July Fun

July has been jam packed with playdates, summer fun, running errands...I honestly have no idea where the time has gone!  I have loved being at home with my little guy.  He still wasn't quite old enough to stay up and enjoy fireworks on the Fourth this year, but we did enjoy the Nathan's hot dog eating championship, a (hot) day in the backyard where Reid played in his new sandbox and pool, and of course grilling.  He didn't care for the popsicles or ice cream he was offered, but did have lots of fun drinking the pool water (clean, thankfully!) out of various toys.

 He finally loves taking baths.  His new favorite thing in the tub is to "wash" his car or truck he's dragged in.  The real car wash has become quite a treat and he asks for that and "tots" (Sonic is right next door) every time we drive past.  Love the white hiney, too.  This boy tans so well...you'd never know he wears spf 100 all the time!

 Pretty sure this kiddo isn't ready for full on potty training, but I'm prepared.  He loves to watch his new "Elmo's Potty Time" dvd (or "dd," as he calls them) and took the best seat in the house.  He has gone a few times on the big potty.  I ordered a special toilet seat that has an attachment for a tiny bottom that magnetically stays up except when you're using it.  It's great and stays out of the way, unlike all the other attachments, most of which don't even fit elongated lids.

One of the girls in our playgroup found the neatest kids' kiddie pool/waterpark in Plano.  It has water slides, wheels that turn water on/off, sprayers, bubblers, and a great shaded picnic area.  All the water in the pool only comes up to your calves, so he doesn't even have to wear his puddle jumper because he can just stand right up.  

 His favorite thing was this slide, which he did over and over and over again.  We had so much fun that we went back the next day, a Saturday, with Daddy.

 Other big news...Reid has graduated to his toddler bed!  We'd been apprehensive in deciding when to do this, but it really wasn't a big change after all.  So far, he has stayed in the bed until we come to get him.  And then he wants to go under the "bridge" we make out of the crib bumper so he can get out.  I know one of these days, though, he'll give me a heart attack and be wandering around all on his own, so we are very careful to keep the gate at the top of the stairs closed at night and nap times.

I am really glad we didn't pay to join The Little Gym this summer like everyone else in the playgroup.  We went to a birthday party there and Reid pretty much did his own thing, didn't sit down to listen or sing, but finally did join in on the bouncing at one point.  I went home exhausted from chasing him around and picking him up. 

Another great thing about our playgroup is that we have MNO (Mom's Night Out) about once a month.  This is only part of the group since not everyone could make it that night, but you get the idea.  This was our feather earring night, if you notice ;)  We usually go out to dinner and just chat, but this particular night we did dinner and a movie.  It's great because it's girl time, plus we talk about our kids and get advice, and we're all teachers, too, so of course that's a hot topic of conversation as well.  Fun times!