Not a "Plunger"

Braeden came up from the toy room today wearing a tool belt and carrying his toolbox. He came into the kitchen and asked if anything needed to be fixed. I directed him to the door that "needed some adjustment". He worked on the door, disappeared for a few minutes and then found me again and we had the following conversation.

B: Mom, is there anything else that needs to be fixed before I go to my construction site?

Me: Well.. I don't know. Maybe the faucet in the bathroom? It could use some attention.

B: Mom (sigh), I'm not a "plunger", I'm a builder.

Vacation Bible School

This week was VBS for the boys. It was bizarre to have them both gone every morning, but a really nice look at what fall will bring for our family. I was able to come home after dropping them off, put Maggie down for a nap and actually get some things done. That's right.. I accomplished something this week! I'm going to pretend you're all woot-wooting with me. 

Both Braeden and Evan love to go. I think they look forward to it all year. Fortunately there is VBS for a day once a month so they get little doses all year long. This year's theme was the Gold Rush. Over the course of the week they mined for gold, made books, made coin pouches (to store their treasures) and so much more. Along with all of the fun they learn verses, songs and bible stories. It's a week very well spent for them and they enjoy every minute. 

Today was the last day with the end program and pony rides. Roman, Maggie and I joined them for their program and lunch. 

 Getting ready to leave the house

 The Old West stage set-up

 Braeden and Jean

 Maggie entertaining herself during the program

 Singing a group song 

 Evan on the "little pony"

Braeden riding the bigger pony (they said it would be a pony but I think it may be a horse..)

We are so grateful to have this opportunity in our town. Our own church doesn't offer these types of programs for children and it's wonderful that the Baptist church opens their doors to everyone. We have many relatives and friends within the Baptist church so our boys feel very much at home there. What will I do when Maggie is old enough to go too? Oh the possibilities..

Two Little Fish

At the beginning of the summer we signed Braeden up for swimming lessons with the hope that he would become comfortable in the water and be ready for learning actual strokes next year. We knew Evan wasn't ready to start yet, especially since every time we got near the pool he refused to go in or even put on a bathing suit. Fast forward a month and we have two little fish! Who knew so much could change in a few short weeks. I am so proud of them both for how far they have come in such a short amount of time.

Evan had been slowly creeping closer and closer to the water and in the last week or so he was willingly putting a bathing suit on and getting in. We wanted to give him some independence in the water so I got him a life-vest and we put some swimmies on his arms and he was off. Today he was up and down the pool from the shallow end to the deep end. He even jumped in in the deep end without anyone waiting for him in the water. He even went down the slide!! My heart is exploding as I'm watching him learn to love the water and trust that we will keep him safe in this new adventure. 

Riley and Evan ready to hit the pool. Nice outfit Evo!

 Loving his new independence!

 You can't see it, but he's actually trying to do the front crawl

And Braeden.. Oh Braeden. I am so proud of him for the amazing hard work he has put in and made himself into a swimmer this summer. He can now swim unassisted in the deep end and jumps off the diving board and uses the slide. He has gained major confidence in himself and spends hours in the water at a time. This week he has begun learning how to dive. His instructor is his 5 year old friend Brayden. It is adorable to watch. 

 Braeden and Brayden practicing diving

 Swimming back to the shallow end

 Ready, set, dive!

Not quite ready for the Olympics..

I have to include this picture because Riley rocks. None of the boys would go down the slide on their stomachs so she marched up there and showed them how to do it!

Our Set is Complete

I'm sure all mothers would agree that it is impossible to have too many pictures of your children. I take tons and every now and then try to get them done professionally. As I've posted before, we just had a family session with incredible results. But the only thing we couldn't do then was the picture collage that we get for each child from Sears when they turn one. I took Maggie this morning to get hers done and as usual, I am not disappointed. I'm sure it helped that my little diva hammed it up for the camera. 

Unfortunately I don't have Braeden's as a digital file, but this is the big picture for his collage.

We had to choose from the best of the not great shots of Evan. He has NEVER liked having his picture taken. 

Maggie on the other hand, enjoyed herself very much. 

Now our set is complete. 

At One Year

Now that Maggie has reached one year old it's even more obvious that she resembles one brother a bit more than the other. 

A little like Evan...

and a lot like Braeden..

Whenever anyone asks who Maggie looks like, Roman always responds with "she looks like Maggie". While I completely agree that we are all our own unique people, it's pretty hard to deny that she resembles Braeden  more than a little bit. What do you think?

One Deep Breath at a Time

I've been trying so hard in the last couple of years to ease into the belief that whatever will be will be. Honestly, it's completely true and while I can maintain some control over what happens in my house with my family, I have very little influence (if any at all) about what happens in the world around me. I like the cozy, safe little bubble that Roman and I have created for our family. We live in a small town surrounded by family and amazing friends. But outside of these four walls our world could change drastically over the next few years. Not in the things that matter most in life, but in our physical space in this small town.

This is the view from the front of our house:

And this is the view from the back door:

Why does any of this matter? Because both of these spaces are owned by Hobby Lobby, who on September 21, 2012 will be announcing the new owners. I have no political or religious opinion that I am willing to share on either of the two candidates. I think there are pros and cons to each. While I would love to see new jobs created and our tax base improved along with the potential for new businesses, I don't particularly want to see my neighborhood turned upside down with large buildings and parking lots surrounding us. I feel like we'll be living in the book "The Little House". I completely understand that someone always has to pay the price for change. I'm just sad that we happen to live in the 1 square mile that will be most affected. It's making me very nervous and has caused more than one sleepless night. Are we going to have to move? Will there be beer cans on my lawn every morning? Will the traffic make it hard to get the kids to school on time?

So while we're having this amazing summer, I am often plagued by the fear of what is to come. What will we do if? Where will we go if? I'm trying really hard to allow myself to take one deep breath at a time and let it go. It is not up to me. We will deal with whatever comes along when it is time. But as a person who needs to feel in control for sanity's sake, it's terribly hard to not be able to be proactive and know all the answers when I want them. Best case scenario is that I'm way over reacting and Northfield will be enhanced without being lost in the change. I guess I'll find out along with everyone else in September.

Five Year Old Seeking an Attitude Adjustment

I love my oldest very much. Well obviously. I mean I am his mom and he is my son.. But right about now, if we were a baseball team, he'd be on the trading block and I would be shopping his attitude around trying to see if anyone else wants a surly five year old who has recently regressed to approximately a grumpy two year old. Jeesh. This kid is testing every single limit I have. To be completely honest, Braeden has spoiled me most of his life. He's always listened well, been polite and an all around good kid. However, the past week or so he's been whiny, angry and unnecessarily aggressive towards his brother. Has summer vacation worn out its welcome? Is he jealous of the attention Maggie's been getting because it was her birthday and she started walking? Maybe because Evan is starting school in a few weeks? I just don't know, but goodness gracious, it has to turn around soon. I know that we've all been feeling less than stellar on and off for a few weeks, but we've still kept a normal schedule and seen friends and been to the movies and golf lessons.. What more does this child want? What am I not doing to make him feel special enough to act his normal, kind self? Is it a normal phase of a five year old about to enter kindergarten?

Maybe this will be one of those times that now that I've said written it out loud, he'll go back to his usual self just to prove me wrong. A mom can dream right?

And while I'm seeking advice, how in the world do all those southern moms keep hair clips and bows in their daughters hair?!?! As soon as I even pick up a hair clip Maggie starts swiping at the side of her head. She does not care for them at all.