Look Ma, No Training Wheels!

Finn was able to ride his bike sans training wheels ON THE FIRST TRY.

Fried Bubblegum, Anyone?

We continued our annual tradition of attending the State Fair in Dallas. This year we went during Texas/OU weekend, which made it super crowded. Erin, Rick, the kids, and I met my dad there right as Texas lost the game. We had to swallow our pride walking around amidst the yells of "Boomer Sooner" and "Texas Sucks."
The kids had a blast looking at animals, playing in the pretend farm, getting their faces painted (ok, just Finn), and riding carnival rides.
We got to try some interesting food including the taco in a bag (tow thumbs up) and fried bubblegum (two thumbs way down).
The next day we got to eat at one of my all time favorite restaurants- Traildust Steakhouse. I know, ironic, since I don't eat steak. But, they sure do have good chicken and a slide that leads to the middle of the dance floor. Fun stuff!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Finn just finished his first season of flag football. It was everything that my football obsessed husband has been waiting for.
When we joined the league, they asked us to put down what team was our favorite so that they could put us on that NFL team. Rick made me put down the Minnesota Vikings, of course. Well, I guess nobody else put down the Vikings and Finn was placed on the Dallas Cowboys team, Rick's least favorite team. I loved it.

Anyway, Finn scored a touchdown in the second game, and that is all that we hoped for. We were so proud! Unfortunately, the Cowboys did not win any games this season but all that was important was that Finn had a great time.

Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better

Sloane is going through a little bit of a phase where she wants to do everything that Finn is able to do. She has no understanding that he is four years younger than him, and some things are not safe for her to do. If Finn has a toy, she wants that toy and ONLY that toy. If Finn rides a bike or scooter, Sloane better be riding a bike or scooter. It's gotten so bad, that after bath time we have to make sure that Finn dresses in a completely separate room from her, or she will try to take off her pajamas and take his. It's kind of sweet that she looks up to her big brother so much!

A Day at Sea World

We were able to use our season passes from my Dad to go back to Sea World in September. The park is so huge, we were able to go to other parts of the park that we completely missed the last time. Sloane loved the Sesame Street Bay of Play park (Sloane loooves Sesame Street)and even got to meet Big Bird. Finn's favorite part was the Shamu show. We decided it would probably be fun to sit in the Splash Zone, but this Shamu did not play around. We were beyond soaked, and Sloane was NOT happy. Finn was able to ride some rides, and Sloane enjoyed the carousel. We even got to watch the fireworks show at the end of the night. We're hoping to make it to Sea World for their holiday season.

What a ham!

Finn is a Kindergartener

I can't believe my little baby boy is in Kindergarten. I was a little nervous about the transition to a new school. Finn is a creature of habit and does not really like change. I found out who Finn's teacher was about a week and a half before school started.
His teacher is new to my school and she seems awesome. she is super organized, nurturing, and a UT graduate to boot. Finn loves her class.
There were a few tears the first week (both me and him) when dropping him off in the morning, but Finn really fit in right away. He has been making friends easily and becoming really comfortable in his classroom.
I have always known that we are blessed to have such a sweet and well behaved child, but it has become even more obvious. Teachers have been coming up to me and telling how polite and sweet Finn is. We're so proud of him!
Finn even gets a homework assignment once a week. He is very excited about getting started on it, but he is pretty diligent about getting it done.

Move over Comaneci

Sloane took her first gymnastics class this summer. Keep in mind that it was a gymnastics class for ages 12-24 months so it was pretty basic skills being taught. The kids did circle movement time, the trampoline, slides, tunnels, and the balance beam. Sloane's favorite part is the trampoline and I could not get her to do the other activities that she was supposed to be participating in. My strong willed child makes the rules every time! She did learn how to do a somersault though.
The best part was that this class was the perfect excuse to buy Sloane a leotard. I'm not gonna lie, it was a little snug on her rollie poly body, but it was to die for cute.
I plan on putting Sloane in another gymnastics class in the Spring. I loved gymnastics when I was little and wish that I had stuck with it. Sloane seems to be very flexible and physical, so I think it might be a good activity for her.

Farewell to Summer

Our last week of summer we headed to San Antonio for one last hurrah. My dad and brother met us there to hang out in the Riverwalk area of San Antonio. We were able to visit the Children's Museum, Sea World, and the Rainforest cafe. The kids had a blast playing and seeing family before our summer came to an end.

Little Miss Independent

5 facts about Sloane that you may not know...

1. Sloane is becoming Miss Independent, which has it's good and bad side. She is actually sad when I pick her up from school and that breaks my heart. I know that means that she loves school and I want that, but I have to admit that I miss her running up to me desperate to go home. Every day after school Sloane puts up a fight with me about wanting to hold her lunchbox herself and walk by herself in the parking lot, which is totally not safe. My only solace is that Sloane is back to her needy self at night wanting her mam to rock her to sleep.

2. Sloane is in one word- DETERMINED! No never quite means no to Sloane. For instance, if I take something away from Sloane and put it on the dresser she will push a heavy chair over and climb up to get that item. Keep in mind that she is only 18 months old! In this picture I told Sloane she had to finish washing her hands (which I was helping her do.) Without even a word, Sloane just pushed a chair over and got right back to washing those hands.

3. Sloane hearts Elmo and Minnie Mouse right now. She has a stuffed Elmo she sleeps with every night, which she calls "Melmo". She's not that into watching tv, but if she does it's all about Elmo or Yo Gabba Gabba.
We already purchased Sloane's Halloween costume and it is ...Minnie Mouse. Sloane loves it, except for the ears. Can't wait to take her trick or treating in it.

Play ball

Finn started his second season of t-ball this summer, and it went much smoother than then when he was 3. He really started getting into the game and paying attention in the outfield, as opposed to two years ago when he was suddenly very interested in patches of dirt. His buddy Aidan was also on his team, the Wasps, so that helped peak his interest as well. Sloane loved to cheer her brother on by trying to run on the field during the game and wearing a button with his team photo on it. Up next... flag football!

Sloane's first day

Sloane had her first day of school a whole week before her brother. I was super anxious about leaving her after being together all summer long. I had looked around at different schools all summer trying to find the best fit for my baby girl. In the end, I decided to keep her where we had her last year as it is so close to my school.
So far, we are really happy with everything. The new director is awesome, and since Rick has started dropping her off, the tears have been few and far between.She loves pretending to be a big girl that carries her lunchbox around. She does not like for me to carry her to the car- she has to do the walking all by her poky self. I don't know how they do it, but her teacher gets her to take her naps on a mat every afternoon. I swear there must be duct tape involved!

I miss being with my baby all day long, but I know that she is in good hands.

Road trip

The kids and I decided to take a road trip during one of our last weeks of summer. Our destination- Tyler, TX of course! We had a good time exploring Tyler's kid friendly spots, like the Children's Museum and local parks.
Rick met us that weekend to visit his family In Tulsa. It was nice for the kids to spend some time with Rick's mom, his sister, and nephew. We were able to visit the Tulsa Aquarium, complete with a Scavenger hunt.

It was lotso driving, but lotso fun too. I forgot my camera, so i had to rely on my phone for pics. I do love my new Instagram app that allows you to add cool filters to your photos- very cute!