the end of summer kids

Lyla's been a pretty good little eater, luckily!

She can get quite emotional, though....

The week we were supposed to leave for Austin, Parker got pretty sick. Doesn't he just look miserable? So green. He threw up for a couple hours and hated it every time. "I don't wanna barf in the bowl!" Poor little guy. He finally slowed down, and Steve laid down on the floor next to him for an hour or so until he was asleep for good.

He's so good with him. Parker's a lucky little dude.

A couple days later, Lyla got sick too and left me with the saddest, cuddliest little baby there ever was. We were getting reeeeally nervous we wouldn't be able to go, but they pulled through and were both pretty good to go by go-time.

Well, it finally happened. I was in the other room, and suddenly I heard "Vroooooom!" Crash. My heart stopped, and I couldn't stand to go look, just ask Steve if it was broken.

"Yeah..."

Ugh. Probably my most favorite thing in the house. Yeah definitely my most favorite thing.

Still loves being involved in all of my cooking and baking. "I wanna make it. Can I make it?"

These two crazies always want what the other has. Parker loves reading books, Lyla mostly gets bored, she's not quite there yet.

Enjoyed one of the last days off 100+ weather at Eli's pool with Grant and Zaundra. The kids all play so well together.

She was a little sick, I guess.

I started work again! I've missed it sorely the last year of not working as we were moving, and business for Steve was starting out a little slower than we anticipated, so I started the hunt for a new place to work. Centennial is literally 5 minutes down the street, the manager and charge nurses that peer-interviewed me were all so nice, the nurse that precepted me has been so great, and it's just worked out really well! The hours are perfect, it's all been a big blessing. It's regular ICU instead of cardiac ICU, so I do miss that (I haven't seen any hearts yet), but it's good to get experience in more med/surg/neuro stuff anyway. Sorely missing my Anaheim people as I'm meeting all the new docs and rad techs and secretaries and nurses, etc. I've just realized there is a time and season for everything, this is not my time to go after my dream job/career, and I'm so grateful for the both jobs I have--as an ICU nurse and a mother.

Balloon Festival with the littles. We hardly saw any balloons, but it was a fun outing anyway. "The balloons are putting the fire out? You see that beeeeeeeeg balloon? And that other balloon? And ALL of THESE balLOONS? SO essited!"

We kinda cheated and let Parker climb up and down the back-end of the slide. He got excited when he could see the balloons from the top.

Wonderful lunch with one of my oldest friends from freshman year of high school, Stephanie.

Apparently his new favorite napping spot.

So as much of a stubborn little boy Parker can be, he is quite sensitive. All you have to do to is tell him he made you very sad, and start to (pretend) cry to really get him going. He absolutely lost it and was completely inconsolable. Is it mean that we occasionally do that just for the reaction?

It's OK, we give lots of cuddles.

Parker: "Ima getchoo Lylaaaaa......"

Lyla: {giggle giggle}

Steve left for an optometry conference in Florida for a couple days. Before he left he taught me how to shoot our gun (at my request). We were ecstatic to have him back.

Dinner at Carrabba's before the Women's Broadcast with these lovely ladies.

The cutest optometrist and the most curious little patient around!

Parker: "Awwww mom (or dad)...I love you sooooo much!

us: "Oh, thank you Parker! I love you too!"

P: "Mom, you sooooo pretty!"

Sunday walks to the park...

Monday walks to the park...baby girl's first time on the swings! She loved it.

We have weekly playdates with two of Parker's friends. We're learning that he's not the best sharer, so I think this has been good for him, and he is getting better. When they are all happy, Mason, Jake and Parker are pretty cute together. We'll definitely do preschool next year!