Back to School Block Party

We had the best back to school party in the neighborhood a few weeks ago!  It was a fun-filled evening for the kids and adults - complete with an enormous slip n slide, carnival games for the kids, a potluck dinner, bounce house, talent show and even a movie under the stars!  Not sure how we got so lucky having such great neighbors!

Thumb Guard

As I have been trying to knock things off my "summer goal" list for the kids, Mia's thumb sucking was the thing I was dreading the most!  She has been a thumb sucker for as long as I can remember.  Of course at first it was cute...she always had it with her, no messing with pacifiers that you had to shove back in their mouths at night or worry about leaving them at home, etc.  I think it is what made her such a rock star sleeper, starting at just a few weeks old.  Her great sleeping habits have continued and was still even taking a consistent afternoon nap until just about a month ago.

Well, I decided this summer at almost age 4-1/2, that it was going to be the end of an era.  Luckily for me, she never sucked it all day long, really only just at nap time and bedtime.  But when she sucked it, she sucked it hard!  Even to the point that it was starting to push her front teeth out a bit.

With the start of Pre-K this fall, I felt kindergarden looming and decided that enough was enough.  I borrowed a "thumb guard" (a plastic contraption that fits over her thumb) from my friend Diane who had used it on her daughter.  Lillie was so scared at the thought of wearing it that she quit cold turkey.  Mia on the other had was intrigued by the device, wanted to pick out the colored band, etc....like it was an accessory!  Of course, the novelty has since worn off and many nights she would yell down, "I can't sleep with this thing on!!!"  Well, we are over a month into it and just this week I've let her sleep without it on.  She is going to sleep much easier and when I check in on her, it's about 95% usually NOT in her mouth.  I think we have turned a corner and I am so proud of her!  The naps are gone, but it's been a good sacrifice.  Go, Meemers, Go!!

Coach Chow Sighting

Fresh off the plane from the London Olympics, Mia got to show off her gymnastics skills to world renowned Coach Chow!  It was so awesome having him pop into the gym to watch some of the younger kids do their tricks.  Mia ran up to me afterwards and said, "I saw Chow and he said to me "hi sweetheart!  And I'm not even Gabby Douglas!!!!"  How cool is that?  You go, Chow!  Thanks for putting West Des Moines on the world map!!

Buddy's New Sandbox

Thanks to G'pa Heinrich, Sam has a new favorite toy, his new sandbox!  This thing is awesome and the kids are both loving it.  What I'm not loving is the mess of sand it leaves behind on their clothes, floors, sheets, etc!!  However, it's well worth it as they've already logged many hours in it!  Thanks again G'pa!

Lobster Bake

We had the Bush's annual "ode to New England" lobster bake a few weeks ago.  It was, as always, a great party!  Nate had the honors of helping Scott boil the lobsters - looking good in his yellow tailored shorts & lobster apron :)

HOME ALONE

I can't believe it's been since July 4th that I've updated the blog!!  Where has the summer gone?  Clearly we've been busy and this has gotten thrown on the back burner.  I was even home alone for 4 whole days earlier this week (thanks to G'ma & G'pa Haskins taking the kids back to Chicago with them for a mini-vacay) and still couldn't get to it!  I did however, get many other things done around the house and enjoyed some R&R in my very quiet house.  Now that I'm caught up on other things, I am devoting this afternoon to the blog.  Pics to follow!!  xo