Bullies

Lately Jackson and Jacob have been interacting more with their peers. Not just my friends kids but strangers at parks and indoor playgrounds etc. I've found that my kids tend to get picked on.

They tend to get hit, have toys taken, pushed etc. I'm not sure what to do about it. I've done the "well, you'll have to find something else to play with" and the "some kids are not nice, I'm sorry honey" and then I've decided that when my kids come up to me and tell me they've been hurt or had something taken they are asking me to make it right, to protect them and I'm just not sure how to do that.

Usually the parents of these "not nice children" aren't really easy to converse with, telling my kids to hit back isn't appropriate. But, I need to respond. I want my kids to know that their father and I will not tolerate them being bullied but I need to figure out what "not tolerate" will look like. I need my children to know they can come to me and set the expectation that we will create as safe of an environment for them as we can...Any ideas out there?

Ghetto Garden

This year the kids and I have quite the "Ghetto Garden", although Ben says that since it does not contain milk crates we should refer to it as something else, such as "whimsical gardening". Semantics aside - we've got quite the little improv garden going.

This year we're growing tomatos in three NEON colored toy buckets with holes drilled in them. Sweet 100 is growing in day-glo pink, mojo is in orange and the romas are in orange as well. Basil and chili peppers are in recycled black plant tubs, cucumber is in a blue rubermaid tub, sans lid and our zuchinni are lounging in tow baby/kiddie swimming pools. The sweet snap peas and strawberries are hanging out in their own pool with some pretty fancy (i.e., cheap) twine strung between two stakes to help them grow.

My crowning achievement however is my pumpkin patch. Using cheap bamboo stakes I rigged two pieces lattice together to form the sides of my "raised bed" and because I didn't have quite enough lattice on the ends I shoved one potted plant on each end to contain the dirt. My neighbors must look over their fence and just hang their heads...

I'll post pics soon :-)

Today

There are some things that I never want to forget -

The feeling of holding Jacob in my arms at church and having him fall asleep. His little baby mouth open slightly and those long dark lashes on his cheeks.

Jacob pointing in delight at Elmo on the stage at Sesame Street Live.

Jackson eating chocolate frosting on a spoon with me at 10:45 at night while we watch Nemo.

Checking on Jacob before I go to bed. Covering him with a blanket and he opens his eyes, sees me, sighs and closes them again.

Jackson's little feet pressed against my leg while he sleeps after he's crawled into bed with me.

I know these days will pass quickly and I want so much to hold each memory close to my heart, commit it to all of my senses so that I never forget the sound, the smell, the touch and the overwhelming love.

The Great Attempt

So I am trying to get my household budget down to $400 per month for groceries/diapers/formula/wipes and one fun thing a week for the kids.

Week one - I rock. I exactly hit my budget! Groceries = check. Diapers/Wipes = good. Night out with Kids = McDonalds.

Woot!

Oops - only workin' on 400

Oregon Coast

During the second week in August we rented a cute little house on Devil's Lake just outside of Lincoln City. The first day we were there the weather was AMAZING! The boys jumped right into the hot tub and played with their bubbles outside. We BBQ'd hamburgers (turkey for us, beef for the rest of the family) and ate TONS of watermelon.
The next day we took the boys to the beach and they had a wonderful time. It took them a bit to warm up to the idea of playing near the waves but once they got up the nerve to get in, there was no going back. The next two days were a bit overcast and rainy at times but there was still plenty to do and on Wednesday the 12th we drove down to Newport for MaaMaa's wedding! The boys were wonderful during the ceremony although Jacob kept saying "uh-oh, uh-oh" over and over again!
Thursday we played in the surf again and we almost lost Uncle Brian to a nasty rip tide but he remembered to swim parallel to the shore and made it in safe! Mom and Dad (Ben and Stephanie) rented Kayaks and we also went swimming in the lake.
Friday, sadly, our last day we went to the Aqarium and the boys LOVED the fishies. Jacob especially loved the tunnel of sharks and enjoyed his new found ability to walk much longer distances. We also went to the Rogue Brewery Headquarters and Mo's for lunch before the drive home. All in all, a wonderful trip with our amazing family.

More, More, More

Warning - Picture OVERLOAD

What a great memorial day weekend! We spent an extended holiday with my Dad aka Grandpa up on Whidbey Island. The boys had a blast running/crawling around and loved every minute of our visit. The boys say "We love our Grandpa!!!"