Ten

1.  The other day we were driving in the car and telling jokes.  You know, kids jokes that don't make any sense but they think are hilarious.  Grant said,"mommy, you are always so silly.  I appreciate that about you."  I made him repeat it just to make sure I heard him right.  Where does he come up with these things???

2. After a month of being sick, I am finally feeling better.  I started off with a nasty virus that everyone in our town seems to have.  Unfortunately, my sore throat stuck around for 3 weeks.  It would go away for a day or two and then come back.  I finally went to the dr and found out I had a sinus infection.  So thankful to finally be feeling 100% again.  Having no energy while being extremely busy is no fun!

3.  I took Grant to see his first movie the other day- Planes.  I think I was more excited than he was!  We walked in the theater and he sat down and looked at me and said,"mommy, you didn't tell me the tv was going to be this big."  So cute!

4.  Up until last week, Grant has had no interest in picking out clothes, getting himself dressed, etc... Last week he came downstairs totally dressed and he even matched.  I was so impressed.  Yesterday, he came down in this lovely ensemble...

5.  Ashton seems to be in his,"no" phase.  Everything that you say or do gets a,"no" reply. We are also starting to see his stubborness come out big time as well.  He refuses to ride in the stroller and just screams when you put him in- he wants to walk by himself and also refuses to hold your hand which doesn't work for me.  I have tried the wagon, but he gets a little ways, he suddenly says home and starts the screaming process.  This is starting to limit our outings because I am sick of all the nasty looks I get from people when I am pushing a stroller with a screaming child!

6. We are heading out for our first ever camping adventure in a few weeks.  We won a "luxurious" trailer from a contest a few months ago.  Turns out, we are getting a smaller RV which isn't exactly what I was thinking when we were told it would be luxurious, but, it is better than a tent!  Are there any tips of what to bring, recipes to make, etc.. that you want to share?  Like, what to do with a toddler that usually sleeps in a pack and play when there is no room in your RV for a pack and play?  I am all new to this so anything you have to share is welcome.

7. As we start to purchase things for our new house  (that hopefully someday will actually get started!) I have decided that no one makes boy shower curtains.  There are so many ruffles and polka dots out there but nothing that is boyish unless you want to spend $50+.  Why is it so hard to make something cute for a boys bath that doesn't have frogs or ducks on it?  I just want a curtain that will last for more than a year- is that too hard to ask???

8.  The other night I set down an ear of corn on Ashton's plate.  He chowed that thing down in about 2.5 seconds and asked for another and it was gone in record time as well.  I think we have finally found his favorite food!

9. Have you ever noticed that it is hard for some women to accept a compliment?  The other day someone told me they liked my dress.  I then responded with a thanks and then a long explanation of where I got it and how I got a great deal on it.  Why is it so hard to just say thanks?  I always feel like I have to justify the purchase or make some sort of explanation.  I started paying attention when I compliment others and I am definitely not the only one to do this!  My current challenge is to say thanks and walk away. 

10.  Blessing of the week:  it seems like I have heard a lot of stories lately of cancer and sickness and life altering injuries.  These stories always remind me how blessed I am with three healthy boys (jason included) and to never take a minute for granted.

Cottage 2013

Between our annual cottage trip with Jason's family, my parents renting a cottage by the lake in our town, Grant not napping anymore (leaving me no computer time) and house building stuff, my blog has seriously become neglected.  I apologize to all the family out there waiting for their weekly update!  I just need more time or at least for the family that is complaining to come babysit :)

A couple weeks ago we went on our annual trip to the cottage with Jason's family.  It was hard to believe that it was five years ago that I dreaded this trip.  We had just lost the girls and I was in a really bad place.  Being there for that week with family and all the kids was so so hard. As I reflected back on that week, I was just so thankful to be in a good place mentally where I can go enjoy all of the kids and not have all those envious feelings anymore.

The weather was less than cooperative.  It was chilly, windy and rainy so most days were spent wrapped up in a blanket watching the kids play in the yard.  I was bummed that Grant didn't get a lot of time in the lake because I really wanted him to work on his confidence with swimming.  Ashton on the other hand was very comfortable.  He is already trying to put his head under water and blow bubbles like the big kids.  I have a feeling he might just pass Grant in swimming lessons next year!

Here are a few a lot snapshots of our week...

Grant and his cousin loved these kid kayaks.  They spent hours on a rainy day paddling around.  They could have cared less that they weren't sitting on them correctly!

Seriously, this kid is so darn cute that I just want to pinch him sometimes:)

That must have been a crazy ride on the wave runner with grandpa! 

 My boys fishing....

And then there is this little guy that melts my heart all over again with those blue eyes and white hair!
He insists on wearing his goggles even though he never actually puts them on his eyes.

Family tube ride minus Grant who was deathly afraid of anything that moved.  We had to bribe him just to sit on the tube for a picture.  Ashton however cried to get off the tube he loved it so much!

This is what happens every time I ask Jason to take a pic of me and the kids.  He complains about it and then the kids cry.  All I want is to look back on the pics in 20 years and know that I was actually on the vacation with them.  Is that too much to ask???

Grant has been bugging me for a super hero cape for a while now.  When his cousin asked for one for his birthday, I knew I couldn't get away with not getting one for G.  So, we did a sticker chart and worked on his whining and his listening and at the end of the week at the cottage, he was rewarded with his cape.  Of course, I had to get Ashton one too because I didn't want to deal with the arguments over one cape!

My annual cottage pics... my how they have grown!

 To another year at the cottage.....