Work iPhone dump . . . for the last 18 months

I couldn't complete a software update on my work iphone because it was full of photos and videos.  Most were terrible, but some were sweet or silly memories taken over the last 18 months.

For instance, Collin sleeping with my mom's lacy camisole when we left his silkies at home and were spending the night at their house - 

Speaking of silkies, Bruno likes to cuddle with Cabbage Patch doll Eric and the silkies too -

How was my exuberant, climbing toddler ever this small?

Sweet siblings -

 This bow is big on the three year old - can you imagine it on a newborn's head?  Texas bows -

Making his little sister giggle - 

Shrieks and laughs during dinner -

Maya nibbling on the foam sword -

Snippets of videos we send to Cas when he's traveling -

Silly Collin with Spider-Man face paint and my pink heels -

And the most recent shot, snapped a few weeks ago, as Maya befriended Batman at our neighborhood park -

Maya reading to herself while singing "up above the world so high" from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the verse she sings on repeat at home and at school - 

Collin's Climbing Confidence

From my parents' house, we couldn't wait to get outside on a beautiful fall morning, and my mom joined us at a nearby park.  Our sweet girl had been sick for the last few days but was improving and happy to be outside.  

 Collin sporting Grammy's hat and a faint milk mustache -

 

It's amazing to watch the difference in Collin's climbing abilities and confidence, as we went to this park in the spring and Collin wouldn't have thought to climb this by himself.  Today he conquered the jungle gym independently.  

Climbing high with a beautiful blue background -

Considering climbing after Collin, but that would mean she'd have to put her snack cup down - 

Over and over he climbed overhead - 

Oh this cutie pie!

 Quick snack break from my lap -

The kids and Grammy, all smiles for a glorious day at the park -   

Belly laughs with Brownie

On Saturday, Cas headed to the airport for what ended up being a failure of a trip to the Texans-Cowboys game, so the kids and I once again retreated to my parents'.  My dad and Cas are normally efficient bath givers, while my mom and I are the ones singing songs and playing peek-a-boo and walking away soaked.  But this Saturday, my dad had both kids cracking up and soaking him with splashes - 

Listening to him say "no more splashing" before promptly starting back up again -

At lunch on Sunday, Maya was playing peek-a-boo with Brownie -

She thought he was hilarious -

 My happy poser getting kissed by her grandpa -

Brownie joined in on peek-a-boo -

Peeking out -

Cracking each other up!

Cheers for ice cream sandwiches.  Maya has already added "chocolate" to her vocabulary, and Cas is sure I passed her some of my chocolate-loving genes.

It's so fun watching how my kids love spending time with their grandparents!

Hide and seek at the park

Cas was able to attend the Giants-Texans game in NYC a few weekends ago.  While he spent a glamorous weekend in New York - eating great food, going to a comedy club, watching the game from the stadium suite, and visiting with his family - I got to spend the weekend with my little ones and my parents.  

We hit a park in the morning, enjoying a beautiful day outdoors.  Collin found a stick before we made it to the playground entrance.

Our daredevil didn't check to make sure an adult was nearby as she raced to the top of the playground equipment -

Making music -

Collin taunted me to capture him in a photo - our blur of four-year old in his fedora!

Maya sliding, Collin taking a break from his hat -

Spinning around - he'd gain enough speed that his voice was half-delighted, half-fearful as he asked for someone to slow him down -

Rocking horse -

Spinning on different equipment, happy girl on the slide -

She didn't need any help on the toddler playground -

Playing peek-a-boo under the slide -

Maya took a short-lived turn in the spinning equipment -

Collin, Grammy and I played hide and seek, with one adult rotating into the game while the other played with Maya -

In our last round of hide and seek, Collin and I hid together and Maya and my mom came to find us.  We hid crouched down in a section of the playground, so Maya was able to walk under playground bridges and spot us before my mom.  Back at home, we snapped one shot of her reading and playing with my dad before putting the camera down for the day.

While I wouldn't have turned down a ticket to the suite for an NFL game (Cas took a work customer), I had a fun, low-key weekend in town with my delightful kids!