Campout

We went camping by ourselves for the first time.

We drove three hours to San Angelo, set up our tent,

and the kids and I explored while Dad went on a bike ride.

Henry saw his first cactus and wanted to throw rocks and sticks in the pond we found.

Maggie wanted in on the fun, too, but has no boundaries of knowing where to stay safe near water.

So we headed to the playground.

Henry had fun on the slides, horse, and swings.

Maggie thought she could eat the sand, handful after handful, so we headed back to camp.

We used our Camp Chef (propane stove) for the first time and realized next time we need to bring a spatula.

Our plastic fork did the trick this time.

Then we realized we need to pack ketchup with our "tin foil dinners" (cooked on the stove) next time.

After dinner, Henry played with Dad near the water.

Maggie played with Mom near the tent.

The girls found the boys when walking near the tent was no longer exciting.

Boys are so much more fun in the outdoors.

Our roasted marshmallows didn't work in the wind.

Big bummer.

We were all in bed by 9 pm and it's a good thing.

By 1:45 am we had waken up a couple dozen times and thought it was 5 am.

The night got better and we woke up at 7 am.

Dad went on a bike ride while I entertained the kids in the tent.

The sun wasn't out and the wind was blowing a little, making it too cold for my comfort.

I'm a whimp.

At 11 am, the sun was out and the kids and I headed out to play.

When Dad called to see how things were going, I said, "I'm done."

"Do you want to go on a hike?"

"No, I'm done."

We drove home as the kids caught up on some much needed sleep.

I love car rides.

It was nice to get away, but to be honest, it wasn't my favorite trip (if  you couldn't already tell).

I did enjoy watching our kids be so happy outdoors, entertaining themselves and each other.

Henry could be a mountain man and is at a fun stage for camping.

Maggie, on the other hand, was a little stinker.

But they were cute together and I'm sure they will have a lot of camping fun as the years go by.

Better luck with our next camping trip.

More Videos, Grandma

Now you can add these to the mix of videos you watch

(so you don't get bored with the walking video from the previous post).

Enjoy!

Muck-a-luck

Monkeys Jumping

Good Job!

Marshmallows Make Life All Better

Dear Grandmas and Grandpas,

Maggie is walking all the time now.

And she started talking muck-a-luck, just like Henry used to.

I wish we could drive/fly straight to your house just so you could see her.

And hold her.

And love her.

And tell us all how sweet and cute and angelic she is.

She got (another) black eye yesterday.

We were having a family love fest/doggy pile on the couch.

Dad started tickling Henry.

The next thing we know Maggie had climbed too far and landed on the floor,
hitting her head on the printer on her way down. 

We wish you could see her in person:

her double black-eyed face, her "I'm poopy" sit (featured below--notice the leaning to one side),
and the small amount of hair that has come in that Skype just doesn't capture.

I'm sure she would love a kiss from you.

And some extra loves and protection.

Henry is starting to say funny things.

My favorite is when I ask him to do something and he responds with, "No, I too big."

Well, it was funny the first few times.

I try to remember the funny things so I can tell you, but it's impossible to remember everything.

Henry could definitely use some love from you right now.

He would love the undivided attention and the laughter you always bring to him.

He would reward you for your time with his bear hugs and sweet kisses.

I'm sure you miss them just as much as we miss seeing you.

I know he has been a little stinker about talking with you, but he still loves you.

Oh, how he loves you.

He has a big heart.

And you are at the top of his list of favorite people.

I tried to teach Henry about the letter 'A' today.

He is casually learning colors and numbers.
He tolerates my teaching if it is incorporated into our playing routine.
Today was the first attempt at sitting down with the intention of teaching/learning.
He quickly got bored, so we took a break to play with googly eyes and take random pictures.

Henry has a big imagination right now.

He likes to scare the monsters in our house, fly like a dragon (while jumping off the hearth),
and pretend to be a tiger.

He likes to hide under the bathroom sink, in the bathroom closet, and in the hamper.

And he loves to include Maggie when playing in these small places.

I wish you could see the rare moments when Henry and Maggie laugh so hard together.

It is so fun to listen to and to watch.

I wish you could hold Maggie while I sit with Henry in time out.

She is usually crying during our time outs.

I wish you could hear Henry singing throughout the day and listen to Maggie talk.
Their little voices can be so precious.

I wish you could drop in whenever you wanted to.

We would love to have you in our home every day.

But alas, we are at a distance with limited funds.

And so we will continue our Skype calls, phone calls, texts, and emails.

We will continue to look forward to the time we get to spend together in the near future.

Oh, how we miss you.

How we wish we lived closer or had a way to visit more regularly.

We love you, Grandmas and Grandpas.

Oh, how we love you!

Henry is Three

Three years ago (yesterday), my heart grew three sizes. I thought about that day while putting on Henry's jammies last night. As Henry became consumed with removing & placing a sticker on his bare chest, I watched his cute face. I saw a slight smirk creep across his cheek and his eyes as they looked at mine and I remembered our time in the hospital--when the world seemed to stop--and I stared at my new baby. My baby. He has the same happy countenance about him that he's always had since a babe.

Now my baby is a toddler: a three-year-old toddler. We survived age two (and I mean we). I have decided that Henry is my toddler to help me stretch myself, learn more humility, patience, and relying on heavenly guidance among a million other things. And he is Brendon's toddler to give Henry relief from me. Oh, how they love to play together and they like the same type of rough play that Mom doesn't enjoy. Henry is here for me and Brendon is here for Henry.

My favorite moments with Henry lately have been right after his nap, when he wants to be loved and cuddled. He seems to be needing extra loves lately and has been caught saying, "No Maggie, that's Harry's (Henry's) mommy."

There are so many things about Henry that I love...

His happy countenance

His eyes, his chin, & his adorable face (it seriously melts me...still)

His sensitivity to young children/babies 

(usually those who don't live in the same house)

His bear hugs & kisses & how he spontaneously offers affection

His need for physical affection & how often he voluntarily asks for it

His stubbornness--because I know it can be used for good

His imagination & ability to entertain himself

The enjoyment he finds in running & being active

(this picture captures our lives so well)

How he asks about Maggie when he wakes up or notices she isn't around

His great love for his grandparents & his deep bonds with them

(I'm convinced the bonds existed before he came to earth)

His contagious laugh

We sure do love you, Henry!

I tried to make Henry's birthday weekend special, even though he didn't understand it was for his birthday. On Friday we went to Dairy Queen for a blizzard. Maggie & I ended up eating it all while Henry played on the outdoor play place. Afterwards, we went to Toys R Us to parooz the toys. We walked out empty handed, but that doesn't phase Henry. We went home for dinner, then Henry & Maggie went off to play with friends while I went shopping...alone (thank you, babysitting swap!...Brendon was out of town).

On Saturday we went to the library for a Dr. Suess birthday celebration. We made hats for the kids and ate treats. Henry loved his hat so much that he wore it to the grocery store and during his nap. After naps, we went to the local science museum, then rented Madagascar 3 and watched it while eating dinner.

Sunday was Henry's birthday. We went to church and had Henry's friend, Maddox (who shares the same birthday), over for dinner. We made the only dinner Henry enjoys: spaghetti and meatballs with french bread (and other sides). Maddox's Mom made some delicious cupcakes and the boys fought played until everyone had enough and it was time to get some kids to bed.

 Happy third birthday, Buddy!