Footsteps

going to the park. A daily, if not twice a day, activity

Walk alongside me, daddy and hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn that I don't yet understand.
Teach me things to keep me safe from dangers every day.
Show me how to do my best at home, at school, at play.
Every child needs a gentle hand to guide them as they grow.
So walk alongside me daddy. We have a long way to go.

bedtime story

 I am so grateful for Jake. I love to watch him with the kids. I love how they look up to him, that expectation in their eyes. Our kids couldn't ask for a better daddy, nor could I ask for a better father for our children! Thank you!

Jake had the tradition growing up to go to the sand dunes every Easter and ride. We didn't have any toys but being within minutes of the dunes we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go.
We packed our grill and some hotdogs and went to enjoy a few hours.

sliding down the dunes

As the boys played in the sand running here and there I started feeling a little sad and thoughtful. The footprints they left behind got me thinking about how someday these feet are going to be doing incredible thing, going places we can only imagine. Oh how fast these little feet are growing.

 

Two little feet, too little time,

Two little feet, One little child,
Will soon go their own way,
But footprints in my mind recall,
They stood here yesterday.

K was eating the dirt by the handful and saying "mmm"

The next day was Easter. We didn't really have anything planned. After church the boys took a nap and we put out a few things for them to get when they woke up. Thanks grandma for the box of fun the boys received! We added a few more things and called it good. We decided we wanted to give them stuff we could enjoy together. Each got a kite, we also gave them a matching game, and thanks to grandma a movie and a few balls.

 The loot

I love the boys look of glee when they get a surprise.

 

Modeling their very practical and warm Easter outfits from grandma.
Thanks grandma!

Let Summer Begin

 We are very excited for summer to start. Jake is off track. His next semester starts the end of August. Rather than one of us finding a job (pshaw why would we want to be responsible adults, that's no fun). We've decided to explore and play all summer.
We started out soon as we could. Last weekend we drove a few hours to a small town.

 

Jake kept driving. The gray sky soon started weeping, then that turned into flurries as we drove higher and higher. The roads became slick and slushy and the snow was really falling. By this point we were on a crazy mountain road. Not sure where the road ended but no way to turn around. Only place to go was forward. We ended up at a ski resort. We were dressed in light jackets watching people bundled up hurrying by with their skies and snowboards. We felt a little under-dressed...but, at least we could turn around. Back into town we trudged. Grateful to get off the slick mountain road. We stopped in at a little ma-and-pa burger joint. After delicious burgers and fries we were given a couple quarters for the boys to ride on the horse. I haven't seen one of these rides in a long time.

 The boys loved their ride.
The place where we got burgers was out of ice cream. They honestly told us, the icecream we have is a month old, we're not going to the creamery for a few more days...you really don't want what we have.
We went down the street to the corner drugstore with an original and authentic soda fountain.
Kaleb of course didn't want icecream. This kid doesn't like anything cold or hot. He spied giant suckers and couldn't have been more excited with his treat.

I got a delicious chocolate and peanut butter milkshake and Xander snarfed a bowl of huckleberry icecream. Huckleberry seems to be a popular flavor around here.

 We also try to go on a walk at least a few times a day. The boys love visiting the neighborhood dogs.
"Let me out!"
"Let us in!"

 A majority of our time has been taken up with potty training. about 4 weeks now and very little success. I got serious and took the boys to the store. Let them each pick out two toys. Got them each their own potty. Made up a sticker chart. So far they each have only earned 7 stickers to get one of the toys. They don't seem to have any self motivation.

 Through all the cleaning up of poop and pee I take one look at this face and I can't be too mad (although I can't wait to hire a professional carpet cleaning company for our furniture and a deep floor clean).

 Can't resist these baby blues. Xander gets away with a lot more than he probably should.
This past Saturday we went to the local airport. They have authentic warbirds and such out for display. They all fly and are out testing them often. They put on an airshow every year...can't wait for that!

Fun Days

Sometimes brothers can be super funny. I tried to be so sneaky so they wouldn't see the camera...it didn't work so well.



There hasn't been much going on around here the past few weeks. A whole lot of running to the bathroom. Nope, no one is sick. It's potty training time...yippee! The boys are slow at figuring it out but one day at a time it's coming together. I've resorted to bribes. They each got their own potty and I took the boys to the store yesterday to let them pick out two toys each. I made a sticker chart for them to earn their toys. So far it's not working. They don't understand why they can't just have the toys. We will need to have a professional carpet cleaner come in a few months. So far this has been my least favorite part about parenting. Our neighbor potty trains their kids from birth. The way she explains it, it seems so simple(ish) and makes a lot more sense! I'm thinking of researching it more and seeing if it's doable for a future kid.
We enjoyed conference in our traditional way. Invited friends over for a Saturday morning breakfast and different friends for a Sunday evening dinner.
Our friend couldn't come last minute for breakfast so I called up my visiting teaching companion to ask if her and her husband wanted to run over and help us eat our food. I forget young married couples with no kids actually sleep past 9...weird...don't remember what that was like. They were good sports and ran right over. Hey, free breakfast, how much more incentive do you need?

We both love cooking and sharing meals with friends and loved ones. Even if it's as simple as a pancake breakfast.

A long couple weeks of staying home trying to teach the boys an important life skill.
I did take time yesterday to make a pie for Jake. One of his teachers has been a huge help. Jake wanted to make him his favorite dessert...coconut cream pie. So, I ended up making it. Mmm-toasting coconut sure smells good. Can't wait to eat this tonight.

Jake is taking his last few tests this week then he has the summer off. He has done so well. I am so proud of him and grateful for all his hard work.