Cousin Love!

Gracie is such a lucky girl.  As of right now, she's got 3 cousins and she love, love, loves them!   There's another cousin in the oven... Aunt Brandi's oven! Yay!  And I am just sure that Gracie will be in love with Cousin Kershner, too!

Of all her cousins, she plays with Kianna the most.  They're the best playmates and seriously the cutest girls you've ever seen.  I'm not kidding.  So.  Cute.  She also adores her cousin Kyle and when you ask who her best friend is, she will tell you "Ky!"  It appears that the oldests have a special bond.  And then there's Natalie.  I'm pretty sure Gracie thinks Natalie is her own personal baby doll.  It's almost ridiculous how much my kid loves Natalie.  I really should be more accurate, Gracie loves "Nata-la-wee"  She adds a syllable to her name almost every time she says it.  Which of course, I think is adorable.  She constantly asks to hold her and will sing to her when she cries.  She kisses her on her forehead and offers her a pacifier, even when she's sleeping (probably because Gracie loves her paci so much).  Before Gracie goes off to play, she'll run back to smooch Natalawee and pet her hand.  It makes me think that she'll be a great big sissy someday!

Summer Bucket List

Now that the warmer weather has finally arrived, summer fever has infected the Weavers!  Most of our evenings are spent outside enjoying our swing set or blowing bubbles.  Swinging on the hammock while watching "pretend Barney" on the "pretend TV" in the maple trees is definitely our idea of a good time!  Ryan and I both love Gracie's creativity and outdoorsy nature.  Even the constant "I go camping today?" questions don't get annoying, because we're itching to go, too!

In an effort to keep things fresh and exciting this summer, I've created a Summer Bucket List for Gracie and I (and Ryan when possible).  For me, the basic premise is to be intentional about making memories when spending time with Gracie.  The whole idea was inspired by The Happy Family Movement, an organization that was started by the couple who photographed our wedding back in 2007.  I chose items for our list that Gracie has been asking to do, as well as items that are free or cheap because making memories doesn't have to cost anything.

Because Gracie isn't reading yet (duh!), I've made it visual by printing pictures to hang in the living room so that she can help me decide which activity we might cross off the list next.  And after we complete the activity, we'll add a sticker to the back.  Some of them we may do more than once, so I'm thinking a sticker for every time we complete the activity.

So here's our list!  We're all very excited about the fun in our future!  Check back throughout the summer to see our progress!

1. Explore the zoo

2.  Play at a park

3.  Ride on a train

4.  Run through a fountain

5.  Go to the pool

6.  Visit a farm

7.  Go to a Royal's game

8.  Eat ice cream outside

9.  Explore on a nature trail

10.  Watch fireworks

11.  Go on a picnic

12.  Visit the library

13.  Pick fresh fruit

14.  Go camping

15.  Watch airplanes

Macken Park

We met the Hurt family for a picnic at Macken Park today. It was a gorgeous day for playing on the "twisty slide" and swings.

Uncle John and Kyle walked to QT to get slushies while we girls played on the playground. Natalie and Stephanie sat in the shade while Kia, Gracie, and I took turns on the slide. You know slides have come a long way from the hot metal hazards of my day. These new plastic slides don't get nearly as hot, but I'll tell you what, the static electricity builds up something fierce on them. No joke... I seriously thought I blew my fingernail off more than once today! I think it's because I'm so big, the girls don't have a much of a problem. But holy moly... it's serious electricity!

Here are a few pictures from our day. I just love the crazy faces I snap of Gracie! Sorry for not capturing the slide... I didn't dare use an electronic device near all that static for fear we might blow! Just kidding... I must've been having too much fun to stop for pictures.