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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A Spiderman Birthday!

On Sunday we celebrated Camden's 3rd (1/2) birthday.  Since his actual birthday is so close to Christmas we usually have a party for him in the summer.  This year he chose the spiderman theme which he was very excited about.  We had the family over for cake and ice cream and of course the traditional year in review video.  Camden got some pretty neat gifts and he is still talking about his party.  Here are some pictures from the party.

The Cake... I copied the idea from a local grocery store

the decorations

me and the birthday boy

party goers 

playing duck duck goose

Will, Grandma, and Grace

enjoying all the desserts

waiting for the video

this is Camden's new train table that Grandpa Al made.  it is a huge hit and now the kids can build a big track

posing with the balloons. his shirt is courtesy of grandma Ellen

his animated card

Friday, July 20, 2012

Space Camp

This week Carter and Camden got to go to a camp at their preschool and the theme was space.  They were super excited all week about the camp and they had a lot of fun.  They got to be in the class with Emma and Jackson which made them even more excited.  They got to play with moon sand, build space ships, sing songs, do fun art projects, play outside and their favorite part of the day, snack time.  Their crafts were really cute and I got to peek in on them singing songs one day and it was pretty funny.  We really like the Wee Wisdom camps.  The boys came home sweaty and full of marker/glitter/glue every day which makes me think they had a great time.  On Thursday we even went to McDonalds with Emma and Jackson after camp which was  huge hit too.  I even let them play in the play area (against my better judgement).  Here are a few pictures of their week of fun...
Camden, Carter, Emma, Jackson

building in the classroom

some art work

The UFO's and the alien hat's were some of their favorite crafts

Sunday, July 15, 2012

blowing bubbles

I finally decided to do another general update.  To get started I had to look back to see what I have blogged about and when the last general update was done.  Yikes!  It was in early June!  I guess we have been busy with life over here.  We have been spending our days outside in the water a lot and with holidays and birthdays we have been with family a lot too.  The kids got to go to Mahoney water park with the Scribner grandparents a few weeks ago which they enjoyed.  They have also had a few play dates with friends. I am amazed at how fast the summer is flying by, and I am getting a little more sad and anxious that my baby is going to be starting school very soon!  The next time I do an update I will be talking about getting ready for school.
Tatze showing Nase who is boss around here
 A hot day with friends and popsicles

Playing with Will, Xander and Grace (this was just after I disturbed a wasp nest and we had to go in)

Bubbles!

loving the bubbles

time to watch *Cars 2*

Carter really is growing up so fast.  I might have mentioned this in another post but my baby doesn't sleep with his blanket anymore. He just goes to bed with nothing.  He is still asking a lot of questions about how the world works and also takes it one step further to test and question our answers.  This can be a very daunting and draining thing.  I try and remember he is just trying to figure out the world but sometimes it is difficult to remember.  One of his favorite things to talk about and ask questions about is fire.  He has a fascination with fire.  We have talked a lot about what happens in a fire, how to get out safe, what kind of things start on fire, and how they start on fire.  I am not sure a day has passed in the last few weeks that he hasn't talked about fire.  He also loves *Mario*.  He is going to have a Super Mario Bros themed birthday party and he is really excited about it.  He tries to get us to let him play video games most days but for now it is just on Saturdays with Chad.  He talks about the characters and often reenacts scenes during his imaginary play.  The best part about watching him during free play is you will hear things you have said in his play.  The other day Chad heard him tell his monkey "sit down in your chair!" This past Saturday Carter started his reading and phonics class we enrolled him in.  It is every Saturday for five weeks.  Chad goes with him and they have a few hours of homework every week that they do together.  His first assignment was to read the book "Mrs. Nelson is missing" (which is one of my favorite childhood books) and he loved it.  He also likes acting out the books.  I think we are going to start Carter on a chore chart and possibly an allowance since he will be starting school soon.  We are going to have to go school shopping for a back pack and a lunch box really soon.
They were having a puppet show

Swim lessons with Carter's friend Carson

he wanted me to take a picture of the back of his superman shirt

this is where he fell asleep on afternoon.  not the most comfortable spot

Camden is still going through a little rough patch.  The poor kid thinks the world is against him and if he screams/whines/yell it will some how make it all better.  Unfortunately our ears are not fans of this.  We are trying to stay calm and get him to use his words, but it is hard.  I am hoping that repetition will sink in soon.  It can't last forever, right?  He is playing with Callan a lot more lately (I know I said that in my last update) but he really is.  I am happy to see this since big brother won't be around most days once school starts.  I think Camden realizes that he now has someone to tell what to do and I think he likes it.  They really do play well together (as good as can be expected I guess).  They love going down stairs and playing with the couch cushions.  I know he is growing up because I am afraid he is phasing out his nap. :(  Actually he takes great naps.  Too good.  This means he doesn't want to go to sleep at night.  Most nights he just lays in bed until about 9 wide awake.  This also means that he occasionally gets up to go to the bathroom one more time or even cry once Carter is asleep and he is bored.  I am not ready for him to be done with a nap but I also want him to fall asleep at night too.  I am going to try just letting him sleep for 1 hour or so and see what happens. He is my best napper.  He can take a good 3 hour nap if you let him.  Camden is also getting excited for his birthday party that is coming up.  He is having a spiderman themed party and he talks about it every day.  I am busy getting ready for it, and hope that the cake turns out. 

holding up two fingers is his new thing, i have no idea what that is all about

teaching Callan how to play yatzee

Callan has had a few big changes.  He got two new teeth on the bottom and he graduated into a big boy bed!  We kind of did this on a whim on weekend.  I wasn't sure I wanted to just yet but when I thought about it I thought we should do it before he can open the doors.  We used the crib side as a head board and turned his crib into a double bed.  I don't have new bedding yet, but my mom is going to make him a comforter and pillow shams to match his existing room.  The new bed was an easy and smooth transition.  He loves his new bed.  He did fall out of it twice the first night and once during nap a few days later but hasn't in a while.  He can climb up and down but he has stayed in the bed without any issues.  One more baby thing gone.  We are phasing out the high chair and will probably be rid of it soon.  I think all we have left is diapers to make him *little*.  He has shown some interest in the potty so for now we just take his cues and let me try if he wants.  He has peed just a little but the other times he just tries.  One funny thing about Callan is that he is a noisy drinker.  I think he does it on purpose (even though we really haven't said anything to him about it) but it is really obnoxious.  Carter said something one day about how loud he was when he was drinking.  He loves shoes and loves bringing people their own shoes (even when we are not going any where) and when he gives me my shoes I say "Thanks Callan, but I don't need my shoes now.  We are not going anywhere." He will look at you and say "oohhhhhhhhhhhhh" as if I just told him something profound. He will also use the word "um" appropriately and often.  He has also become a little or maybe a lot clingy lately.  Although I love holding him and snuggling, and know that these days will end soon where he wants to be held.  It always seems to come on strong at the worst times.  Like when I am making a meal or trying to make a phone call.  I know it will pass, but it is hard when you are out numbered by your kids.  
Callan put his puppy in the dog water to give him a bath :(

his first popsicle

helping daddy put together his big boy bed

all finished (without the comforter or pillow shams)

first night in his bed

I got to celebrate my birthday this week/weekend and had a great time.  My families were good to me and got to eat some yummy birthday food.  This week the two oldest have a summer camp at Carter's old preschool.  Emma and Jackson are going with them so I think they will all have fun.  Next weekend is Camden's party so look for an update then.   To end the post I have to share some pictures that Curt took over at my moms this week.  I love how excited they get over something as simple as bubbles.  It also reminds me of my favorite quote from the movie "Knocked up"
Pete: “I mean, that’s an incredible thing about a child. I mean, what’s so great about bubbles?”
Ben: “They float. You can pop them. I mean, I get it. I get it.”
Pete: “I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles.”

pure joy

bubble bliss




my ornery little man!





Monday, July 09, 2012

baby you're a firework!

This fourth of July was one of the best we have had.  Partly due to the fact that we have super fun neighbors and the kids love playing together.  This year we planned ahead and decided to have a potluck of sorts and make a whole afternoon evening of it.  We got a bigger pool from my parents house, a water table, several slip n slides and of course the bounce house.  The kids were in heaven and they all did really well which meant the adults got to relax and enjoy themselves too!  We even had a few games of ladder ball for us and Tonya let us try the frozen margaritas in a pouch, which are like a yummy adult capri sun.  We grilled hot dogs and brats and everyone brought sides and dessert.  The food was great and the company was even better.  The kids swam and bounced until about 8ish and then we started the fire works.  They had a great time with the snap pops and Chad let Carter help him light off some smoke bombs.  The kids sat and watched fireworks and ate popsicle until about 10:30 and then we took them in, put them in the shower and then to bed.  It was a great night and I hope memory making for the kids.

Al and Karen came and had lunch with us
ready to start swimming
enjoying the big pool
Cam showing Kevin his octopus
he loves the water!
taking a break in the baby pool
bounce house fun
he really didn't want to stop to let me take this picture

yum, popsicles! 
most of the gang
Jackson, Emma, Ava, Carter, Carson, Camden, Ethan and Callan
what sweet friends
these two enjoy playing together too!
ready for the fireworks!
our driveway full of snap pops
enjoying the show