Riverpark

We took a short hike on the trail that runs next to the Catawba River over the weekend. The boys had fun running on the trail and having a snack in the "rain forest". Landon even heard the sound of monkeys (which was really the trees rubbing together which made this really high pitch sound).

Time... What time?

I don't know really what has happened with all of my "spare" time... I really don't even have time to think outside of "what-am-I-going-to-do-to-occupy-them-next?" mode. My kids do not need to be entertained by me all-day-long but if I don't have at least some sort of plan, they end up fighting and the end result: Chase is in tears and Landon is standing close by with that I don't know what just happened kind of look.

Chase is really walking now... he loves walking... he walks and then stops and then sways a bit until he can regain his balance and then he walks a bit more and stops to pick up an item... slowly crouching down... and then back up again... all with a huge smile and a bit of drool. It really is amazing to see how much more confident he is... not really relying on crawling anymore.

Landon had his last day of preschool for the year... the bounce house pics are from his end of the year festival. He loved school this year... his teachers were so great with him.

I have decided to go back into teaching and took a job which begins in August. I am excited/anxious/nervous/excited and everything in between. I found a great person to watch the boys - she only takes on four kids at one time and she is really amazing with them. She does all sorts of crafts, has circle time every day, and even has them keep a daily journal. In fact, she has a 20 month old keeping a journal which she binds and sends home to the parents once a month... very impressive. We have had a few playdates already and the boys really like playing over there... Landon has even asked when we are going back... hopefully they will transition well.

Family walks

Family walks are not as easy as they once were... we went for one last night and much more thought goes into preparing for the walk than it ever had...

I tell the boys that we are going for a walk.
Landon is excited... asks for juice while he is riding.
I run into the house and fill his cup with 8/10 water, 2/10 juice...then realize Chase should have some too.
Run back in to fill Chase's sippy with the same combination.
Run back out to deliver the drinks and then realize that they need something to keep them entertained and cool...
I run back in, and fill their squirt bottles so when they do sit in the jogger they have something to do.
It's sunny so they need to be coated with sunblock. Hats too perhaps?
I run back in and grab the hats from the closet.
Neither one wants to wear the hats, so I stuff them in the back of the jogger knowing Landon will ask for his later.
Landon wants his sunglasses... where did I/he put those last?
Hmm....I run back in to look for the sunglasses as I hear Landon proclaiming that he found them in the garage.
I run back out... and remember they need snacks.
I run back in, go to the pantry scan the shelves for granola bars - grab one of each kind, and a pack of Einstein snacks.
I run back out and stuff those in the back of the jogger.
I finally get Chase buckled into the jogger and he is fussing...I hand him his squirt bottle, show him how to use it...he is content for a minute anyway.
Landon doesn't want to ride right away... he would rather walk.
And we are off...
Landon takes his time squirting every square on the sidewalk as we walk towards the lake park.
His legs finally get tired... he wants to ride.
We get there successfully and while playing...Chase's squirt bottle leaks all over Landon's seat.
Landon doesn't want to ride on the way back...his seat is wet. He wants to ride on top of the jogger.
So he does...and we push them all-the-way back up our half of a mile hill back towards home as they munch on their snacks and have their watered down juice.

Chase is walking!

Chase is starting to walk more now than wobble/stumble... I love this video because he is walking and hiccuping - a glimpse into his college years perhaps?

Landon's new boat

Landon was so excited about his new boat... I am sharing his first driving experience with you - he did a great job - only ran into the shore once.

Opening day at the pool!

It was opening day at our pool which did not necessarily mean that it was a warm, balmy day. Instead, it was in the high 60's when we ventured over. Landon and Chase had a blast despite their purple lips and chattering teeth. And in case you were wondering what that brown water is in the corner... they decided to turn on the fountain for the first time this year while we were in the pool. Whatever it was... the chlorine took care of it pretty quickly.