Mother-Son Night of Fun!

Amy Mathewson and I put on the Mother-Son Night of Fun again this year.  It is such a fun event! 

The boys and I had fun eating our picnic dinner, building Lego creations, and playing gaga ball, kickball, and nerf wars.

Rich was a good sport to come help man the Nerf war area again this year!  Alex and Henry loved playing gaga ball!  They played until the very end!

I'm grateful for an evening to spend with my two younger boys!

Pinewood Derby

We raced back from Utah to make it to the Pinewood Derby on Saturday night.  This is our 3rd year of Pinewood Derby but this year both William and James got to make cars!

Because of past experience and the fact that we doing have tools to make a cool car we opted to buy the precut versions from the craft store.  The boys prepped, painted, and assembled the cars with very minimal help and they were pretty proud of their cars.

William's car (blue) and James' car (red)

However, this little comic pretty much sums up our experience.  Except that all the cars are awesome and it certainly feels as though our boys are the only ones to have built their cars by themselves.

Our boys came in last on every single race (except one which James came in 3rd).  Our boys were super good sports about the whole thing and at least felt good that they didn't have their dad make their cars.  I think except for the actual racing our boys had a good time running around with their friends.  Alex even got to do the countdown for one of the races and was pretty excited about that!  Maybe next year we'll change our luck... but I just don't think it's in the cards.

Daily Sunshine

I always know if Alex has been downstairs to eat breakfast because he likes to turn on the fireplace.  It makes the kitchen nice and cozy so I don't blame him!

One morning I came down to find the boys all eating breakfast right around the fire.  I just love these boys!  (Grandpa Fisher I think Henry's hook 'em horns are for you!)

Winter Campout

At the beginning of January Rich decided to test out the new tent we got for Christmas (the old tent was getting too small for 5 people!)  So one Friday night they bundled up for their campout.  The boys were super excited to be camping--even if it was only in the backyard. Alex and Henry stayed cozy in the tent...

... while James and William decided to play a little basketball.

Lydia was my buddy for the night and I was glad for the excuse to sleep in my warm, comfortable bed!  It was into the low 30s that night!!

 Rich was surprised that everyone stayed the entire night in the tent and everyone slept through the night.  He's such a good dad to make these simple memories with our boys.

Campout in the Playroom

 Over the Christmas break we set up the little tent in the playroom.  The boys had a secret club going on in there and really wanted to sleep in there.  So we let them one night... just the 3 older boys.  I think they always have fun--most especially because they think we are letting them get away with something.

I went to take pictures of them a little before "lights out".  One of them turned out like this:

I laughed when I saw it and told them they looked like zombies.  Then they wanted to do an actual "zombie" picture.  If you ask me... they don't look much different from each other!

I'm glad that they all get along so well and love spending time together!

Squinky Battles

Alex still loves playing with his squinkies.  I find battle scenes set up all over the house like these:

(Don't mind the dusty piano.)

Sometimes this is what happens when little boys dress themselves.

I never would have let William leave the house dressed like this when he was Henry's age.  But now?  I have too many other things to worry about.  And I hope that strangers will know I didn't get them ready.

Daily Sunshine

Most days, after homework is all done, the boys head outside to play with their friend.  I often see them up in the tree or find them along the side yard.  When I ask what they are doing they tell me in all seriousness, "Preparing for the zombie apocalypse."

Camp Out

The boys had a crazy school week last week.  There was school on Monday and Wednesday and that's it!  So on Thursday night we let them have a little camp-out in the playroom.  It was pretty much unsupervised and we let them stay up later than usual.  They started out with some games.  William is really into checkers right now.  (And chess too... but we need to buy a new set.)

Alex wasn't interested in the checkers so he played his own game of "Don't Rock the Boat!"

At some point (around 8:30?) we called lights out.  They could still stay up and talk or tell stories--and play with the glow sticks we bought.

Surprisingly, William was the first one asleep.

And finally James and Alex conked out as well.

On a Sunday evening...

When all the stars are aligned and everyone is in a decent mood you might see a scene similar to this in our home.

I sure do love these boys.

MUD

Of all the boys, James loves to play outside the very most.  He is always asking to go "to the park that is next to our house" or just outside in general.  Since we live in a new house and the neighborhood is still being built around us we happen to have an empty lot right next door.  Most of the time this is great!  I can send the boys outside and they'll dig in the dirt and have a grand ol' time.  However, on the few occasions that it has rained it floods that lot.  No matter how many times I have reminded the boys to not play in the mud it is just too tempting.  I suppose they can't help themselves.  And really, I wouldn't mind except that this darn Oklahoma red dirt stains like nothing else!

The other week I must have neglected them for too long because when I came outside to check on them James was standing in the middle of the field because he was stuck!  His shoes were so deep in the mud that he couldn't move!  I suppose the rest of the pictures speak for themselves (although it was so much worse in real life!)

Yikes!  And did they learn their lesson?  No.  Of course not.  Just a few days later they were out romping in the mud again.

School Time

One of the things on our summer list was to have some 'school time'.  I really wish I had been more consistent with it but when we did pull out our workbooks the boys had a great time!

Fun with Grandma and Jacob

The boys had way too much fun while Grandma and Uncle Jacob were here!  While Rich and I were in the hospital Jacob had the boys earn "money" by helping around the house, trying new foods, etc.  With their money they could then "buy" things from Jacob's store.  In those few days they learned some great habits--like trying new food.  James is an awesome food taster now--and most of the time he likes what he tries!

They also had a blast dressing up in costumes.  My mom told me that one day they all played Star Wars for 4 hours together!

Alex suddenly decided he doesn't like clothes.  He's doing a little better now... but some days he went around in just a diaper.

Since we've had record breaking temperatures (112!) here we had to find a lot of things to do indoors.  My mom always brings lots of fun crafts for the boys to do.

One of the days when I was feeling up for an outing we took everyone bowling (since kids bowl free all summer!)  Even Alex had a fun time (once we could get a shirt on him and get him inside!)

Every week my mom took the boys to the library for a craft and some books. 

Alex was extra tired this week and fell asleep on the floor.

Jacob enjoyed catching up on reading in the best seat in the library

On one of the last days that they were here I got a package in the mail... It was my pirate playhouse that I won!  The boys had a great time in the new hideout.  Jacob even sent the boys on an awesome treasure hunt with a special prize at the end (donuts, superhero popsicles, and a movie to watch--thanks Rachelle!)

On occasion they ventured out into the sweltering heat.  They went to the park and the sprayground.

And one day they even went to the zoo.

Note: Alex wouldn't get dressed this day and instead wore his jammies to the zoo... at least he was clothed.

Several days the boys headed out into the back yard to play in the water.  My mom gave them some little frogs that squirted water and they had a blast trying to get Uncle Jacob.

We were so blessed to have my mom and Jacob come out.  Jacob was so patient with his nephews and it was fun to see them all get along so well. Not only did they keep my (often whiney) boys entertained but Mom cleaned, cooked, shopped, and stocked the freezer with numerous meals for after she was gone.  Plus, it was nice to have some adult conversation during the day!  And in the evening we always enjoyed a game and dessert after the boys were in bed. I don't think I could survive without her help!