Tip Tap Shape - Cope's First Tap Shoes

While the grandtwins were here Hannah found some tap shoes at a consignment shop and bought them for Coppelia......the following is what happens

July Surprise

Wow what a couple of weeks this has been.

On July 20th Andrea called Vicki at work and said that her Mom was really sick and she and the grandsons, Gabe & Chase, were on their way to Houston to help out. Turns out that Lou Ann, my children's mother, had to have some major surgery so my son Tyler and his wife Hannah along with the twins (Copellia & Estee) also headed for Houston to be with Lou Ann.

Vicki and I just kinda looked at each other.........said some prayers for Lou Ann....and then for ourselves and began to 'childproof' our house for twin 18 month old girls. We started by putting everything on coffee tables and within reach on top of bookcases and into our empty camping bins. I went to the truck and got every bungee chord I could find and began securing cabinets and TV consoles. It all looked pretty secure but only the arrival of the 4 grand kids would be the proof of our efforts.

Vicki & I tag-teamed days off from work to help with the kids as Tyler and Andrea spent the majority of their time with Lou Ann. Our house became much smaller as child gates were erected at the kitchen and hallway doors to keep the girls confined to a manageable space - our living room. While they were here, Estee & Copellia both learned how to climb out of the playpen beds creating more security problems for Hannah.

The living room became a Mecca for playing Wii, watching videos, dancing, fighting, running, hiding, wrestling. screaming, and disciplining (PeaPa did most of that and was constantly being referred to as 'cranky' - okay.....i was a little cranky :)

The boys and I went to T C Jester Park one day to play Frisbee golf. Hannah blessed us with 3 Dollar Store frisbees and off we went. I was hoping that this would last for a couple of hours and keep the boys outside......however.....the frisbee's didn't work.....it was hot and HUMID....and I threw everyone back in the truck and headed home. Again, a cranky PeaPa.

Hannah arranged for some creative art work that both Lou Ann and we got from the kids. She also saw to it that a swimming pool was available for the kids in our backyard. I made sure that my cactus plants were 'childproofed' but as it turns out I was a little too late as Estee got some spines in her cheek.

And while he was here Gabe lost two teeth. The tooth fairy must think that Vicki & I are starting a new family at 1718 Gardenia. This is the third time she has come to our house in the last month or so.

Vicki's mom Evelyn and sister Janel (Aunt Neelie) came into town from San Antonio to help out the second weekend and also to see the kids. Janel helped out by looking after the girls and Evelyn helped by bringing her homemade cookies, cleaning up after all of us, and cooking some special "Mamah Two" meals for all of us.

We celebrated Vicki's birthday on July 27th amid the chaos but I still owe her a special night.

Even Grandma Betty got out of the house to come over and see her Great Grandchildren. Hannah took the kids over to the Yale Street Grill to see their Great Aunt Barbara.

Things calmed down a little this week. Andrea was able to keep Gabe & Chase at Lou Ann's house some, and the girls go down early. They all left for a quick vacation to Gulf Shores Alabama yesterday early in the morning so all is quiet on this western front right now.

Sad thing is that cranky PeaPa misses them already.....they will be back and the whirlwind will return.

Enjoy the pics.