The many faces...

 Here's just a little something that sums up Ty.  He can turn his mood on a dime, but we love that about him.  All his many faces to go with those moods are the best!

Being silly.

M A D 

If you see this face, be ready.  Anything can happen! 

Sweetheart.

Starstruck

Aaron and Ty were able to participate in an enrichment program at school this year called starstruck.  It was a dance performance that basically was just for the pure enjoyment of all the parents.  Honestly, we probably could have packed the place with just our family but tickets were limited.  So to everyone that didn't get to be there, here's the videos {as promised}. Enjoy!

Here's Ty performing on the first night.  He was right in the front row which was great!  

Unfortunately he's right under the spot light at first so you can't see his serious expression, but he rocked It's a Small World!

On the second night, Aaron's class performed Whoop there it is!  He had a lot of fun too, and he knew his moves better than anyone, he's just a little hard to see at first.  He starts out in the back row, but moves his was up.  He did such a great job!

The kids had a lot of fun with it, and they both have some great moves, not that this comes as a huge surprise with all of their Just Dance experience.  

I loved every minute of this...

Always watching...

I have known this little guy is Daddy's #1 fan for quite some time.  I have also known that he watches EVERYTHING his Daddy does.  What I didn't know was that he was also doing this little routine...
I used my stealth skills to capture this little picture.  He ties his towel {like his Daddy} and puts on deodorant {also like his Daddy}.  I know kids watch {and listen to} everything, but wow!

Lesson learned...good thing this little guy has such a positive roll model.

Grammy and the Grandsons

 This Grammy now has three grandsons!
They barely fit on her lap.
And yes, she had to bribe Ty with a dollar to pose for the picture.

Home-made Playdough

Another thing I don't always say yes to is play-dough   It's just so crumbly and messy!  Well, the boys LOVE it so a friend told me homemade play-dough is nowhere near as crumbly and guess what? Not only was she right, but its super easy and cheap to make. 

Here's my recipe:

1 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water
food coloring

Mix first 4 ingredients in a sauce pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 – 5 minutes. The dough will  form a “clump”.  Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a super long time stored in a covered plastic container or baggie.

Ty had a bit of an issue with the scent of it so I put a few drops of my lavender essential oils in and operation play-dough relaxation was achieved   I got out rolling pins and cookie cutters and they had so much fun!

Thanks for all your "help" Ty!

I'm all about teaching kids to help out and do chores, but doesn't it seem like sometimes their "chores" or "help" ends up being more "chores" for the parents?
Extra laundry, floors to clean, etc...

 ...but what are you going to do?
Look at that face...

Thanks for your help Ty!  

First Day of School

 Summer's over and we are now embarking on a new school year.  I now have a third and first grader. When did this happen?!?  They are just growing like weeds!

My big Third grader...

My "little" big first grader

All ready to go...

 Ugh, They are just so dang cute!
Although I feel a little sad knowing these two cuties are going to be growing more independent, I must admit, I have big plans of my own for that 6 hour break everyday...  

Artists

 If there is one thing that makes these little guys happy, its when I say YES to paint!  They love creating things and I do love to make them happy...I don't always love the mess, but these smiles are worth it...

 

June 8th...AKA Ty's Birthday!

Since we had the big bash yesterday and we are all still recovering from all of the wacky tacky chaos, we did a little mini celebration for Ty's 6th birthday with some of our close friends {the Dubenkos}.

We went swimming, BBQed and played.  Easy, breezy and low key...

Tyler and Mason cheesing it up.

Goggle Eyes

Pazookie time with a very enthusiastic birthday song courtesy of Mason.

 I just have to take a moment here to say how grateful I am to have this little guy as my son.  He is my little M&M.  He sometimes puts on like he is Mister tough guy with a hard shell, but in the middle, he is so sweet.  He has such a good heart and a great sense of humor.  He always looks out for other people, especially his brother.  He also has a determination that will serve him very well someday.
I love you Ty Ty!!! Happy Birthday!!!

The Last Day of School

 I can't believe how quickly this year went!  It's the end of Kindergarten for Ty and Second grade so Aaron.  These boys have grown up so much...

Aaron and his second grade teacher, Mrs. Schrieber.   

Aaron and his best buddy, Lochlan.  These two were like peas in a pod all year long.

Aaron and Lochlan, Preston, and Charlie

Tyler had a little "promotion ceremony" and song to mark the end of Kindergarten.  This year the last day of school was also Ty's sixth birthday!

Tyler and Mrs. Hill.  I think he may have had a crush on her at one point...

Here he is getting his certificate.

My silly Ty.  Don't grow up too fast...

Now for summer vacation!!!

Ty's 6th Birthday Party

 We had Ty's birthday party at Wacky Tacky.  Yes, it was wacky and yes a little tacky, but the kids had a blast!!!

Natalie, Tyler and "baby Hayden"

Ty and Nat have had a little crush thing going on all school year...

Tyler and Ethan.

Balloon bending!

Face painting!

Wacky and Tacky chaos in the party room.

The birthday bash was a huge success.  We all went home with very tired kiddos that night. 

Obsessed Much?

Just a quick update to say how much Ty LOVES his trophy.  He started holding it everywhere he went!  So cute!

 

Tee Ball Trophy

 Ty's Tee Ball season on the Washington Nationals ended with a trophy ceremony at our local pizza parlor.  This was his first, but {I'm predicting} not the last trophy he receives.  He really loved playing.

Here's the traditional Tyler smile when he sees the camera come out.

It was so cute to see that they are still young enough to give each other hugs! 

He was SO excited!!!

 We are so proud of you Tyler!
You did a great job this season and always tried your best.

Cracking the whip

Ok, so I'm taking a little break from my usual here and getting a little deep. 

 I'm talking about parenting and teaching my kiddos a very important lesson.  Jeremy and I decided at the beginning of the year to try to find a way to help our kids understand the value of hard work and basically to "un-spoil" them a bit. I want to raise responsible boys that are not afraid of a little hard work to get what and where they want.  In this day of instant gratification it is important to teach children that yes, good things do come to those who wait as long as they are willing to work for it!

 Let me tell you, this is not an easy process.  It takes time...a lot of it!  There have been times where I feel like I'm a broken record talking to the walls.  Although, so far, I'm happy to say we are seeing some positive changes.  We have been on a chore system for a while now and the boys are earning their own money.  The concept is still a work in progress, but when we went to Target yesterday, both boys were asking how much more they needed to earn in order to buy a few items.  I told them, and they were silent. 

 SILENT!

Miraculously, there was no begging, pleading, or tantrum throwing.  They are getting it!!!

After doing a little internal happy dance,  I also went a little deeper and thought about what just happened.  

I thought, hhhmmm... 

In teaching these little boys how to be good men, I have struggled to be patient. 

In teaching them, I've been working hard at being conscious of my decisions.  

Wow! In teaching them this whole working for what we want, I'm doing the same things they are!

It's SO much easier sometimes to give in and just buy whatever it is that will make them happy in the moment, but I also know the easiest path is not the best.  

Hard work does pay off.  

To show for it, I really do have some fantastic, sweet and caring little guys.

Here's these sweet little guys hard at work. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***UPDATE*** 

Oh yes, they boys have been fighting over who gets to set the table and who gets to do the dishes. 

 Not in the way you may think though. They both WANT to do the dishes! So much that Aaron actually asked me to make sure the pots and pans were really dirty for him since it was his night to do the dishes. Ha! 

I simply had to document that one, because when I was growing up, it was the exact opposite for sure!

Bubbles n sticks

I've never met a kid that didn't like these two things. Bubbles and Sticks. Two of the most classic kid entertainers that will never get old.

 

 

 

 

Practice makes perfect

Ty decided his sport of choice is Tee Ball.  Make no mistake though, its not baseball. He plays Tee ball and ONLY Tee ball.  NOT baseball.  

In preparation for the season, he has practiced quite a bit and in my totally unbiased opinion, he is really quite good.

Every time he throws, catches, runs, swings, or exerts energy in general, he makes this little whistle noise.  Its hilarious!

 

 

Fast forward a few years...He's going to have that stare down!