Spring

It is spring at our house! We just got a new patio set and put it together now that the rain has stopped for a few days. It is so nice to have stuff to play with in the back yard for the kids. They are having a blast with the swing set and I am loving having them out side for a bit each day. I thought I would show you some blossoms from our yard. I just love spring. (sorry that the blossoms are fuzzy. I am still figuring out my digital camera)

My favorite part

I love when my little guys learn to talk. There is nothing sweeter than having a little one to talk to. They always have such interesting things to say and puzzling questions to ask. It makes me use my mind. I bring this up because Zane is starting to really use words. (Of course he doesn't make a whole lot of sense yet but he is definitely trying) It is so cute to watch him point at something and then make a sound, sometimes it actually even sounds right. Right now he is totally into Thomas the Tank Engine (both the boys are really) so every time he sees Thomas he is pointing and squawking until he is acknowledged. It is super cute when he sees Thomas on Andrew underwear (aren't little kid underwear the cutest things ever?) and chases him around the house pointing at Andrews buns. It got so bad one night that he kept pulling on the back of Andrew's pants until he could see Thomas and then show us! Talking is so cute! I think that it is my favorite baby stage!

Rock Wall Masters!

As promised here are the picture of the boys and thier new swing set. Andrew calls it his swing house (too cute!)

These pics were taken when we were only half-way done. The boys were so excited that we had to hook the slide up before we were supposed to just to appease them. It was also one of the few nice days that we had while putting it together!


The boys also love thier new rock climbing wall. I was amazed at how fearless they both were. Andrew is generally more cautious but he insisted on only using the rock grips when going up the side.




Zane was not quite as particular about where he grabbed on but he sure did scramble up the side quick enough. We have to keep an eye on him because he thinks that anything that brother can do he should be able to do too and sometimes his little boy body just isn't that coordinated yet! He sure is cute though when he is trying!


What can I say? My kids are awesome. I just wonder if I will be required to teach them to rock climb (you know REI wall and stuff). I am not really good at it, oh wait! That is what dads are for! Lucky Eric will get all the responsibility of the dangerous stuff!

Swing set pics!

Here is our new swing set! After much work it is together. I have include before and after shots to give you a good idea of what it looks like!



BEFORE.............






AFTER!!!!!

Finally Done!

We have officially finished the swing set and fort. Despite the pouring down rain (thank you Pineapple Express) we have put all the pieces on and screwed all the screws in. I think that the boys will like it. I sincerely hope they will since it took us probaly 12 hours to put together when you add it all up. Way longer than the instructions said it would. Anyway, I don't have pictures yet but they will be coming!

Strengths and Weaknesses

I know that as a parent I should not pigeonhole my kids into one category or another but it is very hard when they are so different and obviously great at different things. Take Andrew for a minute. He has amazing hand eye coordination. He has since his was really little so naturally I think that he will be good at sports (maybe wishful thinking on my part) and other things that require that skill. Zane on the other hand is very influenced by music. When music is playing he waves his hands as if he was conducting. So natually I see many instraments in our future. All that is fine and good. I am just so excited to see how they turn out. I may be completely wrong about what their strengths are but I know for sure that it will be fun to find out!

Pushing Buttons

Now I know that all kids go through a button pushing stage but I have to admit that it is my least favorite part of the growing up process. Andrew is just past the point. He has come to (and rightly so) the realization that when Eric and I say something we mean it. And not just a little bit! Zane, on the other hand, is just starting to push our buttons to determine the exact same thing. I just wish that you only had to go through this parenting part once and then once you pass it you just get to keep the results for each and every child after. I think of it like a video game (not that I am any expert about video games) you know where once you complete and pass a difficult manuver you can save the game and just start over from that spot again and again until you get it right. I wish it was like that with kids. Oh well, I guess it is for my growth and refinement that I have to redo all the levels as well. And I suppose that the results once you do pass it are well behaved kids who are a joy to take places and do things with. At least thats what I hope the results are!