Busy Lately!

Nothing real exciting going on around here. We have just been busy with this that or the other thing. WB has been doing a lot of school work on the computer too which has limited my ability to post. I have also worked close to every other day for the past little while so my day off in between days gets eaten up by other more important things. Today we had a meeting at school for Mr. X. He is doing so well! I am so proud of him. Doc was unhappy that the meeting kept me from bringing him to school. I promised to pick him up instead. That kid is so attached to me. It's good that only one kid is that attached to me or there would be trouble in the house. GQ is just as attached to WB though.

Sorry it's blurry but it was too cute not to post it. Look how happy he is to be held by Daddy.

So what have we been up to...

Playing at the table during Spring Break

GQ tried to put his jammies on all by himself. He's working so hard at it.

Putting together puzzles.

Helping Daddy mop.

He loves trying to help!

Reading the Story Bible.

Playing with trains together.

All ready to go bright and early on Monday! Spring Break is over!

The kids behaved fairly well during Spring Break. Unfortunately, no matter how well behaved they are, all 3 kids at home makes it hard for WB to get anything done on the days that I work. Thus, him needing to do nothing but school work (90% on the computer) while I'm home. Such is our life right now. We are thinking about getting him a second laptop that he can use for school. That is up for debate right now so we will see. I don't think I'm ready for that expense yet though. Doc was excited to go back to school and wanted to try to make his own lunch to put in his Batman lunch box. His school doesn't allow outside food to be brought in for allergy reasons so we had to tell him he couldn't bring his lunch to school. He was so upset! He just wants to be a big kid and make his lunch like Mr. X. GQ has been fighting naps now that he can get out of his bed. I think it's better with the kids in school though. He's fighting bedtime as well. He thinks it's a game to get out of bed and then go running back to bed when you go to get him. He giggles all the while too. Makes Mom and Dad a bit grumpy. Hopefully it will get better soon. We just have to stick to our guns. We are counting down the days until my family comes down for a visit. The kids are so excited! It'll be a nice visit. Like I said, we haven't been up to much but yet somehow it all adds up to a lot of busy.

Boy Cuteness

My kids have just been incredibly cute all day today. Sure we've had our moments....all days do, but today they have just been sweet to each other, doing cute things, and so fun to be with. This morning Doc and GQ were playing so nicely together and built a tunnel of sorts to crawl through together. I'm not sure if that's a boy thing to do or just a kid thing but my kids LOVE to crawl through any "tunnel" they can.

 

My mother-in-law has bought a number of large stuffed animals for our kids to enjoy. Lately, they have started playing with them a bit more. Doc insists on Eeyore laying on his legs at night while he's sleeping. He claims he gets scared if he doesn't have Eeyore. So then today, we caught GQ with the elephant.

Elephant Rides at our house!

I was impressed to find all three boys happily playing together. It happens but unfortunately, it is not a daily occurrence in our home. 

Right before taking the picture, Mr. X was turned around facing his brothers. Of course, by the time the camera came out, he had turned away from them to play. They each got motorcycles at Christmas. It's nice because they each have their own so shouldn't fight as much.

Today was the day to turn GQ's bed into a "big boy bed". He climbed out 3 times at nap time before he finally went to sleep. The railing wasn't slowing him down any.

This is his temporary big boy bed until we can get a new mattress, buy a bunch of new sheets, and switch all the beds around. It's going to be a work in progress and today just wasn't the day for all of that. So far, he seems to like the idea of climbing in and out of the bed on his own. We will see how tonight goes. I'm a bit worried about keeping him in his bed. He is one that doesn't go to sleep if he can hear the other kids up. Once he's in bed sleeping, we will put a gate up outside his door. Hopefully that will keep him in his room until we are up in the morning. If not, it's time to talk to the landlord to see if we can put in a lock at the top of the slider so he can't open it. We have a pond in back and he would escape outside. It makes me nervous to say the least. Nor do I relish waking up before 6 am to make sure that I'm up before him every day.

During naps, Mr. X went outside to play with his friends. This is the pond that I worry about GQ going near.

I'm not a huge fan of Mr. X being near the pond, but he knows the rules. If he goes in the pond, he comes inside. Stay away from snakes and other wildlife. Thankfully, we've only seen ducks, geese, herons, swans, and turtles. That doesn't mean that alligators or snakes won't show up though so we have been sure to tell Mr. X to just stay away from the animals.

Doc and GQ love their daily snack after naps. My boys love to eat!

While we waited for GQ's speech therapy, Mr. X and Doc were outside playing. Poor GQ wanted to go out so bad. I pulled out puzzles to keep him busy while we waited.

He worked so hard on getting the pieces in just right.

YAY! He did it!

Then he decided that the animals from the jungle puzzle were better as toys. I had an elephant and he had a giraffe. GQ thought that was hilarious.

GQ has a little airplane that he played with while we waited. Of course, he ran from me the second I tried to get a picture. I just went the opposite direction around the circle to catch him.

Flying his airplane!

Unfortunately, GQ was not very cooperative for his therapy today. He was too busy trying to keep an eye on what his brothers were up to outside. My little escape artist also knows how to open the door into the garage as well. During therapy, we discussed some activities to try to strengthen his mouth muscles. One of them was blowing cotton balls. I think we have a new game that he is going to LOVE.

Look at him pucker!

Now on a more serious note... There is a family that needs all the prayers they can get. I heard about them through Megan's blog. Elisa was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer and Nathan was diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal cancer....ONE week apart. They have an 18 month old little girl. Please pray for their family.

Here is their story. Join me in prayer for them.

Playdates, Jail Breaks, and Tattoos!

Today we had our first official playdate here in FL. I took the kiddos to McDonald's to meet up with K and her kids. Doc was so excited.

This is Doc running around the living room in circles (of course GQ is a copy cat) because he is so excited about going to play with M. He was ready to go. They had a blast. GQ is a bit too small for the play area but I don't give it too long before he's climbing up there with all the kids. Unfortunately, I was too busy chasing after the kids, helping GQ, and chit-chatting to take any pictures. Maybe next time.

This morning, we had a visitor...

Now that he's figured out that he can get out on his own, there's no stopping GQ. We will likely convert the crib over tomorrow. We just didn't get to it today. He was pretty pleased with himself. Hopefully, he'll continue to run directly to us when he gets up in the mornings instead of going out the back door.

Doc also had a run-in with markers today.

Unfortunately, the marker also made it onto the carpet. We are still working on getting that out because of course, the kids got into the dry erase markers and not the washable markers. Aren't his "tattoos" lovely? Good thing our only plans today were McD's.

Remember I mentioned that Mr. X was learning about cars. Well, he wanted to see a picture of a Bugatti Royale. WB pulled that up for him and then showed Mr. X a picture of the Bugatti Veyron. This car is about $1.6 million and Mr. X so innocently says, "Dad can you get me one of those?" At least he has good taste... 

The funniest moment of the day... GQ "skateboarding"!

He's placing it.

He's working hard on going fast!

We have quite a few finger skateboards around the house and GQ decided he was going to try to actually skateboard on them. It was hilarious watching him try to get on this little skateboard. Kids crack me up sometimes. Maybe skateboarding is in his future...

New Developments

Sunday was a rough day. We had a great morning at church and the kids seemed fairly excited to go to church (which is so wonderful). Unfortunately, it just went downhill from there. Doc didn't want to listen for nothing all day long. We are trying some new discipline techniques and I'm hoping that it gets better-going at some point. Doc didn't want to stay buckled on the drive home. He just was unhappy with everything. Then after naps, it didn't get any better. Doc's attitude rubbed off on GQ so GQ was unhappy with everything and Doc was still not listening. That boy can be so stubborn, obstinate, defiant, etc.

GQ displaying his unhappiness.

GQ grumpily telling Doc it's time to go in.

Like always though, there are the moments of sweetness that just make you melt. Mr. X blew me away when he brought me this

"Here Mom. I love you. This is for you."

Mr. X has not ever really brought me flowers. I have an inkling that he might have been encouraged to do it by his little friend C next door. Either way, it made my heart melt. It was really very sweet. I kept the flower of course and I smile whenever I look at it.

Lately, Mr. X has been very big into cars. He is learning about cars and how to draw them from his library book this week. He asked on Sunday, "What stroke engine does our car have?" Then proceeded to ask, "What stroke engine does a Ford Model T have?" The things this kid comes up with out of the blue!

For some reason, GQ likes to snuggle down under his blanket from time to time. He was peeking out over it to look outside. If only he was always content to just snuggle under the blanket....

Instead, today GQ learned how to climb out of his crib. I knew it was coming but I am so NOT ready for him to be in a big boy bed. Not so much because it means he's growing up, but more because I'm worried that he'll take off outside at 6 am while everyone else is still sleeping. It looks like we will be transitioning to a big boy bed whether I'm ready or not.

Great Day

It was a gorgeous day out and we had a really nice day. I love having WB home every day when I'm off. I know that's going to change soon when he starts full time classes and goes to class on the days I'm home, but for now I'm enjoying it. :) We have been in desperate need of the family time that we are getting now and I really love it. He is such a great dad and it is just nice to see more of him. Definitely a change from when he would work 50+ hours a week or like last fall, work 50 hrs a week and then do school work until midnight or later every night.

Doc started school on Thursday. Now he's off for Spring Break. I'm not sure why he went for one day right before Spring Break but it's all good. It gives him a chance to get use to the idea.

First one to the door and ready to go!

He's smiling! That's always a good sign.

Getting acclimated to the class.

The teacher was kind enough to take a picture of WB, Doc, and GQ.

Doc had a great first day of school. He really seemed to enjoy it. He didn't take his blanket to school and didn't seem bothered by that in the least. Of course, at rest time, he didn't want to rest. He hasn't ever gone to school for 6 hours a day, so it will be a big change for him. He also hasn't ever had a rest time during school. I think once he gets use to the routine, he will be fine. He told me today that his teacher had a fireman coat and she put it on him. Doc and his firetrucks and firefighters. He says he's going to be a fireman and Batman when he grows up.

This morning the kiddos watched Thomas for a bit while WB got ready to head out to the store and I tried to get rid of a headache.

3 peas in a pod (minus the thumbsucking by Doc)

Watching TV is not an every day thing in our house. It is a privilege that we try to limit. With all the nice weather here, it's not too much of a fight because they would rather be outside anyways. I can't remember the last time Mr. X asked to play his handheld video game. It's definitely a nice change.

After naps, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came over again. I love having them so close! My brother and I do lunch usually about once a week while we are both at work. We haven't spent time together like this in ages and it is great to be able to feel like I have my brother back. 

GQ struggled with a bit of jealousy. For once, he wanted MY attention. He didn't like that I was giving attention to another baby and he stuck pretty close. Instead he watched the other boys play outside from afar.   We did burgers on the grill and just had some nice times together. My brother played ladder ball with WB, Mr. X, and Doc. They seemed to think that was great. Towards the end of the visit, the soccer ball got pulled out. Next thing we know, Doc has a scuffed up head.

We aren't totally sure how it happened. He just tells us something about the soccer ball. This kid seems to always have some sort of scuff, scrape, or bruise. He is the kid that runs full-speed ahead and doesn't take a breath. He doesn't watch where he's going and doesn't slow down for hardly anything. I have to constantly be on the look-out because you never know what crazy stunts he's going to try to pull. He has no fear. I think on some level, this will suit him well in life. For the time being, it just serves the purpose of trying to give me a heart attack.

Our kids like to give the grandparents a call during their bedtime routine. We save it for the very last thing before they go to sleep. GQ doesn't always get a chance to talk because he's usually in bed when the other two ask to call my parents or my in-laws. Tonight, I had called my mom to tell her how our visit with my brother's family went and to talk about their upcoming trip. My sister-in-law and I had discussed some ideas for things to do so I wanted to tell my mom to start thinking about what she would like to do. Anyways, GQ got a chance to talk to her tonight.

He loves talking on the phone like his big brothers. He doesn't say a whole lot but he grins the whole time.

I've said before about our nightly routine to see the moon... Well tonight is the Super Moon. It's the night where the full moon is the closest in its orbit to Earth. My kids couldn't get enough of the moon tonight. Mr. X usually closes the blinds for bed but he left them open so he could see the moon from his bed.

I think it looks really neat. The pictures don't do it justice. It shines right into the back door and gives you a shadow if you stand in the door. A good shadow. It's so bright, you can't see the stars around it. It is big and beautiful! Now I think I'm going to go put my feet up and just marvel at what God has created.

More changes coming our way

Today was a pretty laid back day. Nowhere to go, WB worked on schoolwork, and we just hung out. However, changes are in the works, but I'll get to that in a minute. We pulled out crayons and paper for the boys today. We let them color in the living room since WB had his schoolwork all over the kitchen table.

The were so innocently coloring together. It was really sweet.

Then it was time to take the crayons away because GQ colored on the carpet. Have I mentioned we have a rental? Coloring anywhere but paper is NOT a good idea in a rental. I think we got it out but I wasn't taking any more chances with that today. Speaking of the house being a rental... We have a pond out back. Unfortuantely, we do not also have a fence. The good thing about this is that we have a clear view of the pond and can do things like...

Turtle Watch!

This is where Doc was looking. It's hard to see but there are two bumps on the water's edge that look like rocks. Those are the turtles. If you look close, they are 180* from the trees shadow. This is a good picture to explain the use of the binoculars. We can usually see a couple turtle heads sticking up out of the water in the middle of the pond too. Doc is so fascinated by the different wild life we have around here.

This is how Doc was initially trying to use the binoculars. He started hollering for help to see the turtles.

Today was the first time that we went on a bike ride as a family. We haven't ever really done that before so it was really nice.

Here the guys are getting ready. I was finishing up with some things in the house and they were waiting for me. WB is actually on my bike with the Burley. GQ rides in the Burley and the other two biked with us.

We ended up separating because Doc's bike is a bit too small for him. He pedals as fast as his little legs will go and yet he still doesn't go very fast. Mr. X was getting impatient and kept riding ahead so I went with Mr. X and WB went Doc's pace. Good thing Doc has a birthday coming up...

Doc is also very into motorcycles. I think I've mentioned that before. Anyways, he has a motorcycle that he rides through the house and sometimes he really gets into it.

I'm not sure what gave him the idea to turn Mr. X's helmet backwards so that it looked like a "motorcycle helmet". He has all the noises to go with it and everything. The saying on his shirt is totally fitting for our Doc. He is fearless!

I just had to include this picture as further proof that GQ is such a Daddy's boy. He refuses to let me put him to bed. I can't hardly even get a hug and kiss from him before bed unless Daddy is holding him. GQ is all about Dad and it's so sweet. At least he runs up to me full of hugs and excitement when I come home from work. I do get to feel the love sometimes. :) I couldn't handle more than the one Mama's boy anyways. Doc gets way too territorial over me. He protests about me putting GQ to bed almost as much as GQ does.

Speaking of Doc being attached to me.... changes are coming. Doc is starting preschool! He is going to go to school from 8 to 2. Sometimes he seems excited about it, other times not so much. I think it will be fine once he starts but he is going to go through an adjustment period...especially when I'm off from work for the day. School is so good for him though and he loves being with other kids. Plus, it will give WB more time to focus on his school work because he won't be trying to play referee all morning. GQ will likely be happy to sit and color next to him or play while WB studies. WB is very good about taking breaks and spending time with his boys too so GQ will eat that right up. One on one time with Daddy! Then in May, WB will start taking classes at the college instead of online. Things are starting to come together but as each thing comes together, it means just a bit more change. Eventually, we will be settled and we are working toward it every day. Life is constantly changing though so we might as well get use to it!

On a side note, I am devastated for the people of Japan. So many lives have been lost and so many more impacted by this tragedy. It put a shadow over GQ's birthday in our household even though we do not know anyone there personally. My heart breaks for everyone involved as I watch footage and read stories. It's a reminder to be continually grateful for the things I do have because it could all be gone in seconds. I am so thankful to have Jesus as my Savior. My heart is saddened by the lives lost and by the knowledge that at least some of them, if not the majority, did not have Jesus in their lives. My prayers are with the people of Japan...