Curious George Takes A Bath

I guess George was left a little too close to the bathtub...  because Easton got a hold of him and pulled him into the bath.  He put him almost completely under before Dawson realized what had happened. And when Dawson pulled George out of the bath and away from Easton, he was not happy.  It worked out alright.  George needed a bath afterall.

He did it again...

Easton is a busy boy.  I can't even begin to tell you how many new remote controls we've had to buy.  Ours is always missing.  In fact, at this very moment we don't have one.  We've found a couple in the top of the trash cans before going out.  But we figure we've also missed some that have gone out to trash.  Well, my cell phone has been missing for a day. I've used Aaron's to call myself in every room of the house...  listening for the ringer.  And nothing.  Then I thought, maybe it fell under a seat in the car.  So I used Aaron's phone to call mine when I went out into the garage towards the car door.  I hear the ring, but it wasn't coming from the car.  It was coming from the big trash can.  It was a soft ring. Barely audible. Because it was cinched up in a trash bag and it wasn't even the trash bag on top.  I called Dallon out to see.  Dallon and I got a good laugh, and then we went to trash digging.  

Handmade treasures.

This is my mailbox.  And I have a special "mail person".  That is what Dawson calls himself... the mail person.  He has been leaving me mail everyday for about a week.  He came up with the idea of using the night stand that is in my bedroom.  He usually gets so excited when he leaves mail that he can't stand it and so he comes and tells me to check my mailbox.

Today's mail was a book of the seasons.  This is a picture of my favorite page "Fall".  
And another treasure that I received today.  Dallon spent about 45 minutes making this flower for me out of pipe cleaners.  Crafty kids. They make life happy.
Thanks boys.  I love you.

A little incentive...

for our boys to do their chores, be more helpful, and show more love around our home. We started this about 2 1/2 weeks ago. The boys are rewarded with punches anytime we see them do a kind deed without being asked, or finish their chores after school, or things as simple as not coming out of their room after they've been put to bed at night. It's totally working too. Things have been so much easier around here. Oh, and they can also lose a punch for bad behavior too... we just X it out. They sure hate seeing a big X over a once earned punch. At the end of the week we open up (what the boys like to call) the "treasure box store". Then they can buy things with their punches. They love it. Each week we make a new card.

My birthday.

Today is my 33rd birthday.  And the date is 9.9.09.  Isn't that cool? It's been a good day.  And my heart is so full tonight as I sit to do this post. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful family and good friends.  

Aaron is out of town this week on business but he still found a way to make my birthday special. He gave me a thoughtful gift and left behind a very sweet letter that made my day and touched my heart. I was spoiled rotten by friends. I got lots of calls from family.  And I spent the evening with my three boys who I love so much. Dawson took this picture of Dallon and I together today.  

The boys really wanted to take me somewhere fun for my birthday. We tried to go bowling... but when we got there it was leagues and no open bowling. Then we went to play miniature golf... but it was flooded from the rain. The movie we wanted to see had already started. But that is life right.  I knew we could still find something fun to do. Being together, and having fun is all I wanted for my birthday anyway.  So we ate dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant, Chuy's. 
Dawson had put together a present at the house after school and had hauled it in the car so it would be at my "party".  So he gave it to me in Chuy's.
This is what was inside the bag.  He made me some awesome drawings that I love.  And then he scraped together the rest.  I bought him that keychain a year ago in Park City.  And that hair clip, well, that is from my bathroom.  And he also threw in his kindergarten yearbook.  
After dinner we walked over to Barnes & Noble.  I do love that store.  I told the kids we could all get one thing.  They were so excited.  I don't think we've ever walked into that store and all picked something out.  We must have spent at least an hour or more there, but it was fun.
Easton went crazy with excitement overload.  He was in heaven when he saw the shelf of Curious George monkeys.  He spent the whole hour holding as many of them as he could at one time.  He would try to carry them all and walk around.  But there were so many.  He would drop one, then try to pick it up without dropping another.  It was a hoot.  Luckily I had my camera on me and I took this one of him.  After finding out that he couldn't carry them all he decided to sit down and play with them all on the floor.  It was adorable watching him hug and cuddle each and every one.
Dallon picked out this Origami book.  He loves Origami and has always wanted a book.  I was so glad to get this for him.  For my birthday gift he made me something from the book.  I love it.
And last on this post, but certainly not least.  My dear friends took me out to lunch today to celebrate.  It made my day.  Thanks girls.  You are the best!

Where's George?

This actually happened a month or so ago, when my sister was here staying with us.  As I'm sure you all know, Easton LOVES his Curious George so much! He sleeps with him every night and drags him around everyday.  He even has a small Curious George to take to church and in the car, etc.  When Jenna was here she would often put him to bed to help me out.  One night she couldn't find George.  She looked all over the house to try to find him. She wasn't able to find George.  So, she gave up and put Easton to bed without him.  

The next morning I went to move some clothes from the washer to the dryer. When I opened up the dryer door, there they were.  Easton had put them in there and them forgotten where he put them.  I had to go get Jenna and show her.  And then the two of us had a good laugh.

Bedtime with Brothers

Learning To Read

What an exciting day we had yesterday! Dawson read a book all by himself for the very first time! I couldn't be more proud. He's had his share of struggles with learning the alphabet sounds. (being in speech since he was 2 years old and all). It hasn't come easy. But, he has worked so hard and has come so far!!! I know he is smart and can do anything he sets his mind to. I'm so excited for him and his personal victory that he had last night. I'm so glad that I could experience it with him and be a part of his life. I love you Dawson!

Our Yard

I have some pictures of the final steps of our yard project.  If you've been following our blog this year then you know we've spent tons of time in our backyard as a family working.  Well it's done and we are so excited about it! The kids have really been enjoying playing outside. 

We couldn't believe how much sod there was when the truck arrived.
Here it is piled in front of the house after the delivery.
These next pics were taken later the next day when it was all done. So the sod is very fresh.

We had a cement pad poured for the boys to play basketball. It doesn't look too cool in this pic because the sod was fresh and we needed to stay off of it for a few weeks and so the trampoline is on it.  I'll have to take a pic sometime without the tramp.  Aaron still would like to paint the court a color and then paint the key on it too. But that's another project for another day.

It was lots of work but totally worth it!

Back To School

I can't believe it's that time of year again.  And I really can't believe that Dallon is a fifth grader this year, and Dawson is in first.  My boys are growing up too fast.  Dawson was so excited for school to start. He was counting down the days for the last week and a half of summer.  Dallon wasn't excited for school to start.  He's a little older and knows that with school comes homework and was happy to enjoy every last drop of summer.  These pictures were taken the on the morning of the first day of school.  We always walk them to school as a family on the first day.  It's fun to spend that time with them.  I love these pictures because it's the two of them walking just like they do everyday.  It captures this time when they are in the same elementary school.  I love that they go to school together.  It gives me peace of mind knowing they are both there in the same building. Like somehow, they can look out for each other.  I love hearing that they saw each other in the halls and said "hi". 

As excited as Dawson was for the first day of school, he was nervous once it came.  I love that Dawson wanted to hold my hand the whole time because he was a little nervous. He was holding on pretty tight as we walked through the halls of the school, and I loved it!  It's nice to be needed and to give comfort and support.  Both of the boys did great on their first day and are really happy about the new school year.