Ben Franklin

The penny store in my childhood neighborhood is closing. My family has lots of fond memories at that store. We would walk or ride our bikes the five blocks down, spend our coins on candy, and then eat it on the way home. If we spent a whole dollar on candy we had to eat some before getting home so Mom wouldn't know we'd eaten so much candy! It was so fun. 

We would take our cousins there too when they would visit. Here's the photo you requested, Michelle!

My family gave me their orders and I found all but Chewy Runts...sorry Rachel! I'm pretty sure I got Beth 300 Tootie Fruitys. I even bought the basket right off the candy shelf. 

I was not prepared for the insanity...no parking spots left (I parked illegally like tons of others), shoulder-to-shoulder  people in the aisles (but everyone was having so much fun that no one was rude), and hour-long check out lines. After 10min of waiting in line my mommy instincts kicked in...Elias was at my Mom's house and I knew he would be hungry soon. So I asked the 30-some people in front of me if I could cut because I had an 11 day old baby at home who would need to nurse soon. Only one lady (see her in the photo in the red shirt still glaring at me?!) was irritated with me. Everyone else was very understanding. I was one block from  my Mom's when she called to say Elias needed to eat...thank goodness for mommy intuition. 

I'd still like to get a photo outside of the store, but otherwise I think I have closure. :) It's been a good 35 years, Ben Franklin. Thanks for the memories!

Brothers

Sleep

No, we don't let him sleep here. He just dozed off during a diaper change as we prepared for Sunday Mass.

I have this photo of all my boys. 

This one too...maybe I'll get to a comparison post. Maybe. 

Elias has had more decent nights than hard nights so far. 

A friend let me borrow her ring sling, and she gave me refresher course in how to use it. Amazing. 

Lewis as Big Bro

Lewis is slowly settling into his big brother role. He's wild and busy and thinks everything is "so funny", but he has slowed down a little to take time to hold his baby brother and notice things about him. 

"Me wear me baby hat."

"Me take picture Mommy phone."

"Me ride stroller me baby."

"Me baby sleeping. Me wake me baby up?!"

"Me make Mommy pies!" (This one is random, but he actually thought of a game to play on his own and set it up all by himself and PLAYED.)

"Me please hold me baby." 

"Me baby happy."

"Me baby soft head."

"Me like me baby tiny head."

Newborn Photos

Earth Day

Here are a few highlights from the Earth Day festival. Logan took the boys along with two big cousins (which was a SUPER fun treat!). 

Grandpa Glen had a booth. 

Curious George was a great find!

And the festival was right by the Children's Discovery Garden...one of our favorite parks. 

As Thomas was leaving our house afterwards he said something like, "I'm really tired because the little boys want me to play with them and carry them around and talk to me!" 

Yes, Thomas. It takes a lot of energy to be so loved! ;)

Bath Time

Elias' umbilical chord finally fell off on day seven. That means he was ready for a real bath...and he needed one. I couldn't wait to wash all his hair and see it fluffy and clean! 

It was fun to put him in the tub both of his brothers used and remember my baby bath time routine. Other than my getting the water temp a little wrong, he loved it!

He didn't even scream when I took him out. It did help that Grandma Susan was ready with a warm lap of towels for him. 

And here he is all fresh and clean. Turns out his hair still isn't very fluffy when it's newly washed, but hey...it's clean!

Art Night

Augustine's school held its annual fundraiser...Art Night! The teacher saves the students art all year long and then displays it on Art Night. Students collect $1 votes for themselves for best artist before the event and the top 3 collectors get to spray the teachers with silly string at the end-of-the-year picnic. Augustine tied for third place, but he's not sure about the nonsense of spraying the teachers. 

There was a spread of very cute cookies. 

This was Lewis' favorite piece of art. He's still contemplating and poking at the ice cream. 

The art spans the entire year, so it's very fun to see how the students grew in skill and creativity. 

This was my personal favorite. He said it's a fire truck. 

During the teachers presentation she taught us about teaching art to children and how to foster creativity. She showed us an art activity example. 

Each child received a door prize! Augustine got a bubble gun (that works really well!), a water squirter, and bubble refil. All the siblings present got a prize too...Lewis got more bubble refil, which was great because he loves the bubble gun too. 

All the preschoolers with their teachers...and Lewis, oops. 

The teacher's presentation of all the art was very well done! She had it arranged by type of art, as well as separated by class (M/W/F, T/Th)

Augustine's beloved teachers. He can't get enough of them. He loves it when it's a "Redeemer Day"! These ladies are indeed amazing teachers. 

Walking home with all the prizes and art. 

Each child who collected 30 votes or more received a bucket of art supplies. I didn't think much of it since Augustine isn't too into art, but boy was I wrong! The next morning at 6:10am there was a 5 year old boy whispering "Mom, I need to get started on some projects." to which I replied "go back to bed". He lasted until 6:50am and then I gave in. He has been creating ever since...so much so that I had to buy some plastic drawers to contain the mess. We also created our own art gallery in the hallway so he can show his art to visitors as well as add to his collection. 

Who's Who

Brothers

Elias' first time playing Playmobil.