Swim Lessons: Level 2

Hallie finished her two week course of level 2 swim lessons! It was fun to watch her actually work on swimming instead of just playing games, like they did in level 1. She is doing so great with all of the new things she is learning. She makes me smile and I love watching her!

 Love my little fishy!

 Finished! She is still in level 2 but learned and grew so much this year. 

 Brooks was a lot more work during this session (hence I didn't get to take a lot of pictures). But he enjoyed playing in the yard, as long as I was nearby. Ha!

 Little buddy thinks he is so big now and can climb the swing set all on his own!

Hallie-o!

Oh Hallie. I couldn't love you anymore! You are my most favorite Hallie and 4-year-old in this world!

**On a side note. Hallie chews on everything! I'm not sure why she does this, maybe out of boredom? Maybe as a comfort mechanism? She will chew on her hair. She chews holes through her clothes. She chews holes through her burp cloths and blankets. I don't know how to make her stop. I always say, "we only chew on food, Hallie" but it doesn't seem to set in for her. We recently got her blood drawn and her iron levels were good but I'm wondering if she is deficient in something or if it is just a habit.

**Her new favorite word is ridiculous. She says that everything is ridiculous! Sometimes it makes sense. Other times, it doesn't. Ha!

She wanted to give our "dog," Max, a bath! Ha!

 Playing with unicorn slime and she made this unicorn out of slime (bottom left) all by herself. I was pretty impressed!

 I'm a pretty tired person. I'm not sure why I'm so tired all the time. I've been like this as long as I can remember. Some days, while Brooks is taking his afternoon nap, I take a nap as well during Hallie's "quiet time." Lately, Hallie has been choosing to take a nap with me. I've actually really enjoyed her napping with me!

Hallie has been loving eating meat with her daddy! And he loves to have someone to eat meat with! I hope she continues to love meat and doesn't end up pretty much a vegetarian like me.

Brooks-17 Months!

Brooks has stolen my heart! It's a good thing I am so obsessed with him because he can be a monster at times. He sleeps terribly at nights. I can't remember the last time he slept through the night. It is like since he turned one he seems to either have an ear infection or he is teething. Or maybe it is just habit now. I don't really know. He has had 4 ear infections in 7 months and he has cut 5, almost 6, teeth in the last 3 months! Luckily, he goes back to sleep really easily if you go into his room and lay by his crib. I just wish he would sleep soundly through the night. But I can't bring myself to sleep train him because what if he is waking up because he is teething or has an ear infection?? And so, for now, we aren't doing anything about it.

He is the snuggliest baby but he can also throw a fit and a high pitch scream/yell when he doesn't get his way. Stranger danger is in full force and he won't let anyone else hold him except me or Russ. His language is coming along and he can now say, "Hi, Mama, Dada, Cheese, Uh oh, Go, Nana (banana)." He is OBSESSED with animals and says "Woof woof," when he sees a dog. He is a wanderer and loves to walk around in open spaces outside wherever he pleases. He doesn't really care if you are following him or not but I keep a close eye on him because of that. He is starting to point at things and I'm just in love with his chubby little fingers. If both hands are free he points with his left hand. He also throws with his left hand.

My kids are my world and I love them with everything that I am. I really couldn't love them anymore! So, so grateful to have my two kids!

 This is his favorite book because it has animals and a banana in it. 

 He was exhausted after being at Shelli's house (they went swimming and Brooks didn't get an afternoon nap in) and fell asleep on the way home and slept here for a good 30 mins.

 Reading books under the table. Silly boy!

 He drinks milk morning and night. Sometimes he walks around the house with just the bottle/nipple in his mouth. It's kinda funny but then again he is putting holes in the nipple because of it.

 Love my little side sleeping, binky loving, burp cloth obsessed boy!

 Wearing a tie to church. What a stud!

 He thinks he is a big boy now and no longer wants to eat in his highchair. 

Brows

I'm not sure why I'm blogging about this but I have pictures so I figured I would. I got my eyebrows microbladed today. It is something I have wanted to do forever but it is SO expensive! But I got 50% off by being a "model" for a girl I know (she is like the best brow lady in the biz) while she trained a student of hers.

It was way less painful than I thought it would be. I had my eyeliner done 4 years ago and that was pretty much torture so I guess my expectations for this were bad. But, it was actually really great! And I LOVE the way they turned out! I love I don't have to draw my eyebrows on every morning. I love that they look the same every day. And I love that it saves me time during my makeup routine. I am SO happy I chose to do this!

Gymnastics

I love when I get to watch Hallie's gymnastics class. She's getting better and better at it and it looks like she will move up to the next level soon! She was the best in this class I watched today and could do everything the teacher wanted her to do.

Her teacher, Madison, wanted me to work on straightening Hallie's legs when she does her cartwheels and back kickovers. That next week we worked on it together at home and her teacher was so proud of her the following week!

 Look at that one-handed cartwheel! So good, Hallie!

 Working on her roundoffs

 I was worried with Brooks that I'd only be able to stay a little bit because he's just so busy and into everything but he did awesome and I was able to stay for the entire class!

Date Night

Russ and I went out to dinner at Market Street Grill and my brother, Alex, and Katrina watched our kids. Brooks did awesome while there! Apparently he really had a thing for my brother and got so excited when he saw him and only wanted him the rest of the night. Glad both Brooks and Hallie were pleasant for them! It was a nice escape for Russ and I for a bit and I love getting away to spend time with just him!

LOVE

Goodness I love this bunch SO much! My whole heart wrapped up into one picture. Brooks has been saying "cheese" as of late when we take pictures and it is the cutest thing!

Kids at Shelli's

Hallie absolutely loves going to Aunt Shelli's every Wednesday and playing with her cousins. Brooks generally does pretty good for her, so that is nice too. I'm so grateful for her allowing me to continue to work one day a week!

Father's Day

Russ is the Father that I always hoped my kids would have! He loves them and tells them that everyday. He isn't scared to kiss or show affection to them. He is thoughtful and does things just to make them smile. He plays with them and makes them laugh. He is present and engaged. They feel safe and loved in his presence. He is someone truly special and my kids (and me) are SO lucky to have him! We love you to pieces, Russ!!

 Russ woke up to cooked bacon, beef jerky, Mountain Dew Kickstarts (his new favorite drink), and a present

 Hallie "decorated" herself by putting a baby bows around the house! It was a mess, the mess of it drove me crazy, and it took everything out of me to keep it up but this was her way of celebrating Russ, and so I kept it up for the whole day.

 Hallie's card for Russ

Opening presents

 A new tie!

 Personalized with a picture of his kids!

 Hallie's paper she filled out about Russ. "He is "32" years old, has "black" hair & "hazel" eyes. His job is "go to meetings." For fun he likes to "ride scooters with me." His favorite team is "Jazz." His favorite color is "red." Favorite place is "jazz games." Favorite song is "?" Favorite car is "GMC canyon." Favorite fruit is "watermelon." He likes to "play" with me. His favorite food is "sandwiches." He always says "go to bed at 8:00." I love him because "he plays with me.""

 Snuggling his babies

 For dinner, we went to the Ahlbergs for dinner. Last night, we went out with my family to celebrate my dad for Fathers Day.