Pool Party with Cassidy and Dean

Since Grandma left on Tuesday, a pool party on Wednesday was the perfect distraction. I was so glad to get the invitation from Janice to come over and play with her grand-daughter Cassidy, who will be two at the end of July. Lindsey, Dean, and Glenda rounded out the party.

First, Cassidy had to show us her room. Since Janice saved many of her children's toys, it was filled with great memories of toys I had growing up--like a record player and a pink plastic sewing machine.


Gavin still doesn't understand playing with other kids; he's still in the parallel play stage. He was enamored with the table and chair set.

Granny Glenda has all three kids eating out of the palm of her hand.
Groovin' to some tunes from that record player.

Gavin found a ball--imagine that. (Balls are one of his favorites.)

Then, it was time to don our suits and hit the pool. We had a lot of rain on Monday and Tuesday, so the water was a bit chilly. But the kids didn't mind.

The hostess, Janice, and her pretty granddaughter, Cassidy.

Gavin poses with Mama.

Dean and Glenda have an important conversation about the merits of the blue seal water toy.

The whole gang (minus our photographer, Lindsey).

All that swimming can cause a girl to work up an appetite. So, we headed inside for a delicious lunch. Janice made a great chicken pasta salad and a yummy coleslaw (when Lindsey and I questioned her about the slaw, we were disappointed to hear that she didn't use a recipe, just put in a little of this and a little of that). Lindsey brought a tasty tomato and cucumber salad. And, Glenda brought guacamole and banana pudding.

We set the kids up for a floor picnic. Gavin and Dean ate off of each other's plates with no concern for whose plate they were eating from as long as there was food on it--especially blueberries.

I think Dean's cheeks are full.

After lunch, we packed up and headed out for naps. Gavin had a hair appointment at 2:30, so we drove up to Lake Grapevine for him to snooze in his car seat. It wasn't worth me going home and getting him in his crib. I can transfer him car to crib, and he'll stay asleep. However, he wakes up the minute you get him out of his crib.

I called Dave a little after 2 to tell him about the party. His first question, "How does Gavin's hair look?"

"We're headed there now."

"Uh, the appointment was at 12:30."
Are you kidding me? I missed his appointment. My mama brain does not hold all the information that it needs to. Somehow in my mind, the "1" dropped off making it 2:30. Since Gavin and I were almost there, we went in to apologize in person to Saira and to reschedule for Tuesday at 1pm. I promise, I won't miss it. If I do, then I'm taking him to Cool Cuts and getting it cut, because he desperately needs it.

Oh, well. Mama's can't remember everything, but they sure can have fun at the pool.

Through the Tunnel

Grandma bought Gavin a tunnel. Needless to say, he loves playing in it. So, feeling spunky, Mama thought she'd crawl through the tunnel. Looking pretty and confident that she can make it the rest of the way, until . . .
Gavin attacks. A wrestling match in the tunnel ensued and zapped all of Mama's energy, but not Gavin's.

Ah, we'll just talk for a minute. . .

Now, Mama, can you get out? Not so spry as you thought, eh?

Brilan's Big Day

Last Saturday, we gave Grandma a break from all of that playing while we went to Brilan's new house to celebrate his 1st birthday. There were lots of people there and lots of toys.
Gavin especially enjoyed being outside in Brilan's great backyard.

Thankfully, Gavin was content to play outside of the sand box.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and then headed back home to Grandma and dinner. It was a fun afternoon.

Grandma's Visit

Grandma came for a week from June 22nd to June 29th to play with Gavin. And play they did.

I had to work my last two days while she was here, but that gave Gavin time to spend with just Grandma. They had such fun.

There were vinyl clings to put on the windows. Daily craft time.

Lots of meals with new foods. Gavin has shunned his usual breakfast of yogurt and oatmeal for toast and fruit.

And, Grandma spent time playing outside with Gavin. Here's a lesson in bubble blowing.

Additionally, they drew on driveway with sidewalk chalk, walked around in the backyard, played cars, played on the slide, and just plain played. I don't know who had more fun.

With Grandma here, Dave and I were able to have a date night. So we went to north Dallas to Trinity Hall, an Irish pub, to hear an Irish balladeer sing. It was a relaxing night of music. I was also able to cook dinner without a little blonde haired boy on my hip.

But all good things must end, so Grandma had to go back home. That evening, Gavin stood crying into the back of my pant legs while I stuffed shells (a job that requires two hands and cannot be performed with my assistant on my hip). I almost cried wondering where my help was. Dave and I expected Gavin to go through the house going, "uh uh" since he doesn't know how to say Grandma. He didn't really do that--probably because I kept him busy the next two days, but he has gone into the guest room several times the past few days--something he rarely did before Grandma was here. I know he's missing all the fun they had playing together--I suppose I'll have to do until Grandma comes again.

Watering the Monkey Grass

First, my apologies for Gavin's outfit. He had a diaper change and didn't get his pj bottoms back on. Then he wanted to go outside. So, he was on the porch when I returned from my walk. (My mom is here and was with him.) Gavin wasn't content to stay on the porch and wanted to rake the mulch, so we put his shoes on his feet.

While I was cooling down from my walk, I decided to pull weeds. Then, I remembered to water the monkey grass that Dave planted along the fence that has been baking in the Texas sun since our sprinkler's don't hit this small stretch of earth.

Next, Gavin made a bee line for the mud that was being created in one corner of the driveway that doesn't drain well. So, I called him over to me to wash his hands off. Then, he realized what the water hose does. So, he had to have it. The rest you see here.

And, he's just too darn cute, so I had to take pictures.

After he was thoroughly drenched, I brought him inside and put him in the bathtub.

What a great first official day of my summer break!

Fun in Grandbury

Granny Glenda invited us to the Stacy house on Lake Grandbury for the weekend. We were so thankful to spend time relaxing with Glenda and Bill and the Hopkins. The last time we were there, Gavin and Dean were wee little ones. This time, they were loving the pool. I don't even want to think about what big boys they'll be next time.

Dave loaded up both of his kayaks. Matt was ready to paddle.

We got to see Dave in action in his new racing kayak. He's training for the Colorado River 100; he took advantage of being at the lake and got a 20 mile paddle in this morning.

This is one sleek machine. Dave wouldn't be quiet until I had my turn. I cheated by keeping both legs over the side for added stability. I didn't really want to go for a swim in the lake.

We all had fun playing in the pool. Dave had to come down face first--show-off.

Lindsey exhibited great form as she decended the slide.


. . . and I held my nose. (I'm a nose-holder. I still forget and inhale when under water. Guess I need more practice. The way Gavin loves the water, I should have plenty of opportunities.)

Gavin LOVED playing with the fountain on the baja step. He is fearless in the water. He leans away from you while you hold him so we put this float on him--just in case he got away from us.

After fun in the pool, it was time for fun in this tub. What a chunk of granite.



Lindsey has great pictures and videoes on her blog. (One day I'll be like Lindsey. But, first I've got to take more pictures. ) Gavin loved coming down the slide with Dave. He started with a smile that just got bigger as he came down the slide.

Being at the lake is great. We relaxed; we ate; we played in the pool; we talked; we watched the lake. When can I buy my own lake house? Better yet, when can I live there permanently?