Summer rolls along

Not much has been going on the last week. We have been laying pretty low. Trying not to make any trips in the car. Gas is still just above $4 here! Have not even been on the bike much lately because we are having problems with the hitch on the bike trailer. I sure miss it though. One day I loaded up the kids and went across the railroad tracks to both grocery stores. We had a great time and sure was fun.
Still have not cut Jacob's hair. I did recently buy shampoo plus conditioner. It gets to be a rat's nest at times.
Hoping to do our first tent camping of the summer tomorrow. Will try to get lots of pictures!

The tables are turning

Had a pretty uneventful weekend. It stormed Friday evening so instead of our special outing, we went outside and played in the rain. The boys had fun stomping and splashing in the puddles of water.
Seems that J is starting to give B a run for his money! More than once this week B is running through the house trying to get away from J. J is armed with some kind of 'weapon' and finds it funny to hit his brother. Of course B running only encourages J more. I guess it is time for little more forceful discipline, other than the 'he is still learning what is right and wrong'. I anticipate in a few more years, despite B being bigger for a while, that J will start taking him down! I am still waiting for that first ER visit. Such a little climber and way more adventurous than B ever was at this age. I think a lot has to do with trying to keep up with his big brother but I also think some of it has to do with J's personality!!! Will be interesting to watch!

A word!!!

A word, we have a word Houston! Yesterday J said his first word. If you had not been accustomed to his communication style, you would have missed it. He was sitting in his high chair and held out his now empty peach bowl, looked at me and said "mas". "More" in Spanish. I have not heard the word since but it was a word and I let him know at the time how excited I was. Oh to be done with the whining. Okay, so I won't be done with the whining but I will be done with the whining anytime he wants something.
For B's birthday we got him 2 Nerf guns (one for him, one for dad). Upon our first shoot out, we realized that as you pumped the gun, the barrel did not fully rotate so about half the time you actually got a shot off. I was a little miffed since we had bought them at a Toys R Us, which we don't have here. So, I got online and emailed Hasbro. They told me it was discontinued but they would send us a replacement of equal value. I thought 'sure, what cheap toy will that be'.
To my amazement, the box arrived today. It was a Dart Tag Complete 2 Person Set. Too cool. Had two Nerf guns that held about a dozen bullets each, 2 safety goggles and 2 Velcro 'target' vests. Even I got excited. JR and I went at it once and boy, those little things stung a tiny bit when I got hit in the neck but I foresee lots of play time, especially this winter. Throw in the other 70 darts we had already purchased and a full on war will take place. A definite must for any boy (are you listenin' little bro? Sam has a bday coming up...). I have included a video of them at the end.
This morning we loaded up the bike trailer, complete with baseball and bat, tennis racquets (racquetball rackets for kids), soccer ball and football. Also packed lunch and plenty of liquids. We had a great time. JR was off and lots of running for the kiddos.
Hopefully the weather will hold for our fun evening planned...more on this later. It is fun trying to see how creative you can be without jumping in the car and driving someplace!!!

Camping

It has been a beautiful Montana weekend. Not a cloud in the sky. Anywhere from highs in the mid 70s to low 90s. We rented a forest service cabin this past Friday night with our pastor and his wife. The boys had a great time. J loved exploring and B loved eating all the 'junk' food. Seems like J always had something in his mouth, it was constant monitoring. B loved making the run down the hill to the outhouse!

Getting ready for another week!

Home again

Boy, is it good to be home. It has taken me 3 days to catch up. I was exhausted. I think I am getting too old to keep up with a 16 month old!Sure had a blast in Ohio but always nice to unpack and sleep in your own bed. The boys miss all the commotion of their cousin's house, but hopefully with our new schedule and routine, they will get plenty of 'social' time.

On Sunday we celebrated Bs birthday a week late with a few friends. He is now set. He got a nerf gun (dad got one too) and the laughter in the house as they chase each other is priceless. J also has a blast retrieving the bullets. B also got two super soakers - all of those toys are always more enjoyable when in pairs. His athletic ability will be sharpened with his new Jr. glove and baseball and he loves his football uniform, complete with helmet!

This morning J woke up and I thought for the first time, 'poor pitiful kid'. He looked like Albert Einstein. Hair all over the place. We just don't have the humidity for those nice tight curls. It looks nice and wavey but unkept here. So, as we were on our bikes running errands, we headed for the barber shop, camera in hand, but just could not bring myself to cut them yet. Strange how all the moms tell me not to cut it yet and all the dads are like 'boy needs a hair cut'. So, maybe in another week or two.

Trying to finally start our summer routine. Monday and Wednesday the boys head over to a babysitters house from 9-10:45 while mom works out. (Yes, I do pull them in the bike trailer over there and back, so an extra workout). One morning a week I have it set up to play tennis with a friend. Then on the long weekends (JR works 4 days a week right now) hopefully lots of hiking and camping! The summers are just too short here not to get out and enjoy.

Here is a picture of J and his bed head - just to show how long it really is when not curly. Also pic of B in his uniform - Seattle Seahawks - why Seahawks, because they are somewhat 'local' team and I liked the color with his blue eyes!

The stuff I don't miss

Not having girls or cable/satellite, I am so thankful for the things I don't have to learn about. B has gotten indoctrinated into Hannah Montana, Camp Rock, Disney Channel, turning up music and dancing around, etc. I forget how much my boys are boys, until we come here. The last two days have been pretty low key. Playing around the house, swimming at the pool, going to my niece's swim meets. We went to the park yesterday and J climbed the ladder to the slide all by himself and figured out how fun it is to go down by himself (see video). He is also quite the scavenger. Every time we go to the pool he is either in the water and walking around looking for food. On more than one occasion he has crawled under the pool lounger chairs and grabbed food off the ground!
Looks like we are going to stay one extra day and fly home Saturday. They have a bike parade on the 4th so B is looking forward to that. He has not wanted to try the bike without training wheels yet, but he is learing how to let go of the handle bars as he rides.
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(B WANTED TO TYPE....)