GQ starts the day right.

Says GQ: Mom, I used E's toothbrush today because I didn't want my toothbrush to get dirty.

Instagram Photos

Instagram photos.... July 2012

More Water

Baby S fell asleep after one of our pool runs:

Baby S cries when I put him in the water for the initial shock.  Then he contentedly chews on the boat handle seen above.  Luckily he has no teeth so I don't have to worry about him popping his boat.  That is the grass at the park here in Iowa.  Can you believe how dead ("dormant") it is?  No sprinkler systems here my friends.

Here we are at a lake that I cannot remember the name of now:

Best Buy

Currently, E abhors shopping.  As though I even go shopping that much.  Um, I don't like shopping either.  So, when we were told her we were going to Best Buy she threatened to leave the family forever.  Still, once we arrived the kids had a great time trying out headphones with Daddy.

Swim Lessons

This summer my goal was to swim, swim, swim - and get my kids more comfortable in the water.  I think we have succeeded now that August has arrived, but M started out swim lessons in the same place I always hung out.... on the wall:

GQ jumped right in and often had to be pulled back to the shallow end because he was apparently not much concerned about drowning.

Testing out the waters.

GQ would often join M on the wall:

E is officially a better swimmer than me.  Maybe I can go across the pool, but she knows way more swim strokes than I do.  She also has "invented" a mermaid stroke.

Lately...

I completely forgot I had these awesome photos that Emily took of E and her Dad on Lake Cascade:

Obviously she is braver than me.  Yay for E!

This is the first time Justin had been water-skiing since a work trip when we were at Sports and Dance Camps (9 years ago!).  Apparently he was excited to get to meet me outside of the office, but very surprised to find out that I did not attend.  Ha!  Me and water-skiing??? Not so much.  

*****

This weekend GQ decided he wanted to try the whole "potty" thing.  So, off we went to purchase underwear.  Now, I have always said I think boy clothes are pretty lame-o compared to girl clothes, but let me tell you... boy underwear is much cuter than girl underwear.  We stocked up on Buzz Lightyear and Thomas the Train underwear and then waited, waited, waited for Monday. 

Then we began.

Then we stopped.

Says GQ:  "Mom, I want to be a baby like S.  I want my diaper back. I do not like going potty."

I considered forcing the issue since he is 3, but then I considered what forcing the issue would mean: yup, me cleaning up potties all over the house.  No, thank you! 

So, I folded up the cute underwear and put it away.  I am sure he will be potty-trained by the time he's 12.  Never fear!

*****

Since getting married, I have never lived anywhere longer than two years.  So, pretty much the idea that we are staying here is driving me insane.  I like so much to go through everything we own and try to THROW IT ALL AWAY.

This - by the way - drives Justin insane.

I told him that when we "really" move - after school - I am renting a dumpster to put outside our home so I can get rid of everything I want.

He said that is renting a Pod so he can put all of his stuff in it before I start.

(Like I wouldn't find the keys to the Pod.)

So, anyway, this summer I decided I would go through every room in my house and get rid of anything I possibly could.  Since swimming lessons are over, I began that this week.  I have currently de-garbaged the kitchen and the living room.  It is so nice.

Justin is concerned, and is hiding all his headphones. (Don't even ask how many that is.  And don't EVEN ask about the new pair he is saving up for.)

*****

I want a yard.

*****

Baby S has decided that whenever I lay him down and walk away I am doing a great injustice to the world.  Whenever he hollers, the image that comes to mind is from the A&E Pride and Prejudice when Darcy's lovely Aunt says something like:

"Is this to be borne? Are the shades of Pemberly to be thus polluted?????"

While the content is obviously different, the indignation is about the same.

GQ's Third Birthday!!!

GQ turned 3.  He will tell you that he is no longer 6 now.  Yes, we do lots of math at our house.  For GQ's birthday he got his hair cut.  He also got to go to WalMart and sit in the toys that I refuse to put quarters into.  This is the good life, I tell you what.

GQ wanted a Buzz Lightyear cake.  Until I made it, and then he just wanted the Buzz off his cake.  M convinced him he could have it after dinner, and since he always obeys M - things worked out okay.

Happy Birthday GQ!!! We love you!!!!

Week Three.... Justin joins us....

Justin and his sister with their babies:

M holding what looks like a really fat Baby S when you compare the two of them.

Lake Cascade, Idaho

M in her lightjacket:

Ready, Set, Go!

GQ was off for this round.

See that water coming up on the top heavy tube?  Who goes in you ask? M, of course.  Afterward we had to discuss in detail whether you could die if you stayed underwater too long, whether I would have let her die, and how she was sure to shut her eyes so she wouldn't have to see underwater.  (M has the same love for water as her Momma.)  Luckily Cousin Olivia saved the day and jumped in with her.

GQ took her place when she joined us in the big boat.

Best picture ever!!!

Waiting for their boat to come in.  I liked the beach best.  It was small and simple and I could read and watch the kids at the same time.

Cousin Sammi and Cousin Isaac took the kids on a small tube ride to an island where they worked on a sand castle.

The End of our trip!  I was gone for way too long and was glad to head home.  Even Evanston looked good, and that's saying a lot.