Our Lil' Fire Cracker's July 2011

July, a picture perfect month!

To help kick off the 4th of July Weekend, Jim worked a half day and then came home and took us to the pool!

 Our neighborhood is awesome and is so family friendly.  The Exchange Club hosted a 4th of July Parade and our Early Childhood PTA group decorated a float (and I helped with that!).  So the morning of the parade, Grand Bop came over and we all headed to the parade (and at 9:00 in the morning it was already in the 90s - eek!)

My three guys!

The ECPTA's float - notice the gold on the treasure chest, I helped young children glue every piece of it on there!  And yes, our awesomesauce float DID win a prize!

Clay is pointing out the Fire Trucks to Grand Bop!

Claire came over for a play date so the kiddos got to have a working lunch

Poppa and Granny came for a visit!

Taking much needed stroll around Clay's favorite grocery store (because they have awesome shopping carts with steering wheels).  This was much needed that day because little man opted not to take a much needed 2nd nap that day and was getting "frustrated" at home.  He had his snack trap in one hand and a small nesting cup in another.  He was taking his graham bunnies from the trap and putting them in the cup, then when he got to putting the very last bunny in the cup, they'd all spill and he'd cry.  That happened multiple times and then he'd cry when his hand got "stuck" in the snack trap - that simply meant that he had his hand in the trap and a toy in another and refused to let go of the toy to assist in pulling out the other toy.  Hence an diversionary trip to Whole Foods!  (I blog about these happenings because well, it's a pretty big departure from C's normal chill personality and when they happen or at least a few days after they happen, I find them hilarious)!

With the crazy heat, we also looked for fun indoor activities,  a fav was visiting Half Priced Books!  Clay was amazed by all of the books and would run from shelf to shelf saying "buh buh buh!" (translation: book, book, book!)

Art Class!

Clay's first time playing t-ball!

He wasn't too interested in t-ball since he realized the tee was his golf club.  Once we restored the golf club to its normal golf club status, Clay began trying use both the club and the bat to hit golf balls.

Playing basketball

Another day at the pool (splitting a cherry snow cone with Mommy and Daddy)

Another beat the heat activity:  breakfast at Chick-fil-a and then playing at the indoor playground

Clay showing his resourcefulness.  We try to keep Clay paci-free except when napping or on a long car trip.  It never seems to bother Clay; especially when he has access to his blocks.  He just goes around the house with it in his mouth.

We got to have an impromptu visit with the Fernihoughs who were coming through Dallas on their way back home from a business trip which meant Clay and I got quality time with Rachel, Lauren, and Nora while the big guys (David, Joseph, and Jim) went to the Ranger's game!

Clay and Lauren partied in the tub, they played with toys, made each other laugh, and I brought in freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.  In theory it was a great idea, they are already in the bath so all the melty mess could be easily and quickly washed away.  Well Lauren totally got that she should just each the cookie.  Clay on the other hand did not.  He'd take a bite, then dunk the cookie in the water, and try to eat it again - YUCK! - so I'd have to take the cookie away from him....

Guess whose soggy cookie got taken away...

And the fun continued for these two on the pallet in Clay's room (Clay stayed in his pack and play in Mommy and Daddy's room but not before cuddling with Lauren and laughing some more)

Hide...

...and Seek!

Someone LOVES doing the things like Daddy does (like wearing his hat) but I will say that the styling part of it (wearing it backwards) is all Clay's doing - this kid is soooo in the know!

Because of gorgeous Baby Nora's visit, we had some baby gear out that Clay long since outgrew (only no one informed him of that fact!)

Clay's first experience with the sprinklers (he was NOT amused!)

At the very end of July, we headed off for fantastic family trip.  While I was packing, Clay found this hat felt pretty strongly about wearing it and or having it packed for our trip!