Playground Project, Simon, Soccer & Grandparents Day

There's been so many things going on around here you would think that our three children were high schoolers in 4 separate activities-not a joke-we've been that busy! The end of the school year has sparked a lot of commotion and wrapping up the "year" with the women's ministry I'm involved with at church pretty much took over this past week. We also had BOTH grandmas in town which makes things even more exciting!! There's never a dull moment over here!

John took a week off of work a couple weeks ago to expand our swing set area to include the trampoline so that our grass would stop dying underneath the trampoline and to honestly just have a better view off our back patio. It is almost complete and looks incredible!!! John is seriously one of the hardest workers I know and is so thorough that I don't think there is one single mistake in the project. The kids are super excited about their new area too. 

Johnny was John's biggest helper for this project. One of his favorite parts was checking out the new tools John got.

Sweet boy asked to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed....I just couldn't refuse...just look at him holding on to "Douglas" & "Pluto"

John's old trucks are a huge hit when playing outside

Simon got to spend the day with us while Mrs. Kelley went on a field trip with Charlotte. We ventured to Kids Club, Meijer and picked up McDonalds Happy Meals for lunch back at the house. We had so much fun!! 

At Meijer I really only went to grab a few things (or so I thought) and intended to get the "big boat cart" that would seat all 3 of the kiddos...but the cart was already taken and our grocery pile grew pretty large and toward the end the chaos began...peppers were falling like tumbling rocks, Charlie started throwing his shoes, Johnny and Simon were pulling the grass herbs out of the bundles, etc etc....so I figured it was pretty much time to leave. Once we got through the checkout (where the big boys played cars so sweetly) I let them ride Sandy. As soon as Johnny got on, Charlie started screaming and then when Simon got on he started screaming more. So I really just thought he was mad it wasn't his turn. But no, it turns out he was extremely afraid of Sandy. Because as I started to put him on the horse he put a death grip on me and said "bye" "bye" "bye"....with that cue, we left! :)

Later that same day, we got some mulch delivered to our house. The mulch truck was a huge hit with these boys.

Mellany took Simon for a ride after she got home and shortly after this his mama came back! We love our Simon (& Charlotte too)

One cool dude!

We finally had a Soccer practice!!!! After weeks of cold and rain, we got to play some soccer. Johnny did a really good job but seemed a little unsure of himself at times because he would come running to me saying he didn't want to play anymore. With a little encouragement he was back on the field. At his second practice later that week, he seemed to have more confidence and even scored a goal!! He was so proud of himself! 

The cutest cheerleaders I've ever seen!

Grandparents day!!! 

Mellany's school hosted a grandparents day for the Kindergarten classes. Gammy and Nana came to take part in the festivities and each stayed with us about a week. They walked Mellany (Johnny was in on the fun too) to the bus each day. We ran errands or just hung out at home during the day and then had some really special family time in the evening after John & Mellany both got back home. On Grandparents day, Gammy and Nana went to the school and watched a program, Mellany showed them around the school and her classroom, met Mel's teacher and friends and had refreshments. They said it was a great afternoon and I'm so glad they were able to come. Papa & Teresa couldn't make it and were so sad to miss it! We are seriously blessed with amazing parents/grandparents!!

Mellany's classroom had ducks and chicks that were just hatching so Gammy and Nana got to see them too. 

The Women's Ministry spring brunch was this past weekend so the boys got to spend Friday morning "helping" me decorate and prep for the event. They were so incredibly good, I couldn't have asked for a better morning--at least when it comes to having an almost 4 year old and a 1.5 year old helping you. :) The event was a success and the ladies seemed to have a really nice time! 

We celebrated our friend James' birthday at their house with pizza & cake

Charlie is always a huge help when it comes to sweeping

Happy Monday and here's to an exciting month of May!! 

Inside & Outside Fun, Star Reader, Kites & Earth Day

A lot of random things happening lately! Playing indoors, playing outdoors, spending time with friends, school projects, running errands and enjoying the warmth of warmer weather! We can literally see the finish line for the end of the school year and we cannot wait. It will be so nice for me to have all my babies at home all day, every day for 3 months. We've started putting together our bucket list and are excited to begin that journey over the course of the summer. There are just so many fun things to look forward to and so many things to be thankful for! We are incredibly blessed! 

Here's what we've been up to!

The boys playing at home before running errands one morning. Johnny is really into Tonka Tiny's right now and Charlie is almost always by my side (if daddy isn't home that is). 

Game night at our house with "Best Good Friends" 

I'm not sure why, because it totally doesn't look comfortable to me at all, but this is Johnny's favorite spot to sit. We are constantly telling him to sit on the actual couch for fear that he is going to fall backwards....

Mellany practicing for "Star Reader" at school. Each student in the class chooses a book to read in front of the class. Mellany chose "Little Bunny Foo Foo: The Real Story". She practiced so hard....really studying the more difficult words, pausing to show the pictures, etc. etc. She even practiced one morning and read to Johnny. Her practiced really paid off too because according to her teacher, she "nailed" the assignment. She was so proud of herself and we couldn't be more proud of her too!  

Johnny's photography and wanting a picture of himself taken by me (doesn't he look so old?!?!)

Heading out for a morning full of activities with my two boys who love their hats. We played at the mall after getting new shoes for both boys, stopped by the dentist, ordered Johnny's birthday cake at the bakery and then came home for some truck & tractor time and naps. It's so sweet to see these two boys really enjoying their time playing together. 

Saturday morning sunrise.....I volunteered at our church's 5K/10K early on this morning and was able to catch this amazing view. I'm usually not a sunrise/sunset picture taker kind of gal, but I just couldn't resist with this one.....even though the picture just doesn't do it any justice. 

Later that afternoon, Mellany was invited to one of her classmates birthday parties. It was at one of Mellany's favorite places, All Fired Up, so it was a definite win for her! 

Sunday morning drawings....Mellany's "poop umowgee (emoji)" (insert hysterical laughing here!!!) and Johnny's "Earth"

Mini Kite Flying....these things are so awesome!! The kids don't have any trouble flying the kites themselves and had a BLAST....and I'm pretty sure dad may have been having just as much fun as the kids :) Our neighbor's cat, "Oreo" also loved the kites....specifically the tails of the kites.....but Johnny did not like Oreo messing with the tails of his kite whatsoever.

Earth Day Trash Pick-up: Mellany's class at school talked about Earth Day this past week. One of the things they discussed was how they could make the Earth better. When she got home from school that day she suggested that we take a walk around the neighborhood and pick up any trash we could find. I thought it sounded like a great idea so this afternoon we did just that. It was such a proud moment for me....picking up trash around the neighborhood would have never been something I would think of doing. But, I think it was a valuable lesson for the kids and they enjoyed it so much and talked all evening about how they "helped the Earth". I am constantly amazed by our sweet girl's ideas and I think it will definitely be something we do again. 

.....we also enjoyed a little time in the gator...(look at those two boys looking at each other....I mean, if that doesn't scream "mom and dad are in trouble" I don't know what does!!)

....and trying our hand at growing some strawberries of our own-fingers crossed!

 

HAPPY SUNDAY/EARTH DAY! 

What We've Learned: Part 3

Several years ago I did 2 posts on things that John and I had learned during our first several months of becoming parents. I thought it might be kind of fun to continue the posts throughout our parenting journey as we enter new phases. And since we have exited the infancy phase and are continuing the toddler phase and entering the school-age phase, I thought it might be good to write down some more of our "take-aways". (obviously these are things we have learned that work for us and won't be for everyone...)

*What works today for one kid, will not work tomorrow for that same kid, nor will it work for any other kid most likely.

*When you feel like you have a handle on everything, a curveball will be thrown your way.

*If your child falls asleep, Let. Them. Sleep. Do whatever it takes for them to continue sleeping.....even if that includes moving the stroller that sleeping child is occupying inside.

*Packing for a trip starts a week in advance. The recovery time after the trip is double the length of the trip you took.

*Laundry never ends--neither do dishes

*Goldfish and cheerios are your best friend

*If the temp is above 45 (or feels even decently warm), send them outside. The trampoline, bicycles and swings are bedtime's best friend.

*Meal time gets easier; or so we've been told! Getting kiddos to try new foods is so very painful...but we hear it gets better and they may actually thank us later! As for now, we are having them take as many bites as their age and that seems to be working well...

*Change boy diapers QUICKLY

*Potty training is awful. The "cold-turkey" method works best in this family.....the first time they go potty, they are in big-kid underwear from that point forward including at night

*Getting rid of the binky was always way easier than we had thought

*If they want a toy to go to bed with, don't fight it

*If he/she wants to wear something out in public that you don't think matches....let them wear it because

     a) they got dressed themselves!

         and

      b)they got dressed themselves!

(as long as they are dressed appropriately for the weather of course)

 *Bath/shower time gets easier-or so we are told.....one day, they will be able to do this themselves!

*You live in a house, not a museum....

*If you can't find your kids, go to the bathroom....they will find you!

*Magic eraser is your bestie

*Cleaning your house is like nailing jello to a wall.....

*They will imitate everything you do-the good, the bad and the ugly

*Keep your spouse prioritized above your children....because without your spouse, it will crush your children....keep God above all things and teach your kids the same.

*Take FREQUENT dates!

*You can never have too many PJs, socks, underwear for your kids

*There's nothing quite like reading your kids their favorite books

*Teaching them manners constantly will pay off! Eventually they say please and thank you without being reminded.

*When a friend says their child has colic, doesn't sleep at night, constantly pukes or all of the above, go to their house and hold that baby....they will forever remember the hour of time they got of sleeping/being clean/not getting screamed at....(also bring a meal because you know they aren't cooking because there is no time for that when you are just surviving)

*When the kids are sick, you will be able to see it in their eyes

*Timeouts are important sometimes....however old they are is how many minutes they sit...

*Raising your voice is reserved for "safety"....example: when they run towards the street-yelling very loudly is good. For our kids, this lets them know that what they are doing really is not ok/safe and they will stop immediately.

*Social media is unnecessary...it's actually "freeing" to not have it and our kids don't see us constantly on our phones which is a bonus

*When you give your child a warning, you have to follow through. Otherwise they will call your bluff from that point forward.

We truly have learned so much doing the best "job" we've ever had! And we are so fortunate to have the babies we do!