Crying Kids...

In all of my 27 years on earth, if I was around a child crying, 90% of the time I would be thinking 'please will someone shut that kid up - what is the deal?!'

Yea, real empathetic I was. 

But now it's a completely different story. Every time I see one cry now, whether it's a tiny baby, a stumbling toddler or even just a little kid, I cannot stand it! 

It makes me so sad like I just want to swoop in and pick them up, cuddle them, hug them and love them and make everything okay. 

Last night at the barn, we had a sweet little girl come to ride and it was her first lesson. 

Before getting on the horse, she was so excited. And I mean, so excited. Like you could tell it was taking all of her self-control to keep from running around, yelling and jumping up & down. She looked like she was going to explode out of her skin and was literally trembling with excitement. 

The lesson went great, she dismounted, gave treats and petted her horse. But then when it was time to say goodbye, she got very quiet. Then she started crying. Not like she was throwing a fit, but big fat crocodile tears of genuine sadness. 

To see her go from the happiest child on the planet to being truly heartbroken having to leave her horse was the saddest thing to watch! It made my heart ache and was all I could do to not pick her up, hug and console her... then let her go sleep in the stall with her horse. 

Did anything like that that happen to you? Maybe you weren't so fond of children, then you had your own kid and it completely changed your perspective? Or maybe you have your own children, but you're still not really a kid person - just your own (I definitely thought that was going to be me!).

Anyway, I thought that was pretty neat. Liking kids is a good thing - it will make play dates much easier :) 

We Went Swimming!

I grew up just down the road from two of my best friends; one of those best friends had a pool.

We spent every summer lounging by her pool, making log houses out of pretzel rods, playing nintendo in her fort, eating popsicles and swimming. We learned the Macarena on the deck, pretended we were Power-Rangers jumping off the diving board, and had wiffle ball contests to see who could hit it over the roof of the house. (Cody, Jack knows he still owes you that $100) 

I remember one particular day thirteen years ago, we were teenagers just out of our first year of high school. We spent another day at the pool and this time we were joined by Abby's sister and her niece, who was just a few months old. She spent the day both swimming and napping on a little ottoman in the den.

Flash forward to now. Guess where miss Adalynn had her first swimming experience? Yep. That same pool. And you know what? She even played on that very same ottoman. 

It was so surreal taking her there, remembering those summer days spent there as children. Especially that day thirteen years ago. Thinking back on it makes me smile, but there's a little twinge in my heart. I guess that's nostalgia for you. 

So here are a few pictures from that beautiful day. 

She wasn't quite sure about it at first. 

But she loved this big floating starfish. 

She really didn't like her hands touching the water. Like, at all. Eventually though, she was all in but her head. 

I had to watch Abby because she wanted to dunk her like we did with Ellen oh so many years ago, but no worries, she didn't get dunked. 

Then we spent Father's Day afternoon in our pond. The 'lagoon' as I like to call it. 

Then Addy & her daddy fell asleep so I got a little peace and quiet to read. We're all so excited for many more days spent by the water!

Adalynn {at 6 months}

Yea, six months. As in half a year. Truly unbelievable.

In a short six months, she's gone from a little wrinkly lump who couldn't hold up her own head or stay awake for more than half an hour, to this;

That's her visiting with her Uncle Cooper the other day. She sure loves her family! 

Here are a few things that have been going on with her, if you're interested...

A Tractor Ride

Adalynn had her first tractor ride last week! We sat in the buddy seat next to daddy. She was very interested, looking at everything around her. The bright yellow against the green, the buttons and lights in the cab, hearing all of the beeps. 

It was so sweet to watch her take it all in. 

Oh yea, she drove too :) 

Then, boom, fast asleep. Tractor riding is exhausting, you know?!

Making Mess & Taking Names

Adalynn had her first taste of food yesterday, some delicious sweet potato puree. Which, of course, she ate like a well-mannered little lady.

...or something like that. You can see for yourself :)