No Training Wheels

Well, Olivia is on a roll, literally with no training wheels.  This was much easier and probably more painful that pulling a tooth (see previous post).  The kids were out riding their bikes and I went in the house for a few minutes (literally) and Dalton found a screw driver in our garage and removed Olivia's training wheels.  I think he was ready for her to ride like a big girl.  Anyway, she tried it and within a couple of days she mastered it.  Again, with lots of bruises, but she did it.  Why pulling teeth is worse than a bike wreck is beyond me (you'll have to read the next post to fully appreciate that comment).  Anyway, here's the two partners in crime.  I'm kinda scared what Dalton will decide to take apart next.  I'm hiding the screw driver just in case.   

It's like Pulling "Teeth"

Well, I have one little girl who is the most stubborn "teeth" puller in the world.  This is Olivia's first loose tooth and she's been such a drama queen.  I don't know if this happens with all little girls... I hope not.  Anyway, we have cried for a whole week (I think all of us, even Dalton) and Olivia was to the point that she refused to let Brian even help her wiggle her tooth.  After trying to pull it and it hurt a bit, she was all about pulling it herself and not letting us do anything.  It's been brutal.  Well, it was finally so loose that I really don't know what was holding it in.  I was expecting her to swallow it.  Anyway, on Tuesday night after Olivia went to sleep we were wild and crazy and pulled the tooth while she was asleep.  She never even flinched.  I suppose we should have waited until she pulled it herself, but enough is enough....  Anyway, she was so shocked the next day and will probably want all her teeth pulled this way.  Oh, well, if it can be accomplished with no crying, I say try it.

So, here's the result of all that crying.  One tiny tooth gone and one happy little girl. 

Please Join Me Going Private

Brian has been after me to delete my blog for a long time, but I never knew that you could make it private.  I think this is a great idea.  I hope anyone that reads (even if you've never commented) please leave me your e-mail address and I'll try to figure out how this "private" thing works.  I know that I've gotten to know some of your families through the blogs, even if I've never met you personally,  I do know the associations of who you are related to, etc.  I enjoy reading your posts.  So, if are connected to any of the blogs I am and want to stay aboard, please leave me your email address....  It's so great that I know many of you go to the same type of church and share so many of my christian beliefs.  That is one of the main reasons I've wanted to keep my blog, not because I'm great at it, because I love to hear about the simple things in life and the fact that we are all leaning on the good Lord to get us through.         

Thanks for making this move everyone, it gave me the perfect reason not to delete my blog.     

Gatlinburg 2010

You can tell the kids were excited about our trip.  They had never been to the Smoky Mountains and I hadn't been in 7 years.  It was fun. 

First stop was Ripley's Aquarium.  The kids had a blast.  We also went ot the Ripley's Museum, which they thought was cool. 

The next day, we decided to take a trip on the mountain.  See Olivia's dolphin from Ripley's Aquarium (she carried this for the rest of the trip).

They had a nifty stand for your camera, so we decided to take a family photo.  Yes, the dolphin got in the picture again.

They were hesitant about taking the picture with the Indian guy, but he was so nice.  I remember when I was little and came to Cherokee that it was forbidden to take pictures of the Indians, now they've finally let their guard down and you simply give a donation...

I was a little skittish, but the kids fed a baby bear cub (Lucky Charms of all things).  They weren't the least bit apprehensive about this, go figure! 

We decided to venture into WonderWorks.  The kids enjoyed this, but I think they needed to be a little bit older to appreciate some of the interactive stuff that required lots of reading.  They loved the bubble room.   

This is our hotel, Westgate Resorts.  It was very pretty.  At night, it was all lit up. 

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She's ready to go again!!

When we got back, we decided to take a day trip to the lake, kids couldn't get enough.  We haven't ventured toward tubing...but they did jump off the boat into the deep water..

Am I cool or what??

Well, that's vacation 2010.  There is so much to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  We'll just have to visit again!        

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

I can't believe it, my Dad turned 60 on Saturday.  That just doesn't seem possible.  Saying that my parents were in their 50's just wasn't as hard.  It just seems so unreal.  We had a cookout and cupcakes and made a fuss over him.  We had a really good afternoon. 

I love my Dad to pieces.  He's always been very encouraging and has always been there whenever I've needed anything at all.  He's a great grandpa, too.  After lunch, we had a rousing game of baseball (see the painted bases on the ground).  This was after the basketball shooting contest.   

Dalton is rounding third as Olivia watches from the pitchers' mound

Happy Birthday Pa!!  We love you!

Just Being Kids

Boys just have to be better husbands and dads if they have little sisters.  I came downstairs last night and found this going on...

I would say a boy that knows how to apply just the right amount of lip gloss (and not to himself) to his little sister is going to be a good guy.  Look at the concentration, he wants to get it just right.  Anyway, just thought it was cute!!  I do love when they play nice.

     

To be a kid again..

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  The kids played outside all afternoon and it was nice. I just sat and watched them.  This was the scene for over two hours (can you imagine riding a bike nonstop for 2 hours?  Ouch).  It's finally paying off having two children 20 months apart.  They really like to play together, usually with a few disagreements, but yesterday they were angels.  It was a wonderful day!! 

Okay, I did get run over by a training wheel, but I got lots of kisses for it, so it all works out!

Takes so little to make them happy sometimes!

Hope you are having a great summer!