Dear Jesus

Good Morning! This is what I see when I walk into Gibson's room in the morning.

We went to Aunt Laura's to celebrate the 5th of July. Bobo and Pappy were already there when we arrived. Bobo and Pappy both got to swim with the kids prior to us eating lunch and heading back to Birmingham. Little Gibson got into his float that we got while at Sandestin and loved it again. This time though, he was a little more stable.

Anne Reaves, Saxon and LeLe had a fantastic time together. Saxon and Anne Reaves were trying to teach LeLe how to drive the Barbie jeep. However, it was a very slow process. Finally, Anne Reaves and Saxon just took off and little LeLe chased them forever!!

We came home and crashed.

LeLe's prayer tonight...

Dear Jesus, please be with Bobo, Pappy, Hossy (my Parent's dog), Brodie (The Meadow's dog), Fiver ("Skyler" the Meadows Dog), Sadie (our dog), Madden (Laura's Dog), Georgie (Aunt Tammie's dog), Sneezy, Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, and Snow White.

Happy 4th of July!

This year, we had the Woodworth family over to the house for the 4th. They have a little boy named Holden that is a month or so older than Gibson. They also have twin boys that are around 7 years old, Austin and Brandon. The twins and LeLe slid on the water slide for hours. Around 6:00, we dried them off and came in for dinner. After dinner, they wanted to go outside and play. We let them out, the next thing we know, the boys ran back inside saying that LeLe was sliding NAKED!! She had decided that she didn't have time to worry about a bathing suit and instead took it all off. I was mortified! They all thought that it was funny.

After dark, we went out front and shot off fireworks. LeLe hadn't had a nap and was exhausted. She didn't even come outside for the festivities as she was scared to death of the fireworks. Gibson and Holden didn't mind but Matt made them wear the headphones anyway. The fireworks were beautiful. Brandon and Auston got upset after they were over because they didn't last long enough.

We had a great time with the Woodworths and hope to be able to get the children back together soon.

As for Gibson...have you ever seen prunes look so good?

Sitting?

Gibson was showing out tonight as he sat for just a brief few seconds. We had purchased a huge ball that you can climb into and roll down a hill. LeLe tried it one time until she fell out of the whole and then she became scared of it. So, we captured a picture of her looking out of the top. The neighbors even came over to partake in the festivities (which was a bust).

Water Slide

For some reason, I have yet to take a picture of our new water slide. Matt brought it out today and LeLe had a fantastic time sliding. The Robinson girls came over to play on it as well and really enjoyed it. We always love when they come over to visit. McClain loved holding Gibson and well, Gibson loved McClain holding him. He did a great job eating this morning...he ate the whole container of oatmeal and pears. He doesn't really care for peaches or bananas.

Potty Training 101

Just a snap shot of what we have been doing a lot of at the Holland house....

LeLe is working on being potty trained. Today's location...the foyer.

Sweet Baby Boy

Gibson LOVES the bath. With his sensitive skin though, he only gets baths every couple of days. Regardless, he loves them. He really likes taking baths with his sister. He hasn't mastered sitting just yet but is working on it. He reaches for toys and slobbers a lot!

Introducing ....the High Chair

I really needed Gibson to eat a lot for dinner as I really need to catch some ZZZs after this crazy day. So, tonight, I decided to bring up LeLe's high chair. We leaned the high chair back as far as it would go and began feeding Gibson. He ate and ate and ate until the whole container of oatmeal and pears was gone. Gibson has a new trick...he found his bottom lip!

LeLe had a fit with him in the high chair and got rewarded with herself in timeout. She doesn't really like sharing. We are working on it though.

$10 Monday

Laura called and wanted LeLe and I to meet her at Alabama Adventure. So, I got Lauren to come over and watch Gibson while we went to the park. Let's just say...we didn't realize that it was $10 Monday. Won't be going back there on a Monday...ever! You couldn't even get in the water there were so many people.

We left after riding one ride, went to McDonald's and headed home.

Gibson fell asleep naked and we needed to do errands...so, he went in the car seat naked...unbelievable that I would ever let my child do such a thing.

LeLe found her Easter Bunny ears and her red shoes. The shoes have a leather sole so they are rather loud when you walk/stomp/dance. So, she gave us a performance tonight...bunny ears and all.

Fireworks!

Tonight, we were invited to United First Methodist in McCalla to celebrate the 4th of July. My cousin Lauren's granddad "aka Papa" was playing in the band at the event. I decided around 2:00 that we would go...but the kids really didn't have a 4th of July outfit. So, in my normal fashion, I whipped something up. Luckily, we had some time to spare. Lauren came early and spiked Gibson's hair. LeLe woke up just in time for the event.

We had a wonderful meal. I forgot how good church food is when everyone brings a dish. Anyway, the kids enjoyed the band. LeLe even did some dancing. During dinner, one of Nana's friends came by the table. In normal LeLe fashion, the conversation went something like this...

LeLe - "Do you like calepetters (aka catepillars)
Lady - "why yes sweetie, I do"
LeLe - "Do you like pistachios?
Lady - "yes honey, I do"
LeLe - "I wike your orange hair".
Lady (as I want to crawl under the table) - "thanks sweetie...at least it isn't gray"

They walk away...

Nana's brother, Uncle Charles appears...he has white hair

LeLe - "what's your name?"
Uncle Charles - "I am uncle Charles"
LeLe - "Hi Uncle Charles, I WeWe Holland - L - E - L - E. You have princess hair like me!"

After dinner, we went outside for a fireworks show. Matt had packed some sound proof headphones for the children and they were much needed as LeLe was scared to death. Once she got them on though, she would just shout out (very loudly) ever color that was in the firework. The elders of the group thought that it was too funny.

Little Gibson just stared in amazement but didn't mind the sound.

We didn't get home until after 9 but the kids had a fantastic time.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Today was our little nephew Alex's Birthday party. His party was at laser tag in Pelham. LeLe had a great time "playing" video games. Her daddy did too. Gibson just liked watching all of the bright monitors and the music.

After the birthday party, we went shopping for a blow up slide...we found one! I didn't get to take pictures this afternoon but will definitely post some soon. It is a hit!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE REAVES!!

Today is Little Anne Reaves 5th Birthday! I cannot believe how much my little angel niece has grown. Happy Birthday Anne Reaves!!

LeLe ended up skinning up her little feet and knee today. I believe that she has my coordination. Notice that she put a band-aid on herself (covering all of her toes). She was so proud.

Gibson is growing like a weed and continues to be a happy baby. We are slowly continuing to introduce foods. He does NOT care for peaches and really likes pears with oatmeal.

Big Boy!

Gibson is becoming such a big boy. He moves all around in his bed overnight. He is really becoming a great sleeper. He had started waking up at night for another feeding but after dosing him with oatmeal, he has slept and slept. He is such a happy little fellow. He has learned to blow bubbles and continues to enjoy sucking on his hands. He eats as much as you will feed him and likes to take a couple of naps a day. We are working on getting his afternoon nap and LeLe's afternoon nap on the same schedule. Sometimes, he just doesn't make it.

He has the biggest eyes and the longest eye lashes. He very rarely ever cries and loves loves loves his big sister. He is starting to really be able to hold himself up and barely fits in his crib horizontally.

Bad Dreams

LeLe has had several long nights this week waking up scared of a duck. After searching and searching, we determined that it was this duck....that was supposedly biting her.

So, we have gotten rid of the duck (or hid him in the closet). In the meantime, we have also stopped watching Snow White and a few other Disney movies that may be the culprit of these bad dreams.

We are still trying to transition to the big girl bed as LeLe still prefers the crib. We have put Barkley (her stuffed dog) beside her bed to protect her from the duck. :)

Visit from Anne Reaves and Saxon

Anne Reaves and Saxon came to stay with Bobo and Pappy. So, they came by to visit today. Every time that they come, Anne Reaves insists to take her picture with Baby Gibson. She loves him so very much. He sits very very still for her and just stares. He could care less what she does to him. He loves them so very much.

LeLe gets so very excited when they come too. They play so well together...for the most part. Before they leave though, Saxon and LeLe always get in a fight...over not sharing.
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