She Rolls

Although Charis' favorite mode of transportation lately has been scooting around on her back, it doesn't get her very far.  So, imagine her excitement (and mine) when she figured out how to roll over.  This still doesn't get her very far (yet), but she is working so hard to fine tune this skill.

Important Things

Already this morning I've been to a charge nurse meeting, done a load of laundry (complete with a scorpion in it), fed both kids and put one of them down for a nap.  But right now I'm playing with Davin, doing whatever he wants to do.  While his little sister is asleep, he gets his mommy all to himself (a rare thing these days), and there's nothing more important than that.

Sending Up Birthday Wishes... and a Request

Dad would have been celebrating a birthday today.  Lately, when I think of him, I get really teary eyed, sometimes because I'm thinking happy thoughts, and sometimes because I am so incredibly sad that he is gone.  It's strange, when he first passed away I was sad, but I must not have taken the time to mourn him then.  That, or it's a delayed reaction... denial... I don't know.  But it seems to be hitting me like a ton of bricks lately.  I miss visiting with him and learning from him.  I wish Davin could have had more time with him, they had such a tight bond.  I wish he could have met Charis (although, he probably got to hold her in his arms before any of us).
I have a request for anyone who reads this.  I want to make a scrapbook about Dad's life.  I have some pictures, and would always love to have more.  And I really need stories from you all.  Stories about happenings, timelines, relationships.  Anything!  If you need my email address, you can send me a message on facebook, or ask Mom for it.  Or, feel free to comment here.  Get in touch with me however you like, and please pass this request on to other family members and friends!  Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Dad.  You are always in our hearts!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Davin took his first fourwheeler ride this weekend.  He and Thomas drove in circles around my mom's house, and every time they passed by, we could hear Davin yelling "wheeeee" and "woo hoo!"  After several laps, he threw a huge tantrum (as only a 2 year old can) when Thomas put the fourwheeler away.

  I spent my late nights this weekend (we're talking like 2am) learning how to use my new Yudu.  I have been coveting one of these for ever!  It's basically an all in one hobby screen printing unit, and it's just as awesome as I thought it would be!  I made several things for Charis and myself using a hibiscus design, and they turned out so cute!  Next I need to design something for Davin. 

 This is the apron I made for myself.  Now I need to get back in the kitchen and cook!

Sunday morning we made our way to mass (Charis usually sleeps through it, but she's so darn cute in her dresses), then out to brunch.  I have had such an unexpected sense of peace since we have returned to attending mass the last couple weeks.

Davin got to spend the night with Grandma on Sunday night, since she didn't have to work on Monday.  We grilled steaks at her house, and then got Davin all ready for bed.  He was so happy to be staying, I think because 1) he is my mom's little buddy, he get so excited to go visit her, and 2) he got to do something his sister isn't old enough to do, and just for one night he got to be the only kid in the house again.  Thanks, Mom, for making Davin feel so special!

Monday morning, we got up and picked up Mom and Davin for a breakfast out.

We spent the rest of Labor Day playing outside in the little pool, eating watermelon, and grilling hot dogs.  This weekend kind of signifies that summer is winding down, a thought that I hate.  I love the season of swimming, flip flops and sunglass, cookouts, and lazy days!  I sometimes wish summer could last forever, but even if it won't, I had such a great weekend with my family!



Charis' New Jewelry!

My baby girl got her ears pierced today!  Sure, she cried until I calmly explained to her that beauty is pain and this is part of being a young lady.  Kidding!  She cried until I held her close and rocked her, but she actually didn't react as badly as I expected.  And, not that she wasn't stunningly beatiful before, but isn't she gorgeous with her little gold studs?

The Ultimate Hunting and Fishing Expedition

That's what took place on my kitchen floor yesterday.  Davin already had the airplane bear hunt adventure set from Bass Pro Shop, and added the fishing adventure set from Cabela's to his collection the other day.  So, all day, he was playing with these little action figures and their vehicles, telling me all about the "mans" and the boat and the "pictures" (that's what he calls the miniature binoculars).  I love watching him put his little imagination to work!

Mini Vacation

Over the weekend we took a little road trip to Phoenix, met up with Rik (Thomas' twin brother) and his family, and stayed at the Arizona Grand Resort, the home of the Oasis Water Park.  We have little kids, but the older of the two is a fish and the younger is training to be a fish, so the Oasis was perfect.

Davin and Charis both enjoyed the kiddie pool, Davin more for splashing and Charis more for relaxing with Thomas.  I think Dav really liked the idea of being able to stand on his own two feet in the water.  The lazy river was a hit for everyone except Charis, who didn't appreciate the life vest she had to wear or the arches of water spraying over the river in certain places.  Davin loved the wave pool, especially after he discovered the water lapping onto the "beach" and splashing over his feet and legs.  He also got a kick out of standing in the shallow part of the wave pool, holding both my hands, and letting the waves lift his feet out from under him!

Charis liked the water if she was snuggled with Daddy (and didn't have to wear that dang life vest), but she really prefered being dry and warm!  Once everyone else followed suit and headed for the shade, we got some refreshing drinks and food.

 Rik's fiance, Paola, is expecting a baby girl in December.  Charis will have a little cousin to play with!

Davin really loved the chocolate shake that was brought to him at his own request (he couldn't live without one once he heard Dinem order one)!

 Although the Littles are too, well, little to go on the slide, Thomas had to try it out (he's my big fish).  Once he got to the bottom there were guys giving him fist bumps and congratulating him on his speed coming down the slide and the size of his splash at the bottom (Thomas doesn't know what a stranger is, he makes friends with everyone he meets).

 After so much water and sun (not that we don't love it), it was time for cooling down in the room, naps, and then a yummy dinner at Grimaldi's.

Thanks so much to the other Dupont branch for vacationing with us, we had a blast!

Weekend in Pictures

This weekend was all about
-Smiles
-Loads of family
-Pretty new outfits
-Tickling
-Making music with cousins (and annoying them with it)
-Driving
-Coca Cola from a bottle
-Perfecting the golf swing
-Soccer
-A Harry Potter marathon
-An awesome gator hat

Saturday was all about...

-Stretching out on the floor
-Hangin' out with Daddy
-Watching the baseball game
-Using the iPad like a pro (Davin uses it better than I do)
-A sweet baby girl snuggling with Mommy
-Finally starting to understand how to play a game of Memory (knuckles!)
-Flip Flops
-Driving a car through the grocery store with a chocolate smoothie close by
-A venti Caramel Frappuccino for me, too!

Happy Birthday, Davin!

While Independence Day is a very special day to me in the same way it is to all Americans, July 4th is also the day I gave birth to my first child, Davin. I am always so in awe to watch this spunky little man who is now two years old. He is so full of energy and curiosity, and is definitely very opinionated these days.
One week ago, Davin gained a new little sister, which threw him a bit of an emotional curve ball. He has handled the whole situation quite well, though, and as a reward, he had today, which was all about him!
Of course we went to the parade, where he was most impressed by the fire trucks and Smokey the Bear. Then it was back home to see his big birthday gift, his very own power wheels Jeep. That's right, no more sitting in the front of people's cars and pretending, no more mini cooper. A car of his very own!
Later, we had Davin's birthday party at Brenda's house, where he got to swim, swing at a pinata, and just play around. By the way, take a look at that cake Mariah made for him and tell me the girl doesn't need to go into business! She is so good! Davin couldn't wait to take the cars off the top of it!
Happy Birthday, Davin! I love you, Little Man!

Charis Ann Dupont

Introducing our new little princess, born June 27.

Big Boy Bunk Beds

It's official, Davin moved into his Super Cool Big Boy Bedroom today with his Super Cool Big Boy Bunk Beds. He was so excited, he's been playing on the bed and in the chairs all day long. The transition has been pretty easy as far as sleep goes, too. We just have to remind him every once in a while that his bedroom is now on the right side of the hall instead of the left, because he forgets! Now it's time to redecorate the "Baby Room" for a little girl!