For a piece of gum

Every year there is a new bribe to get this boy to do the brave, exciting, fun and daring thing!!  Last year he would do almost anything for a soda.  This year....gum.  Here is what he did to get a piece of gum....








 To be fair, he asked for that piece of gum, which he earned, every day of vacation.  I honestly don't carry gum so we were hoping someone else could get him some.  Finally-on the last morning of the trip, as we were pulling out of the driveway of the cottage---Aunt Sarah pulled through and gave us a few pieces.  He earned it!

Through the night....

It's been 7 long years.  8 if you count the pregnancy.  7 or 8 long years of not sleeping through the night and we have finally turned the corner.  You read about sleep deprivation being awful, scary, unhealthy, maddening and truly torture.  I can vouch for it all.  But we parents get through it--with caffeine, or naps when they nap, or a vent session to our own moms.  I still am not a good sleeper so I am still not sleeping through the night by any means.  But our little Crosby---he has it figured out. In the last month we have been sleeping somewhere other than our own house for at least 75% of the nights.  With all our travels Crosby has slept through the night all but a handful of those nights.  Even when he's been in the same room as the boys, or Andy and me.  I love it.  It feels just like it's supposed to feel.  I feel Andy and I and Bailee have all earned it!!!  Here is a glimpse of Crosby practicing this new skill.

Nightswimming

The boys have been FISH the last few weeks.  Hugh realllllly made some headway in the warm pool in Tennessee.  He started going under the water, swimming to the bottom, and swimming under the water.  Andy and I were so impressed with his progress.  Eli just swam from dawn till...past dusk---under the moonlight. Night swimming is magical for kids and I'm so glad we let them do this with all of their cousins.

Eli swings

Grandma Barb calls him a natural!

Safety Town!

Hugh Lou completed his week of Safety Town today.  He loved it.  Every day he excitedly told me all about what he learned, snacked on and which friends he made.  Each day I picked him up he was ending the class in "the city" riding on a trike, a car or in the "firehouse".  But today...ooooh today....the last day.  I could see his head over in the corner.  When I rounded the corner there he sat-in a little chair with a seat-belt on.  I don't know how long he was practicing sitting in a chair with a big boy seat-belt on across his chest-but he was PROUD.  I know my boys think that when I tell them something I'm just being a mean, nagging mom.  I remind them that usually what I'm warning them about is something to keep them safe and healthy. So when these cool "teachers" reiterate all these safety rules it has much more of an impact. I truly believe that kids could continue to take safety town up until the age of 20!!!

I know you can't tell because he is wearing his arm immobilizer, but he is sitting in a chair with a seatbelt taped to the chair!

This is literally 30 seconds after he cried because his police sticker "badge" ripped. 

It seemed like they learned about multiple topics each day...I know he learned more than he told me about when he came home.  They got to see a fire truck and police car.    

A few of the things Hughie "learned"

-Hold hands with an adult when walking in the street

-Don't pet a dog by his mouth

-Ask "remission" if you want to pet a wild dog

-You can't pet an elephant, even in the zoo-they can bite you with a tusk

-If you catch on fire you stop, drop and roll

-If you see a fire in your house you spray it with water (????????!!! ahhhhh)

-You sing the ABC's while you wash your hands and brush your teeth

-If you drink soda it's not good for your teeth.  If you eat ice cream it's healthy for you but it's not healthy for your teeth

-911, green light vs yellow light vs red light

Diving Board

Where have I been....

I have been here...there...a little of everywhere. Our summer has been full of travels, long car rides, many hours packing and unpacking, but all the while enjoying the weather and the people that we have found all over the place. I constantly think about blogging all the happenings. I just haven't found time. But it's happening. It's alllll happening. The boys are getting older and making their way through life. And I'm happy to say that life is good, it's full, it's blessed but it's not recorded. I am going to keep trying. 

The next few days may allow me some time. So here we go...let's catch up a little.