cleaning time

Yesterday I went to help clean the toys in the nursery at our church, and while we were cleaning it was the perfect way for the kids to stay entertained. Gwen and Austin played with these little houses as we finished up.
As we were getting ready to leave Ellie helped me by holding Harrison for a little bit, he is practically the same size as her, but he really likes her, so he played nice. What good little helpers. (Madison, Harrison, Ellie, and Gwen) It is true what they say, cleaning up is fun to do.

more Polly Pocket please

I had no clue that such a little toy could have such an impact on kids. We got one of these little Polly Pockets in a happy meal one day, and when Gwen opened it up she had the idea that Polly was a princess, I think that London and Maddie had a good deal to do with planting the princess seed.
Gwen was not the only one to fight for the Polly Pocket though, Harrison really likes it too, I don't know if that is just because Gwen rarely sets it down, or just because it is new.
We went back to get another one so that each kid could have one, not that that worked, but when we got home Harrison had some how gotten one away from Gwen and had it in his mouth, and all of a sudden I hear Gwen say to him " Harrison don't eat that princess!" I couldn't do anything but laugh. Sure Gwen protect the princess.

Oh Polly Pocket, what a fun little jolt you have added to our crazy days.

Shake it up...

On Saturday night we tried a new place that we have been hearing about for quite some time. It is called Shakes. They serve frozen custard, and it is yummy!! James tried the strawberry custard in shake form, and I had a fudge brownie sundae. If you are looking for a ice cream treat that is creamy and delish, this is the place to go. Enjoy.

Oh little sheepy sheep

This little sheep has more than mesmerized the kids. Gwen likes to tote it around as her sidekick.
Here she is getting the sheep all ready for the ride. Yep everybody on...
Ready, set, go go go! Bikes are a big deal around here. Whenever we are out and about and Gwen sees a person on a bike or a motorcycle she gets really excited to point it out, and then asks to ride a bike. She is not so great with the pedals, but we have a while to work on that one I guess.

Classic Gwen

We went to the kiddie park the other day, and I saw the return of the classic Gwen in the pictures. Here is Gwen riding on the carousel, she rode it all by herself, I had to stay on the side with Harrison, but she did a great job. As you can see she was already in don't look at the camera mode for the day.
While Abby was more than ready to flash a smile, Gwen gave a slight wince.
Love this one because you can actually see that she has a normal happy smile...even though she won't look at me for anything.
another regular move by Gwen. Everyone else looks at the camera when called, but Gwen takes her time, finishes her thoughts, and then when the picture is over she may turn and look.
Or here is a great one. The grumpster look, and I snapped this one after the other cameras were done, just to show you that she will look late. Nice moves Gwen, you do keep us guessing when it comes to the use of the camera.

girly girl stuff

Yesterday I had a moment that I have been waiting for since I found out that I was having Gwen...she actually wanted, and let me paint her finger and toe nails. Thanks to Paige for giving her these little polishes she was so excited to "use" them.
She was asking me for "shiny pink" and "the purple one".
The drying process was a little tricky because as soon as I had finished she wanted to be back to playing, so I tried to get her to blow air on them, but there were a few casualties. Over all thought I have to say that it was moment that any mom would be so proud of.
We also took a trip to Zilker Park and rode the little train and played outside, even though I was melting in the heat. Here is Gwen "pretend posing" for the camera. Hey I was just glad that she was looking at the camera. She is getting more independent and grown up all the time, I just love it.

cupcake crumbs

Three blonde haired monsters eating chocolate cupcakes, and laughing at each other.
Gwen was making the biggest mess ever, but since she was smiling for the camera I let it pass.
London and Maddie were more than happy to say cheese to the camera
and in the mean time they were aiding another little Barlow by leaving a little trail of crumbs...
And he found that little trail, and followed it right to the mother load of crumbs under the table.
This is Harrison living the high life, gathering his food supply for the long night ahead.
After London and Maddie were more than willing to say cheese for the camera, Gwen wanted to say it too, and I was happy to have been ready for the moment. Maybe things are looking up in the photo department with Gwen...but I won't get my hopes up too high, after all tomorrow holds a whole new set of plans.

What to watch

James and I are about to watch Rocky, again. I just told him that I was not going to watch it with him and he turned to me and said, you know what it means to watch Rocky.

Basically that means that we watch the last 10 minutes of it, and it makes me cry. I know, I am so pathetic. We really have not been up to much, but Harrison is getting his top front teeth and it is a really sad thing, he is whiny and moody, but he tries to bite things and then starts crying again, a really vicious cycle. Oh well I guess he has to have teeth so we will deal with it. Now its back to Rocky for me.

funny laughs

Remember Wheezy from Toy Story? Well you know how he is a squeeky toy without a squeeker, well Harrison has the same little sound...but it is his laugh. I have my own real live Wheezy. I must say it is pretty funny too.

And then there was 3G

James was one of the brave souls that waited in line for three hours today at this perfectly wonderful store in the Domain. What came with that longterm waiting was...

A bunch of new friends.(the guy in the green was one too) And naturally the coolest phone one could ever imagine. I was lucky enough to only have to show up right at the end of the waiting and then while James did more of the finishing up work I took the kids outside to run around and...
Listen to some live music that they had going on in the courtyard...
and watch Gwen play on the toys, fountain, and naturally in the dirt. After James connected us to the new network we all headed over to CPK for some yummy dinner and dessert. I have to say it was a great day for me. Not only did we get out of the house, and eat out, but we also added some really fun gadgets to our collection. What will our friends at apple treat us to next?

On with the next year

On Wednesday we had a really fun evening and it also happened to be my birthday. So we went to eat at a new place, well new for us, called Uncle Billy's. We met up with Ryan and Leslie and family for a fun BBQ dinner, and then it was off to the Blues on the Green concert.
Harrison was not shy about going for the snacks, and Gwen and the twins ran around like wild animals.
They even did a little train for all the people sitting around us to see. Choo choo. It was late when we got home, but it was a really nice night.
Here is a short video from that night to give you a better idea of what Blues on the Green is.


Los Lonely Boys at Blues on the Green from James Barlow on Vimeo.



James had one more surprise for me when we got home, he got me a sewing machine. I am really excited, I haven't sewn anything since my freshman year in college, a clothing construction class. So I am looking forward to trying something new. Thanks James I love it.

fleeting moments

Here is Harrison deep in thought, he must be thinking about how he is going to get whatever Gwen has. Because that is what a crazy 9 month old boy does.
speed crawilng, climbing, and jumping are some of his favorite things to do.
And Frisbee of course.



I can't believe that he is so big already, and ready for pretty much anything, especially if Gwen is involved, those two can really throw me for a loop when they combine their forces. Lets just say that Kool-aid is just the tip of the iceberg. But at least there is never a dull moment.

Weight loss update!!!

This is just a quick update for those of you that have been asking how James is doing in the weight loss competition. After four weeks he has lost 12 pounds and has lost a few inches in his waist. He is eating great and working out everyday, sometimes he is really ambitious and goes to the gym twice a day.

He is averaging a loss of 3 pounds a week, and his goal is to be his same weight as when we were married by September 14th (our anniversary). He is doing so great and has not cheated on his routine once, despite living with me and my not so great cooking skills. For the grand effect I will post before and after pictures on our anniversary in the beginning of September. Keep it up James you are doing great, and I am really proud of all your hard work.

Our 4th with kids...

Our fourth started out with breakfast at Central Market with our friends the Jones' and later that afternoon we went to the Cedar Park festivities at a park near our house. We saw some firemen who were handing out these neat hats and stickers. We played on a lot of inflatable toys,
Tyson (mind you he is 3 years old) had no fear and climbed this giant climbing wall, he is in the red shirt.
Played some fun games, including a little horseshoe game for prizes, and this how strong are you game.

We had some local BBQ and went to play on the playscape for a little bit.
James and the kids playing in the little rocks, and James was able to get Gwen to conquer her fear of slides.
Where are Harrison's feet?
Oh here they are.
Fireworks anyone? After the park we went back to our place for some fireworks, and running around. Harrison is ready for some Frisbee too.
This is the perfect picture to show how all the kids were when the fireworks went off, you can see Avery in the background she was also surprised.

I love Harrison's face in this one. Hmmmmm.
Playing with the tanks.
And my favorite the sparklers. One for each hand.
All the kids were running around and being crazy.
Gwen took a moment to sit down and think, but just a moment was all she could spare.
James and Ryan started to play some Frisbee and they had their very own cheering section.
Then it was time to ride bikes, and after all of that we had some really really really tired kids.
And we called it a day. It was a great day for family, friends, food, and fireworks. What could be better?