Tie-Dyed Dreams

Olivia and I made these t-shirts last summer at a "Groovy Party." She got McIver dressed for bed last night and insisted that I take their picture since they "match, and I know you like it when we match."

Blue Bell Creamery - Part II

Well, we made another trip to Blue Bell today and actually were able to make the tour this time. It was worth the trip. We went with our friends, Mae and her mom, Lana, and had a great time. We saw where and how the ice cream is flavored, the ice cream being put into the containers, the lids being put on, the containers being loaded into boxes, flipped over and then sent into the Blast Freezers. We saw the packaging of ice cream sandwiches and more. All the kids enjoyed watching the process, but McIver was especially impressed with all the machines and assembly lines. He kept trying to tell the tour guide about the machines. At the end, we made our way to the Ice Cream Parlor where we each had a taste - both Olivia and McIver had Rainbow Sherbert and I had Mint Chocolate Chip (I know that's what Will would have chosen had he been there with us!). Delicious!!

Girls' Night Out

Will was kind enough to stay home with the kids while I enjoyed some R&R on our girls night out. Gay and Laura are friends from church. Emily used to go to Palmer but moved away just before we got here 2 years ago. Emily was visiting and they were nice enough to include me in their night out downtown. We had dinner at Mia Bella and then went to The Flying Saucer afterwards. It was also the night of the Beyonce concert so there was a great deal of people-watching to be done!

Laura, me, Gay & Emily

McIver, the Diving Board King

Finally ... McIver has redisovered his love for the diving board! Last year, he was jumping off by himself and swimming to the ladder with no trouble at all. He regressed a little bit since last summer because he insisted that he just wasn't big enough for the diving board yet. (He'd try jumping when he's 'big like Olivia.') After a few false starts this summer, something finally clicked last night. He finally jumped off and realized it was great fun. I asked him who told him it would be so much fun (the correct answer would have been: you, Mom) and he replied that his grandmother told him. I asked if it was Nanoo or GranGran, but he said it was his grandmother from his 'other family.'

Blue Bell Creamery, Brenham, TX

Olivia, McIver and I drove for 2 hours today to Brenham, TX to the Blue Bell Creamery. Lucky us - we got there just in time for the last tour of the day... sadly, it was full. So, we enjoyed our icecream (only $1 per scoop!) and 'toured' the gift shop. Olivia and McIver didn't mind missing the tour as much as I did. They were just impressed that I laughed at how messy they were. (The pictures really do not do justice to the stains ALL up and down their clothes!) I will not win Mommy of the Year for this field trip, but we did have a good time.

Mr. Fix-It

McIver was MIA for a little while yesterday while we were cleaning up for the party. I finally found him 'fixing the sink with my tools, just like Daddy.'

Happy 4th of July!!

All of the fellows and most of theire families joined us for a 4th of July cook-out yesterday. Despite the rain, we had a good time. Olivia asked if she could be in charge of pictures for the party so I gave her the camera. Rather than taking pictures of the guests, she took pictures of every single thing in our house, including all the rooms in her dollhouse and each princess on her lamp. We do have a few pictures from the Freedom Over Texas fireworks show downtown.

Olivia loved the fireworks, just not the noise. After a while, though, she took her hands away from her ears and seemed to enjoy herself. McIver loved looking through the fan - it made the fireworks even cooler looking!

We snapped a quick picture before loading up to come home.

Happy Birthday, America!

Episcopal Night with the Astros

Last night was Episcopal Night with the Astros (vs. the Phillies). The Bishop of Texas Don Wimberley threw out the first pitch. Olivia went with her friend Mae and her parents (and apparently liked their seats better) and then met us in the 6th inning at Sqeeze Play. McIver loved the hot dogs, of course. We stayed as long as we could but had to leave as they went into the 11th inning tied at 4-4 because we were all just getting too tired to last much longer. It ended up being a great game with the rookie Hunter Pence hitting a home run in the 13th to win the game for the Astros.

McIver in the 'dug out' on our way into Squeeze Play (get it, "Squeeze Play" at Minute Maid Park!). It had the biggest playground structure I've ever seen.

Mae and Olivia after playing in Squeeze Play.

McIver with silly hair like the kid from Meet the Robinsons.

Olivia and Will watching and hoping for a home run!