Annual Summer Work Party

I know we don't have any pictures of caged animals, but this party is always held at the zoo. My kids look forward to this every year.

Max Was {Cleaning} Here

He brought his duster, cleaning wipe and cleaning tooth brush. To give him credit, it is really dusty and dirty out here!

Shari Brooke is Three!!!

Shari Brooke's new thing to say when someone calls her "Shari" is, "I'm not Shari!"  When we enquire who she is, then, she informs us that she's "Shari Brooke!"  Occasionally she'll refer to herself as a "big, fat baby." 

She does not object, however, when we call her "Baby Doll" or "Sweet Baby Cakes."

I fixed Shari Brooke's hair this morning, and when I was done, she looked in the mirror and proclaimed, "I look like Nicole!" She does resemble Nicole, surely, but she also *acts* like Nicole. For example, when I put her in bed at night, she does not get out until the morning when I open her door and get her out myself. She always says, "I stay in my bed, Mama!" I don't remember Nicole doing that per se, but it shows the obedient nature of both of the girls. (Max, on the other hand, runs all over the room, puts fingerprints on the pictures on the walls, pulls Shari Brooke's hair and delivers toys and books to Shari Brooke.)

Shari Brooke and Nicole also share a love for books. They both read in bed every night. 

Shari Brooke is such a tender-hearted baby. She's always sharing, and she talks in the cutest way. When she's not too tired, she has a delightful nature. I am so happy that she has Max for her built-in best friend. We all adore her!

The Babies' Birthday Party

Of course, Mister turned two, and Shari Brooke turned three. We had a joint party with balloons and frosted sugar cookies. 

Yard Work for Boys

I've been collecting pictures of our house renovations.

On this particular day, the boys were helping Clint cut the branches down, stack them in the truck, and haul them away. 

Scotty reached as far as he could. 

I love Scotty's gloves and his casual stance against the new truck. **Side note: Max asks for (and is granted) a ride in the truck every day. The truck fascination has begun!!** In the background, Grant is showing off one of his branches. 

Clint and I have had a lot of fun working with the kids on our house projects. This week, Grant learned how to caulk and did about half of the new schoolroom! 

Art Houses

I love it when we stumble upon something cool. The other day, we stopped at the library and were pleased to discover a house exhibit on the lawn at the library. I asked the kids to pose with their favorite house. 

Doesn't this house look like it was built for/by Grant? This is his style of artwork, for sure!

Shari Brooke at the Alaska house. 

Nicole's house of color! I think color makes Nicole happy. 

Mr. Max All Pretty and Smart

Max wanted to go outside. It doesn't really matter which shoes he wears ...

And tonight, Max built his own little house out of magna-tiles. 

My Chessman

Look what I found for Grant today!! He loved them for more than one reason! 😊

Max Was {NOT Sleeping} Here

I found this after naptime. It has not been returned to its usual spot. 

Just Scotty

Tonight as Scotty was going to bed (very late), he pointed out his window and with astonishment said, "Mama! Look at all this darkness outside! How come it's dark?!" Winter must have been a long time ago. 

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Scotty's bike helmet broke in two, so he went a day without a helmet before I bought the replacement. And while it's possible to go a day without a helmet, it's not possible to go a day without riding. So I instructed Scotty to be as careful as possible that day. 

The next day, after Scotty put his new helmet on, he looked at me and asked, "So now I can act all crazy on my bike?"

Scotty loves to try out new tricks and stunts. He recently taught himself how to pop a wheelie. 

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Scotty and I often take bike rides, just the two of us. He likes to cross the bridge, stop to look at the river, and choose which turns we take. He also likes to ask many questions. He is always asking questions, but when it's just us, I can actually give them due respect. Yesterday on our ride, a perplexed Scotty said, "Mama, I just don't know how many moose there are in the wild. Do you know?"  

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Scotty wants to be a zoologist now. That's not the word he uses, but he memorizes animal facts and studies all about them. He says he wants to travel all over the world to see the different animals. One night we let Scotty pick the game for family night. He made up his own game of crocodile v. alligator trivia. 

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Scotty has been taking more interest in Grant's hobbies. Grant is teaching Scotty how to play Monopoly, Chess, and Killer Bunnies. He's also taught Scotty about circuits. Here is one of Scotty's own designs. 

Max Was {Missing} Here

When Max plays hide and seek, he doesn't tell anyone first, and he doesn't give any hints. But wherever he's hiding, you can be sure he's having a good time!

Max Was {Sleeping} Here

I find it a little ironic how this little tornado goes about the house all day leaving destruction in his wake, yet tidies up his puzzle and toys each night before falling asleep. The toys are never on the floor or under his pillow, and all of the puzzle pieces are always in their spot. 

Max Was Here

I loved this one because it was a total surprise (which gave me a chuckle), and it didn't cost me any extra work!

Max Was Here (and there ... and everywhere!)

Driving his car with Dad's garden gloves. 

Toasting rocks. 

Heating paper towels. 

Towing the wagon. 

And mowing the lawn. 

It's been a busy week!

My Boys, Updated

I played dress up with the boys for church today. It was Max's first time in a tie. I thought he'd take it off, but he was a good sport about it. 

And Scotty's first time in a suit. 

All three of them got new ties. Tonight as I was tucking the boys in bed, Scotty said, "Thanks for my new tie, Mom. I really like it."  Grant chimed in with a "yeah, me, too."

My Kid Is Smarter than I Am

Grant beat me at chess with no effort at all. I was white, and I had checked his king with my two queens. But in the next move, he checkmated my king. 

It's been a LONG time since I won a game of chess against Grant.