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!

End of Summer

This has been a really fun summer.  We've spent very few days just hanging at home.  We've taken some day and weekend trips here and there, and have spent lots of time with friends.  Today is the very last day of summer vacation for the big boys, and it makes me sad.  I have enjoyed them so much this summer.  There have been times when I have been ready for school to start, but I think it's more I am ready for some routine. 

 

We had meet the teacher night last night.  I am grateful I have been involved with PTA in the past years, as I know the teachers all pretty well and all the boys seem to be comfortable in the school.  They've added on over the past two years and it is now a K-8 school.  Ethan has Mrs. Toomey, who is who Colton had.  She is so excited to have him in her class, and he is excited to be there!  It makes it easier on momma, also.  I'm having a hard time with him going to Kindergarten, I'm going to miss him so much.  And Colton has Mrs. Terry.  I don't know her as well yet, but she is very kind and really seems like a lot of fun.  I know her and Colton will get along great.  He is my people pleaser.  But it just doesn't seem like he's already a second grader.  I still remember him being so very little.  Time really does speed along.

 

I thought I would share some pictures from the summer today.  We didn't take tons, but more enjoyed the moments this year.  And there were many of them.  Having three running around my house sure livens things up!!

 

So here are a TON of picture, hang in there and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 The boys gated off their toys from Simon.  This worked for one day.  The playroom is now Simon proof and the big boys have their toys with small pieces in their bedroom.

 

 Ethan told his daddy he wasn't tired.  I took this 10 minutes later. 

 

 We took the boys to 1984.  They had a blast, and so did mommy.

 

 Pretty sure Ethan played this game for half an hour.

 

 Look how big Simon is!!!

 

 In a smaller version, this looked like Colton.  I truly LOVE this picture!

(It is the first time I've ever seen much of a resemblance between E and C)

 

 Colton really believes he is 12 or so.  And loves to climb on top of every piece of playground equipment.

 

 Simon finding his way to the slide.

 

 Heart attack for grandma!  This has to be another of my favorites!  You can see Willy's shirt in the lower left corner.

 

 Our niece, Emily, came to spend the week with us.  We had a blast all week, and my house was even more full of life!  I enjoyed having a girl in the house. 

 

 Bounce house fun.

 Emily's first trip to a bounce place.  She thought it was the greatest thing in the world!

 

 Her and Snicker's were the best of friends.

 

 Simon has discovered toilet paper.  A couple of times now.  This was taken the first time.  Kid looks guilty.

 

Simon is loving every toy that rolls or has wheels now.  He spins in circles as he makes it go around him.

 

 My Three Amazing Boys!!!!!

 

 



 We take a family picture every year at the Fourth of July parade.

 

 Colton and Ethan hanging with the big boys.  Wow,  how they have grown!

 

 Colton climbing a pole. 

 

 Some of the crowd for the celebration.  We had so much fun.  And many of the scenes reminded me of the scene from The Sandlot.

 

 Love this grin!

 

 He crawled outside and thought he was pretty cool!

 

 His first time in the sand.  Wasn't too sure about it.

 

 These two are forever best friends.

 

Playing in the creek at the park.

 

 Water balloon fight with Daddy.

 

 

 

We have taken several trips to Silver Dollar City and a couple to White Water.  We don't even bring the camera half the time.  We've been to the park a ton, though the past couple of weeks, it has rained too much to go.  The boys have spent lots of time outside riding their bikes and swimming in the pool. 

 

I am sad to see summer go, and know I am going to miss the big boys so very much.  But the quiet will be nice at times, also.  It's just hard to believe that I will have two in school all day this year.  And it makes me so grateful for Simon.  He keeps me busy now that he is almost walking and exploring everything.

 



Simon Months 6-9

I'm not so bad at getting Simon's monthly pictures taken, but I just can't get them all on here for updates.  Our summer has been incredibly busy around here.  There have been very few days when we have been home all day.  I can probably count them on one hand.  So, finally, here are months 6-9.  All three boys are down napping, and I am determined to get this done.

 



 

Simon has grown so much this summer!  He has gone from rolling over once in a while to a full out crawl, almost bear crawl.  When he gets off the blanket outside, he gets off those knees really quick.  He hates the grass.  When you sit him in it, he picks up both legs and attempts to balance on just his bum.  So cute! 

 

Simon has just recently moved to two nursing sessions a day.  When he wakes up in the morning and before bed at night.  I am still missing the afternoon feeding, but he was ready, and it was becoming a battle most days to keep him still. He has four teeth in now, with two more on the way.  He eats with us for all three meals during the day and often eats what we are eating.  He prefers to feed himself, and is recently wanting to have his own plate with food on it.

 

Simon is loud.  I know in his mind he feels he has to be heard over the big boys, but wow!!  He also thinks screeching is whistling.  Willy will whistle at him, and Simon will screech back.  Geez, that boy has a set of lungs.  He is also beginning to fully let us know when he wants something.  I'm getting out the baby sign language stuff today.  Hopefully it helps.

 

He is also incredibly stubborn.  He loves to explore and has a hard time knowing that we mean business when we tell him no.  It often takes 5 or 6 times telling him no, a couple hand slaps, and moving him away before he'll move on to something else.  The big boys learned pretty quick.  And I know Simon gets it, he just thinks he can stick it out longer than Willy and I.  Poor kiddo has no idea.

 

He plays well by himself at times, and others he can't be alone.  Now that his nursery has been moved and is closed in, I can leave him in there to play while I switch over laundry and such.  Most of the time he is happy in there, but sometimes he stands at the gate and cries til I come back for him.  With two more teeth coming in,  he's spending more time in my lap and arms than usual.  But I really enjoy the time with him.  I know it won't be much longer until he is always up and on the go.

 

Colton and Ethan play with him quite a bit.  He loves them so much!!  And he loves their toys.  We've created different barriers with the baby cage gates so they can play without him tearing up their stuff.  They've recently nicknamed him "Babyzilla."  It's pretty accurate.  His favorite game is to knock over a stack of blocks.  He will crawl across the room to knock them down and crack up laughing afterwards.

 

He are the pictures from the last four sets.  It's neat to see how much he has changed.

 

 



 Loving on his owl.  He really interacted with it this month (6)

 
 
 

 The smile we see most often.  He lights up a room with it.  And notice the wet line down the sticker?  Most of them are like that now.

 

 I think he really looks like Willy here.

 

 

SIX month collage

 

 You're back!

 

What a grin!

 

 

 Two boys and Willy were standing behind me trying to get him to laugh.

 
 

SEVEN month collage

 

Check out the pearly whites.  This is his goober grin.

 

 

He thought he would take a dive off the chair.  Didn't happen.

 

EIGHT month collage.  I really love this one.

 

He just wasn't having the pictures this month.  But boy he has sure changed since last month.

 

 

Finally a smile here.  Almost.  He just looks so big!

 

And here is the NINE month collage.  I can't believe there are only three more left.