The last few weeks we have been soaking up every last bit of summer (or is it that I am sick of playing at home and looking for some out of the house activities?). Regardless, we've had some fun, busy days on Broadway...

...which lead to some pretty great naps!

 Lots of trips to the Birmingham zoo.

A few mornings at Overton Park in Homewood (a result of the coolish morning weather this week and last). 

An afternoon at the Galleria in Hoover for a carousel ride and a special snack.

And..

At our house things start going down hill about 4:30. Kids are tired and hungry and I'm usually scrambling to get dinner ready while holding Brooklyn who is crying and playing my tambourine for Sydney's parade. SO, that is why a special visit from Uncle Nate and Aunt Laura was a wonderful treat come 4:30 on Monday afternoon. Both full of energy and ideas for a little dress up time with the girls. And a welcome break for me.

Soak it up my friends because the school bus is fast approaching Broadway!! T minus six days.

Our lately...

Lately Sydney has been saying the funniest things. She's quite the talker these days. So here's a little mid-week humor...

• "let me check your heart beep"
• "I have the coughs"
• "Brooklyn going to sleep night and tight"
• Calling William's guitar a "ta-da"
• Me: "Okay Sydney, you're in charge" Sydney: "No momma, I'm not in charge, I'm Sydney."
• And for those Dora watchers: on our walk yesterday morning we passed some dog poop. Sydney then chanted, "Water, Poop, Mountain. That's how we get to my house!"

Additionally, Brooklyn appears to be growing to look more and more like William. As my Dad likes to say, she's "a William Paulk clone."  Her hair just isn't growing fast enough and she often gets mistaken for a boy. I have gone to great lengths to dress her in pink and put bows in her hair, but apparently, that is not clear enough (yes, I am talking to you, old man at the grocery store). Luckily William is a good looking baby. Here are some pictures of William at 10 months old and Brooklyn at the same age. 

William

Brooklyn

William (and G-Daddy)

Brooklyn

William

And yesterday Sydney got a back to school haircut...

We are cruising right along here on Broadway. Happy Hump Day friends. 

Real Shoes!

Brooklyn took a trip to the park this morning (72 degrees) for the first time in real shoes. Well, it's really her first outing anywhere in real shoes. Are those gold shoes, you ask? Yes, they are. They were 60% off, so yes, I bought them. She's standing and taking a couple of steps by herself - walking here we come!