Day With Ethan

Last Friday was Ethan and mine's day out.  The library here was having a special afternoon at a train museum in town.  Ethan lives for trains.  His world revolves around trains.  This museum is actually a retired train with an engine, revamped cargo car, double decker passenger car, and a caboose.  They have so much in there, we could have spent all afternoon.  

 

 

Ethan goes almost as much as Simon, but when it comes to trains, we can sit and talk all day.  He wanted to know what every piece of memorabilia was.

He loved this engine!

I can't wait to show him this picture 20 years from now when he is driving his train.

This is probably his happiest place on earth.

We went through the train once, did a craft, and went through a second time.  There were things he missed the first time that he was excited to see the second time.  I really enjoyed spending the time with him and sharing his passion.  He's growing up fast, and does well as the "middle child".  Though I guess that will be changing in 22 or so weeks.   He is so full of passion and spunk.  And he's learning where he fits in in the world.  But he knows how he feels about things, and there is nothing or no one that can change his mind. I love that about him, and I can't wait to see how far it gets him.

 



We hit up El Charro for lunch afterwards. He is my Mexican food buddy.  We could probably both eat here every day.

 

I'm not sure what I'll plan next with the big boys, but I love spending the time with them individually.  This time is short, and passing far too quickly at times.  Summer is cut short this year, and I am wanting to make sure we make lots of memories.  

Night Out With Colton

A few weeks ago, before school ended, Colton asked if we could have a night out together.  Just him and I.  We spend the ride to across town to gymnastics and back the two of us each week, which is always full of enlightening conversation, but he wanted an entire evening.  Dinner and activity.  I was immediately game for it.  I told him once school let out we would set a date and go.

Last Thursday was our night out.  All day he watched the clock waiting for 5:30 arrive, knowing that was when we would be able to head out. I let the big boys go swimming in the afternoon.  When they came in, Colton came down from their room dressed in a nice button down shirt and nice shorts.  He grinned at me and told me that he wanted to look nice for me for the evening.  Love that boy!

I love eight.  I am so enjoying the time with him.  We have these amazing conversations where he asks true questions and we work together to find the answer if I don't know it.  He wants details, but not just with a "Why", but is very specific.  He is turning into a little man now.  I enjoy hanging out with him, and I know that we both leave the moment better.

We had dinner at Cheddar's.  He chose to eat on the patio, since the weather was perfect for it.  We don't often take the boys out to eat anymore to restaurants.  Between Simon's allergies and the cost to feed FIVE, I'd just much rather cook and eat at home.  We had plenty of time to talk.  Most of the conversation revolved around the ants crawling up and down the brick pillar next to the table.  Did you know that ants take around 250, one minute naps a day?  I didn't either.  We talked some about school and moving to a new home and school next year. 

My handsome first born.  He loves the thumbs up thing. I just really love this kid!

 

Afterwards we headed out to play some miniature golf.  There's a place here in town where it's $3.75 total for him and I to play!  We haven't played together in almost four years or so.  Just never make the time.  

It looks like he missed the ball, but he had just hit it.

Just before his Hole-In-One.

 

We had a great time talking and hanging out.  He had so much fun, even when it took five or so shots for the ball to find the hole.  We laughed a ton.  And the only time I used my phone was to take pictures. 

 

We then headed to Sonic for shakes for the family, minus Simon who was in bed.  The evening was perfect.  I really hope to do something like this with each of the big boys once a month.  They are both at such a fun age, and with school out I really want to reconnect with the both of them, separately.  This Friday Ethan and I are headed to the train museum and Mexican food for lunch.  

Summer Fun

Summer vacation started last week.  We've had so much fun already! I am really enjoying have the big boys home and not having to watch the clock all evening to make sure they are in bed on time to get up at 6:30am.  We've had a lot of spontaneous fun, but also some just hanging around the house together time.  I am so excited to see what the rest of this summer will be bringing!

Last Thursday we headed to Silver Dollar City.  It started raining when we were about 25 feet from the van.  But umbrellas and covered wagon kept us mainly dry.  We had to ride the train first for Simon and Ethan.  Then we hit up some more of their favorites and spent quite a bit of time in the kid area with the ball pits and splash pads.  This was the first time Simon has played on the splash pads.  The kid had a BLAST!!!! He just ran and laughed.

 

Simon loves any kid his size. 

 

 

 

On Friday we headed to the library to pick up the summer reading cards.  This opportunity rocks!  The kids read four hour, do four activities, then they earn cards towards free activities around town.  Then there are more incentives to read on the card also.  Ethan loves the Library Station because there is a train engine they can play in.  

I caught this picture of Colton reading to the kids inside the train.  Love this!!

 

 

We've also hit up a Time Warp Tuesday at The Palace.  $17 for four movie tickets, large popcorn, and large drink.  What a deal!!  We saw the Lego Movie.  The boys were so excited to see it.  And Simon did pretty well. He's in that in between stage where two hours is just too long to not be running around.  But he sat til about 10 minutes from the end.

 

 

I popped Simon some popcorn in the air popper before we left so he could also have some.  Lots of popcorn kept him entertained through most of the movie.

 



Quick Turkey update: I am feeling pretty good most of the time.  I feel *pops* a few times everyday.  There are definitely some differences this pregnancy.  Such as I can't prepare and eat chicken.  The thought makes my stomach churn.  Weird.  I am also a lot less anxious this time.  I know so much plays into this.  But I am grateful for it.  I am looking forward to finding out boy or girl in three weeks. 
 
Well, I have to get moving and chasing some boys around.  I can't wait to share more of our fun!

Four Years

Happy Birthday to my sweet twin boys, Lucas and Caleb.  I can't believe it's been four years since they were born.  Although I would give anything to celebrate their birthday with them here, we still had a great day celebrating them as a family. 

I woke up this morning to see their lilies had bloomed.  These lilies bloomed for the first time when I was in the hospital with Lucas and Caleb.  Willy had come home to shower and pack up some more clothes.  He saw they had bloomed and took a picture for me.  Here is the picture from today.

I love how only two bloomed today.  They were saying hello.

 

 Our afternoon was spent at a lake.  We had a picnic, attempted fishing, and the boys ended up swimming some.  The wind was crazy, the clouds rolled in and out.  We saw several dragonflies throughout our time there.  Each one just warms my heart.  Colton was really excited about seeing dragonflies on Lucas and Caleb's birthday.

 

Here are some pictures from the day.

 

 

Simon threw rocks the entire time.  The boy entertains himself well.

My bookworm

A few sprinkles fell...

15 minutes later.  Only in Missouri

Simon fishing with daddy

 

 

And a belly shot.  16 weeks tomorrow.

 

 

Thank you everyone who remembered the boys today.  Your love for my family means so very much!