Grandpa

This past week Grandpa Brown came to visit for a few days.  We miss him already.  

The Preacher

Sometimes Sam likes to play with Andrew's toys that Andrew has forbidden him to play with.  Lately he has been sneaking a few bouncy balls and Andrew's medals and hiding them under his pillow.  He plays with them when Andrew isn't watching and then quickly hides them again.  As one would expect... a few days ago, Andrew caught him red handed.  Andrew was about to get after him when Sam said, "Wait, I needa get my scriptures."  He then ran to grab some scriptures and very deliberately opened them up and proceeded to "read" Andrew a scripture.  It said, "It came a pass, the Lord said, Andrew don't get mad at me."   

Andrew's Busy Week

This past week Andrew was able to have his first experiences as a cub scout and I think it is going to take.  I mean.... he really really loved it.  Even the hot, sweaty, sticky weather didn't keep him from enjoying this full week of cub camp.  I only have these pictures that his den leader sent me... but I think his favorite things were the bow and arrow and BB gun shooting.  He also made a birdhouse, a leather bookmark and lots of other things that I can't remember.  He also loved the day that a firetruck came and turned the house on all of the boys.  

Then.... on Saturday Andrew participated in a triathlon.  He decided he wanted to do this and worked pretty hard with Aaron to get ready.  I am so proud of him.  The 7-9 year old category that he participated in swam 50 meters, biked 1.2 miles and then ran 1/4 mile.  

 He wasn't really able to give a real smile yet at this point... he was pretty wiped out.

 But it only took a few minutes for him to perk up and get giddy excited again.  I think the medal, and goody bag helped.  :)

The whole thing was so much fun and I think my boy is awesome.  I hope Andrew will look back at this and remember how good it felt to work hard and accomplish something big.  

Goings On

Ahhh.... Summertime... the season of popsicles, sprinklers and lazy days.  For the first little while I felt pretty frazzled by all of the new activity around, but we are settling into a routine and overall enjoying each other.  Getting out of the house seems to be our biggest trial and so we stay home most days except for of course going swimming which we generally do about 4 times a week.   Last year I did a fun little "mama store"  (http://www.aaronandrachelle.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-days.html), but I decided this year to keep it simple.  I have a simple chore chart and each kid has 2 chores a day.  Lizzy and Andrew also have to practice piano 20 min. a day and they each have to do one worksheet. They've been pretty good about getting their stuff done so they can play.  

Andrew discovered this nest in the tree in the front of our yard.  Andrew is the only one small enough and with enough flexibilty to get up there, so he has taken pictures and made regular reports for us.  At first there were 3 baby birds and an egg (in the top picture) and later on he reported just 3 baby birds.  I hope that 4th one is okay. 

 Grayson just keeps getting cuter everyday - if you can believe it.  :)   He is constantly smiling now and is a champion spitter upper.  He goes through at least 5 outfits a day.  Luckily it is the non-painful kind of spit up so... he just soaks himself and grins.  

 Let's have another look at his cuteness.  

 Alright fine... one more.

Lizzy and Andrew are running a preschool this summer.  It runs from 10-11:30 twice a week.  They charge a dollar a week / per kid, which I think is a pretty dang good deal. They plan activities and learning adventures.  On this particular day they were learning about bodies.  Lizzy and Andrew set up an obstacle course for the kids to go through and then helped them listen to their heartbeats.  Here they are enjoying a snack.  It has been good for them to gain patience and learn how to work with kids.  Lizzy came to me in frustration after the second day saying... "Mom... they won't listen to a word I say."  Oh... so familiar.  Next week they will have 2 more kids bringing their total clientele up to 5 (including Sam.)

 We hosted the young men for our churches youth conference at our home one night.  As a result... we woke up to find this surprise left by the young women.  LOL!

I am reading this book right now.  It is quite fascinating.  I can actually see quite clearly what terrible food habits we as Americans have developed.  It is amazing how deeply ingrained it is in our culture though. Learning to eat more like the French would be life changing but the whole thing seems terribly overwhelming. Has anyone else read this book?  Any thoughts? 

Last but not least... It seems to be at least once a week the kids decide to dress up in each others clothes and come down giggling to show me.  Why are my kids so wierd?  Love it. 

Memorial Day

The kids asked a few days before if we were taking our annual Memorial Day trip to the beach.  Although we didn't realize we had created this tradition... I think they are right.  We probably have gone to the beach every Memorial Day since we have lived here.  I think the warm weather mixed with the day off school is just the perfect temptation to head to the beach.  This day was windy and the waves were higher than I ever remember them.  If it wasn't for nasty sunburns... this day would have been perfect.

 Grayson's spot.

 Sam left on his life jacket for about 30 seconds.  Just long enough for this picture I guess. 

 Our friends, Alisha and Trevor.

 I know... I know... you're probably jealous of the mossy/seaweed covered beach.  

Life

After having a baby it kind of seems that life should stay still for a little bit.  But it doesn't.  That newborn sleepy baby stage is gone already.  Grayson is growing a bit too fast for me. 

 

  I think he is around 12 pounds now and (don't hate me) he's sleeping 8-10 hour stretches at a time.  He has by far been the easiest of my babies and I'm thoroughly enjoying his easy going nature. .  

No More Homework, No More Books, No More Teachers Dirty Looks

 

Ahhh... the blissful last days of school.  I think this year may have almost been worth all of the misery and pain just for this last week of parties and playing and the smell of freedom just around the corner.  Atleast.... I remember feeling that way.  This year was pretty hard for Lizzy in a lot of ways.  Andrew had such an easy teacher last year, that I think this year was eye opening for him as well.  But I'm so proud of both of them.  They both worked so hard and really accomplished so much.  And now we look forward to lots of swimming, playing, staying up late and driving Mom crazy.  I can't wait.  :)