I'm A Big Kid Now!

It is official, we have 2 underwear wearing boys in our house (well, 3 if you include Daddy)!  Potty training has to be one of the the hardest stages in parenting and we got the bonus of doubling it up!  The boys have had short phases of interest in the potty over the past 6 or 7 months.  When I say short - it would last a few days, maybe a week, then suddenly absolutely no interest.  We decided it was just best to wait until summer when school was out to do some hard core potty training. 

So, we worked on potty with pull-ups for a few days, then we got really brave and took out the underwear.  We have had great success ever since!  They frequently ask for "privacy", they literally want no one in the bathroom and the door shut.  Seriously, we can only imagine what it will be like during the teen years!  Jake also likes to take his time during the major business and read a book or 4, like he is a 40 year old man.  They are also earning stickers on a chart for special prizes (which they picked out). We are so proud of our boys but also a little sad that they really are not babies anymore. 

1st day in underwear!

Ford earned a Transformer for his 1st prize.

It took Jake a little longer for his 1st prize and he swapped it out part way through.
 He got Percy, Harold and a cool bridge for his train collection.

Ford's 2nd prize - a Nerf Supersoaker Water Gun!

July Fun!

We've been staying busy this summer and taking advantage of a lot of water activities.  Auntie Hillary and Landry came over to play one day. 

I don't think Landry is amused :)

Outside play

Jake was being sweet and kept giving toys to Landry.

Another way to beat the heat is to have a water balloon fight!  They boys had fun throwing them at each other and us!

Once we ran out of balloons, the water guns came out.  Ford and Jake thought it was hilarious to chase  each other and then us.

The very anticipated movie Cars 2 recently came out.  We decided this was going to be the perfect movie for Ford and Jake to see for their very first movie theater trip.  They are both huge Cars fans (Jake might be the #1 fan) and we had been describing the big theater to them for the past week or so.  


Ready for the movie in their Cars 2 hats and cheesy smiles!

They absolutely loved it (Clay and I did too).  They were so good for the entire show, all the snacks helped a little too!  After it was over Ford said "now let's see Kung Fu Panda 2".  We had told them if they are good during the movie, we would start going to more and we saw the Kung Fu Panda 2 poster on the way in the theater.  It was a great family outing and we are looking forward to more family movies!


The boys can't get enough of the water, the love being sprayed and just soaking wet!  Here's a recent trip to a local Splash Park.

4th of July Weekend

Clay and I love celebrating 4th of July.  We had a funtastic weekend with a lot of outside time and all the traditional activities.

A little backyard fun. . .

We are so lucky to have great helpers.  We just hope their enthusiasm of helping continues when they are teens :)

A little bit of swimming. . .

The 4th of July Parade route changed this year and it actually came by our house.  We were all set with a tent, a fan, and chairs. 

  



We decorated Rice Krispie Pops, watched the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, then made some yummy Rocket Dogs!  

We had a great dinner at Gleneagles and watched a fabulous firework show on the golf green.  It was a perfect All American 4th of July!


Getting ready for dinner.

 

Waiting in line for a balloon.



Ford requested a butterfly and Jake requested a blue dog.



Neither wanted their face painted, but Blake went all out with a flag.



Hanging with Benjamin and one of his many girlfriends :)



Jake says "I want you!"



Getting settled on the golf green to watch fireworks.



Our family.

 

Ford sporting a glow necklace and bracelet.

 

Watching for the fireworks to start.



Fireworks!  They played patriotic music along with the show, it was great and the boys loved it.