Worthy

The boys have been participating in children's choir at church. Sunday they sang in "big church." I knew they had been working on a few songs, but I didn't know they had been working on the sign language to go with it.

Brrr!

(I'm determined to catch up even if it takes me all summer.)

When we built this house, Kevin convinced me that we needed to put in a well for irrigating the grass and the landscaping.  While I thought spending money on a well wasn't much fun, it has proven to be very worthwhile since we can water our grass without having to pay an outrageous water bill. 


When the kids wanted to play on the new slip and slide (thanks, Grandma and Papa Charlie), Kevin hooked it up to the well water.  It was freezing, but the boys didn't care.  They played in it all afternoon.  Their lips were blue when they finally came back inside.  Oh the joys of summer!

But Wait....There's More

The song is "Count On Me" by Bruno Mars.  During one of Tucker's hospital stays, I texted Teresa and told her when all this was over and Tucker was completely healed that we would slather SPF 100 sunscreen on him and go somewhere and dig our toes in the sand and celebrate how God had healed him.  This trip did just that.  

Yet Another Reason

This is yet another reason why I love my husband. 

Our front landscape beds needed new mulch.  This was to be the Saturday morning project.  After a hearty breakfast at McDonalds, they went to the mulch place and got a truckload of mulch. 

Kevin could have gotten it all spread out in an hour or less.  But because he is such a good dad and because he is so patient, he let the boys "help".  I think most of their mulch ended up in the grass.  They were absolutely filthy.  But they were very proud that they helped Dad with such a difficult task. 

On a related note, doesn't our front yard look so nice and green.  Kevin does it all.  Impressive, yes?

Dream On Indeed

Note:  They had their shirts off because they were upstairs checking out our new treadmill.  Apparently, they feel the need to be shirtless when they are doing exercise related things with Dad.  Oh, and Rocky also likes the high part. 



Yes, I am aware that someday both of them will be utterly mortified that I not only have video footage of them doing this, but that I also shared it with everyone.

A Good Time Was Had By All

In yesterday's post and my distress regarding the lack of circulation in my fingertips and nose, I realized I forgot to post the rest of the pictures from our fun day. 

Indiana Jones told us all about the snake he was holding.  Fletcher touched it.  Luke didn't.

 In this area the kids could build a shelter similar to what one would build in the woods with tree branches and leaves.

 The little kids were watching the big kids and waiting their turns to sit in the chairs and use the pulleys.  I didn't take a picture of that. 

 This was by far Luke's favorite room.  It had a large area just his height filled with water and all sorts of containers and pitchers.  The apron was supposed to keep him dry, but by the time he was done, his jeans were wet, his shoes were wet, his shirt sleeves were wet, ....you get the picture.  He did not want to leave this area to go do anything else which is why we saved it for last. 

 This was a giant Lite Brite.

 This was a huge fan.  They had fun holding ribbons up to it and making them blow in the wind.

 Similar to the stomp rocket we have at home.

More wind.

Luke's tshirt says "Rock Star".  Based on this video, I think he is on his way!

Money Well Spent

A few days ago I ran into Target to pick up a few things.  As I was walking in, two women were walking out with carts filled with toys.  Nothing else but toys.  At first I thought it was strange, but then I remembered that someone told me Target does a twice a year toy clearance (once after Christmas and once at the end of the summer) where toys are marked down as much as 75% off.  Since I was by myself I decided to just go look.  Since we just had Christmas it's not like my kids need any new toys.  But I thought I might find a few things to add to my gift stash for upcoming birthday parties.

Then I saw it.  On one of the bottom shelves.  The box looked worn and beat up.  There was a shipping label and address on it like someone had bought it online but returned it to the store.  My friend had one of these and the boys loved it.  I had looked into getting one, but they were in the $80-120 range and I didn't think they were worth that much.  But this one was on clearance for $40.  Score!

Putting it together was a challenge and a test of our marital fortitude if there is such a thing.  But once we got it put together, it looks sturdy and it will help two little boys get out some of their boundless energy this winter when it is too cold to go outside.  I'm kinda bummed that the weight limit is 80 lbs otherwise I might join them. 

Oh, and by the way, I've given up on the dining room.  It has slowly turned into a playroom.  We took the leaf out of the dining table to make it smaller.  Fletcher uses it to build his legos.  Luke's truck has a parking place there too.  I figure I have the rest of my life to have a fancy dining room that never gets used.  These days will be gone before I know it so I might as well embrace the chaos! 

SNOW 2011

Whoa....I think this is the most snow I have ever seen and it is still coming down.  This could be an interesting week because the temps are supposed to stay low (so the snow won't melt) and we are supposed to get some wet stuff too (snow + ice) which makes the roads very dangerous. 

Glad Kevin went to the grocery store yesterday.  Sadie is less than impressed.  If dogs could talk, she would be saying, "Seriously???  You expect me to do my business under these conditions?  You have got to be joking." 

Here are a few pics and some video.  This year Luke seemed to have more fun.  He didn't want to sled at first, but after one quick trip, he was hooked.

This is what we woke up to on Monday morning.  No school!

 Ready to go.  On days like this I am so thankful I broke down and bought snowsuits at a local kids consignment store.  Fletcher's is a few sizes too big but it it will serve him well the next few years.  Luke's fits just right so I'll be on the lookout for a new suit for him for next year. 

 Catching snowflakes on his tongue.  (Luke kept running away from the camera).

Christmas Recap

 A few of the fun new toys they received.





Who Dat! (one last time)

Fletcher is #4.  He is playing defense in the first clip, then he is the quarterback in the second clip.  

Kevin put up new shelves in his room to display the trophies.  (It usually isn't this clean.  I took this picture while Fletcher was in school the moment the cleaning people left.)

 And I included this picture just because he is cute and he endured flag football season by happily playing in his sandbox during practices and games.  I'm not sure what we will do about basketball season since I can't bring the sandbox in the gym. 

Books of the Bible

Be sure to catch the 1:08 mark where Luke tries to make a joke. He's saying "Matthew, Mark, Checher(Fletcher) and John".

Goats On The Roof

I think the name says it all.

We made a quick trip to GA to visit Grandma and Papa Charlie. While we were there, we took the boys to this great place.

The goats hang out on the roof and you can buy goat feed and send it up to the roof and feed them.

Exhibit A.

Lots of fun stuff inside the store too like this saddle.

And this silly bear hat and walking stick.

There were even some baby goats who are not allowed on the roof yet.

Pedal the bike; send the bucket up to the roof.

Feeling the horns on the baby goat's head.

Fletcher sending food up to the goats.

Hello Mr. Bear.

Choo! Choo! Or I guess a goat would say Chew! Chew!

The boys also "panned for gold" where "gold" is defined as various gems. They really had fun with this. Luke especially enjoyed playing in the muddy water. But it took him a minute to realize that he was not supposed to throw the gems into the water. Silly boy.

White Men Can Dance

No one ever told me how loud little boys can be.

They like to watch a youtube video of scenes from the Top Gun movie set to Kenny Loggin's Danger Zone song. Feel free to draw your own conclusions as to where they might have learned their dance moves.

Thank you, Tom Cruise.

Where Does The Time Go?

We've been watching old videos on the computer with the kids. Of course, they love them. This one is a few clips strung together. Luke is 7 weeks old in the first part, then he's about 2 months old when he is in the swing and that would make Fletcher not quite 4 years old.

Happy Birthday to my Dad (PawPaw) today! We love you!

Heavenly Day

*The song is "Heavenly Day" by Patti Griffin

We went to Devil's Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee in South Carolina for our getaway weekend. The park is close to where NC, SC and GA meet. I had no idea how beautiful it was there. I have to say I was impressed with the SC state park and their cabins. They actually call them "villas" instead of cabins. Ours had a lake view. It was super clean with plenty of room, a nice kitchen and a screened porch that I wanted to pack up and take home with me. It didn't have a dishwasher so I had to wash dishes by hand. However, there was a window above the kitchen sink with a gorgeous view so I really didn't mind. The boys loved it. Lake Jocassee is a man made lake. Something like 90% of it is untouched and undeveloped.

Our friends who we knew from Houston and who now live in Greenville came up and joined us for the day on Saturday. They brought their boat. They have been on this lake before so they knew where all the really cool waterfalls were located. We had so much fun visiting and catching up with them. Our boys loved playing with their two precious girls (ages 5 and 4). We finished out the day with hotdogs and s'mores.

This lake is known for great fishing opportunities. Fletcher and Kevin tried to fish, but they didn't catch anything. We told Fletcher that the water in the lake is so clear (it really was) that the fish could see them and swam away. I am sure it had nothing to do with his loud talking during the fishing adventure.

I realize this wasn't camping since we were in a very nice cabin, but it was really fun and may convince me that camping could be fun. Notice I said "may". I'm not committing to anything just yet.

Just Wait

It has been so stinkin' hot here lately. We've gone straight from a freezing cold winter to highs in the high 80's with pollen so thick that our patio table on the deck looks like it has a yellow tablecloth on it! So much for spring time I guess.

I wonder what this will look like in a few years. Fletcher seemed to enjoy getting wet and Luke seemed to enjoy wielding all the power!

Easter 2010

Unfortunately, Luke started running a fever Friday night that continued off and on through Sunday so we had a very low key Easter. Luke and I stayed home from church since he couldn't be in the nursery. Not sure what he has. His rash from a few months ago looks like it might be back along with a runny nose. It could just be the change in the weather, but that doesn't explain the fever. I guess I should quit trying to diagnosis him with my Dr. Google degree.



We did make a few Easter crafts and have an egg hunt on Saturday.
These are Easter lilies made out of their handprints (the white part). Aren't they so cute? They were super easy too. I need to remember these for Luke's preschool class next year.
Instead of going all Martha Stewart and dyeing eggs this year, we painted them. I bought a little kit with paint and mini sponge rollers. It was super messy, but they had fun. Mine is the pink one since so very few things in this house are pink!



On Sunday morning the Easter Bunny was up to his old tricks again. He had a string maze like last year that each of the boys had to follow to find their baskets. Luke had no desire to follow a string so his awesome big brother was glad to help.


I took some video footage over the weekend but it didn't turn out that great. The lighting wasn't right. When my boys watch these videos years from now I think they will roll their eyes and say "what was she thinking?" Well, they are probably going to say that about alot of things, but at least they will have each other to commiserate with.

Here are a few clips anyway.

TGIF

There's that Johnson & Johnson commercial that says, "Having a baby changes everything."

They are not kidding.

I remember how Kevin and I used to go to dinner on Friday nights after a long work week. Maybe catch a movie. Get a slow start on Saturday.

Not anymore.

This is how we spent last Friday night.


And I wouldn't change it for the world.

Snow Day 2010

Getting ready. Luke reminds me of the little brother in The Christmas Story movie ("you'll shoot your eye out"). Both of their snowsuits are a little big, but we'll get a few years wear out of them, I hope.

I have a nasty cold so I didn't go outside for long. Just long enough to snap a few pictures and get this video.

Apparently, this was more like "Ice Day" than "Snow Day."

You think we would have learned from last year's Snow Day.
Luke wanted to come inside and wouldn't go back out until Kevin finally convinced him that the big kids were outside playing. So we put everything back on and he played in the snow for awhile. No more sledding though. I think we've scarred him for life.

Wonder Twins - Unite!

When they first opened these capes on Christmas Day, they didn't really do or say much about them. I was a little disappointed. But now that we've had lots of cold weather and have had to stay inside, they put these on at least once a day and "fly" through the house. It is a great way to burn off some of their energy. Energy...just look at them. Keep in mind this is only a snippet of what they did for a good fifteen minutes or so.

The camera angle and the arch makes it looks like that hallway area is extremely long. It really isn't. Just in case you were wondering.