A Beach Date

The last Friday in July we went to the beach with my friend Keri and her little boy, Jacob.  The boys had a great time playing in the water and searching for fish.  There were some pretty big sunnies in the water!  Keri and I had a nice time catching up in the cool of the morning (we went early to beat the heat). 

Chase runs out of the water

Here comes Owen

3 boys looking for fish

What We've Been Up To

 On the early mornings of August we have dressed up in Halloween costumes and played Monkey and Cheetah. 

We've also played with shaving cream and made a big mess with mom.  It was lots of fun.

Little Hearts

Last week at bedtime I was singing Owen his favorite song, "Maker".  Which is about God, the maker.  I had not told Owen who the maker was, however, but we sang the song at VBS so I thought maybe he knew.  I asked, "Owen who do you think the maker is?"  He looked at me and without hesitation said, "God."  WOW!  I was so happy to hear he "got it!"  My heart was so happy.

Tonight as we were going to bed I told Owen how proud I was of him for his courage today at the dentist and at swimming lessons. I told him God had given him courage.  He said, "God owie."  I said, "Yes and then what?"  Owen said, "Died,"  I was shocked he knew Jesus had died!  I mean, we talk about it, read about it, etc., but he knew!  I then asked, "Then what?"  He didn't say anything so we talked about how Jesus came back alive, how great it was and how he lives with us now and everywhere. My heart was just bursting at the seams as I told Jeff about it.  He went in to tuck Owen in and say goodnight and had the same conversation.  My eyes were brimming with tears.

What a great parenting moment.  I mean really.  If that's all I do right in life I will be happy that my children know the Lord.

A Hot Visit

 

We had a great visit with my parents last weekend (July 7th-9th).  It was a hot one, that's for sure!  

 

Owen is eating one of Nana's good cookies!

 

Papa, Owen, Nana

 

Chase gets to enjoy one of Nana's cookies too!

 

Jim and Sandy invited us out on their pontoon.  It was soooo hot, we were all sweating.  With the breeze, it wasn't as bad, though. 

Papa Anderson gives Owen a drink of water.

 

Jeff and the boys-Owen acting goofy.

Our family

 

Papa and nose-picking Chase

 

Hot little Chase

Steamy Owen

 

Papa Anderson and the boys

 

Papa Berger lets Chase drive the boat

 

Papa plays with Chase's blankies. My parents were able to come to Chase and Owen's first swimming lesson on Monday-however, the minute we got there it started to storm.  We waited out the storm for an hour and got to know the swim instructor (the lessons are at her house).  The lessons were cancelled but we still had fun waiting out the storm. We did a lot of playing in the house, the yard, and taking walks to the park!

 

In their undies, C & O bid Papa and Nana farewell.  It was a fun visit.

Children's Museum

 We went to the Children's Museum last week and had a BLAST! I have been wanting to go for like 2 years so when we finally went it was sweet!  The boys loved it and were so excited to explore.  They were really good listeners and shared.  We were there 3 hours and it felt like 1. 

Chase drove the big bus in the town exhibit.

 

Chase gets carrots and other food to put in his cart.

 

Owen pushes his cart up the ramp to see the animal friends.

 

Owen smiles sweetly.

 

Owen found the cash register and loved it. He somehow figured out how to open it and inside was "momey" (money).  He thought that was cool.  I think the grocery story and restaurant were a favorite. They wanted to stay here all day.  Chase loaded all the vegetables into his cart until it was overflowing. 

 

Owen tries to turn on the water at the restaurant.  We had so much fun here. Chase and Owen made me soup.  They used the pretend mop and broom to clean up pretend messes on the floor, that Chase pointed out by saying, "Messy!" 

 Chase throws the ball down the ramp

 Exploring the big blocks

 

My little Chasey

 Owen post face painting.  Can you see Chase behind him so carefully putting paint on his face?

 Chase's face painting, which is only on the side of his face.  I got him to put a little on his nose, but he didn't want it on the front of his face.

 

Owen's face painting.  He was so into putting it around his mouth.  It was fun to watch him. I wonder if he put it around his mouth because he's seen me put lipstick on?

 

There was a big room with a bunch of water features and the boys were in heaven.  Owen uses the scoop to see what happens to the ball.  There was a big waterfall area.  You could put your boat at the top and see it flow down.  Chase loved this and had to wait his turn, which made him sad.

It was interesting to watch the boys.  Chase liked to be around me and needed me to help him when he didn't get his way.  Owen was independent. He waited his turn, figured things out on his own and was very patient if the thing he was playing with didn't do what it was supposed to the first time. 

 Outside at the rooftop exhibit.  They were in a big sand box and loved it.

 Chasey patted down the sand.

 Chase uses the mop to create water art on the floor.

 Owen shows me his little mop just for kids

 Owen is a turtle!

 

Chase comes out of the cave

 My two little boys looking at the two little turtles.  I'm not sure they knew they were real!

 Owen carefully touches a turtle

 Playing with animals

 Owen is saying "SSSSSS"  for the snake figure he is playing with.

This was my attempt at getting them to say "cheese"

 Wiped out!

We were all POOPED!  Chase and Owen took naps on the way home and then they were awake the rest of the day.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Oh My Gosh

So, apparently I say this phrase a lot, as my child Chase said, "Oh Gosh!" when he saw something amazing at the Children's Museum yesterday.

Hokey Pokey, is Poopy oopy

Last night we were playing in the backyard.  The boys get so hot so I got out the sprinkler.  Then we transitioned to baseball.  Daddy helped Owen hit the ball and he was pretty good!  Owen was so excited and proud. After each hit he would turn around and look at Jeff and just smile this huge smile.  It was precious.  Then it was Chase's turn.  Owen decided to pitch, which I didn't think would go very well.  He surprised me! Owen drew back and threw the best overhand pitch a little boy could throw!  While I was screaming with excitement my other child, Chase, hit the ball all by HIMSELF! Jeff was screaming for Chase and I was screaming for Owen. Owen threw another great pitch and Chase hit the ball again!  It was so amazing and so cute!  Owen continued to throw some great pitches and Chase hit a couple more balls.  It was such a fun time.