Randomness from our days....
We seem to have a revolving door for bikes. I typically don't buy new bikes because the boys are so hard on them and don't take care of them. We get hand me down bikes and often have more than 1 bike per kid. We have retired several bikes and usually take off any parts that can be used elsewhere. My boys recently rediscovered some of the old tires. We spent several hours outside playing with the tires. Rolling it down the street, seeing if we could 'ring' each other and even throwing it up into the air and trying to throw a football through it. (I would not recommend those rolling in down your hallway...tire scuff marks can be hard to remove!) There is my shoeless Joe again...(we recently watched Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer and Joseph loved how they always went without shoes.)
The boys taking on their older 'brother', neighbor Zane. As I recall, they lost but even Zane admitted that they are getting bigger and stronger and it is taking more for him to beat them.
The boys spent the better part of an hour using our paper cutter. I had it out prepping some homeschool stuff and they thought it was too cool.
This is what it looks like when 8 year old boys are looking for a snake that crawled under our playhouse.
Recent trip to a BMX track. Jacob found another boy to race. (He did have his first wipe out. He had replaced a tire tube and it was not put on right and he hit a small jump and when he landed it, he came to a sudden halt with the tire bulged out and would not move. He managed no injuries but hopefully learned a lesson about bike maintenance. Glad he was wearing his helmet.)
This was one of the first times Joseph really enjoyed it because he was on the bigger bike and could go much faster!
Another beautiful sunset to end our nice summer days.
The boys have been sleeping in close to 9 or 9:30 most mornings. I think part of the reason is they are staying up later and playing hard, but I am also putting a fan in their open window at night. Things have been cooling off nicely and often times it is 50 or 55 in the mornings and they don't want to get out of their warm beds. I have come to really enjoy my early mornings and am probably regretting school starting the most because my mornings will now become rushed, instead of the leisurely time from 6 until 9.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Pictures from another river outing.... Actually same river, just different spot. I was not as comfortable at this river. There were tons more people, but stronger current and more deep spots. So glad JR went along with us ~ I would not attempt this by myself and all three of the boys. After hanging at this river, I wish there was a way for me to (safely) put the boys in a (controlled) strong current situation to teach them how to respond. The first inclination is to freak out and expend lots of energy, instead of rolling to your back and gathering your thoughts.
Joseph loved this little hole, just the right size and depth. For some reason though, it was a lot colder than the river.
Taking a break with their Family Dollar snacks they bought.
This particular spot has a strong current created by the water hitting the wall. The goal is to get around the corner, which proves much harder than it looks. I don't think all three of them ever made it around the corner.
Benjamin got smart and took his shoes off before they floated away.
Joseph loved this little hole, just the right size and depth. For some reason though, it was a lot colder than the river.
Taking a break with their Family Dollar snacks they bought.
This particular spot has a strong current created by the water hitting the wall. The goal is to get around the corner, which proves much harder than it looks. I don't think all three of them ever made it around the corner.
Benjamin got smart and took his shoes off before they floated away.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Two statements heard around here that just brought a smile to my face.
"Where are all my hair care products?" (thought I would never hear that in a home of 3 boys)
"Please can I use your deodorant on at least ONE arm pit?"
Yesterday Benjamin headed off to a week long camp, through the AWANA program. Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning. He has never attended the camp before but I have heard wonderful things about it. He is probably most excited about paintball!! Will definitely be quiet with out him here. It is amazing to me how much the dynamics change when one of the boys is gone!
School is quickly approaching! I have just about everything lined out for Benjamin this school year. Of course I learned how things can quickly change, so maybe it is best for me to say I have a plan for the first couple of weeks. Will be very weird with just the 2 of us at home, but hopefully will also make things run smoother.
We spent time twice at this river recently. It is really nice and quiet, not very busy. I also like that the current is slower and most of it is not over Joseph's head.
(We have a couple of snow tubes and river tubes...amazed at how much better the snow tubes are. Not only are they thicker/heavy, but they all have the 'plug' on the top, which for us seems to stay plugged better ~ just a thought if anyone is in the market for water tubes.)
They like this log.
Jacob and Joseph enjoyed building 'forts'.
Benjamin got some reading time in. I actually spent some time laying on this tube looking up at the clear blue sky. It was cool to watch the birds and their movements, flying patterns, etc.
Notice the one shoe....he could not find his other one so headed to the river with just one!! :-)
"Where are all my hair care products?" (thought I would never hear that in a home of 3 boys)
"Please can I use your deodorant on at least ONE arm pit?"
Yesterday Benjamin headed off to a week long camp, through the AWANA program. Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning. He has never attended the camp before but I have heard wonderful things about it. He is probably most excited about paintball!! Will definitely be quiet with out him here. It is amazing to me how much the dynamics change when one of the boys is gone!
School is quickly approaching! I have just about everything lined out for Benjamin this school year. Of course I learned how things can quickly change, so maybe it is best for me to say I have a plan for the first couple of weeks. Will be very weird with just the 2 of us at home, but hopefully will also make things run smoother.
We spent time twice at this river recently. It is really nice and quiet, not very busy. I also like that the current is slower and most of it is not over Joseph's head.
(We have a couple of snow tubes and river tubes...amazed at how much better the snow tubes are. Not only are they thicker/heavy, but they all have the 'plug' on the top, which for us seems to stay plugged better ~ just a thought if anyone is in the market for water tubes.)
They like this log.
Jacob and Joseph enjoyed building 'forts'.
Benjamin got some reading time in. I actually spent some time laying on this tube looking up at the clear blue sky. It was cool to watch the birds and their movements, flying patterns, etc.
Notice the one shoe....he could not find his other one so headed to the river with just one!! :-)
Monday, August 10, 2015
On Friday we celebrated Joseph's birthday. Thursday night he woke up at 12:30 to let me know he was throwing up! After I got him settled on our floor, I went to check things out in the room. He sleeps on the top bunk and could only imagine what I might find. However, it was not as bad as I thought. I quickly got it cleaned up. The next morning I asked Joseph about it and he said he had gotten sick several times. Uh-oh. I had Joseph show me and sure enough, there was quite a bit I had missed. Joseph sleeps on the top bunk and he had leaned over the side of his bed, narrowly missing Jacob below. Needless to say, I had quite the mess before presents.
Several birthday traditions have emerged (yay!) and the boys look forward to them every year.
Since we have quit doing 'big' Christmases, I told them their birthdays will be bigger. So they all expect some fun stuff to open.
While the birthday boy sleeps, streamers are hung in the doorway. This year Jacob and Benjamin asked if they could help with things, so B organized presents (and balloons) on the kitchen island and Jacob hung the streamers.
Thirdly, is the silly string. At some point on their birthday, they get attacked with silly string.
Joseph had asked for a mohawk helmet and I was able to find a camo one online. He was so excited.
(Sorry for the blurry pics)
Cake and ice cream was on the menu for breakfast. (Fortunately 2 of the kids have summer birthdays and the other one's birthday usually falls on spring break, so I don't have to worry about sending them to school with all that sugar first thing in the morning)
Our beloved neighbor Zane came over for the silly string part.
We did not plan the silly string very well, because there was a huge mess. Joseph was not 'cornered' so he ran around the downstairs and of course was followed by the silly string.
Later that afternoon we met 3 of his friends at the park. A great way to turn 6!
Several birthday traditions have emerged (yay!) and the boys look forward to them every year.
Since we have quit doing 'big' Christmases, I told them their birthdays will be bigger. So they all expect some fun stuff to open.
While the birthday boy sleeps, streamers are hung in the doorway. This year Jacob and Benjamin asked if they could help with things, so B organized presents (and balloons) on the kitchen island and Jacob hung the streamers.
Thirdly, is the silly string. At some point on their birthday, they get attacked with silly string.
Joseph had asked for a mohawk helmet and I was able to find a camo one online. He was so excited.
(Sorry for the blurry pics)
Cake and ice cream was on the menu for breakfast. (Fortunately 2 of the kids have summer birthdays and the other one's birthday usually falls on spring break, so I don't have to worry about sending them to school with all that sugar first thing in the morning)
Our beloved neighbor Zane came over for the silly string part.
We did not plan the silly string very well, because there was a huge mess. Joseph was not 'cornered' so he ran around the downstairs and of course was followed by the silly string.
Later that afternoon we met 3 of his friends at the park. A great way to turn 6!
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
More random stuff from our summer days.....
I love it when God shows up during my day. I went to the grocery store to get three items, one of which was cocoa. I use a lot of cocoa these days (I have been making my own 'healthy' chocolate with cocoa, coconut oil and a natural sugar). As I wandered down the baking aisle, I saw all the normal cocoas for about $4.50. Then I spotted this generic brand on clearance for $1.49. I could not pass that up so bought every last one of them. When I got home I started to stack them to take a picture, then the boys got in on the action and made a pyramid, of sorts, with my cocoa and yogurt find!
Some friends are out of town and we are collecting their eggs while they are gone, something the boys have never done ~ I love new life experiences for them. Plus, God showed up again, because we don't have to buy eggs this week. (On an average week, we go through about 2-3 dozen eggs ~ and this is without a lot of baking.)
We gathered 8 that first day.
The boys don't like the hen, big 'ol furry foot. He is huge compared to the chickens.
The boys spread some soapy water out on the counter one day and made bubbles. They were even able to get one bubble inside another bubble. And I got a really clean kitchen counter.
I often grow weary of saying the same thing to my boys hour after hour, day after day, week after week. So, when notes like this come along, it brings a smile to my face that what they are hearing is starting to stick.
For those needing translation (Dear Mom, sorry I was sarcastic earlier and had a yucky attitude. Sorry)
A recent sunset I caught.
I love it when God shows up during my day. I went to the grocery store to get three items, one of which was cocoa. I use a lot of cocoa these days (I have been making my own 'healthy' chocolate with cocoa, coconut oil and a natural sugar). As I wandered down the baking aisle, I saw all the normal cocoas for about $4.50. Then I spotted this generic brand on clearance for $1.49. I could not pass that up so bought every last one of them. When I got home I started to stack them to take a picture, then the boys got in on the action and made a pyramid, of sorts, with my cocoa and yogurt find!
Some friends are out of town and we are collecting their eggs while they are gone, something the boys have never done ~ I love new life experiences for them. Plus, God showed up again, because we don't have to buy eggs this week. (On an average week, we go through about 2-3 dozen eggs ~ and this is without a lot of baking.)
We gathered 8 that first day.
The boys don't like the hen, big 'ol furry foot. He is huge compared to the chickens.
The boys spread some soapy water out on the counter one day and made bubbles. They were even able to get one bubble inside another bubble. And I got a really clean kitchen counter.
I often grow weary of saying the same thing to my boys hour after hour, day after day, week after week. So, when notes like this come along, it brings a smile to my face that what they are hearing is starting to stick.
For those needing translation (Dear Mom, sorry I was sarcastic earlier and had a yucky attitude. Sorry)
A recent sunset I caught.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
AUGUST is here!
The boys and I recently went hiking with some friends. It was a very well traveled trail. It is actually an old logging road, so a smoother trail that is very wide and usually not real steep. We pulled up at 9am on a Saturday and there were probably 20 plus cars in the parking lot. It is 8 miles up, although we made it just past the 2 mile mark going up. Since we were with friends, the boys had a lot of fun and hiked longer than they normally would have.
Joseph found a stick and realized quickly how heavy it can get when hauling for a long while. Notice his socks....he could not find matching socks :-)
He was my hiking buddy about the last half of the way. We had lots of fun conversations!
This was one of many dogs that met us on the trail. I think we passed over 30 dogs during our hike.
The rest are nature and flower shots that I was experimenting with. We also found raspberry bushes on the trail, fun to eat fresh raspberries!
The boys and I recently went hiking with some friends. It was a very well traveled trail. It is actually an old logging road, so a smoother trail that is very wide and usually not real steep. We pulled up at 9am on a Saturday and there were probably 20 plus cars in the parking lot. It is 8 miles up, although we made it just past the 2 mile mark going up. Since we were with friends, the boys had a lot of fun and hiked longer than they normally would have.
Joseph found a stick and realized quickly how heavy it can get when hauling for a long while. Notice his socks....he could not find matching socks :-)
He was my hiking buddy about the last half of the way. We had lots of fun conversations!
This was one of many dogs that met us on the trail. I think we passed over 30 dogs during our hike.
The rest are nature and flower shots that I was experimenting with. We also found raspberry bushes on the trail, fun to eat fresh raspberries!
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