Dare devil boy

Today as I sat somewhat deflated on my bedroom floor, cuddling my 21 month old dare devil after yet another failed nose dive off my bed, (yes he had been warned and I had even tried to catch him, I don't know how he does it!) I had to wonder to myself if there were others with children as adventurous as mine. His older brothers do have energy, but neither of them have ever climbed to the top of the piano, or jumped from a kitchen counter top; and so as his schemes become more adventurous and more dangerous I feel myself becoming.........very tired. This dive happened about an hour and a half after I had treated his legs for Almond extract burns. Weird? I thought so. I was unaware that almond extract burned the skin. Owen taught me this new fact when he climbed on the counter and broke into my baking supplies. It did leave a nice fragrance in the kitchen though..........mmmmm, biscotti.
My house has undergone many changes since he began climbing. We've put locks on everything lockable, (minus the toilets since that wouldn't work well for my three year old) tied kitchen chairs to the table, fastened bookshelves to the walls and offered a number of threats we know his little toddler mind can understand in an attempt to keep him safe. Still, he jumps off of everything and climbs as high as possible while standing on anything that can be utilized as a stool. He breaks into any cupboard or closet that looks interesting and has no fear of getting hurt! Honestly, I can't remember the last time we've gone to church without some kind of bump on his head. Yet as crazy as he is, and as beat up as his little body gets, he always smiles, gets up, brushes himself off, and keeps on testing his limits. If this is a glimpse of how his teen age years are going to go, I am throwing my hands in the air right now. :) It's a good thing I love that little boy more than anything!

Late fourth of July pics

Wow, it's been a while. I don't like having my computer out of commission. :(  I had to post a few pics while I have Dan's computer here at home. For the fourth of July we had a picnic with just our little family up Monte Sano. It is not the kind of mountain terrain we are used to from back home, but it was covered in beautiful green forest, and it was very nice. Logan led us all on a hike to find what he called the "country side." All the boys kept up pretty well. There was also a big park to play on. That evening we stayed at home and opened all the windows of our house. A lot of our neighbors had fireworks and most of them shot into the air, so Logan and Lincoln ran from window to window. They were so excited. We had a few poppers, but the younger two boys didn't like them at all. Our stay inside situation was much better, because Owen  went straight to bed. :) Here's a few pictures from the park! 

Fearless Owen. I had to stay with him at the park because he climbed up anything and tried to go down everything alone.

Typical happy Logan.

Owen's new favorite thing......swinging with Daddy.

A view of  "the countryside."

This was the response to us asking Lincoln to show a funny face. 

Surviving the Summer

This past week has been good, but a little stressful. I've read that when a woman starts the third trimester of her pregnancy, she can get anxious and antsy about everything and that has definitely been the case with me. Add to that a hot Southern summer, with a lot of indoor time, and it means I end up struggling to stay in a good mood. So, last week I decided to plan out things for the boys and I to do...out of the house. I mentioned the free movies we go to weekly, that's been really fun. I've added a library day, park day and a few "random, try whatever days." It's helped my mood a lot, not entirely, but a lot. Still, life throws rough days my way every now and then.

For example, a few days ago while I was shopping at Walmart with all the boys (minus Dan). My cart was getting pretty full so Owen was able to grab a few items. He was busy stacking cans in the cart while I was standing with Logan and Linc in front of the syrup aisle, trying to decide whether or not to go with a sugar free syrup. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see a flying can of tuna. Owen had chucked it directly at poor Lincoln's head......hard. There was a couple next to me, with shocked looks on their faces, trying to act like they weren't staring at us, while I hugged poor screaming Lincoln. Needless to say, I picked a sugar free syrup and left quickly. I had reached my limit. Unfortunantely, I can't say whether or not the sugar free syrup was any good because not surprisingly, it was the next item to be chucked, this time at the cash register. I think the cashier was angrier than she seemed, wiping her belt free from the sticky mess, but she hid it well. Sometimes all I can do these days is laugh, other wise, with my hormones out of whack like they are, I think I'd cry. :)

Here's a few pictures that do make me smile.

Logan rediscovered the Incredibles movie and the other day came running down the stairs in Owen's pajamas claiming he was Dash. He begged me to make him a black mask, and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

I don't know if this picture shows it very well, but there is a golf ball sized lump on Owen's head. He has been extra adventurous lately and received this one diving off a bed. Our new house rule: "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Logan's been very artistic lately. This is a picture he drew of him and Daddy camping. He included a tent, sun and clouds. I love it!