A Week at Home...for better or worse

Monday I had sweet boys all day. We played cars, played outside, rode bikes, ate lunch together and then they wanted to build a house, so we got all the pillows, blankets and even the cushions off the couch. WOW, that was a big house, which, of course, lasted about 4 minutes at a time and was rebuilt about 12 times. After they took a nap, we all went swimming at Bebe and Pop's because my pitching lessons were cancelled:) The boys are really doing well....Carson went under water several times and Parker was getting in the pool by himself!

Tuesday the boys headed back to school. They BOTH woke up GRUMPY as all get out. They BOTH wet their pants at school...now I knew we were setting up for a historic day. We had swimming lessons again, and given how the rest of the day was going, I wasn't surprised that Carson cried the whole time saying it was making him too sleepy, hungry etc. Parker did great and actually got promoted for a short time:) He got moved back with the little kids because he couldn't (or was it wouldn't ?) hang on to the wall the whole time:( Later, Parker took his turn....I asked him to share his bike with one of the neighbor kids...he ignored me...and tried to go back across the street. I removed him from the bike and told him to walk back across the street and sit on the porch. He screamed and cried like crazy for several minutes. I'm trying to ignore him until I look over and he's ripping the flowers out of the flower pot on our front porch and throwing them on the ground....really?!? I'm beginning to wonder, will we make it through the 3s???

Swimming Lessons:)





The rest of the week was filled with 3 year old boy stuff...playing in the sprinkler, "washing" the car and mailbox with a paintbrush and a paint roller....and water...ha, I got your attention, huh?? This week was rough...and I started a new parenting technique...taking toys and putting them on top of the fridge....yea, it's been working wonderfully....I have so many toys I had to take them off the top of the fridge and put them in a rubbermaid container. CLEARLY I need different techniques to contain 3 year old twins and get them to follow directions and play nicely together....oh, and whining, when does it stooooooooppppppppppp?!?!?!?!


Fun in the Sprinkler!





I'm done with the sprinkler....this hose is in my way!!



A cute little note from the "week of terror".... One afternoon, it was thundering and threatening rain. The boys wanted to go outside and play, but I told them they should take a nap and maybe when they woke up it would be finished raining. Carson was walking around the house with a pencil and a dice popper, pointing them out the window yelling, "STOP raining!!, Don't rain!!" Finally, he said, "I'ma take a nap, but Mama, I'm gonna change the weather when I wake up!" Yea, good luck with that James Spann.

Sunday we had the 4th of July Celebration and children's parade....it's supposed to be a "wagon" parade, but the boys decided that they were too big to ride in a wagon. Carson wanted to ride in his Cozy Coupe and Parker wanted his trike (you know, the one that he STILL can't reach the pedals because he's such a peanut, so he pushes with his feet instead). We stopped by the dollar store and picked up some decorations...and while Brad and the boys napped (Brad NEVER naps, which is what makes it blog worthy)....I decorated the vehicles and when everyone woke up, we were off to church. We had a great time and the boys had a blast....their buds Sarah and Harrison kept up with them most of the night- even taking them to the bathroom for us! They even liked the fireworks this year! Parker named colors and said, "WOW!" the whole time , while Carson said, "The princess is dying in that big puff of smoke!" It was by far the best fireworks show I've seen in a while! Here are some pictures from the night...

Brownies and cookies on the same plate!!



Flirting with Sarah



Parade!



Waiting on the Fireworks!




Monday starts much like last week....apparently my sweet boys like Mondays:) I got more hugs and kisses today than I got all last week. I think it was a set up though....early afternoon I'm eating lunch and watching TV while the boys were down for a nap. Brad walks in the door. My greeting to him was, "Where are you going and when are you leaving?" His response, "Back to Macon, leaving tonight." Whatever....we got him for almost a whole extra day this week....WOW.

Let's Keep Runnin'

Ok, so I guess this summer is not going to let up!

Last Tuesday we welcomed sweet little Kerrigan Grace Jordan to the family. Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well:) We are so grateful that she is healthy and came without complications for baby or mama. Carson and Parker weren't sure what to make of her at first, but now that they realize that she's a little human, just like them, they love her to death. Carson "held" her...don't worry I didn't ever let go of her...and Parker had George (his fav) give her kisses. We spent some time at the hospital Tuesday and Wednesday nights, which got the boys curious. Parker said, "Why do we need to go to the hospital again? Is LeLe and Kerrigan sick?" Unfortunately, Brad was stuck in Georgia and didn't get to come home....but he met his new niece Friday night when he rolled back into town (for 36 hours).




Swimming lessons have for sure been a crazy time for all. Tuesday, while Leah was pushing, the boys spent 45 minutes of their 1 hour swimming lesson screaming and crying like crazy. It was absolutely pitiful. The head instructor asked me to step into the hallway so they could try to get them to relax and participate without thinking that I would save them:( It was hard to watch for sure....but it paid off. Thursday before we went in, I told the boys that if they wanted me to be able to watch them they couldn't cry and fuss....if they pitched a fit, the teacher would make me leave. Well, initially they cried a little bit, but did very well the rest of the time. Unfortunately for the instructors, they became THOSE kids....the ones that won't sit on the side or wait their turn...whooops. We have seen lots of improvement and are very excited about their willingness to be in the water and try some new stuff:) I realize they are 3 and tomorrow may be a complete disaster....trying to remain positive....to be continued:)

Friday we helped "set-up" for a big yard sale at the church. From 4:30-10:00 we worked on putting "stuff" out for bargain shoppers to find. I had spent much of the week going though stuff and unpacking boxes from last summer's move, so I was happy to get all the JUNK out of my garage! The boys hung all night....and didn't get to bed until after 11pm! They "helped" by playing with all the toys that were donated:) They were so nasty dirty when we got home I had to clorox them (right Gramp?!). I know we got some germs that night! Saturday, we did some shopping, spent some time with Kerrigan, and got to meet our friend Jonell's parents who were in town from Texas. The weekend brought Brad home...which was nice for us all. He has been gone from the house almost a month now....and it looks like it too! We're doin' the best we can to keep up..

Sunday was Father's Day....and although I didn't get to see my daddy, we had a good day. The boys brought Brad breakfast in bed. It was hilarious....but they were pumped:) No, I didn't cook....it was Dunkin' Donuts and milk for our daddy! We spent the afternoon eating and swimming at BeBe and Pop's house....then back to the church to pack up all the "treasures" that nobody took home. Brad wanted Pizza Hut for his father's day dinner (really??), so we ate and then sent Brad back to Georgia:(

Parker has the BEST bed head:)



The fireworks started after Brad left....we had a throw down fight over the slide...complete with a bite (from Parker to Carson). It was pretty bad...Carson screaming, crying- bruised and skin broken. Why Parker, why?? Parker says, "I did that because I wanted to!" What?!?! You wanted to bite him? "No mama, I wanted to him to get off the slide." WOW....what do you say to that!?!? Carson was fine after several minutes...but would occasionally remember that Parker bit him- which would bring more tears and showing me the boo-boo, oh, and telling Parker that he lost George for biting and that mama was so sad:( Rough way to end the weekend...who knew I would ever look forward to a Monday!!

Keep on Movin'- It's summertime!

Well, we continued our summer schedule of movin' and shakin'. The boys started swimming lessons last Tuesday. We had plenty of tears and whining, but they really did make some progress. Parker stayed in the corner with his mama, but did start putting his face in the water:) Carson stayed with Mr. Nick the entire time and floated on his back, put his face in the water and even moved to the deep water a couple times. We are going with a little girl, Cate, that lives in our neighborhood, hoping she will be a good, brave swimming influence on our non-swimmers. We have 6 more classes....please pray for cooperation- it might be the longest 6 hours of our lives:)

Wednesday, while the boys were at school, I worked in the garage getting things organized. We have done very little since we moved in last summer in the way of organizing- and I'm ready to have some more room and know where things are! Long about the time I'm dripping in sweat, finding some baby stuff for Leah, I get a phone call from school..because Parker was "sick." He was pretty pitiful when I got there...and told me that he couldn't stop at Dairy Queen because he was going to throw-up again:( Neither boy napped the rest of the afternoon....and no more throwing up, so what was looking to be a very productive day ended up...well, a day at home hangin' with the boys.

After a long night of packing for our weekend in Atlanta with Tyler's baseball team, Thursday morning came and it was time for haircuts! Boy did they need it. I got them both a "summer cut." Mainly so they could walk outside without their hair being soaking wet in like a minute. As always, they looked super-cute and all grown-up when they finished.

We then got in the car and headed for Atlanta to watch Tyler's baseball game. I left in plenty of time to get there by game time, but unfortunately Burnt Hickory Rd. had another idea. For anyone traveling in the Marietta area, there are actually 3 Burnt Hickory Roads, and none of them connect:( We were only about 30 minutes late, but it took peeing on the side of the road, calls to daddy (he should know Atlanta/Macon area well by now!!), and lots of deep breaths. At one point Parker said, "Mommy, why do you keep saying, *sigh*?" I just laughed and say,"we're lost buddy and mommy is frustrated." He said, "I don't like being lost." I kept thinking- neither do I....and I'm very lucky that I'm only sighing and not dog-cussing this GPS!
From that point on, everytime we got in the car Parker would ask, "Are we gonna get lost this time mama?" Haha..thanks for the reminder Parker

Trying on the helmets like the big boys



Wait...this isn't a helmet!!



Did I mention that it was HOT!! Parker found a place to cool off!



Carson learning about Sunflower seeds:)



The HOT weekend was filled with ballgames and fun with Tyler. He definitely has "rockstar" status with the boys. We had to take turns sitting by him in the car and at restaurants. Tyler's team went 2-2 and the boys started learning to throw and catch like Tyler. Did I mention that it was HOT!!!! We did get some shopping in, and ate ALOT:) On Saturday, we took the boys to the Atlanta Children's Museum, while Tyler spent the day at Six Flags with his buddies.

Moon Sand at the Atlanta Children's Museum



We had some interesting times in the car....with all the heat, comes lots of fluid....with lots of fluid and bladders the size of a dime this is what you end up with, "Mama, Do I get to pee-pee on the road or in a bottle?" "Mama, how do you get my weinie in that bottle?" Fun times had by all:)

Now it's Monday and we're home, unpacking, trying to relax:) We will have swimming lessons again this week, so say a prayer for us:) We also found out today that baby Kerrigan is set to arrive sometime tomorrow! Leah is being induced in the morning, so we'll have a new niece/cousin soon! Please keep Leah, Aaron and little Kerrigan in your thoughts and prayers....

Oh, and Brad is in Georgia, AGAIN this week--it's just not really news anymore, which is why I forgot to say it until now:( We did get him for the weekend in Atlanta....so we're grateful for that! Hopefully he'll be home for the weekend to meet his new niece!

Summer Starts with a Bang!

Thursday I took the boys down to the pool at the clubhouse in our neighborhood. It was just the 3 of us (plus the sign in lady) and the boys did great. They were willing to get in the big pool and "swim", which was a big step:) We played "Touch the numbers (depth #'s on the side of pool), held on to the stairs and practiced kicking, and they practiced blowing bubbles and putting their faces in the water. Good pool progress for sure!

Saturday was our bi-annual get together with Brad's extended family. We missed it last year because it was moving day. He, of course, had to stay in Georgia, so it was just me and the boys. The boys had a blast....swimming and eating mostly. They made more progress in the pool swimming with Pop and Guncle:) I think they ate a whole watermelon! Here are some pics....







Here's how much fun they had.....



Let it be noted that Parker really did walk in the house and pass out on the stairs. When I went to get the camera, Carson said, "Wait, I'm sleepy too. Take my picture sleeping on the stairs" We are all about the "Monkey see, monkey do" at this house!


Sunday brought Foundry Sunday at church, followed by a quick shopping trip at Learning Express (which was especially fun since we got our train table taken away this week because we ripped all the track out, complete with nails daddy had used to keep it down) then we went to our friend Olivia's birthday party, and finished the night eating dinner with Pop, BeBe and Leah. The party was at Skates 280...a local skating rink. I wasn't sure how the boys would do, but they really liked it and had a great time. A special thank you to Lyn-Z (Olivia's grandma) for helping us around the rink the first time...giving mom a little confidence to go out there on her own the next time.







While Olivia was opening her presents, the boys found something fun to do.....I call it the hamster in the wheel game:) Parker LOVED it...and Carson didn't mind not having to take many turns in the wheel:)



I'll end this post with one of those, WHAT?!?! Did that really just happen moments......Parker says, "I think some te-tee is coming out of my weiner...is it mama? Yes Parker you are peeing your pants...(insert loud voice here) GO TO THE BATHROOM!!! He WALKS to the bathroom. I say, "Why did you not go to the bathroom? (Yes, I'm upset....but not yelling anymore) He says, "I'm sorry mama, next time I'll go to the potty." What the heck happened here?? He decided to give a play by play instead of actually going to the bathroom?? Strange, very strange.