Summer Camp!

It was a big week for Easton. He got to go to his first all week, all day out door summer camp. He was excited to be like his older brother and head off to camp. Overall camp went great. They had 2 rainy days forcing them to play in their big barns. Easton told me there were things he liked about camp and things he didn't (he didn't like when they sprayed him with a hose). He's excited he gets to go back at the end of the summer. 

While Easton was at the traditional day camp Spencer attended their version of Sports camp.

Every other week I play in a golf league. The boys asked if they could get their clubs out and Ryan took them down to the baseball diamond and acted as though it was a mini driving range.

Ryan also took the boys to the store as he had a meeting that night. They must have brought the iPad with because I found all these random pictures….

It was Easton's turn to go with Ryan for his softball night. Ryan said he didn't take the job as serious as Spencer and even fell off the bleachers at one point and hit his head.

We had a pretty rough morning getting out of our house this week. I was having some mom guilt so I decided to stop at the beach for an hour or so with Nolan. He had a lot of fun and I think truly enjoyed spending time with just mom this week.

I always say it's a good thing I am Easton's mom and that he's so darn cute. Our kids are far from perfect, not every day is a fairy tale and I'm by far not a perfect mom. Easton and I had a rough morning towards the end of the week when I could tell he was tired from his week at camp. He wanted pancakes for breakfast and I put them on a green plate. Well he wanted the blue plate like Spencer. I wasn't willing to switch and told him just to eat the pancakes or he would go to camp hungry. Needless to say he threw about a 15 minute meltdown tantrum and took his fork to the top of our kitchen table and put some scratches in it. I lost my cool... I just get so tired of playing the little games. I know it would have been easier to switch the plate but then I'm giving into his whiney behavior. I just didn't think he would act out like that. I was hurt, upset and mad. When I dropped him off at camp I could tell he was still tired as he had tears in his eyes, hung onto my leg and asked me to take him home. Part of me wanted to stand there and hug/love him and part of me thought "I don't want to be around you after what you did this morning." Being a mom isn't easy. I hate that I always feel like I'm being judged by my kids behavior. Or my kids are always being watched to see how they will act in different situations. We have 3 incredible boys. They are not well behaved or good all of the time. They have a lot of energy and love to wrestle, tackle and be rough. As their mom it makes me cringe at times but yet no matter what I still love them. Easton is also the kid that will still curl up into my lap just to be held. He's the first one to tell me he loves me all the way to outer space. When you give him a task or really ask him to be a good brother/helper he will. In the car today I asked him if Nolan could help him carry something in and right away he says "Ya sure mom!" I just wish I had answers for what to do in the situations when he is throwing his tantrum or showing us just how strong willed he can be!

The table….

 Easton had to sit out the first 1/2 of practice for his behavior that day (it was the same day as the fork to to the table). He did fine just watching and when it was time to go in he was excited but I could tell he was still worn out from the day.

Nolan is wearing his new baseball shirt to cheer on his brothers.

Our neighbor Eli brought his 4 wheeler back from his cabin. The kids all got to go for a ride in it. I'm pretty sure they will want to ride in this instead of their little power cars from now on.

We had family pictures this weekend. We told the boys they needed to dress up. Right away Spencer was begging for the outfit he wore to his kindergarten concert and Easton wanted his tie dye YMCA shirt. We told them they could wear them at the end for a few pictures. Luckily I had the final say in their real outfits.

Here's one I took with my phone. I'm hoping we got a few good shots of all 3 of them smiling.

Our street is pretty great. The kids have other endless kids to play with. They all seem to get along well and we do a lot of fun things. Nic brought out the his movie screen on Saturday. While the kids watched a movie the adults sat around the fire and played bean bags. Doesn't get much better then that.

Easton had a friend's birthday party this weekend. Owen and Evan are two of Easton's buddies. The Giggle Factory was crazy with kids running around.

Neither of our kids would look and smile for me...

We finished our weekend off with a grill out at my old co-workers house. It was so great to see my friends again. The part I miss the most about not working are the friends I made while I was there. I love that we still stay connected and can get together.

Where has the time gone? I just can't believe this little boy will be 3 when we wake up tomorrow. I'm so excited to continue to watch him grow and learn but he's so darn cute the age he is right now that I want to freeze him in this moment. Love you Nolie!

I shared this video earlier this week but it makes me laugh every time I watch it. It's super annoying when he actually does it because it's usually when we are in a hurry or have a long ways to walk…..

A Trip to Texas and July 4th Weekend!

I found this app on the iPad where you can make your pictures come to life. All three boys colored different pictures to test it out. They were in aww to see their art work pop up on the screen.

We packed up the boys and headed to Texas to visit Grandpa John and Grandma Julie. It's been 3 years since the last time we were there because Easton was just a baby. I found a play area in the airport for the boys to burn off their energy before getting on the plane.

Overall the flight went great! We were off the ground by 7:00 am! They didn't complain too much and mostly sat in their seats watching movies.

Once we got to Texas they took us to the farmers market where the boys could pick out fresh fruit and veggies to eat at their house. I was in aww of the things they tried and like. I have since bought some for at home and they are back to hating them.

We spent most of our time there swimming in their pool. It's the perfect size for the kids. They had a blast! Even Nolan started jumping in. Normally he's ok sitting on the steps or walking around the pool.

They also did a little fishing in Grandpa's pond. The threw lots of bread for the turtles and ducks to eat.

I don't understand how you have this nice pool area to swim and play in but yet….

They seemed to have just as much fun in this nasty pond!

While Nolan and I crashed at the house...

Grandpa and Ryan took the big boys to a Rough Riders baseball game.

When they enterer the stadium a worked for the baseball team asked Spencer if he was interested in playing in a game between periods. Of course he said yes and he was super excited! It was an inflatable horse race.

Nothing to it, he smoked the other kids on his horse!

They made sure to have a few treats.

The next morning we got up bright and early. Grandma had rented a big van that would fit all of us. We had a 2+ hour long drive to our adventure...

This is how Spencer keeps himself busy for 2+ hours...

We were headed to Fossil Rim. It's a great wild animal reserve. We got a personal tour around the grounds to see all the different animals. Way better then the regular zoo!

We were given cups of food to feed the different animals along the way.

We had lunch at the look out point..

And then continued on with our adventure….

Some of the animals were kind of creepy.

You can see how the animals come right to the windows.

This pretty much sums up Easton's attitude majority of the trip.

The boys got to do a lot of cooking with Grandma….

Ryan and Grandpa took Spencer to a golf range...

Then it was back to the house for more swimming...

Hmmmm I think someone is missing their swimming suit! You can tell their sunscreen and swim shirts work!

Only little boys would do this...

Grandma has all kind of gadgets including an ice cream maker.

The guys sitting next to Easton is a good friend of theirs (Mike Vopal) and a principal. He was going to help keep Easton in line for us during dinner! Easton wasn't too sure about him.

They also played a lot of street baseball. Grandpa lives in a cul-de-sac too so it was like a home game for the boys

Grandpa has a neat game on his fence that Spencer kept trying. 

The weekend was quick and before we knew it it was time to head home. 

Surprise, surprise Easton wouldn't be in a picture! 

Sometimes when I stand back and look at the boys I can't get over how old they are looking! 

 Even Nolan wanted to help with the suitcases! 

Our neighbors had a fun surprise for us in our yard for when we got home. I heard most of them blew away since it was so windy but a few remained. 

 Vacations can tire a kid out! 

We continue to enjoy summer to the fullest! 

We headed to the pool one day. It wasn't the nicest but that didn't stop our kids from swimming.

Weekly random Spencer sleeping shot! 

This week it  was finally time to go to the dentist. Spencer's front teeth just weren't giving in and we couldn't wiggle them out.

So it was time to have them pulled! 

He didi great and said he never felt a thing! Perfect! 

The lucky boy got a visit from the tooth fairy that night. He told us he saw the fairy and that she sprinkled magic on him and he floated off his bed. He might be watching one too many disney movies!

The other big news with Spencer this week is he passed the next level swim test. He had to tread water and float on his stomach. He did great. Now he can go to the lap pool without me.

Spencer continues to show us the different snacks he's learned to make at summer school. 

Easton is starting to take after Spencer….

We had a play date with the crew plus Auntie and her friend Melissa came up with their kids to Teddy Bear park.

Sometimes they play and get a long so well with each other! 

Sadly we discovered this mark on Nolan's arm. After an ER visit and clinic visit to see his Doctor we are still waiting for the official word on weather or not he has Lymes disease. Either way he's being treated for it at this point.

Sometimes I feel like I have zero control over these boys. I'm hoping maybe she can help!

We celebrated our friend Brian's birthday and the start of the holiday weekend with a Twins game. 

We spent the 4th at Grandma and Grandpa's house….

The littles are always wanting to help. 

Now there is a slide to go with the water trampoline...

The kids did some water skiing. 

Nolan even tried out the trainer this time! Ryan had to try and talk him into it, but eventually he just put him on the water ski trainer and pushed him out away from the boat! He was nervous at first, but the tears quickly turned to smiles. Yay Nolan!

They did some sparklers before the fireworks…. 

Every year Grandpa puts on a great show and this year it didn't disappoint! 

We quickly headed back to Hudson that night because Saturday morning was the Hudson Booster's Day parade and we were representing St. Croix Sports!

The boys saw that Captain America was also in the parade!

 It's become a tradition to head downtown Hudson for their fireworks. They kids played volleyball to kill time before the fireworks show started.

This is Easton's friend Landry. I asked them to put their arms around each other and this is what I got!

HAHAHA! Batman made it to the fireworks. This is Jake our little neighbor boy.

This kids were all excited to see the big fireworks… 

We finished off the long holiday weekend with an adult only trip down the St. Croix River with some friends. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend!