Grrrr....Kids!

It's always when you think your kids are being good...
You come to find out they're really not!

The offender:

He also colored all over his leg. Fortunately that was easy to clean. And so was the couch- thank heavens for microfiber! These are the kinds of messes that really bug me, because I'm the one who has to clean it up. I usually make whoever made the mess do the cleaning (i.e. Jensen dumps his bowl of Kix on the floor, he gets to pick them all up, Carson spills a cup of water, he has to get a towel and mop up the water, Dustin...well, that's another story.)

And even though Jensen got scolded for writing on the couch, he couldn't help but say "cheese" when I got the camera out!

Great Fun

I have a great play dough recipe. Kids love it, and it's easy (and lasts for forever...well, not really but several months is like forever to a child sometimes!) I threw our last batch out since it was from this past spring and it was getting yucky, so I let Carson choose a new color and he helped by mixing the dry ingredients together.

Wouldn't you know he'd choose a color like "pink." :)
Here's the recipe for those of you who have probably asked for it before (and those who might like something fun to do with the little ones now that everyone else is back in school.) Thanks Kim Dover for sharing this in our Cooking Club Cookbook.

2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 Tbsp. cream of tartar
2 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cups water

In a large pot, combine all dry ingredients. Mix well and add oil and water, whisking until smooth. Stir over medium heat until mixture is almost too hard to stir. Remove from pot and allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then knead until smooth and pliable. Store in an airtight container.
Even though it sometimes is a mess to clean up, you just can't deny how fun it is! (And now that the play dough is made- and blogged about- I'm off to do laundry.)

#4 Birthday Boy!

Happy birthday to our Carson boy. And Happy Birthday to Dustin's mom too! (Yup, 4 years ago she got a late night surprise birthday gift...of course she had to drive to the hospital at midnight to see her present!) Since it's Sunday, we kept things low key. Dinner at Grandma's house and then he got to open a couple of really great presents. (He loves everything- thanks!)

We sure do love Carson and are looking forward to another great year!

18 months and 5 days

That's how old this little guy is now. 18 months snuck right past me this week. In all fairness I've been recovering from our great week in California.

We love this little guy. He's so big, and funny, and crazy and smart. I really never thought we'd have another baby who talked as much as Carson did. He says something new everyday.Jensen loves to eat. He also likes to do anything his big brother is doing. He loves balls (and is constantly launching them everywhere). His favorite show is still his Baby Einstien "Baby MacDonald" video. He is the best snuggler and he makes us laugh all the time.Our favorite is when you ask Jensen, "Who's a cute boy?" He raises his hands and says "Me!" (And then we're inclined to believe him!)

LegoLand

On our last day in California we went to LegoLand with my brother Mark and his family. Carson took a great nap (and thus missed out on half the afternoon!) but had so much fun. He actually rode his first roller coaster and LOVED it! Thanks Mark and Emily for taking us there- we had a great time.

The "Wall-E" Birthday

Carson had a great Wall-E birthday at the beach house. He totally thinks he's already 4 (and that's okay, because he's only got another week till his actual birthday).
The kids had the best time making their own robots (from craft supplies and household trash).(Carson was rather devastated that I wouldn't let him bring his home- sorry bud!)

They had "dirt cups" in these awesome little boots that my mom made for the kids. They were so cute! Don't I have the craftiest and most clever mother?Mmmm, pudding and Oreos!
Thanks to all my family who indulged us in this fun party for Carson! He loved everything.

Just Pictures

Nothing to add. Just some pictures!