Cause Someday...

This morning I watched a mom entertain her two boys in the cart at Walmart.

It made me a little reminiscent.

It feels like that time in our lives is far behind and was gone in a snap.

I love each stage of life.

Just yesterday at school pick up Sam was telling me all about current events

and I spoke to Joe about showing grace to a classmate that had made a poor choice at recess.

How could you not love that?

  I cherish these times.  More than ever, feels like times that will define these boys.

And with these times come nerf turf wars.

Their are gaining independence and becoming individuals.

They play like friends and fight like siblings.

Our hallway looks like this  - someday I'll get around to fixing that floor...someday when the nerf bullets are all gone.

Someday this will be a lonely ol bathroom instead of a nerf war station...

Cause someday I'll remember those nerf war days and become a little reminiscent. 

The Epic Beyblade Tourney

He is always creating something.

I know this is part of his big plan, I love being in the front row seat.

Last week, it was a Beyblade tournament.

Full on with a bracket.

Old vs New I was told.

Personally, I think the names are the best part. 

Fire teddy.

I cannot.

Playtime!

Somedays, they are still babes.

Early on this snow day, I found them playing stuffed animals,

who all still have names.

I can see Igsby, giraffe, shock, minecraft cow, fluffy,

fluffters, sonic and tails, rally, power, icee ,curry, and bunny...need I mention more? haha.

Truth is: they can do this for hours and get along.

Screen free, child play - I'll take it.

These days of simple play are fewer and far between since

the boys are getting older.

Why oh why won't Joe leave his comforter on his bed.

He has a serious problem with the comforter that matches Sam's bed.

Crack me up.  He love he texture of flannel, so this old blanket of Dan's from college

 (that Grandma made so we do love it) is his choice.

He asked for his own space, but for sure still in the same room with Sam.

So we pulled his bed out and made it separate (instead of stowing it each night).

I love hearing them chatter after we put them to bed at night.

Sweet memories.

The Indian On My Porch

Tuesday there was a little Indian on my porch.

He asked to use this sheet, he was certain it was an old sheet

It was not.

But, he got to use that sheet anyway, because it will wash.

He made himself a tepee with that sheet

and the sticks that had taken up permanent residence in my landscaping,

I just pretend they are not there or that they are large mulch chunks.  

And then he turned his tepee into a condo while I washed the dishes.

I had quite the view of the worker bee.

.

And then the Indian was hungry and he asked what they might eat?

Nuts and berries he thought, and I knew a normal paper sack would not do.

So while he got the perfect stick for me, I found one of my dad's old handkerchiefs.

And never mind the plastic bags - we did the best we could)

He went back to camp.

When Rain Floats Your Boat!

We have had a lot of rain lately

and especially yesterday.  Everytime I looked out at work, it was pouring.

After work and supper and working on 4H projects, at 815, we made homemade boats

and took them outside to see if they would float in our rain water stream.

 DH has worked hard on this waterway over the last couple years.  He brings home

field rocks from the farm to hold the creek so it does not become bigger.

I like the result, looks very pretty.

We loved exploring it last night.

Tickle Fight

We have this routine

that we call tickle fight.

I always win.

Mama wins every.single.night.

because I won't let these boys of mine

go to bed without a kiss.

And that is what is is about for me.

Getting that kiss.

It takes chasing, and playing hide and seek,

and squeals and lots of tickles and usually a trick or two to 

get just close enough to plant a big kiss on their cheek.

I take turns with who is first.  Joe is usually on my back

while I tickle fight Sam and Sam is usually giggling

so hard that he toots while I tickle Joe.

And by the time I have them worn down, they are settled in

and ready for a devotion.

And a drink, and a trip to the bathroom, and a drink, you get the picture.

We are working on the last portion of this.

This time is precious.

It is fleeting.

They won't always ask for tickle fight,

for now it is my honor to oblige them.

Every.single.night, especially since I win in the end.

This is what tickle fight looks like,

 a blur of swinging arms and giggles and screams from under the covers.

This devotion was one of my favorites so far.

I really like Jesus Calling for Kids

After school Friends

Boys had friends over today.

Joe and Mason

and 

Sam and Drew

They all played great together.  

There were snacks and drinks, little xbox, much whiffe ball, much swimming, a lot of teasing (from both sides), much swimming b/c it is smokin hot, comic book writing, hide and seek.

No wonder I'm worn out tonight!!!

 They waited patiently while DH mowed them an infield diamond for whiffle ball

We went to the Circus

Monday night we went to the circus.

I'm going to go ahead and say I tried to bribe DH to take them.

And it was a sloppy wet mess with muddy shoes and socks and pants and wet hair

from the crack in the tent overhead...but it was fun.

The circus was really good, a little more impressive then I had expected!

We sat near cousin Ella.  Sam had a snowcone and Joe chose cotton candy.

 Our favorite act was these cute dogs. they were all white except the black one on the left,

all so cute! We saw lions, tigers, horses, unicycles, tightrope walkers, jugglers, clowns and more

This ending act was really cool but had me holding my breath!

Fun night for sure, glad I got roped into going,ha!