Before I forget...

I just had to post this one little thing that happened today.  Sam and Andrew were giving each other hugs and kisses and making an mmmmaaaa (kiss) sound. It was so adorable, funny, and sweet all at the same time.  When they are teenagers, they will not want to  hear this story, but I will probably remind them of how sweet they were to each other.  It was so precious!  They are all really good at giving kisses, so I take advantage of it as much as I can.  Many times, Will or Sam will come up to my leg and kiss me on the leg while I am standing up and typing at the computer.  I have to stand up to type on my laptop, because they would want to type with me, if I kept the laptop any lower (on a desk or lap).  I learned that lesson the hard way, and now I have a missing "tab" key.  ha!
Anyway, we had a fun day today--but that was one thing I didn't want to forget.

Another day at the tennis courts...

We had a fun morning at the tennis courts with L&R and Gloria & Josue.  The boys ran around chasing the tennis balls, and they also had a good time popping bubbles!

Sam, Will, & Andrew

Andrew & Mama

Andrew flying

Will flying

Sam flying

Robert and Lucia

Gloria and Josue

Will loves bubbles!

The little guys

Everyone having fun with bubbles

Coloring and Piggy Back Rides...

Sam, Will, and Andrew love coloring.  They love to sit right on top of the coloring book!

They also LOVE getting rides on Mama and Dada...

They also like wearing Dada's clothes.  These are  Ole Miss t-shirts from Leen for Father's Day.  The boys loved putting them on and running around.

Happy Birthday to Carole and Howard!

I got back from my back-to-back work trips to Dallas and Baton Rouge on Friday.  It was nice to have the weekend to enjoy with the the dudes.  We didn't do too much, but it was a nice weekend.  The work trip went well, also, and John LOVED being home with the boys!  

Here I am at the Ashley Furniture store doing a commerical spot for the 4th of July

We were all sad that Dada had to go back to work today!

Before leaving out of town, John and I went to the grocery store with the boys to get a few things.

Andrew and Sam having fun in the cart

Good times at the grocery store

We also went to Toys R Us to get a bouncy house.  I may have already mentioned that in a different post.

We also got a squiggly worm sprinkler (not sure what it's really called)

While I was away, John sent me a couple of pictures that made my day.

Sam and Will watching their YouTube videos

Andrew smiling because he got to brush his hair!

The boys seem to be saying so many new words.  Andrew loves to say "apple," and he is very good at copying many things that we say.  Also, he has been doing something that is so adorable--when we say prayers at night after reading a book--he folds his arms, bows his head, and says "amen."  The other two are starting to try to do it, also.  Sam and Will are great at saying "down" and "more."  They do the sign language that goes along with the words.  They also love to point at pictures and flash cards.  "Ball" and "baby" are popular words, as well.  They also love to sing along with different songs like "twinkle twinkle little star," "ABC's," and some of the barefoot books songs.  Sam loves the "up, up, up" song.  It would be wonderful if we could capture all of this on video, but as usual--they don't like to do things on command.

Wow--busiest day we've ever had...

This will be quick, because I still have to get ready to go to Dallas tomorrow.  I just wanted to post today, so that I would remember this action packed day!
This morning, we took the boys to the donut shop for breakfast.  After we got back home, we loaded them up and went to Babies R Us.  We were a little early, so we strolled the boys around the parking lot until the store opened.  Once we went into the store, we looked around for a few things to get us through the summer.  We found a bouncy house, a little water sprinkler, some more bubbles, and some noodles for the pool.  After our purchases, we went home for a snack and then tried out our new toys.  The boys LOVED the bouncy house.  They jumped around for a while, and then it was time for nap.
After nap, the boys ate lunch, and then played inside for a little while.  Then, we decided to let the boys play in the little pool and with their water toys.  They were having the best time splashing around.  Poor little Will got bonked in the head with one of the beach buckets.  :(  The boys definitely did not want to get out, but one by one we took them to the bath for an extended water playtime.  They love playing in the bath!
They had a very active day, and after dinner they were pretty relaxed.  They watched some of their Elmo videos and played with toys.
John and I stayed pretty busy today, also.  I have been preparing for back to back trips to Dallas and Baton Rouge.  Also, John and I delivered dinner and breakfast to the Posadas.  It seemed like a non-stop day, but we had a good time.
I'll post pictures, when I get back in town.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's, especially my hubby/Sam, Will, & Andrew's Dad (John), my super Father-in-law (Sam), and my dearest Dad up above (Keith).  He is so missed.  The one memory that always brings tears to my eyes is the memory of him running after me with gloves when I was turning cartwheels with the Clinton Gymnastics in the Clinton Christmas Parade.  This is just one of the many wonderful memories I have of him. I have the best parents in the world!  They are so dear to me.  I hope he knows that I am thinking of him today.
Off to finish preparing a lesson.  We just had breakfast casserole, and there is another casserole in the oven for lunch.  It's casserole overload! ha!

Outdoorsy Couple of Day

Yesterday and today, L&R, the boys, and I went to the tennis courts to play.  We like the tennis courts, because the boys can run freely in a gated area without us having to worry about cars.  There is a park right next to the tennis court with swings, but there is a lot of sand.  The boys love to throw the sand in each other's faces, otherwise it would be fun to go to the park.  All the boys seem to love running and jumping around on the tennis courts.  We play with tennis balls, jump around, eat snacks, blow bubbles, throw Frisbee, play with water guns, etc.  We try to make it fun for them, and we stay until they seem like they have had enough fun.  As the summer goes on, we may have to add things like hoola hoops and other fun things.  

I love these pictures of the boys on the bench.  They had a good time looking through the fence holes.  I thought that they looked so cute, that I took a few pictures.  

Andrew, Will, Robert, & Sam

 The little guys are getting really good at running.  Here's a series of running pictures--too cute!

Today, around 4:30, the boys were getting antsy.  I knew they wanted to go outside, so we went in the backyard.  Oh boy!!!!  They went straight for the dirt!  They love throwing sand and dirt up into the air.  It makes them laugh so hard.  I wish I had a recording of their laugh to go along with these grimy pictures. :)  After taking a few pictures, I hosed off the boys...which they loved...and then, we went in for bath time.  

Will's hands in the dirt

Sam with a head full of dirt

ouch--thorny rose stem

Sam's dirty piggies

Andrew looking less dapper than usual

....but looking tougher than usual

Almost looks like a black eye

Andrew in the red bucket

While John was playing with the boys this evening, I melted some crayons into molds.  I am hoping this will eliminate the breaking and minimize the eating of the crayons.  I guess we'll see.  

Wishing I could make a trip to MS, soon.  Maybe I'll just load the boys in the car and go for a little ride.  :)

BONUS PICTURE

Will's hair is starting to curl on top--Mama thinks it's cute!

Busy Day

This morning, I got up to make some monkey bread for Ruth.  She is on bed rest, so we wanted to take her a little cheer.  The house smelled so good while making it, that I thought I might eat it all before delivering it.  I resisted. :)
Lucia came over with Robert, and we delivered the breakfast to Ruth.  Then, we walked the boys over to Walgreens.  The boys started to get antsy on the way back, so we all went home.  I put the boys down for nap on the early side, and I started looking over some music to take over to Debbie's.  I didn't accomplish very much.
After the boys got up from the nap, we ate lunch, and headed to Katy to do a vocal session with Debbie Siebert.  Debbie is a musical genius! She is an amazing opera singer, and she has so many amazing talents when it comes to music--she is a composer, a teacher...she is savvy with recording software...the list goes on and on.  I had the best time "winging it" today in her studio.  We recorded Greenfinch and Linnet Bird by Sondheim.  I was rusty, but I had the best time!  Her wonderful kiddos played with the boys, and I was so grateful to get out of the house.  It was such a great time!
I didn't take my camera, but Debbie snapped a couple of pictures with her phone.

Andrew trying to be like Dada :)

Debbie wanted to take a picture to show her husband, Jim.  He was at work, so he didn't get to meet them.  Jim is the weather man for Fox 40 here in Houston.  It's fun to see him on the TV.

Anway, I had a great time with Debbie!  I wished we lived closer.  It would be so much fun to get to hang out with her more!  What a great and talented friend!

After we got home, the boys ate dinner.  Thankfully, Dada came home in time to help with feeding them.  They have the best time throwing their food all over the table.  Ugghh--not fun!  When I am doing something else in the kitchen, and I hear a lazer-like sound that they make with their mouth (dzeeerw), I know that food is flying through the air!  Of course, it's funny--but not fun to clean.  ha!  

After bath time, the boys headed to bed.  Now, John is out getting a pizza.  Hope I can stay awake to eat it--ha.  I am definitely looking forward to a good snooze!  

Mama loves her little monkeys

The boys seemed to be pretty happy this morning.  They liked eating their biscuits and apples for breakfast.  After getting ready for the day, L&R came over to go on a walk.  Before we left for the walk, Lucia took pictures of me with all the boys.  I never remember to ask someone to take pictures, so I am happy that I remembered today.  I dont' have many pictures with the boys individually.  So, today's pictures of the day are of Mama with her little sweethearts!

Sam & Mama

Will & Mama

Andrew & Mama

I love hugging my little guys!  I hope they always want to give their Mama a hug!

The picture below is from this morning.  I usually turn on one of their favorite videos while I am getting them dressed.  Sam decided to climb up on a toy and turn off the television.  The gate is supposed to keep they away from the fireplace and the TV, but they are finding very creative ways to get to things.  Poor Andrew is wishing he were the one getting to turn off the TV.

Part 2 of the Day

John got home a little early today (5:45), which I was really excited about.  I knew that the boys would be happier, since they were getting a little antsy to do something different.  John said that we could either try going to the pool for the first time this year, or he could take the boys for a walk while I rested.  I opted for the adventure, which might not have been the best idea-ha!  We suited the boys up in their new swim trainers.  They were pretty excited to wear them, and they looked pretty cute--I have to say!

Long story-short-we didn't end up staying at the pool for very long.  The boys were having a good time splashing, but John and I realized we were outnumbered. ha!  So, we loaded the boys up and went home to take a bath.  They enjoyed doing more splashing in the water!  They were having a lot of fun, until Andrew decided  to roll onto his belly, gulp a lot of water, and lose his dinner.  It was quite the scene.  John and I teamed up and got them all re-bathed.  We were ready for bed, at that point.  It was a very good work out.

So, we dressed the little guys, read them a book, said a prayer, turned on their cd, and turned off the lights.  Ahhhhh!  Hopefully, they'll get a good night's rest.  I am pretty sure that we will. :)  Love those little guys!