The $238 bite

When we moved to Augusta we bought a fancy front loading, energy efficient washer and drier. On the weekend I noticed lots of water on the floor after doing a couple of loads. On closer inspection, Chris found what looks to be a bite out of the rubber door seal that matches the size of our 2-year old Owen. It's just the sort of thing Owen would do. I called today and found out that it's going to cost $238 to repair!! And the warranty just ran out 4 weeks ago - bummer!

Dress Like a Cow, Get Free Chicken

On Friday we went to a fast food place called Chick-Fil-A for cow appreciation day. Anyone who dressed like a cow, got a free meal. The kids had fun making costumes the day before and had a great time at playing at the indoor playground and eating their meal.

Happy 2nd Birthday Owen!

Owen and Sam were both due on July 4th. One came 6 days early, the other 2 days late. And now we get to have a party mid-year with 2 birthdays and 4th of July sandwiched in the middle.

On Monday, July 6th, Owen turned two. It seems like he has been two for a long time already and so we were glad to make it official. The night before Owen's birthday the kids decided to all sleep in Owen's room together. They were so excited and it took a little longer than usual for them to all settle down and sleep.

Owen was so excited about his birthday. I guess it helps to have older siblings to get you going. He knew exactly what to do with his presents....


By 7:45am we were outside taking his new "Plasma Car" for a ride...

Omi (my Mum) sent Owen a badge that says "I am 2". He proudly wore it all day long!

For his birthday dinner Owen had pizza and cupcakes decorated with way too much candy! Owen loves birthday candles and we had to light them twice!

10 things we love about Owen:
- How much he talks. Tonight he said to Chris "Sam's room. Get fireworks book. Be right back"! Not bad for a 2-year old.
- How little he is
- That he loves cuddles and being sung to
- That he is everyone's favorite at the gym daycare. I'm not Sam or Ella or Elliott's Mum. They all know me as Owen's Mum
- That he sings, and tells us to stop if we try to join in
- That he always wants to go with his Dad on errands
- How obsessed he is with water. Any body of water (e.g., lake, puddles etc) are swimming pools to Owen
- How he loves to help his Dad in the garden
- How he insists on doing everything Sam and Ella are doing. This includes helping cook, wearing a bike helmet and jumping in the swimming pool
- How sweet he is with Elliott. He loves to give him hugs and his favorite stuffed elephant

4th of July

Last year Sam was disappointed that he didn't get to see the "sparks in the sky" for the 4th of July and so we promised him that we would go this year. There are fireworks at several places around Augusta and we had heard that the ones at the Fort Gordon military base were good and not too crowded and so off we went.

Before the fireworks, there were army trucks and rides for the kids to check out. By 9:00pm we had found a spot to put our blanket down and watch the fireworks from. By 9:30pm we had 4 very tired children and by 10pm when the fireworks started they all burst into tears, tired and scared by the loud noises. Thankfully the fireworks display lasted a good 20-30 minutes which gave them time to take it all in and calm down. Sam decided that it sounded like popcorn and that helped ease Ella and Owen's fears. Elliott was by far the best. He was wide eyed and silent the whole time!





A random shot of Sam earlier this week getting his beauty sleep!