Snug as a bug in a rug...with 4 blankets & 4 paci's

We just tucked the babies into bed...the first 'school night' in 11 nights. School was closed last week, so we hit the road for a lil vaca in the Lone Star state.

We had a great time with the Rittenoure's on the lake, where both kids tubed with daddy (as I nervously supervised),

and Booklyn got to ride on the SeaDoo with daddy (again, with me nervously watching from afar). Even if she had fallen off, something tells me that I would never know...but fun was had by all! So much so, that the lil man took a snooze in the tube on the way back to the boat house.

Sunday we headed to Cowtown in Ft Worth.

We stayed on the strip to get a front row seat to the cattle drive,

pony rides,

sno cones,

and walking distance to numerous shops, much to my liking.  One day, Bryson and I went on a shopping excursion, where he found 3 little stairs in a store.  He would walk down the stairs, clap his hands exuberantly, walk back up the stairs, clap again...and on and on and on. Such a big boy, trying to maintain his figure!

Monday was spent at the Ft Worth Zoo, where I would recommend any family with little ones attend - even in 105 degree weather, we found shade and more animals than I could count.

But of them all, the elephants remain the favorite for our tikes.

Tuesday was the venture to the NRH20 water park, which was clearly designed with kids of all ages in mind.  Numerous splash pad areas with slides that even Bryson could manage on his own. And slides thatmy girl flew down on with her daddy (once again, with me nervously watching from afar!).  Five hours later and we were toast in more ways than one.

We ended the trip to a visit to my favorite honky tonk, Billy Bob's, where my girl got all suited up, climbed atop a bull and whispered excitedly "yee haw".  Bryson wanted nothing to do with sitting on the bull, but petting his nose and watching his silly sister was fun enough.

On our way home, we dropped in for a short, well overdue visit with Great Grandma & Papa, where  the kids played and read stories before loading up for the last leg of the drive home.

Pulling into the familiar driveway after 7 nights away, we were so happy to be home!  Our bodies were tired after a lot of this

and this

Unfortunately, the house had other plans for this wiped out fam of four: the need for a new AC unit was in store.  So we turned the fans on high and positioned as best we could for a sleepless night on the living room floor.  Thursday marked four years since our beautiful wedding on the beach. 

My, how our lives have changed!  Much more work, but the love and the reward we have today are tenfold. 

After story time tonight, and a pep talk for school tomorrow, Bryson was tucked in by daddy. He waved bye-bye to Brooklyn and I on his way to dive into bed, with the company of four paci's by his side.  He is a man that likes options!  Take one out; put a new one in.  Lose it in his sleep, and quickly find a replacement!  Meanwhile, I tucked Brooklyn in, with four blankets atop her little growing body. Just the way she likes it, since saying goodbye to the blankie 5 weeks ago today. She is now covered up in this order: the zebra blanket, followed by the throw, then the pink silky, and lastly, Mimi's quilt wrapped all around the edges of her bed.  As I was walking out, I wished her 'night-night' and she whispered "Will you pick me up from school tomorrow?"  "Of course, my girl." "You have to work?", she asks. "Yes, I have to work." "Who are you going to see tomorrow?" I explained that I have co-workers, just like she has classmates, like Lilly and Madeline and Ava.  "What are their names, mommy?", she asked.  So I went on to tell her the names of some co-workers. "Oh. Have a good day, Mommy."  "Night night, Brooklyn. Sweet dreams." "Thank you, Mommy."

My eyes welled up with tears as I closed her door tonight. I'm so proud of my children and look forward to the future with them.  So smart, inquisitive, and kind.  I can't imagine the fun times in store as we continue to watch them grow.