One of the best summer days so far...July 4th

Slept until 8:30. Latest so far this summer. 

Turned the TV off at 10:00 didn't turn it on again until 5:00. 

Stuck to my guns and did not let the kids turn on the TV (or any other screen) until they stopped whining and did their 5 minute pick ups. 

Set up a scavenger hunt with clues for the kiddos in effort to get Wilder to practice reading. 

Set a goal with Gwynny - Learn the first list of sight words for kindergarten - get a new Wonder Woman costume. Her idea. (Trying to make a little effort!)

Tried to teach my 3 year old that screaming is not the answer when she's mad or frustrated. Going to have to keep working.

Watched Wilder and Gwyneth work on mosaics for the new treehouse and marveled at how little treasures I've been holding onto for years are now getting a new purpose in their artwork. 

Got excited that the treehouse is almost finished! Love and miss you honey. 

Made a Starbucks's run on the way to Wal-Mart to buy groceries for dessert. 

Let the kids pick out new electronic toothbrushes. Oh the excitement. Whatever it takes people. Happy kids, clean teeth, it's a win win.

Kept my cool through all the owies, fighting, and not getting my way kind of crying. 

Played, really played with the kids today. 

Won some mom points and popped some black cats like a boss.

Watched as Addy kissed Wilder on the shoulder at dinner "because she loves him." I wasn't supposed to see, she let me know immediately.

Tried to accept Wilder's non interest in athletics today. Blake and I have both been trying to get him to run a mile fun run in the Owasso Ram Run next week. He just doesn't want to do it. So what do you like? "nature, art." Thinking about Cub Scouts for him. Just seems like it would be a good fit. Bad idea? Just how nerdy are Cub Scouts? Err...? 

Laughed, truly laughed, with the rest of the family at our creative Gwyneth. Wilder: "Gwyn you are hilarious." Also watched as she talked out loud to two neighbors on our walk this evening. Maybe, just maybe she is starting to come out of her shell. At dinner tonight she gave her fork "pants" by filling it with poked peas. (Sound like a familiar story dad?) This opened a whole can of sillies at dinner time. She also said "darn it mac and cheese and steak" on our walk this evening. What?? Where did you come up with that? "In my brain."

Had enough patience to let Addy ride her bike on our walk this evening. Hoping she is the one who will actually keep riding it. I love watching her little legs peddle fast. So cute! 

Made the yummiest dessert. Wilder and I named it The Sugar Bomb. We stuffed waffle cones with marshmallow's, berries, and chocolate, wrapped them in foil and put them on the grill. (Ok, pinterest) Then we topped it with ice cream! Definitely too much for the 3 year old. Her bomb exploded onto her plate and all over her entire body. 

The greatest victory: Somehow managed to give everyone baths and put to bed at 10:00 without getting grumpy from my own tiredness. I wish every bedtime could always be as smooth. 

It's the little things that keep us going right?