243/365

I can't believe the weather here right now! It was 46 degrees when I got up this morning. Oh am I happy girl. This was always the time of year I dreaded most in Texas, August and September. Miserable weather. Guess I turned out to be a northern gal after all.

The boys did great. They had therapy and we played. They even both napped! I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon so Daddy got to spend some time with the boys. I know they loved that. Noah got his first bee sting. Of course I wasn't there which in a way was probably good. I have never been stung and am petrified of the things. He handled this (like everything else) as a trooper. He was ready to go back outside and play while I was on the phone with Mike after it happened. They amaze me how resilient they are!

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My conversation with Cameron while we were outside playing this afternoon.

Me: The sun went behind the clouds.

C: Yep, I scared him.

Me: You scared the sun so he went behind the clouds?

C: Yep, I played monster with him.

That kid never fails to make me smile or laugh. He then proceeded to show me how he played monster with him. Very, very cute!

241/365

Interesting day. The boys did just fine until dreaded nap time. Cameron decided once again he wanted to get naked and then when I wouldn't allow him to became a crazy child. Threw a huge tantrum. Ugh! Other than that we had a really fun day. Lots of playing trains, playing instruments, reading, some shopping for new mini wheel barrels for them to push around and carry things. Stuff like that. Perfect weather...high of 72 with a nice breeze most of the day. Ah, gotta love the mid-west!

They ran around for a while this morning one with one of their Daddy's hats on and the other with one of their stuffed animals hat's on. It was pretty funny. Love to hear their giggles and seeing them play together more and more. It is just amazing to see this wonderful bond beginning to grow between them.

And can I just say for the record how hard it is to not take pictures of them when they are sleeping at night. They are so very peaceful and beautiful and I just always want to go and snap pictures but know I can't. Some day I just may because they are just too cute to resist!

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LOVE Noah's experssion in this picture. They were playing in their tent and having a snack. Both of them just wanted to stay in their jammies and stay at home this morning. They have been wanting to just stay at home a lot lately. Poor little guys, guess we had a busier summer than I thought! I do think they are already enjoying their routine again.

Lots of playing trains, trucks, cars, animals, Thomas the Train (which they are REALLY getting into lately), tent (even building our own) and reading books. Ah, gotta love days like today!

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The boys playing doctor. They just love to give shots and take your temperature. Too funny.

They went to school today. Mike had the day off and so we cleaned house while the boys were away and actually got to try a new place for lunch (Cajun food). It was nice! The boys enjoyed having Daddy home. I was able to go and get my hair done and even go and meet a great group of women for dinner. Fun day!

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Ah, the sweet sound of babies sleeping. We had a fun day today. The boys did nap again but not so sure this is a good thing. If they nap then they don't want to go to bed. We are definately in transition! We had fun though playing blocks, monster, cars, and with little people. They are both just getting so big!

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Today's picture was Cameron chasing Noah around this morning when I asked them to stand together to take a picture before school. Noah of course didn't want to take a picture. Cameron is always up for loving on his brother, or tackling him, whichever you prefer to call it. :)

The days are ticking away. Man, can't believe the boys started their second year of Parent's Day Out today. It just seems like we moved here and they started their first year yesterday. Wow. The time is flying. They did fine when I dropped them off. It was pretty crazy in there. We didn't get to experience that last year because we were on a waiting list. Our first day was just like any other day for everyone else. I have to admit it was kind of nice. They napped when we got home! Oh my was it a much better deal that the last few days have been. They seem to like it so we'll see how the year progresses. Keeping my fingers (anything else I can think of crossed!)

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So I remembered one of the funny things Cameron said yesterday (or at least hubby did). He was getting out of the bath and we always talk abou their feet and hands being pruny. Well guess what he decided was also pruny? I am getting Noah in his jammies and all of the sudden from the bathroom I hear "My wee-wee is pruny." I just about fell down laughing. Yes, he will kill me for this years from now but it was too funny not to share!

We met our new "teachers" today. The boys seem excited. They even got to go out and play on the playground so that was the highlight of their evening. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

235/365

Man, why is it every time I sit down to write this each night I forget all the funny things the boys say. Must start writing them down throughout the day now that they are more chatty.

Both of the boys really wanted "daddy" most of the weekend. You can tell when he has been gone or super busy. This morning Cameron played "doctor" and examined daddy. It was just too cute.

Noah fell asleep on the living room floor while we were watching a little movie. I moved him up to his bed and he actually took a nap today! Cameron went full force the entire day. I will say one good thing that seems to have come out of this is that Cameron seems a little more even keeled throughout the day instead of just wide open all the time. So maybe the no nap thing is really another blessing in disguise.

This evening while I was cooking dinner, Mike and the boys were playing outside. Noah started chasing Cameron around and giving him a hug saying "Friend." He was basically tackling him like Cameron does to him. Just too cute and of course I had to take some pictures. Wish I would have grabbed the video camera as well but missed it.

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It has felt like a Sunday to me all day. Sigh. Cameron has been running a low fever off and on all day. So not sure what is going on but if it continues again tomorrow off to the doctor we will be headed again this Monday morning. That would make two weeks in a row, each time for a different child. Fun, fun. And "school" hasn't even started for us!

Mike took the boys to watch motorcycles for a little while this morning and I got the bright idea to steam clean the hall carpet while they were away. I love the finished product but man is that a pain trying to stay off of it while it is drying. Oh well, will plan better next time. I do love having it clean though and can't wait to do the whole house. So many things on the "to do" list and so little time!

Cameron and daddy brought me the beautiful flowers this evening. It has been a long day and a rough dinner with Noah. It did a great job cheering me up!

233/365

What a busy day! We left the house at 8:30 this morning and only came home for about 30 minutes the entire day. We didn't get home until nearly 10:00 this evening. The boys are actually still awake as I am typing this and Cameron is running a fever. I feel bad because we had such a fun day and now he is sick. Poor little guy! Even more glad we went to the fair today instead of waiting until tomorrow!

We did some shopping for the boys this morning. They are growing out of everything we have so it was time. Some new shoes, new pants. They are finally graduating to 3T pants. Shirts they are in 3T and 4T depending. Can't believe how fast they outgrew their shirts!

This afternoon we headed to the train so that we could take it to the fair! Oh what a fun afternoon/evening we had. The boys had a BALL at the fair. Animals to pet and feed, dancers to watch, markets to shop at, vegetables to pick and eggs to get from the chickens. So, so much fun. I just wish we had gone earlier so that we could go back again. This is the last weekend for the year. Guess we will go sooner next year. And the train ride was a HUGE hit. We will be headed back in the Fall for the pumpkin ride and again in the winter for their Polar Express. Oh so much fun living in the Midwest!

232/365

Trying to adjust to the no napping thing. Noah REALLY needs a nap but Cameron does fine without it for the most part. It's been a week now and they haven't napped at all. Wondering what is going to happen next week when they start back to "school." Hmm...

231/365

Busy day today. Went to a baby shower for six different gals in a group I am in. It was fun but it poured down rain on my way home. I seem to have a knack for getting caught in those kind of storms lately. Hmm, wonder what is up with that?

230/365

So I think we are officially over naps. I really didn't want to admit it but Cameron did just fine without one today. He was still wanting to stay awake when it was time to go to bed! I moved his bed time up 15 minutes because the poor kid was yawning so often and rubbing his eyes. Clearly tired. Noah cat napped in the car on the way to get their hair cut so he did okay too. Sigh. Not ready to admit my boys are growing up. Must savior the moments more often!

Cameron really wanted to go and play in the back yard this afternoon. Since we just had it aerated and over seeded we are going to have to stay off it for a while. Not to mention it was all soggy from it being watered. So off to the park we went after dinner. This is actually the first time we went to the one in our neighborhood. It was rather nice. If it was enclosed it would actually be perfect for me to take the boys to most afternoons. Will attempt it on my own some time in the near future but for now we will just go as one big happy family!

Cameron was sitting at the dinner table with his race cars and men and making them talk to one another. One had gloves on and the other didn't. So he was having one tell the other he had no racing gloves. Where in the world did he figure this out? He is 2.5! Since when do 2.5 year olds know what racing gloves are? He just knew one had gloves and the other didn't and they were his racing men I guess. So very funny the things they put together!

229/365

Took Noah to the doctor first thing this morning. Thankfully no ear infection, just fluid on his ears. Praying it doesn't turn into an infection. He has been cranky and slapping at his ears so I knew something was up.

Cameron is officially dropping his naps I think for a few days each week. This has been going on and off for a while now so I am giving in. Just need to figure out what to do with them all day on days they don't nap. This is going to take some MAJOR readjusting on my part. Before we would play hard in the mornings, they would nap and get all rested for more playing hard in the afternoons. I now have to figure out how to pace it throughout the day. They are still wanting to stay up until their normal bed time so this will be very interesting over the next few months. Fun days ahead!

228/365

Cameron has discovered Santa Claus. I don't think he really understands it all but the last week he has been asking to see Santa Claus. And then this morning he decided that he wanted a ride on backhoe he saw in a mail order catalog. So of course we mentioned that if he is really good that maybe Santa Claus would bring him one. I know, I know...not one of my finest moments but willing to try just about anything at the moment to get him to stop the scratching thing. It didn't work. He has walked around all day asking for his backhoe and Santa Claus. Guess that will teach me!

Noah is cracking me up with how much he has been talking lately. It's so very random at times. They were talking to their grandparents tonight and Noah would just break out all of the sudden with "hello" in his cute little voice and then shortly after would usually say "puppy." Can't tell you how many times those two words were said within the conversation. Very funny. Should have videoed it but I was holding him instead. Gotta love the snuggles!

227/365

What a nice day. I worked in the yard planting a new rose bed (5 rose bushes total) and then watered the new seed in. So that took pretty much most of the morning between the 2. It was kind of nice though to play in the dirt again...been a long time since I have.

Then, after the boys no nap I decided we would head to the Children's Museum or the zoo. The boys picked the zoo, which I was kind of glad because the weather is so beautiful right now. We pretty much stayed in the aquarium section and had a ball. The seals were putting on quite a show when we arrived and we stood there for some time. They were "talking" to each other and playing. Very cool. We even got to finally see the dolphin show! Cameron kind of freaked out when the lights went out and the whale sounds came on. He was crying to leave but toughed it out and was very happy he did. It was a fun show, will have to sit where we get wet next time around.

So very nice day over all. Must take pictures of the roses soon. Hopefully they all survive!

226/365

Today was not one of our better days but we muddled through. I had to choose between this photo and another of Noah sticking his face into the melon and Cameron holding it while he did so. I thought this one was funny because they were both trying to bite the edges. Couldn't have tasted too great. But they had a ball playing with this shell after I had scooped out all the melon into little balls. Obviously they liked the different texture and stuff. Who would have thought it?

225/365

Such a cutie pie!

224/365

Both of my kiddos seriously need a hair cut. Noah was running and his hair was flying all over the place. Must get that done this week!

We had fun today. Lots of playing around the house. I think they needed that as much as I did. We have been on the go a lot this last month and a half so a few good days at home is just what the doctor ordered. We of course got outside and enjoyed this beautiful weather. Amazing to me how cool it is when we get up in the mornings. I must learn to be more of a morning person so I can get up earlier and get outside to walk or garden. Just beautiful out there!

223/365

Ah, the sound of children' sleeping. We are truly headed in the right direction. They napped again for two hours almost and the last two nights have been hardly a fuss at all when it was time for bed. Oh yes, there was the normal protest initially but once in bed they were out within 15 minutes. Just praying this continues and they sleep through the night.

They went and played at their favorite spot this morning so I could work on getting the things up from the basement and Mike's stuff down to the basement. Getting very close to having everything moved to each new location but it is all a mess. This will be my project for next week. Right now just have to make sure he has somewhere to work soon.

We had another fun afternoon playing in the basement with trains and cooking up some food. Cameron was making me "two pots and a sprinkle of cheese." So, so cute. Noah was of course fascinated with all of Daddy's things Mommy had put behind a gate and he couldn't reach. It took him a while to give up on that one. And then once upstairs again we had dinner and then off to play more monster, doctor, cars, read books, ride on the magic carpet, play beach party and of course watch Backyardigans. I love when they snuggle up on the couch with me to wind down and watch this. My favorite way to end the day, snuggled up to my little ones.

222/365

The days are ticking away! I can't believe my boys will be three in just five more months. Wow!

We had a fun day today. Off to the library this morning and then lots of playing monster today. Determined to get these guys back on their routine and wear them out. Noah's eyes have such dark circles I am feeling really bad for him. But at least they took an hour and a half nap today! Yippee! So we are headed in the right direction.

221/365

Long day. The boys didn't nap again today. Not at all. Noah woke up twice last night so he was already in a mood. When we went to church I ended up staying in the nursery with them instead of going to the service. At least Mike got to enjoy it. After their no-nap we went swimming. I just couldn't sit around the house. It was too pretty of a day and the perfect weather for swimming. so off we went. Of course the boys had a ball. I was bad and didn't bring the camera along.

220/365

Mike took the boys this morning to see the Colt's training camp. They were playing a scrimmage game when they got there and of course the boys came home with little footballs and t-shirts. It was very cute to listen to them and watch them throw the footballs around this afternoon. And the time allowed me to get started on moving all my stuff up from the basement and Mike's office stuff down. That is going to be one LONG process.

219/365

I got my Nikon back today! Can you tell???? I love this picture. I did nothing to it other than get rid of the red eyes. No enhancing or anything. Gotta love slr cameras! We have been letting the boys use color tablets in the water and today they happened to pick green. How cool!

Went to the zoo this morning and had a really nice time. Not so sure the boys are ready to do things like that in larger groups though. They didn't quite understand the concept of waiting for other people before we moved on. But we had fun and that is all that matters. The boys love the zoo!

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Isn't Cameron's face in this picture just priceless? We played all morning in the basement and had a good old time. Games consisted of monster, trains, cars, ball pit, watching a movie (Cars), and of course snack time. The boys just wanted to stay home today so that is just what we did. We are off to the zoo in the morning so another fun filled day ahead.

217/365

We had a fun day today. The boys did so well playing both together and alone. At one point they told me to sit on the couch, they wanted to play by themselves. Oh, lovely. I can't leave the room but they don't want to play with me either. I know it's their age but man, that kind of hurt.

Noah is talking so much more these days. He is really starting to imitate people more and use more and more words. Makes me so very happy! Cameron is talking in complete sentences and carrying on conversations with me now. I asked him yesterday while he was playing what he was doing and he told me "Talking to Noah." Then I asked what they were talking about and he told me "Talking about the zoo." So then I decided to go further and asked what they were talking about the zoo and he told me "the animals" and proceeded to tell me what animals they were talking about. Very cute and just amazes me how much they change so quickly.

216/365

I just looked at our temp thing for outside and it is 66 degrees! It is the beginning of August and only 66 degrees outside! I am amazed. Definitely not in Texas any more.

Today was a good day. We all went to The Children's Museum this morning. It was sad to see our friends go but we did have a fantastic visit. Cameron of course woke up from his nap asking for Rilee and then Cathy and then Robert. He is such a sweet child. This evening we headed to the National Night Out Against Crime. The boys had a blast. They LOVED the live music. Can I tell you how happy that made me????? Doors have no opened in our future. They sat there for a long time for a 2.5 year old and Cameron still wanted to stay. It was just a little loud for Noah. But they had fun and of course wanted to take their balloons to bed with them. Um, no. Mommy is too scared the string around it will choke you, but I promise they will be waiting for you first thing in the morning...

215/365

Just look at this line up will ya?! Isn't it a cute bunch. I guess this is what my care would have looked like if I had triplets. Oh, the thought kind of makes me shudder. Anyhoo...think they are a cute little lot and these were the only pictures I snapped today. We had a fun lunch at Applebee's and this was the proof I could fit three car seats across my back seat. Gotta love the Radians.

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The ladybug stole the show. Can't you tell? She looks estatic to have this little creature crawling on her arm. The pure joy of a two and a half year old!

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This is just too cute! Noah has discovered that when he wants to play with someone he gets right up to their face and starts talking very quietly. Not sure Rilee knew what to think of this. Heck, I didn't at first either!

The kiddos played well together all day. My boys were out of sorts but I guess it is to be expected. Just pray the next few days aren't as crazy with them. It has been so nice having old friends staying. Makes me really miss living close to them. And the fact that our kiddos are so close in age it really makes me miss being closer to them. Oh well...thank goodness for planes, cars and technology!