Summer Fun!



In case you have been wondering what has been keeping us so busy this summer, here's a little sneak peak.  Now this is only a fraction of the amount of time we spent slip-n-sliding, swimming and running through the sprinkler but I did not want to take my camera every time and sometimes it's just more fun to sit back and instead of trying to catch that perfect shot!

 

 

 

 

 I just love how much these boys love the water!  This year we had them both jumping off the diving board (with flotation devices of course) and swimming around like fish in our friends' pools.  And although neither of them like being under the water for long, they both insist on wearing goggles!

After spending time in the water, one must dry off... so cute in their mini towels!

We also made it to a nearby campground for a different view and to swim in the pond they have there. Cooper was happy playing in the shallow part of the water and more importantly, the sand!

And although I wasn't looking for the perfect shot (well, not most the time) I think these about sum up the boys' summer of water:

 

Finally some snow

I know our family back in Kansas is getting quite tired of all the white stuff coming down but we were thankful for snow last week here after a pretty mild winter.  And it was even warm enough to go out and play in it...not usually the case with our single-digit or below-zero temperatures!

So we took the 15 minutes that it takes to get bundled up and headed out to play.  And they LOVED it!  Ben had the most fun now that he's big enough to just run around and now fall down every few steps and Cooper was okay as long as he didn't have to walk too far.

We stayed out for a good 45 minutes before anyone got too cold.  Cooper's favorite activity was being pulled around in the disc sled and we have the perfect little "hill" in the front yard for sledding down.

After our fun in the snow, we headed inside to get warm again!  I worked on lunch - grilled cheese and tomato soup (a favorite from when I was little) and the boys worked on building a fort.  After lunch they chose a movie to watch together and decided I was "too big" to join them.  That was just fine with this me - I caught up on some reading!

Looking forward to many more snowy days with these boys!

Words that make me pause

The other day I mentioned how nicely my boys can play together.  Then there are days when I think they are playing well together, only to realize one is tormenting the other.  So in light of this, I want to share things that I have overheard the last few days that make me stop whatever I am doing and check in on them:

- "Hey, come put your head in this. . . "

- "I promise I'll catch you"

- "Don't tell Mom I'm on the excercise machine"

- "Better put your helmet on so we can bang heads" (not endorsed by the NFL by the way!)

- "Hey Coop, do this" (this is an all . day . long . occurence around here)

- And the worst is actually not words but - SILENCE!!!  This is sometimes worse than words that they say!

And yes, most of these things are said by Big Brother to Little Brother, and I'm afraid that's how it is going to be for awhile!

And say hello to our newest family member - Aviva

PJ Day

Finally a (somewhat) good picture of both boys and what is Ben wearing?!  Yes, his Cars PJs!  On Wednesdays we usually have nothing scheduled and nowhere to be so we stay in our PJs most of the day.  Cooper was only dressed this day because he had a major blowout in his monkey PJs and needed a change!

Oh well, I was just impressed that they are actually both looking at the camera and not struggling to get away from each other.  They really do love each other and spend most of the day on each other's good side - I LOVE having two boys who are the best of friends!

My boys

I never thought I would enjoy being the mom of two boys SO MUCH!  The second time around has been quite a bit easier because I know what to expect - I know how the plumbing works, I know that we can't go anywhere without a car in our hands and I know that wrestling on the floor is just part of our daily routine.  But nothing could prepare me for how much love there is between these two and I even get a bit teary-eyed every now and then when Cooper looks at Ben with such adoration in his eyes, or when Ben unexpectedly comes and give Coop a hug and kiss, just because!

They are almost ALWAYS on the floor playing something, usually cars, and although there are times when sharing is not quite a priority, they are getting better.  Not sure how long they will be the best of friends, but I am hoping that it will last through the school years and into adulthood.  But I also know that my brother and I were not close growing up...in fact some might say we didn't even really like each other.  It might be the five year age difference, or the fact that he is a nerd boy and I am cool a girl.  Either way, we finally started getting along and even realizing we might miss each other the day my family moved me into my dorm room at KState!  Since that day, we have grown closer over the years and I am now happy to say that he is probably one of my best friends.  (okay enough mushy stuff!)

I know that "boys will be boys", I'm just so blessed that my two kids get to be boys together!

Come on Cats!

This past weekend, our Kansas State Wildcats once again fell short against the Iowa State Cyclones.  Which would not be a huge deal, except that our best friends up here in IOWA are Cyclone fans!  Our boys were all geared up for the game and were obviously pretty upset about the outcome...

Cooper took it the hardest...probably because he is such a big fan...or because we FORCED him to wear that sweatband.  Either way, he was quickly over it and we're looking forward to March Madness!!!