S Club Mama

This year Moose has become obsessed with Mario Kart Wii. He talks about it, looks at pictures, thinks about it (constantly), draws the tracks. At school, at home. It's all over. His Mario clothing has never gotten so much wearing. When the kids had a 6 day break from school in October, Big A found something awesome: a go-kart track. We packed up as a family (so loved having Big A take a day off to spend with us), and headed about an hour away with a big surprise for the kids. The best part was Moose was able to race all by himself! We started off racing doubles: Me and Squirt vs. Big A & Moose. They won. Squirt insists when I'm "smarter" I'll beat Daddy. Wow, thanks for that confidence booster. And it was hilarious because he just kept saying how smart Big A was and that I needed to be smarter. Oh boys.  I think we all had so much fun watching Moose race. And he did awesome. I think he ran into the sides once at the very start...

Big A and our friend Nick took their big boys camping before school started. This is the second year they've done this and I believe this one was a success, too. So thankful to have great friends nearby! While we spent the majority of our vacation with my parents, we took a night to visit some friends from college. It was fun to get all the kids together - getting a picture of them together was something else. :) It was really a joy to see their families growing! We also hit up a local splash pad. The boys absolutely LOVED this!!! They still ask to go back. I'll have to share our Halsey pictures again soon. Did you do anything fun this summer??

Today is officially Squirt's 4th birthday (Moose's 6th was the 1st), but I want to wish both of my beautiful boys a happy birthday. I love you guys so much! Here's some great pictures we've gotten these past few weeks. Aren't they just little Big As?!  I love boy naps! superhero friend picnic playdate - July 2 Spiderman and Wonder Woman Robin and Wonder Woman they got some DC Superfriends for their family birthday this is about as much play as Wonder Woman has gotten... Star Wars family birthday party blow out the candles! I love these boys, what a blessed woman I am. We've been headed to swim lessons all this week. They have gotten better each day; I'll be sad when they're over. Next year's gift may have to be a pool pass! Happy 6 years of being a mama and 4 years of being a double mama. I love you guys so much!

Last Friday, I wanted to try this chicken and dumplings recipe.  And it's not exactly like I have a free moment to myself often, especially to try new recipes. So, what's a mother to do? Let the boys help me make supper!! although there was slight throwing of flour, Moose is practicing VBS songs. They, of course, liked the flour the best. And I really never mind a mess (at least not one that can't be swept or wiped up). I gave them spatulas and had them lift up the dumplings after I cut them. I can't say they were beautiful but it did turn out delicious! How is it the one that joins the party late gets the messiest? And that one always ends up on the counter? This child loves to help me. I can't ask for a better helper. Daddy took the boys outside to be pounded like erasers (or maybe just wiped). And I think Casper paid me a visit.  What sweet little feet. Do you let your children help in the kitchen? Did...

Moving is hard. Always bittersweet. Leaving friends (and MOPS groups). Changing routines. It can be exciting. New home to make your own. New friends (or grow closer to friends). New school (in our case, first school). New routines, new playgrounds. (when it thaws) But I will miss this house. We moved in full of anticipation of staying...forever. Spacious and cheap! However, I will mostly miss... the curtains. They never worked correctly. And so our boys began to hide and play within them. My boys don't often play "together" but they have such fun in pieces of cloth. Laughing. Running. Smiling. Enjoying. And I enjoy to watch.

Moose wanted to go on the Zipper - "wow, look at that" he said. I told him that when he gets to ride it in 10 years, I'll go with him. So instead we bought him tickets to ride the "train." I was afraid he'd hate it and freak out so I made sure they could stop if that happened. Oh no, he loved it!! And he loved it so much the freak out happened when the train stopped. He did not want to stop. He threw a fit all the way to the van (oh yeah). But at least he had fun

Last Thursday, we met up with some friends (one from MOPS and one from church) at a nearby campground/swim area/play area. It was such a beautiful day to hang out - look at this sky! My pal, Sarah , is SO talented with photography. She brought along her camera and took some shots of us in the water and on the beach. AND she did while holding her youngest son - that is some major talent. And I wanted to share the ones she got of my boys and I (please don't judge me on the hat; it's Moose's and I had nowhere else to put it and I do realize I look like a boy). Oh seriously...have you seen a more perfect day?? Moose had such fun splashing in the water - although he tried to drink it, too. Gross. Me and my friend, Kim, with all the kiddos hanging out. The kids all behaved SO well! Squirt was so tired (but isn't this a great picture of him?).   He'd been up since 7:30 or so and we were out there until about 1:00. Such a trooper!! And he had fun splashing - no...