Summer Lately

We went to the outlet mall one evening and scored some great deals at The Children's Place. Bob found some great pants for Jacob when he goes to kindergarten - elastic waist and still adjustable and marked down to $6.40. We bought three pairs. Sometimes, you wish you bought even more, though, when you know how hard boys are on their clothes once they hit school age. Jacob liked this red shirt so much he put it on over his clothes, so we ended up buying it. It was only $2.50 though, so he picked well! We did not buy the boys these hats, but they did look cool. Wish you could hear them going through the store shouting cowboy things to everyone.

 They hung out in the back of my car while Bob cleaned it out and vacuumed a zillion crumbs out of there. 

 Play date with friends at the park, and most of the time the boys choose to play together anyway, haha.

 Trying out their new water guns with clips that you reload. We bought these guns at the end of the summer last year on clearance for $6 a piece, and two extra clips for $1 a piece. Bob had no chance against these two!

 Bob took the boys to a touch-a-truck event while I was at a MOPS leadership meeting one Saturday. They had a blast!

 Building a birdhouse with Daddy, which led to us playing with tools for days and days, and Joshua wearing his tool belt while he was on his bike.

 The boys would go around shouting "construction team!" 

 We met our dear friends at the children's museum this week. As soon as we walked in we caught the Bumblebee transforming. The boys have seen it twice before, but were actually more interested in it this day than before!

 The four friends in the new Avatar exhibit. Blurry, but love seeing these guys together. Never gets old.

 Swimming lessons have really been keeping us busy, and since Bob is in summer school, he hasn't been able to see some of the progress they are making. So, tonight we took advantage of a "twilight special" at the public pool in Franklin. The boys and I saw the newly renovated pool when we played at a nearby park one day and knew we wanted to try it out! After naps we dressed the boys and headed down. We had so much fun, and Joshua shocked us with how much he loved going down this water slide. Jacob went into the "big pool" for a long time with Bob so he could swim around. They had a blast and were exhausted and starving by the time we left.

 We headed over to dinner at Pizza King, where a model train brings your drinks to you. The boys had a blast. Jacob ate a TON of food. Between swimming lessons in the morning, having friends over afterwards, playing outside with more friends, and swimming at the public pool, this boy packed away some food! 

Bits and Pieces

I'm too lazy to load pictures and recap our entire week that I have neglected to blog about, but wanted to write down a few things I want to remember:

- Joshua is talking SO well, and surprising me more and more every day. He talked early, I think with his first word at like six months old, but was reluctant to put together complex sentences for a while. Now, he is talking so much and just taking off. He really is his father's son, since I guess Bob didn't talk much as a baby but took off verbally around this age as well. I love hearing Joshua talk, say his complete thoughts, and just really be such a big kid all of a sudden.
- Jacob and Joshua started swim lessons this past Monday. They meet every day for two weeks. Jacob is in level 2, which is awesome for him, but I think he is intimidated since he is the youngest in his class by like 2 to 3 years. He is learning some difficult lessons about being on your own in different situations. He is handling it so well, but you just don't realize how hard it is to be throw out to be on your own before you have had to really experience that in school. These other kids have been in school for a few years already, to where Jacob hasn't had that kindergarten experience that would help him be a little more independent. I'm very proud of him for being so brave, jumping off the diving board into 12-feet deep water, and being on his own even when he knows Joshua gets to swim with me. Joshua and I are in a mommy-and-me class. He actually put his face underwater the past two days all on his own. He holds his little nose and dunks under real fast, and comes up smiling and proud of himself. He will also do anything we ask of him just so he can be wrapped in his Spider-man towel after class. Joshua will then sit on my lap quietly while we watch the last half of Jacob's class.
- We have had a super busy week with a park playdate with our MOPS group, having the Wiley's over for a full day of fun, spending time with Grandma today on her day off, and a MOPS Leadership family picnic tonight. The boys played so well with everyone and had such a wonderful time. At one point, I just looked around and realized that the boys were making memories they will treasure. They may not remember tonight, but they will remember having a childhood that they can run through a park for hours playing with friends, growing up with kids to play with and loving parents watching. I love looking around at the good friends we have made the past few years, being able to trust other parents to watch out for our kids while they all run around together on the playground. I love that we know other kids well enough to help them on the playground, push them on swings, and have a little community where our kids can have some great times together. We stayed longer than I anticipated because the boys were just having such a good time. Then, Bob and I took them to get ice cream at McDonald's...followed by drinks....followed by french fries. They boys laughed and joked and enjoyed some family time before heading home.
- Joshua has peed on the potty once a night every night this week. But, tonight after I took his diaper off he ran off and played. Then, he suddenly stood up, ran to the bathroom, got his stool into position, and peed in the toilet. We are so proud of him. We aren't sure if we are going to start potty training soon or not because of swim lessons and vacation coming up, but knowing he is close to ditching the diaper is exciting for him!
- We will have to be getting rid of Joshua's pacifier soon. He keeps shoving the whole thing in his mouth, chewing on it, and throwing it around. He  is also going longer periods without it on his own, so we know he is getting ready on his own to get rid of it. He knows he isn't allowed to have it when he plays with friends, when we go to parks, when we are outside, etc. And, he does a great job not wanting it for hours on end. So, I know it will be rough, but it won't be impossible!

Wedding Weekend

After story time on Friday morning, the boys and I headed up to meet Bob for lunch. It was his last day of school, and he was going to be heading up for the rehearsal dinner for his sister's wedding. I wanted to boys to see him before he left. We were going to hang back and let Jacob play in  his first t-ball game Saturday morning and then drive up for the wedding. But, Bob ended up getting out of work early, which wasn't expected, and we started getting nervous that if anything happened Saturday morning the boys would be late for the wedding, and they were the ring bearers. So, we packed up super quick and headed up for the wedding after all.

Friday night, the future in-laws hosted the rehearsal dinner at their home. The boys ran around like crazy, and Jacob decided to play around with all of the drinking games the newlyweds were getting. They had a giant beer pong table set up painted for IU and Butler. No alcohol involved, and Jacob just wanted to bounce the balls around on the table. We joked that we are training him early to make sure he isn't stuck drinking a lot when he's in college playing the game, but really, I was just thankful this occupied him for a while since it is hard to contain your kids at an adult party! 

The boys didn't eat much at the dinner because there was too much going on and they aren't fond of burgers and hot dogs (so weird!), so we stopped and got them some food on the way home, stopped by Bob's parents house for a little while and then got back to the hotel around 11:30 our time. The boys were exhausted. We all slept in a king bed, and this is how the boys slept that night, all snuggled up together.

 Saturday morning, the boys slept in a little bit and then we headed to McDonald's for breakfast. The McDonald's there has an outdoor play area, which was like gold to the kids. They had a blast burning some energy after being contained the night before. Then, we headed back to the hotel for some swimming. Jacob adored Bob's cousins and made them do plenty of cannonballs to wear them all out. We all came upstairs to get cleaned up and dropped Bob off for the wedding festivities since he was a groomsman. The boys got in about an hour nap before I had to wake them up and get them dressed for the wedding.

Joshua's shorts were too big on his skinny little body, so we had to pin them in the back, but the boys looked absolutely adorable. I am so glad their outfits were comfortable so they didn't feel stiff or hot all day. We arrived around 3:00, but everyone was running late and the boys had to just kind of stand around until about 4:15, took a few pictures, and then waited a while before the ceremony. The ceremony started a little late as well, and I'm actually pretty shocked the boys did so well with so much time on their hands.

 The boys started crying outside because the tractors that would take the guests back to the ceremony site kept pulling out without them. They had to be on the last tractor with the bridal party, which meant a lot of angry screams from Joshua every time a tractor pulled out without him. But, we got back to the site, and the boys had to pull the other ring bearer, a 10-month-old little boy, in a wagon. They did such a fantastic job and so many people said such nice things about how well the boys were in the wedding. At the end of the aisle, the boys tried to turn a little too early and hit the chair, and Jacob went over and checked on the baby, patted his head and gave him a hug. Lots of "awwww"'s were heard throughout the crowd. It goes along with him always saying he wants to be a babysitter and a daddy when he grows up!

 The boys stood with Bob and their Uncle Dan (or Muncle Dan, as Joshua calls him), for a few minutes before getting bored and coming to sit with me off to the side. Snacks and suckers occupied them for the ceremony!

The boys were crazy dancers all night, and I'm looking forward to getting a look at the pictures the professional photographer got of them during the reception. It made for two extremely late nights in a row for the boys, but they had a good time.

Sunday morning, the boys slept in again and we swam right away before eating breakfast. By the time we swam, got cleaned up and checked out of the hotel, it was about 11:00 our time when we got to Bob's parents house for some breakfast. The boys spent the entire day eating, playing with cousins and second cousins, and finally got home at about midnight. It was a great day to just spend with family and watch the boys run around the house with other little kids. They pulled out some of Bob's old G.I. Joe's he had and were playing with them most of the day. I didn't get any pictures on Sunday. Mostly because I was exhausted from the two days prior, and also because it was just nice to sit back and enjoy watching them play with family kids and make memories that Bob and I have of growing up and running through your grandparent's house with family. 

Hair Cuts and Story Time

Thursday morning I needed to get the boys a hair cut for the upcoming wedding (my sister-in-law's), so we headed over to Cookie Cutters. The picture below is the first after picture. I wasn't happy with Jacob's, so the second picture is after I had them clean him up a second time. The lady was probably annoyed with me for being so picky about a hair cut, but I was annoyed at spending $14 on a kid's cut and it not turn out well!

 The boys rode bikes and played outside in the evening, and then on Friday morning we headed to Barnes and Noble's story time again where they read the book, "Click, Clack, Moo," a favorite for Jacob. Joshua is getting better and better during story time. He cracks me up during the craft. He will use one color, scribble a little bit, and tell me he is done. I ask him to color some more, he does more, and then takes his cow up to the lady and she helps him do the glue if there is some that week. He always does the glue stick like a crayon and covers it all over the place, and then will very gently push down on whatever needs to be glued down. 

Joshua was obsessed with the Spider-Man outfit I bought him from Totsy. Even though the shorts are a little big for him, he was just obsessed and would run around yelling Spider-Man all day. Jacob wanted to wear his Spider-Man shirt, too, and his talks, so they were my two super heroes of the day.

Free Movie, Park, and T-Ball Practice

Wednesday morning we headed to a free movie at a theater in Franklin. I had never been to this movie theater, but saw online they offer a free kid movie every Wednesday morning through the summer. Today was Hotel Transylvania, which the boys LOVED when we saw it in the theater before. So, I loaded the boys up and headed to the movie theater. When we pulled up there were quite a few buses in the parking lot, and it looked super busy. I didn't know this was so popular! The place was super crowded, but I was pleasantly surprised that they were showing the movie on multiple screens and sent people to different screens so nothing was overly packed. Our theater didn't feel too crowded, and the boys had a great time. They offer a kid combo during the free movie for only $3.50, so the boys enjoyed their own popcorn and drink during the movie.

When we pulled out of the parking lot, I headed to a park that I knew was nearby. Thankfully, they had a bathroom because Jacob was near tears that he had to pee so badly! 

 The boys posing together for a picture - even Joshua was saying "cheeseburger" here!

Jacob cracked me up, because when we pulled up he said, "Well, this playground doesn't look too exciting, but once I'm out there I think it will be exciting." I had to admit, the playground didn't look super "cool," but we played on the older playground that had super high bridges and tall ladders. He thought he was pretty cool stuff being able to do the ladders and everything, and seeing how high he was once he was up on the bridge. Then, we headed over to the playground for smaller kids so I didn't have to chase Joshua everywhere. The boys had a good time walking around, crossing a bridge, watching a spider build a web, and enjoying the new park. 

When we pulled out of the park, it was almost 1:00, and the boys both looked like they might not make it home. So, I stopped for lunch and the boys enjoyed a nice break before heading home for naps. 

Jacob had his first t-ball practice tonight and did a fantastic job! He was such a good listener to the coach, caught the ball surprisingly well, and had a great hit! He was really having a good time despite the awkward time of practice and the heat! Joshua and I hung out in the shade during practice, which was nice for once that we weren't stuck in the sun throughout the entire hour! Jacob is super pumped to get a shirt before the game on Saturday that has his own number, and he gets a hat. Can't wait to see him all dressed on Saturday morning!

A Catch-Up Day

After all of the birthday excitement, play dates, and running around, Tuesday was a much needed catch-up day to just hang around the house with no plans! We were out of milk, so around 9 a.m. I loaded the kids up and headed to Meijer for some grocery shopping. Even though the boys had breakfast earlier, they were hungry again. I stopped and got gas by McDonald's, and wanted a Diet Coke for myself. Then, the boys were asking for drinks, and Jacob said he was hungry, so we sat in the parking lot and ate some breakfast. We talked and laughed, and I had such a fun little breakfast in the car with the boys. I told Jacob he had a good idea to get some food!

 After grocery shopping, we played outside, had a picnic lunch out on the back patio, and actually took a nap at a normal time. When the boys woke up, we headed to the library with Daddy and got our first round of points in the summer reading program. Joshua picked out a laser finger for himself, and was so proud to have his own, since Jacob has a bunch from last year's program.

 Jacob picked out a book and a creepy key chain (if you can see it at the bottom of the picture).

So glad the boys enjoy reading and getting their points. They love the reading program, and I'm glad that reading books is just part of their every day routine.