Ruidoso Discovered...

Barry's parents were very gracious and brave (and maybe a little crazy,) and invited us and his brother's family to spend the weekend with them in Ruidoso. After a long drive, and some minor melt downs from baby Hulk, we made it there Friday by dinner. First thing Saturday morning, the kids and men folk set out on an adventure to scout out the surrounding grounds and document what flora and fauna were available. Here's the first good find... a big yellow butterfly...
You can see on the right that Leslie took her own camera as well. More on that later...



Here is Leslie with her cousins, Caden (5) and Cole (6 1/2). The boys were our primary protector and defender throughout the weekend...

PawPaw is pointing out a great find for our bug collection...

A beautiful green caterpillar! Caden was able to extract it from its habitat for further examination...

This purple flower box was our science laboratory for the weekend. The kids collected and released several specimens over the course of our trip.

A group picture of Caden, Leslie, Cole and Holly...

Hot Summer Night

We have had such an incredible hot summer so far. Barry came home from work last week, we ate dinner, then checked the weather... it was still 102 outside! So we decided to get the pools out. It was even hot enough for mommy to play!




Of course, no outside-time would be complete for Calla without some good swingin'. Daddy sat the sprinkler up under us so we could stay cool while we swung...

I always think Calla's so skinny because I remember Leslie being so fat! But, I think Calla's belly could definitely compete... especially when shown in a bikini!

We actually have a lot more pictures of this night, but Leslie decided to take her swimsuit off to help warm herself up, so they aren't exactly world wide web appropriate! We played outside in the water until it was time to come in and get ready for bed! Hot summer night indeed...

Summer Times...

We have already had a great summer break! We took a break for the end of May and were just lazy... then bored. But with June came many fun activities.

Leslie went to Princess School the first week at the local Ballet Studio. They watched a movie, danced, and did a craft everyday. She had so much fun! And at the end of the week I told her she was ready to become a princess, but to do that, she either had to marry a prince or have Daddy buy her a kingdom. She ran over to Barry, wrapped her arms around him and said, "Oh yes Daddy! Will you buy me a kingdom?"

The second week was filled with Vacation Bible School at church. They had a High Seas Adventure! She loved getting out of the house and playing all morning. Here are some shots from her program. She loves singing with hand motions!

This is most likely our one fruit from the garden this year. Best I can figure, it's just too hot to grow anything. Next year I'll have to get an earlier start. We cut this tomato up and gave it Calla. I thought she would enjoy the most out of all of us, and she did, except it just wasn't enough!

Mommy and Daddy took Leslie to her first movie in the big theater to see Toy Story 3! She was so excited and loved having the massive bucket of popcorn on her lap...

About 20 minutes in, she started crying saying she wanted to go home. We made it to the end, but will not be going back any time soon. This Toy Story was much more dramatic, action-filled (scary), and sentimental than the previous two. So any time the toys got in trouble or hurt or cried, Leslie would break out her tears for them, too. I told Barry afterward that I shouldn't be surprised she got so emotionally involved in the movie because one of Dad's favorite stories about my childhood was watching the movie Willow on TV with me... I got in a huge tizzy the entire way through worried the bad guys were going to get the baby. Leslie's personality turns out to be more and more like mine everyday!

Calla's favorite toy and word lately is "crown." She LOVES this crown of Leslie's. She carries it around all day playing with it. She's even learned to ask for "help" when she can't get it on the right way. Last Sunday, Barry let her wear the crown in the car on the way to church. We took it off for Sunday School, but as soon as we got back into the car, "Crown?" The poor girl doesn't get a morning nap on Sundays, so she almost always passes out on the way home. Here is HRH Calla is with her royal "cup-ay," "ssss-ck, "p-ceee," and "cr-ow-n."

And of course, Leslie needs her picture taken as well with her little diva pose...

Weekend Highs...

We found a new park in town that is a ton of fun! The girls and I had been there a couple times, but we finally found a time for Daddy to go with us. And with Daddy there, Leslie was able to climb all the way up to the top of the big rock wall! She was super proud of herself! It's a big deal anytime my cautious child has the bravery to do something new and outside her comfort zone! Calla, on the other hand, will probably be able to climb this next week:)


Our second "high" of the weekend was that Barry ran the sound for the Contemporary service at church Sunday morning! Our Contemporary service has alot of... problems, so Barry finally decided that he could offer his expertise running sound and let them worry about one less thing. He got his name in the bulletin and everything! He was trying to act nonchalant about it, but I made him pose for a picture with the bulletin. Unfortunately, he decided to be a butt and make a sassy face...

I told him he wasn't leaving until he smiled pretty. Here's my big boy with his name in the bulletin...

And a close-up on the actual bulletin with his name...

Baby Fairy Dress-up...

I have the cutest little girls! Calla LOVES playing dress up every chance she gets! She really wanted to wear the Cinderella dress this morning, but it's still way too big for her. I dug out this extra poofy tutu and she seemed appeased. As you can see, she also wanted to wear the wings. Sissy was nice enough to help her accessorise...
Cute Baby Fairy...

Most of our shoes are kept in the laundry room, but she found some Crocs that were left out from swimming and brought them to me. I had to aid HRH Calla with her slippers...

And of course, no Baby Fairy Princess would be complete without a wand...

This is my favorite age. I'm trying to treasure every beautiful moment without obsessing that it passes by much too fast.

Dancing Redeemed...

As I hoped for, Leslie's dance teacher was more than willing for me to bring her up to the studio and go through her dance number for us to see. I gave Leslie the option of dressing up again or just wearing her regular leotard, and to my delight, she chose to wear her Cuddle-up Cub costume! Here she on her way to the studio for "take 2."
I'll try and post the video later (if Blogger will let me!) but here are some cute snap shots I got during the dance...

Here she is doing her boogies...

And a few tapping stomps...

Ms. Chelsie was so sweet to go through it all with her...

We haven't decided if we're going to try dance again next year. We're definitely taking the summer off to rest and re cooperate! I was glad we got a second chance to see our sweet girl perform! And I'm sure we got the best pictures of all the parents!

Water Sillies...

Calla has finally decided she likes the water! Even more than her swing!! Last week we got to have our first big splash time with Daddy. He even broke out the new water guns! Leslie and Barry ran all around squirting each other. Calla was happy standing in her little wading pool trying to avoid crossfire waving her water gun at the others...


She really liked stomping and splashing the water big...

After the water war, Mermaid Leslie decided to take a break in Rainbow Lagoon...

Barry was re-filling the little pool, and Calla decided she wanted to walk underneath the hose! Crazy baby... she just kept on doing it. She thought it was hilarious!

"Now my hair's wet, too! Weeeeeee"

Then, we set up the sprinkler. Once again, while Leslie avoids direct spray like the plague, Calla walks right up to the sprinkler and sticks her face in it! Again and again...

She had a blast! Cute sweet baby. We love the long nights and simplicity of summer...

Daddy swimming with both his girls...

We laugh that getting this picture was surprisingly easy because with Leslie wearing goggles, you can't tell she's looking off somewhere all crazy eyed. Maybe we should use the goggles in more pictures, water or not...