Open Gym

Smart or Not?? That is the question, yes this morning I ventured out to open gym with Payton and the boys. I knew Payton would have fun, we have gone once before. I wasn't so sure how well the boys would do or how I would handle them both if they fell apart. We got lucky, they did well. Cooper fell asleep within 10 minutes of arriving and slept the entire visit. Of course I didn't think to take a picture of him, so he got left out.( I know what a terrible mother). I carried Cohen around and the he fell asleep also. I forget how heavy they can be when you carry them for over an hour. My arm was killing me by the time we left. We met Laura and her kiddos, I would say it was a good morning everyone had a great time. I love that Payton could run around and burn energy inside since it is an oven outside. We love open gym.

Payton on the tramp

after she jumped into the foam pit
climbing out of the foam pit, nice smile huh?

Gage holding on for dear life

Laura and Gage

Cohen and I So I thought I got a picture of everyone, but apparently there isn't one of Allie either. I know I held up the camera and thought it clicked. I know terrible mother and terrible friend. I tell ya, I guess Laura should find a new friend if she wants pictures of all of her children instead of just one.

My New Best Friend

I have made a new best friend. I recently got the bullet and I absolutely love it. I have been using it everyday for the past week. I am a huge fan of Smoothie King, I would get one everyday if I could. Since that is not an option I have found another alternative, the Bullet. I have been making my own smoothies in the morning for breakfast. YUMMM!!! I have been experimenting with different fruit and yogurt.
The boys are also benefiting from my new found love. Baby food. We now have a weeks worth of veggies stored in the freezer. Picking up fresh veggies on the weekend and then spending an afternoon cooking them and tossing them into my bullet. My mother-in-law and I yesterday spent the afternoon making food together and it was so nice. We tried some new combos, they loved their dinner last night. They had acorn squash and pears and they thought it was great. Payton would even have a taste as we were making them up and she liked them as well.

The bullet

our recent stash

I love when I get a new toy!!

Adirondack Chairs

Check list:

• instructions from the Internet: check


• wood from hardware store: check


• tools need to make chairs:check ( had to borrow a couple)


• time away from wife and kids ( only took him a couple of weeks)


• an ice cold beer to drink in his new chair: check

He did such a great job. I love it honey, now he only has 3 more to make!!!

1-2-3 Magic

I started reading 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents last night. It is a book on effective discipline for children ages 2-12. I now know what it feels like to be that parent. I have had the honor twice now of having the child screaming throwing a fit in a store. The first time was after getting pictures taken, the second time was in the book store while trying to buy this book. I am sure that anyone in the store was thinking to themselves that I should be buying every book possibly made for effective discipline. I stayed calm and didn't yell or scream or raise my voice. I just kept telling her to stand up so we could go out to the car. I was carrying both the infant seats so I didn't have the option to pick her up and put her in the car. The melt down was over a piece of candy, why do they have to put candy at the registers? I totally understand the impulse buyer will spend more and get some candy. Do they also want to punish any mother with children who think the candy is there for them to eat, not to by? I wonder how many mothers a day have to fight with their child to put back the candy and don't touch? I was defiantly one of them.
So I am looking forward to getting through my new book and then let Mitch read it so we can try this new system. I would love to not be the center of attention the next time I walk into a store. God bless 3 year olds, I love mine with all my heart!!! We will see if the advise helps.

The Bigger The Better

We spent last week recooperating from my family gathering the week before. The out of towners started arriving on the Sunday before the 4th. The clan from Phenom Phen, Cambodia came in on Sunday night. Considering they were a little jet lagged we saw them Monday evening for dinner. In their honor of traveling to Kansas City the rest of the family came this way to get to see them. My Uncle Dave and Selena along with my cousin Megan and her 2 girls came into town Tuesday from Indiana. Payton was extremely excited to have Layla stay at her house. Layla and Payton are 4 months apart. They did a great job at acting like sisters. One minute playing great the next screaming and arguing if someone wasn't playing the game just right or not sharing. Payton played pretty well, she would have a hard time here and there considering she isn't really used to sharing her toys all the time. She better get used to it because soon enough she will have to share them all with her brothers.
Megan stayed in our guest room with the kids. My cousin Michele and her husband, Jason flew in from California on Friday and they stayed in our basement. Megan's husband Chase and my third cousin Katie drove in Saturday from Indiana. We all had such a great time visiting together. I have never had that many people in staying at my house, or 5 kids 3 and under. I loved it, chaos and all. We all got to celebrate Mema's birthday together, which is on the 4th of July.
On the 4th, Monday morning the Indiana crew headed back home after breakfast out together one last time. We relaxed in our empty house for the remainder of the morning and then went swimming in the afternoon. After baths that evening Payton did some sparklers with the neighbors and we saw some fireworks neighbors were setting off. Mitch and I were happy to see our pillows at the end of the night. Why do you feel like you need vacation after already taking vacation days?

Bentley made instant friends with Evie

Luke was in love with the babies and loved holding them
they were almost as big as he is but he loved making sure he knew who was who

Megan bonding with Cooper

after Layla got used to the water she is finally on a raft with Payton

How many kids can you fit in the baby pool?

The Cambodia crew!!

Payton preparing to do her jump

Megan with Evie, she screamed the first day at the pool, then was jumping in by the end

The whole family

Mema & Poppop with all the great-grand kids

Daddy on the 4th with his boys

Cooper, his first 4th of July outside while the kids were swimming

Cohen yelling at Payton while she is jumping in the water.

my cheeze daughter, isn't she cute?

excited for the 4th. What cute kids

I know I am kind of partial. Mom's are suppose to be. Hope everyone had a good 4th!

6 months

6 months has gone by so fast. Our little guys are growing so fast it is crazy. Well here they are growing bigger and having so much fun with each other. We had their check up at the doctor and here is the updates:
Cooper-
height: 27 1/4inches 78%
weight: 16lbs 3oz 25%
head: 17 3/4 inches 80%

Cohen-
height: 27 1/8 inches 75%
weight: 16lbs 6oz 30%
head: 17 1/2 inches 70%

They are rolling over, able to sit for a minute or two before falling over. They love playing "patty cake", and any clapping or tickling game you can think of. They have been eating baby food and have that down pretty well. They love to try to grab the spoon so they can do it themselves. Cooper gets impatient and wants it shoveled in but he has to be patient and wait for his brother to have a bit in between his. That doesn't always go over well but they are getting the hang of it. Cooper is showing signs of moving, he has turned into an inch worm and can move across the floor pretty well. Cohen is pretty content just watching and playing with the toys that are closest.

toes, gotta love'em
Cooper he always wants his toes

Cohen smiling as usual!