"splish-splash, I was takin' a bath"

Thunder - looking thin and active.
Buck looking chubby and content. Such "second timer" parents we are as we've obviously moved on from the "protective duck" bathtub for Thunder.

Today is Thunder's 8 month birthday (OK, it's really tomorrow, but I'll be on a plane). This is making me sentimental as I compare my two boys at 8 months (Don't tell me I'm not supposed to do this, I already know that). They are both such wonderful boys. I laughed that we have almost identical pictures of the 2 boys "in the bath."

Buck, Thunder and I are all heading to Reno tomorrow to spend a week with my parents and Grandma J. We're excited to be there, but I am nervous about the flight with "active Thunder." He seems to be ok if he's being held constantly, so that should be good - but he is in constant motion, which freaks me out.

Speaking of which, he's up from his nap. We'll be home Sept. 8th, so check for new posts then!

"God is Great, Beer is good and people are crazy"

Buck's birthday balloons (see Thunder in back)
"Hi Everyone!"
"I crawl AND climb on things as an added bonus!"
"watch me throw my water at you and think it's hilarious!"
Buck (in an outfit styled by himself) and a tired Thunder.

We (Thunder, Buck and I) had a great day today. We went to Heritage Park and it was "senior's Day." One of our babysitters works at the gate and she told us that "like 2000 seniors are here today." It was hilarious. WAY better than coming on "day care" day. The seniors ("Grandmas and Grandpas", I told Buck) LOVED the boys. They laughed and enjoyed everything either of them did. They all especially seemed to appreciate Buck's latest feat of dressing himself: a navy t-shirt with the picture of a digger and brown basketball shorts with grey sandals (see picture). What am I going to do, make him change? I love his outfit. I loved our 3 hour trip (due to Thunder's nap). I love that we're 30 minutes away from Daddy coming home :)

"The CIRCLE OF LIFE"

Today is Buck's 4th birthday. He is actually 4 years old. He received 2 rocket ships, 4 Transformers, 1 hot wheels track set (everyone has one), a "Cars" car track, 4 books that we immediately read today, a Justice League lunch box for school, a Woody (from Toy Story) costume, 4 superhero shirts and a few random things I can't see on the floor in front of me.

4 years ago, we received Buck. This has been the first emotional birthday for myself as I see my baby becoming a boy.

Highlights of the day (aside from it just being so exciting for Buck): We went to see the stage production of the Lion King and Buck LOVED it. He was amazed by the entire thing and told me that his favorite scene was "the one where Simba kills Scar." He is all little boy, for sure. He was reunited with his best school pal, Q-tip. She is a 4 year old girl and they were so excited to be back together that they just stared at each other. It was so sweet and made me excited for school to begin again (in a way). Buck is currently playing alone with his spaceships. They have become everything to him in the course of one day. And he can figure out how to connect all the pieces and make the guys live out the crazy schemes in Buck's head.

Tonight I will go to sleep and wake up and Buck will be 14. And Q-tip really will be everything to him.

And we'll do the hokey pokey and that's what it's all about.

pictures tomorrow.

"Let the sunshine in!"

Thunder on the ski boat at Lake S.
Buck's VBS "team" the "Ark - Angels". I love that misspelling for so many reasons.

I have a lot of really cute pictures to share from the last month. We went to New York to visit friends and now we are in the thick of Vacation Bible School. Too much 'LIFE' to write on the blog. It's been very fun - my parents (the Joads) also just visited for a week- ish - and I had some much needed time to do things without the kids. They played with Grandma and Grandpa, so that everybody wins.

I'm looking forward to a return of schedule...but sad that summer is nearing it's end. It's a beautiful day outside - we're going to enjoy it a bit!!