same ol' same ol'

We are still loving summer. Here are some of our adventures:

We met Chris for lunch uptown on Wednesday and the boys had their pick of Discovery Place or ImagiOn - they picked Discovery Place.

A full fledged tantrum..

As we left to walk back to the car, I remembered a fountain in the area and we headed over there.

 We were asked to leave, something about the bank owning the building and insurance reasons..blah blah blah. We still had fun and the boys were soaked.

a pre-soaked pic in the HOT sun

Grandpa brought the boys astronaut costumes from DC - they love them!

The boys love these big sticks and we made them even better by painting them. 

 We had a car wash.

 And made a river

 We still love our popsicle maker from Auntie Olivia.

 Teague still loves soccer - and is actually a really good listener (who would have guessed).

 Worms, rolly pollys, caterpillars, the boys hunt them all.

 Pancakes on the patio 

 Spiderman helped us make them.

 We've spent time on the playground (in the heat - but I love it)

 Another trip to the lake (with Starbucks treats)

There were leaf races down the rapids (no actual leaf made it the entire way but it was exciting)

 The view from the kitchen - this will be the summer of the mud pit.

 Our neighbor is fostering this tiny kitten. She had a trip planned so we've been feeding this little one and the boys are in love.

Neland's school supply list is out, but I think I'll live in denial as long as I can. He's excited, but nervous. He learned to tie his shoes this week and now only wears his lace up shoes. Teague is refusing to go to school. I'm not surprised. If he doesn't get an hour of playing at home in the mornings it is an all out struggle to get him dressed and in the car. Luckily for him, Neland's school starts at 8:45 (I'm not a fan but Teague will be) - otherwise I'd have to wake Teague at 5 to give him time to play - just kidding.

the big event

Last week, each morning, Neland would wake up reporting how many days were left before his birthday. He could not wait.

We did our traditional night before pictures. 

 And along with tradition, he chose the activities and foods for the day. We started with Dunkin Donuts. He kept asking, "I can have a whole one?" Apparently we make him split them most of the time. I love his, 'Can I eat this already face?'

 The proper way to eat a doughnut.

 Our 9:11 pictures to celebrate when we first met!

After doughnuts we headed to the park with our bikes. 

 A trip to the toy store followed (we needed a break from the heat)!

Neland was excited to get a "bad guy set".

Chick-fil-a for lunch

 And then it was party time. Neland had thought of having a laser tag party, but changed his mind to having a party at home. I asked him why he changed his mind and he said, "because Matthew is scared of laser tag and I want him to have fun too." Sweetest guy I know!

 Neland's proposal for a home party sounded a lot like Teague's Elmo party. He wanted a craft, cookies and a game. So that's what we did. We made angry birds and pigs from styrofoam balls.

 Decorated cookies like angry birds and pigs.

 Teague's are below:

 Matthew's:

Then we played angry birds with boxes, water balloon pigs and bean bags in a sling shot. 

It was not easy to aim, but it was fun.

 Then we let them choose, throwing or the sling shot.

Then we had a free-for-all. They were dying to pop the balloons and knock down the boxes (only to build them up again).

We bought the big, easy to fill balloons, which were also hard to pop. Watching Teague cracked me up:

With a lot of hot and sweaty kids, it was time for cake!

We had one activity after cake, Neland's favorite - creating angry bird sets on paper with stickers and precut paper.

 Over cake I had asked the boys what their favorite thing about summer was, some said the pool, some said vacation, Neland said, "Being with my friends." His little buddy said, "Aww, that's the best one."

Neland didn't once ask for presents all day. He didn't mention them once, didn't allude to opening them. Nothing. I can't describe my shock. After dinner we told him we had a surprise for him. Then he guessed it was a present. I pulled out one and he went nuts (which made me think of returning the rest if he was that happy with one). We pulled out the other three and he was ecstatic. 

 The aftermath:

 While the day was tough on Teague (he figured out he was cheated out of a friend party, on top of all the attention given to Neland), but he found his place - and some new toys that Neland didn't mind sharing.

The next day, Granny, Grandma, Grandpa and Mumsie all made the trip down to celebrate! I should have picked up my camera more! Our house was covered with presents and two very happy little guys.

It was a great weekend for a great kid! Neland is just the sweetest kid, and constantly impresses me with his selflessness and kindness.