Phonics from a first grader

Thad: Mom, can’t it just be any letter that makes that sound?

unfortunately, no, our English language is not that simple.  Though I agree with him.  It should be!

Shand follows the brothers yet again.

This time in the yard…

as she drops her pants and pees in front of all the  neighbor kids.  That beautiful long wavy hair with a bow in it is VERY deceiving!!  at least she didn’t make more laundry for me.

Come to think of it, how DID she manage to not pee ON her underwear?

how to get your kids to flush…

New House Rule:

Whoever flushes another person’s poop gets to collect a quarter from the offender.

IT WORKS!!! Each boy has only paid one quarter to the other.  Our toilets are much cleaner. The air much fresher.

Keenan and His All-nighter

Keenan is pushing for some freedom to make his own choices.  It usually comes up in areas he is not ready to make those decisions in.  But we thought staying up as late as he wanted to would be a fun new thing for him.  He didn’t quite make it all night.  But he sure tried!

Thad stayed the night at his cousin’s, so we decided tonight would be a good night to let Keenan stay up as late as he wanted.  He was over the moon, ecstatic, giddy, hyper and hysterical!   Bryan and I just kept laughing to ourselves all night.  He was just so dang pleased with himself.

We had taco’s for dinner, got Shand in bed.  He helped us clean up and such.  He wanted to start movies and playing games immediately, but we showed him what we did as we put them to bed.  Clean up first, pick up here and there, etc.  THEN…

make snacks. yup. the secret is OUT!! mom and dad make choc chip cookie dough when the kids are in bed.  Needless to say, Keenan got a tummy ache from eating too much.  but its not long term.  it was his choice, and we were find letting him make it.

We played a Spy Game together. Then at 9:30 put on the Johnny Tremain movie. he was thrilled I sat with him and watched it.  yes, I usually ditch the kids during movie time.

When it was over he hopped on the floor and said, ok dad, what movie do you want to watch next?

We told him we were tired and going to bed but he could watch another if he kept the volume down.

Around the World in 180 Days.

The tv i sin our room, and he came and kissed us goodnight at 1am.

At 1:30 am I heard him banging around in his room… setting up tables and chairs to make paper civil war soldiers… I told him it was fine, just be quiet.

At 3:30am, the light still on, I found him passed out on his bed.

It was a good memory maker night.

For the Brian Reagan fans… a copy cat.

Thad this morning:

Eli is my BEST friend.   Except for Jesus.  He’s a little more favorite!

with a B.R. sound and everything…

July 4

Camping over the 4th… we stayed in the in-laws hauling trailer.  It worked out great.  we put up a net inside.  Although it was a little like sleeping in a tin can, not masking ANY of the noise from outside… the night of the 3rd, some other campers decided to start off some fireworks at midnight till after 1am.  Then they got in a big brawl and fight with much yelling “where’s the gun?” type stuff for a couple hours.  Then they set off more firesworks at 5am.  yippee!!

Fireworks. Shand thought they were too loud, but still liked them!

The boys went on the big  5 hour 4 wheeling trip.  They were VERY tired!! and dirty.  Its a beautiful thing.

S’mores…

Beautiful, tired, and dirty faces.

The night of the 4th we drove home instead of sleeping another night there.  getting home at 2am to my bed was better than a chaotic next morning alternative.

The next day? naps for all… even for the one who SWORE he wasn’t tired, and would just lay on the couch.  He was asleep before I could get back to him and insist he try to sleep on his bed!

Busy, of the fun kind, Summer!!

And a HEAT WAVE!!  its been between 70 and 80 degrees… I, Renee, am actually hot.  And I love it.  Thaddeus has ended up sleep walking to a cooler couch the last few nights… a little transient sleeper have we!  I’m thinking Talia is hot, and that is why she is so fussy… I can’t think of any other reason anyway.

Here are some pics of our fun. (Click to enlarge)

A little Scottish Highland Games.

The boys tried their hand at some of the events. Talia slept all day in our Moby Wrap with short breaks for feeds.  It was awesome.  Shand had a nap in the Ergo on Daddy’s back.  meanwhile, she lounged in the stroller I included pics here of her fingerpainting so you can see them close up… she is so cute and full of facial expressions that I rarely manage to catch!

We had our fill of shortbread and took some home to have with tea the next day.   We even got a baby sitter so Bryan and I (and Talia) could return by ourselves for the evening concert. (Old Blind Dogs from Scotland)

Shand has discovered finger painting… included in this activity is painting the fingers! (click on the above thumbnails for close-ups)

Here’s Talia smiling, and I’ll post July 4th pics in the next few days. maybe.

A Couple Funnies from the Boys

Keenan has been mixing up many words lately.  I love it as they expand their vocabulary.

Here is a fun one… stupid and dumb are opposite… I mean RELATIVE!

____________________

AND some good news for us… a conversation overheard…

Keenan: I know you did.  I can see what you are thinking.

Thaddeus:  You can not!!  only parents can read my mind.

________________________

There are so many  more… but they happen through the day, and by the time I sit down, I can’t remember them anymore.  even long enough to tell Bryan when he gets home.

Time Management: Psalm 145

“Everyday I will bless You”

• Every. day. In the little things. In the big things. Not just when I have had enough sleep.  Not just when my children listen to me.

“One generation will praise Your name to another and will declare Your mighty acts”

• I, the mama, will praise Your name to my children, and I will tell them of the work You are doing in my heart, and in the tribal works we receive updates from, and in the testimonies we hear at church, and EAGERLY tell of God’s hand in my life in my past, and of Your fascinating character, and the riches of Your grace…

• I will spend time meditating and exuberantly singing of Your glorious splendor, and Your beauty, and Your marvelous works, and the memories of Your direction and Your mercy in my life, and Your holiness, and Your kingdom here and Your coming…

overdue pictures

I love this picture.  It captures a face we see often…

Also what we see often… Shand in her play pen… where we lay her during the day often… Shand trying to dress her!

check out the hair!!

Keenan back from camp… both of them so very silly excited. this is the least goofiest pic I got.

Again… Talia determinied to sleep against all odds

the mohawk the boys have always wanted…

we went to the Renaissance Festival – Three Barons Fair… legos – out. swords, knights & fighting – in! Keenan cut out a mask and sticky  taped it to his face!

Its so hard to capture a good smile… she smiles a lot but always while moving!

Shand looking beautiful.

last one. Talia in a deep sleep… looking just like Hewett, Keenan’s twin who passed away… its blurry, but we’ll keep it anyway… I walked past her sleeping and mt heart jumped when i saw her.

SO there is a few pics… i so need a new camera… ours is taking more crappy pics than good.