Happy {belated} 4th!!!!

We had an amazing 4th (almost a month ago!).  It had been a few years since we made our annual 4th of July pilgrimage to the Johnson's, and we were sure missing it and missing everyone.   In face, Owen had never been before!  Yikes!  Too long.  I got a handful of pictures, but as always I should have taken more...next year, I swear!

The only picture of the boys in their 4th of July clothes before changing into trunks and staying that way the rest of the day.

My guy.  #4thie 

Much of the day was spent doing this:

Parker cooling off in the hammock. 

Then probably my favorite picture from the entire day.  These 4 laying on the warm concrete to warm up (I can remember this exact feeling from summers growing up).  The other reason its my favorite is Scott making eyes at Riley.  I think its safe to say he developed a HUGE crush on this girl this year, and who can blame him.  I definitely approve!

 Then it was time to bust out the fireworks:

And sparklers 

And these two, seriously, I can't even. 

Hoping we don't have to wait another year to see all our of friends again!  Thanks for a great time Johnsons and crew!

The Reptile Show

We found out about a free reptile show at the last minute on Monday.  Perfect.  We were in.  We met up with Cody and Nicole, fellow boy mamas, to see what it had to offer.

We were the first ones there.  Scott and Owen didn't waste anytime grabbing front row seats.  Without mama.  They were just fine on their own.  Heart break.

Scott didn't waste anytime striking up a conversation with the lady in charge while we waited.  She told the kids to think about which reptile they wanted to hold because everyone would get one turn.  Scott raised his hand to say snake.  And then he kept raising his hand to remind her.

The show started with a scorpion.  Then some frogs.  Then some lizards.  Then some turtles.  Snakes were last.  Scott was SO PATIENT.  And thank God that the lady remembered how much he wanted to hold a snake and called him up very first.

He marched right up on stage and was ready for some snake holding.

Scott was pretty excited about it all.

Owen did not want to be left out but was less excited to go up without me.  Big thank you to Cody for snapping all of these pictures while I held snakes.

I posted a lot of pictures, but I just love how Owen's face changes in amazement over how the snake felt.

He was tickled, literally and figuratively I'm sure.

I have a sinking feeling that I know some boys that might be asking for a pet snake in the future.  I don't mind them, but I don't really care for them as pets.  Holding off as long as possible.

Swim lessons

We completed our first session of swim lessons already this summer.  Perhaps we will do another session (they are 8 lessons over two weeks, this mama needed a break!).   We are doing at the same place we did last year, with one big, important change:  Owen is IN!  This kid has been waiting for a non mommy and me class for basically his whole life (we did do a mommy and me class and I think he was bored, also I don't really need to pay you to help me bounce my kid up and down and sing him songs, we are pretty good on the water exposure thank you very much).   I had them signed up back to back, with Owen going first.  The first day I thought this was gonna bite me in the a$$ because Scott was itching to get in and Owen was not too thrilled.  Owen actually cried pretty hard for the first few minutes, the pool director came and told me to stand where he couldn't see me.  I tried it for about five minutes and decided it wasn't right, the pool director told me "well in the nine years I have been doing this I have never seen it help the situation when the mom has gone over to comfort their kid."  Too bad, I went, two minutes later Owen was swimming with his teacher, no problem at all.  He hasn't had a problem since.  I am not saying that the director was wrong, well maybe I am a little, but I wish the advice he would give wouldn't be a one size fits all, cry it out method, but maybe more of a "you know your child best, what do you think would help him/her?"  Turns out I do know my child best and that he never would have felt safe or comfortable if I hadn't gone to help ease his mind.  I get sad because I think their are parents out their who wouldn't listen to their gut and go anyways, despite what the pool director told them - its those people I want to get the message: you're the parent, do what you think is right!

I digress.  Ever since the first day things have really turned around and the boys are doing great.  Scott was a little bored when they wouldn't let him swim on his own, finally he said "stop touching me and scoot back, don't come get me, I can do it myself."  So that was that.

The boys all ready for their first day:

Heading off with his teacher

Owen rockin' the kicking (don't let it fool you though, he wasn't the best listener, he did a lot of messing around, going when it wasn't his turn, getting out and jumping in when he wasn't supposed to, the poor little 20 year old teacher tried so hard but I think he was a little stressed by Owen's antics)

When Scott was in his lesson Owen was digging into the snacks.  It was perfect!

And while Scott was waiting for his lesson during Owen's.....well, this about sums it up:

The kindness of strangers...

Last week was A WEEK.  Everything seemed busier and tougher.  There were lots of break downs.  Tuesday felt like Friday.  You know.

So Monday after cardio barre we stopped at TJs because, you know, we had no food in the house.  None.  We were about fifteen minutes into shopping (maybe less), I had already tapped into my go to's for getting through shopping: 1. finish lollipop from cardio barre (if its not gone already, these two places are next door but sometimes they go that fast) 2. find coconut joe 3. stop for a snack at the sample station.

The boys were not having.  It was fighting and tantrums and all out drama.  Went the last straw hit I told them we were leaving.  We had chicken and bananas in our cart.  We had to buy them.  We had nothing in the house.  So we are in the check out line - still tantruming.  My girlfriend walks in at the exact right moment.  She has 3 kids, 5 and under, she's there too.  She gives me a hug.  By then we are paying.  Tears are brimming.  We are done paying.  The checker can tell I'm holding back tears.  I start walking out with the cart/kids, half pushing the cart, half dragging the kids.  The guy checking my groceries jogs out from behind his stand and meets me at the door with a bouquet of flowers.  He tells me its ok, he tells me to take a deep breath, he tells me that I'm a good mom.  

So naturally I start full on crying (bet he wasn't planning on that!).  

I could have left that store feeling defeated and embarrassed, and a little pissed off that we didn't have groceries.  Because of this man I left knowing it WAS ok, I felt encouraged, and I remembered that I am a good mom.

He has NO IDEA how much he changed our week (well he didn't until today when I gave him a 'thank you' card, he basically is either gonna think it was nice of me or he's going to think I'm totally crazy town).  But even still, I don't know that he really will ever know.

That night we had chicken for dinner.  No sides.  No veggies.  Just chicken.

June happenings

A little June recap for ya.

We had our last week of school and then 2 weeks (3 for Scott because of red hen week) until summer camp started.  What to do???  It was pretty nice not having a schedule.  We took the opportunity to all get a nasty cold.  Brian and I had a wedding.  We played in the sprinklers.  We had play dates.  And then it was time for swim lessons and camp.

One day a bunch of mommies and munchkins from school met at a park.  We were there longer than expected and we had a blast.  It was warm, but cool in the shade.   Everyone packed plenty of snacks to share and swim gear for the kids because it turned out to be wading day.

There is a little creek that run through the park and end in a duck pond.  It is not reclaimed water and its always flowing, but it still gave me the heebee geebees a little.  And I'm not a germaphobe in the slightest.  In fact between all of us at school we are all pretty 'crunchy'.  So for all of us to keep reminding the kids not to put their faces in....well you know it was a little questionable. 

Owen was fully capable of hanging with the big kids:

Part of our mama camp:

Creek friends:

We had several beach days.  One special day we went with some friends.  When the kids have a friend its practically like having a babysitter.  We just sat and watched them for hours.  Heaven.

My sweet friend moved from the valley and is now right by my office.  One night I was working around 7ish and waiting for a patient.  I was checking instagram and saw a picture of her awesome looking dinner.  I joked that she should bring me some.  10 minutes later...dinner at my office.  She ended up being my last patient of the night so we got a good half hour of girl talk in too.  Best surprise!

Summer means slower mornings and chocolate chip smiley pancakes when they are requested.

Park play date.  Which brother is which?  Same size.

First day of summer camp.

We also hit the splash park recently.  

The water kept going off for long intervals, but we made the best of it and had a great time. 

A mom I was chatting with commented that Owen always looked like he was flexing when he walked around.  Yep that's him.  Baby beefcake.  

We are on a MAJOR Toy Story kick right now.  Buzz Lightyear everything.  Both boys have a talking Buzz.  They bring them everywhere.  Most annoying toy ever in the car.  Actually second to a harmonica (made that mistake once. never again.)

Auntie Al was in town visiting and we got to spend some time with her.  And celebrate her baby boy to be at her showers!

One of her last nights in town we got to just hang out at Rick and Lou's and enjoy family time.  We also got treated to glitter tattoos by Brittney. 

Hardcore right?

Scott getting his glitter dragon.

My guys after a long day of swimming.

A little ice cream in our jams:

Several generations of cousins

Can't believe we are already into July.  This summer seems to by flying by!