The Big Campout

Tonight is the night.  The night that Brian and Max have been talking about for the past two weeks.  The Big Campout.  We pitched a tent in the back yard - thanks Uncle Mike - and as I type Max and Brian are reading Bernstein Bear stories by flashlight in the back yard.  It is adorable. 

Since we couldn't find the air mattress Max and daddy worked to layer about 15 different blankets on the tent floor to help make it a little bit softer.  Will wanted to help too.  My three boys rolled around in the tent together for quite a while until Max started to get upset and said Will was messing everything up.

I hope by two brave boys sleep well out there tonight.  Although it is supposed to get pretty chilly.  I have a strong suspicion that they will be inside by 10pm.

Apple Picking

As I look back at this blog I notice that this weekend every year we go to pick apples. This year is no different. It was a gorgeous day! Not too hot, beautiful blue skies, not too cool. The perfect kind of day that doesn't happen too often around here.

The kids had a great time. It wasn't until Will dug into his apple that I realized I haven't given him any apples yet. Today was his very first taste, and he couldn't get enough. In fact, if I wasn't watching close enough he would try to pick up the gross apples off the ground and eat them.

Max loved it too. As he ate his breakfast this morning he told me he had 'a idea'. The whole family should go pick apples. I didn't burst his bubble and tell him that was the plan the whole time. He was so proud that he was the one to come up with the idea. I love this picture of Max. He is just looking so grown up. I can't believe he is nearly four and a half. Max was super into the tractors, although he wouldn't pose for a picture with it.

As we boarded the tractor for the ride back from the orchard I couldn't help but smile as I looked at my boys, all three of them. I can't imagine life without them. They make me smile more than I ever thought possible. I know I say this often, but I am one lucky lady.

Bubble Picnic

Brian is working all weekend on some crazy disaster recovery project. It pretty much stinks. I'm on my own with the boys and I was looking for something fun today. Well our parents as teachers program hosted their annual bubble picnic today. Perfect.

I put jackets on the boys because it is super chilly and we headed out. I swear Will is looking more and more grown up every day. He loved this little ball activity where he could slide the balls down the gutter and into the pool.

Max's favorite activity was the fishing poles. He concentrated so hard and was able to catch all kinds of fish.

Max got a bit peeved when Will decided it was easier to catch the fish if he just climbed into the pond with them. Good thing there wasn't any water in there.

It was a great way to spend some time outside on a beautiful day. I wish I had the real camera, because these pictures are awful, but it is tough enough to maneuver two kids on my own. I didn't think I could do it wielding a fancy camera.

T-Ball

Max is enjoying his t-ball sessions at The Point. It is all instructional. The kids practice throwing, catching, batting, and running. It is pretty funny to watch. Max is a decent thrower - he has the idea of stepping with his opposite foot down pat. Catching, not so much. He is too busy making faces and giggling to keep his eye on the ball. By far his favorite part is batting. I brought the camera tonight to take some pictures, unfortunately I didn't remember to put the battery back in before we left. So, this picture from my phone is the best I have. One more week of t-ball to go. Mid September we start tadpole swimming - round two. All these activities feel like a whole new stage of motherhood is just beginning.

Blowing Bubbles

Silly Hurricane Isaac foiled our plans to go apple picking this weekend. It has done nothing but rain! This afternoon the clouds began to part just a bit so we went outside to blow some bubbles. This was one of Max's great ideas. At least once a day Brian or I hear Max say, "Hey, I have a idea!" It is too cute.






Will agreed that his big brother did have a great idea. Will had so much fun chasing the bubbles while big brother Max had a great time blowing them. I love Will's happy little smile. I can always tell when he is super excited because he give me one of these open mouth little smiles. Beautiful!





Max is so funny whenever we try to take his picture. His goal is to make the craziest faces possible. I think this one may be the best one yet. One of these days he will give us real, genuine smiles for the camera again - or at least I hope he will!







Every day that passes Will gets quicker and quicker on his feet. This shot shows exactly what I see most of the time I'm with Will. He is running away from me to go do something - more often than not the something is something he shouldn't be doing. I swear this child has no fear and he keeps us on our toes!

One Week Down

and how many more to go? Max and I have successfully completed our first week of school. In some ways it feels like we never left. On our last day of freedom we met up with his buddy from school at Grant's Farm. I'm not sure which boy was crankier - Max or Will. Which of course led to a cranky momma. Good think Kim gets it an understand what it's like to have cranky kids.




There weren't too many animals out, but we did get to see the goats. Max enjoyed the experience because he stayed outside the fence.














Will just wanted to walk all over the place. He wasn't interested in feeding the goats but they did make him laugh a bit before he melted down.

After enjoying our last day of freedom we are getting back into the groove of school again. Max is loving playing with all his friends in the leaf room and I'm enjoying getting to know my new kiddos. It is fun as a teacher to have such a fresh, exciting start every year.

Tonight grandma and grandpa came over for dinner. Will had the best time sitting on grandma's lap and eating chips. He was a little mess - runny nose, red eyes, drool. . . I think he has allergies like brother and daddy. With the cooler temperatures we have been sleeping with the windows open and poor guy was just miserable this morning. I think we may need to call Dr. Joe tomorrow.

Max was so cute sitting and playing race cars with grandpa. He kept encouraging grandpa and telling him that he was doing a great job. It was adorable.

We are now refreshed and ready to start week number two.

Pizza Party

Tonight we had a great visit from one of Max's preschool friends. Maceo, his mommy, and his baby sister came over for a visit. Pizza was on the menu for the night, so the boys got busy making their own individual little pies. They looked so darn cute rolling out their dough!

They loved sprinkling the cheese and pepperoni on their dough. They even ate a few bites once they were cooked - that is in between their running, yelling, and playing. It was so fun to watch Max with his friend, and I have to admit that it was fun chatting with Maceo's mom too. It doesn't get much better than some entertainment for Max and some adult conversation for mommy.

While I may not be looking forward to heading back to school next week, I know Max will be thrilled for his first day on the 14th. He will be so excited to see all of his school friends again.