Daddy's Day!

Today was a very special Father's Day as it was the first one with our two girls! We wanted to make it extra special! Ava and I got up early to make daddy a special breakfast in bed. We made fresh blueberry pancakes with coffee. Ava decorated a card for daddy for his special day! She also gave him a private concert with her kazoo, maracas and drums! Aubrey gave daddy a day full of smiles!

Yummy blueberry pancakes

Ava's card that she decorated!

Daddy's Day kisses!!!!

Ava "reading" daddy his card!

Harmony and Pepaw came over for a very special father's day lunch! We are very grateful for this father's day since Pepaw is home and recovering well from his stroke!

Papaw's presents

Harmony feeding Aubrey

Daddy and his girls!

My Favorite...Ava always looking to see what her daddy is doing!

Philipians 4 Time

About two hours after putting Ava to bed, I heard sobs outside my bedroom door. "Momma", "Momma." I ran out to see what was wrong. "There's a bug!", Ava exclaimed as she pointed to a beetle on the ground with her stopped up nose voice. I gave her hug and asked her if she was okay. "I don't feel good, momma." "Do you want to sleep with me in my bed?" "YES" she stated emphatically as she gave me a hug.
I knew she had been under the weather with a cold. Both of my girls were. After an hour of tossing and turning and wanting to look at the pictures on my duvet comforter as I made up stories, I decided that we really need to go to bed. After all, I had to get to work in the morning. So I closed my eyes and began to lightly stroke her face, eyebrows and hair just as my my mom used to do with me. Then I felt the sweetest feeling. The smallest, softest hands were ever so gently stroking my face, eyebrows and hair.

Thank you Lord for this moment!

Swim Lessons -"The Finale" or aka "The Fit"

Ava is taking her first ever swim lessons. This is not a mommy and me lesson. I actually drop Ava off which makes me nervous, but I prefer this as I know she will do better. I was very scared of the water when I was young. I hated water in my face and was scared to death of the deep end. In fact, my swim instructor literally turned me upside down and shot me into the water to prove to me that I could swim in the deep end. Ava is also scared to get water in her face. She likes the water, but is not a fan of it in her face. It is weird to see yourself in your child.

Today was the final day to "show off" what each child had learned. I fully expected Ava to be dramatic since I was there watching her. For some reason, I bring this out in her. She put her face into the water 3 times with no problem. She even floated on her back, screaming and crying, but she did it none the less.

Putting her face in the water

floating on her back while crying

Now I know we always blog about the fun, funny and sweet moments with our children. But I really want to capture the entire experience of raising our children. After she finished her dramatic back float, Ava went into a full fledged toddler fit. I am unsure if this was from embarrassment, anger because I did not save her from the back float or because her swim suit moved a half of an inch to the left.....really I never know. I put her into time out hoping this would quiet her while the other children "show-off" their skills. As she sat in her corner, she began to scream (and I mean scream) at the top of her lungs MOMMA, MOMMA, MOMMA.....all eyes of the children and parents were looking at me. I was mortified to say the least. As I held Aubrey with one arm, I grabbed Ava with the other arm and took her outside of the pool area. I was determined to discipline her, when I noticed the next class full of parents and children waiting outside the gate. All of this is occurring as I am sweating like a pig in the 100 degree Texas heat. So I put her in a corner and went back into the pool area to cheer on the other kids. Ava's screams could be heard from a quarter mile area for sure. We left without her even saying "thank you" or "good-bye" to her teachers. Nothing makes me more upset as a parent than when my child is ungrateful, rude or unkind. Manners are huge in my book. Perhaps she will inherit the Fruits of the Spirit when she becomes saved.

Raising children is hard. It brings out the best and worst in you all at the same time. Good news is that she is able to put her face in the water and float on her back. The bad news is she tells me she is "to little" for swim lessons. Now that the the fit is over, I can say that she is super cute in her swimwear and likes me to refer to her as "swimmer girl."

"Swimmer Girl" posing

Playing "drums" on Aubrey's head

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She likes it!

Tiny Dancer

Today was Ava's first day of dance class! She is taking a summer workshop called "Tiny Angels". She is learning tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, bible stories, crafts, etc.....She was so excited. She came into my room this morning with her dance skirt on top of her P.J. bottoms and holding her tap shoes telling me "I'm ready to go to dance class!" I can't wait to see her performance at the end of the workshop. She has always loved dancing and I must say, she has excellent rhythm! (All Diesch's do--wink, wink)

Our 7 Month Old

Aubrey turned 7 months old! I missed her 6 months post, but here is a rundown on what she is doing.

• Sitting up independently.
• Making circles while on her tummy and leaning and reaching towards things. I feel mobility will be any day now.
• She officially has her first two teeth. They came in together on the bottom.
• Eating all types of fruit and veggies. She also is working on juice in the cup. She loves it....all 16lbs of her!
• She is really into toys and playtime. Especially things that light up.
• Putting everything and anything into her mouth. Ava never did this (seriously), so this is a new experience!
• Holding her own bottle and paci like a champ!
• Laughing at her sister and watching her every move. Ava has even taken to the big sister role. Every time Aubrey wakes up for her nap, she goes in there and stands on her crib and entertains her until I get in there. One day I will get this on video!
• She has found her voice. The other day she was yelling at the top of her lungs just to hear herself. I was so shocked. Who is this loud baby? Also, if she wants something and we take it away or Ava takes it away, she will let out some grunts or cries to let you know she is not happy about it. Yes, she is a Diesch.
• Smiling all the time! Little Miss Sunshine is the happiest and easy going baby. I am enjoying it while I can, because one day she will be two!!!