Cousin Birthday Party. . . oh and Happy 4th of July

Over Spring Break, Mandy and the kids came for a visit. The cousins had soo much fun playing together that we decided it needed to happen again. After some brainstorming of ideas we decided that since we are having a hard time getting together for every cousin's birthday with Mandy's weekend work schedule, that we would pick a day in the summer to celebrate ALL the cousin's birthdays. It just happened to work out that we chose the 4th of July as our day of gathering. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis even came out for the fun. Since everyone only got one gift each, we decided to make it more interesting by playing "heavy, heavy, hang". This is an old tradition in the Hemingway family that my mom passed on to us. We haven't really kept it up very well as none of our kids knew what that meant. Mandy and I had a great time teaching it and bumping heads! It goes like this: someone hangs the present over the reciever's head and everyone sings: "Heavy, heavy hang over they poor head, what do you wish this person with a bump on your head?" Then the reciever has to wish the giver something before they can open the gift. It was silly fun!

No birthday is complete without a birthday cake. This is a double layer cookie cake with chocolate and cream cheese frosting. Each cousin got a candle to blow out with their respective ages represented. It didn't last long. . .

Ammon and Grandpa hanging out on the couch doing what they do best.

After cake and presents, it was off to the park for the 4th of July festivities.

Day 2 of celebrations took us to the Rock N River where the kids played in the water. Not too many pics taken here since we were mostly having fun. Later that night, we finally remembered to do the piñata.

Just before the cousins left for home. We tried to gather them up one last time. I'm afraid eating the candy from the piñata was more popular than smiling for the camera.

We had a fabulous time with our Geserick cousins. It finally seemed like we started summer vacation!

If you're gonna live in Texas, ya gotta know how to swim. . .

My kids did great in swim lessons this year. We're about 75% there. Jessica is learning the more difficult strokes while Lily can officially put away the floatation devices and Gavin has graduated to a smaller floatation device for now. With another level higher, he could probably be where Lily is, but I'm done with lessons this summer, so until next year this will have to do. Overall, I'm pleased with their progress!

 Jessica trying the butterfly

 Yes, that is the 11 ft. end of the pool where Jess had her lessons.

Lily adjusting her goggles

 Gavin waiting his turn to float

 Lily treading water in the deep end

 Jessica jumping into the deep end

Lily jumping into the deep end

SIX WEEKS?? Already??

Tomorrow Ammon will be six weeks old. I'm a little in shock that time has flown by so quickly. I looked on here and realized I haven't posted anything since he was born. Time to update this little wonder before he gets much bigger. Here are some photos since the hospital. I'll post more after I take some I promise!



Ms. Mallory brings me a round rock donut and gets to meet Ammon, May 23rd



 In the RR hospital on May 23rd.

Getting ready to go to the NICU downtown. May 25th

 On May 24th instead of getting to go home, Ammon had lost 10.7% of his birth weight and he was vomiting a lot, so the Dr. wanted to keep him for tests. He got some xrays and was on nutramigin for 24hours. He also got a blood culture that came back positive. The Dr. suggested that it might be contaminated, but they couldn't ignore it and so he was assigned to the NICU for at least 24 hours for antibiotics. Since there wasn't any room in the RR NICU, we had to be transported to downtown's facility where he had more xrays and an IV all weekend. By Sunday we found out that the blood culture was negative after all and he was doing fine. He was finally discharged on Monday the 28th. Seeing my baby hooked up to all those wires and a tube down his throat in an exhausted hormonal state sent me over the edge on the 25th. However all were better by Monday as it turned out to be "Much ado about nothing."

 

 Riding in an ambulance.

  Stay in the NICU. Mom and Dad came to visit and be at baby's bedside. May 26th and 27th

 Finally our superman is coming home May 28th.

 Surprising the family. Ammon is home at last!!

 Grandma and the superheros!

Jessica is finally happy her little brother is home!

 Second day home - First haircut after shot. May 29th

 Ammon after his bath

 Hangin out with my sista

Waiting for siblings at swim lessons. June 28th.

Happy Birthday to you and you and you and you. . .

 When we finally brought Ammon home from the hospital, we celebrated Jhonny's birthday with the cookie cake I had made one week earlier on Ammon's birthday before he decided to make his appearance. Happy 37th Jhonny!

 A few weeks later, we went to Gattiland for Gavin's 4th birthday. He wanted a superhero cake. He was happy with my attempt at superhero logos. His friend Bin was having a birthday the next day. So we celebrated both of them together.

 He got a hulk and a spiderman as well as a lightning mcqueen bicycle. He was a very satisfied little boy.

 Not too much later, we celebrated Jessica's 10th birthday. She wanted an icecream cake. A few days before, she and two of her good friends went to the Austin Sports Arena for rollerskating after a trip to Kohls for a little shopping and out to lunch. They had a blast together. Jessica is growing up!

On her birthday she got some CD's, some sterling silver earrings and a phone. Well, we activated an old phone so she can be connected. So far she hasn't used it too much, but I'm sure that will change once she gets texting added.

4-10, 5-21, 5-24, 6-16, 6-25. That is the birthday run for the Marcano family. But wait! We're not done because this week the cousins are coming for a cousin birthday party at Rockn River. I hope it will be fun!