Labor Day, Plus Mini Golf! Cause, Why Not?

 We kicked off Labor Day weekend with a trip to Annapolis and a pirate ship adventure. I'm so glad that Jim was able to take off the day and join us because this really was the highlight of our summer. Hands down the best little pirate cruise two kids could hope for, we will be returning for sure! The kids were a little unsure about getting "tattoos" or mustaches painted on their face but when Pirate Rusty suggested a batman and superman tattoo they were on board. 

 The pirate "staff" were totally committed to their story and kept the kids engaged and active the whole time, from learning how to raise the jolly roger flag, to growling "arrrrrrgh"when they saw the dread Pirate Pete. They used a treasure map to find a clue in a bottle floating by our ship. They got to use their water canons to defeat the dread Pirate Pete, take his keys and then eventually hauled in the sunken treasure! There was pirate grog to drink and treasure to distribute. They kids were in heaven! And Will even stopped a moment while collecting his treasure to pick out a ring to give to mamma. It was sweet even if he took longer than any of the other pirates to collect his booty!

Post pirate adventure lunch!

What's the fun of having daddy home for a long weekend if there isn't wrestling involved, right? Well I'm glad he is the one to rough house with the kids because that is not exactly mamma's thing. The boys (all three of them) loved it of course and I'm just glad no one threw out their back. Yes, yes we're getting old and these are the nagging things I think about. 

A little blurry because they could hardly be still for even a second.

Some friends were sweet enough to host a little ice cream social in their back yard for the incoming St. Paul's three's class. We all had a ball catching up with friends and meeting some of the new families. Will was especially exited to see his little friend Lainey, whose family was hosting the party. 

And Monday we hit the pool for what might be our last visit of the summer and if I have my way the last time period. I'm trying to convince the kids to switch pools to one with actual bathrooms and locker rooms and a snack bar. So far we've taken two votes and I've lost twice. I'm considering a hostile coup come next summer if  our club doesn't start providing real bathrooms!

Here is Colin trying out his new "trick," holding his breath under water with out actually holding his nose. Big things going here people, big things. I will say, in the last few minutes before we left Colin tried out the back stroke and did an awesome, awesome job! Maybe a little back-stroker in our future? 

We capped off the weekend by having some great friends over for chicken bombs, smashed potatoes with bacon and super hero popsicles.  All said it was a great few days! Oh and here is the boys' favorite new joke, courtesy of one of the kids' popsicles.... What word is spelled incorrectly in the dictionary?....

... Incorrectly.  Its official, my sense of humor can be found on children's popsicles. 

And well, a week doesn't seem to go by with out a trip to a mini golf course and this week was no exeption. We tried a new (to us) course, Top Golf in Springfield today and brought a long a few friends with us to make it more fun. Aside from a few (too many) trips to the potty, one (accidental) club to the head and more than a few tears toward the end, a good time was had by all! Or at least I hope.

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Toad & Frog

The Chain Gang

I have loved this summer more than any other before with the boys! With Will out of diapers and done with naps it has freed us up to do so much more than we've ever been able to do before. Which is awesome, but at this point into the summer (week 14) I'm beginning to run low on ways to entertain, educate or just wear them out. This week is a little bit of a hodge podge of activities. 

Colin and I "built" a jail a few years ago for him and he asked if we could build one again but this time one for him and one for Will. Coincidentally our new family room end table arrived this week so we had two large card board boxes just sitting around. It was great fun "designing" the jails with the kids and then letting them decorate their own cells. 

We also went bowling with friends this week, explored the Eiffel Tower, thoroughly enjoyed some unhealthy fast food, and finally saw Planes! 

Helping mommy look at new sofas.

Obviously Dusty came along with us to see Planes. 

 

Running laps! 

Oh and I also introduced the boys to a new consequence for misbehaving, i.e. yelling at your mother or brother, hitting, kicking, pushing, elbowing or generally trying to knock down your brother. Running laps! They have to run from our house to the end of the street and back four times, every single time. This is pretty ingenious if I do say so myself.

Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Toad & Frog

Hodge Podge of Summer Fun

Thankfully Channing reminded me the boys needed helmets.
#motheroftheyear

As the title of this post suggests, there isn't really a common theme, other than enjoying our summer days at home! 

Once Namma left we settled back into a schedule after THREE weeks of freedom from my tyrannical schedule of bed times, limits on tv, daily bed making, brushing teeth, bathing and sufficient milk drinking. I'm evil I know. 

Roughing it at the pool.

Yummy Saturday night dinner with the Magoons! 

Ice cream sandwiches after church! 

Colin and Will pick this one! 

The boys and I started our search for a new sofa for the family room this week with a trip to Mitchell Gold. About 30 seconds after walking in the door they dove onto this enormous sofa and claimed it as "the one." Thankfully the nice person helping us is the youngest of four boys and totally understood their enthusiasm. It does remind me a lot of the Raby's Galveston beach house sofa that I absolutely loved as a child.  

We all know summer time is about a great soundtrack, yes? Well this summer I introduced the boys to the Grease soundtrack! And let me tell you there is nothing like singing along (at full blast) with the boys to Summer Lovin'. I asked Will what his favorite part was... and if it isn't obvious from the video, its "Wella Wella Huh" 

*Technical glitch: I can't get the video to upload with audio so it just looks like Will gyrating around so I deleted it. Needless to say its pretty funny.*

Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Toad & Frog

Home Sweet Home

 We made it safely and easily home from vacation and were immediately greeted by our sweet neighbor kids. After sorting through at least a ton of laundry we hit the grocery store.  Poor Colin was basically buried alive in snacks! The boys loved it and asked if they could switch places and Will could get "buried." Needless to say we didn't do that. 

One little bump in the road came the next day when Will slammed

his finger in the inside part of his closet door while playing hide and seek. It looked pretty scary so off we went to the pediatrician who couldn't determine if it was broken and sent us to another office to get it xrayed. All told it took about three hours and William was a total rockstar! No whining, which is kind of his "thing" and all smiles and cheerfulness, this all told me his finger wasn't broken but who am I to argue? 

Turns out all was fine, just needed to keep it taped for a few days. I only mention this because I realized at 3 1/2 this was the first injury he'd suffered. Poor sweet Colin had been to the ER twice by 3 1/2! 

Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Frog & Toad

Rain Rain Go Away... Weekend Wrap Up!

This must be the rainiest July on record! What to do on a rainy day? Why swim camp of course! I mean once you're wet you're wet right? Friday was Colin's last day of camp at our little pool club, Little Hunting Park. Despite the rain he has had a great time making arts & crafts, learning brand-new-never-thought-of-before games, like red light, green light and marco polo. No joke he was completely flabbergasted as to how I already knew how to play marco polo. Colin also announced as I came to pick him up that he "made two new friends, Claire and Tom." There isn't much more heart warming than seeing your sometimes shy and introverted child making friends with kids he's never me before. 

While Colin was splashing around Will and I needed to stay close by the pool incase they cancelled camp so we made a stop into Krispy Kreme which is around the corner from the pool. We spent a lot of time examining just how the donuts are made and then had a little sample. You know, quality control an all!

Once the clouds parted and the sun peeked out Will and I hit the pool. While we were waiting for adult swim to wrap up in the big pool we hung out in the baby pool where Will immediately met a new friend and introduced himself. Despite the fact that she never gave Will her name it didn't stop him from making up a whole host of games with her. I eventually had to drag him away as it was time to go home to boisterous protests about unfinished games. 

"So hey, I'm Will, wanna play?"

Later that afternoon we decided to take Will's best buddy Jay bowling with us. I couldn't believe that this little 3 year old got two spares! I mean they did have bumpers and a bowling ball swoopy thing but he scored higher than I used to back when Jim and I bowled, pre-kids. Will was a grumpy Gus most of the afternoon, and he and Jay decided they were no longer best friends. We'll see if the drama continues, my guess is they've both forgotten. 

Grumpy Gus!

Saturday was really low key, another full day at the pool followed by dinner at Uncle Julios. What beats margaritas, queso and chips? A tortilla maker, natch. The boys were fascinated and Will asked if we could get one for our house. Clearly the kid doesn't know my phobia of excessive kitchen appliances, see also: clutter.

Sunday, Jim decided to wear the bow-tie that Will gave him for Father's Day so then Will decided he also needed a bow-tie to match his "bow-tie friend." Snapped a cute pic on our way out the door to church. Mind you by the time we got to church shirts were untucked, hair was disheveled and there might have been a tear or two. 

Tie Friends! 

Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Toad & Frog

PS If you noticed the new drapes in the background, yes they arrived last week and I'm still totally smitten with them!

July Fourth Blow Out!

Three lollipops later... can you say sugar high?!

As anyone from Alexandria knows, we take our parades seriously... President's Day parade? check. George Washington's Day parade? check check. The official first St. Patrick's Day parade in the country? you betcha. But no fourth of July parade. Wonders never cease. In fact the City of Alexandria will be hosting their celebratory fire works display this Saturday, July 13th but I've digressed. We joined some friends at the Fairfax City parade this year and I'm so glad we did, it was a serious parade! Lasting nearly 2 hours with a host of bands, dancers, shriners mini cars, dancing librarians and even real parade floating balloons! Move over Macy's Parade! Neither Jim nor I had even been to Fairfax.  What? its only 10 miles away you say? What can I say, its out of my bubble. 

Fairfax old Town Hall

Chillin'

Sweet Maisie!

The Hard Times Cafe horse made the parade!

When it comes to lollipops I'm bipartisan! 

Colin and darling lil' Alice!

Afterwards we stopped by a friend's family home near by and had a cook out and pool party. What fun! Will and Colin swam while Jim and I caught up with friends. And if there was any doubt that Will is 100% my child, he refused to stay in the shallow end despite not really being able to swim. That's him, the little dot  across the pool. I guess I should be glad he didn't just jump in the deep end as I did at his age. 

The boys were so beat when we finally got home they literally collapsed the moment we opened the front door.

But a few minutes with Uncle Garrett and they were revived! Special thanks to Uncle G for the legos! Something tells me this is the last time you give legos to someone who then requires you to "help" assemble them! 

Just like the saying goes about trees falling in the forest with no one to hear it... so goes our first big party at the new house! If there aren't any pictures to prove it, did the party really happen? For anyone that knows me I take a thousand pictures a day so the fact that I was only able to snap two says how busy I was. 

Jim has long capped my parties at specific numbers depending on our house size. Our Old Town town house was capped at 30 guests and in our Del Ray duplex the absolute not-one-more-body limit was 22. So naturally we had 100 people at our bbq this weekend! It was chaos and madness but so much fun as well! Jim smoked 60 lbs of brisket! That's right folks 60 lbs! That's a whole lot of meat. We had sausage from Kreuz in Lockhart, "real" Texas Dr. Pepper and Blue Bell ice cream shipped directly from the factory in Brenham. Those were the stars of the party but we also had a number of side dishes plus Texas Sheet cake. Well that and my new favorite summer cocktail, courtesy of Uncle Garrett! His "summer beer" which I renamed the Betty White is light, fruity and refreshing, perfect for the 90+ degree weather we had on Saturday. 

Couldn't even fit all the kids in the picture! 

Everyone loves Blue Bell! 

Will is quite concerned about how Auntie Kathryn and Uncle Kevin can live in a "big apple" 

And what were we up to the day after the big party? 

Yep, relaxing at home! 

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Frog & Toad