Gymnastics

Augustine started gymnastics class this week! He LOVES it, and I don’t mind watching practice at all. It’s interesting to see what he gravitates to. So far, rings are his biggest strength. 

Augustine’s Summer Turn

As always, Augustine had a great time at G&G’s for five days. He worked hard, built Legos, baked, played games, and lots more. 

He and Grandma made an ice cream cake that everyone was happy about!



Thanks G&G!

Living His Best Life

Levi watches more tv than any of his brothers ever did at 2 years old, but when you have so many brothers you won’t be left out. 

He had a lot of fun unrolling an entire roll of tickets. Luckily, they were just to play with anyway. 



He’s getting pretty good at drinking from a big boy cup. 





Levi was very concerned about his friend’s bruised forehead. 

Lewis the Entomologist

Lewis has always been fascinated by bugs. He will observe bugs for a long time, in fact I think that’s what he does most of the time when he disappears into the backyard for hours. He will turn over anything with the hope that it’s the perfect place to find creepy crawlers. He went through a long phase of worm hunting.  Lewis was three and I was pregnant with Elias. I’ll never forget sitting on the bench at the school while the big boys played in puddles right after a rainstorm, and Lewis brought me a giant wad of worms all stuffed into one of his small hands…15 to be exact. 

We gave Lewis a butterfly growing kit for Christmas but had to wait for it to be warm enough to release the butterflies after growing them. He has three caterpillars in cocoons and we will receive two more caterpillars soon!

The caterpillars create webbing for protection from wind and predators. It has to be removed so their wings don’t get stuck in it when they emerge. Not sure how that works in the wild. 




So now we wait for Lewis’ dream to come true. 

We also found a baby praying mantis the other day! He was *tiny* and SO fast. The butterfly company also sells praying mantis egg sacks, so we will probably order that in the fall for Lewis’ birthday. 

More Elias Thoughts

E: mom have you ever seen a mower with a catcher that doesn’t catch mulch?

Me: no

A: does it really matter?

E: not really, but it matters to me.

Me: I like that answer Elias. It does matter to you and that’s OK.

———-

Me: {tucking Elias in} I love you Elias. 

E: please do my covers in order. 

Me: yes, I know. 

E: it goes first the weighted blanket, then the polka dot blanket, then the quilt I made with Grandma during Q week, then the sheet, and then the duvet. 

Me: yep. Every night. Do you ever feel hot under all these blankets?

E: No. It’s just SO comfy cozy and it makes me fall asleep in one or two or three minutes. 

———-

Elias: mom I need my medicine. 

Levi: {screams for some too}

Elias: you can have some too. We can have a medicine party!

Me: 🤦🏼‍♀️  If anyone ever invites you to a medicine party, don’t go. Say no. 

———-

A: I like how this part of the game resets itself in two places. 

Me: I like how you found something positive about that game. 

E: I’m living in a different reality. 

Me: What reality are you living in, Elias?

E: Uhhhh, pizza. 

———-

E: is it going to thunderstorm today?

Me: no. Just last night. 

E: good. 

Me: did you hear the storm last night?

E: yes. 

Me: but you fell asleep anyway?

E: yes. I’m glad the clouds are done rumbling their tummies. 

Me: maybe they finally ate some breakfast. 

E: yeah. 

Playing

Technically school was out for us two weeks ago. I still haven’t entered grades. I just can’t get myself to care. I am very much looking forward to NOT being the teacher this fall. Once the grades are entered we can burn all the Seton books clean off the desks and move them upstairs, which means we get our full playroom back!

We did put the play kitchen back in the playroom so Levi and Elias cooked Daddy a very delicious meal at their restaurant. 

Lewis and Logan also got a game of Mexican Train Dominoes in the other night. 

A Summer Favorite

Water blob





He refused to try the water blob.