Summer is ticking away . . .

Can you believe school has already started? It felt like the summer would last forever, but really it did go fast. It was hot and busy but I feel like we did a lot and accomplished a lot of my goals for the summer. The boys don't start preschool again until after Labor Day and a lot, err, pretty much all of our weekly activities have now ended so we're thinking up new things to do and also revisiting some of the other fun stuff we haven't done in a while. A few of our passes have expired and I haven't renewed them yet, but we still found some interesting things to do I think.

One day we made "play dough" cookies. I have made edible play dough for the boys before (you can look it up, usually peanut butter, dry milk, honey) and it was fairly yummy but overly sticky and then way too much to really eat like that. So I had a sugar cookie mix I wanted to use up, so I mixed it up, adding less liquid and more flour to get the right consistency and then made 3 food colored portions. My vision was different than what the boys made (I hate mixing colors!) but they spent an hour working with it and really were having fun. Not sure I would eat anything that they handled that much (even though they washed their hands) but they were happy to. They were thrilled to bake them off and see the finished product:

Oh and extra sprinkles on top is always more fun. Success.

We finished swim lessons and the boys passed. They did really well being in separate classes. I noticed that sometimes the teachers would trade kids or both would end up in one class, but it seemed to me (from where I was sitting) that they were less distracted/distracting apart. The teachers really loved them too and I was tickled with how sweet all the teachers were to them. They had a wonderful experience.

We got popcorn and donuts to celebrate being done (and so I didn't have to get them every time we went--the deal was we'd get them on the last day).

I quite liked my new Ikea towels too by the way.

Completion of Preschool Aquatics level 2. Next year, level 3, woohoo. I don't think they could swim well enough to save their own lives at this point, but still better than before. I also said I'd take them swimming so they could show off their new skills, but the Legacy Center was closed all this week. So, next week I'll let you know if I see any real improvement. Honestly I do want them to learn basic life saving swim skills, but for the most part we take the lessons for fun. It seems like the 6 and up classes is when they learn swimming strokes and the like.

We've also spent time in our own backyard. We back up to a little farm, and this goat was being particularly friendly:

Not sure we should be feeding him weeds, I limited it to what they had already given him. We feed the horses apples sometimes, but this guy was enjoying the Virginia creeper growing on the top of the fence.

The boys also love to climb our trees and are rather proficient at it (too much so for my taste, they are still little to be so high up!)

Davis

Carter, I wondered how they did the trunk since Lowell chopped the lower branches. Guess that didn't slow them much.

This silly boy also figured out this week that he could climb our tree by the deck, then scale the pergola over the deck to get to the roof. Isn't that just great!?! We're still working through time outs for that (just askimg him not to or explaining the risks doesn't work) but we'll likely have to cut some lovely shade branches to keep him (them) safe. Sigh.

I finally got to go on a bigger hike with the boys this summer. I guess I was far enough along that Lowell wasn't quite as worried about my water breaking early, or he just gave in. He is such a trooper to go along with my odd requests. He is always right about them too . . .So the hike was to Stewart Falls, about 4 miles round trip. The longest the boys have ever done.

Lowell teaching the boys about tree rings.

Davis at the falls

Carter, I love this pic of him

Me, 35 weeks pregnant

Lowell up on the junction between the upper and lower falls, such a hiker/climber! I love him!

Both boys--probably the pic I'll use for their birthday invites, so darling (if I do say so myself!)

Lowell a little closer. Isn't that a lovely background? What a gorgeous hike it was. The trail was well used and defined so the boys did very well in following it. It was cooler and in the shade and just lovely to be out there. But it did get long and especially a long ways from a bathroom. It took us almost 3 hours and that is a long time for me! The boys got a little restless as time went on but certainly had the energy to complete the hike--though they did fall asleep within 10 minutes of hitting their beds (it was well past bedtime which helped but I think for once we used up their endless supply of energy). I know my energy was gone, I started to get pretty achy with 1/2 mile to go and really achy the last 1/4. I ended up waking up multiple times in the night in pain, just so sore. So, like I said, Lowell is usually right about these things but was kind enough to let me learn for myself and then help me hobble the next couple days.

The boys also took the chance to steal my camera and take pics of themselves screwing around in the car (their tired mom was zoning on the couch at the time)

With our other memberships expired, we have spent more time at Thanksgiving Point. It's our favorite and it's the closest, so that works out anyway. And the boys really do have a good time every time we go.

Farm Country

The Children's Garden

We also enjoyed a play group with our twin friends this week, picked up paint for the boys' bedroom remodels, and did lots of shopping for my baby shower this weekend. The contractions are increasing in frequency, intensity, and pain so Claire is getting closer. She could still easily wait until my scheduled C-section in about 3 weeks or come sooner (my vote is sooner, but it could be wishful thinking). I'd love to keep her in at least until next Sunday--one more week really to 37 weeks. Then whatever. Maybe we'll even have her room ready by then. I should probably pack a hospital bag too. Tuesday I'll have my last ultrasound, I am anxious to see how she is growing and get a last chance to see if all is well. Then I'll just have to look at her to know! Still such a bizarre process in my mind, growing a little human. One day they are still this foreign concept nudging you and causing a multitude of symptoms (which I have managed to get most of) and then the next they are a real person, looking at you--eating, breathing, pooping. But a real person--is it weird to anyone else. I mean amazing and wonderful too, but still odd. The boys have been acting up, I think perhaps in response to their slower mom and the stress of a new baby coming. They act excited, but I think it is still hard for them too. We'll see how they do when she comes. Plus school is around the corner for them and I think the schedule will help them (and me to get some things accomplished).

Well, enjoy the last of the hot weather (I'll pass!), I can't wait for all the fun fall has in store for us.

Tired . . .

So, it's been 2 weeks since I posted and even though there are few pics to show for it, there's no way I'll remember everything we did. Really, I hit 32 weeks and have just petered out energy wise. I'm sure this happened with the boys too, probably worse in fact, but at the time all I did was work and occasionally walk the dogs. I could sleep most of the day. That's been the hardest thing about pregnancy #2, the products of #1 still need to be cared for. Of course I feel like I am slacking but we've still been busy.
Wednesday it seems like I stayed home and crashed, tired and irritable from chasing the kids all morning already, while Lowell took the boys on an interesting side trip. The bubbas have been curious about where water goes (and bodily functions . . .) and where trash goes. So Lowell took them to the dump and they let him drive around and show the kids--I know we have fascinating outings, but it was what the kids wanted to do. They're still talking about it. Then they drove by the sewer plant and discussed that as well. I don't know if that's unusual for kids to wonder about, but I guess it's nice to know the answer to their questions.
Let's see, Thursday we hiked to Battle Creek falls with Carlie from UVMOM and her darling twinners. She inspires me that I'll be able to keep getting out doing stuff, we'll just bring Claire along. It was a nice hike, the weather held out and the boys were fairly well behaved. Wore me out a bit though, seemed steeper than the last time I went. I didn't take any pics though, lame.
Friday we went to the gym and the boys were painted like Spiderman again. Lowell also climbed Timp with our friend Sam, and his co-worker Mike. They had a good time and Lowell is excited to go again already. I think he's crazy. I kind of want to go again, but I remember how hard it was too. We joined Sam and Mike (and his wife) for dinner that night at Texas Roadhouse, yum! Thanks Grandma P for sitting with our bubbas.
Saturday was the boys' last T-ball game. I got more attached to their soccer games and its players, not sure why. I think the boys did better at T-ball and enjoyed it more. But here they are with their medals:

They took them everywhere for a while and were sure to show them off to the grandparents. Saturday night we joined Cyndel for a birthday dinner which she graciously chose to have at a restaurant the kids could handle (Zupa's) but they still didn't do very well and I was a big fat grouch. Sunday we had cake with family too and that went a bit better.

Monday we started swim lessons and oh my goodness how they love it. It's 30 minutes a day, every day for 2 weeks. To me it's a hassle. Get all dressed and drive over with just enough time for me to sit and catch my breath before I am gathering them up again. But it is good to learn to swim, obviously, and I couldn't be happier with the teachers they got this year. For the first time I chose to put them in separate classes. I wanted to try it out and see if they are less distracted, destructive apart and it has seemed to help. Their teachers I think agree with me as every time the classes swim past each other (there are multiple classes going on at the same time) the boys seem to get rowdy and the teachers then struggle to figure out which kid is "theirs". Of course that is speculative--the parents sit quite a ways away and I am guessing from my vantage point. Anywho, Davis got a pretty girl teacher and has 2 pretty girls in his class with him. The teacher gives him lots of attention and of course he eats that up. Carter got a silly boy teacher with other boys in his class as well and from where I sit, they are always splashing and making loud noises. Carter tends to mention dolphins and boogers in response to what he is learning. They are just so charismatic those boys, from the first day as I went to pick them up several of the teachers were chatting and laughing with them. Now there seems to be multiple inside jokes with them and the boy teachers (mostly older high school kids). Everyone seems happy, so all good.

Monday night we went as a family up to Lagoon to enjoy it in the evening, when the lights are on. It was a good time--didn't love the Cirque show I was excited to see. Does make me wonder what level of "stardom" performing at Lagoon brings. It was a lovely night as a family and Carter got over his fear of the Tilt-a-Whirl (?) because Daddy would go with him.

Tuesday we caught our last (sob, hey it was a cool and quiet restful activity!) summer movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks, the squeakquel. I don't really love the movie, we have seen it before, and the kids were more rowdy than average, I think sleep related (or maybe my lack of sleep related).

Thursday night I took off from work (hooray!) so Lowell and I could go out to dinner for our anniversary. Originally I took the day off with the intent to spend the night over at Anniversary Inn, but we had a hard time getting overnight sitters, the room I wanted was booked, and let's face it--8 months pregnant I am not much fun romantically so we just had a nice dinner at the Melting Pot instead. Oh my, that was yummy! I have been wanting to try it for a while, and yes it was quite steep and perhaps even over-priced as Lowell would say, but it was a nice treat for a once a year kind of visit. I ate more than I expected I'd be able to and yes I was sick after, but how could you leave any of that yumminess there?

Friday we went to the gym and I am pretty sure the baby dropped while I was jogging on the elliptical. I think it was her way to mock me for eating so much the night before. Seriously--she couldn't have dropped 12 hours earlier giving me more room then? Oh well. The site I checked said women usually deliver 2-4 weeks after the baby drops, so perhaps she will come a touch sooner than my scheduled C-section--5 weeks from today. I have a feeling she will come early, just to not be able to enjoy being able to schedule it. When do my kids ever make things easy? Of course, that may just be wishful thinking too. As of tomorrow, I will be the farthest pregnant I have ever been. The boys were born at 34 weeks 2 days, so my internal timer is saying I have completed my tour of duty. Of course I don't want her to come that early, but it just feels like I should be done. The next 5 weeks are going to be long. So much to get done though, I'm no where near ready.

Saturday, ahhh, Saturday morning Lowell and I went to get massages as a little anniversary pick-me-up. Lowell got me gift certificates for Christmas and I just now used it. The pregnancy bolster was checked out so my masseuse asked me if shiatsu would be okay, so we tried it. I was on a mat on the floor and could stay dressed (which was nice except for the fact I came from a 15 hr shift at work so my socks were not as clean as I'd like) and it really was lovely. It took a little while to relax but then I was in a coma-like trance, so content. I left standing much straighter and with a lot of my aches relieved, at least for a while. We enjoyed a nice breakfast together after as well. Big thanks to Cyndel for sitting with the munchkins and to Dinda for watching them while we went to dinner.

Then Saturday afternoon we went to my niece A's birthday party. It was an Alice in Wonderland b-day and my SIL Sina did such a nice job with it. The kids had loads of fun, they really love playing with their cousins.

Davis drinking "tea"

Carter with his cute hat

Carter with what he brought out of the toy room. Oh my goodness, this kid cracks us all up!

Sunday was our actual anniversary (8 years, and still happier and more in love every day). So we took the munchkins to walk around the temple where we were married (Mt. Timp) and talked about that a little.

Then we took a drive up the canyon (because my hubby knows how much I love it) and took a little hike.

We ended up eating dinner and getting to bed very late, but it was a nice family day.

Today I lost it with the boys--man my fuse is very short these days and I was so angry that in the 10 minutes after I had dressed them in their swimming suits, when they knew that we would be leaving in 10 minutes, they had climbed into the grill and gotten grease all over their bodies and clothes, lost their shoes, and Davis had pooped in his swim trunks, the only clean ones he had. There was some validity to my losing it, but I really usually am more level headed. We actually still got to the lessons only 7 minutes late, but the boys were holding hands and whispering to each other to avoid mommy. Not to worry, they were back to annoying me by the time it was over and back to me almost losing it again by the time we finished a big shopping trip. It was lovely to run into my old neighbor and friend Julie. Seriously, it cheered me up substantially and helped me get through check out. Sigh, I hate feeling so crazy. I am trying to remember it is hormones and to take deep breaths and keep praying for help, but these kids sure know how to push my buttons some days. Alas, a few hours at work has done a lot for my mental health as well as some watermelon, chips, and salsa.

Okay, finally caught up again. We finish swim lessons this week, then school starts for Daddy next week. Preschool doesn't start until after labor day, but we do have the boys' back to school night Wednesday (as well as a spa night for the twin club, can't wait!). Anywho, I'm still tired, but we're plugging along. Lots of braxton-hicks contractions, like 10/hr sometimes and I think a few real ones here and there too. A few other changes makes me think my body is preparing for little sister to join our family. It seems so surreal to me that she'll actually be out. I'm excited though, all caught up with shopping for bows and headbands now. Still trying to cram lots of fun in for the boys in the meantime since we'll likely be much less active with a newborn through the long winter. Any thoughts of ways to prepare the "somewhat spoiled and doted on" older brothers for that adjustment?

Snowbird, Stitches, and Spiderman

We weren't going for an S theme this week, but it worked out that way anyhow. Let me go in order or I'll never remember . . .Monday we went to Lagoon and it was hot! That seems like all I have to say for the place these days. We have gotten our money's worth a couple of times over and the kids have enjoyed it each time, but I am just tired of the heat. We have swim lessons the next two weeks and then it is closed during the week, so that was our last Monday morning visit anyway. The boys really loved the Amazing Parrot show and rode pretty much all of the kids rides (those that did not require an adult/kid as I went alone) and then we had lunch and went home. Yea.
Tuesday went and saw Ice Age 3 for the summer movie club. They really liked it. Carter dumped an entire large soda as soon as we sat down (no free refills, sigh).
Wednesday-We went with Hillary to the children's garden and main gardens. It was again, hot. Yes I am pregnant and it was July. They played for a little bit but were surprisingly not interested in the water there--it was pretty busy so maybe we'll try again an evening some time. Then we drove the golf cart around the big gardens (yea for Hillary).
That evening we headed up to Snowbird to cool off. Looking outside the aerial tram. It's the boys' 3rd time (once in utero) and I still love it just as much. So beautiful and a great cheater way to climb a mountain.
On top of Hidden Peak. It was the same price to ride up the aerial tram and then down the ski lift so we did that to try them both. There was a quick hike between the two (they were closing!) and then off we went back down.

We saw 3 deer, some wild turkeys, and a variety of other birds. The breeze was hitting us and I was almost chilled. I loved it! That was worth the $24 right there (adults $12, kids under 6 are free). We then cruised up past Alta to see the wildflowers in the Albion Basin. I heard this area was famous for their wildflowers and late July, early August was peak viewing time. It was a bit rough on the van's alignment, but worth it in my opinion (Lowell may disagree . . .)

We had a nice picnic and then took our sleepy boys home.
Thursday we joined Jess and her boys at a park in Spanish Fork for play group. A nice little visit even if it was just us. The 4 boys plus a few others there played firemen for a good while. That afternoon the boys were playing outside "nicely" when I looked out to find Davis had climbed the fence and was pulling on a horse's tail and hanging on his leg! I freaked and ran out there, coaxing him back over before he got kicked. Such a miracle that kid wasn't clobbered! Our neighbor raises horses as a hobby and I am guessing they are handled well and frequently since the horse was so patient. Very lucky for us.
Friday we went to the gym and the ladies there painted the boys like Spiderman. Oh my goodness they loved it!

Carter is ready to fling his web
Silly spider boys

We got home and I got ready for work with a few minutes to spare so Lowell and I put the boys in their rooms for quiet time and laid down for a few minutes. I woke to a thump thump scream and Lowell jumped up to find Davis bleeding. I was still shaking off the sleepies when I saw how much blood was running down his shirt (yea for $1 shirt, huh?!). I swear that boy is going to put me in pre-term labor just from freaking out over his antics. Lowell got a good look at his head and said he needed stitches and started loading him up. I had 10 minutes before I had to leave for work so I was stressing over what to do with Carter but for the moment just loaded Davis into the car and tried to calm him down. I am sure it hurt, but he was more scared. It broke my heart, he was still painted like Spiderman and had tear marks down the paint. :( I decided to just take Carter to work with me but was able to reach my sister on the way who met me and took him back home in time for Lowell to be back. Thanks for your help Hillary! We live pretty close to the Saratoga Springs InstaCare and have always been impressed with them, hardly ever a wait and quite competent. This was no exception--they took Davis back before Lowell had even finished with the paperwork. They kept telling him Spiderman wasn't supposed to fall off walls (we pieced together that he was climbing a hanging toy rack in his room, fell and hit a triangle shaped block on the floor). Lowell said the doc gave him a dirty look at first--like he was a child abuser or something but let up once he heard the story and got a better feel for him. I would have told him to call our pediatrician, he'd back up how busy bodied our little men are--making it to 4.75 without stitches was seriously impressive. Lowell said Davis did really well with the shot and stitches and it was all over pretty quick. There was a lot of blood but it hasn't bothered him too much since. He has mostly been sensitive to anyone touching it but slept on it fine that night and since.

8 stitches later, here's Mr. D's head. Maybe I'll be able to tell them apart from the back now. I have to say that was a pretty stressful start to my work day.

Saturday they had a T-ball game, then a play date with my nieces, and then we ran errands in the evening--I had one day only coupons to Toys R Us (birthday gifts for the boys and my niece acquired) and Children's Place (fall pants and next summer duds purchased).

Sunday we enjoyed church, really the boys have been doing so well there lately (shhh, knock on wood). Sunday night my siblings came over for dinner and we had fun visiting with them

The boys watching youtube videos of Disney rides on Rob's laptop. They are watching Splash Mountain and put their hands up very seriously for the big drop. You wonder where their Disney fascination comes from, huh? They are finally tall enough for the good rides, maybe next spring.

We picked up the boys' T-ball pics as well, here they are:


Monday again we played at the Highland Splash Park with Hillary and got snow cones (the one by the Wendy's near the splash pad is good!).

Today we saw Astro Boy and I think it was the best movie of the summer for all of us. Yea.

We have a few more fun things planned this week, then 2 weeks of swimming lessons and then school is back in session. Wow. They don't start for 2 weeks after that, so we'll think of something fun to do then while it is less busy and then 2 weeks after they go back to preschool the baby should be coming. Tick tock, the summer is buzzing by. It is August--Claire is coming next month. It seems soon, and yet very far away at the same time. She is still a busy little thing and we are excited to meet her. I'm still working on getting the room remodels done, helping to plan my baby shower, planning the boys' birthday party and Claire's blessing. Plus getting all that we need for her, still lots to do.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer!