Sleeping with my boys

Last night I stayed awake until almost midnight to finish my book. I just couldn't end it with one or two chapters left! At almost the exact same time I turned off my light, I heard the pitter patter of Lex's feet coming down the hall. He climbed into bed next to me and said, "I want to sleep with you Mamma." I coaxed him out of bed and told him I would lay with him in his bed. He laid down and I laid beside him and he wanted my arm over him. He instantly fell asleep with those heavy deep sleep breaths. I laid there listening to him thinking about how lucky I was. Well, within just a few minutes, I heard Nate start to cry. So, I go to his room to try and soothe him. He kept hugging me saying, "I want you Mommy." So, I grabbed some pillows and blankets and laid with him on his floor. He likes to lay with his arm over me. Again, I just kept thinking about how lucky I was. A few hours later, Lex joined us. So, the three of us, laying on the floor of Nate's room, must've looked like quite a site. Oh well. They're only young for a short time. And, I am extremely lucky. :)

Pedicures

I have an old wipe box that I use to keep all my manicure and pedicure items in. Every once in a while I'll bring it out and give myself a quick pedicure while the boys are playing. I bring it out today and both boys come running over. They take the nail file and file their toes (between the toes, not the nails), pretend/try to cut their nails and take out my pedi-egg and smooth their heels. I got such a kick out of them! They did all the "necessary" things and then were off and running.

First time camping

We went camping this past week with my cousin's family. Well, sort of camping. We slept in our tent, but had access to a bathroom, living room and kitchen in their cottage. The kids had an absolute blast. They loved the freedom they had to just run crazy. They played in the sand pit, with soccer balls, with a Frisbee, with baseball bats, etc. At night, they got a quick bath in the kitchen sink to get a majority, never all, of the sand washed off of them. We also rode in go-carts, had ice cream, went to the beach and fishing. Lex caught two fish on two separate days. Add to that a homemade swing set between some trees, all day snacking, campfires and s'mores...well, it added up to be a fabulous first vacation for the Leamon family.

Our weekend

Yesterday we took the kids to Waldameer Park in Erie. Lex had an absolute blast. He wanted to ride every ride he walked by, until we got in line. So, we though it would be best if we hit up the kiddie section of the park. Once there, he was unstoppable. He went on every ride there several times over.
Nate, on the other hand, didn't have such an awesome time. He should have taken a nap on the way up, but noooooo, that didn't happen. He was miserable pretty much the whole time. He wanted up, we picked him up, he wanted down. He wanted to hold our hand, we held hands, he wanted to let go. You get the idea.
All in all, we spent about six hours there before we finally called it a day.
Today, Sunday, after church we packed a lunch and headed out to Chapmans Dam. What a blast! It wasn't really crowded and the water was nice and warm. Kids weren't really interested in building sand castles, but they loved being in the water and squirting each other with water guns. I love seeing them so excited over life. They give me such energy and fill me with so much love that I never thought was possible.

Odds and Ends

* During our garage sale last week Lex didn't like how Nate was acting. So, he decided we should sell him...for 40 bucks.
*When Lex and Nate argue now, they constantly ask each other, "Do you want a piece of me?!"
*Erik has been home for the past two weeks so I am no longer the go-to parent!!
*Nate is working on being potty trained.

Boot Camp update

Thought I would take a moment to reflect on the Leamon Boot Camp. We have finally gotten bedtimes under control. Well, as much as one can for a two year old who can knock down gates and doesn't have locks on his doors. At least he plays by himself now instead of coming down the stairs every two minutes and/or going into Lex's room to wake him up.
As far as behavior...well, it's still a a work in progress. Lex and Nate both find it within their power to yell at each other, tell each other what to do, put each other in time out and physically punish each other. Part of me wants to tell them to knock it off and the other part of me wants to see how it all plays out. Sadistic, I know. So, we step in when we need to and step back when needed. Lex is finally out of time out more than he is in it, so that's progress. Nate, on the other hand, well, let's just say that he likes to push every. single. solitary. button on Erik. Yep, and then hold down on them! Erik has taken so many deep breaths, I'm surprised he hasn't passed out. I'm thinking we may need to duct tape Nate to the time out stair as he is spending A LOT of time there lately. Damn good thing he's cute.

Fireworks

We took the kids to see the local fireworks display last night. We got there about 7:45 and set up "camp" in the back of the truck. You know, the necessities...chairs, blankets, drinks, snacks...
Anyways, about 9:30 PM random fireworks were being lit up all around us.
"Look at that pink one Mom!"
"Wow! That's a big one!"
"This is great!"
This is what we heard over and over and over again for thirty minutes. Erik and I had a blast watching them and couldn't wait for the real show to start. They both just sat there, staring at the sky with their mouths wide open. They absolutely LOVED the display. On the way home, I asked Lex if he enjoyed the show and he replied that he did. I then asked Nate if he enjoyed the show and he said, "I like chocolate cake." Um, yea, he is my child.

July 3rd

Well, we were complete traders today and ditched the annual Warren Fourth of July parade and went to ....Corry. Yes, Corry. But, I think for the age the boys are right now, this was a good thing for us. The Warren parade is awesome. But, it normally lasts over three hours. I don't think we have yet to see the end of it because we are all hot and cranky and tired. So, we hit the Corry parade with some friends and it was just as awesome for us. It was about an hour long. The kids got tons of candy and saw tons of firetrucks. What more can boys ask for??
Then, we went to a picnic and the kids had a blast on the slip and slide and on the trampoline. Kids showered, watched a movie, had some snacks are in bed for the night. Tomorrow we will attempt to get a nap in because it's fireworks night!!!