Summer Fun and Silly Smiles

The summer heat continues to blaze on here in Oklahoma.  I try really hard to get the boys outside as often as possible without letting them get too hot.  A couple times a week for the past several weeks I've taken them to the biggest park in our town (Veteran's Park) in the morning right after breakfast so they can get some energy out.  

We continue to spend a lot of time in our backyard playing on their slip and slide and in the kiddie pool.  We just try to put them in the shade so the boys don't get sunburned.  One afternoon I had the boys swimsuits and Owen's swim diaper on the couch to get them ready.  I left the room for a minute, and when I came back Jack was helping Owen get dressed…so sweet.

Both boys love to antagonize each other, and these water guns are one way that they do that.

Sometimes their playful banter with one another gets a little to aggressive.  Here's Jack in time out for doing something to Owen.  It's hard to remember exactly what he did since they're always pushing on each other :).  I thought he was cute looking all grumpy for being in trouble.

When it's too hot to be outside but we want to get out of the house, we usually end up at the aquarium.  This particular day we went for the otter and beaver feeding times.

We also always have our errands to run.  It's still a little bit of a challenge managing all three together out at stores.  We always have to find the biggest cart if I want to have everyone strapped in.  Mary usually ends up laying on her stomach in the seat trying to escape, and the boys like to hit each other and try to jump out once boredom strikes.

Since we spend so much time at our house, Jonathan found this air hockey table that you can flip over into a pool table on Craigslist for $25.   Owen doesn't really understand it yet, but I've had some really good matches with Jack.  He's a pretty good shot.

We usually celebrate the end of a great day with some sort of treat.  The boys loved these ice cream bars.

The most recent project at our house has been redoing the landscaping in front of the house.  Jonathan has put in a lot of hours on the weekend and after work digging out all of the old landscaping, getting all the tools and materials, and planting everything.  He has done a really great job getting the boys involved in the project and letting them get their hands dirty.  On the first day of work, the boys took a break for a little picnic by the front door to regain their energy.

Both boys went to the nursery to help Jonathan pick up plants, new soil, tools, etc., and they got their little shovels and rakes out to help with the planting.

Last night they helped with spreading out the wood chips around all of the plants.

Now each night after Jonathan gets home from work they go out to water the plants with him.  I think it's been a really fun experience for them, and they are definitely worn out after working outside.  Owen willingly goes up for naps after spending a few hours working outside.

I love hanging out with our three little people.  They have their moments where they don't get along or Owen gets upset that Mary tries to grab his toy, but they are so silly together and keep each other busy and laughing.  I took a group picture after Mary's 11-month photo.

I love this picture, because it really does depict each of their individual personalities so well.  Jack is always being silly making weird faces and sounds and is kind of theatrical.  Owen is usually taking a stand about something and is kind of a moody 2-year old.  We say he's sour but sweet like the Sour Patch Kid commercial, because he'll be telling you not to talk to him one minute and turn around the next saying he loves you and you're his best friend.  Mary is just kind of happy-go-lucky smiling and hanging out along for the ride.

Jack starts school 5 full days a week in 2.5 weeks, so we're enjoying the last days of our flexible schedule together.