Acting like Animals

Carter and Luke joined some friends for a birthday celebration. Everyone trekked up to the Catoctin Zoo in MD. Carter loves animals and knows more about animals than most adults do so he was thrilled to be invited. The boys rode a camel and went on a jungle safari ride. The camel ride was a blast. I did not join the boys on the safari ride because Brayden could not fit with his KidKart. Five boys and one mom went on the safari trip. More than twenty people loaded on to a special big truck. The park distributes popcorn and bread for everyone to feed the animals during the safari ride. One ostrich got desperate and bite Luke's hand. He only has a few scratches but he will gladly tell you his harrowing tale when he came face to face with the big ostrich. It was a very memorable day for everyone.

Open for Business

Today during what I thought was supposed to be quiet time (Carter reads books in his room, Luke & Brayden sleep), Carter came running to find me. He declared that his store was open. There was excitement all over his face. I followed him to his room. He went to great detail explaining each section of his store. He set up different areas where you could find what you needed: books, stuffed animals, games, puzzles, pillows, toys... He gathered all of the items in his room and closet and made a neat little sections. He set up a large pillow that was his desk. There he set up his cash register, which is a little cash register bank, a box to hold big money (a.k.a dollar bills) and change for his customers. He was so excited to have customers. He wanted to wake his brothers to come to his store. I purchased a koala stuffed animal. I just love his imagination!

Farmers

The garden is growing. Carter and Luke found the first sign of a good crop. Everything has grown huge. They can barely wait until it is time to start picking. The boys will take anyone and everyone to see their garden. They love to turn on the sprinkler to water the plants, as well as run through it.

Ride the Waves

Children at the beach. They love it. Sand covering their body. Water splashing their face. Riding waves after waves.

Will the fun ever end?

Brayden and the Sweet Potato

Last night we dined at a steak house. It was quite a treat. Carter and Luke ordered up some fruit smoothies. Jeremy and I ordered a big 'ol steak. Brayden was feeling left out and started to fuss. His tube feed was not satisfying enough. Jeremy tried to help him out by giving him a little taste of sweet potatoes. He sucked it right off of Jeremy's finger. Jeremy gave him a little more and then a little more. He ate it right off Jeremy's finger. Before long, Brayden had eaten about half the sweet potato. He came face to face with a big potato and he won! Of course his new shirt is covered in sweet potato. There are little bits of potatoes all over his face! He completed his meal with a taste of ice cream. Mmmm. He was so stuffed he could barely move. He looked stuffed (thus the picture).

The simple life

We are vacationing at Topsail Island. The first day out, Carter and Luke spent hours upon hours at the beach. The only things they needed was a shovel and pail, lots of waves and sand. It was so simple. We packed tons of beach toys and they only played with a few things. Luke talked to people passing by, declaring "We're at the beach!" Luke found fun in being upside down and letting the waves get him in the face. Carter collected many sea shells and was determined to catch a sand crab but the crab was too fast. Both the boys run back and forth from the beach to the water; water to the beach. Apparently this is amazing fun. We don't mind all of the running, they were entertained and it means better naps. Brayden loved the sound of the ocean and slept the majority of the morning. Soon we will be putting his feet in the sand and water to see what he thinks.

The simple life at the beach.

Tornado in Waterford?

Yesterday afternoon, the forecast was for thunderstorms but as time went on, the storms got stronger and stronger. I was looking outside, every was so still. Jeremy called to check on us and see if the storm was near the house. I assured him that things looked fine. Just moments after hanging up, the sky turned black and the wind was so loud, I could barely here anything. Massive amounts of rain came pounding down and the wind was whipping. I grabbed the boys and headed for the basement (thinking we may see the wicked witch of the west fly by).

The strong winds passed and we eventually came upstairs. Trees down every where, some pulled right out of the ground. Jeremy came home to find trees crushed our new fence in several places. The boys trampoline was smashed by a large tree. Our front porch furniture was on the front lawn. The deck furniture was all turned over and blown up against the railing. Amazingly, nothing hit the house or the barn. For what we can see, the neighbors houses are fine too. The other fun thing is that it was trash day and the recycle truck had not come yet. The lawns are covered with newspapers and trash (probably the biggest task to clean up). We have no power but we have the trusty generator. I have an extension cord running to the computer so I have contact with the outside world.

Singing in the Rain

Is there anything better than listening to children giggling and laughing?
Carter and Luke came home from soccer. The storms held off until the afternoon. The sky opened up and rain came pouring down. Carter and Luke stood in the garage watching the rain come down in buckets. We mentioned that they could run and play in the rain for a few minutes. They looked at us in disbelief. We said they could go and they went. They found it to be great fun. They ran in circles letting the rain cover them, giggling the entire time...at least until we said they had to come in.

How does your garden grow?

Jeremy, Jeremy quite contrary

How does your garden grow?

With little boys, lots of toys

and tomato plants in a row.

(like nursery rhyme Mary, Mary quite contrary)

Jeremy, Carter and Luke have a garden. It has been fenced, planted, watered and more. The garden is back by our little barn. This is the first garden for our family. Carter wants to check on the growth every day. Luke wants to turn on the sprinkler.

We will see how our garden grows!

Here comes the Bride. At least here comes the cutest ring bearer and flower girl!

This weekend Jeremy’s sister, Heather, got married. She and her husband Brian Smith had a beautiful outdoor wedding. The location and weather could not have been better. Everything was picture perfect, especially the ring bearer and flower girl, Carter and his cousin Anna. Of course I am partial but come on, they are adorable!

Rolling with My Homies

Brayden and I are "Rolling with My Homies" (from the classic 90s movie, Clueless; if you haven't seen it don't worry, you didn't miss much).

Brayden and I are rolling in style. Brayden has his new set of wheels and so do I! Brayden's stroller can now be retired and replaced with his KidKart. The stroller has been around since Carter was born. My car, the Land Cruiser can now be retired. We had the car for over 8 years and 160,000 miles. I am not sure how many miles we have on the stroller but it is probably about the same. The new car is ready to hold three boys and all of their gear. If we can only keep it this sparkly so we could keep on rolling in style! My homies are a bunch of messy kids.

School is out for Summer

Carter and Luke finished up preschool for the year at Purcellville Baptist. Carter will be heading to kindergarten. Luke will have two more years of preschool. They absolutely enjoyed every minute of it! Carter had preschool graduation last week. Of course, Luke wants to know when he will graduate and go to kindergarten.

Bullwinkle

It is a big day for Jeremy, the moose a.k.a Bullwinkle has arrived. He found a special place on the basement wall. If you would like to stop by and get acquainted with Bullwinkle, just let Jeremy know. I am sure he would be happy to introduce you.

Jeremy and Bullwinkle first met this past fall in Newfoundland, Canada. It was love at first site. Jeremy had to wait patiently for people to prepare the moose and ship to our home. The reunion of Jeremy and Bullwinkle was an exciting moment.

No Hands!

Is soccer Luke's calling? We do not know that yet but he is enjoying every minute of it. Luke started Mini Soccer for the first time. He smiles through the entire session. He knows the rule "No Hands!"...most of the time.

Carter has started another soccer season. I am not sure how many seasons now but it has been too many to count and he is only five. Carter likes to play soccer. He takes it quite seriously. He not only wants his team to win but he wants to score the most goals.

You can tell the difference in Carter and Luke just by the pictures. Carter is in it to win it and Luke is in it for the fun!

Awana Excitement

Carter, Luke and Jeremy finished up Awana for the year. Jeremy volunteered as a leader. This was Carter's first year and received an award for completing his first year in Cubbies. Luke received a "Cubbie in training award". Luke was not quite old enough to fully participate but Jeremy brought him long for the fun so Brayden and I could have some evenings alone...in quiet. They have been so excited every Sunday for Cubbies. I tagged along for the last Awana and experienced their excitement first hand in the car (thus the pictures).