So, we survived what will go down as the hottest, driest summer in Texas history. Over 70 days of triple digit heat meant little to no time spent in the outdoors. That's a tough summer to survive with two kids two and under who LOVE playing outside, especially in water. The kiddie pool Brooke bought for the backyard started out being great, until we realized we needed chemicals and a pump to keep it clean or else it would mean purging the water every week! Considering it took several hours to fill and we were in the middle of a drought, that was not happening, so Brooke went out and bought a bigger kiddie pool, equipped fully with pump and chemicals, which Brooke and the kids fully enjoyed throughout all of June and July. August came, and well, even the pool water was just too hot to enjoy. We took the pool down a few weeks ago and are now attempting to nurse the grass back to health!! We call it our crop circle :)
Leighton started walking one week after she hit nine months. At eleven months she is now a pro, very steady on her feet unless she is tired, or wearing shoes! No words yet but she is starting with the baby babble. In fact she will down right start singing "ba ba ba" to you if you initiate it with her. In addition to singing, she dances usually on command, something Landon did not do very much of. Maybe she will end up being our 'artsy fartsy' kid! Nearly everywhere we go, we continue to get comments on how well behaved she is and what a happy baby she is. I even made a comment to my Dr. the other day, stating, I know I am biased, but she is the happiest baby I have ever seen. I sure hope she stays that way! She now has three teeth, two on the bottom, one on the top....and all the rest seem to be right on the verge of breaking through! She eats less and less baby food each day, wanting to eat more regular food that she can feed to herself, such as hotdog, cheerio's, etc.
In August we lost our at home day care provider, Regina, who decided to re-enter the workforce. While it was a huge blow for us knowing how well cared for they were with her, we made the ultimate decision for Robin to start keeping the kids at home, and altering his day time schedule for his school work. We found a Parents Day Out program at a local church which both kids attend Monday and Wednesday. Landon brings home a craft project every day. He is also the only kid that waves and blows kisses to dad when he is dropped off; all the other kids are usually crying.
We took both kids to a little ranch called 'Country Critters' on a church sponsored activity. Both kids rode a pony, pet some sheep and goats, and went on a hayride. Later that same day, Grandma and Grandpa McNeely took Landon to the Dallas Truck Show. Landon loves trucks and really enjoyed seeing all the big rigs on display. He even got two "tattoos" which he proudly showed us when he got home.
Grandma and Grandpa Tetzlaff were in from Wisconsin visiting last week. While they were here, we spent the weekend at a lodge/resort on Lake Ray Roberts, in Pilot Point Texas. The boys went fishing from the pier and a rented pontoon boat that we had for a half day on Saturday. For two days before we left for this mini retreat, Landon would wake up and go to bed saying "boat". For about a week after, Landon continued to wake up and go to bed saying "boat" and this time added a fishing motion he does with his hands and adding "spongebob" to his usual "boat" because his fishing pole is you guessed it, a yellow spongebob pole.
Robin and I have been spending a few hours at a time working on a little bathroom remodel project. Its one of those that would have been easy to complete in a weekend, but with two small kids, we only get naptimes and nighttimes after bedtime to work on it. Beth and Randy helped immensely with the project coming along. Randy helped Robin with measurements and getting the last of the panels completed. In addition he did all of the caulking and nail hole filling. Beth kept the kids entertained, allowing the boys to work on it while I was at work. Robin and I still have the trim to complete, but this weekend was too busy to get it done. It will have to wait until next weekend!
Brooke is getting back into 5k's and ran in the Oktoberfest 5k yesterday with her friend and co-worker Laura and her friend Lindsey. This threesome have run several 5ks together over the past couple of years, and now that Brooke is done being pregnant and recovering, she wants to get back into doing one run a month, weather permitting! We all know how she hates the cold, so Dec - March might be out!
Robin is now over half way done with his Masters degree. He is enrolled in three classes this semester, and next semester will complete the final two. He is really enjoying school and its challenges. He attempts to get to know and network with most of his professors. This week that paid off. Robin was asked to come to the school to take some photos for the new brochure that will be sent out to thousands of potential students, local businesses, and other universities that TxA&M Commerce is partnered with. He will be on the front of the brochure!! Very exciting!
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