Out at the Lake...

So my brother is in town visiting from Ohio and the first activity on the docket was to go camping. Well with the current temps topping out around 103 degrees, with a low of 78 degrees some where in the early morning hours, we decided that it was just too dang HOT! So instead of figuring out how to get a 3 and a 1/2 year old and an 11 month old to sleep without a break from the heat, we opted to enjoy the day by the lake and head home for bed.

We had a whole lot of fun and -N- even built his first sand castle. With his new found fear of the water, wading in the water was a feat in and of itself but he really enjoyed letting the waves crash down on him.

{doesn't he look terrified? For anyone doubting I have the scratch marks on my neck to prove it!}

-A- had quite the view during his nap,

{though he didn't sleep much.}

And in order to stay cool in this heat we did what any normal person would do, we stayed neck deep in the lake!

Happy Father's Day...

To a Great Dad:

You are a wonderful man, husband and most of all DAD! These boys Love you more than you will ever know and I look forward to watching you with them for many years to come. Thank you for being the wonderful Dad that you are to our boys! I couldn't have asked for a better man.

I love you!

Bringing Down the House...

So recently -B- and I had a conversation about life lists and one of the things that he has added to his, tear down a house, as in rent a big machine and run the thing over. Well as luck would have it, my Uncle recently purchased a piece of land with a house that needed to be torn down...so who volunteered for the task, you ask? Well none other than my wide eyed chesire cat grinning hubby, of course.

He had a blast and he can now consider it crossed off of his "list", but since, has added tearing one down with a wrecking ball, any offers???

Protege?

No he's not a Gear Head at all!

{sense the sarcasm?}

And look not one but two!

{another very proud moment for their Dad let me tell you}

Splish, Splash...

What would a summer be without running through the sprinklers? We have a local splash pad and the boys love it! -N- takes a minute or two to warm up to it but you wouldn'n believe the negotiating when it is time to go home...

as for -A-, he's not quite sure what to think of it just yet,

but he was certain of one thing, no knees on the concrete, HA!

After 28 YEARS, I've come to Realize...

Today I am 28 years old...this has been a hard one to swallow, not entirely sure why, but it has. Hubby was awesome and came home and baked a yummy cake with our 3 year old, for all of us to share. We spent the weekend celebrating my birthday with my family. Making it a great weekend and birthday. So with that, here are some things I have come to realize over time.

When eating cake you are one of three things:

ALL about the frosting

All about the CAKE

or Mmmm, that's good, ALL about MORE!!!

In this house there is a collection of All of the above.

When opening presents:

It is polite to open the card and READ the entire thing before proceeding with the opening of your gift!

However, to a 3 year old this is "time well wasted" and when you can't read, what's the use of a card?

Aside from birthdays, I have come to realize quite a few other helpful tidbits of information {with the help of my offspring that is}:

-N-:

"I wanted to see if Pooh fell out of the tree, so I tried to call him, but he doesn't have a phone (giggles), and he needs some pants!"

"I am going to bed Mom, but when I wake up I am going to snuggle you and then we can get married." {Me: Oh...but Mommy is married to Dad} "Then who will I marry Mom?" {Me: Don't worry you will find a nice girl to marry...} "Oh, then I think I would like to marry Miss -H-" {-B-: I think you'll have to talk to her Dad about that}

Since this conversation about two weeks ago there are some things I have learned, according to -N-...

Before -N- can get married:

"I need some whiskers on my face."
"I need to do lots and lots of homework."
"I need to go to work."
"I need to be bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger, like Dad."
"I need to find a girl."
Lastly...
"I need to put on my married clothes, and -H- needs to put on her married clothes."

As for the tidbits I have learned from -A-, though the little one has a limited vocabulary he makes quite the impact...

I love to hear the laughter that fills this house when my boys play with one another. To watch them belly laugh at one another as they make silly faces and such. {It warms my heart and makes me smile}

I love to see the pride in our little one's face as he discovers a new ability. learning to crawl, learning to clap and most recently learning to walk and taking his first steps.

Food is no match for a hungry baby {boy}.

Most importantly, even if your vocabulary is limited to a mere 15 words, cake most definitely should be one of them!

Welcome Back Summer...

Oh dear friend, we have missed you so, and are glad to greet your return...

Pool side!

So Big...

{Adorable}

this little boy just makes my heart sing and I can't help but smile as I watch him grow, he is getting so big! I love you -A-!

Growing Up...

As we get older we become more and more independent and in this house we can't escape the inevitable changes that take place as we age. As adults our independence and co-dependence is tested daily as we learn to live and support ourselves and then get married and learn to depend on our spouse. As a child however, we are born entirely dependent on another human being. So when we start to assert our independence in little steps it is a BIG thing.

We start with simple things like wanting to feed ourselves, followed by the ability to actually accomplish feeding ourselves, then making choices like what and when to eat, {though as parents we like to think we maintain complete control of this detail in our children's lives}, then comes another major milestone and that is learning to create our own meals, otherwise known as cooking. For -N- that milestone just so happens to be today! As lunch time approached and the question of what kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich would you like was asked, -N- confronted the situation head on, and asked, "Can I make my own peanut butter and jelly sandwich?"

I am a huge supporter of independence and rather enjoyed watching him attempt to make his very own peanut butter and jelly sandwich, {with a little help}.

{Oh the Pride!}

I can't believe it, I have been so busy watching his little brother grow so quickly that at times I forget that my once small baby boy is growing up.

{Bon Apeptite!}

A Boy and his Tractor...

So -N- is a lucky child, he has his very own tractor, a {John Deere} no less. (thank you Grammy and Grandpa)

March 11, 2008
(-N- Age: 2 years old)

-A- looks on longingly as -N- cruises around the front yard, stopping only to load the trailer. Well, in first gear, the tractor is a little slower (walking pace) and the proud big brother offerred to let his little brother ride with him. They loved it! They are going to make quite the pair of crazy kids in the coming years look out!