June Wrap-up Part 2

1. It was my birthday this month. I requested that we go on a birthday walk together. Although, with kids, it's really more of a "hike". We also met up with Michael's parents and went to dinner and had dessert.

2. We have quite a few outdoor home projects going this summer. One of them is refinishing our deck. I've been the one encouraging it, but I quickly realized what a huge job it is going to be. Michael rented a sander and went to town one day. We all enjoyed a pizza break for dinner.

3. We had our annual camp-out in the backyard. Hopefully, we'll make it to a real campsite soon.

4. Our ward activity was quite a success.

5. We enjoyed celebrating Michael on Father's Day. We sure do love that guy and all he does for us. He sacrifices so much for our family all while balancing work, church and civic responsibilities. He is a wonderful husband and father and we are so grateful for him.

6. Skippy John Jones, by Kathryn

7. This boy has taken over our bed. Sadly, the best sleep he gets is from about 5-7 a.m. 

8. Maxwell at Grandma's birthday dinner.

9. Swimming lessons were a big success this year. Maxwell was a bit touch and go there for a few days, but we ended up great in the end. They both loved it and had tons of fun. Not to mention that they improved their swimming skills.

10. Samuel's favorite new toy this summer is this squirt bottle. And he's pretty ruthless with it:)

11. Family bike ride.

12. Another beautiful sunset.

June Wrap-up Part 1

 1. Kathryn had her dance recital in June. It had been postponed because of a power outage...and then it looked like it would happen a second time. Luckily, the power came back on.

2. Sam is my very very independent child. He is such a big helper, and he wants to do everything himself. He loves to spot treat clothes for the laundry, sweep, and wash windows and mirrors. Vacuuming is his new love. I'm going to have to be careful with that one though...

3. I love this picture, because all three of my kids are doing something that they love.

 4. Oh these boys. I feel like I am in a constant state of survival with them. They are so busy, so messy and so rambunctious. They take about 10 baths a day with all of their various activities.

5. Kathryn and I enjoyed a girls date picking strawberries one evening. We had so much fun. I love that girl. All the while, she was planning our next girls date (because this was a "practice one"). We are going to the mall to shop, out to lunch, and then to orange leaf for frozen yogurt.

6. Through quite a bit of effort, we added Kathryn to a T-ball team late. She missed the first game and we had to scramble around to find a shop to make her t-shirt, but it was well worth the effort. We wanted her to have a chance to try it out before advancing to the next level next summer. She had a lot of fun and I'm so glad we "made" her try it. The boys enjoyed it as well...most of the time.

7. My sweet little goofballs. These glasses from the game Fiber have sure been fun. Mainly, just play with the glasses every now and again.

8. Oh, and brushing teeth...that's another one of Sam's favorite things. You might even call it a hobby. He gets ecstatic every time he sees his toothbrush (and MAD every time I put it away). He even pulls a chair up to my bathroom counter to get it himself, cute thing. 

9. Kathryn gave me a makeover one afternoon. I think Max put on every single one of those bracelets himself and Kathryn painted my fingernails. I had about 10 different scents sprayed and lotion-ed on me by the time they were done.

10. I found Kathryn washing Maxwell's hair one morning. Oh these kids, I just love them!

11. The sunsets have been AMAZING this summer.

This boy

My firstborn son has really been challenging every non-patient bone in my body.

We have good days and we have bad days. And by we, I truly mean both of us.

Through some hard lessons, I have learned that he and I really affect each other's moods. 

Every day is a balancing act of mixing discipline with positive messages. 

With all of my parenting woes aside, I must confess how much I love him. 

He has an infectious laugh and an incredible sense of humor.

He is so full of life and spunk. He is like a little running, jumping, somersaulting ball of fire.

And if there's one thing I've learned about boys, they prefer just to wear underwear.