Memorial Day

We had such a fun weekend. Although, I wish holidays wouldn't be on Mondays so that we could use Monday to recoup and get ready for the week. We did some much needed yard work and planted some flowers. Nolan was such a great helper and even went on a bug hunt while we were out there. Grandma and Granddad came over and we went to the pool and grilled out...a complete Memorial Day weekend! It was Campbell's first time in the pool. Seeing that he sometimes throws a tantrum when I take him out of the tub because he hasn't played long enough, I know he would love it and he did. He stayed in the float for 45 minutes and was showing no signs of wearing out...only his super pruney feet!

Shoe hunting

We signed up Nolan for basketball! So we had to go out and buy him a basketball and some shoes. They don't make basketball shoes for his size so we just got him some regular running shoes. He was running all over the store because he swore that they made him faster. It was so funny but probably not as funny to other people in the store who he almost ran over. When I told him to put his flip flops back on so we could pay for them, he said, "But I want to be superhero!" Here are some shots of us at the school practicing for his upcoming basketball season.

Decorating

I am not one to have shopping parties but my friend's sister had one and I couldn't go so I decided to have a party myself! I just loved this stuff. It's called Upper Case Living and it's super easy. It's just a transfer. I wish I would have known about these before we spent hours painting the boys' rooms!

I love letters. I know it sounds crazy but I do. I love inspiring quotes, I love monograms, I love incorporating fun fonts in my scrapbooking and my boys' rooms too. I love making invitations and finding just right font. I'm such a nerd. Maybe it's the writing teacher coming out in me. So I decided to throw a party and here are a few items that I got for the house. I think they turned out really cute!

Tickets anyone?

I think the video speaks for itself...

an artist at work

We've had some fun evenings out in the backyard after dinner the past few weeks. Nolan is definitely his father's son when it comes to his artistic talent. He drew every part of this. I helped him spell duck but he wrote it out. What I am the most amazed about is that he'll just start drawing and I'll ask him what it is and he'll say, "I don't know yet," and then sure enough, he creates something like this.

Yo baby

We had a little yogurt mishap the other day. It sure was cute though!

What an awesome Mother's Day

I think this Mother's Day was super special. Not that the others haven't been but this one just really warmed my heart. The boys were great. They got me a beautiful ring from James Avery. I was especially flattered that they thought my fingers were as skinny as the size they bought me. We went to church and had lunch with my mom and sister afterwards. During church, Nolan went up for the children's sermon. I love that our church does this and I just love the adorable things that kids say up there. Nolan is the youngest by far. The other kids up there yesterday were 3rd grade and up. Well, Nolan had his first adorable children's sermon moment on Mother's Day. Our youth minister asked all the kids what was something kind that they were going to do for their moms. He handed Nolan the microphone and my heart started pounding fast. I was nervous that either Nolan wasn't listening to the question because he was so busy waving at me and saying, "Hi mommy!" or that he would say something that had nothing to do with what the children's sermon was about. But quick as ever, as if he had been planning to say it all along, he said, "I'm going to be nice to my baby brother," in his super adorable 3 year old voice. The congregation immediately roared with "aaahs" and laughter. I was just smiling ear to ear and so proud of what a sweet boy he is (well most of the time). And you know what, he actually was nice to Campbell but he usually is anyway. What a great gift!

What I know about motherhood

1. Everything is a phase. As soon as I start worrying about one thing it's over and a new phase has started.
2. I will never have a clean house but that that mess means that I spent time with my boys and I'm proud of that.
3. God made them so adorably cute so that when I want to pull my hair out that they say the cutest thing or make the cutest face that I can't possibly stay mad at them.
4. In the most stressful situation with my children the best thing to do is to laugh. Otherwise I might cry.
5. It's ok for you to say sorry to your kids. It shows that we all make mistakes.
6. Things that I don't think my kids notice that I do are the things that they remember the most. It's comforting and scary to know at the same time to know what a model I am.
7. I now know why my own mother was so insanely protective over me.
8. You have to let go sometimes to let them learn. The consequence isn't always good but that is where the learning occurs.
9. I once heard great advice about disciplining your child. You need to make your kids think you're a little bit crazy.
10. I never knew what my heart was capable of. How much it could love. How when I had a second child, my love wasn't divided-it only multiplied.

And most importantly, motherhood really gave me an appreciation for my mom and all the people that raised me and my mother-in-law. I see how truly self-sacrificing it is but how I wouldn't trade it for the world.

What a helper

Justin and I have joked even before we ever had children that we are going to put them to work mowing the yard and taking out the trash by the time they can walk. Well, we're a little late in the game but we had Nolan "mow" the yard with Justin the other day. He has always been such a helper whether it's fetching a diaper for me, putting his dishes in the sink or just cleaning up, I think someday some girl is really going to thank me for training him so well :)

Tough love

Campbell has gotten a little mean when it comes to his lovin'. He doesn't mean to be. In fact it happens when he just can't control his happiness. When he gets really happy you better watch out...your hair better be pulled back, earrings or glasses off, and protective armor must be thrown on immediately. When I pick him up from his crib in the morning he is flapping his arms so hard that I think he might actually take flight at any moment and if your face gets hit in the action...well, he just can't help it. Campbell LOVES Bandit and he loves him hard. He always crawls after him and Bandit has been such a good sport about all the tugs and fur pulling and head smacking. Bandit just takes it but when he sees Campbell coming for him he does get this little look like, "Here he comes! Take cover!" Cam hasn't quite learned the phrase "nice touches" yet.

is this not the most mischievious look ever?

I can totally picture Bandit thinking, "Oh no, he's got me cornered."Bandit taking it like a champ

But the tough love is well worth all the slobber...err, I mean bruises!

M spot

Nolan is definitely recognizing sight words (as we teachers call them) and it's so fun to see him processing and learning how to read words. He knows how to recognize all his friends' names at school and a few others like zoo, our names, cat, dog, etc. But he thinks his name just isn't complete without mentioning his last name initial.

Rollin' with Nolan

So I've been having to get pretty creative with things to do with the boys since we're on swine flu house arrest. We have ventured out to eat dinner but are avoiding playgrounds and shopping carts right now (the two dirtiest and germ-infested things I know). I once read that the average public restroom is cleaner than shopping carts...gross! So now that the weather is cooperating we've had some opportunities to go for walks and bike rides. Campbell loves stroller rides and could be outside for hours. Nolan is becoming quite a pro at his bike but told me the other day, "My bottom hurts," after riding for a while. I don't blame him.

A day for wishes