea

We went on a dolphin sight-seeing cruise. And boy, did we get a sight. The first pod of dolphins that we came upon were doing "adult things" as the captain put it. Luckily, the kids didn't know what was happening. We saw several pods. They were showing off for all the people on the boat. The dolphins were jumping and swimming very close to the boat. Paul had the video camera out. He was able to get some good shots of the dolphins. It is a good thing he had the video camera, I am not sure that Erica was able to see the dolphins.

Ellie was ready for a nap as we climbed aboard the boat. It took her several minutes and different laps before she finally fell asleep in Daddy's arms. She was NOT a fan of the life jacket.

Ethan fell asleep on B'maw's lap on our way back to the marina--even though he said he was not tired.

Erica loved how fast the boat was going. She watched over the edge most of the trip.

We also discovered a mother and nest of babies of ospreys (I think). Thanks B'maw for the great adventure. We really enjoyed the sights.

Another Great Day

This is truly one of the best days of my life. Mother's Day was FANTASTIC--Lots of hugs, kisses and sand in our britches. Oh, I love the beach, all of it, the sights, sounds, and even the smells. Building sandcastles, burying your toes in the sand, flying kites--it does not get much better than this. Ethan and Logan didn't want just their toes buried. B'maw would pull Ethan out of the sand all the way to the ocean. He would rinse the sand off and want to be buried again.
Ellie loved the ocean. She loved the sand as it moved under her with the waves.

Holding hands on the beach

two tired girls

Needless to say, we had another great day at the beach.

Life's a Beach

We arrived in Orange Beach early Saturday morning. Ethan and Erica we so tired and happy to be on "ba-cation." They were ready to go swimming. Paul and I needed a nap before we hit the beach (and pool).

My little fish

Ethan swimming with Uncle Eric and Logan.

Ellie's first trip to the beach

Daddy with his girls

Our family

Ellie loved, loved, loved the sand. So much so, that we had to give her a paci so you wouldn't eat it.

Ellie with Uncle Eric

Ready for "Ba-cation"

I have had a rough last two days of school. The students are ready for summer, intermediate school, and some freedom. I am counting the moments until Paul and I and the kids head south for some fun in the sun. We leave Friday evening, cross your fingers that my babies sleep while Paul and I drive.
Erica is also ready for "ba-cation." She is having a difficult time trying to decide which baby to take with her. Currently, "water baby" is the front-runner. Ethan asked the other night if he could get "throwed rolls." There is a restaurant that my brother introduced us to two years ago. The food is fantastic, and they throw the rolls to you from across the room. Of course, Ethan thinks that is the coolest thing. How he remembers that, I am not sure. But, he is looking forward to it.

Happy Birthday Ellie Bugs!

Today my baby girl turned one! It began like all first birthdays in our family--a breakfast date with Daddy. No Mommies allowed! Paul enjoys one on one time with the kids, and today was no different. He has been planning their date for a long time.
We celebrated Ellie's birthday with family on Saturday. So tonight was low-key but memorable. Ethan had a soccer game this evening. (The girls and I stayed home due to the rain--we don't want anyone to be sick before our big trip.)

Your very first year's been

a wonderful one . . .

You've brought grins and giggles

and oodles of fun!

You've grown every day

since you made your debut--

You've explored the wide world

and learned so much that's new.

And now it's your birthday--

time's gone by so fast!

You've brightened each day

with more smiles than the last.

So make any wish in your sweet little heart,

Blow out that candle,

and let the fun start!

A Day of Celebration

Today was a great day; busy, but great! The morning started off a little crazy. I left my phone at school. Paul was working. Ellie is teething. Erica was tired because she fights sleep, and Ethan had a soccer game. What a great day to plan a party, but it all came to gather nicely thanks to our family.

Ethan has really been wanting a race car birthday party for sometime now. We decided that this year he could celebrate his birthday with his friends. He chose to have his party at Rascal's Fun Zone. He loved it! The kids were able to ride go karts, play games, eat pizza and ice cream, and just have fun. Ethan loved being able to drive the go kart himself. He kept telling the operator to make the cars go faster.

Ethan was getting ready to pass his dear friend Ruthie. She was a little timid at first, but did very well the next chance she had behind the wheel.

Ethan, Jake, Luke, Addie, and Genna enjoying their pizza and ice cream.

After Ethan's party, we hurried home to meet our family to celebrate Ellie's first birthday. I think that it was a good thing that I was so busy that I didn't have much of an opportunity to dwell over the fact that my baby is turning one.

Ethan had many gifts for his birthday, Ellie had lots of gifts for her birthday, and Erica even received a few gifts for being a great sister. She was so happy to receive presents also.

My Ellie Bugs' birthday cake. Didn't B'maw do a great job icing the cake? It still looks good after Erica fell into the cake!

Ellie and her Daddy opening presents. He enjoyed being able to help her on her big day!

My sweet little Bugs . . . you can tell that she it not feeling well. Those teeth are really bothering her.

Opening presents with Mommy and Daddy

And now the best part . . .

before

and after!

Ellie LOVED her cake! She was so excited that she forgot about her teeth bothering her. She had cake and icing EVERYWHERE! I think she is still blowing red and black snot out of her nose. Paul and I both had to change shirts after getting Ellie into the bathtub. We had to drain the water and refill the tub because it was so dirty, and we took her high chair outside and hosed it down. Erica helped me, so I even was hosed down!

What a great day! Ethan wasn't ready for the day to end. Our neighbor is sleeping over at our house.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful gifts. That was very generous of you. Thank you for taking the time to help celebrate with us. We are very blessed to have such a loving family.