Wish me luck...

So, in just a few hours I'm boarding a plane...by myself with an almost 3 year old and a 7 month old. Yikes. What am I doing? Keep your fingers crossed for two happy boys who nap peacefully on the flight while I read a magazine and sip on a Diet Coke. Also, keep them crossed so we can avoid any diaper blowouts, throwing up, accidents in Diego underwear, or lost luggage.

We haven't even left, but I'm ready to be there!!

And I couldn't resist posting some of Sam's latest photography. He's really a natural with the camera.

Strawberry pickin'

We braved the heat and humidity yesterday morning and went to pick strawberries in nearby Swanton. It was so beautiful to get out into the Ohio countryside for a minute and see all of the green, green, green! We had such a fun time and Sam really got into it...especially once he figured out how delicious the strawberries tasted. I swear he ate WAY more than he put in his basket. But that's just part of the experience, right? Max also figured out how to pluck some strawberries when I set him down for a minute. We were such a mess by the time we left!



Summer brings so many fun activities...I just love it.

Only the beginning.

I'm glad I peeked in to see what was going on the other night when I put these guys to bed. They were having too much fun! I'm afraid that this is only the beginning of them staying up late to play and giggle with each other. I can hardly blame them for not wanting to sleep. Look how bright the sun is shining at 8 pm!!

At least we tried.

I had imagined myself capturing some great pictures of Eric and the boys on Fathers' Day. Is it really too much to ask to get all of them to look at the camera, keep their eyes open, smile (naturally), keep their hands to themselves, and hold still all at the same time?

Apparently, it is.

Chatter

Sam likes to talk. A lot. I mean a lot, a lot. He talks and talks all day. When it gets quiet in the car for even one second, he has the need to fill it up with something, anything. A squeal, a giggle, a question. I'll admit that on occassion I've asked him to just stop talking for a minute so that my ears can rest. His response is always, "No. Because I want to talk."

Despite this, I love his little voice. I love the conversations that we have, and I love the questions he asks me. He is at such a funny age these days, and is constantly saying things that have us laughing. Here are a few of my most recent favorites:

* "Let's play purtend. Daddy, you be a elephant. I be a elephant. And Mommy, you're the pig!"

* To Eric, "You're not the boss! Mom is the boss!"

* After asking him to pick up his toys, "I can't, Mom. My muslces are too big."

* "I don't want to be obedient and good. I just want to be naughty."

Camping is a lot of work. I was reminded of that this weekend, as we ventured east with the Curtis crew to experience the great outdoors.

I felt like we packed our whole apartment into our car. After stuffing in about 50 diapers, 4 extra pairs of Thomas and Diego underwear, and 3 or so different outfits for each of my messy boys (Eric included), we barely had room for the essentials...like our queen-sized air mattress which helped us really rough it.

We did manage to squeeze everything in somehow.

We had such a fun time and thanks to some great friends, we were able to haul the boys around in these packs all day yesterday. Sam LOVED riding on Eric's back, and now actually prefers that to walking. Max, on the other hand, didn't love bouncing around on my back. He did, however, enjoy pulling my hair and drooling down the back of my neck and arm while we walked through some beautiful parts of Ohio. He also managed to sneak in a cat nap or two while along for the ride.We visited Cuyahoga National Park, not only was it beautiful, but it had a train, which made the place even more perfect for us. Sam was in complete heaven! (Check out that sweet tattoo!)Ohio is gorgeous and we had a great mini-vacation.

Camping is most definitely worth all of the work. Eric may have even talked me into going at least one more time this year...maybe.

Mmmmmm...

Max loves, loves, loves to eat. He has recently discovered biter biscuits. I have a love-hate relationship with these things. They are fantastic at keeping Max occupied in his highchair for at least 20 or so uninterrupted minutes. But the end result is a little messy.

Well worth it though. Very, very worth it!

Max is also getting more and more vocal these days. I am absolutely positive that he's inherited Eric's loud voice. He especially loves to growl!

Goodbyes...

Change is never easy, and yesterday Sam got a taste of that as he had to say goodbye to his best buddy, Jack.

Sam and Jack have been pals since we moved to Toledo. They are such cute little friends, and they geniunely love each other! Jack has been Sam's idol...he wants to do everything just like him! They have such a sweet bond with one another.

I couldn't control my tears as Sam stood at our window yesterday and cried while he watched Jack drive away! It broke my heart. I don't know how much Sam really understands about Jack moving, but I think it will all sink in on Sunday when Jack isn't there to tackle Sam with a huge hug after sacrament meeting!

We lose friends every year here as people move on to bigger and better things...like RESIDENCY! We will miss all those leaving this year! I hate goodbyes!

I can't help but think that we'll be the ones moving on next year...it's exciting and sad at the same time!

I'll admit it... I was wrong.

So, remember a post or so back, when I mentioned that I was 100% sure that Sam was going to like the surprise that Eric has been working on? Well, I hate to admit it, but I was 100% wrong!


On Sunday, Eric and I decided that we couldn't wait until August to give Sam his new tricycle! We wanted him to be able to ride it all summer, and on top of that we were so excited to see his reaction to his long awaited 'big bike with pedals'!!


After church, we took Sam outside, turned him around and made him cover his eyes while Eric wheeled the bike around to surprise him. Sam's initial reaction was one of pure joy!! However, he quickly realized, as did we, that the bike was a tad too big for him. His little feet could barely reach the pedals. He was devastated! A a major 2 year old meltdown followed and things just seemed to go downhill from there.

Eric and I couldn't contain our giggles, as we tried to figure out why Sam was so upset. He kept telling Eric to 'take the bike away' and that he didn't want it. But each time Eric went to put it away, Sam would scream that he wanted it back and would try to climb back on. He'd then get so frustrated (again) because he couldn't reach the pedals and ride by himself.

Sam finally gave up. He walked up the hill, sat on the grass all by himself, and just cried and cried.
Not the reaction we were hoping for.

We're now saving the bike for August...and hoping, wishing, and praying that Sam can grow about 6 inches by then!