Playing together....

So nice when I can find things for them to enjoy and play together. Our weather has been stormy and hot, so doing things inside is a necessity more this summer than others before. I can't rely on throwing them out back to play or the pool, so we have been doing Play Doh and Moon Sand along with arts and Crafts more...Lucky for me most days they enjoy it and can play for a good stretch...this was one of them below...

Erin working on the ice cream shop...I am sure she was dreaming of ways to make it real ICEEE Cream.

Zachary's creation, a salad for me...he loves the recipe cards..

Riverwalk...

I forgot to post a lot of stuff the last week or two...life was hectic!! Brandon TDY a week, getting a new car, kids starting school this summer, switching Zach's ABA therapist for the 3rd time in 6 months, new schedule for summer therapy and school, my parents visit, Brandon TDY again and then Zachary getting sick AGAIN.

While my mom and dad were here we finally saw a bit more of San Antonio. My dad really wasn't feeling well on this trip, so I wanted to take things easy and not do a lot. We drove around a bit one day when the kids were in school to see some new parts of town they hadn't seen and to run an errand for my mom...it was nice to show them some other areas. My dad has asked on each visit to go to the Riverwalk and finally on this trip we had time to do it. We took the kids and sadly we probably went too late in the day when it was a bit hotter than we would have all liked. The day was good, but hot and our lunch was less than yummy...you learn not to pick the first place on a very commercial row...Zachary loved the boat ride and was thrilled to finally go to the Riverwalk...we have lived here a year and this was his first trip there...he had been asking for MONTHS! Erin definitely didn't enjoy the heat and was done as soon as we got in the car, she passed out cold. It was a nice chance to show my parents more about the city and I am glad we got to do it. I just wish it had been cooler and everyone felt better. Here are 3 of only a few photos I took...it was that hot!

Just some smiles...

Just some smiles to share today. The kids are loving Joy Camp and I am so glad I signed them up and coughed up the cash for this! It was something I wasn't sure about and kind of questioned the week before, but so glad I went ahead and sent them. They love it. Especially Zachary. That child could live in a classroom and be happiest. He loves his teacher, Ms. Roni. She is a doll and a teaching vet...so she is super skilled at flexing things and being understanding...he is making new friends and having fun...every day big smiles for me when I get him and full of stories of what they did. A far cry from the wordless drives back to Edwards from his Palmdale preschool I had 3 years ago. Amazing to listen to him yammer on about what he did, saw and thought. LOVE IT! Erin is doing well too and seems comfortable...for her that is the biggest hurdle I wanted to work on. When we left CA and moved here she was in a horrible phase of separation anxiety and stranger anxiety. It was to the point I wasn't sure we would be able to do Mother's Day out with her...but she surprised us and pulled through...after weeks of tearful goodbyes on her part and mine. She struggled with new things, new people and new places, but now is awesome and having fun with the newness we throw at her. I am so happy to see that she has matured past that phase and realizing she is loved and safe even when I am not right there, and that she can be independent and have a blast. She is doing really well and even though she throws me more attitude than I am used to from Zachary, I love her to bits and I am thankful for her unique challenges and amazing personality. These two are so special and really make me so happy. The days of them being little are fading faster than I would like and I grasping at straws to keep them little for a bit longer....

Steak Bites!

Zach begged and pleaded to go to Texas Roadhouse...we tried to go one night, but the wait was too long...so we finally went and he was thrilled. He actually ordered steak bites and ate them....shocking, amazing, huge step forward for us and him! I was so proud of him and so glad I had my camera in my purse to capture the moment. Yeah Zach!

Father's day...

Fathers Day was extra special this year for me, I had my own dad here to celebrate the day with. It was so nice to have him share the day with us...just to be with him was a treat. He didn't feel well on his trip here, so we kept things very low key. We took him to lunch at the O Club on base and we were surprised by a live singer there which was actually very nice. We had a good lunch and a quiet day. I felt so lucky to have my very special daddy with me. Both of my children were blessed that their dad was home too. Brandon is a wonderful dad and I am reminded each day we live here the choices he has made recently for our family to be in a better, happier place and I am very thankful. I know every day my children are loved by their dad and he does his best for them. I am most thankful I get to share the privilege of raising these beautiful children with him.

So these are some photos from Father's Day...I really couldn't be happier to have had time with my parents. The trips are always too short, too stressful with them on the road on either side, and never enough time to tell them and show them how much I love them. But I hope they had fun and will come back again soon for another stay with us!

My mom and Erin -

Dad with Erin and Zach walking to the club...
My very special parents and I...I love this photo!

The four of us together...
Brandon and his babies...
My mom and dad at brunch....
My daddy and I...oh how I love this man and I hope he knows it!
Happy Fathers day to two wonderful men and even better dads!

Brothers and Sisters...dress up!

Ah the silliness that is brothers and sisters at play...we are seeing more and more of this as we stretch into week 2 of summer vacation for Zachary. Playing together much better than before and with less prompting from me. They are both realizing how cool it is to have a built in buddy in the house that can play with them. I am loving listening to the sounds of them conversing...hysterical to listen to one correct the other and try to take charge. I am just enjoying watching their friendship flourish and letting them learn to appreciate each other.

Here is the two of them playing dress up the other morning...right now they are playing leapster together...yesterday it was play dough all day! What fun memories they are making!

It's Here!

The new car made it to Oklahoma on Friday night, Brandon was flying from LA to San Antonio Saturday, so he switched his flight to OKC and picked up the car yesterday and drove home last night...it is only 6 hours up there surprisingly. So here is the new car!

Waterslide!

One of the many toys I bought while at Edwards was this inflatable waterslide. It was expensive and for a brief moment I questioned its value...but every time I set it up I reminded it is worth its weight in gold. Hours of fun, smiles and happiness is always a result of this thing and then two tired kids at the end of the night was a great bonus for me. :)

Erin was much more willing this time to ride down the slide, unlike in CA. She asked for me to catch her, but then let Zach catch her and had a blast...it was so much fun.

He is fearless!

It is a pretty cool thing!
There he goes...
He loves this thing!
Old Pro!
Here she comes....
Planning to set it up again tomorrow for them...Can't wait!

Summer time = Watermelon!

I think the 2 go hand in hand! We love our watermelon here...so we are enjoying it as much as we can!

Morgan's Wonderland!

Yesterday we had a fun treat...we went to a new family fun park here in town...it is one of a kind, literally. It is the world's first park designed for children and adults with special needs. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was blown away. It had it all. Beautiful, clean, happy, peaceful...I am just so impressed I could talk for hours about it. We all got wrist bands that have a monitor on them so you can find any member of your family party while you are there. So if someone wanders away, you can find them. It is open and easy to get around. Quiet and peaceful. They limit the number of guests so it never gets too busy. It is so safe! All equipment is accessible for all kids. I was just thrilled. We had a great time and met some friends there...they have two girls and our kids all played, had fun and were completely entertained all day. It was a great day. I can't wait to go back again and again while we live here. What an amazing coincidence that San Antonio is home to this while we live here.

Here is the link if you want to check it out.

http://www.morganswonderland.com/

Zach on the carousel
Erin didn't love it as much as we thought she would...
Zach's friend Macy...
Macy and Erin shopping.
Erin Brittany and Macy...
Zachary taking a break...
Zach steering the boat. He played with two boys on this playscape for a while and it was cute to watch.
Zach driving the off road jeep...
He loved this part!
Erin and in the back along for the ride. Next trip we will let her drive one round.
Mindy helping Erin , Macy and Brittany fish.
Zach and his dad...
Zach and I....
The boys fishing...
Looking at the turtles...
Zach in front of the entrance...
Erin on a fun bumpy slide...
Zach, Macy and Brittany...
Diva Erin started off the day on a sour note...upset that there were sprinkles outside...
Zach enjoyed the train ride as always...
We can't wait to go back!