Weekend Wrap Up

We had a good weekend at home. Darrin had camp all weekend so the boys and I stayed home for the most part. My job has been extremely busy and stressful lately, so I'm doing my best to recharge on the weekends. I'm trying to find a balance of getting some things done, but also having some down time. I think it's so important to recharge on the weekends when you work all week. Carson recharged with pancakes and playdough while hanging out in his underwear. 

A good friend of mine passed down four huge bags of clothes, which turned out to be evenly split between Miles and Carson. 

You would think that I've never bought my boys nice clothes. They were so excited.

They willingly tried a lot of it on. It was really, really nice stuff. I think they were feeding off of my excitement :)

I spent a lot of time organizing all of it and going through their clothes too. Since my friend was so kind to gift us so much stuff, I packed up Miles' clothes and decided to give them to a lady that always buys his clothes for her son. 

This was one of my favorites for Carson. Our cute little country boy with his strooooong southern accent :)

I got brave and took the boys shoe shopping since it was tax free weekend. Miles got two pairs of tennis shoes and a pair of church shoes. I managed to measure Carson's foot so I could order some online for him. He was impossible when I was trying on his shoes. Plus, his size is an 11 EE. That will be much easier to find online.

Miles cut half of the front yard on Saturday and accidentally hit the front walkway and the wheel broke off. He nervously text Darrin to let him know and to tell him that he was sorry. Darrin replied with "It's ok." I was very proud of that response. Darrin ordered the part to fix it. It wasn't too terribly expensive, so that was good. Unfortunately, this is a small price to pay when you teach a 9 year old to cut the grass. We both still agree that it was worth it. He's done really well learning this summer and has been very safe.

I think toddlers in pjs are precious. We woke up early on Sunday and played a little before it was time to get ready for church. 

I even made homemade donuts for breakfast. Both boys approved, but Miles was a little more impressed. Side note, I need to take more pictures of Miles. It seems like Carson is always right beside me so he naturally gets more pictures.

We spent some time in the pool both days. That has been the best purchase. We have been able to enjoy time outside when we would have otherwise been stranded inside b/c of the heat. It forces me to relax b/c I have no choice but to sit outside while they are in the pool. I get in with them sometimes and just relax others. Miles is unfortunately never satisfied with the amount of time I spend in the pool. Darrin got in with us Sunday afternoon and we all had a lot of fun. 

It's the last week of summer for Miles. He has open house this week and we will probably find out who his teacher and classmates are tomorrow. The odds are not in his favor that his best friend, Mason, will be in his class, but that doesn't stop him from hoping and praying. With 9 fourth grade classes, it's always a long shot. We have a busy week of work, school open house, back to school party, haircuts, a sleepover with Mason, and Granny & Pa spending the night on Thursday to watch the boys on Friday since Carson's daycare is closed. I'm tired just thinking about it!

Weekend Wrap Up

We had such a nice weekend. Miles spent all last week with my mom and his cousin, Joey. It was fun to spend some one on one time with Carson, but I was so ready to see Miles on Friday night. He doesn't have a phone yet, but he can email us from his tablet. We loved getting a few emails from him during the week. He had such a great time. A lot of his emails were about the good food he ate :) I'll write more about their week in another post soon.

Carson went to a birthday party for a daycare friend on Saturday. One of his favorite friends, Tucker, was there. Carson looks so grown up in this picture. It's like he's matured overnight, even his behavior is getting a little better.

We tried to get a picture with these three b/c they are big buddies, but Carson was all about his cupcake. He had no time for a picture.

The party was at the splash pad. A lot of the kids had bucket or cups to fill up. Carson would deliberately stand between the kids and the water to block them from filling up their buckets. He is such an aggravator and has to be watched at all times. One day he's going to mess with the wrong kid. I know this sounds like a mom comment, but I can tell he's not mean spirited, he just likes to pick and tease. It's something we will have to work on, but at least I know he isn't mean.

Carson and Charlie (the birthday boy). Carson has quite the little tan going on. I know the fad now is to not let your kids get a single ray of sun, but I think a little sun feels good.

These two are big buddies at daycare. They've been getting into trouble together since day one.

The boys and I had a lot of time at home b/c Darrin had camp all weekend. We hung out on the patio and in the new pool.

Miles said that he can't imagine a better pool. I have to agree, especially right now. This is the best thing we've bought in a long time and it was only $95. We ordered it on Amazon, set it up in less than an hour, and it is perfect for us. Carson can stand up, but he still wears floaties most of the time b/c he likes to be thrown or kick around. He's really doing a great job in the water.

All four of us got in when Darrin got home this afternoon and there was plenty of room to splash around. We did flips, handstand, threw the boys, and ran around the edge to make a current. All four of us had fun. Without the pool, we would have been stuck inside b/c it was blazing hot all weekend.

Miles was such a big help this weekend. He's really growing up and we are able to trust him with more and more. I love that he can pump my gas now.

While Darrin was at camp yesterday, Miles cut the front yard and some of the back yard for him. He did such a good job and it was so helpful for Darrin. I'm really impressed that he can start the mower, pull it out, cut the grass, switch over the gas tank, and pull it back into the shop, all by himself. Darrin said last summer that he would be cutting the yard this year and I didn't think it would happen. Miles has really surprised me. 

Carson got in bed with me this morning. He's been doing great about staying in his bed all night. We broke him of the habit of coming to our room in just three nights. He made it pretty easy, but I'm still convinced that kids can be trained fairly easily to do things like this with such a little consistency. He waits until his clock turns green most mornings, which is 6:15am, but if it's not green it's really close to that time. He also goes to bed every single night and doesn't get up. The kid likes his sleep.

Carson was really good most of the weekend. Maybe he was content b/c of all the time he had with us this week while Miles was gone. Or, maybe he's just growing up a little. I'm still reading the Child Wise book I posted about and trying to implement a few new things. I can see where the principles in the book are really good. They teach kids the whys of good behavior rather than just behaving a certain way b/c that's how they were taught. It's supposed to help them relationally when they are older. 

Miles tended the garden while Carson look on from the sun room in his undies :) He's doing really well with potty training too. He is so close. We can see the finish line. He has been really easy to train probably b/c I waited until he was almost three which is what everyone told me to do with Miles.

The boys and I went to church this morning while Darrin worked. Miles usually squats down next to Carson for a picture, so now Carson thinks he should squat down for every picture.

I did a little food prep this afternoon to hopefully help us eat healthier and at home more this week. It's been a little bit of a free for all lately. Miles helped for this one thing, but I'll take it. He wanted to cut the peppers which I saw as an opportunity for him to get some practice cutting with a knife.

It wouldn't be a summer weekend without endless popsicles. Our current favorite is watermelon bomb pops. 

Since I left my job and went back, I've made a conscious effort to unplug from work over the weekend. I don't check my email and I usually don't bring my laptop home. It has made all the difference. I am really enjoying my weekends, which recharges me for the work week. It's going to be a very busy week at work, but I'm ready for it after a fun weekend with my boys.

Carson's Swim Party

We decided to get Carson a 13' pool for his birthday. He's really not into anything these days except Matchbox cars and he has a gazillion of those. We thought a pool would be good for Miles and Carson. It's small enough for him to stand up in, but we were surprised at how big it was. Both boys will be able to jump and splash around in it. 

Darrin and his dad set it up after Carson went to bed on Friday night, so it would be a surprise when he woke up. 

I planned a pool party for his birthday. He was a little shocked by the pool when he woke up early the next morning.

He got a picnic table from Aunt Crystal & Uncle Steve which was also set up when he went outside.

My niece, Joey, is in town from Florida for a couple weeks, so she was in town to help us celebrate.

He wanted to get in right away.

Miles obliged even though it was very cold. 

The party was supposed to be at noon. The idea was for the kids to swim, open presents, cake, ice cream, and hot dogs. I bought cute party decorations and some popsicle swimming trunks for him to wear for the party. Since a lot of his presents were pool toys, we decided to let him open them in the morning since they were already swimming. 

Before it was said and done, the whole day was just pieced together with no real party and definitely no decorations. It was a reminder to me that three year olds don't care about party decorations. He had a perfect day and I feel certain that he felt celebrated. He was loved on all day.  

He got some new tracks for his cars which he put to good use later in the day.

He also got pool toys and some clothes. Everything was very useful and that made me happy.

He gave lots of good hugs after opening all his presents. 

They swam off and on all day. It was pretty cool all day, but kids don't seem to care about that. Miles said it felt better when the sun came up. 

We eventually made hot dogs and had chips and watermelon.

I think he liked when we sang Happy Birthday to him.

He is very loved.

We enjoyed having Joey here for the party. She only gets to visit once a year.

Much later in the day, he wore his popsicle swimming trunks.

The day did not go as planned, but he was all smiles, so that's all that matter. And, he's still T-H-R-E-E! I can't believe it. Time has flown by with this one. He is crazy and fun, and we had a great time celebrating his big day!

Happy Birthday, Carson!

Carson is 3 today! Last night, he insisted on donuts for breakfast. I kept asking him what he wanted for his birthday dinner and he said "I want donuts".

Daddy went out bright and early to get his birthday donuts.

After a few tries, he managed to blow out his candles.

We are having a little party for him tomorrow, but I wanted him to have a few gifts to open on his actual birthday. He is old enough now that he knew exactly how to open the gift.

It's amazing how a $3 popsicle mold with some candy and a bubble wand can make a 3 year old so happy.

He also really liked the big "3" balloon.

At 3, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know we still have the terrible 3's ahead, but he is sleeping in his own bed, almost potty trained, and is so much easy to communicate with. We love his little voice and all the things he has to say.

Carson, you bring energy and life to our family. You add a spark that would definitely be missing without you. You are observant, inquisitive, funny, and bold. You have a strong southern accent and add extra syllables to your words. You stomp when you walk and tend to run everywhere. You are L-O-U-D! You are an excellent sleeper, often asking if you can go "night, night" for a nap or bedtime. You are a daddy's boy and say "only daddy" insisting that he do everything for you. You love the outdoors and being barefoot and dirty. Your favorite things are matchbox cars, candy, popsicles, and 4-wheeler rides. Your energy and excitement towards life is fun to watch. You have things to do and places to go and we can't wait to watch you grow. We love you, Carson Lynn!