How do you keep cool on a scorching hot day?

We have a big water fight!

Phelps Fans

We've been having a blast watching the Olympics with the boys. (Well, except for when Rowan declares that he's bored, and it's time for a kid show.) They have all become die hard Michael Phelps fans. They want me to check on the computer every morning to see if he won any more medals or broke any more records while they were asleep.

I think it's amazing for them to watch history being made.

The other sport that it's been interesting to watch with them is men's gymnastics. They crack me up as they run around and do somersaults, and proclaim that "that's not that hard". I think Grayson already thinks he could give some of the Olympians a run for their money! I can't wait for the track and field events to begin so they can start throwing "discus' and javelins" around my living room.

When wishes come true

It's such a wonderful feeling to know that you have helped make your child truly happy! Last night as we drove home from Grayson's birthday party he sleepily proclaimed, "That was the best birthday EVER!" Grayson is not one for big parties or being the center of attention. He likes to have fun, and he likes to be with family. For his birthday this year he really wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese, so of course we went. It's not Paul or my favorite place, but it's a really easy way to make Grayson's day.
We dined on cheese pizza.


The kids burned their way through about 200 tokens. We came to the conclusion that we need to keep Grayson away from Vegas. He could develop a seriously bad gambling problem!


Grandma and Grandpa even braved Chuck E Cheese! (And when I say braved, I mean braved! It was a hot, loud, crowded nightmare in there).


Then we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for presents and cake.
Grayson's big wish this year was for a camera. He loves taking pictures and videos with ours, and really wanted one he could use "without permission".

The excitement on his face when he saw his camera was priceless.


He got many other exciting things, like LEGO Indian Jones sets, a new Wii game, an iDog, and some very generous envelopes. He was so tickled with everything!


This year Grayson decided he wanted red velvet cake, just like Daddy and Grandpa.


And make a wish!


Of course no family party would be complete without Rowan using the guests as climbing equipment! Sorry Uncle Jim and Aunt Enid!













He was the happiest kid ever! As he was about to fall asleep in the car he said, "Mom, can you put all my presents on my desk for me? I want to see everything RIGHT when I wake up."

This morning he started out his "real" birthday with his annual bowl of cookie crisp.

Then we were off to the zoo for a day of fun. It's been a very full birthday weekend, and so great to get to enjoy our special birthday boy! And be on the watch, he said now that he has his own camera, he'd like to have his own blog too.

Great to be Eight

Eight years ago this wonderful 10 pound bundle of joy came into our lives, and life hasn't been the same since! I hadn't looked at these pictures in a long time, I had forgotten what a little chubby thing he used to be!




















































A few facts about Grayson, at eight:

Favorite food: Homemade macaroni and cheese
Favorite Restaurant: Red Robbin
Favorite TV show: Johnny Test
Favorite Movie: Spongebob movie
Favorite thing to do: Chew Gum
Best Friend: Kaden
Favorite Game: Soccer
Favorite Toy: Legos
What makes you laugh? Being tickled
What's one thing you don't like? Onions
What's the most important thing you learned while you were seven? Harder Math
What do you hope to get for your birthday? A Camera


HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAYSON! WE LOVE YOU!

Flashback Friday- Boys and Guns

I've always been amazed by how much my boys are drawn to weapons, of any kind. It's like they have some kind of genetic pull to be near them. If there aren't any toy weapons around they'll make one out of whatever they can find. So when I saw this picture of Paul and his Uncle Steve I just had to laugh. Not that him holding the big gun is funny, what makes me laugh is the red plastic one in his pocket. You can just never be too prepared!

28 days

Can it really only be 4 weeks until school starts? There was so much I wanted to do this Summer, and pretty much none of it has gotten done. Now I'll have to start worrying about things like buying school supplies and making sure everyone has shoes (not just flip flops) that fit. Then I'll have to worry about getting everyone back on track with going to bed early, and probably think evil thoughts about the fact that Grayson and Rowan's school is apparently moving their start time up to 7:45AM. And if I really wanted to make myself crazy I could think about the fact that last Spring I signed all three of them up for Fall soccer. I don't even want to think about how that's going to complicate my afternoons, not to mention rob me of every Saturday in September and October. Plus we'll have boy scouts for Fuller and cub scouts for Grayson and I, and did I mention that I gave Fuller permission to try band this year, another after school activity? Deep breaths....need to take more deep breaths!

I'm sorry...

...but until I finish reading this:

I won't be answering calls or emails, cooking dinner, cleaning, paying attention to my kids, or anything else I'm supposed to do.