What a whirlwind!!

This summer has been the most crazy I think I've ever had! June 30th we put the boys on a plane by themselves to TX to visit their Texas family for the summer. They were super excited and are having a wonderful time down there. We had a day and a half off and then we were camping in the Catskills with Ben's family. From there I went with Gary & Felicity to Albion to spend time with my parents for a week. We had a great time picking berries, shopping, and playing. It was really great. We filled up each of our days completely! After that week was done, I left and went back to the Bronx, bringing my sister, her husband and their two children. We spent the week painting and totally redocorating Felicity's room. We did so much each day it was incredible! We crossed off so many things that had been on my to-do list for forever! After that it's just been guest after guest here at our house. A trip to Minerva, NY for big family reunion on my Dad's side, and more company here in the Bronx! What a whirlwind! I'll post some pictures soon!

Digging to China....

Actually they just wanted to dig far enough to reach water -- they did it! Mud, Mud, and More Mud. We hosed them off for dinner (which we ate outside) and then hosed them off again when it was finally time to come in for FHE. Baths, great FHE, family nintendo 64 tournaments, and beds. Great last day together before they leave for TX. In the morning we went to central park and found a great splash playground, and did the zoo there! Such fun!

Don't you love that Hunter is doing this in a pair of khakis! Ahhh!

Messy, Messy, Messy!!

I'm sure Mom and Dad will be happy to know how much Felicity takes after me! Messy, messy, messy!! I made crepes for breakfast this morning, and with her on my hip, got a little too close to the bowl of batter! She pulled it right off the counter!! (can I really blame this on her, though, or do I have to chalk it up to another of my own messes!?)

I sang "The Wedding Song" at a wedding this evening, and it went so well! Ben accompanied me, and a friend sang an alto part that we came up with. It was great! Last night we had a cookout (or actually a cook-in) at our house with a bunch of friends. There were over 20 people here, and half of them were children 8 and under! Ben cooked hot dogs and hamburgers, and everyone brought something to share! So much fun! Everyone had a great time visiting and the kids played legos and hide-n-go-seek. We're definitely going to have to do it again soon!

Adding to the fun, this evening after 3 of 4 were in bed..... Ben gave Nathan his first little saxophone lesson! Nathan was still dressed up from being at the wedding, and he looks so cute with that big sax around his neck! He has decided that he wants to have a lesson every Thursday, except this next week when his lesson will be on Monday; when he turns 13, however, he'll switch instruments to the oboe!

--and for anyone who may have been worried..... the mohawks came off this afternoon! Everyone is decent for church!

How to make an 8 yr old happy....

Give him a mohawk, of course!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so thankful for my Dad. He is one of the very best of men. I was talking to my sister on the phone the other day and I heard my Dad's voice in the background, and this warm, wonderful feeling came over me just knowing that that was my Dad. I don't even know what he was saying, I just heard his voice.

"I love you, Dad"

I'm also very thankful for my father-in-law. He is so kind and generous with everyone. He does so many good things, and I'm especially thankful for the way that he raised his son!

"I love you, Papa"

My husband is one of the best Dad's ever! He does so many good, fun things with our children. They love it! He is such a good spiritual leader and example in our home and I'm so very grateful for him.

"I love you, Sweetheart!"

We got him a book for Father's Day this year and the boys wrote a little note inside which they came up with all on their own. It said ...

"Dad, you are the best.

We all love you.

You are so strong, nice,

faithful, and loving."

Love,

Nathan, Hunter, Gary, Felicity & Robin

I'm so very grateful for all the father's in my life! I love you all!

A Time To Learn

Things I've learned today.....

1. Don't ever try to paint a room with 4 children "helping you"!

I'm attempting to paint Gary's room, and Nathan and Hunter are so ready and eager to help! So I put Gary in his crib, Felicity in her bouncer, and the big boys and I in painting clothes! It was pretty intense!! No major catastrophies -- though I don't recommend tempting fate....

2. I learned (again) how wonderful my neighbors are!

We needed our car to be in two places at once, so I called on one of my neighbors to pick up the boys from their half day of school. She has a son at the same school, so she was more than happy to help. On top of that she brought over a big bag of clothes that her children had outgrown. Felicity and Gary are going to be very well dressed for the next 2 years!

3. If there are only 2 minutes left on the timer for the cookies in the oven, don't leave the house!!

Yes, I put someone in charge of taking them out, however......!! I know how I get when I'm on the phone with my sister, so lets just say that the same is true for Ben being on the phone with his brother! We had "chocolate" cookies!

4. No matter how hard I try, Ben will still beat me at "Dr. Mario"!

After the kitchen was clean this evening the boys, Ben and I had a "Dr. Mario" tournament on the N64. It was great! Best of three with teams. I think that in all the games we played they each beat me at least once! And Ben can come from behind like you wouldn't believe! So much fun!!!

5. Don't leave an 8 yr old unsupervised to put his own marshmallow fluff on his crackers!

I seriously couldn't believe it! You could barely see the cracker itself, and the fluff was about 2 inches high! Ahhhhh! I must say he was very good about letting me "help him" spread it out!

6. Apparently there's an unwritten rule that says once you turn 2 yrs old you automatically know how to climb out of your play pen!

Enough said.....!!

Happy Birthday Gary!! (yesterday)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY !!!!

6/12/09

Yesterday was a great day! Who doesn't love having a birthday party! Gary is officially 2 yrs old, and he's wonderful! When we ask him how old he is, he says "TWO", and holds up all 5 fingers! He loved all his gifts! "Thank you everyone!" He recieved a "meow-meow" from Hunter, a tent from Nathan, a rocket from Grandy & Papa, a push toy from Mom and Dad, a puppet from Nana-lee, and puzzles from Nana & Grandpa!