This Week

 

This is Mr. Pom-Pom. Lewis drew him and named him.

My sink is Norwex clean!!! In my old house there's a lot of finish missing from this sink and the bathtub so it doesn't look clean, but it is.  

I wasn't paying much attention as Lewis tried to start another episode. Our DVD player is horrible. Since day one the wires are somehow crossed and the buttons - every single button - does whatever it pleases. It's crazy. Ad very frustrating. So as Lewis fought a loosing battle he suddenly said, "Love of Pete!" I was in stitches. 

Loves his new pizza set! 

Someone started crawling yesterday! It's the super cute robot crawl. 

Why didn't I think of this sooner! Elias' first wagon ride today. He loved it!    

Capitol adventure with Daddy. The elevator looks like the one in Curious George so they were excited.  

Lewis "helping" me with dinner. I continue to dislike cooking with...well, anyone really. I'm all about working fast and getting it done. Slow. As. Molasses. With. Kids. Add ingredient, clean up mess. Add ingredient. Clean up mess. Stir. Clean up mess. Repeat.  

Carefree Timelessness

 

He fell asleep sucking on the swing clip. Lazy Sunday afternoon spent with friends. It was a lovely brunch, strong Sangria, and beautiful weather. We thoroughly enjoyed the slowness. Slowness can be so rare if you don't pay attention.  

They made this fence (the sticks) and poured lots of water into the sand. They worked a long time and were very happy together.   

 

Grandpa bedtime stories are always fun.  

He had some serious work to do the last few days. He loads up his tool belt until he can barely walk! 

Someone is very close to getting around! He can roll all directions, go from sitting to all fours and back to sitting, he can flop to his tummy and spin, AND he has started pulling up very slowly in his little garden/house.  

My friend stopped by to help me for 20 minutes while Logan was out of town and she is a kid whisperer. Elias was happy in her arms, and the big boys were sitting on the couch and laughing hysterically as she talked with them.  

First big boy bath for Elias and first brother bath in G&G's new bathroom! 

The boys with Grandpa before Mass on Sunday. Philip gave Grandpa that tie for Father's Day is the story, I think. 

Lewis' 4th

Lewis requested a Paw Patrol birthday party like his big brother...complete with pink frosting, yellow cake, 4th of July sprinkles on Rice Krispie bars, and his best friend Lulu.   He really loved the cake. We asked him multiple times if he really wanted pink frosting and he said yes every time. He got many thoughtful gifts both bought and hand made.   It was a perfect day outside so we enjoyed lunch on the deck. 

He took treats to preschool as well, but I forgot to take a photo. First he requested cake pops. Then he decided on apple pie. Then I suggested cinnamon donuts because it was easy and I had all the ingredients, and because Lewis LOVES donuts he happily agreed.

Happy birthday Lewis! We love you!

Apple Pie

 

Lewis insisted we make apple pie after school one day. 

Ummmmm...

I don't like cooked fruit so I never bothered to learn how to make pies. 

So we compromised and made what I call "daycare pies". That's when you buy pop crescent rolls, put pie filling in them, and bake.   Not impressed. I don't blame him. 

Different

 

Outside getting messy and making messes. Doesn't need much to busy himself. Makes nature "soup" out of anything.  

Inside making perfectly shaped fences. Likes to stay clean. Needs someone to listen to him as he talks about what he's imagining. Makes fire rescue out of anything. 

A Day at G&G's

All the kids were off school so we may at G&G's for a fun day. They got to stamp...which is a favorite! 

They get to eat lunch and watch a few shows so the adults can sit and chat over lunch without interruption. It's lovely.   

Bonus: city tree trimmers came by!

Sister Sunday

 Sister Mary Helen teaches at our parish school and she loves children of all ages. She loves to tease Augustine (which for some reason he tolerates from her), she makes Lewis giggle, and she loves to cuddle Elias (who likes her a lot). I love that my kids know sisters are every day, lovely people!

Fr. Sullivan gets thrown in the sister mix because we saw him the same day. He was my sophomore religion teacher and I didn't like him then, but now that I'm not a sassy sophomore I like him a lot! He was so sweet with Elias. He asked to hold him and kept him until Elias got tired and hungry. Father just really sincerely enjoyed baby cuddles and knows how to keep a baby happy!

Then we saw a bunch of CK Sisters and they just couldn't get enough! It makes me so happy to make them so happy with a little baby holding.   Sr. Loretta on the left was Logan's teacher in grade school and has been teaching for 53ish years! It was fun to see her too. 

Lewis View

   

Squeaky Clean

 

My friend started selling Norwex so I hosted a party for her. Mostly so she would get lots of new contacts, and for an excuse to open wine with girlfriends. Little did I know I would walk away with a TON of free products just for an excuse to drink wine and help a friend! It was really fun! And I'm cleaning house like never before because it is simple.  

Norwex has helped my parenting too. Sounds silly, right? Wel, not so silly when you are in the bathroom for two minutes (tops) and upon entering your living room find four places where your four year old has colored...NONE of them are paper either.  

I didn't freak out because I had an Envirocloth that would clean it all up! Since there was a way to clean it up (just water and the cloth) I stayed calm, handed my kiddo the cloth, and talked to him about the problem and the solution. Boom. Good parenting. No freak out! My friend who sells Norwex used Lewis' before and after photo for one of her ads...so cute! See? I'm saying "so cute" about pen on my walls and furniture. 

Contact Angelyn to host a party and get free stuff!!!

Catch Up Part 3

I've found him here a half dozen times this week playing in the beans. 

Teaching baby brother to play in bubbles. 

Talking to his friend/neighbor through our window over the fence. They were arranging a time to play the next day.     

I scored this for $20 at a second hand store! It's been lovely to channel all the climbing and pulling up practice to this playhouse rather than all over me. 

I had four orders arrive this week...very rare around here...so we had four awesome boxes to play in.   

They made a long train tonight and all three boys enjoyed it and played a long time. 

Catch Up Part 2

The threenager decided he needed to iron his pants one day...and my sheets.  

He really enjoyed his friend's chunky puzzle at a play date.   

He also enjoyed a walk with Grandma Susan. It was a perfect fall day to snuggle up for a stroller nap.  

He was brave and had a little fun in the ball pit. It didn't last long though.  

Uncle Rick stopped by for a visit! It was so nice to catch up with him. The boys LOVED his silliness...what kid doesn't?! I know I did when I was little too. Augustine is explaining his rescue boat drawing in the photo. It's his latest favorite thing to draw. 

Super Dad.  

He liked the pumpkin a lot. He also loves his new tippy cups! He's eating sweet potatoes (like), green beans (tolerates), peas (hates), applesauce (likes), peaches (hates), grapes (likes).

Look. At. That. Face. He's proud of finding any bug. This is a kadydid we think.  

They worked for a loooooong time on this. The sticks, which are my favorite part, are a fence.   Grandpa Burda stopped by for a visit. The boys love when he reads to them.