Antlers, outside, and the comfort of a bed

Mason loves to explore the elk antlers in the front courtyard. I found him picking up handfuls of dirt and sprinkling it over the head, just too happy with himself.
I see a lot of outside time in our future, especially camping trips (which we are excited for this summer). I'm sure as soon as the boys are old enough to go hunting or at least antler hunting, we'll be combing the hillsides for sheds!!! I hope one day to recreate a photo I have seen many times at Diane's house. It's a picture of Dave, Brian, and Kevin all wearing their backpacks, ready for a hike, I think somewhere in Colorado. It's just too cute to see them at such a young age all ready for the great outdoors.

You caught me!
Just look at those long, long lashes. Momma is jealous!

After a long weekend with momma, both boys were ready to snuggle in and go to bed, happy as clams that Daddy had returned from hunting! It's really kinda cute to watch them arrange all their stuff (blanket, wooby, sippy with water) and settle down together. There is just something ultra-comforting about Momma's bed, both boys love to have the privledge of being there.
I will admit however, we have started a bad habit of letting Brandon fall asleep in our bed at night. It' just another comfort that he loves and I dread the thought of having to stop it. He is able to be transfered to his bed and stays there the rest of the night. On the good side, he has really stopped fighting the night routine, when he is ready for be, he collects his stuff, asks for water, and is agreeable to teeth brushing and using the potty! I'll take it as a small victory.

Eureka!

A new toy has made it's way out of the closet. It's called "Whack a mole" and the boys love to slap at the moles, even if they don't always hit them.





The boys re-discovered the lacing beads and string this weekend. I am pretty sure we spent hours sitting on the floor lacing things together. Mason loves to see what the string will fit into (and refuses to let me help him, he even shakes his head "no" when you ask him if he needs help) and Brandon is more than willing to show Mason it's proper use!
The boys and I spent most of the weekend playing in the backyard since it was so beautiful outside! Can't beat getting a little vitamin D in February. Much to my surprise, neither one of the boys seemed overly upset that Kevin was hunting this weekend.

Another day

Every now and then I think about having a third baby, I think about those first few moments when you meet your new baby, the way they snuggle on your chest, the way they look at you (as if memorizing the face of the one who unconditionally loves them). I think about the possiblity of having a little girl, the name I have been hoping to give, the ladybug themed room I planned on buying when pregnant with Mason, as I was so sure I was having a girl until the ultrasound proved differently.

Then reality strikes! "Momma, I want milk. Momma, why is your hair short? Momma, your not old, your skin isn't wrinkly or bumpy!", meanwhile Mason is crying and pulling at my pant-leg or attempting to climb onto the barstool, just to be a part of the action. I think about the balance (ha, who am I kidding) I (we) have established. Between working, getting the kids to and from daycare, and taking care of the household stuff, it seems like most days are a frenzie of "getting it all done".

It seems to me that I have all that I hoped for, that I should be so fortunate to have the babies I have, the husband I have, the life I have. So I think I have finally made peice with the fact that we are done having babies (although we still need to permanently fix that issue).

I am content with the life we have established and am start lookng forward to the next chapter in ourlife, to all the great adventures we will soon have!

PJ's and Play-Doh

Ah, finally an evening of post-bath bliss. We were able to have an early dinner and get baths done before the evening wore the kids down. We even got to share a bowl of popcorn while watching some of our favorite shows on the Discovery channel! Not that most nights aren't great with the kids, but lets be honest, the evening are usually hectic and are my least favorite time of the day!
The boys are back on a Play-Doh kick. Mason just loves to mash it in his hands and Brandon is quite imaginative with his creations.

So big!

To the park!

We met up with Grandma Diane this morning for breakfast at IHOP and then it was off to the park! The boys had fun exploring (first time to this park), climbing, swinging, and sliding (with Grandma's assistance). I'm still on the hunt for an inexpensive swing for Mason (for our house).

Soaking up the sun

We're just having a blast exploring our yard!

Mechanic-in-training

I've said it before but I'll say it again, Brandon loves to be Daddy's little helper. He helped Kevin change to oil in both vehicles this weekend.
Brandon is ever focused on seeing how things will fit together, be taken apart, and reattached to something else. I think we may have another engineer in the making!
Just too happy that Daddy let him help!

Life on the floor

Despite having multiple couches and a hand-me-down rocker in our faily room, we spend most of our time residing on the floor, that is since having children. We've even moved our coffee table out of the way to make more room for all the pillows, kids chairs, blankets, toys, kids, dogs, and us on the floor.

Poor Lily, she is such a good sport when it comes to the kids. She and Jake just love to get in the middle of the action, in the hopes of getting a little more attention! Mason was having a blast riding Lily, not too sure she was enjoying it as much!!!

Exploring the kitchen

"Momma, I love my pacy!"
Mason absolutely loves to rub is wooby on his face, it's so cute what little corky things kids come up with to soothe and comfort themselves. He can even say wooby!
This is Brandon's version of helping me make cupcakes, by emptying the "small appliances" drawer and disassembling and reassembling EVERYTHING! He isn't quite as good at putting things away, but we are working on it. A few little mini marshmallows often helps persuade him (as a reward of course).

"Momma, are they ready yet?"

Weighin' In

Brandon's 3 year check up: doing great, healthy, happy, and full of attitude! Since he is up on his vaccinations, he shots for him!
weight: 38 lbs (90%ile)
height: 40" (95%ile)

Mason's 15 month check up (@ 16 months thanks to being sick lately): right on track, big as ever! "Milk, more, baby, and hot" are just a few of the new words we are working on. Poor baby had to get two shots this time around. We'll be back for more at 18 months!
weight: 26 lb 13oz (75%ile)
height: 33 1/2" (97%ile)
head cirm: 90%ile (lots of brains in this little head)

At the rate we go through groceries, especially dairy products, I am glad I have a second frig to keep us stocked on all our favorites (especially when they go on sale).
Kevin loves to remind me that he and Brian practically polished off a gallon of milk daily when they were growing up....will I have to get a second job or should I just buy a milking cow now???

The sandbox returns

Our turtle sandbox made the move with us but it has taken numerous trips to Home Depot to remember to buy more sand! This morning, while Mason napped, Brandon and I picked out the perfect spot to fill our turtle with sand. Then we proceeded to play in the sandbox for the next two hours! Mason joined us this afternoon to move some sand around, although he was not quite as interested as I thought he would be.
"Peek"
"-a-boo"



Just taking the car for a drive!

Sleepy time

It must be a stage that all babies go through, this cute little bum stink buggin' in the air!
The boys had a fun and busy day playing outside with Momma, can you tell they are on the verge of falling asleep...
...and just two minutes later, both boys are fast asleep before 7pm!!!

Just another day at home

Just another afternoon waiting in the courtyard for Nama to show up for her weekly afternoon visit.
Mason loves to wave "bye-bye" to any car he sees coming or going, either in the neighborhood or in any parking lot. Often times he'll get a return wave.



Momma just loves to smooch those chubby little cheeks!