Praying Mantis

We were out at the farm enjoying a day on the pond when we saw this ...

The kids were excited.  

When we got home they were even more excited when they found this on our door ... 

They each took a turn letting it crawl on them and quickly learned they are FAST.  

I wish I had caught their reactions on video as the praying mantis ran up their arms and onto their heads.  It was so funny!

Little boys

Jordan has decided he knows more than me ... He decided to show me how much  smarter her is today.  We had picked jalapeños from the garden and Jordan informed me they were not hot.  I told them they were and to put the jalapeño back and he decided he would prove me wrong and took a bite.  

It wasn't long before he was spitting the pepper out and scrambling for an ice cube to suck on and anything else he could get a hold of.  Maybe next time he will believe me -- or not.  Right now it seems I don't know too much.

Evidently someone along the way has decided to graciously show Jordan how to do armpit farts and this morning Jordan graciously gave me a demonstration.  Needless to say he has been doing it A LOT.  So much fun.

After returning home from getting the boys from school, I stopped to pick he ripe cherry tomatoes and sent Nic on ahead to unlock and open the front door.  While I was picking Nic started to do the pee pee dance and I told him to go potty. Next thing I see is Nic standing in front of the tree.  Then I turn around to see Jordan doing the same thing by another tree.  The door is open boys!!   REALLY?!

While following daddy outside, Nic tripped and fell in the driveway and came in the house with this

Which he asked "am I going to die?"  Um, no, you won't.

Kindergarten

His first day and he was so excited.  I walked him in and he grudgingly gave me a hug bye.  When I picked him up after school he was still so excited.  He made 3 new friends and he really likes his teacher.  

When he didn't get to go the next day he was disappointed, until he got to go play with cousins.

This morning he was back to school and I asked him if he wanted me to walk him in.  I was informed he could do it himself.  Jordan being the big brother he is tried to help but Nic was determined to do it on his own.  It continued this afternoon in the car rider line when Jordan tried to hold Nic's hand and Nic refused.  Independence reached -- to a point.  My baby still has hugs and kisses for me :)

Good and timely reminder

Last "hurrah" of summer

We decided to surprise the kids on Monday and took them to Chattanooga ... With school starting Wednesday.

Mike and I were talking ... It was funny because last time we came -- Jordan was pushing us thru.  This time it was Nic pulling us along ... Or trying to.  Constance would have loved to stay and see the animals and critters they bring out.  The boys just wouldn't sit still that long.

The butterflies and sting days are always a big hit.  Nic was so excited when the butterflies landed on him.  Constance found one that had only 2 legs ...

You really can't go wrong with the sharks either.  I loved the many faces of my boys in the shark cage.

The kids were go, go, go ... Until we got here.  They decided to take up residence.  Constance volunteered to move in -- she thought this would be a perfect room.  I really can't say that I disagree with that.  We had to push them out -- they really enjoyed just relaxing there.

Between the sharks and now jellyfish ... I don't know if Jordan will ever have a desire to get in the ocean.  I was telling the kids about how jellyfish can sting you and told them Sister Carico got stung by one just last week.  That might have been a mistake.

With the nice warm weather we let the kids wade in the little stream before we decided to head over to the pedestrian bridge.

On the way to the bridge mike and I were talking about how we wished we knew where to find the stairs with water going down .  We'd seen it on a commercial for Chattanooga.  We were getting ready to cross the street when I saw a cool looking bridge and wanted to get a picture of it.

I was so glad I did -- we found the stairs.  Our kids decided they would much rather play in the water for a bit rather then cross the bridge.  They had a blast!

A simple truth -- a timely reminder

Sometimes a little reminder is needed and perspective is gained ... 

Lately there have been some struggles and issues that have been really frustrating and just leave me shaking my head and at a loss as to what to do and questioning why.  I have prayed and prayed for for guidance as to what to do and how to handle things and for a softening of hearts ... When I saw this today ... It brought a peace and a confirmation that we are on the right path.  Not that the struggles will simply go away or that we won't have them but that no matter what, when you stand up for what you feel is right, when you have integrity, you will piss some people off (for lack of a better term) ... The most important thing is making sure you are right with Heavenly Father -- he is ultimately the one you have to answer to and his opinion is the only one that matters.

A little mouse ... Named Nic

This is what happens when you don't get the bread sliced as quickly as a 5-yr-old would like.  Nic decided he had waited long enough and helped himself to he bread.