Security!

We now have 8 locks between our two sliding doors at the back of the house.  It seems that we have finally found a way to secure the back doors to where Jackson cannot get out. 

It may not look like much but this keyed lock is at the top of each door.  We keep the key in a separate room (don’t worry if there is a fire I will break the glass with the tool bench) and even if Jackson could get to the key and reach the top of the door I don’t think he could get it open because you have to push the key in and turn it.  So I *think* we are good!  Yay. . .

We thought these locks were going to be so great and then the day Jay installed them Jackson used a broom stick (and then later a golf club and multiple other items) to open it. 

There are two other locks on each door but both boys can undo both of them.  I never thought I would have to go to so much effort to keep my kiddos in the house.  Phew. . .boys are tough, but I’ve heard I might be paying it up front.  Let’s hope so!

A Day at the Park

These pictures go with the park video from the other day.  We had a great day despite the 107 degree heat.  The boys love being outside and it’s so worth it once we are there. . .with lots of water!

Bear is just a total love bug.  He’s always happy and loves to cuddle.  What a joy of a child!

Jackson is such an active and challenging kid but he is also the most fun, creative, sweetest and most tender hearted little boy in the world.  I am so blessed to have my two amazing boys!

I love this shot of Bear.  He looks so irritated that I have interrupted his business call.

Jack made me promise that I would post this “silly mommy” picture that he took of me.  What a fun day with my sweeties!

Visiting Bill

Last Monday the boys and I went with Grandmommy to visit Bill.  Jackson was taking the picture so he isn’t in it.  We had a great visit and then a wonderful time playing at Grandmommy’s house.

Singing in the rain. . .

Every time it rains my sweet sanguine son immediately gets his rain gear and runs out to sing.  He gets outside and exclaims 1) singing in the rain, 2) raindrops falling on my head and then walks around saying 3) tut tut it looks like rain!

Jack brings so much spontaneous fun and excitement into our home!

Weekend with the Hirst Kiddos

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of keeping Ellie and Charlie so that Adrienne and Damian could have a very much needed babymoon.  We had a fantastic time and the kids loved every minute of having their friends at our home.

When the kids first got there I snapped a few group pictures.  I knew it would probably be my only chance !

Saturday morning Jay helped the kids to build a huge tent in the living room.  At one point all 4 kids and Jay were inside.  What a fun daddy!

Jackson was so funny and wanted to help Ellie put on and take off her shoes at every opportunity.  She seemed to like it as well as she would call to him every time she needed help with anything.  He also insisted on helping Charlie with everything as well.

Besties Charlie and Baron loved every minute of their time together.

They were always right next to each other no matter what was going on.

Love happy little Charlie.

At one point I was making lunch and heard the boys hysterically laughing in the play room.  I walked in to see this. . .

I may be wrong but I don’t remember Jackson playing this much with anyone at this age.  I think he was still doing parallel play.  But these guys are serious buddies.  I love it.

Sunday the kids had a blast playing at church between the services.

Sweet little Charlie.

Jay had the “bigs” in his car because he had taken them to home depot to do the kids project and also to US Toys to play for the afternoon.  I had the “littles” and they were thrilled to be together.  They held hands and laughed and played the whole time. 

What a great weekend!  I just wish that I had more pictures of all of the fun that the bigs had.  Thanks A & D for trusting us with your sweet babies!  We’d love to have them again soon.

Extreme Living Room Make Over

Last month my awesome MOMS play group surprised us with an amazing make over of our living room.  It was so incredibly sweet and generous of them and I just can’t even explain the difference it makes in our home.  Here are a few before pictures:

This is the room while we were taking everything out.  But boxes (and “time out” pack n play) aside, you get the picture.  Dark wood paneling circa 1978. . .ugh.

Jackson (still in his pull up from nap) loved helping us take everything off of the shelves.  Of course here they were also a “catch all” for all of the sanding supplies.

Jackson also loved sanding!

Jay (and Heath for 4 days) spent every night for a week sanding, caulking and using wood putty prepping the room for primer. 

Thanks so much for your help Uncle Heath!

Jay was very detail oriented and it really paid off!

Friday night the group came over and we all primed away.  What great friends to do all of this work in our home!!!

And then Saturday we were at it again. 

Frozen cappuccinos were a hit.

Jen and Landy are both master painters!

These guys are the best!

Bart left a little message for us on the back of the tv!

After the weekend the room was looking fantastic.  All that was left was the trim and the bookcase.  Also you may be wondering where all of the kiddos were during this time.  Adrienne (who had masterminded this whole project) kept most of the kiddos at her house all weekend.  She by far had the hardest job.  Luckily I was able to farm out Jackson to Jaclyn on Saturday and Gaga took both boys all day Sunday.  Thank you so much to everyone who donated an entire weekend to painting and child care! 

Even after all of the walls were painted Landy, Jessica and Jennifer wanted to come back and finish the trim.  Rumor has it that I’m not a very good painter.  That being said I was on kid duty while these fabulous ladies finished the room.

These sweet kiddos watched Tangled during what would have been their nap time.

The final day of painting the kids were having a blast together.

The room is not yet decorated but even with out being totally back together you can see the massive change.  Thanks so much to all of my sweet friends for this most wonderful surprise, we are LOVING our new living room!!

Ta Da!!!

And as usual thanks so much to Lesley for picking all of our colors!