Totally Inappropriate

Fall sports are well underway around these parts.

Feels like they start practicing earlier - and stay out later - every year, doesn't it?

And on a totally unrelated note, Nico found a new teether.

On any given afternoon...

... you might find something like this going on in my backyard.

Just the way I like it.

The Important Things in Life

Everything a boy really needs to know,

he can learn from his brothers.

Seasons

Some people measure the seasons by the weather.

Some, by the calender.

Around here, we measure the seasons by which sport we're playing.

Right now, we're deep into Basketball Season.

Hey, it works.

So what do you do at your house when the children fight?

A Trampoline and a Lesson

I thought I'd take some fun pictures of the boys on the trampoline.

But I soon learned a valuable lesson:

Sometimes, it's better not to watch what the children are doing.

For my sanity.

And for their enjoyment.

So I walked away.

And all was well.

Happy Tick-Day!

When you live with men, you get to celebrate your birthday by going camping.
You get campfire smoke in your face no matter where you sit - smoke follows beauty, you know.
You lay your big fat preggo body on the hard ground to sleep.
You share your pillow with a smelly six-year-old.
You piddle in a toilet that serves as home to hundreds of mosquitoes.
Your children - and loving husband - sing Happy Birthday and tell you the itchy bites on your bum are your birthday present.
You eat s'mores for breakfast.
You hike three miles.
You remove eight ticks from various members of your family.
You bathe the dog.
You do five loads of laundry.
You have three handsome dates for your dinner out.
You eat yummy cake lovingly made by sweet - probably dirty - hands.
You love every single minute of it.
Well, except maybe the tick part.

Busted

Remember when I said we play a lot of baseball?

Proof.

Outside the Box

My children have always been good "outside the box" thinkers.  For Jake, this usually takes the form of creating - alien languages, whole worlds, his own yu-gi-oh cards.  For Camden, it's usually in the form of "pushing the limits."

The other day, as I was happily going about my business of feeding hungry teachers (conference night, PTO, you get the idea), I was grabbed by one of Camden's favorite people in the whole wide world.  His kindergarten para.  And thank goodness she feels about him just as he feels about her.  Because she told me this little tidbit, with a big ol' laugh (instead of concern and a warning):

Camden's first grade class was discussing what jobs people have that require them to wear hats.  After several kids' answers of "police man," "builder," and "pilot," Camden chimed in.  "Robber!"  Yep, that's my boy.

The next day, that boy went to another level entirely.  On a paper requiring him to write down people beginning with the letters in the word "think," Camden was most excited about his choices for "T" and "H."  Camden's choices: "terrorist" and "Hades."  Like I said, that's my boy.

We're waiting for the call from the principal.

The Derby

Jake's first Pinewood Derby was Saturday, and boy was it a success!  No, he didn't win.  In fact, he came in last in every heat - that's coming in last 18 times.  But that smile there?  It's real.  And it's real happy.  Because the boy won first place in the "Most Original" category.  And for Jake, there is no better prize.

Jackson City Bus, 2011 model - Designed, sanded, painted, and raced by Jake.  Hacksawed by Mom.

PS. Dan's getting power tools for Father's Day.  There will be no more hacksawing of Pinewood Derby cars for this mommy.  Just saying.

Cub Scout

I just sent my eight-year-old and his daddy off to hike around downtown Fredericksburg for the day.

In the freezing rain.

Because that's the sort of stuff you do when you're a cub scout.

He's ecstatic.  His daddy...

(Let's just say Daddy's already been a cub scout.)

Snowalien

No boring snowmen for us.

Around here, we build snow ALIENS.

With mohawks.

What would you do?

What would you do if you couldn't get your gate open because it was jammed in the snow?

Would you ask your mommy for help, or would you dismantle the hinges and break the latch so you could lift it right on up and go under?

We chose the latter.

Princesses

I live with men. Therefore, I get very little princess exposure. So when I have a chance to get a picture with Cinderella, you better believe I'm going to take it. And post it for all the world to see, even if I do look kind of goofy.

Oh, and can I just say how happy I am that we have girl cousins who will get in pictures of Cinderella with me? Cause my boys chose to wait by the car - in the cold - instead of be seen with their crazy princess-loving mother. Ah, girl cousins. Love them!

If I could figure out how to post a video...

...you'd be watching last night's entertainment. Two boys I know came up with dance moves to "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." Complete with squatting to lay eggs and pirouettes when Joker takes ballet.

I like these people.

A Little Disagreement

My children think I take too many pictures.
They're wrong.

All is Right in Camden's World

Camden has two great loves: Gardening and Organizing.
When he can combine his passions, well, that's when Camden is a very happy boy.

And yes, he is in fact cleaning his pumpkins with baby wipes.

No Explanation Required

Proof

Indisputable proof that my boys do, in fact, love each other very much. You better believe this is coming out next time they start to fight.

Brothers

It's good to have a brother.

A brother will invite you into his tube when you when you flip out of yours.

And when you flip him out of his, he'll laugh and love you anyway.

Then the two of you can spend the next mile or so floating along in your life vests while your parents attempt to hold onto your tubes along with their own.

Like I said, it's good to have a brother.