Serious Play Time

Rylin is getting better about playing by himself these days. A few of his favorite things...his kitchen and tool belt. Since I've still got the trains and track from the train table hidden (awaiting my 7 yr old nephew to show me how to assemble), Rylin thinks the table is a food prep area. Who knows? Maybe he'll hate the trains and we'll have a culinary prodigy!

Starting Early

Jordan told him he had to clean his room before his friends could come over:)

Beach Break

Last weekend we set off for a little vacation time in Galveston. Rylin had never been to the beach so we thought it would be a fun summer trip. My brother and his wife have gone the last few summers with their kids, so we picked them up on the way to join in our fun. The trip there was a long one but the kids did great.

After a flat tire and several bathroom breaks we finally made it. Our condo on the beach was great even though it was pretty small for all seven of us!

We wasted no time to hit the beach. Rylin was so excited when he saw the water. He headed straight for the waves then back again when he realized they were chasing him!

Some of our cousins joined us and we set up our tent for the weekend. The beach was nice and private without a lot of people so we had plenty of room to make sand castles and when my nephew wasn't up for being buried, Rylin volunteered!

Saturday, my cousin Crystal and Crosby joined us and we spent the entire day on the beach.

Along with finding sand in all our bags, hair, shoes, and car...I'm still finding it in diapers!

Rylin and Luke were two of a kind. Luke had a little shadow the entire weekend. Rylin loves his cousins!

Besides our less than desirable sleeping arrangements (Rylin in the bed with us because we forgot the pack-n-play) and sunburns, we were not ready to come home. Can't wait to hit the beach again next year!

Way Too Big!

It was inevitable. I just thought I had some time. Two nights ago, Jordan and I were in our living room when we heard a stomach dropping knock on Rylin's bedroom door. Little Houdini escaped his crib! And just to prove it wasn't a fluke, he did it again yesterday at nap time. So, to avoid a head injury, we reluctantly decided it was time to convert his crib to the toddler bed option. Boo Hoo! I don't like it one bit!

The first night was rough. He finally stayed in bed around 11:00p.m....three hours past his typical bed time. Then at nap time today he figured out how to open the door to his bedroom. After about fifty trips back into his bedroom, I think he got tired of contesting and went to sleep. Hopefully it will get better soon.

Play Room Update

I have been a busy worker bee the last few weeks when it comes to this play room! One project has run into another and our house is a mess of hot glue strings, scraps of material, and receipts from IKEA. My legs still look like I had a bad spray tan from the orange paint I used on my Craigslist trundle bed find. However, the end is in sight! Feeling guilty for not blogging through it, I decided a sneak preview was in order before my reveal. Here is a little idea of what I've been working on...

Sadly, against my wishes while I was gone, (I promise I'm over it now) my husband let Rylin play in it before I had finished a few final touches. He LOVES it! Now, all I have to say is "go play in your play room", and he spins around the corner to his new little oasis!

Happy Fourth

We have been a busy little family this summer so I am just now catching up on our holiday weekend photos. At the last minute, we decided to visit my parents over the 4th weekend to spend some time with family in from out of town.

Rylin got to play with his cousins a lot and was going, going every waking hour. Saturday night he and Luke spent some time in the sprinkler while the rest of us hung out on the porch.

After it started getting dark, we headed inside for some homemade Big Red ice cream compliments of my brother David.

Another tasty red discovery Rylin made that weekend was the tomatoes from Papa's garden. They are good enough to eat like apples and that is just what he did!

Sunday we went to church with my parents and then spent the afternoon with my cousins in the pool and enjoying all kinds of BBQ creations that the men put together.

Me & Crystal with Rylin & Crosby

Monday morning, I made breakfast (photo at the top), a variation on my Royal Wedding Watch Party contribution a few months earlier. My mini egg pie's were a hit with American flags that replaced the British one's used previously. Then we made our way to Jordan's Aunt and Uncle's for their annual fish fry dinner. Yum! Another great weekend with family!