Riddle me this

After watching the boys argue over who got to read their new Lego Club Jr magazine first, I finally intervened. I gave Dexter the first turn and Jaxon the second. After a few minutes, Jaxon said, "Dexter, are you ALMOST done? I really want a turn!"

Dexter answered, "Ooooookaaaay, Jaxon. You can have a turn if you can answer my riddle. Deal?"

"Okay. It's a deal."

"What goes Bunky Bunky?"

"Hmmm.... (with exasperation) I DON'T KNOW!"

Dex leans close to Jaxon's ear and whispers something, then Jaxon shouts, "Jumpy Dunky!"

Then Dexter shouts, "Hooray!! You got it right!"

The two of them giggled hysterically, repeated the joke about six more times and then shared the magazine together. Oh, boys....

The wonderful world of make-believe

I can't help posting all of my "tries" at group shots. I smile at every single one, because even when the kids are acting goofy or have ants in their pants, they're moments that I want to remember.
Anakin (Jax) and Daddy (Dex)

On this particular day, Dex was cracking me up pretending to be a grown-up. Whenever I would ask him to do something (ie, pick up toys), he would calmly explain that he wasn't able to because he was on his way to a meeting, or an appointment, or work. I even found him trying to gather up any cash he could find so that he could walk to the bus station and buy a ticket for a trip to Madison, all by himself. Let's hope he doesn't try that again!


Anakin (Jax) and Jack (Dex). On this day, Jack invited Anakin into the magic tree house with him.... glorious adventures ensued...

I love the fact that the boys have so much enthusiasm for make-believe. Sometimes, I do wish I could bring them back to reality a bit more easily... but then I remind myself that they have the rest of their lives to be Dexter and Jaxon. Right now, they have the luxury of being anyone they want to be most of the time... and I get the luxury of priceless entertainment. Aah, me. :)

Fun with friends

Storytime with Hailey. Luckily, Hailey likes the Magic Tree House books as much as the boys!
Summer treats on a hot day
Dex, Caleb and Jax

We have been having so much fun this summer. It's been making me feel even more lucky to be able to be home with these kiddos, watching them grow and play. The kids are still at a place where they can see playmates that they haven't seen in months and jump right back into playing with them, as though they see each other every day. Of course, for every photo I remember to take there are about a hundred that I miss... but maybe that means I'm just really living in the moment!

Cousins!!

Reese and Shea

The kids recently had a blast with all their cousins on D.R.'s side. It's so fun to see them all playing together! Back row: Walker, Henry, Jax, Dex, Jake, Shea. Front Row: Cash and Reese. What a goofy group of kiddos.
Picnic time

Boys!

One more of Reese and Shea. It's so fun for me to see these girls together. Shea asks for Reese all the time, so she was OVERJOYED to actually have Reese to herself for a little bit. Among all those boy cousins, it's cute to see the two girls together. Despite the fact that Reese is the eldest and Shea is the youngest, they're quite sweet and affectionate with each other.

Don't Cry (Mama) Over Spilled Milk

Uh-oh. Caught in the act.

But I was pouring rabbit a drink!

What? Aren't you pleased with me?

It seems we've been having a lot of spills and messes, lately. Some are accidental, some are the result of small hands trying to do things that grown-up hands should be doing... some are the result of little people attempting to "hide the evidence" in places like living room furniture and bed sheets. Mostly, these are harmless set-backs in our day, involving substances like peanut butter and cracker crumbs. There are days, however, where the spills involve near-full gallons of milk... which are slightly more difficult to clean up and require MUCH more patience from Mom. I might need to think about a lock for our fridge...

Day O' Fun

We had a super fun visit from Mimi and Granddad, recently... which was filled with sun and fun. Of course, everyone was utterly exhausted at the end of the day. Here, the kids cuddle and relax with Mimi and Granddad.

We took the kiddos to a local wading pool and enjoyed quite the show. The boys met a little girl and the three of them were inseperable. Spectators enjoyed an energetic choo choo train and rowdy choruses of Ring Around the Rosie. Younger children clambored to join the threesome, which occasionally grew to as many as six or seven little people. It was quite the sight.

Shea is completely obsessed with bugs (she adores them) and this day was no exception. Lucky for me, she did not insist on carrying this earthworm around. Ants, moths and caterpillars are one thing... but squished earthworm would not be my dream come true. :)

Mimi and Shea

Ring Around the Rosie... take one.

Mimi and the boys (Jax-left, Dex-right)

Dex

Shea and Granddad

Jax

Dex

Mimi and Granddad

Hmmm... Shea, taking advantage of all the great attention (and story time).