Tantrum

Mack,

You finally have mastered the two-year-old tantrum. At least once a day you completely lose it over something small. In this picture you got so upset that Dad took a bite of your apple. Luckily, your tantrums are usually right before you go to sleep. Seriously though, you've got to learn how to speak English. I know it would help us immensely to figure out what you want. By the way, I love the peanut butter all over your face - you always make a mess.

Love,

Mom

Dear Boys

Oh how I love you! Seriously, life with you guys is so much fun!!

I've decided to write you letters every once in a while just to make it more personal and so you know what our days were really like while you were little boys.

Today we had so much fun. You didn't have school Jack so you asked for us to do something fun. We thought of going to the zoo, but it was kind of cold and rainy so instead we went to Ikea. You guys had way too much fun playing in all the displays, until one of the workers kindly reminded us there was a section just for kids. Mack you were the funniest, you jumped from place to place and insisted climbing on everything, but Jack kept tabs on you while I shopped and checked prices. Nate, you're an easy kid to shop with and stayed by my side. Afterwards we ate hot dogs and sprite (soda is always a treat for you guys). I'm so glad you guys can enjoy a shopping trip to a store just as much as a trip to the zoo.

We drove around and found a fun park at the Berkeley Marina. They had a playground and a beach to play at. You guys had so much fun exploring, finding crabs, playing in the sand, and finding cool rocks. Then at the playground you guys loved going down the slide all together; even if you did hurt yourself a couple times Mack. You guys had so much fun - just being together. I had fun watching you.

Tonight you boys pretended to be the stripling warriors while I made dinner. At one point you attacked me with your tinker toy guns, but Jack was quick to remind you guys that you're not suppose to attack your mother. Mack still kept pretending to shoot me anyway. I love when you boys have fun make-believing together.

After dad got home we had FHE. You guys were everywhere and could barely sit still. Mack said his first prayer, Jack led us in a singing game, and Nate had fun showing us pictures of Jesus.

We ended the night watching Ryno (our turtle) eat tiny little fish that Dad got from Uncle Todd's. It was pretty exciting.

Finally you guys all crashed in your beds.

I know sometimes I get crabby and impatient with you guys, but really I LOVE being your mom and I love all the fun we have. Every day now it seems I have something to look forward to; even if it's just a game as a family, playing outside, or reading a good book.

Love you boys- with all my heart,

Your mom

Saturday afternoon and legos

Ryan is gone to another seminar and we already used our movie time allotment this morning . . . ummmm what to do with three little boys???
Luckily Jack pulled out the legos and I pulled out the camera, we've been having fun ever since.

Silly boys!

By the way, I would love to try my new lens out on anyone willing. Any family want pictures taken? My price is really reasonable - FREE!

If only . . .

we all could have the same faith a child has. . . . we'd probably pray more often.

I love this picture.
I love that I get to teach my children how to pray.
I love that they believe their prayers get heard.
I love how they pray for big things and little things.
I love that they pray with all their little hearts.
I love how they know someone is listening.

A present for me . . .

a new camera lens.
I've been giddy ever since UPS dropped it off.

Ry came home for lunch so I snapped a few. The lighting was perfect.

I LOVE this one. There is nothing quite as magical as capturing children . . . because childhood only happens once.

Mack wouldn't pose for me, but I got this one. Not sure what he's trying to look at, there isn't much to see.

My two year old . . . and other fun facts.

This is Mack.
This is Mack climbing.
See how Mack uses his leap pad chair and garbage can to get into the freezer (just like his brothers).
Sometimes Mack uses them to climb onto the counter to get into the cupboard where the
snacks are.
Naughty Mack.

See Mack.

See Mack climb.

See Mack climb on the desk and stand in front of the computer while Mommy is working.

Naughty Mack.

Mack is quite the two year old.
He knows how to open doors now, even the bathroom door.
You can constantly find him in the bathroom, washing hands, attempting to pee in the toilet (hasn't made it yet), brushing his teeth, getting a cup of water, or grabbing toilet paper to clean up his spill on the kitchen table.

He also knows how to take lids off which means I have 2 or 3 chap sticks with finger holes in them and the other day I found him digging into my lipstick and smearing it on the bathroom door. I also found him with the lotion from the bathroom, and he had it all over his face and was actually eating it. This kid will eat weird stuff; including the old nasty food he scrapes off the kitchen table with his teeth.

I'm scared what the kid will do when I'm distracted with a baby. I'm sure he'll find something to keep himself busy.

Nate just gets cuter and cuter. He's been especially sweet, obedient, and fun.
He is always talking about, "when I'm a dad." Yesterday we read in a book about cutting a tree down so now he is planning it out when he's a dad he'll cut down a tree. He even prayed at dinner time for it to happen.

At FHE last night he drew a picture of him and Jesus walking on water. He said he has enough faith in his tummy so he could do it. He actually tries to draw stick figures now and calls himself an artist. (where did he get that from??) Jack did the labeling for him.


Jack is Mr. Smarty pants. He brings home non-fiction books on space, science, and botulism from school.

Ryan is loving doing his preceptor-ship with a married couple in El Cerrito. He's learning so much and just got back from a trip to Florida for a seminar with them. He can hardly wait to get all his tests over with and start working for money.

Simple pleasure of the week: Going to scouts (Ry invited us to tag along) and watching a guy use nitrogen to freeze a rose, graham crackers, and to make ice cream. The boys loved it, but I worry all those teenage scouts will be busy now finding ways to buy and use nitrogen in fun and exciting ways. Scary!!