212/365

The boys have really gotten into playing "beach party." This started last night with Daddy while I wa away scrapping with the gals. It's pretty funny. The strip down to their shorts and get blankets for "beach towels" and Cameron even "soaks up the rays." It is very, very cute to watch.

Our friends Robert, Cathy and Rilee are here from Texas! We are so happy and excited to see them. Their little girl, Rilee, is only a month older than the boys. I have missed them so much and can't wait to have them all play for a few days!

211/365

Really, really missing my Nikon at the moment. They say the part is on back order. Ugh! Get in already!

Okay, enough whining. Okay day. Cameron is still having such a hard time with the scratching thing. I have to figure something out for the little guy...this has been going on way too long now. Did get to go and scrap with a bunch of awesome women at church. It was a really nice evening...just what I needed!

210/365

Busy day. The boys headed to the local play place so I could get some stuff done around the house. They love it there. I am amazed they ask to go. They have never been this happy to go and me have them leave them somewhere. We are making progress!

And this is them watching the trash truck. I know it sounds really strange to be excited about the trash being picked up but we kind of started this while we lived in Texas. Our windows for the play area were on the second floor and they were huge. I think I started it as a distraction if I remember correctly and it kind of evolved. Whenever they hear the trash truck coming they have to run to the windows to watch. Ah, the simple pleasures in life.

209/365

We had a nice quiet day at home and shopping. I had asked if they wanted to go to their usual play spot and they said "no, stay home." So that is what we did. We did venture out for a while to look for something to do to their bathroom. I have a few ideas but wanted them to pick out the theme. So it is between penguins and sea creatures. Hmm, not sure which will prevail in the end. :)

I had to laugh at Cameron. As we pulled into the parking lot he said we were at a shopping center but then he went on to say he had to "fix his hair." What? Where did that come from? The only thing I could think of is that earlier that morning and the day before I had said I needed to get their hair cut and we had talked about it several times. It did make me laugh though!

And this photo is Noah waking up this morning. He so takes after me in the mornings! Poor little guy is doomed to a life of wanting to take it slow first thing. I wonder if that means a lot of frustration for mommy and daddy through the years. Hoping because I am the same way I can learn to have a good balance for him and not always rush him.

208/365

We went to one of the local county fairs this morning to see all the animals. Can you tell they liked the baby chicks? They had so much fun petting all the different animals and walking around. I discovered I am truly a city girl. No doubt about that one. The boys had a ball though and we plan to go to the state fair in the next few weeks when it starts as well. Oh the joys of seeing life through the eyes of your children!

207/365

Cameron is having such a hard time these days being away from me. I know this is normal for this age but it doesn't make it any easier. Especially since he has never done this before. It's been going on for about two weeks now but getting worse. This morning they had to page me about 15 minutes into the church service because he just wouldn't stop crying. Poor little guy! So tough for me to see.

Noah didn't nap today. Makes for one long afternoon and evening. He cried and cried when it was time to go to bed. I held him and rocked him for a while, which of course doesn't go over well with Cameron because he is in his bed and not the one being held. So hard to find a good balance these days. Trying though!

206/365

Nice day. We woke up to thunderstorms and all slept in a little. Well, if you call 15 minutes extra sleeping in. I'll take it! Got my hair cut today. Should have taken a picture but didn't. Added bangs so trying to decide if I like it or not. :)

The boys and daddy went to see a race car this morning. They seemed to have had a good time when they returned. I was able to actually do some cleaning without helpers for a change. Wow. You can get so much more done without a pair of 2.5 year olds helping...imagine that. They are cute and really do want to help so I won't complain when they do want to help. They won't be 2.5 forever even though some days I want to hold on to this age. And some days not so much. ;)

205/365

We had a good day today. Went to the zoo and the boys were SO good. I am so very proud of them. They have come so far and did fantastic listening to me and staying close. Of course when it came time to leave they were still wanting to see the animals but everything can't go perfectly now can it.

Mike made it home after his week away. So glad for him to be home. The boys really have started to miss him while he is away and I know it is hard on them and him to be gone. But this is life as we know it and they will do just fine.

204/365

One of my little guys rocking out. He has to be musical in some way, shape or form when he gets older!

203/365

Today was so, so much better than the last several. I am exhausted and headed to bed. The boys smiles light up my world and this was just an awesome picture of Noah right after his nap. In such a good mood!!!!!!

202/365

Today started off rough. No other way to put it. The boys are just all out of sorts and I don't know what to do to get them back on track. Will eventually get there though!

201/365

I am worn out. Noah FINALLY fell asleep maybe 10 minutes ago. Not sure what is going on with my children but I am ready for life to be back to normal. And I pray this is not normal!

We did manage to play outside today and have some fun. Just a rough evening is all I guess. Tomorrow is another day...

200/365

Wow, hard to believe it is my 200th post for the year! Times just really does fly.

We tried to go to Sunday school this morning. Well, I should rephrase that. We went to Sunday school but ended up not being able to stay for the entire time at church. The boys saw us come down and it was all over. Cameron was so upset so we tried to take them to church with us. They loved the music but couldn't stay quiet enough not to bother everyone around us so we had to leave just as the sermon was about to begin. I felt so bad! I really wanted to hear it too. Thankfully they put it through iTunes so I'll be able to hear it anyway, just not there in person.

The boys had an okay day. Ended kind of crazy and they are both sleeping peacefully in their pack-n-plays, in their room. Okay, the room has all their furniture (2 cribs, a dresser and a changing table/dresser) and 2 pack-n-plays. Can we say full? Should make for an interesting night!

199/365

Busy day. Feel like Saturdays are always spent running errands, cooking, cleaning. We did manage to make it to the Arts Festival this morning. The boys had fun and of course did not want to leave. Even though they were both worn out. We did get to see my old college professor play in two different bands so that was fun. The boys loved the music and had fun eating their lunch on the grass while listening to good music. Noah even graced us with some dancing a little later on. Of course while they were playing "Smooth Operator." I had to laugh at that one.

198/365

Um, we are back in jackets again half way through July? I am just not believing it!!!!!!

197/365

Not a good day at all to be honest. Had to call the doctor this morning for Cameron. Take Indy to the vet this afternoon unexpectedly and while Mike was with Indy I discovered Noah more than likely has pinkeye. Calgon take me away!

Noah has decided he likes to pull his pants down on his jammies when we put him in them each night. He usually ends up taking them off. Only his jammies at the moment, waiting for it to progress to all his clothes. He is going to be my child who likes to run around naked I am very afraid.

196/365

Wow. I have the most amazing children ever. They have ridden in the car for more than 22 hours in just four days and have been the most fabulous children ever. I am so very, very blessed. We had to head back a day early because of Cameron's allergy. Poor little guy sounded terrible this morning when he woke up. We left shortly before 7:00 am and by 9:00 he was back to his old self. Hardly coughed, sneezed or had a runny nose the rest of the day. Sad we had to cut the trip short but I do think Mike made the right call by suggesting we head home. This was them while napping in the car. Just as sweet as could be. They never even changed out of their jammies for the entire ride home. I figured I would let them be comfortable and when asked wanted to keep them on. Hey, don't rock the boat in my opinion.

195/365

We got to meet our new niece yesterday and play with her today! This is the happy family playing in the sand box. She is a doll. So, so good to finally meet her in person. Noah wasn't real crazy about me holding a baby. Cameron didn't seem to mind. He was just too busy playing. I think the only time it seemed to bother him was when the attention was taken from him from his grandparents for her. Going to have to get used to it though!

194/365

Fist full day in North Carolina and the boys were wonderful. I guess that means tomorrow will be not so good. That is usually how it works with them. One really great day and then the next a not-so-good day. But that's okay, we'll deal.

The boys got to go with PaPaw and Daddy to see his airplane. They loved it of course. They got to sit in it and pretend they were flying. They had a blast. I think Noah's favorite part was playing in all the water puddles around the hanger. They were both soaked head to toe when we made it back to the house. I was glad I rode along so I could capture this awesome picture of three generations.

193/365

The boys did absolutely fantastic on the drive from here to North Carolina. I was so excited. WE had about 30 minutes of Noah giving us fits because he was exhausted and couldn't get to sleep but once he got some rest he was just as happy as could be. I can't say enough how blessed I am to have such 2 amazing children!

Cameron drew this in the car and I swear it looks just like an airplane. Fisher Price makes a big clunky one with wheels and people for younger kids and this is just what it looked like to me. My little artist blossoming already!

192/365

Spent the day getting things ready for our trip and cleaning house. Fun, fun. Noah may be coming down with something but not 100% sure. He has woken up the last 2 mornings and coughed a few times but no other coughing. But he has been just kind of laying around a good part of the day. Praying we do not have sick kiddos on this trip!

191/365

Busy day. Cameron had his hearing checked and all was prefect. Then we played the rest of the afternoon and started getting ready for our upcoming trip. Wondering how they are going to do in the car for a full day at this age...

Cameron kept wanting to love on Indy all afternoon. While Indy was eating he decided it was time to go and give him some hugs. I missed the shots where he actually had his head laying on him but this was still a cute one of them. Poor Indy, so tolerant of the boys even while he is eating. Never any peace for the pup. But I will say he is a wonderful dog.

190/365

What a wonderful day! We started off meeting an old friend of mine from TX at The Children's Museum. It was a great time. Sorry I wasn't able to actually "visit" as much with her has I would have liked but it was still great to see her and meet her daughter, grandchildren and other family friends they had with them. Hopefully all had a good time and they have a safe trip to St. Louis today!

The boys did fantastic at the museum. They listened to me just about every time I asked them to do something. Each only had one little episode and they were such troopers on the way home. They even took a nap when we did make it back which shocked me beyond belief. I was all set for them to cat nap in the car and then not nap at all. Surprise, surprise. What a nice one!

There was a car going about 10 mph under the speed limit when we were trying to get home and I was being impatient. Made the comment the car needed to move along and Cameron chimes in with "car, move it along." Ha! At least it wasn't anything bad so I know I am careful with what I say in front of them thankfully.

Still missing my Nikon!

189/365

Hard to believe we are over half way through the year now. Where does all the time fly? The boys and I headed to the park this morning and had a good time. They of course didn't want to leave. Noah didn't want to go and about half way through he didn't want to leave. He really cracks me up lately with this no thing. Everything is no. And then once he gets into it he loves it. He is my sensory child for sure. Cameron is my adventurer.

The weather has been so cool here this last week. Literally. It was only like 75 degrees today at 3:00 pm. Crazy for me. Not used to this, but sure could get used to it! I just can't say enough how very much this place truly feels like home to me.

188/365

Noah didn't want to get up and going this morning. Seems the norm these days. That is one of the main reasons I am still pondering as to if they should be in their own rooms. They just sleep so differently. But I just keep waiting for that magical answer to come to me. Until then, they stay together tucked safely in their cribs.

We tried something new this morning. There is a place here that is "drop in" child care. No appointment needed, etc. I needed to get some things done here at the house that I can't do while they are up and running around. It just never seemed I was going to get the time so we had a clear schedule this morning so off we went. They did fantastic. So much so they didn't want to leave. Noah cried when we were leaving and continued to do so even half way home. This is not my child, they switched him or something while they were there. He NEVER does that. He didn't even cry when I dropped him off!!!!! Have we turned a corner????? I am praying so.

187/365

Long day. I think allergies are going to be the death of me. If I don't figure out what this is and soon I am going to shrivel up into nothing. Ugh! I am sure everyone in my house is ready for me to be back to normal again. :)

We went walking with some other moms and kiddos this morning and then to the park to play. I thought that would be a good way to wear the boys out but I was wrong. They didn't end up napping until nearly 3:00. So I woke them around 4:15 because if I didn't they would never sleep this evening. Poor guys, mommy is always making them either go to sleep or wake up. Crazy.

186/365

Long day. I am still exhausted out of my mind and can't wait to figure out what is going on with me. The boys were good today and Cameron and I got to spend some time together while Noah napped. Noah has another rash on his face and I am not sure if it is something he ate or from his puppy he chews on constantly (keeping his face wet). The joys of parenting!

185/365

Life is good. We are blessed. I am so very thankful for the men and women who keep our country safe and that we are able to have so very many freedoms because of it.

We took the little guys to the parade here this morning. It was fantastic. The boys had a blast and talked about the cars and horses all day. Then after they napped we went to a neighbors for some fun, food and festivities. The boys hit melt down mode and we headed home until bed time. They are 2.5 without a doubt but they are all in all good kids. I am blessed and thankful.

184/365

This little finch outside our window we got to spend some time watching. It kept flying back and forth from the plant to a tree. The boys had a ball watching. There was a yellow one as well but it flew away shortly after we all gathered around the window. Guess it was a little shy.

183/365

I am still not believing the weather here. It is July and we had to wear jackets this morning to go out and play. I had to take a picture to prove that too! We stayed outside nearly all day. That is when they were awake and not eating. We even had our snack outside on the patio because they just wanted to play in the sand and slide. I am really hoping we can get their swing set soon so they can also have that to play on. They both love being outside so very much!

These boys hear and see so many things you never expect them to. You really have to be careful with what you say to them now. Let's just say Cameron walked around Target yesterday afternoon announcing to the store that "Mommy went potty." Fun, huh?

182/365

Having a hard time believing it is July already! Wow. The boys are in the midst of the terrible 2's for sure. Enough said.