Busy Weekend!

And it will keep going from here, I think. Last night we had our first pool party at the neighborhood pool. It officially opened at 4PM and the rain (torrential rain, at that) started at 3:58. We'd already paid the caterer and whatnot though, so at 5PM we decided to head to the clubhouse to collect our food. Once we'd filled our plates, the rain let up and the clouds started to clear. Moments later, the lifeguards gave us the 'all-clear' and the pool was open for business. As cold as it was, the kids both loved the baby pool. Maddux had chattering teeth, but she cruised around the edges a few times and Eli just ruled it every way he could. He used another child's kick board and loved it. Never mind the fact that he was not a fan when we used them in swim class... After an hour of chill bumps and shivering kids, we packed up and headed home. Upon arrival, Eli requested a 'cold bath'. What a goof nut. (No pictures because I never thought the rain and lightning would clear up for a swim, so I didn't bring the camera.)

This morning, Ty came over to hang out for a few hours. The kids all got along great, mowing the grass, blowing bubbles, and playing with blocks. He is always so sweet to Mad Dog, calling her "Maddie Moo" and kissing her hand. Eli only got frustrated with sharing his toys once, and there were no meltdowns by anyone!

We rushed through lunch to get the kids down for a nap because we planned to take them to a Braves game at 4PM. During the drive to the stadium, I asked Eli if he remembered what to do if a stranger tries to take him. He did. He told me, "NO! NO! NO! NO!" and "dun away" and "Fine-d poh-eess-man." And then he added, "Or a Cubbie." At least he knows who he can trust!

First thing when we walked in, we went to the station where Eli could get his face airbrushed. Lehr had talked it up to him and he was really excited about it. As we stood there waiting, he got quiet (as usual) and said to me, "Mommy do it?" in a little voice. I told him I wasn't going to, but I'd be right there and hold his hand. Then he picked out a baseball-player-figure for the lady to paint. He sat really still and let her do her thing (though I think he was pretty scared of the airbrush on his face). Of course, Eli's favorite part was looking in the mirror at the end product.

The kids did great at the game: we lasted close to five innings in our seats (we had an empty four seats in front of us which allowed Maddux to cruise while holding onto those seat backs without disturbing anyone), and then we went to the upper deck to walk around. It was much cooler up there (the temps were in the 80's today), and they have the COOLEST kids' area set up. Eli could run a baseline and stand on a pitchers mound. He loved this and I think he ran the base no less than ten times.

Poor Maddux had a bit of a hard time because she can't move around like she'd like. She is so busy and so active, but not walking independently yet. She is crazy fast with a crawl now though, so even when you offer to 'help' her walk, she doesn't want to because she knows she can get where she wants to go much quicker on all fours. When we went to the upper deck, I let her do that as much as possible, as it was pretty clean and not very crowded. The result (of course) was Maddux finding stray peanut shells from time to time. You know they ended up in her mouth because my girl likes to eat. Poor, poor neglected second child.

Between the seats, the airbrushing, and the upper deck, we all lasted until the ninth inning, and we walked out just as the game finished. A success in my book! They laughed back and forth in the backseat the whole way home, and then ate a quick dinner before baths. Of course both kids were asleep before their heads even hit their pillows tonight.