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Our Version of The Kid Wash

Well, I can't seem to remember the blog I first saw this on.  Evidently it was featured in a magazine, here.  As soon as I saw it I knew we had to try it!

Pretty simple really.  Josh, Ethan and I threw it together in less than an hour.  We had sprinkler parts laying around that we used but you could just drill holes in the pvc and be done with it.

Add kids, sit back and enjoy! Some rode their bikes through, Ethan rode is scooter through but eventually everyone (including me) was on foot.

After playing for a bit we tweaked it, drilling one or two holes here and there.  The kids in the neighborhood found interesting ways to have fun.  ie: filling their mouths with water and spitting it on each other.  Nice.

Best thing though? When they thought to combine it with a Slip 'n Slide! They call it "the Ultimate Slip 'n Slide".  It has provided us with several days of fun already and I'm sure we will be getting it out more this summer.

Running in the Rain

We get a monsoon season here in Colorado.  For a week or so we have at least one daily thunderstorm.  Sometimes more.  I'm not talking your run of the mill thunderstorm but a HUGE thunderstorm.  Torrential downpour, thunder that shakes buildings, flash flood warnings, lightening so intense and frequent the sky is lit for what seems like hours.  AWESOME (for those of us who enjoy such an impressive release by nature)! Then, the sun comes out and it's gorgeous.

On one such evening I asked Ethan to come out on the porch with me to watch the storm and he reluctantly said yes.  Once the thunder and lightening passed (it was still raining but sunny) he wanted to go splash around in the very full gutters.  With in minutes he was drenched but he had a blast! As did I.  Watching my son remembering having fun as a kid doing the very same thing.  (ok, so the last time I did it was like two summers ago...)

6 Months Old....almost a month ago. Oops.

Cora has mastered some new stuff this month...sitting up unaided, rolling front to back and back to front, jumping in her bouncy.  Cora is still such an easy baby.  She does seem to prefer her crib for naps but will take one on the run in a pinch.  She is quick with a smile and even when she's fussing many would think she's just talking and not realize she's getting spun up.  Monday she can look like me and Tuesday she looks so much like Josh it's crazy.

These pictures were taken on a recent outing to the river near Deckers, CO for some floating with our friends.  It was such a great day out of the Ranch just hangin out.

I can't recall her "stats" from her 6 month check up but I think she is somewhere near the 50th percentile for weight and 15th percentile for height.  She is growing well and is generally very happy.  We are on the go quite a lot and she keeps a pretty happy disposition.  Happy to be in the Moby if she isn't happy in the carseat.  She's a real trooper during my Stroller Strides class.  Getting bounced around and jostled in the BOB while we run, lunge, jump and squat our way around the park.

We are loving being a family of 4.  Ethan loves his little sister and will sit with her for quite a while trying to keep her happy so that I can get something done.  Josh is such a great Dad and loves Cora to bits.  Me? Well....I'm so fortunate to be able to stay home with her (and Ethan) I could just spit!  Sure, there are hard days (especially with Josh away so often) and on those days I have to stop and think about  what we have and what I am able to do.  I couldn't be happier as a Mom.