So wonderful.

Since joining Awana, Noah has a weekly bible verse to memorize. 

It's pretty simple usually, maybe like "God loved us and sent His Son"

This week it is "I am wonderfully made". 

We go over it daily, sometimes twice a day. 

He's having a bit of trouble this week. 

I prompted him a bit. 

"I am....."

To which he finished off "I am sooooooooo wonderful". 

And clearly not so humble. 

Um, okay.  Totally not getting it. 

Guess we will work on that a bit more tomorrow. 

Toilet Paper Mystery

I'm not exact ally sure what happened.

I just know we had toilet paper on the roll before nap.

And after nap, I had an empty roll and a clogged toilet.

He said "sorry mommy, I didn't know"

Don't tell me he didn't know not to empty the roll into the toilet.

Probably while it flushed so he could watch it go down still attached.  

Ahhhh, oh well
At least he had fun.
And sometimes a boy's gotta learn by doing.
And it was sooooo hard not to laugh.

Little Geocacher

We have been geocaching almost every weekend since it cooled down a bit.

This little dude is getting the hang of it.

We have been out to this bike path twice. 

There are 12 caches there.

We got smart this time and packed the scooter.

Last time we were 2/3

Only 1/3 this time. (boo)

Geocaching in AZ is a lot different than back east.

You need to be alert for all kinds of critters when you are digging.

And bush whacking, though I'm not big on bush whacking myself.

This little guy likes it though, and has to be reminded on a minute to minute basis to kick things before he grabs them.

Definitely enjoying the outdoor activity though! 

Good to see that little body move!

Play date (?!?!?)

We had a play date this morning.
Normally I avoid them at all costs.
It usually turns into Noah fighting and me yelling.
Not good for new company.
That usually scares them away really fast.

I've been so busy the last few weeks/months that I have not really had a day home in a long time.
With nothing of the calendar.
So when I saw nothing to do, I got a bit nervous.
That can be a looooong day of nothing for me and him.

I got brave and invited a gal from the park and her two boys over.
The accepted.
And it was a total hit.

Only there was no hitting involved.
(Except two instances-one with a blow up hammer, and one with a toy car, both of which were diffused quickly).
It's so nice when kids click.
It's kind of interesting how some kids click and some kids don't.

But anyway, they did, and I really enjoyed the company of the mom.
And the little brother was just soooooo good.
I've never seen a baby so chill before.

So truth be told the play date wasn't as scary as I thought. ;)
And it turned out considerably better than I expected.
And I can't tell you how pleased I am with the whole thing.
It's such a great feeling when your kid gets along with the kid and you get along with the mom.

I'll update again at the next one (already planned!!!).

6:30 Snuggles

This boy is a snuggler.

I'm not, so its definitely been a learning experience for me.

This morning, I heard a little "mommy!" at 6:30.

I went it, mostly because its not typical (usually its "I WENT POOPY!!!")

When I went in and he said "mommy, can you lay with me?"

Why not.  Maybe I could close my eyes for a few more minutes.

Then he said "mommy can I lay next to you?"

Sure.  He is not always going to want to do that.

And then "Mommy can I tell you a story about a dog that was jumping around on the bed and then fell off, and it was soooooo funny?

uh....sure.

Visions of sleeping were rapidly diminishing at this point.

So then I took a deep breath and giggled at the story about the dog, and the several others that followed soon after.

Love this little kiddo.

And am cherishing every snuggle I can get.

Even at 6:30 in the morning.

Pumpkin Patch

We were a little hesitant.

We are in behavior boot camp again.

And the pumpkin patch is a 40 minute drive.

And $12 a person.

Including Noah.

But we went for it.

And it was so worth it.

The number of fun things they had to do went on and on and on:

a jumping pillow,

straw mountain,

train ride,

tractor ride to the pumpkin patch,

a petting zoo,

play areas,

a mini zip line.

It was insane.

This little dude had so much fun.

And so did we.

Some people were kind enough to help us get a family picture too!

So fun to watch your kid get the opportunity to experience these things!

Love it!

Sweet Snuggler

This old guy turns 13 in 4 days.

He has slowed down some, however he still has more than his fair share of spunk.

We found him like this lat week.

All snuggled up with Noah's stuffed animals.

Cozy as could be.

Wish I could have remembered this sweet sight when he woke me up this morning howling for breakfast.

After all, he is only so sweet.

Scavenger Hunt Fail

I was trying to get the kid a little structured exercise.

After all 30 minutes of structured exercise is recommended per day.

So we set out on scavenger hunt bike ride.

With the above list.

We reviewed it before hitting the road.

"Leaf, swing, lamb..."

Uhhh, lamb?

"Yup, see he has legs."

Um, okay.  I guess I could see that.

Except we would have to ride a lot more than 30 minutes to find one of them.

Back Float

WHAT?!?!?

Who is that kid??

Oh wait, he's mine.

And he is doing his very own back float.

Without help.

And his legs aren't perpendicular to the water.

And he isn't screaming (well he is in one of the pictures, but not all).

Who knew it was possible?!?!?

pics

iphone dump from last weeks trip

not easy taking a "selfie" when there are 4 people involved

very pretty

lots of hiking

lots of eating

though considerably less photos of that

lots of talking, bonding and hanging out

Good friends

Nothing beats that

Catch Up

1. Wow.  I've been very busy!  I have only slept in my bed once in the past 8 nights!  I spent a week in Georgia with my college girlfriends hanging out, eating, talking and hiking. It was a really good time, and I thoroughly enjoyed the break from daily life. I'll post some pictures tomorrow, maybe when I can actually get my butt off the couch.

2. I got home on Friday, after a looooong day of travel.  Then on Saturday morning, we packed up and headed to Wild Horse Pass resort to celebrate Terry's birthday!  It was a really fun time, which included many many trips down the water slide (for the little schuld and the big schuld).  Noah did really well in the hotel room, and I got a brief crazy thought that he might be ready to start traveling some.  After a traumatizing cruise (when Noah was nine months old) we kinda stopped traveling and sharing a room with Noah.  So maybe, just maybe, we will brave it again.

3. On Friday we welcomed a new baby girl to our family!  Audrey Sophia was born to Jeyson and Stephanie in Brazil, and we are sooooo excited about her birth!  She has sent lots of pictures, and I got to FaceTime with her today!  What a blessing...so awesome to watch their family grow. ;)

4. We came home to poop all over Noah's room today.   Ugh. It was nasty. We have a dog watcher, who is really a great kid. I understand, sometimes it just happens. But oh, it was gross. It took us a good while to get everything cleaned up, shampooed, dried, etc.  Not fun to come home to.

5. In addition to coming home to the poop house, I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, and jeremy has a colonoscopy on Tuesday. Talk about a rude awakening. Hoping he can hang I there during the colonoscopy "prep". I've never done it myself, but it sure doesn't seem fun. ;). Hopefully I can hang I there too.

6. My child has had a somewhat new fascination with guns, and  being "dead". I guess it's normal, especially for boys, but he just seems SO young!  His teacher said it's been a hour topic at school, so maybe that's where he gets it from. For sure, not here!!!  Even when I pointed out a car transporter to him driving home today he said "I wonder why those cars are on the car transporter. Maybe they are dead". Uhhhhh, maybe so.

7. Getting caught up on laundry, floors, grocery shopping, errands is no fun. Library books to return, out of milk, appointments, etc. I'm really craving some home time...and hoping to get some over the next few days, although some of what I need to do it out.  

8. Also, I'm MAJORLY having to catch up on workout. I did manage to get several workouts I. Over my trip, I struggled yesterday and today during my workouts. Majorly. Something about not being able to put the fork down. Yikes. Hate when that happens.

9. Swim lessons are over, and  hallelujah the kid did a back float.  Amazing. I don't even know how it happened, but 26 lessons later there it was. I didn't get to witness it, because apparently, he "does better when jeremy brings him" but whatever. He also swam the length of the pool and was able to pick his head up and take a few breaths. Sooooo glad. Lots of time and money well spent. ;)

10. Happy Sunday. So glad to be home!