Freecycle

Ever heard of Freecycle???? I found this site recently. Since the adorable OLD man in the picture above has pretty much destroyed his new 100$ crate, he needs another one. This website allows you to post WANTED or OFFER posts for FREE stuff. I put a WANTED post out for a large dog crate and within 12 hours I had someone email me to tell me I could come pick it up. I am hoping we can get it tonight. I'll let you know how it goes. You will be amazed at all the stuff on these sites...check it out!

Sick Boys

Ethan got a stomach bug, yesterday. Lincoln was not feeling that great when he went to bed tonight. They love snuggling when they are sick.Thank you for staying home with them, NATE!

It's HERE!!!

It arrived!! Last Friday, the last day of the bookfare, I noticed a book about an Ant on a Railroad track. In my efforts to save a buck, I thought I would use my borders rewards card and get it there. Of course, they did not have it at three stores. So, I ordered it and they sent it to the house for free. Since I was on such a search for it, Ethan has been anxiously waiting for it. He enjoyed it, but I think I hyped it up too much. On a side note, do you like the new haircut? Mulan at Sugar House Day Spa is fabulous and loves Project Runway and Kathy Griffin MORE than ME!!!!

This is a picture of what we came home to Friday afternoon. The crate bottom was in half and chewed to bits. Notice the wire on the top sides are all bent up...he was disregulated, too!

Disregulated!

After two days of sitting in a workshop, I picked the kids up, dropped Shelley (new friend) off, and sat at the metro waiting for Nate. The boys have had a long week! Everyone was a little CRANKY tonight. We had Chinese delivered, took quick baths, and snuggled on the bed watching Mrs. Spider! Everyone needs some relaxation time this weekend!

different perspectives

A friend of Nate's asked him to describe the boys in two lines each. Once he told me what he told her, I was a little shocked. I think that we do have different perspectives.


Nate: Four-year old Ethan is a strong-willed child who enjoys trains and (recently) enjoys playing tack(le)-football on Sunday afternoon in his Steelers clothes. He enjoys school and is learning alot, and he's not afraid to tell Mommy and Daddy who he wants things done ("it's not my favorite when we do it that way").
Mandy: Ethan is a boy that needs to be in control and enjoys order. He loves to read and learn, but definitely enjoys running, jumping, and playing!

Nate: Seventeen-month old Lincoln is another strong-willed child who desperately wants to be like his brother, and loves making Ethan laugh and laughing at his brother. He started walking a little late but is getting pretty fast; he is obsessed with doggies and thinks all animals say "Woof, woof!"
Mandy: Lincoln is our funny boy who enjoys making everyone smile or laugh at him (especially his brother). He loves to be held or VERY close by those he knows and trusts. n

Nate's idea of "stong-willed child" was different than my idea of strong-willed child; however, we agree for the most part on their personalities. I think every parent is a little tougher on their own kids.

Whose the BIG boy????

Why that would be LINCOLN! Lincoln wants to be just like all of us. This has worked to our advantage this past week at meal times. The boy had given up on all vegetables. I resorted to buying Jessica Seinfelds book (she sneaks veggie puree in her food) and he was getting his veggies that way. (I do recommend that book to anyone who wants to eat yummy healthy food) Last week he went on a hunger strike and I noticed he was screaming in that really annoying high pitch scream and pointing at my fork. I handed it over in desperation and he started eating. It's worked so far. Tonight he ate lots of green beans! YEAH!!!

Notice our almost four year old is still eating with his hands.

Guy Time

This afternoon the "guys" decided to start their rough housing. First, they put on their hats and then began the fun.
They played football with tackles and then gave each other kisses and hugs!

Game Day

When the boys woke up this morning, Nate told them it was Game Day! Ethan said, "YEAH---go STILLERS." He decided he needed to put his Steelers hat on a breakfast. He wore it until I MADE him take it off before church. After lunch they all got geared up for the game. Too bad the outcome of the game was sad!
This was about two minutes before nap....he wanted to play so bad, but couldn't move!

I was worried this day would come.....

So, for the past year + a few months, Ethan has been wearing smaller pants than shirts. When he wears pants, to get them to fit in waist they are too short. So, we always buy adjustable waist. Friday morning, I get shorts for Lincoln and Ethan. When I put Lincoln's on, I notice that they are the same size as Ethan's....and they fit!!! This should be interesting!!! I have a feeling when we move to actual pants they will be too long and it won't be an issue at all!
When we woke up this morning there was a nip in the air. We were on the go all morning and we all got to wear sweatshirts!!! I LOVE SWEATSHIRT WEATHER!!!

They are not morning people!

The pictures were taken yesterday morning. It has gradually gotten harder and harder to get these boys rolling in the morning!!

You're never too young to mow!

Son, you are now 16 months old and at this age there is a lot of responsibility.Dad, I am too young to mow!
Son, you're never to young to mow.I am too young....this is too hard!


!

The act which will never be spoken of

Today started off fine. After work, I picked the boys up and went to the grocery store. Nate called and was on his way home to run. He called the minute we got into the grocery store and told us that there was no bus. So, he would hang out at the bus stop until we were done and then we could pick him up. The grocery stop went great!! The kids were wonderful. Once we got to the car, Nate called and the bus showed up. He was on his way home. It took him 80 minutes to get home.(RIDICULOUS) So, the afternoon was off to a semi-troublesome afternoon, but we could easily make it better. We get home and go in the house. I notice that Nate is outside with Hunter. We all go up and start unloading the groceries and Hunter does a BAD, NASTY, DISGUSTING thing that will never be spoken of!!!! DON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO ASK!!!! So, the rest of the afternoon/evening was spent rectifying what Hunter did. Everyone got a little testy and Ethan decided at that moment to not listen. I asked him to stand on the stairs and not move....he decided to come down after three yells not to. I yelled very loudly "LISTEN and STOP NOW!!!" He says, "Relax, it's nothing to be ashamed of." I had to go into the kitchen to not laugh at him. It was hilarious.

Weekend in PA

This had to of been the shortest weekend EVER. We headed to Nate's parents this weekend. The above picture was taken on the trip down. Apparently everyone in Virginia decided to get out of here this weekend. Our 3 hour trip took six!! It was crazy. Saturday morning, we went to Nate's aunt Missy's house. After naps and dinner, Bob took the boys for a ride on the tractor and in the wagon. Ethan LOVED the tractor and Link loved the wagon. Today we spent the morning in PA and headed back after naps. This weekend FLEW by!!

From BabyCenter...your child (or children)

The 16 month old toddler:
You've seen your child testing his independence during the last few weeks and months, but experts say that once a child can talk he knows, finally, that he is his own person. Your 16-month-old may be able to say as many as seven words — or even more — clearly. But he will still rely mostly on nonverbal communication, pointing and gesturing to tell you what he wants or what he wants you to see.
The 3 3/4 year old Preschooler:
What sounds like nonsense coming from your preschooler's lips is actually a sophisticated kind of language experimentation. He might call his little brother a "pootie" or say, "Look at that prettyful flower." He may call a fountain a "crash water," an invented term that's really pretty clear. These creative concoctions crop up more often as he develops better language skills.

Haircuts-----FINALLY!

Today I stayed home with both boys. Lincoln just wasn't 100% today. He is feeling better tonight! After Nate left work, we picked him up and took the boys to get their haircut. It's been seven weeks since the boys had their cut last. I did some research on Barbershops after Nate's debacle at Bubbles Hair Salon. We went to a place called Best Barber Shop. With a name like that it has to be great. This place was wonderful. Sam, cut all three boy's hair. They look amazing!!! After Ethan was done, she put gel in his hair and spiked it up. Once he got home he said, "I don't like my hair spicy!"
On a side note, Martha Stewart said that their are 112.4 million blogs! CRAZY

Spoiled!

Yesterday, a guy at Nate's work asked how long he was at Wright Patt. Nate told him six years and he smiled and said, "Wow...your wife was spoiled." I know that he had multiple meanings...one being that he wasn't deployed, but the other was the hours Nate was able to work. I knew at the time how spoiled I was, but everyday we are here I come to realize it more and more. Don't get me wrong...I am still SPOILED! I have a husband that really tries as hard as he can to get home as soon as he can. Today, daycare called and Linky was sick. Nate immediately said he would come and pick him up. Here's where the pain of living here comes into play. Each morning we rush out the door at 6:55 as a family. We drop Nate off at the bus stop where he takes his 40 minute bus ride to work. I drop the kids off at Daycare and drive my 40 minutes to work. (this morning it was 55 minutes---it's so unpredictable). When daycare called I knew it would take 40-60 minutes for Nate to get home and get him. SO---I had to go to his work, pick him up, drive him home, and then he was able to pick them up. Nothing is easy here!!! We are adjusting everyday. It is getting better. I actually started seeing kids this week. Nate is slowing starting to do real work. Ethan and Lincoln are much happier at school. Even Hunter has stopped peeing on the floor! (he's still in the crate during the day) :)

Sunday Morning Photos

Most Sunday's I try to take a photo of the boys or the family. It usually causes lots of tension. We usually have two or three minutes to take a quick photo and run out the door. This Sunday was no exception. I put the camera on the grill and set the timer. This morning you can see that we had to redo the first one. Both boys are watching Hunter pee on the balcony right in front of us. The second one turned out great, but we had to rush inside to get the pee cleaned off the deck!
We found a church about 20 minutes away that we really liked. This was our fourth Sunday there. The first Sunday we went we researched the church on the web. It said to arrive 15 minutes early to get parking. It also said that Sunday School was on break for the summer, but would be starting up September 7th. Well, the first Sunday we arrived 15 minutes early to an EMPTY parking lot. We thought we were at the wrong church. The next two Sundays were the same. So, today we didn't rush. We got there right on time and the place was PACKED. We actually parked in the grass. Apparently, Sunday school is not the only thing that takes a summer break.....the entire congregation does, too! Ethan loved his class today. I guess we found our church!

Experimenting

It seems we are all experimenting today. While we were getting ready to drive to IKEA during Tropical Storm Hanna, Lincoln decided to experiment with my make-up. Ethan has decided to experiment with calling us "MOM and DAD." It sounds so weird. I told him I was still Mommy to him! I am experimenting with the movie option on my camera. I wanted everyone to see Lincoln walking.

Instant Connection

For those of you who don't know, Justin and Jennifer are Ethan's Godparents. The thing is that they have never lived in the same town as Ethan. They came out for his baptism when he was 6 months old but have not seen him since. Justin came into town Wednesday night and was able to stay again tonight. Before he got here, Ethan had his entire night planned out. Sure enough, when he got here, Ethan ran down to greet him and had him playing trains and watching Mrs. Spider with him two minutes later. You really would think that they have know each other forever. When he found out that he was able to stay again tonight, Ethan ran upstairs and didn't stop talking to him. Lincoln has also taken to him really well. We definitely made the right choice for Godparents!!

August comes to an end!

This weekend we decided to take it EASY! I read TWO books. I saw Stephanie Meyers talking on a talk show while Marilyn was here and she told me that some of her friends read her Twilight series and loved them. I started them last weekend and they have CONSUMED my life! I am dreaming about them. I hesitate to recommend them because I am sure they will do the same to you. I am on the last one and I noticed that I have been reading it a lot slower. I think it's because I don't want them to end.
We went to Old Town Alexandria's Farmer's Market on Saturday. This was the MACK DADDY of Farmer's markets. We bought eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, corn, and GORGEOUS flowers. The eggplant was heavenly (eggplant parmesan).

That night we took Ethan to the train mall. He has been asking about it for two weeks now. Notice only three of the family went on the train. It cost EIGHT dollars for the three of them to ride the thing. We could of all rode round trip on the metro into DC cheaper than that! BUT----Ethan loved it.
Afterwards, Nate stopped in Bubbles Salon :) There was a HUGE open area right outside the salon and I thought, "Heck, how long could this take? I'll let the kids run around while he gets his hair cut." Apparently the lady cut each hair individually. It took forever and it one of the worst haircuts he has had. (poor thing) Anyway, while we were waiting, this OLD lady came up to me and said, "Hey, are those your kids running around loose?" I answered, "Why yes they are." (I didn't think they needed to be on a leash) She tells me that I better get them because somebody may want them. I had to take a picture of this to show you that no one was gonna take my kids because they may want them.



Besides doesn't she know that my boys are Policemen!!