New Dishwasher

We got a new dishwasher tonight! hehehe! "Washing his bowl"....

Eli took a bath in the sink tonight because I was too lazy to run upstairs and do it. It was a fun adventure for him since it has been a long time since he bathed in the sink. While playing in the bubbles, he reached over for his bowl from dinner (it was rinsed out) and played with it. He pretended to wash dishes like Momma does!

Tot in training!

So you think you can talk....

Before you decide to click on this video of Aiden, make sure that your sound is on... and turn my music playlist to pause... you wont want to miss this!

Aiden has become quite the talker! He is most definitely my son! haha!

Every morning I wake to the sounds of him talking. I am sure he is telling me to get my hiney up and lets go play... but instead I snuggle him and listen... oh I love this stage!

This is a video from this morning and Aiden was telling Poppy and Uncle Jamie all kinds of stuff!

Nanna and You Tube

Nanna sure knows how to spoil the babes! She came over this afternoon with a Sonic Wacky Pack (kids meal) and played with Eli on YouTube. Eli loves it when she comes over, because they get on my laptop and watch crazy videos. The videos range from cars and trucks crashing, animals playing, bulldozers working, and sing-a-long songs! It seems as if every time she comes over they pick a "theme". Today's theme was sing-a-long. They sang and danced to "happy and you know it". It was super cute seeing those two in action! She is a wonderful Nanna and we are all happy to have her in our life! She knows how to make us all smile and feel loved!

By the way... Eli was not too keen on sharing his Nanna. When she held and loved on Aiden, he sat behind her on the couch and kicked her and tried to get her attention. Her time with Aiden was brief, but that's okay... he knows his Nanna loves him very, very much!

Cubs Visit

Poppy (Peggy) and Uncle Jamie came for an overnight visit yesterday to stay between games. The Astros were playing the Cubs yesterday and today and ended of losing both games! Peggy and Jamie were disappointed but had fun anyway!

I got the boys all decked out in their Cubs outfits for some team spirit!
Aiden spent lots of time with Uncle Jamie today....

pure love....

Thank you Poppy and Uncle Jamie for coming to visit.

Eli and Aiden loved spending time with you!

Another "first"

Eli and Aiden had another "first" this week! I took them to the movies today! It went surprisingly well! I saw on FaceBook that a friend of mine took her 18 month old to the movies and he did great, so I thought "lets give it a try!" We went to the theatre by our house that is hardly ever busy. There have been many times that Jeramy and I would go, and were the only ones there. Sure enough, Eli, Aiden, and Mommy were lone rangers for a bit. Once the movie started, one couple came in to watch.

When the movie started, Eli was at attention. His eyes were glued to the screen, his hands were in the pop pop bucket, and his sippy cup was near. He "Wow'd", "Woah'd", and "Ooh'd" several times. His biggest reaction was when the army troops parachuted out the window.... he thought that was too cool! Eli was into the movie for an hour straight! He ran around the theatre (while watching the movie) to check out the many rows of empty seats. I walked to the back to watch him (and the movie)....then after a bit of exploring, he went right back to the front and stood next to me to finish the movie.

Aiden did really well too! He liked watching the big screen. I gave him a bottle and when I turned him to burp, he started to fuss because I turned him away from the screen! Aiden was awake and watching the movie up to the last 20 minutes, he conked out!

Kid Vs. Cat

Eli was up to no good last night. It was as if the swimming pool gave him this crazy energy and he had to unleash it on the cat. Miss Willow has put up with Eli really well. She lets him irritate her for a good while before "fighting back"! (No worries, she is declawed and she "nips" at you but wont bite) petting her...
then getting too rough... so she escapes to a new place...

Under the table... she gets tired of him messing with her so they swat at one another!

She is pretty mad here... look at her ears. They are really laid back....

She gets so mad that she pops him in the face!

You are going DOWN, buddy!

I would say that Cat won!

All the while, sweet little Miss Haley snuggled on my bed!

Sunday Splash

Yesterday Jer went to Target to get Eli a new swimming pool. The other one (blue hard plastic one) cracked when I dumped it over last month to drain. This pool was big enough for all four of us to get in and with plenty of room. Eli had a blast playing in the pool with us for 2 hours! Jer made the ultimate set up... EZ Up over the pool so we didn't burn, Aiden's stroller was out and in the shade (for when he was tired of being in the water), and the music was playing on the outdoor speakers!
momma's little cutie! Aiden was not happy about the cool water at first but he settled down and watched his brother splash around.

look at this face... he wanted me to stop interrupting his "work"

Eli was sad when he saw Daddy taking the EZUp and pool down...

watching Daddy empty the pool.....

still moping....

Looks like the rain needs to stop so we can get the pool out again, soon!

First Astros Game

Last night we went to the Astros game against the Cincinnati Reds. This was Eli's very first MLB experience! He did extremely well... both boys did! Eli was all about eating popcorn, watching the crowds, dancing to the music, and clapping with the crowd!our view....

eatin' pop pop and watching the game...

He got a balloon to play with.... what a hit! He played baseball with our heads!

Astro's lost 0-7... oh well, we had fun!

Summer Session 2 of Soccer Tots

Eli has started his second session of Soccer Tots. He really loves it! Jeramy and I like it that it gets him interacting with more kids, teaches him some skills, and gets out some early Saturday morning energy! He has been going to Soccer Tots for 6 weeks and we have seen some huge improvements!
It's not all about soccer.. it's based on teaching the kids different skills for sports and following directions. Eli loves "noodle time!"

noodle tickle!!

Aiden loves going to watch his big bro! He never naps during class, he watches and listens the whole time! I cant even give him a bottle during class.... he is too distracted!

I have had to take Eli to class a couple times during the week day by myself. I usually keep Aiden in the car seat until he fusses and then I put him in the Baby Bjorn. I think Aiden likes the running around we do!

This is another one of Eli's favorites at Soccer Tots... chasing the rolling hula hoop!

Eli has began playing peek a boo in the car now!

Peek- a......

Boo!!

Playdates with Maddie

This past week we changed our routine of running all over town for play dates.

Penny brought the kids over to the house for some wild and crazy times!

Eli and Maddie loved running and jumping on the couch and pillow fights!

I am not big on letting Eli jump on the couch, but sometimes you gotta just go with the flow and choose your battles.

Besides... they were having a blast!

We ended our play dates with fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies...

Eli's asking "more please"...

my little cookie monster

tearing it up!

mmm....

chocolate face!

Eli and Maddie are loving on baby Colton!

Our summer is winding down. It went by way too fast. I did get Eli out and about as much as possible this summer. I think he had fun... I know I did!

I really enjoy my job so that I have the opportunity to "raise my own kid" (instead of daycare or someone else) for several weeks in a row. I get so sad during the school year when I hear of a milestone that Eli did at daycare and I missed. I am very thankful and fortunate to have the summer months off to watch both of my boys grow and explore their world.