SUNDAY EVENING ADVENTURES

Okay - I would like to state up front here that this story contains a poop theme. And with that thought in mind, you will all be happy to know that I have no pictures to share. So read on if you are now curious.....(c'mon, you know you are) and humor me because I live life with two little boys. Apparently this poop theme is here to stay a while.

So late last Sunday afternoon I told the kids to load up into the good ole' family mini van because we were going to take the doggies for a run. Confused yet? Koda and Bear spend their days in a (large) dog kennel and we have to let them run in the only orchard on the ranch that has deer fencing. If they get loose together without the fencing - well - they just keep on running.

We set out and thing were going great! This is not the usual case because sometimes the dogs get loose, we have to chase them down, or there is lots of mud and everyone gets filthy. Or someone is crabby or hungry or thirsty. So many factors when three kids and two dogs are involved. But I digress; it was beautiful out and everyone was happy.

I had parked the van on the access road that runs through the middle of the acreage. Doggies were running everywhere and the kids and I were walking and talking. The field we were in has recently been replanted, the air was warm and it felt like spring! By this time we had reached the far end of the field and came upon the deer fencing.

Josh: MOM!! We've gotta go home right now! I need to go potty!

Me: Honey, just pee in the weeds.

Josh: It's the poops Mom! I gotta go now!

Me: Now?! We aren't even near the van and I'd have to get the dogs and lock up all the gates too! Can't you hold it a bit?

Josh: No!! (he's dancing around now)

Jessa: Just go here then. Nobody will see you. (logical)

Josh: (looking concerned but hey, he's got to go bad) Okay but don't look at me.

And he disappears a bit further down the fence line into the weeds. I holler to Zach to come back - he'd gone off with the dogs - and then had a thought. Did Josh know how to squat down against the fence so he didn't make a mess on his pants? So I hollered over to him and got silence in return.

Poor kid! His pants were a mess and not even a leaf around (remember the new baby trees) to help out! Thankfully, Josh wasn't devastated with embarrassment because Jessa thought this was rather funny. I honestly couldn't help but laugh too. I've had way too many messes with this kid in the past few years........

So Jessa collected the doggies and I helped Josh out of his pants. I will never forget watching him run naked from the waist down through that orchard. So much for that "nobody look at me" comment. We were quite the sight (and I hope no one did see!) with dirty, sweaty doggies in the back and a poopy boy trying to stand up as we drove to the gate. I put the pants on the roof and was seriously considering just throwing them out!

While I was fighting with how to lock up the gate, Jessa had Zach on her lap in the front passenger seat. As I got back in she laughing so hard that she could barely breathe. This is what had happened: Zach had caught sight of himself in the side mirror and had an interesting reaction.

**I should tell you that he had a snack of peanut butter before leaving the house. It got all over his cheeks and he had tried to fix that by using his sleeve. Typical boy move. I didn't clean him up before leaving because I knew he'd need a full bath when we got home. Dirty kids, dirty play, that's just the way we roll! **

So Zach sees himself in the mirror and casually tells Jessa, "Oh! I've got poop on my face!" and then proceeds to wipe his mouth on his other sleeve. Not phased at all. I guess, giving the current situation, that he didn't think having poop on his face was any big deal!!

KITCHEN UPDATE

Don has done a beautiful job (I'm so proud!) on making this island! And did anyone notice the new refrigerator is in place? Already loving it!
His favorite part is the LED lighting strip under the very edge of the butcher block.....very Star Wars. But hey, we might need some extra lighting for those midnight sandwich-making sessions, right?
We are leaving the shelf area open and I am looking for some baskets to store things in. The butcher block counter top is from Ikea and we were really happy to find it. Both of us would prefer a darker stain to it but so far have not found a food safe wood oil that will work.

JOSH GETS AN AWARD!

Last Friday Josh got an award for being a Super Great Citizen in Kindergarten. Mommy, Daddy and Zachers got to attend the awards ceremony and Jess was there too (cause she goes to the same school).

Zach even got to go sit with Josh and his class. It was a big deal folks!

As a mom I love seeing my kids love each other. And to be really honest here, I was thinking how thankful I am that my boys were hugging in public instead of hitting each other. Because that is what (sometimes) happens at home.

We are so proud of Josh - his teacher told everyone how he is so kind and extra helpful to everyone. He is a nice friend on the playground and he excellent at sharing! The principal gave Josh a very nice green certificate which is now taped up in his bedroom window to be on display for the world to know how GREAT JOSHY IS!!! Yay!!

PROGRESS

After a year (almost) of construction, the mobile home in front of our house is being moved. For the past two weeks it has been sitting in two large pieces in our driveway.
Now, we sort of look like a natural disaster site. A debris field with out the tornado. So while we are excited to see some progress, I am actually feeling a bit sorry the mobile is going. It was nice to be able to hide our construction mess behind something. Now I am just very self conscious about needing to get things cleaned up.

HOUSE BUILDING UPDATE

Our kitchen awaiting the plumbing, cabinet doors and appliances. Don is currently working on a kitchen island so that we can pass inspection to get our certificate of occupancy. There are electrical wires coming up in the middle of the floor (can't see it here - it's by the ladder) and those need to be safely concealed. We had originally planned for an island (thus the wires) but the budget got cut. So my handy hubby is going to bust out an "original creation" and our problem is solved!
Master bathroom is also waiting for the plumber. Sorry these are so dark - I took these after a long workday and the sun was long gone.
This is the kid's hall bathroom. So funny how the light changes the color so drastically. I painted the walls a tropical blue by Sherwin Williams called Bubble. NOT GREEN.
Funny how the boy's bedroom is messy before we have even moved in. But we had to get real about getting some work done - and that means that the kids needed to have some entertainment for our "home site time". So now there are blocks and cars and various toys strewn among the paint cans and plastic drop clothes. Oh well.

And I'm not sure what I'm doing with the paint in here. I've redone it three times so far. (Crazy, yes.) I was going to have Don put up some molding but I like to change things so often I'm afraid to commit. I'm not a wallpaper boarder fan -- so that's out too. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time on Pintrest and still have not found what I want. Any ideas anyone?
Our family room is pretty much done. Just need to do the painting of the trim and get the mantel on the fireplace. (We will be painting for the next ten years.) Also looking for a large area rug to warm up my lovely gray floors.

BROTHERS PLAY TIME

Joshy and Zachers setting up their own store - using Nana's pantry items. Notice the matching aprons? Auntie Loie made these for Hilary and I when were were little girls! Love it!!
They were so busy for at least an hour. Stocking, buying, bagging and then restocking. Lots of clean up for this game but they had tons of fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BOY ZACHERS!!!

Can you believe this kid is 3 now?! What happened and where did the time go? I made the mistake of telling referring to him last week as my baby. He got very upset and told me in his grumpiest voice, "I'm not a baby! I'm Zachers!!"
So I'm not the best photographer but this cake was super yummy!! Devil's Food with homemade vanilla cream cheese filling and milk chocolate frosting!! Zach requested the M&Ms.
All the boy asked for was candy and guns...... and he was pretty pleased to get his own candy!
Joshy was a big brother helper through the whole process. He narrated each gift opening and told Zach who gave him the present. Zach seemed pretty subdued but in all fairness, it was the end of a very long day. and Josh made up for any lack of emotion or excitement by bouncing all over the place.
This was a dart gun that Joshy picked out and wrapped up for his brother. I know, I know. I'm a sucker for my kids showing love to each other.........gets me every time.
Our big birthday dinner at Nana's house. Zach picked out spaghetti and applesauce - his favorite meal.
Josh was taking his cupcake eating very seriously. Grandma Debbie hosted a special birthday party at her house for Zach on the Saturday before his big day. The kids loved it and Zach was so proud that it was "HIS PARTY". He's been waiting for his since the onslaught of December/January birthdays.
Baby Em didn't get any cupcakes so she had to make due with the teether.
Another serious cupcake eater......Mr. Jack - such a cutie!
I have no idea how Zach stayed as clean as he did.....must be a big three year old trait.

Grandma Debbie knows how to spoil a boy! He loved his presents and all the attention. It was a long weekend of mini celebrations - so great to spread it out a bit. At nap time on his actual birthday, Zach stretched out on his bed and tucked his hands behind his head (his signature move since babyhood). He told me so casually, "Thank you for my birthday Mamma," in a sweet little boy voice.

Oh what a heart breaker...................I just want him to stay little like this forever!