Boredom Busters

The summer is in full swing, and as a result, we have a little more time at home. I, personally welcome this change, but i can tell the days that the kids are getting bored! I have had to come up with ways to keep the boredom at bay so we have done lots of fun things!

We hit the movies one day with Grandad & Kaleb (note to self: do not try again unless i KNOW that the kids like the movie!) We ended up leaving about 45 minutes into the movie! After getting there early, sitting through previews, etc, they just couldn't sit still ANY longer... When we came out of the movie, i said "Was that a good movie guys?" "YESSSS!!!" "What was it about?" Jackson said, "Ummm... I not know!?" EXACTLY!


One day i let the kids "paint" outside. I put water in paint cups with brushes & they went to town. I used to do this with Jackson when he was Eli's age, & he loved it. I had forgotten about this trick though until last week. Jackson practiced writing a "J" for Jackson, & Eli just scribbled all over the sidewalk.

When this got old, i gave them washclothes & more water & let them clean the front (glass) door. They thought this was too funny, & i went ahead & gave pointers on which areas needed the most!!

My biggest challenge in the boredom busters so far is to RELAX. Everyone knows i get stressed out when the kids demolish the house (which i hear is natural with boys , well & kids in general)... But i can't help it.... it stresses me when they get out anything & everything & strew it from one end of the house to the other. And it just creates more work for ME! But i am learning to let it go & let them have fun.... Here is the proof! Who doesn't remember doing this as a kid?

Weekend Part 3: The only difference between men & boys...

...is the price of their toys! When we went to see Grandaddy for Father's Day, we got to see his new baby... a new boat!

The boys even got to play on it for a little while. (Good thing, since they will NOT be on the ocean in it for a WHILE yet!!)
Then Mommy was demonstrating bravery for Jackson & did this....
Thanks for the ride (around the yard) Uncle Jeffery!

Jackson isn't a fan of loud motorcycles, but Aunt Malissa managed to protect him.....But we managed to get him to at least sit on the thing! (Not that i was trying to get him to ride it, because i would NOT let him do that!)After all this excitement (& dinner), we had yummy watermelon. The kids couldn't get enough! They were so cute!

And the watermelon was a tough act to follow, but Grandma Tee managed to top it off by taking Eli into the fence with Pete (the boxer). Eli "talks" to Pete through the fence but never gets to get up close & personal... until now....

Then she let us roll around in the yard & get filthy! Great Fun! Thanks for getting down & dirty with us Grandma Tee!

Weekend Part 2

After our trip to the beach Friday, we headed to Nanny's house for showers & dinner. We were starved, but managed to save room for some ice cream!!

Not to mention, that this was a second serving for Eli, sort of. He started on his own kid scoop, but then quickly got agitated (& downright ugly & embarrasing) because he wanted a shake like mommy, and she wouldn't share since hers contained caffeine! So Nanny went & got him one!!
Then it was already time for bed! Jackson joined in on the "slumber party" with the girls & Nanny. Yes, Nanny slept on the floor with them too! Good Times! I was the only one up half the night as i wasn't thinking when i ordered a chocolate expresso milkshake!
Saturday morning we all hit the Best Buy to get the daddy's their "wanted" items for Father's Day. And all the kids managed to pile onto one cart there... with little fighting i might add.
And a little more time at Nanny's to play (and destroy) before heading up to see Grandaddy for Father's day!!The kids absolutely LOVE to play in this tote... they sit in it, hide in it, lay in, close each other up in it... the fun never ends!

First Beach Trip of 2008!

This weekend we headed to Wilmington for Father's Day weekend. Since we headed out early Friday, we went straight to the beach to give the kids a few hours in the sun & sand. (Ummm & did i mention, water?) Last year, Eli was too young to know to really be afraid of the ocean, but Jackson had been apprehensive for 3 years now. Well, this year must mark the spot for NO FEAR at all of the ocean! It was quite scary to see my boys heading straight for the ocean. Jackson wouldn't go too far, but Eli would run right in & the current would knock him off balance. He would just giggle, get up & go again! And he found this football out in the sand & he held onto it for dear life! Jackson was just content to hang out & play with his boat in the sand & water. All in all, it was a successful first trip of the summer, but next time we will need more adults! Aunt Becca & i were outnumbered since one of us was always chasing Eli!!

So much testosterone!

I live in a house full of testosterone, so i don't know why i was suprised that Randy took the time to teach the boys arm wrestling so early!Jackson was trying SOOOO hard, check out the strain (& he is using 2 hands). Eli just couldn't be left out, so Randy took a turn with him too! He thought this was so funny. So i guess dinner was over at this point?

More Perks of Living in the Sticks...

Not only do we pass cows & lamas everyday, but we also see lots of horses! Eli sounds so cute when he says it too ("horth" like he has a lisp) This day we were lucky because one of the horses down the street was reaching his neck over the fence. Since we weren't in a hurry, we just pulled over, where the horse then took a couple of steps backward! Anyway, we rolled the window down & checked him out for a few minutes. The boys were so excited with the free entertainment (& i love that we can do this so often out here in the sticks!).

Seriously?!?!

Is there an end in sight? I just keep getting more & more IRATE as the weeks pass.... i guess the gas prices will make working pointless before long!