Wrapping Up Summer with Famous Words...

I started this post yesterday... just like any other. Then this morning as I was sitting having a tea party with the kids, my heart started to beat a little faster.  I was filled with joy at the sight of my boys praising Ava on how delicious her (pretend) sandwiches, cakes and tea were.  And Ava was delighted that the boys were enjoying her creations.  She seemed to light up with each new comment and replied with a voice as chipper as a songbird in summer,  "Danks!" (or "Thanks!).  I realize how lucky I am to have these three little angels in my life.  And how lucky I am to be able to be home to relish in these moments with them.  To take in the little things.

As I reflected back on our summer and thought of all the fun things we did, I realize these are my children's future memories.  Not just "fun stuff we did" These things they will recall years down the road from a totally different prospective.  There are often times that I relay things from the past to my own Mom and she often times says she doesn't remember it that way, or not at all.  So interesting to think of the things that will forever influence the life of my children without me even recognizing it.  And visa versa I guess.  My children will probably never know just how much they changed myself and their Dads lives.  They will have no idea that the day(s) they were born were the best days of my life.  They will never know just how much I love them... because my love for them is beyond measure.  Anyway, I regress and tell you things you've all heard a million times from me before, I'm sure you're all thinking, yeah, yeah, we've heard this all before... but ultimately this blog isn't for you.  It's for them.  And there will never come a day that I will say  "I've said "I love you" enough."  BUT part of the blog title of this post is "Famous Words"...

In my epiphany moment this morning I was thinking back on the funny things the kids say... like, all the time.  Things I think I will never forget.  Then I do.  So before the "wrapping up summer" pics, I wanted to make note to my children about some of the fun/funny things they have said that have stuck with us, that have become known as the "famous words" at our house.  There are little things every day but some things have somehow stuck around.  We will forever call humming birds "honey butts" thanks to Ollie.  Kahner has brought us the little gems of "Oofu Dada" (Kung Fu Panda) and "Unkle" (Ankle). And since Ava is still small and there are many things I remember still, some of the most recent are "bewwies" (Fairies) and this morning she asked to watch "Ratatouille" and as the Eiffel Tower appeared on the screen she said "Sky Raper!"  I was simultaneously amused and surprised that she knew what a sky scraper was.  These are just a few of the things I want to remember.  Wayyyy down the road when my babies are grown.

And our final wrapping up summer play date was with none other than my bff Racheal and her kiddos (of course!).  We did Hogle Zoo and Living Planet Aquarium  in one day.  It was a lot but, it was a blast!  Then again, it usually is with them :0)

I love to see their little faces glued to the glass (in this case looking for the polar bear)

 Jaxon and Kahner are getting to be the best of buddies!  It was really fun to see them whispering secrets holding hands so they wouldn't loose each other running down the path's and giggling at the funny things the animals were doing.

 Ava and Claire are such silly girls!  They made sure that the boys didn't get away with anything that day, hehehe.

 Trying to get the whole crew was like trying to photograph a six ring circus in action... pretty much impossible to capture all that craziness at once!

 silly boys, always egging each other on...

 Cute Claire...

 As we were leaving we were surprised to see Rapunzel and Belle at the Zoo exit!  The kids were so excited!  Ava took a few minutes to warm up, but Kahner being the sweet brother (and womanizer) he is, was happy to stand in with Ava so the princess' wouldn't eat her alive or anything.

 ... a hug might be ok... she doesn't look like she has fangs or anything...

 Ollie has to do what Kahner is doing :D

 forget horses!  Giant frogs are the way to go in terms of transportation!

 The entire six ring circus all in the same picture!!

 Getting big!

 "When i turn six, i'll be as big as this Emperor Penguin!"

At the end of the day, we were all tuckered out and I tried to give Ava a haircut.  I will mention it but I will NOT post a picture of it.  Yes.  it's that bad.  Sorry Ava.  Since my beautiful sister in law Hailey and my brother Jared moved back to Oregon, we've all gone into hair withdrawals.  We can't let just anybody do our hair! (especially Mommy apparently)  It was a fun filled summer and we are still working on buttoning up things to start the new school year.  It's back to structure and schedules soon. My baby boys start school and a new soccer season in one week!!  And  tomorrow, Duc will officially be sworn in as a Citizen of the most wonderful country in the world.  We are very much looking forward to that!  Happy Summer's End Ya'll!!