Weekend Recap

What a great weekend!Well, minus the ear infection...third ear infection, mind you... Ugh. So over those. However, I'm in the search for a non-surgical solution. And, based on what I have been reading (here, here, and here) those ear tubes are over-prescribed. So, we (Jason, our awesome pediatrician, and I) are working on a solution. Don't get me wrong, if he needs them, then we will get the procedure done. Austin's problem is that he just keeps getting these ear infections then moves quickly into perforation of the ear drum. But, then he heals perfectly fine. His ear just don't like the water. For now, our little guy will use the Ear Band-It System as our solution (well, as soon as Mr. UPS brings it). Until then, no pools for him...

Other than that little boo-hoo over the weekend and little sleep... We had a great one!

Jason and the bigger boys had a day out together on Saturday! They we to Lowe's to build a dragon. specifically to build Toothless the Night Fury. Awesome! 

While they were doing all of that, Austin and I got our grocery shopping and a few projects done around the house.

I finally recovered - ahem - child-proofed my chairs. I saw this post a while back and finally tackled it. Only spent $24 and 2 hours to make sure my chairs are no longer trashed.

Insert happy mama dance!

Now this... I cannot explain... Do you have a room in your house that just doesn't want to stay clean no matter what??? Just me?? It's really getting on my nerves. So now I have on my calendar (I use this one - it is awesome) to do a pick up of this spot every week. Seriously. Maybe that will help. Everything just gets thrown in there. You come in from the garage, and this is where it all goes?? I really can't stand this room. Next house I WILL have a separate mudroom and laundry room. Not doing this again.

I still can't stand those cardboard boxes. But, at least I know what is in there now...

Of course once all that was done and everyone was back home, it was time for some major snacking.

What's better than having a icy pop?  Having your big brother help you get the rest of it out, of course!

Oh, and watching the big boys have an icy pop is pretty fun, too. Yes, he likes to stand. Everywhere.

And, we can't forget what yesterday was...Father's Day! This guy is one amazing dad...a super dad, of course! We love you!!

We hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Father's Day!

What Alex Built {Lowe's Build & Grow}

If you have not yet taken your kids to these FREE clinics offered by Lowe's, why not?!

1 - it is FREE!
2 - It may say recommended for 5 year olds, but both of my boys (2 and almost 4) LOVE going and making stuff with Daddy's help. I mean, if they can build stuff with Legos and put together these train tracks...well, then, they can do this.

Andrew went to his first clinic in early July - click here to check that out if you missed it.

Alex went to his first one at the end of July. He was SO proud of himself and what he made with his Daddy. They can't wait to go back and make more cool things!! And, thank you, honey, for getting pictures for us!!

 Isn't he a cutie in those goggles?! Love it!! He LOVED his RC Car from Toy Story!

Alex checking out some flowers for mama :)

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I feel like I just wrote about June coming to an end...and now we are a bit over half way through with July! We had a few outings this week (and last). We have also made a few changes around the house as the summer moved along.

They boys have been enjoying their bunks so much! But, as we have had them sharing a room once before, we knew what we were we getting ourselves into. We were hoping that they were big enough to know a bit better, but...well, being almost 4 and a bit over 2 is tough work. Luckily, I remembered this clock I saw a good while ago at Barnes & Noble. And, a few friends have been using similar types of clocks for their little ones. Have you heard of the OK to Wake Clock?? It is GREAT!

Source - Amazon

While I was looking for the clock, Andrew and Alex played with the legos. Afterwards, we headed over to the Starbucks and got a goodie. Funny story... I told that that B&N is really a grown-up store and the people like to read their new books and have coffee QUIETLY. I told them we could sit in the cafe, too, but they had to be really quiet. It was amazing... They whispered how good their M&M blondie was and how other mommies that were there had hair like me or a stroller like Alex's. It was so funny. We may need to go there again when this mama needs the peace restored.

Anyway, back to the clock...

That thing is awesome. It glows green when it is time to get up. It glows a soft yellow to be a night light. It even has a nap time setting for Alex! They were getting up way to early...like, 5am too early. Um, no... I do NOT think so, little people. So, now they have this clock that "tells" them at 7am they are allowed to come out/wake up/etc. They still are up early, but they now know to stay in bed and NOT wake up mommy or daddy. That was getting old...

And speaking of getting up early, call me crazy, but I'm getting back into it. I know, I know. Pregnant and all getting up early. But, you know...I need that morning quiet time to myself before I have to get on with the dad. I am back to enjoying that glorious cup of coffee without microwaving it 40 times. I actually HEAR the news instead of catching bits and pieces here and there. I love it.

Can you tell I love it?! The morning sunshine ALL to myself in the backyard. I hear the birds singing and the "babbling brook" in our neighbor's backyard. I love that they have that water feature... 

And while we are talking about birds...that sweet cardinal couple had some babies!! Here is one of their little boys who still has his fuzzy head, but that wonderful red coloring. He comes around all the time and his parents are usually sitting on the fence just watching him close by. Sweetest thing ever. 

I have a few more bird stories...

Gotta love a good macaw picture! Yep, we headed to the zoo - again! 

While we were there, look what we found!! A mama Guinea hen with her eggs. A LOT of eggs!! When we were back earlier this week, she and the eggs were gone and placed safely somewhere else. We are hoping to see some sweet little chicks in the future! 

Last weekend...

I read a post somewhere from a mom who took here little guys to Lowe's for the Build and Grow Clinics. Her kids were about Andrew and Alex's ages. The website says "recommended for 5 years or older." She was talking about how hers love building and such just like mine do. I read on to see that her kids loved it and said that really any age can do it. So, I signed up Andrew for last weekend's project - the Pizza Planet Truck from Toy Story! Perfect! I begged Jason to take some pictures for me and just look at my little builder man!

He loved it!! Jason said that there were other kids there that were even younger and thinks that Alex will definitely be able to do it, too! So, Alex is signed up for the next project - RC from Toy Story! YAY! 

SUCH a cutie in his Lowe's apron - complete with his Toy Story badge for completing his project!

Look how cool that is!! Thanks, Lowe's!

Are you wondering where Alex was during all of this?

He and I ran a few errands and squeezed in a goodie...

At Dunkin Donuts!! He, of course, chose to sit at the donut table that matched his donut! Love it :)

A lot of fun went on last weekend. We made s'mores!!! YUM! 

This summer we have been working on their workbooks in between the fun and games. Alex is working on his cutting skills and tracing/easy mazes. Andrew is doing the same, just the next level up. Kumon workbooks are the best!!

We have been going on our morning/evening walks, too.At the beginning of the summer they only wanted to do our street plus a few more steps down another. Now, we do the our street, the next one, and a few more steps. 

Puzzles are great, too! This is a gift from one of our friends who got to visit us while on a trip up here! Thanks, Jessi!!

We have had so much fun these past two weeks, can you tell? After parking in the garage and getting things out, they were STILL sleeping. And this isn't just one day...this has been happening for much more than that. Cracks. Me. Up. Especially, when I get closer to having two "Mr. I'm Not Tireds" in the House. 

I hope your summer is going great, too!