Our last month as a family of 4

Well, we will be a family of 5 very soon, and I think we all knew it this month...even the boys seemed to be aware that a change was coming soon. They were just a little bit more emotional and clingy this month, and we tried to give them some extra attention and have some "last time for awhile" moments with them too, before the baby arrives.

This is Drew 'using the force' against me

Drew was certainly more emotional this month it seemed...or maybe Mommy was and Drew's 'normal' was just more than Mommy could handle this month - hard to know for sure! He continues to regularly refuse a quiet time, insisting on "being wherever you are", giving us little to no break. The kid loves attention and needs lots of loving, there's no doubt about that, and he's always been that way really.

Drew has been consumed with super heroes, Star Wars, Legos and video games and any combination of those is really how he spends his playtime and what he talks about. He and Daddy certainly have alot to talk about these days!

Drew has been learning to read digital clocks more this month, and getting better, though the concept of time is still quite abstract to him it seems. He talks alot about whether or not things are fair or not fair. And is also set on blaming others for his actions, mostly when something goes wrong or he gets upset...another hard concept to rationalize apparently!

Drew had an eventful month with a change in schools. He had his last 2 weeks at Sonshine and really enjoyed his time with his friends. He even had 2 fun field trips - Chuck E Cheese and to the circus! Daddy was able to join Drew and his class to the circus and they had a great time! I'm glad one of us was there to see Drew's reaction to his first circus...he really liked the person that shot out of the canon of course, and the elephants and motorcycles. He started at Redeemer Lutheran School in Benbrook mid-month in their Pre-K class and was SO excited! He did great transitioning and had little to no fear, which really surprised Mommy, but so happy about that! Grandma teaches Kindergarten at Redeemer and is able to bring Drew home after school, giving them some special time together most days, and giving Mommy and Daddy a huge help! His main complaint is that he has to go to school on days that Noah stays home with Mommy. That has taken a little bit more time to get used to and be ok with the situation. He is doing great in the class and we are continuing to work on reading skills at home, and he is really thriving! He's exhausted at the end of the day and usually crashes quite quickly at bedtime!

We've spent quite a bit of time outside, whether playing in the yard or the pool. The weather has been quite hot at times, but otherwise, a pretty mild summer really, much to Matthew's dismay! The pool water stayed on the cool side, so Mommy didn't get in much this summer, but the boys certainly enjoyed it, and Mommy enjoyed watching them, or taking a break to herself! We enjoyed the park, playing chase, and playing with frisbees outside.

Grandpa and Nana came for a visit near the beginning of the month and the boys had a blast playing with them as always. They discovered a new game with Grandpa that they now beg to play with him...he throws their parachute men high up in the air and the boys race to catch them...they played it forever! So long that Grandpa's shoulder hurt the next day! But they had fun in the pool as well and playing games and with toys...just good times!

Cousin Taron got married this month to Kirby - WOOHOO!!! And Drew was the ring bearer, along with cousin Luke. They were so handsome and adorable in their suits, looking all grown up! And Drew was so excited about the whole ordeal, it was just great! He did a great job getting ready, listening and doing just what he needed. He had a huge smile for all the pictures, and loved hanging out with Luke so much that weekend. He was quite hilarious to watch during the ceremony...having a hard time standing still, looking all around, spinning, whispering to Luke...it was adorable! What a fun experience!

We had several family movie nights this month, which the boys love. And Drew had a 'sleepover' with Mommy one night and then another night we had another sleepover where Drew was with Daddy and Noah was with Mommy (Noah's first sleepover!). It was great to spend some special time with the boys. We were also able to go out to dinner a few times as well as have some friends over to swim and have dinner this month, which was also very nice! Again, we know it may be awhile before we feel up to that again once Kate arrives, so glad we finally had the chance to have some of those fun times we had planned on doing all summer, but just didn't happen with everything else that happened this summer!

Noah continues to play with all the toys Drew loves to play with, so superheroes and Legos are a huge part of his day. He also still really likes cars, and tends to play with the castle toys and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys a little more as well. He can really play for quite awhile by himself at times, quite amazingly! He loves to line things up, or sort them, or tell stories about them...and he just entertains himself so well! Oh, and how he loves to play Tickle Monster and be chased! That game will never lose its' favor apparently! He does still like to play with trains and puzzles as well.

Noah moved up to the 3 year old class at school and started wearing underwear to school this month (despite Mommy and Daddy's hesitation). He does ok...lots of accidents still, which frustrates Mommy...doing laundry every day he comes home from school is NOT a highlight! But he's getting it a little more, but it is such a slow process! At times it seems to be quite the power struggle, which we try to avoid as much as possible. Other times, he's just too busy playing, and other times, well, he just doesn't initiate making his way to the bathroom. He can tell you all about what he's suppose to do, but unless we take him, it doesn't happen...sigh. We know it will come at some point, but until then, lots of cleaning and laundry!

Noah has become quite the trouble maker at bedtime and is now the child that just won't go to sleep. Funny how they completely switched there...Noah used to drop off to sleep so well at bedtime and it took Drew hours to fall asleep. Now Drew is asleep almost immediately most nights and Noah is getting out of bed, coming up with excuses for us to come see him in the room, peeling the super hero stickers off the wall, playing with just about anything to avoid going to go to sleep! He's ironically been seemingly very tired too (lots of skipped naps, where he just refuses to sleep) and has had some HUGE tantrums at bedtime lately, but still so much energy!

He continues to ask what people's names are lots of places we go...asking strangers who they are and what their name is...so funny that he does that!

Mommy and Noah enjoyed our days at home just one on one this month once Drew started going to school at Redeemer. It was so nice to have just a little bit of time just the two of us!

Happy Birthday Boys!

So, the boys were back from Iowa Friday, on Noah's birthday. So we got to be with Nana and Grandpa for some birthday fun...love Noah's face here with his birthday cupcake!

Now, of course there were presents, so here's some fun immediate reactions to getting some new superhero masks! Awesome fun!

The boys being a tunnel for their new train!

A week later, it was Drew's turn for a birthday cupcake...he seems pleased, don't you think?!

The Saturday after Drew's birthday, we had a small birthday party for the boys at our house. We planned on a Superhero swim party, but due to some uncharacteristic weather that week, the pool water was actually too cold to swim! It was crazy! So we had some backyard fun with bubbles, the playground and superhero toys! The boys had fun and felt special, so that's what it's all about, right?!

Mommy's version of some superhero cakes!

LOVE their expressions here!!!

 

Happy Boys & Sweet Brothers!!! Our hearts are full!!!

 

Our own family superhero squad!

Boys trip to Iowa

Ok, so we had some family trips planned for this summer pre-Kate arrival to get to see as many as we could before the infant locked us up at home and making a long drive impossible. Well, that didn't pan out as we waited for Matthew's surgery to be scheduled, everything else went on hold. God had a plan though and Grandpa and Nana also postponed their trip to Iowa for other reasons this summer and ended up taking the boys with them to Iowa the week Matthew had surgery and was in the hospital! It was a true blessing! Despite it being very difficult for Mommy to be without her boys for the first time for more than 48 hours, and having a VERY quiet home to sleep in by herself, it was a perfect solution to the chaos that week would have been had the boys still been here in Fort Worth. In addition, they had absolutely the BEST time seeing everyone, and I think Grandpa and Nana enjoyed having some serious one on one time with the boys without Mommy and Daddy around to make all the rules!

They left early Sunday morning to make it to Grandma's house by evening on Sunday and apparently did AMAZING in the car...stopping only a few times, with only 3 movies! The rest of the time they played with toys, inevitably drove Nana and Grandpa crazy with "I Spy" and "guess the animal" games! They even took a nap without much fuss in the afternoon, and that was with Noah going back to sleep in the AM - and Drew being quiet enough to let him! Seriously, who are these kids?!

They made it to Grandma's by 6pm (that's only 13 hours people, it's a 12 hour drive without stops!) and the boys were overjoyed to spend the evening playing with the Thompson boys in the front yard - no doubt running, chasing, wrestling and catching lightning bugs! This picture of their feet is the result of a successful evening of play!

The next morning, Grandma's piano was once again discovered by children and I can only imagine how beautiful it all sounded! :)

Then it was over to Scott & Becky's for more Thompson family fun...these boys have only had about 3 different times with the Thompson family on a whole, and nothing against anyone else, but they sure took a liking to the Thompson kids immediately and have made a lasting impression, so no doubt they had a blast spending so much time with them! And thank you Scott and Becky for letting our kids take up so much of your time in a no doubt, very busy week!

So, it didn't surprise me one bit that Noah would be the one trying to pick up the cat...or any animal for that matter!

And God bless Uncle Scott for letting the boys drive the tractor! I'm sure it was a bit less than a controlled ride!

And sweet Jake, helping the boys hold a chicken! Jake, you rock!

The next day (Tuesday) was apparently the only day that was really very hot the whole week. They went to the park first thing in the AM, but it was too hot to stay longer than 30 min. But they then headed over to the other Thompson family home to have a much anticipated playdate with their cousins that are closer in age. Well, it apparently was quite amusing as the 2 groups tended to just stick to their own and had to be coerced to stay together in the same room to play! So funny how little ones react to their own! A big thank you to Aunt Patti, Josie, and Barbi for giving the kids time together - even if it had to be forced! :)

So more fun awaited that evening at Stella's, love that the boys helped with the corn, and then of course hunted down more lightning bugs! These are memories I have from being little at Grandma's farm and LOVE that my boys are having some of the same experiences!!!

Oh, and Scott and family showed up...so there was more wrestling! Hooray! The boys just LOVED it!

And a fun bonfire to boot!

The next morning was fun at Grandma's, and I love that they played with Grandma and Grandpa...had we been there, they would have clung to us more I think, but I'm so happy that had some fun one on one time with them as well!

They also got to meet the newest member of the Thompson family, baby Jack! Such a cutie! Thanks Annie for making the trip! And I love that Noah is trying to figure out how to lie on his belly here as if he's never done it before! Cracking me up!

And then a fun surprise for the boys...a birthday party with the fam! Thanks to all that came out...what a treat! No doubt they LOVED the attention and all the presents! Y'all are so sweet and thoughtful! THANK YOU!

Another fun morning at Grandma's house, and again, this is just classic Thompson Iowa fun and memories!

Then on to the County Fair - what a fun experience for the boys. Let's be honest, we (Matthew and I) know nothing about these types of things and while we can go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and such, we don't have a clue what we are looking at or for, so this was a fun treat to experience with people who actually are experts on what is going on!

Love those cousins...and love how sweet Jake and Tim are here - as if they are taking care of my boys! Just love it!!!

And a fun visit with cousin Kelly...again...love how you can tell they enjoyed their time with everyone - Noah doesn't just sit in anyone's lap people!

And here are the ones responsible for this awesome family we have to visit! Thank you for taking our boys into your home for a week and letting the chaos descend on your peaceful home! I love that they got to spend time with the both of you and experience some of the same things I remember from visiting you in the summers! Love you Grandma and Grandpa!

And a huge Thank You to Grandpa and Nana that came up with the crazy offer to take these wild boys on a week long road trip to help us have a less chaotic week in the hospital! God bless you again and again for this! I know you enjoyed it, and there's no doubt the boys had a blast, but it was a true gift to us as well. We missed them like crazy, but this was a much better plan and much more fun week than hopping between home and hospital, so THANK YOU!

Oh, and by the way, the trip back was even better than the trip there! Which any of those who are parents to young kids know the trip back is always harder because they are tired and worn out and fried from a week from their routine. But no, they left at 4:20am, both fell back asleep in the car in the AM, both took naps in the PM, only watched 2 movies (I'm sorry, WHAT?!) and were back home with us by 5:45 that evening with only TWO stops! Seriously! I think Nana and Grandpa should be responsible for Drew and Noah on every road trip from now on!!! Oh, and it was SOOO good to have them home...how I missed their hugs, smiles and giggles!