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!!!

Leamon Boot Camp

Since the boys have had their birthdays, their behavior has, ummm, well, sort of gone downhill. I'll admit (not out loud!!) that I *may* have helped in this. It got really hot out, our routine got out of whack and, quite honestly, I started putting up with more crap than I should have. Well, no more. They are a bit out of control and it's a bit ridiculous. We have created the Leamon Boot Camp to get this house back under control. I'm pretty laid back with a lot of my parenting and definitely agree that kids should be kids...but! Yes, a big 'ole but here... Kids need to show respect. I believe it needs to be given to them and it also needs to be given to others. So, that's what we're working on. We've accomplished the bedtime routine and bedtime so that's good....now working on listening and respect. Help me..... :)

The last few days...

1. I have threatened to take the doors off of the hinges from Lex and Nate's room.
2. We have come to realize that Bailey cannot chew gum and do, well, anything.
3. Lex thinks we need to get rid of Nate and find him a new home since he doesn't listen here.
4. Bailey wanted to keep a pair of broken sunglasses because, "they make a cool noise when you flap them."
5. Lex likes to "read" the scripture from a pull out pen and visit Jesus.
6. Nate likes to chase Lex with a chainsaw.
7. Oh, and Nate got the Bob the Builder toilet seat stuck on his head today.
8. Lex introduced himself to one of the pastor's of our church as Spiderman.

Operation Fluffy

Fluffy is what Nate calls his pacifier. I think it's time to be rid of it. We did it around this age with Lex and it worked out pretty well. Although, I believe it was much easier with Lex because we called him a big boy and Nate the baby, etc. We have been calling Nate a big boy for a while, explaining that fluffies are for babies, etc. Today, I pretended to throw it in the garbage. He sat on my lap and hugged me and cried for about 10 minutes and then he was okay. *sigh* This (and diapers) are the only thing left of my baby. It's bittersweet for me, I can only imagine how hard it is for him. We'll get through this. It'll be rough for a few nights, but we'll survive.