Filling our summer days...

I was recently telling a friend of mine about a family member that lost a job. I had made the comment that they did nothing wrong to lose their job. B overheard me and started inquiring as to what I meant. I explained that they worked for a man that sold real estate and reminded him about our conversations about the economy and how it was bad and it meant people were not spending money. Therefore, the real estate guy could not sell any houses or buildings because no one had any money. So, he was not able to pay his employee and had to let them go. So, the person that lost their job, it was not their fault, they did not do anything wrong. B did not even wait a split second and he said "Oh, so it was the government's fault?" Stopped us in our tracks.

Several weeks ago I stopped by Michaels and Target and found all kinds of projects for the boys that cost very little. Wooden train cars that had to be glued together and then painted. Wooden automobiles that you punch out and then piece together. All kinds of educational and historical workbooks and flashcards. (Figured it would not hurt me to learn about landmarks, presidents and states too.) Super hero coloring and activity books. New markers, crayons and pencils, not to mention some special markers designed for windows and mirrors. The boys have loved it and well worth every penny I spent. B especially will sit for long periods and just color. He really enjoys the nights that the other 2 fall asleep on time and he can sit in bed with JR and draw.

We went out this morning and dug up rocks that were in the dirt. JB was the dirtiest for a while and then I engaged the boys in a 'who can get the other dirtiest' game. The boys loved throwing their rocks in an irrigation canal. JB though wanted to crawl in - no fear.


Spent some time yesterday at the splash park. Have not been there too often because it is all concrete and with JB not walking, just difficult. I decided to let him crawl in it with jeans and socks to protect his legs and feet. He had a ball.
He also enjoyed crawling in the tunnel at the park.

Then we came home and had homemade jello popsicles.


The common theme around our house continues to be forgiveness. The boys are learning what it means to ask for forgiveness, not only from the offended individual, but from God and to seek forgiveness. We recently talked about being a blessing and the boys decided they wanted to be a blessing to our neighbors by rolling all of the trash cans along the street (put out for garbage collection) up to the houses. Maybe I can incorporate being a blessing everyday and see what things we can come up with.

J is doing great with the potty training. Maybe one accident every couple of days. We are going tomorrow to buy him some pull-ups. I told him that once he is good at going in the potty that I would get him some pull-ups for night time. He has already decided that he will pick out Toy Story ones.