War Wound

As it turns out, Vacation Bible School can be quite dangerous...

Cooper ran straight into the latch on the playground gate at VBS and has a nice little scar on his forehead to show for his bravery. Thank goodness we have an amazing team of church ladies and a convenient emergency room! Now if he won't sweat off the bandages...

We Heart Summer!

I can't imagine a kid who loves summer as much as Cooper. He fully embraces the Houston heat and plays outside every day - dripping with sweat and loving every minute! Just thought I'd share a few photos from this week:

Happy Summer!

Ice Cream for Dinner

Today was just one of those days. We worked all day long to trim trees, mow the lawn, and re-paint our front door. After a long day, we just needed a little treat to celebrate surviving! : )

Despite his half-hearted smile in the photo, Cooper was super excited about our dinner plans! We skipped dinner entirely (I know, bad Mommy!) and brought our ice cream out to the front yard to enjoy the sunset.

What a fun "date night" for us! I highly recommend this treat as an incentive - - Cooper is already asking about when our next ice cream dinner will be. He assures me, "I be nice, Mommy!" Maybe it will have to be sooner than later!

Happy Fourth!

I love everything about the 4th of July! I love the spirit, the bright colors and all of the time to spend with family and friends. This year we celebrated with friends from our small group at the annual Woodlands Parade through Market Street. I had never been, but I was told to get there early, and be prepared to sweat! The advice was sage on all accounts. Although it was quite hot, the Veaches managed to find a perfect shady spot along the parade route and we watched the entire parade happily.

Cooper was fascinated by all the fire engines and fancy cars that drove within feet of where we sat. He also was really surprised (in a good way!) to discover that the parade floats were just handing out candy! Yummy! He had more popsicles and Dum-Dum suckers than are healthy for one child, but his favorite was the bubble gum. This photo is so funny to me because you can see his gum tucked away in his cheek. I can almost hear him saying, "I don't swallow, Mommy. I just chew and chew." (Despite his mantra, the gum was "gone" within about a minute...)

Here are some photos of our sweet friends!

Yay for a fun parade! We spent the rest of our Fourth with my dad, eating snow cones and running through the sprinklers. We attempted a nap, but I couldn't really blame Cooper for not being able to sleep after all of that sugar and excitement. With that said, my little man was a little grouchy at our trip to the pool after dinner and we didn't even try to make it to see the live fireworks at 10. Cooper fell asleep watching the fireworks in New York City on tv!

Happy Fourth of July!

Our Neighbors

There are many wonderful things in life that money just can't buy. One such blessing is the gift of great neighbors! Cooper and I are so fortunate to live on a fantastic street in The Woodlands and enjoy the sweet friendship of neighbors. Before we moved into our new house, I started praying that God would prepare for us wonderful neighbors that we could establish community with and enjoy getting to know. God answered my prayers and exceeded my expectations for friendship on the street.

Our across-the-street neighbors, the Neelys, have quickly become some of our favorite playmates this summer. Cooper loves all three of their kids, Gracyn (7), Hannah (4) and Jacob (2). I delight in watching him develop true friendships and learn how to play graciously with others. I remember how special it was to have friends who lived so close by. I grew up playing outside with the neighbor kids - riding bikes, running through sprinklers, and catching the ice cream man. I love seeing Cooper have similar experiences!

We spent most afternoons in the front yard, with Summer and I sitting & chatting either on her driveway or mine, while the kids run about and play with all the bikes and toys they can round up from both garages. For some funny reason, watching the kids play is the best part of my whole day. I guess it just reminds me of summertime when I was little. Ahhh, to be young again!

Here are the kids all playing with my garage-sale water table. Who knew that 10 bucks spent on a used plastic water table would be more fun than a trip to the water park?!

Cooper giving wagon rides

Now it's Hannah's turn!

Sweet Hannah has taken it upon herself to make sure that "Miss Megan" always has a chair. She gathered up one of my chairs from my garage (classroom item that's home for the summer!) and dragged it over to her driveway. In heels!

There go the big three, around the circle, leaving Summer, Jacob, and I in the dust! (I just love that Hannah is pushing her baby in the stroller!)

Here's Jacob

Gracyn

And Hannah

Yay for our neighbors! We sure are thankful for you!

Worth 1,000 Words!

Sometimes a picture can say it all~

Maybe I'm guilty...

Don't even think about taking your Diet Coke back!

Please can I have another brownie, Mom?
I'm NOT interested in a nap!

Big Boy Bike

You know you're really a big boy when you can ride your own bike! Cooper's third birthday gift was a bike with training wheels and he has just loved the freedom that it brings. Every night we set out to ride around our street, which makes a circle. I have a feeling this may be a long-standing nightly tradition in our family!