This may look like an ordinary occurrence, but trust me it hasn't always been!!  They were neither one interested in books for a long time.  Iley would look at them, but wouldn't sit through even the simplest story read out loud.  Wren just plain wasn't interested at all.  Now Iley begs me several times a day to read books mommy, can we read books?  Wren will sit and look at books for 10-15 minutes at a time.  She still isn't interested in me signing them to her yet, but at least she is interested.  I'm amazed at the work God is doing in their hearts every week.  They were sitting here "reading" while I fixed supper.  Iley was there first, and when Wren wanted to look too, she scooted right over and let her sit by her.  She is getting so much better at sharing, and doing kind things for Wren.  Wren has always been quick to let Iley share, and kind of look out for her.  It's heart warming to see it returned.  She tells me at least once a day that "I like Wren, she my sister"  every thing is Iley Wren  with her as if it's one word.  They are a lot like twins.  They play all day without a word.  They sign enough to get a key point across, then seem to totally understand what the other is thinking. We are SO thankful God convinced us we needed two together. 

 The other constant hue and cry is "Mommy....mommmy.....mommy.....look at me......Iley I can hear you just talk.  No mommy look at me......I usually sigh and say.......ok I'm looking.....what do you want.....'can we go to the play ground?'  my usual answer is maybe after supper.......it's too hot right now....and then she forgets.....well not tonight......we went to the play ground.

 This was a BAD choice of bottoms to wear on this girlie to the park!!  It hindered her every move, and we forgot to put shorts on under.......just glad we were the only ones there!

I'm stuck.....what's up with this slide!

  

This skirt was just not working.....

 ........not working..........

......not working......

 Definitely NOT working!

 Then they decided to go up the slides.

Pretty pleased with her self!

Where's Kipper?

This was one of the first things Iley asked this morning.  They both think Uncle Kip is SO fun.  We are enjoying having Troy's brother Kip and his wife Darcy here with us for a few days!  He was being silly and putting his glasses down on his nose.  They are all three sweating!  Our air conditioner is on the blink.  The A.C. guy thinks it's the motor....which will probably have to be replaced:( 

Uncle Kips took pity on us and treated us to D.Q. for supper.  Not much fun to eat while you are sweating!

While we were sitting here our AC repairman came in.  I beeeegggged him to please save me,  I said "I'm dying"......Iley pipes up "no mommy? she dead?"  So I said yep.  Darcy asked her if she wanted to go home with her and live?  She thought about it a little bit....it was tempting........then decided she'd stay with mom after all.  I told the AC repairman (who also happens to be a relative) that I would roll out the red carpet for him tomorrow:)

 Iley wanted to sit by Uncle Kip AND Aunt Darcy .....Wren was content on the end with Unca Kip. 

These three opted for a table by themselves.

 When we got home, this pair were dining in style......on the garage approach.......it was cooler out here than in the house!  They had come over to use the grill...their steak and grilled veggies looked better than our D.Q! 

Wren and Iley Love playing in the hose.  If they are allowed to turn it on, they play for hours..........so of course they are allowed to turn it on.........cause mom's all about anything that entertains anyone for more than 30 minutes.  The hose was in the pool, out of the pool, filling buckets, under the tramp, on the tramp..........I had to go out and tell Wren ......NO you can't put the lawn chairs on the tramp......NO you can't put the buckets on the tramp.........NO you can't put the sled on the tramp........seems like all I do some days is tell her NO NO NO.  She would empty the entire contents of the garage into the pool and sandbox!  I have banned her from the garage......period.  She can rarely stick to playing with anything for very long the way it is actually intended to be played with.  It's not long till she's modified it, Tied it, or loaded onto or into something and hauled it some where.  She was playing legos in the basement and all of a sudden I hear a weird noise.....I go down to see what's going on and she is scooping handfuls of legos into a cooler......why????  The lights were all off and they were playing by the light of one little lamp plugged in beside them?????

They were so proud of themselves for lining all the trucks from their sandbox, and their trikes up .......right at the bottom of the stairs in front of the main entrance to the house.......... lovely.

 Sunday morning always SO happy to have Daddy home:)

 I told Ella to SMILE cause her mama wants to see her cute face:)  It IS a beautiful face isn't it!

 Some one was perched up here like she owned the phone and was boss of the show.

Another beautiful little face.........so thankful for all of my daughters:)

Iley had slid down and Ike was, very gentleman like, pulling her skirt back down....she could have cared less that it was bunched around her waist.

 We celebrated Shermans birthday with Dad and the brothers on Sunday.  He got these framed Ken Griffy Jr. cards from Grma D.   They found them at an antique store somewhere.

 Our normal Sunday crew.

 

She was blowing kisses to the boys whizzing by on their dirt bikes.....I don't think they ever did see her..bless her heart:)

 Iley had decided she didn't want her picture taken......??  She is usually the camera hog.

Hiding behind Wren.....nearly dragging both of them down the slope.

 Troy was telling the boys how to hit the throttle just as you got to the top of the jump....Wren was right in there bossing too.

Happy Birthday Sherman!

12!  The number of years we have been blessed by this sweet boy!!  His birthday was actually  yesterday. July 31st....so I'm a little late.......but no less thankful!  He is a Joy.  He is a sweetheart.  He has a big heart for God.  He does everything with enthusiasm.  He is cheerful most of the time.  He tries hard to be good.....but......sometimes......He is a pain in the patoot  too...and......he is persistent.....but....he is kind........he is helpful.........he is messy......he's creative....he's loud.....he's funny.......but mostly....... I'm SO SO glad he's Ours:)

We LOVE you to the moon and back Sherman Oliver:)

He had already ordered and received his birthday present from us....a BB gun pistol.  He got a combine from one set of Grandparents, something he picked out at an antique store and some money from the other.  And the universal gift of  moolah:) from other family members.  He had his 2 friends Gordon and Caleb to spend the night.......his birthday meal was Asian Beef and noodles....sun Chips......IBC root beer.....and double stuffed oreos instead of cake......his choice, not mine!  

Hope you had a Happy Day Sherm Sherm we love you.