I have to say that this summer has made me more of a fan of Michigan. I know, I never thought I would say that after how much I still miss Colorado! Ask me in January if I'm still feeling this way, ha! Anyway, we've been busy this summer trying to venture out and experience as much as we can.
Before I get into our "summer slide show," a few updates on the boys:
Evan:
- Is almost 5! He asks me every day what we are going to do for his birthday. That's a great question Evan, Mommy doesn't know!
- I took Evan out of daycare for the summer and signed him up for various camps in the area. Farm camp, several Vacation bible school camps, Wacky Adventure Camp, Safety Town and Tee Ball. Soon I'll have a 'taxi' sign on top of my minivan with all the driving around town I'm doing! By the way - where were VBS (Vacation Bible School) when I was growing up - these camps are awesome! They are FREE, and have so many activities for the kids. The camp Evan is at this week had EIGHT bounce houses, an outdoor hockey rink, obstacle course and water balloon area!
- Evan is a wonderful big brother. He truly is patient with Tyler more so than he should be. Tyler is a little mischievous, crazy man who wants to do EVERYTHING Evan is doing. And when he wants to know what Evan's doing, he bothers him until Evan will show him. Instead of being mean when Tyler acts out like this, Evan usually makes a loud "sigh" and says "TYLER, no thank you. I don't want to play Tyler. Don't hit me Tyler."
- And although Evan is a wonderful big brother, he does have his moments where he wonders why we have to keep Tyler around. Driving around the other day, Evan took a big sigh and said to me "Mom, if we can't get rid of Tyler, WHAT are we going to do with him?!" Evan likes to have conversations with me about how we will manage Tyler and how wild he is. Co-parenting, LOL.
- Evan is still very curious about the world and asks the most amazing questions sometimes. He wants to understand everything - why things are they way they are; why the sky is blue; why there are power lines on the side of the road; why a butterfly moves its wings; why lightning can take down a tree. I always have to be on my toes with him to make sure I know the answer (or have my phone/Google handy!).
- Evan loves to watch the news. The news is full of crazy things but it's very interesting to Evan. "Mom, did you know a little boy and his friend went on a boat without an adult and are lost?" "Mom, did you know it's going to rain today but tomorrow will be sunny?" "Mom, why did that guy kill someone?" I can't sensor him from the world; there's some scary stuff out there and when he asks me some questions about horrific things on the news, it makes me sad. Why can't I protect him from all the bad things?! Can I just build a little bubble for my family & friends to live in?!
- If we have an empty box, toilet paper roll, or roll of tape laying around the house, you can bet that Evan will turn it into something amazing. The other day he took a random box from Costco and made a "jet airplane" out of it. He even had Erik cut out a space for his legs and cut out/glued wings to the side. Then last night, he found something and made a light saber from it (currently obsessed with Star Wars).
- Evan is in a phase where he only wants to wear "workout shorts & a workout shirt." I bought him a lot of new clothes (from the resale shop!) for summer, but he lives in 3 of his workout outfits every day.
- Evan's best friend is his buddy Kellan. They have been in a few camps together this summer and get along very well. Kellan was on vacation last week and Evan asked every day when Kellan would be home because he missed him. I drove Evan & Kellan to an event the other week and listening to the two of them talk to each other was hilarious. Their conversations ranged from what kind of snack they wanted, to farting (yes, something about a bodily function always comes up), to Taylor Swift. Yes, Taylor Swift. I guess the obsession with girls starts sooner than I thought! (*insert eye roll from me! Ha!).
Evan sportin' his shades & medal from soccer
Such a cool little dude on his bike
So handsome & getting so big! This was a proof of one of his school pics taken a few months ago.
Tyler
Oh sweet Mr. T. You are my little crazy man. And you're so darn cute! I have you trained well to say "cheeee" every time I hold up my phone to take your picture (which is a lot). You are quite the chatter box now! You talk in "sentences" already and like to figure out new words every day. Last night you tried to say "hummus" because that's one of your most favorite things to eat. You'll scoop it into your mouth by the handful (yes, you have finished almost a whole container of hummus on your own in one day).
And can we talk about what a dangerous little boy you are?! I cannot count the number of times IN A DAY that you fall, bump your head, trip, jump off something, or run into a wall. It's out of control. And you just get right back up! You've pierced your tongue TWICE in a month, blood ALL OVER the place, and do you want to cuddle or rest? NO. You get right back up and keep running around! You've learned to climb out of your crib. We'll hear a big THUD on the floor, then some little feet running all over, then you'll appear in the hallway. No tears, just wanting to play.
Tyler, you throw or find a way to hit EVERYTHING. Seriously, EVERYTHING. You recently picked a cherry tomato off our plant and carried it around calling it a ball. You even dunked it in your basketball hoop. "Bask - ball" is how you say basketball, one of your favorite sports. You'll find plastic Easter eggs and dunk them in the hoop. Your sport skills are really amazing for your age and I'm really banking on you become a famous athlete so mommy & daddy can retire early! No pressure. ;) At night, your crib is full of balls, books and Monkey. You'll spoon with a soccer ball at night.
You seem to have this sport/athlete instinct in you and can pick-up any sport we try with you. You'll carry around a wooden sword and a tennis ball, throw the ball in the air to yourself, and hit it with the sword. You'll try to play golf, tennis, soccer, football, anything! I think you have more fun at Evan's tee ball practice & games than Evan does! You'll set-up the tee (yourself) and hit balls off it! I'm super impressed and clearly you got your sport skills from your Daddy!
Cutest face ever!
Boys being boys, love this pic!
Look at those cute bellies!
Tyler, these next two pictures capture your personality VERY WELL. You love to run around naked and laugh!....and pee on the carpet....
I imagine you're saying "Is it still there?" This is a common 'pose' for you. I think you're trying to do a somersault but not totally sure.
Our little slice of heaven for the afternoon
I have a two minute video of Evan running in and out of the water, jumping, splashing, rolling in the sand. Pure boy, pure fun!
Evan: "Tyler. Tyler. Let me show you."
We enjoyed another visit from Nia this summer and went to the local splash park!
Boys + forts = the best thing ever! Evan slept in this fort for almost a week! Tyler just wanted to tear it down...
Nia took Evan out for ice cream at a place her, Erik, and Guh used to go to when they were younger!
Yes, more forts!
Summer means bonfires & S'mores!
Evan & Guh (aka Greg)
Cannot get enough of his smile, dimples & hair!
Evan's BFF
The dinosaurs visited Detroit this Summer and we were able to see the exhibit twice at the zoo. Super cool!
Tyler was amazed by the dinosaurs
Evan & Kellan kept racing ahead of us they were so excited
Our picture has grown since the last time we took one together back when Luke & Evan were babies (below)!
2015
2012
We age well :) 2015
2006
