The Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy payed a visit to Sam this week. He has had two loose teeth for what seems like ages. He refused to ever let me touch them so they had to just come out on their own time. I kept reminding him to wiggle, etc. The other night he commented that the teeth were almost straight forward. It was true...I looked into his mouth and those poor teeth were just begging to be pulled out. I offered but NO WAY. He twisted and pulled at the first tooth. It came so quickly that he swallowed it. Oh the tears! I did convince him, however, that the Tooth Fairy would know it was in his stomach instead of under his pillow. Good thing he had one more to pull. It came out just as easily and he made sure to 'catch' it. Such a fun thing to loose a tooth. I never thought I'd live to see the day he lost a tooth. Or biked up a hill without complaining. Or put on church clothes without a tantrum. Slowly growing-up is happening.

The Beach

Ben doesn't get to join us very often at the beach. Saturdays are usually filled with yard projects, church commitments or just rain. So to get a day that is free plus sunny is rare. It was fun to have him join us.

Father's Day

So another Father's Day passed for Ben and still no breakfast in bed from this wife. I did spoil him with the steaks he wanted though! We spent the evening with some friends playing games at a park...very fun. (The most requested game was baseball...so Ben was back in his high school glory days). Ben really is a fantastic dad.

Nail Polish 101

We had a fun and busy day today. Swimming lessons, t-ball for Sam, and the beach. (Finally got an afternoon of sun and I refused to go back indoors...it's been rainy for two weeks!)

Tonight I finished tucking the boys into bed and went to repaint my toes. Sam and Alex came into the bathroom ("to say good night again") just as I was removing the old nail polish. Sam was hilarious...very interested in the whole process: "So that's how your toes get red!?!" I explained the whole nail painting process to him. He wanted to keep 'sniffing' the polish and remover and kept saying how good it smelled. After all of these years of wondering how my toes became red he is now very knowledgeable in the art of toe painting.

For the love of Vacuums Continued

So my love for vacuuming has been passed on...

Spencer is thrilled that we just purchased a new vacuum. He has worked hard vacuuming the house (a few times) and is very excited about the amount of lint being deposited into the see-through container. Which...by the way...I have never wanted. I do not care to see the dead spiders I vacuum up. I much prefer having a bag hide it all from me. But...apparently vacuums with bags are going out of style so I had to humble myself and purchase the new and improved kind. All of the boys (including Ben) thought the bright red vacuum would be the best...it was double the cost of what I wanted to pay and I still have to see dead spiders.

Random Memory

I remember Grandma tieing us to a chair (I guess so we wouldn't fall? But if we did...being tied to the chair wouldn't have saved us...it would have most likely stranggled us!) and letting us fill the sink with water and just play. It's a fun memory of being at Grandma's little blue house. I was reminded of it the other day when Alex asked to play in the sink with bubbles. Which then brought memories back of Friday nights at Grandmas. Frozen pot pies, orange julius, and "Dallas". (Yes...I believe "JR" really did die.) Then we'd head upstairs to the freezing (really it was!) bedroom where she would tuck us under 4 quilts. I hope I was a respectful and helpful granddaughter. She was a wonderful Grandmother.

First week of summer...

We have successfully navigated our first full week of summer. The boys' most requested summer activities have all happened this week:

Starting with a fieldtrip to Ben's work....you really do forget how exciting elevators, skyscrapers, escalators and skyways are to children. Next was Elm Creek Beach. It wasn't really warm enough to go but it turned out to be a fabulous time! The beach was empty...the boys had 50 yards of sand all to themselves. I had to coax them to leave so I could get something in the oven for dinner. Alex was also invited to his first birthday party. He left our house with a smile and I left him at the party in tears. And the grand finale for the week is a sleepover with cousins! Always a fun time!

Note: yes...the gum coming out of Blake and Sam's mouth is disgusting. And...yes...the Minnesota shirts are worn a lot.

Run run as fast as you can...

Just finished lunch with the boys and lifted Alex out of his booster. Before his little feet hit the floor he was off running. Running right into the family room...as if he was going to miss something if he didn't sprint there. He runs from room to room in our home...rarely walking anywhere. Very funny to watch.

And...if the legs get tired, there is always one of these to transport you around the house!

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of Kindergarten and 3rd grade. Summer officially starts tomorrow for our family! I've been excited thinking about the summer and the fun things the boys and I can do to fill the days.

And yet...I've also been dreading some aspects. I'm determined to be better at giving the boys more responsibility (ie. chores!) Overall, yes...the boys are good boys. But they are disrespectful, lazy, unappreciative, and expectant so much of the time...and it makes me sad. Many days I truely just feel like an unappreciated maid. I am definately not a perfect parent and am trying to figure this all out.

So...the summer will be filled with many fun things...after chores, reading and practicing are accomplished. (I hope!)

Bus Nap

Sam taking a nap on the bus ride home from the Minnesota Zoo fieldtrip. Ben went as a chaperone and took this priceless photo.

Memorial Day Weekend Wrap-Up

What a fun weekend! We spent a little bit of Memorial Day canoeing with the Charlesworths. I am so glad Tim and Stacey live here...the boys love their cousins. We also had a blast spending Saturday afternoon at Centennial Lakes. We introduced the boys to paddle boats...and...yes....they loved them. As a side note: I'm wondering why I'm bending down in the picture above. Did I possibly think I was too tall for the picture? Very funny.

Go Sam Go!

I was excited to watch Sam race in his Kindergarten Track and Field events. Mainly because when they were practicing for the events, he would come home from PE and tell me how he 'beat' people in different races. I've seen his long stride before and so I was anxious to see if he really was 'beating' the other children. Yep...he 'beat' them pretty good. I have to say...it was fun to watch! Maybe it's all the sugar in his diet.