Hoochie-Koochie

I realize I never posted about our last "screenless" day of our trial week. Time sort of slipped away, so all I'll say is that we DID survive and I was very happy that we did it, and the kids were very happy to have their screens back!

I am hiding upstairs today. Why? Well, because my kids are getting along really well. I know that may sound strange, so let me explain. When my kids aren't getting along, they usually go into separate places of the house to avoid each other. (Either by choice or sometimes by force!) This works out really well (other than the worry that they will never get along and grow up to become enemies like Vader and Obi-Wan) because they are a little less destructive and much more quiet.

Now, when they are getting along, the happy feeling in our house is fantastic, but it is also accompanied with a lot of noise and energy. I love my kids very much, and I want them to be best friends and love eachother. I even want them to have fun and be a little wild sometimes, but I've decided that all of that is accomplished much better when I remove myself from the chaos and escape to the peaceful walls of my bedroom. Now they are free to be kids, and I am free to not go insane.

The best part is that because they are happy, sweet kids, every ten minutes or so, someone will wander up to my hideout and give me a hug, or ask me for a snack. I get peace and quiet, AND one-on-one time with everyone in intervals. It's the best of both worlds.  I feel like I'm one hundred years old going on and on about my beloved "peace and quiet", but I assure you...it takes much less that one hundred years for the amount and volume of noise my kids are capable of to drive any sane person crazy. If you don't believe me, feel free to babysit any time! :)

Okay, enough of that. Last week I snuck away for one night with the kids to visit my brother and his little family in Atlanta. We packed a lot of fun into one short period of time. We went swimming, played at a park, played int he Chattahoochee river, and spent some time together. Me and my camera were very happy by the end of the trip! I'm very excited to post those pics now, so I'll stop talking and be gone! Only a couple weeks of summer vacation left!!

People are always saying that Owen doesn't look like anyone in the family, but I disagree. He is his fathers son in this picture!

 And a few quick shots of my adorable, squishy nephew!

So sad.

That's better. 

A fun game with aunt Liz.

The park next to the Chattahoochee River.

I really can't get over this guy!

Weee!!!

Padda, padda.

 The Chattahoochee (I never get tired of saying that!)

Can't keep her pants up to save her life.

It really is a muddy river!

A few more good ones at home. It's been a hot month and our air went out last week so the boys went shirtless!

So silly.

Ellie wanted me to take one of her too.

Love the hair!

Poor Ellie's still having a rough time with part of her potty training. We are making progress, but it's slow and is wearing her out!