Family Picture

Here's what we all look like now...



...and Daniel's hands

Organizing

I've been organizing and sewing, trying to get ready for Baby Girl. It's a great feeling when I get to check things off the list.
Thanks for all of the tips and tricks; here are some of my favorite:

• I love using Diaper boxes because you always know which are the kids clothes
• The age range separation (based on when they wore the outfit) is great--I used a sharpie to adjust the tag size to help me remember.
• Separating boys and girls clothes will save work later :)
• Not keeping everything--keep the outfits that were most meaningful or favorites and still in good condition. We definitely wore out most of our onesies :) But saved many shirts and shorts that way. It's much easier to change the bottom layer.

I've also organized our kids toys. I got containers from the container store (on sale) and have made cloth toy drawstring bags that keep little pieces together. Each container has a theme: Newborn, Agility and Fine Motor Skills, Little People, Balls and Cars, Trains and Blocks, Puzzles, Bath Toys, Musical and Electronic. I put the bag with the toy/toy pieces in each labeled container and they are stored under the cribs. We pull out a container, which Daniel also enjoys climbing on, and play with his pick of those toys. When finished, we clean-up those toys before getting out some more. It seems to be a great system so far.

I welcome any more kids organization tips and tricks.
Thanks

Just like daddy

So, Clinton was working from home on Apple stuff before heading off to school for research, etc. He was all set up on the kitchen table and working hard.




Once he finished, Daniel decided it was his turn. He climbed up on the chair and knew just what to do...


Be aware, your kids are watching and learning!

Daddy's Soccer Game(s)

We have a new outing each week; on Saturday morning, we all go to watch Clinton play Soccer with the community league he just joined. (Thanks Paul Denson for recommending it!) Two friends from the neighborhood and church also play on the Red Devils--Paul Denson and Jeff Rankin. It's a fun outing, and one to which we look forward each weekend.
Daniel sees a ball across the field and gets so excited--he will point and excitedly exclaim "that" over and over again in his highest pitch voice. (He also does the same thing for basketball hoops, trucks and busses.) He's quite adept at throwing, ambidextrously, and now, is having fun kicking the ball. He'll pick up the ball and place it just so in front of his left foot, then, kick! It's great to watch him work it all out.
On the sidelines, when he's not playing with his ball or friend Nathan (Jeff's son), he will squat and watch what is going on around him. And, it is especially darling when Daddy comes off the field, he will go to him and stand by/with him.
Needless to say, we're enjoying Saturday morning Soccer! Anybody is welcome to come cheer on the Red Devils. They're 1 and 1, winning their last game 5-0.

And the name is...

I think we've decided on a name for baby girl Jones: Riley. It means "courageous," which fits her ever-moving personality and spunkiness. Now, we just have to decide if we're going to use a middle name or not.

Why we wear shoes...

Swimming

So, we went to celebrate Kinlee Paul's first birthday party at their complex pool. Although we didn't plan to swim due to overcast weather, Daniel had a different idea!







I'm glad he loves the water, and I'm glad that Clinton loves our son and is willing to be with him while he plays.

Daniel loves...

Talking on the phone






















Playing outside (even in this record-breaking summer with the TX heat) ESPECIALLY playing with the dogs















Lounging on "his" pillows


Riding on toys, and he's really getting into climbing






Learning at the computer--MAC, of course. Clinton is teaching him well, no!?!


High Fives and "Bones"
Exploring in the bathroom--he even sat on the toilet last week. Oh, and he tells us when he has "poopers in his diaper" by squatting and pointing to his crotch. :)
Gathering shoes and bringing them to Mommy and Daddy to put on right then!
Eating oreos--he splits them open and eats out all of the cream filling
...and of course, snuggling with Daddy at the end of the day


Oh, and Mommy loves her new haircut--