Melts my heart!

This past year for me has been met with many challenges coming in the form of aches & pains and recently some "boo boo's" that have literally been the "pits". Last night when Noah started praying for Mommy, Phillip and I added in "Thank-you Lord for healing ALL of Mommy's boo boo's". And then my 2 year old tags on "Thank you Lord for making all of Mommy's pain go away". Here we were using words like boo boo and magic bubbles (perioxide) and Noah comes out with a bold prayer using the language and wisdom well beyond his age. Of course I teared up and my heart melted.

Stay at home Daddy Day!

One of the pros and cons of Phillip's job is that sometimes he works on the weekend (yucky) but that means sometimes he is off during the week (yeah). This particular day I had some appts and Phillip agreed to watch Noah's buddy Logan for the morning. Phillip had the boys doing more activities than you could imagine. Basketball, hockey, soccer, the see-saw, rodeo (riding the rocking horses)plenty of water breaks and of course LUNCH! Phillip gets the #1 stay at home Daddy for the day award.

"Refreshing"

Noah and I have been spending these Hotlanta days at the pool. This week I brought some frozen juice boxes in the cooler. I had taken them out so they would melt a little so we could have them with our lunch. Noah saw them on the table and kept asking "are they ready yet are they ready yet?" Finally they were no longer frozen solid, but they were icy cold. Noah took one sip and said "REFRESHING". I had never heard him say that word before nor did I know he would use it completely in context!
He amazes be everyday!

Noah, Eli & Faith Checking out the Car Show Action

Not your Father's Father's Day!

Today church included some rocking music - including some Steve Miller, congregation participation "air guitar", IBC rootbeer, moon pies and slim jims for Dad's to munch on. Recliners for some lucky Dads, a movie instead of a sermon - and to top it off - A Car Show - complete with blowing up a engine (well almost), cutting a car in half and lunch from The Varisty - the best onion rings. Does your church do that and share the love of Jesus to boot! If you are every looking for an AWESOME church with people that love the Lord and love each other come with us any Sunday. www.cumberlandchurch.org.

Here are some pictures of Noah and Phillip at the car show and Noah getting to "drive" the Fire Engine. Check out the car cut in half. As Noah said say "cut in half like a sandwich"

A day of "treats"

This weekend was full of fun in the sun, cookouts, swimming, missing naps (oops) and staying up way to late. Saturday we had our neighborhood pool party. How many of you can say you LOVE your neighbors. It has taken a few years but we can! Noah has great playmates of all ages as do Phillip and I. We enjoyed a FULL day swimming and eating way to much that falls into the Harper family category of special treats. Noah was nonstop swimming, jumping in the bouncy castle, trying every new treat, not too mention the "after party" dancing. I think his favorite part of the day was Mrs Kelly's aka Matthew's mommy HOMEMADE chocolate ice cream!

TODAY

Lately Noah's language continues to amaze me. He says the sweetest things and even makes jokes at just that right time. Today I coughed and he "said Mommy are you okay"..."good Mommy", "may I please have more cookies" then he said "Mommy you say yes you may". We went by a few stores to look for some fun things for Phillip for Father's Day. Noah and I had a true disagreement about what color shirt would look better on Daddy (Noah wanted orange and I wanted the cornflower blue. Noah was very sure that Daddy would look better in orange, but truth be told that's not the one we bought. He did super at his swim lesson today. He can float the length of the pool and worked really hard on his swimming - keeping his face in the water and not looking up.
Just before nap he picked one of his favorite books "The Cat in the Hat" and read it to me from memory! Truly amazing sponges little ones are. I just love spending lazy summer days with him and I am counting the minutes until he wakes up so we can head back to the pool and more FUN!

Goggles or Sunglasses?

I have spent the past few days explaining the difference. I think he has finally got it!

Some Solar Appreciation!

Noah and Tyker enjoyed some pool time together this week! Here are the "bathing beauties" (can I call two handsome boys bathing beauties?) They are beautiful to me! I love the friendships that Noah has with his buddies it has been such a joy to watch him grow-up with sweet friends who have AMAZING parents! What a blessing!

More fun in the sun!

This week has been filled with pool playdates and some private pool time with Mommy and Daddy. Noah always makes sure to say "Mommy are you ready" that's the cue that he is about to jump him. He often says "I don't want to float on my back, I want to kick". I give him some quick encouragement and tell him lets float and count to 10 than you can play bubbles. Before he can answer I have him on his back. I am AMAZED at how well he is floating and diving for his dive toys. He is still working hard to swim from Mommmy or Daddy to the steps without ending up completely vertical - but like Mommy loves every minute at the pool.
This weekend the Kemp Family joined us. So fun!

Swimming is..."easy"

This year Noah started swimming back in February when we went on a cruise aka "the big boat for my birthday". When we got back Noah started his "swim school"/swim lessons. Before we knew it Noah was floating on his back (this is hard for little ones) swimming, blowing bubbles, kicking, grabbing dive toys from the bottom of the pool, jumping in, etc etc etc. He would walk around saying "swimming is easy...floating is easy". Our pool opened Memorial Day weekend and those who know me well know that we plan to go to the pool everyday unless it is raining. So they we were at our pool and there Noah was looking at us like he had never seen a pool before. What?!. After talking with his "swim school teachers" and much persistance on my part, Noah is realizing that the skills he has learned at swim school will work in any pool even with Mommy! I am so proud of him he loves to "dive" for his toys and although is still hesitant he is attempting floating and swimming at our pool, his buddies pool as well as at swim school. Today he and Eli tour up the baby pool and were laughing and talking about whatever it is 2 year old laugh and talk to each other about. We were not without needing to correct for not wanting to share or breaking some other pool rules. At our pool rule #8 is no running, so whatever pool we are at no running is rule #8. Someone tell me why that rule is so hard for a 2 year old to follow.