Freckles on my legs and other exciting tidbits

So, I have freckles on my legs right now. It has been so long since I last had freckles on my legs that I had forgotten I ever got them. Freckles = my skin's version of a sun tan, so that should tell you how much time we've spent outside this summer. Mainly at the pool. Yes, in all my preggo glory, I jump in the pool with the rest of Texas. What else are you supposed to do in this heat?? We sure have loved having access to a pool... and not having to maintain it. It's the best thing I can say about living in an HOA neighborhood.

I can't quite believe that this month is almost half over - summer is almost gone! Amazing. We've had a lovely one - full of family, weddings, birthday celebrating, swimming, etc. A few pics from the last couple months:

R & S's wedding celebration!

pooped out after partying hard with cousins

Sophie received a hand-me-down Tinker Bell backpack from Aunt Lindsey - thrilled is an understatement. :)
Travis' birthday loot - a boy toy!!! Doesn't he look happy about that?!

My fabulous mother made these curtain for our dining room!! They are beautiful and we love them! Thanks, Mom!! This room is currently under renovation. Will post pics when we're done. But it required Bryce buying a book on Trimwork. He was really happy about that. :)

Last week we had some of our dear friends come for a week-long visit!!!! It was awesome to see them again. Their two little girls are the same ages as Sophie and Travis and it was a non-stop party the whole time they were here. We even MADE DRESSES - as in, by HAND - for the girls (sorry, Trav). It's not something I would ever attempt myself and all the congratulations should go to Allison for getting us through the project! They turned out so adorable --- see for yourself!

We thoroughly enjoyed having them here - and are crossing our fingers they move to this great state next year...!!! Some of the festivities:

swimming (of course!)

after eating Sunday beans

the famous Texas donut!

the sprinkler park

snacking (and dancing) at the sprinkler park

everyone's favorite place to visit: Sam's Club! (these two are destined to marry some day)

and the Children's Museum!

It was a very fun week. :) In other news, Sophie has discovered pen and paper and there's been no separating the 3 of them these last several weeks. She's getting pretty good, too! Here's her portrait of her beloved Purple Bunny (thank you, Carrie!):

Travis has taken to flying as a new favorite pastime. He begs Bryce to throw him as high as possible any chance he can. Here he is mid-flight:

And we all know my favorite pastime of late: getting deals! Here's my loot from today's shopping trip with my lovely assistant showing off the softsoap. He wore that hat ALL DAY LONG today and bawled his eyes out when Bryce put it away at bedtime. Our very own little gilligan!
SO, all this SHOULD have cost me $11.93. I paid $13.73. Unfortunately, I didn't catch the mistakes (items rang up at the wrong price) until I got home and studied my receipt (2nd favorite pastime). I could go back and they'd refund me my cold hard cash, but somehow, driving to the other side of the city for $1.80 doesn't seem worth the gas or my time. But darn it!!! $2 is a lot of money when your total is $12-ish!! Next time...
Highlights: Kix cereal for $0.74 each; Cheerios for $0.74 (should have been $0.44!! this was one of the things that rang up at the wrong price); Chex cereal for $0.99; fruit snacks for $0.24 each; salad dressing for $0.32 each; and the Softsoap was FREE thanks to the tripled coupon! So fun.

The kids are also really into dress-ups right now. The other night they came downstairs in these get-ups. I about died of laughter. Doesn't Travis make such a pretty princess?? Sophie was very proud of having picked out and then helped him into his outfit.
A few more pics from swimming adventures. It's a good thing I got a mega deal on swim diapers b/c we are flying through them this summer! Travis looooooves getting to wear his fish diapers as he calls them - here he is modeling them for us:

Sophie is completely fearless in the water. This causes great fear in her mother, who now absolutely refuses to go to the pool without Bryce. Having a 1:1 adult to child ratio is much safer for the health of these kids - both of whom think they can swim. At least Travis will wear water wings, but still...

And now I think that's enough from me for tonight. Happy Thursday, all!