swim

Harper took swim lessons about a month ago. She went to the Owasso YMCA every morning for two weeks. There were about 4 other kids in her swim class, but it just so happened that on the last day, she was the only one there. So she got her own private lesson =)

The class was for kids under 3 and I was worried it would be more geared toward babies than kids Harper's age, but I was wrong. They really challenged her! She didn't like putting her face in the water, floating on her back, or generally being told what to do. So it was a good growing experience for her and she did great! 

Warming up to the water

Sliding before the lessons started. At the beginning, I had to hold her hand the whole way down. By the end of those two weeks, I wasn't needed anymore. 

Practicing with her swim instructor Miss Jen

Floating on her back. 

This look of serenity is a big change from the first few days of tears and "No No No No No" when she was supposed to be floating on her back. 

Using the paddle board

Walking in the "deep" water.

Oh, did I mention that it was a 'Mommy & Me' class? 

Yes it was. 

Did I mention that I was 32 weeks pregnant at the time?

Yes I was.

Did I mention that I did not like that?

No I did not. 

Coming out of the water after a big dunk. 

Kicking on her own.

Doesn't like getting that water in her nose. 

She also didn't like getting water in her ears. 

This was her prevention technique. 

Getting water in her nose made her sneeze during every lesson. And when I say sneeze, I don't mean a few times. I mean, like 12 or more times in a row. I think the sneezing wore her out more than the swimming. 

After every lesson, she had to go down the slide...

"Just one more time mommy."

~

"Now just 3, 4, 5 more times mommy."

She was proud of her certificate. 

Showed it to everyone who visited our house for about 3 weeks. 

Holding it up high, for all to see. 

Wedding Season

Well since my niece Ashleigh moved her wedding from the end of September to TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, I guess I better hurry up and share her shower pictures before the entire wedding is over.

Can you tell that I think she is crazy for moving her wedding? 

The planner, organizer, control-freak, perfectionist in me would be going crazy if I were her. But she is as cool as a cucumber and I am baffled. But hey, we need more laid back people like her in this world. 

And they actually have a really good reason for moving the wedding: Ryan, who enlisted in the Air Force this year, will be stationed in England (about 70 miles from London) in November. And in order for Ashleigh's passports and paperwork to clear prior to that, she needs to have her name change complete as soon as possible. So she really isn't crazy. {Maybe I'm the one who you could label crazy}

So the wedding is quickly approaching, Harper's flower girl dress was quickly purchased, my parents are currently trying to figure out how to plant 6 ft tall trees in 2.5 gallon buckets, and I am having dreams of Ashleigh making her bridal party walk down a half mile long aisle "for suspense and drama".

The shower however was much less exciting. It did storm that day, but it was actually perfect because it was a shower themed shower. So the rain actually helped set the mood.

This picture was my inspiration for the "shower" theme & I used it for the invitations as well. 

We played a game that was played at one of our wedding showers. Ryan had answered a series of questions for me and then Ash was asked the same questions. If she answered differently than Ryan, she had to put a piece of bubble gum in her mouth. She actually did pretty good, but by the end of the game, the bubble gum was just too much to handle. She couldn't even speak to answer any more questions and out of sympathy I quit handing her more bubble gum. 

Completely embarrassing the guest of honor is what it's all about, right? 

The maid of honor, my younger niece Hannah, and their new cousin Quinn. 

Ashleigh's gift from Harper: a jumbo cat eraser. A necessity for every young couple.

Now Ashleigh and a lot of ladies.....

Her younger sis...this is the only shot of Ashleigh not pestering Hannah. Some things never change. 

My mom, Ashleigh's Nana

Ash's other grandmother, Connie

Bridesmaids

There were lots of other family and friends present and I know Ashleigh was grateful that each of them came to support her. 

Now enough about showers, we've got a wedding to throw together! And thankfully, Ashleigh has this attitude (and I quote)...

"NOTHING will be fancy". 

She's sure making this transition from Miss to Mrs quite interesting. 

Woolaroc

A few weekends back, we took Harper and her great grandpa Curtis to Woolaroc. If you are from Northeastern Oklahoma, this needs no explanation. If you are not, Woolaroc was the 'weekend home' of Frank Phillips (Phillips 66) and it is now a wildlife preserve, museum, petting zoo, etc.

Harper enjoyed spotting animals out the window and kept asking "Which one my favorite?". We are trying to help her to think on her own but for some reason that day she really wanted us to pick her favorite for her. 

I think in the end, the deer were her favorite (just like her dad).

She was really thrown for a loop when Kevin told her that Kermit the Frog lived in the lilypads on this pond. She couldn't understand why she couldn't see him. It really was toddler-torture. 

Harper and her great grandpa

{I've said it before, I'll say it again: I am so happy that Harper is blessed to have her GREAT grandparents. I wasn't as lucky and they really are a blessing in our lives}

This little exhibit in the museum comes to life with a dance and drumming sounds and Harper spent most of her time here. She even joined in on the dancing. I love how, as a kid, she isn't worried about what others think and she just does what comes naturally.

I mean come on, who doesn't want to dance anytime they hear native tribal drumming?

Seriously?!? She's killin' me with that little sly grin. 

Lots of animals to see and pet: rabbits, cows, a miniature horse she really didn't like, and goats!

Talk about a sly grin....Kevin discovered that if he wiggled that gate latch, all the goats in one section would think someone was coming in to feed them. They were on high alert. He is cruel. 

And most importanly:

Harper met Llama Llama! {her favorite book character} 

He didn't have much to say though. Actually from the look of this picture, he's kind of a snob. 

But she didn't notice; she was a little starstruck.

Dod Bess Amerita

The Fourth of July may become Harper's favorite holiday in the future. She is a little in love obsessed with the American flag, or 'Dod Bess Amerita' as she calls it. 

When she sees a flag, she yells, talks about it's size, and makes everyone else look at it. 

So the 4th was actually called 'God Bless America Day' at our house this year. 

We went out to my folks that afternoon for a cookout and parade. Harper was dressed for the occasion. 

No matter the weather, we tend to congregate on the front porch. 

The parade was new this year, but it was actually a combination of past traditions. My great aunt and my grandparents used to have parades at their Independence Day celebrations. So we decided to bring it back this year. 

We kinda forgot that if everyone was IN the parade, then there would be no one to WATCH the parade. Fortunately, our Gigi and Uncle Dale came and provided us with a very supportive audience. 

Joey rode his scooter around us in circles like a Shriner. That might have been my favorite part. 

Everyone posed with their floats. 

Abe and Belle totally ignored the camera. 

Harper was pleased as punch to show off her wagon. She helped decorate by coloring all the letters of her banners. 

Ashleigh & Hannah 

Taylor as some sort of patriot

Joey 

{who painstakingly removed his rear view mirrors in order to place those flags in their place}

He deserves a medal!

The whole gang

After the festivities, Harper took her cousins for a drive. So advanced for a 2-year-old, right? 

~

Dress Up

"Mom, I'm pretty like a princess."

This is Harper's version of a pretty princess...

Yelling

 Stocking cap under a fedora

Jelly stain down the front of her shirt

&

a very serious scowl 

Glittery Christmas ear warmer around her neck.

In July.

That's my kind of princess!

~

Just keep swimming

This past week has been HOT. And from a personal standpoint I want to say that pregnant and hot do not mix well. Pregnant, hot, and a very active two year old is an even more dangerous combination. 

But one thing that does go well with pregnant, hot, and a two year old is SWIMMING! 

We have enjoyed our little pool this week. It's amazing how this little pool can improve all of our moods =)

She likes to lay down on the bottom and then do the splits. 

Making sure her beloved belly button is still intact. 

Why are kids even more cute when they are in swim suits and soaking wet?