Summer Heat

Today was a hot June day! The temperature rose to a scolding 98 degrees in fact. We decided to hide from the heat and spend the entire day indoors at home. This morning after breakfast though Eleanor and I decided to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things. It is so fun to get one on one time with just one child. I love it.

After naps I taught Everett how to play Candy Land. He picked up on the rules right away!

Eleanor was attached to mama all day! The boys decided they wanted to spend most of the day in their pi's so we put Eleanor in her jammies too!

After a lot of play time it was time for dinner! Today was the first day we have grilled this season. We grilled hot dogs (well veggie dogs) and burgers (whole grain tofu burgers). The kids loved it though! Eric also grilled corn and made macaroni and cheese. 

And then for dessert the boys had fruit juice pops! They were really messy but they loved them.

What a perfectly fun way to beat the summer heat! We love fun days at home as a family. Chaos and all, it is good quality time together.

Stairs

Ut-oh! Looks like we'll be bringing out the baby gate again!

 

June Bugs

We have been enjoying the summer so far, but have honestly not been going outside all that much. It's too hot! The boys get all red in the face and sweaty and with their fair skin I'm always concerned they'll burn. Here are some other random things I want to remember:

This is the definition of strong-willed: Yesterday Hampton made the little mess pictured below.
Four DVDs outside of the box we keep them in.

I kindly asked him to clean up and put the DVDs away. He said no. He went to time out. I asked him again. He once again protested and was put into time out. This went on for an hour and a half!!! He is so stubborn. He was not able to play and had to sit in time out until he put them away. 

Finally he did it! And I was exhausted. He was too. Being that stubborn is hard work.

Wresting with one another is how these boys show love. The boys attack Eric. It is very funny.

Sassy will stick with hugs and kisses though. 

One thing I love about summer are all the cute clothes! Eleanor has not worn shoes in months and it is so easy.

This little boy has been a real handful lately. He is definitely two. Testing boundaries and throwing fits. However when he is happy- he is HAPPY. Singing and dancing and having a party. 

Everett has been going to Vacation Bible School this week. In true Everett form, he cries every day that  I drop him off. His teachers say within seconds he is happy once again and is having a great time. He told me he is learning about Jonah, likes the singing, and the other day had the most delicious treat-he said, "they are called gummy worms Mama and they were so good!" 

While Everett was at Bible school this morning Eleanor, Hampton, and I went on a picnic in Biltmore Park. It is hard to keep Hampton contained, but it was good for Eleanor. She liked sitting in the grass but kept trying to eat it. That girl will eat anything! We have yet to find a food she does not like.

We've had a good June. I cannot believe it is almost July!

Limitations

This is a picture less post- something I rarely do. However, I want to remember my current thoughts. This morning we went to the arboretum. We go to the arboretum a lot. Recently I have discovered what I can and cannot do on my own with the three babies. For example, going to the pool on my own with them? No. I have learned that from recent experience. I can handle a short trip to Walmart or Target. I can handle one or two different playgrounds-the ones that are fenced in. And I can handle the arboretum. I used to try and be a super mom attempting to conquer doctor visits, haircuts, big shopping trips and the dentist all on my own. It was stressful and I couldn't be there for all of them like I needed to be. I would come home exhausted and frustrated. So we are staying home for the most part. We did get some fresh air today though. We walked around the arboretum and then got lunch at the cafe. While I was paying for our meal I turned around and saw both of my boys on the elevator-and the doors were closing! My back was turned for just a few seconds and off they went. I was able to stop the elevator and I just had to laugh. They are such a handful! I know Eleanor will be joining them when she is able to walk. Then I am really in for it!

Our Day

Today I had a pleasant day at home with all the babies. My morning started off at 5am when Eleanor wanted a bottle. Then soon following, about 5:30, Hampton decided it was time to get up. As soon I as I get one child's sleep schedule to normal, another one decides to shake things up. Hampton has been waking up way too early lately! Thankfully though Everett slept until 7. While Hampton was watching a video I made a big batch of whole wheat cinnamon waffles. Yum!
After breakfast we played with the toy food and all the utensils. This kept everyone busy for awhile. During Eleanor's nap the boys watched a video and I was able to get some laundry done and dust the house. I also may or may have not had second breakfast.
During Eleanor's nap the boys and I also worked on a craft project. Then it was off to play and play some more. I am so happy that for the most part the children are very content playing all day in our playroom.
For lunch we had peanut butter and honey wraps with grapes. Then it was off to nap time. Hampton now naps in the boys room and Eleanor naps in her room. Everett "rests" in the playroom for at least an hour. Today however he was down there for a solid two hours! He was narrating and carrying on, so I left him alone to his imagination. During that time I was able to eat some lunch, clean, and watch some of The Bachelorette.
After naps we had a light snack and played once again. Tonight's dinner was a pumpkin penne bake and peas. There was some slight negotiating about eating with Everett, but the promise of ice-cream for dessert was enough to get him to finish his meal.
After dinner and cleaning the kitchen, we went outside to blow bubbles and take a short walk. Then it was off to bath time. While the boys watched Little Bear, Eleanor and I snuggled in her room and then she went to the bed. The boys and I then read some books and had snuggle time as well.
I know hear the boys squealing and laughing upstairs in their beds and I am exhausted! Exhausted....but I know how blessed I am. I cherish the days I have at home, even though it is exhausting. Praying for rest tonight.


 

She is into everything and is everywhere! Dare I say she is quite a handful?
They know they aren't supposed to do this (they are on the coffee table!) 

 

Accepting the mess. I want to find a sign and post it on my front door that says: Pardon our mess. We have small children. 

 

 

Everett did all of these jigsaw puzzles himself with very little help! I know I am a bit bias, but he is such a smart boy!

Our craft project 

 

 

Tonight's dinner

Friends Visit

Yesterday the children and I made the 1 hour/15 minute journey down to Liberty, SC to visit our friends. The Burke children practically line up exactly to our children in age and gender. We always have so much fun! The boys ran wildly about and the girls chatted in the kitchen. Perfect.
And Miss Amy showed us their garden. Here she is showing Everett a baby watermelon.

 

And Everett helped pick some of the produce.

Hampton was searching for a horse here on the neighboring property.

 

We had such a great time. We were there from 9-5:30 and all the babies were wore out! Thankfully they all caught a power nap on the way home. Such a fun visit. At the end of the day Everett said "That was fun. Shall we do it again sometime?" I think we will!

Eric's Birthday

We celebrated Eric's birthday last week. We had a really fun family day.

We served him breakfast in bed: cinnamon maple quinoa, fresh blueberries, and a Starbucks iced coffee.

We then headed to our favorite spot: the arboretum. It was a beautiful day.

The boys love to run and play there and we love it too! We even had lunch at their cafe.

 

 

 

 

The boys checking out a worm.

Oh we just love this guy. He makes us laugh all the time. He is gracious. He is kind. We miss him completely when he is away.

And by golly- I think he loves us too!

After lunch we took a walk on one of the trails.

For lunch I made an Eric birthday tradition- Farmers Pasta. And the perfect end were these fudgy brownies with peanut butter frosting. Eric and I then went on a date that night. We went to downtown Asheville for dinner and a movie.

Happy Birthday Eric/Daddy! We love you!!!

Summer Photos

This morning was fun. The children's babysitter Yvonne, who is also a photographer and our friend, joined us at the arboretum to capture some summer photos. I am always so nervous when I set out to get photos because the children as always so unpredictable. They actually did pretty well though. Of course there were some treats involved! After our photo shoot and some play time we had lunch at the cafe. The children enjoyed cheese, grapes, bulgar wheat salad, bananas, granola, chicken salad, and pumpkin bread! I am so impressed with how well Eleanor eats now. She loves to feed herself. With full bellies, the babies are now upstairs napping. What a great morning! These are the pictures I took.......

Handsome Everett

Silly Hampton

 

Oh I love those big blues! 

A lollipop treat that was promised for cooperation.

I love this one.

Boys in Converse tennis shoes. So sweet. 

My sweet Eleanor was definitely ready to eat at this point.

 

 

 

 

Can you spot Everett?