Summer

I'm baaaack. And you thought you were rid of me, didn't you? I've been in quite the blogging slump. And I can't promise it's going to get any better. Perhaps it's the mugginess. It's making me slugglish on all accounts . I heard someone compare it to living in a dishwasher. That is EXACTLY what it feels like!) I really haven't felt like I've had anything to write about anyway, but upon uploading my pics I guess there are a few things to report on...

What with all this crazy warm weather, we have actually been able to escape the cave on most days. A couple weeks ago we went to Spaulding Lake (you know, one of those rich people's lakes, that their mansions back up into) for ward playgroup. Collin scored a life jacket that a friend brought and got to go on his first kayak ride. Then later, I was nursing Weston on the beach, watching him, when he waded a little too far out into the water, lost his footing and went under. Of course, due to his floatation device, he promptly came to the surface...albeit face down. Then about three heart stopping seconds later, rolled face up. I had started racing toward him (nursing cover flapping in the wind) when it seemed he might continue the cycle of rotation. He was pretty hysterical, just from fright and didn't venture that far out again. Turkey.

 On the way home, Weston fell asleep gripping these rings. Sometimes he'll fall asleep with one hand in the rings and the other hand in his mouth. You'd almost think he was holding on for dear life from my driving.

 He is quite entertained by the hose and I love it. I'll just read in a chair on the driveway while he busies himself with filling bowls of water and "washing" the car. The Shaws shared a Sam's Club pizza (love those) with us one night and the boys had a ball with the sprinkler. I love Gavin's face in this pic as he sprays Collin.

 This $2 garage sale find has also proved quite profitable this summer with all the time he spends in it. He loves to hop in and scoot down the driveway. One evening, however, I noticed him putting something in the back cubby of the car. Don't worry, just flower petals from our rose bush. That scavenger. I'm surprised the thorns didn't get him.

The wading pools are now officially open! Woot woot! Can you believe they wait until the end of June, though?! We went with Rach and Gavin on Monday and we walked up at 11am sharp, right when it opened for the first time of the season. So our boys were the very first to pee in the pool, I'm sure!

 Last Saturday we had a little "picnic" dinner at the park. Rachel and Gavin left for Utah yesterday and I'll I've heard from Collin for two days is, "Momma, go park with Gavin. Momma, go swimming with Gavin. Momma, picnic with Gavin!" Sigh. They come back July 17. It's going to be a long month.

 Other activities of summer include sleeping in our skivvies. It's just too darn hot upstairs.

 And heading to the library to find more fireman books!

You can take the girl out of the classroom, but you can't take the teacher out of the girl. These kids will like to read if it's the last thing I do! :)

(Hey, check out the vacuum lines on the carpet. Yup, that happens at least once a month.)

 We also frequent Harlem road on walks to either Dairy Queen, Little Caesars, Dollar Tree, or Tops. And even though it's very rarely Little Caesars, that doesn't stop Collin from asking for pizza every single time we walk by. I thought it was funny when we were walking up the road and pretty far ahead of us was a parked Mazda that Collin noticed, then excitedly told me, "Momma! That car happy!" Ha. Yes, I suppose it is, but I hate those cars. Creep me out.

Here he is showing his latest tantrum prize/evidence of mom's shameful lack of backbone, from the dollar store... a "ment truck" ...cement truck. I really try not to give in to his screaming, but when I'm by myself with Weston strapped to my front and not in the mood to make a scene, a dollar truce doesn't sound so bad.

Not to forget I have another son! He actually gets many a photo shoot. And I usually take 8+ pictures and get maybe one blog worthy one.

First of all, he always has his fingers in his mouth.

 And if I pull them out, I get this face... "Whattaya doin' Ma?"

The eyebrow lift is another....

No idea...

 "Can I help you".

 No explanation needed.

 And the winner of the bunch, even though I still think he's throwin' me a half smile.

 He is spending some time in the Bumbo and bouncer, but not big enough to play with the toys.

 OK, on to Father's Day!

No meetings for Trav on his special day so he got to sleep in.. til about 8, what luxury! I was going to serve him breakfast in bed, but he made sure to come downstairs before that travesty happened. Can't say I blame him. Slept in bed + food = icky. My mom would acquiesce. We were never allowed to bring her breakfast in bed.

He got peaches in cream with bacon and eggs on the side. (Notice the rose on the side? Ya, just call me Grandmother.)

♫ Peaches 'n Cream, peaches 'n cream... Collin's just a little boy who likes peaches 'n cream! ♫

 That night we went to the Shaws where the guys got steaks for dinner. Thanks for grilling, Doug!

We were able to call home or Skype with our dad's that night. I had sent little packages with {Buffalo} items such as Weber's mustard, Crystal Beach Loganberry soda, Anchor Bar wing sauce, and Wegman's Sponge Candy. Unfortunately, the package was delivered in a plastic bag since one of the cans exploded all over everything. Oops.

 I have been very blessed with a wonderful father and an amazing father to my children. Trav puts up with a lot and still somehow thinks he got the better end of the deal. I am so grateful he takes an active role in raising our boys and loves me despite all my shortcomings. He really is my Sweetheart. :)

Well, you're probably sick of hearing about all our {goodbyes}, but we had yet another (and I dare say last?) girls night goodbye party on Monday for Tiff and Kristie. We went out to Cheesecake Factory, then watched Bachelorette at Tiffany's house, ending with a whole lotta talking and eating some Buster Bar dessert that I made. I had to leave the restaurant right after I finished eating to go home and feed Weston, so Rach photoshopped a picture of me into the group shot! Hysterical. (Or maybe you just thought I was the shining star of the group. :) I was thinking more vampire-esque. Why do I have Twilight on the brain?)

 Tiff's eyes started closing around 12:45am, so we called it a night after that! I definitely paid for that indulgence over the next few days. With Collin and Weston walking up between 5:30 and 6:30am, this chickee is beat!

Even though, it looks more like this kid is.

It was really strange, but Tuesday afternoon he woke up with a fever, but was still acting like himself. Well not Wednesday morning. He was lethargic, cranky, and so sick. He fever got up to 104.2. I had gone upstairs to put Weston down for a nap and wasn't gone long, but when I got back, Collin was conked out on the couch. He was pretty sick all day, but wonder of wonders, was back to himself on Thursday. Happy day!

 I had to include this shot of him in his jammies on Wednesday afternoon. Basically, I just wanted you to have a mental picture of what he looked like when I was seen walking around the block with him Tuesday morning, barefoot and talking on the phone. (Only, minus the pac and blankie... he only had those in this pic because it was his sick day.) You see, David called me from the Atlanta airport, en route to Honduras and since Trav was studying for a final, I was trying to keep him entertained and away from Trav, while still being able to hear David. He wanted to go outside and then he took my hand so we could go on a walk and I didn't have time to put his shoes on. So about 9am, you could have found us in our pajamas, barefoot, walking around the block like the ragamuffins we are. No matter, because I got to talk to David for almost an hour!! Boy, that kid has my heart. It was so fun to hear his voice. He had already called home from the Provo airport the night before, so I was spoiled with lots of time since his layover was really long in Atlanta and it would have been almost too early to call AZ at that time. He seemed really excited and ready to be on his mission. Go Davey boy.

Anyone still reading? Deep breath. Done. :)