rub-a-dub-dub...

... three boys in a tub.

Alex has started taking baths with the two older boys and they all love every second of it. William and James think it's so cool to have the baby in the tub with them. And Alex? He laughs and laughs the entire time he's in there! It's just too much fun.

But if anyone likes taking a bath it's James. At least 5 times a day he asks me, "Take bath?" I seriously think he'd live in the water if we let him.

can you believe it?

Alexander is 4 months old today! It seems that he's been part of our family forever... he fits right in. Shhh... don't tell his brothers, but he is our best baby yet! Here are some facts about the adorable Alex:

*He sleeps through the night--most nights from 8:30 until 7 in the a.m. James doesn't even do that.

*He is incredibly smiley. As long as someone is talking with him he is as content as can be... he just wants to be included in the party.

*He hates being sweaty!
*He loves holding onto things.

*He's not one to hold grudges--even when an older brother accidentally hits him with a toy or purposely steps on him (James).

*He doesn't even leak out of his diapers like his brothers did.

*His favorite way to sleep is on his tummy... but he's a huge drooler so his sheets usually get pretty damp.

*He loves taking baths with William and James. He laughs the whole time!

*He is adored by his brothers.

We are so blessed to have him in our family! Happy 4 months Alex!!

garden fresh

The past several years we have attempted growing a garden. And nearly every year we leave for vacation in July only to return to a crispy garden. Or some years we just couldn't get ourselves to walk all the way to the back corner of the yard where the garden plot was. So this year we moved the garden right against the house. Right next to the hose. With a little bit of shade.
Before we left for our vacation the only harvest we had was Rich's sugar snap peas. He loves them but we can never keep them going for too long. One plant was growing like crazy but Rich couldn't remember where (or what) he had planted. So we let it grow. We thought it might be squash. Or zucchini. Upon arriving home we found it was a big weed. And when I say big what I really mean is "as tall as our house." Dang it. Rich picked the flowers before he chopped it down.
But we found another thing too... a huge cucumber! We've actually gotten quite a few of these and they are delicious!And then there was our one small cantaloupe. That's right... just one. As sad as this is... this is our biggest garden harvest yet. We've learned a few more things and next year we may do even better.

Hair....

I have been wanting to cut James' hair for a while now. He's at that stage though that he wants to assert his power and won't let me cut it. William has tried telling him, "It's fun James! And you get a lollipop after. And you get to watch a show!" Didn't even phase him.

Yesterday I saw an opportunity. He came up to me in the middle of the afternoon and wanted to take a bath. Ah ha! Some bargaining power! I informed him that he could only take a bath if he got his hair cut. It worked! And he actually sat still!

Before:

After:

Rich says that I cut off some of his cuteness... oh well. It will grow back.