Getting Older

I don't know if Brayden spent much time at b-ball practice this morning actually playing ball....everytime I looked he was busy showing or talking to his friends about his lost tooth. Brayden's tooth has been loose but we haven't talked or done much about it. Today on the way to practice he told me it hurt and that there was space under it. I was not paying close attention, just focusing on getting to practice when all of a sudden he said "it's out!" I didn't believe him and had to pull over, this is the big grin he had on his face when I turned around. He is pretty proud of his first tooth!

I really was supposed to be packing today for our trip to Celebrate my brother's wedding but this curl on Becca head was just asking for a picture!

My little mother.

SWIMMING

The week is flying by and I realize I have not put any video's on of the kids swimming. This week and last all three have been in swimming lessons. They have made huge improvements and I actually feel okay taking them to the pool by myself during the day. Both Brayden and Becca are able to some what swim...might not look the greatest but I know they can both make it to the side and climb out. Andrea feels totally comfortable in the water and with a life jacket she is off a running.

This was the fun thing tonight-James and a bottle. Thankfully he did great seeing as I usually start a little sooner with having them take a bottle. He chugged along with all three kids and Ron without much of a protest, true he had endured the heat at the pool and was due to eat but it was lots of fun seeing the kids feed him.

Father's Day

We had a wonderful relaxing day celebrating our dad yesterday. The kids and I had fun making some blueberry pancakes for Ron and then enjoying them ourselves for a nice breakfast. Brayden was all about drawing in Ron's card a nice pictures of the water balloon fight they had the night before. We actually made it to church on time with everyone and after the service was able to still make it into a restaurant without much of a wait. James cooperated and we all enjoyed a nice lunch at the cheesecake factory-complete with a Monte Cristo for Ron.

The weather was once again sweltering but after a little down time we decided to head out and bike across the bridge. Sad to say the fountain at River Crossing was not on-usually our cooling station before heading back home.

So, Ron and Brayden road through Jenks to the splash pad while the girls and I stuck with the car and air conditioning. The heat didn't seem to bother Brayden who was all about biking.

What an awesome daddy, who loves to play!

The water was a lot of fun as it was on full blast-no rotation!

Only Brayden would be out in the middle of a hot field wanting to play kickball, what a great dad who sweats it out with him!

HOT, HOT, HOT

What else is there to do when it is a 90plus degree day in OK?? Well, the kids kept Ron busy with anything water today. They had a blast with a bunch of water balloons, and along with the pool and sprinklers they managed to have a blast on a terribly hot uncomfortable day.

The bucket, all full of balloons. The other day Becca was on water balloon duty-guarding them from Ron. Today they were all about getting them to the top of their fort and letting them fly.

Guess what we found in the house-some regular balloons, they made for a BIG splash!

Brayden is still all about the running jumps into the pool.

I don't think he was having any fun today!

Ron decided to join seeing as he was soaked anyway.

The bunch after all the fun, complete with neighbor friends who love to play.

Bath time tonight, plenty of helping hands. Thankfully James loves the water.

What happened to giving our little baby and nice relaxing bath???

Time Management

I don't know if I really need to say anything more. Today I think I chased the clock or my tail for most of the day-not succeeded at either end. I start the day thinking I have plenty time, seeing as we don't need to be out the door till around 10:45. But I found myself looking at the time just trying to find time to shower and dry my hair this morning. Who knew just answering the phone could take time. You would think I could quick mow the front lawn before 11, but once again it turned into a race and I found myself being the crazy women trying to mow as fast as possible without running-I quit half way. On to rushing the kids into swimsuits and now realizing I still have to nurse and we only have about 20min. Hurry, Hurry, Hurry-we make it out the door leaving a nice mess behind, once again not getting hair combed. Brayden's question is a common one these days, "how much time do we have mommy?" it was 7min this morning-time to hoof it up a HUGE hill with the stroller. Once again I feel like the crazy women trying to run while pushing way to much weight. Yes, there was a lot of yelling to go along with all the hurrying. A bright moment-WE WEREN'T LATE! On to Lunch, now it is a rush to see Ron and office and eat before James blows a gasket because he hasn't eaten since 10:30. Somehow we managed but all the while I am thinking about how soon can we get home. We make it home, about an hour later into nap than normal. Once again, rush, rush, rush,-throw on pull-ups littlerly push Becca up into her top bunk and throw Andrea into her bed and rush to feed a now screaming James. To top it all off five o'clock rolls around, the two little ones are still sleeping and the two older ones are still swimming out back-we are supposed to eat and be out the door to a b-ball game. So much for supper. After another rushed nursing session we are out the door at 5:30 in time to hit McDonald's for dinner....only to order and realized my wallet is not in my purse. Here we go again-driving like a mad women back to the house collect a husband and wallet, back to McDonald's and on to the game-YES, Brayden was on the field at six! I on the other hand was back in the car headed to the nearest gas station as I realized the car had no gas. Time to sit in 90 degree heat and relax-ha, ha. Bedtime is next on the list---I quit! or rather am hiding out in the computer room-Ron can take over!

Actually none of this bothers me....I just miss some quality/relaxed/down time with the kids

I know one day I will look at this and laugh-actually I am too the point of laughing now but not in a good way-I have got to get my act together!

Three Weeks Old

Well, he doesn't look very happy with me in this picture but it has been three weeks already since James' birth. He had a short check-up at the doctors today and he is doing great. James weighs 9lb and 12oz, which wasn't a big surprise to me seeing as most of his awake time is spent eating or wanting to eat. The poor guy is getting introduced to the Ok heat at a rapid pace. This entire week he is sweating it out at the indoor pool-which is like a sauna for those of us watching, and tonight he survived a scorcher of a baseball game.

Fishing

Tonight we made it to the fishing clinic over at the Tulsa Aquarium. It was the first time out this summer and was a great night seeing as it was not sweltering hot. We had to sit through quite an in depth teaching on fish identification, knot tying, casting and fishing safety. The kids did great, I think I was the most impatient out of our bunch.

Becca was all about fishing this year and I think used up most of the worms. By the end of the evening she actually held a fish, with a big grin on her face.

Brayden was once again, very intent and did manage to catch some fish-no big catfish but still fun.

Andrea lasted for a couple minutes then hung out with James and myself, she is quite the talker-or complainer...depending on her mood.

James came along and did great! Thankfully he had a change of spirit this afternoon and was pleasantly awake for most of it. So much fun to be able to get out and not worry about him screaming-his eyes are beautiful and so alert, so fun to see without him scrunching up his face!

Weekend Update

Check out these great pictures of our little cutie. Marleny spend some major time with the little guy who finally caved and gave her some great sleepy shots!


http://mmphotosbymarleny.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-james-tulsa-newborn-photographer.html





I seem to have fallen a little behind in keeping up with our family happenings lately. This is mainly due to the fact that little baby James doesn't particularly like the computer room or my lap, and I can't type with one hand! Anyway it has been a great weekend besides for some continuation of some major sleep deprivation. We finished a great week of Vacation Bible School with the kids. All three attended and had a great time. I loved it just for the fact that it tired them out and for the majority of the week they all took some great naps. All the kids loved the music but Andrea is my little performer. She was all set to sing at church today-no worry's about going up in front of everyone. This was totally opposite of her sister who always has a little shy side and was not quite so sure about performing today-but ended up doing a great job. Sat we finally made the trek to the local pool. This kids had a blast while I sweated it out with James! James being the happy one as he just loves the humid heat.

This is a rare sight unless we are outdoors. James seems to be awake a lot for not even being 3 weeks old and is not always the happiest little guy. Today I broke out the front pack just to use in the house so I could get lunch ready. He is happiest while laying on me, and if he were my one and only this might work but not so much with a little one who needs help in the potty, another wanting to play catch and computer and then another who just wants to help but can't quite do things herself. Thank goodness for a wonderful husband this weekend!

I can't get over how Becca is growing and changing! She is such a great help and has endless patience with James.

This is our bat, which the kids begged for a picture. This one just gave me the creeps even walking out to take it's picture. It doesn't bother Becca and Brayden who are all set to make a bat house so we can have more.








These are videos of the kids doing a big slip-n-slide at our church's family fun night.

All three kids singing the theme song from Vacation Bible School this morning.

Too Many Pictures!

An update

It is about two weeks since having James and the time has just been flying by. We have been blessed with food, family and wonderful friends. James is a typical haveman baby which means he spits a lot, needs to burp and doesn't sleep much. Although he is my first baby to somehow manage to have milk come out his nose! He loves to be held, I don't think he has spent longer than 1 hour in his own bed. I told myself after Brayden no more babies is bed, but when I can get at least 2-3 hours that rule goes out the window at 2am! Becca is still my great helper, getting up extra early to come snuggle in bed with us-just waiting to hold him. Andrea's big concern is that he has his lovie and is constantly bringing it to me while I nurse and covering up his legs. The big kids have VBS this week which is hopefully going to keep them busy and give us a little quiet time just the two of us. Ron's parents are keeping us company and are succeeding in some major spring cleaning before they leave. What a whirlwind this family is, but we are loving every minute and thankful for all the blessings the Lord has given us.

TULSA TOUGH

It is the weekend of the big bike races and yesterday was the kids fun race. All three of the kids road-I was shocked Andrea did it, I thought she might back out sitting there on the starting line with all the kids and people watching. Becca was all set-actually quite serious about the whole thing along with Brayden. It was a very quick two block ride and was over before I could even catch a glimpse of the kids riding. Sad to say the kid's big supporter was out for the afternoon. Ron had ridden the 60mile ride that morning in the hot Tulsa heat and once again was making a visit to the med center. He is recovering just fine, just not the ride he wanted after finally being able to get on his bike after a month of rib recovery!

All first place finishers....Brayden wasn't so sure about everyone getting first place.

.......and the're off!

All three at the end of the race-it was SOOOO hot, they did GREAT!

All set, waiting for the race to begin.