Tea Time

Lauren's obsessed with Aveda tea (just like her mama). We got some with our Aveda points tonight at the mall and she couldn't wait to make it when we got home. Ben pretended he loved it too:) 

These two turned in their Summer Reading program charts on Monday. While they weren't completely thrilled to be doing these charts all summer they were so excited to get these light up glasses. I mean, who wouldn't be?! 

Bye Bye Tooth, Hello Tooth Fairy

 Before

 1st attempt at pulling out the tooth that was just hanging there. She was all excited, then freaked out. So she went to bed and about 5 minutes later came in and suggested I hold her why she watches a show so she'd be distracted while Kevin pulled it out. Her plans always crack me up. 

 Her little plan worked!

 Had to call Nana & Pa and Oma & Opa to tell them the big news!!! 

 Since it didn't come out until 9pm she decided to write the tooth fairy a letter. 

 It was kind of last minute so she really hoped she'd be able to make it in time. 

 The letter to "Tootheetina" (Lauren loves the book Silverlicious, that's where she got the name!)

Tootheetina didn't disappoint! She was able to make it last minute and appreciated Lauren's letter so much that she let her keep the tooth and gave her $5. She did tell her it was only because it was the 1st tooth so she wanted to make it extra special, the other teeth probably won't be as valuable:) 

Traveling

 These two decided to take their kid on a trip the other day. Lauren put on the B'jorn and packed the baby and their bags and off they went. Love that Ben even wore the bow tie for the trip. Apparently it was a fancy trip:) 

PE

Today Lauren asked me if she was going to be working out in first grade. I said, "No, why would you think that?" and she said, "Well I know there is a gym at school so I assumed we'd be working out in it." (1/2 day kindergarten doesn't get PE so she doesn't know what it is). So I explained what PE was and that they'd be doing a variety of games and sports each week. So naturally she told Sadie all about PE and they got dressed and ready to "practice PE". They crack me up!

Princess & Dragon party

Lauren & Ben were invited to a very cool party today. Jessica (who also takes our family pics) out did herself and put on one amazing party. She made dragon tails, tu-tu's, crowns, dragon eggs, and 2 incredible looking cakes! Lauren said, "Wow, she's really creative & talented, I wish she were my mom!" She then retracted her statement and said, "If I could have 2 moms I'd want her to be the other one". Nice save Lauren:)

Outdoor Movie Night

Kevin took the kids to watch The Lorax at outdoor movie night at the Y. Looks like they had fun!

Seabrook

 We just got back from 3 nights at Seabrook. To say we loved it is an understatment. It was the best. Can't wait to go back! 

 The cute cottage we stayed in.

 Love this boys laugh!

 Relaxing on the sun porch. 

 John playing on his ipad- love Ben smiling in the background.

 Roasting s'mores out by the fire pit.

 Walking down to the beach for a morning shell hunt. 

 Loved the cute trails & bridge.

 So excited to be at the beach!

 searching for sand dollars

 Poor Ben has really sensitive skin and the salt water aggravates it a lot. He had rashes all over his legs and stripped down every time his shorts got wet. 

 In our Seabrook hoodies. I'm a sucker for hoodies:) 

 Lauren the fish LOVED the pool!

 benny & Kevin in the hot tub. 

 Dinner at Mill 109, great food and great entertainment.
There was a little duo singing and playing the guitar and they were great! 

 Our crew! Can't until next year and we have baby Palacios with us:) 

 We made s'mores with chocolate chip cookies~heavenly!

 Yum!

 This boy LOVES his marshmallows!

 My favorite girl. 

 Lauren & Kevin skim boarding. 

 Ben tried too but I didn't get any pics because the poor boy was in so much pain from the salt water he stripped down naked right there on the beach. 

 They opened up an "ice cream" shop. Aimee was in charge of getting all the ingredients for the flavors- caramel, various chips- she was such a good sport to go collect things for them:) 

 The castle Kev & I built. 

 John enjoying one of his last trips where he gets to actually just relax on the beach:) 

 Washing off all the sand dollars they found!

 Lining them up- we got 15 whole ones! 

 We love Seabrook!

 This little lady had herself a very good time. She met two boys that she had a blast with. We had some funny conversations with them and it gave us quite the glimpse into her teenage life. The boys took her on a hike and a bike ride, sans parents. They were quite the charmers. The 8 year old said to me before the hike, "If it'd make you more comfortable you can come with us." Then when they were leaving for the bike ride I said, "I'd like you to check in every 10 minutes," and he said, "Oh we'll check in every 5 minutes." But they didn't get back until dusk and I may have lost a few years off my life. The next morning when we were packing up the boys asked Kevin for Lauren's phone number and suggested they write theirs down for us as well, you know so they can have a play date (they do happen to live a few miles from us). And so it begins. 

Love Love Love it there! 

We are already trying to decide when we should go back.