Family Pictures

We went and got family pictures taken 2 weeks ago. I've been meaning to put them up forever, but it just takes so long to upload them into i-photo and then re-shrink them down. You know that whole process. But I was so thrilled w/ how they turned out. Mike loves them too. They were so cheap. We paid 100.00 for the photo shoot. The kids were pretty cooperative because it was done at the photographers house. Then, we paid 25.00 and got several blown up and all of them developed. I am definately going back to her. She was great!!! If anyone wants the recommendation, let me know.

I love this picture because it captures my Logan to a "T." As a baby he was soo serious all the time. I remember one time we worked for 3 hours at kiddie kandids to get him to crack one smile. So, I don't mind that he's not smiling in this picture. It is just my cute Logan.

Buddies...what more do I need to say?

Oh, I want to eat my child up. I think this is the cutest picture I have ever seen of him. Plus he is smiling. A huge bonus!

Good lookin' kid, don't you think??

I seriously want to eat them up!

Swim Lessons

So, Logan decided he didn't want to do the swim lesson thing after all. I thought for sure he would be so jealous that Daven got to swim, that if I didn't put him in lessons I would regret it. At least this is what happened last year. But, I was wrong. After 2 weeks of crying through swim lessons, I pulled him out. Now he likes to tag along and just play at the spray pad. At least the lessons were only like $15.00, so I wasn't out much. 

Daven is loving the lessons. He gets really nervous every 2 weeks, though, when he has a new teacher. But, he quickly adjusts. He is doing really well. My friends were laughing the other day because he had to take tadpoles 3 times before they would pass him to shrimps. That is my Daven for you. It takes him a while to get comfortable with something. I saved all his "report cards." But, he is so proud of himself and he's progressing. That is all that matters.

Who Needs a Stroller?

My boys have this thing where they like to play with their "ollies." These are stuffed animals that play music. They were given to them when they were babies. It cracks me up because they treat them like dolls. They wrap them up in blankies, take them for walks, and the other day they asked me if they could feed them bottles. I got some of Logan's bottles down and snapped a few photos of the action.

We don't own a baby stroller, so they put ollies in this little wagon and cover them with blankies and take them for a walk. It is too cute.

The funniest part is that when we found out we were having boys, Mike made me promise I would never buy them dolls to play with. I guess when he was little he had a doll that came out during the day and then Mike's mom would put it away when Collin got home from work. Mike doesn't remember this, but I think it is a cute story!

I guess whether you buy them dolls or not, they find a way to play with them.

We're Workers

The boys came up to me the other day all dressed up. "We're workers, mom! Take our Picture!" I couldn't resist snapping a shot or two.

Line 'Em Up!

Ever since Daven was a baby, this was his favorite way to play with his cars. He liked to line them all up. This tradition was passed down to Logan. But, I'm afraid we have like 4 times as many cars now. I told the boys, maybe we should give some of these to some kids that don't have any toys. They freaked out. "But, Mom, these are our favorite!!" I even selected some cars that are hardly played with....I decided I better wait a few years before I take some of them to goodwill. The drama would just be too much.

Getting Ready for Church

Oh, my Daven cracks me up. He is a determined boy. When he was in my womb, I used to marvel at his determination. It was like, once he wanted to learn how to do flips in there, he would practice it over and over again. He was like this as a baby, too. He would practice one skill over and over until he mastered it perfectly. Then, he would move onto the next. I swear you can tell so much about them in utero.

On Sunday, he informed me that he can take baths all by himself. I didn't let him bathe totally by himself, but he told me not to watch him, so I just sat in the other room. He started the water himself, washed himself w/ soap, and washed his own hair. I'm sure it didn't get the perfect scrub-down, but I was impressed.

Then, he got his own towel and put on his own lotion. I decided to go along with things and kept encouraging him. I was blown away by this sudden assertion of independence. 

He informed me that he could get dressed by himself. He worked so hard. First was the underwear. He talked himself through it the whole time, just like he was one of those kids on Elmo's World. I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud. "First I put on my underwear, just like this."

Then came the pants. He did excellent with these.

When he got to the shirt, I thought for sure he would ask for help with the buttons. But, no, he has got some stamina. He worked on his shirt for like 45 minutes!! Oh, it was so stinkin' cute.

The socks were next. Then, his tie.

I had to take his picture. This is exactly how he looked. I didn't have the heart to change a thing. I just took his picture and told him what a good job he did. I almost let him walk into church looking like this because he had worked so hard! Bless his little heart. We told him when we got out of the car at church that we just had to fix a few quick things. Luckily, he didn't complain.

Now, if he can just do this every day!!

Toilet-Papered

So, we were t-p'd last night. The culprits left a gift and a secret not on my porch. It read:

"We hope you think this is as funny as we do. Happy late birthday! Love, blank and blank."

Hmm, I wonder which TWO of my friends would ever do such a thing? I would love to see your guesses.

All I have to say is, I know who you two are.

Yes, I did think it was funny.

What will be even funnier is when I get you back.

Happy Early Birthday, culprits!!!

Love, Rickie