Razorback Football!

For the past several years, Marc has made it a point to block off a weekend for us to go to Arkansas for a Razorback football game. Marc loves football and this has become a fun tradition he looks forward to! So, we made the long drive to Arkansas for a fun-filled weekend.

The weather was still warm enough for a swim which was a great treat we weren't expecting!

Isaac LOVES the water. Such a ham. :)

Then, it was time for game day! At the last minute we decided to take Eli with us (we had already planned on taking Isaac). I knew Eli would have fun but always hesitate to let him do something that Hailey is not also included in. She gets sad sometimes about being younger than him and occasionally gives us the impression she feels left out. So, I sat her down and asked her if she wanted to go sit in a seat for a long time and watch some boys throw a ball OR if she wanted to stay with the babysitter and Bailey and paint her toenails. She of course chose to stay which made me feel so much better about taking Eli with us. :)

Stacey and I sat with Isaac inside because my parents' seats were right in the sun. Marc and Eli sat with Nana and Papa D and had a great time!

 Got your nose Aunt Stacey!

And I finally got a sleeping baby even with all those fans calling the Hogs!

We had so much fun and look forward to our next trip to Arkansas for Thanksgiving!

Daddy Day Care

I have learned so much over the past 1 1/2 years that I have been a stay-at-home mom. SO much. Maybe I should blog about it sometime...but that would require me to sit and think and would entail the kind of blog that I don't have time for anymore. Ha! Above all the lessons, I have learned that I need occasional time away from my children to be the best mommy I can be. Whether you are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, parenting is tough work sometimes! I don't have slotted breaks like I used to at work. And "nap time" doesn't always live up to its title. Some days all three sleep at the same time for several hours (Yes!!!) and other days they all fall asleep at different times and wake at different times (No!!!) and I am left needing a nap myself. :)

I used to think "me" time sounded so selfish, but in reality it is absolutely essential for this phase of my life. I love serving my family, but as a mommy at home with a 4, 2, and 7 month old, I need moments away in order to maintain joy in serving each day without reaching burnout. So, I try to grab up at least an hour or two each week to get out of the house without pushing a stroller, carrying a baby in the carrier, or holding the hands of my sweet little boy and girl. Marc is who I surrender the troop to most of the time. It is a good time for Marc to bond with the kids and for the kids to enjoy their fun daddy (and did I mention good for the mommy too?).

Some of the daddy day care action this summer...

And at the end of all the bike riding, swinging, rolling in grass, swimming in the pool, eating popsicles and ice cream, just line 'em up in the tub and hose them down. Daddy style for sure. ;)