Dirt and Bikes

I will never understand little boys and dirt. It must be genetically programmed into them to love that gritty, grimy, rocky substance. I don't get it.

Yesterday Cougar asked to play in the backyard. The weather has finally started to be nice and we are all excited to be outdoors. So out my oldest munchkin went to explore and discover. And discover he did. He discovered:
1) Mommy likes dirt, but only when it is outside.
2) Dirt is fun to play in but not clean up.
3) Dirt sticks to sunscreen.
4) Mommy doesn't like to sweep the kitchen floor constantly.
5) Dirt does not taste good.
6) Sunburns and dirt are not necessarily a good combo.
7) Mommy doesn't appreciate dirt like little boys.
8) Cougar likes bath time, but not with dirt in the tub too.
9) Mommy likes dirt a)in the garden and b)with flowers in it.
10) Mommy and Cougar think dirt is neat but not stuck to us, on the kitchen floor, or in the bath tub.

While Cougar had a great time during the day in the dirt, both boys loved our family adventure when Daddy got home from work. This is another thing I will never get- high tech bikes. I would love a nice banana seat bike, but no Brian got me the mother of all bikes with 6 gears and other crap I have to learn how to use. What happened to just pedaling however fast you want to go? I'm not doing the tour de france, just taking my kids around the neighborhood. What-e-ver! (Not that I'm complaining, I love the bike, I just like simple things too!)

We finally invested in some nice bicycles and a trailer for the boys. Last night was the maiden voyage for Mommy's bike. It has been years since I have ridden a bike (I crashed as a teenager, had iodine poured into my road rash by my Grandma, and vowed never to get on one again.) Somehow Brian convinced me to get a bike because 'it will lead to great family adventure', yeah right! So we all hopped on/in. On for Brian and I, in for the kids. And took a little ride all around our neighborhood. We ended up at Wendy's for some dinner. It was an event to celebrate.
Mommy didn't crash, fall, or hate every minute of it. Brian on the other hand, hesitated a moment too long and fell over because he couldn't unclip fast enough. (I giggled inside but asked if he was okay.) But we sure had a good time. Cougar slept the whole time, Beckett got upset because Cougar was laying on him the whole time, and I was cursing Brian for the first few minutes (then I was fine). Beckett loved everything about moving but he did not like being stationary. I could actually hear him saying 'No Stopping, Dad!' It was great! Happy Family Home Evening from the Carters.

Monday Morning

So here we are on another Monday morning. Don't worry. . . Things are never mundane at our house. It is a beautiful day, the weather is nice, and it might actually feel like spring today. Cougar has noticed the difference in climate and immediately asks to play outside. What the hay! So out he goes in his jammies to slide, make dirt piles, and drag a drainage pipe all over the yard. What fun little boys can have with nothing to play with.
After a while I hear him, "Mom, Mom, come watch me!" So out I go (like any good mother) to take some pictures of Cougar's pre-breakfast playing. Yeah!! He loves to slide, run, jump, and he refuses to look at the camera. What a character!
While Coug is out in the yard, Beckett is having a bath. Look how sweet he is. He started crawling laps in the tub. Daddy thinks he may be our football player but after this mornings display he just might be a swimmer.

Bath Time

Cougar and Beckett experienced their first real bath together. It was quite an event. They splashed, picked on each other, and had a great time. As you can see I think we will continue to bathe together so Mommy can have some fun at bath time too. They are hilarious to watch!

The Circus is in Town

The circus came to town last night. My children decided that last night was an appropriate time to do all the things they know are not allowed. I was on the phone when Beckett started screaming- for no apparent reason. At the same time Cougar was throwing Play Doh all over the kitchen (which I had just mopped). Beckett finger painted in his squash and sweet potatoes, I quickly maneuvered him out of his clothes and into the bathtub. While I was putting B in the bath Cougar was nicely painting at the bar with his finger paints. . . I should have known that he was too quiet. I got B out of the bath to find Coug covered in finger paints from head to toe. I was thrilled. (yeah right!) After B was dressed it was Coug's turn to take a bath. While I put Coug in the bath Beckett discovered that he could pull all of the moss out of my artificial tree in the family room. I quickly distracted him with something else. . . I don't even remember what.
Needless to say I was still on the phone, laughing my head off to my friend Haley, as she contemplated calling reinforcements for me. At least I can laugh about it!
When Brian got home he found all three of us lying on the family room floor in fits of giggles. The only way I could think of to keep them in one place and contained was to tickle them until there was nothing left to tickle.Life at our house is definitely NEVER boring.

We also bought a bike trailer for the kids and helmets. Cougar loves his! Take a look.

Pink Pajamas

I took the boys over to my parent's house while I had all the Young Women at my house a couple weeks ago. By the time we were finished it was after Beckett's bedtime. I sent Brian to retrieve the boys while I was in a meeting. When Brian walked in the door he had a very upset look on his face. I thought for sure he had totaled the car or something equally as serious. . . He looked at me and said, 'Both boys are asleep in the car and Beckett is wearing PINK PAJAMAS!' I just about died laughing. For those of you who are familiar with my husband you will understand the full impact of these words. I don't think he would have been any less disgusted if I had served worms for dinner. The horror in his voice was evident.
It was quite funny. Every time I think about it I laugh out loud. To me this is not a big deal but to Brian. . . This is very important. It ranks up there with boys wearing lipstick, dressing in drag, or women growing beards. It is just not done. I don't think I will ever forget this. And just to be certain I took is picture the next morning. . . I would not be a good mother if I didn't document all of our moments. . . The good, the bad, and the unspeakable: Pink Pajamas.


While I am telling stories. Cougar has some very exciting news. His new favorite movie is Fraggle Rock. Don't remember it? It is a very old Jim Hensen Muppet show. I watch it quite often now and I must say it is just as catchy as when I watched it as a child.
Coug is also learning new phrases. The most popular being, 'But why Mom?' 'I can't do it, it's too late.' and 'It's my favorite!' We are definitely broadening our horizons. For the most part I just look at him and laugh. Most of the time I don't know what else to do. For instance, when he takes all of the blown Easter eggs and crunches them up into little pieces all over the kitchen floor. Or when he gets the lid to the Johnson's Baby Wash stuck in his mouth and panics because he can't get it out. Or when he 'helps' Mommy by taking all the eating utensils out of the drawer and places them neatly on the floor or hides them in his bedroom. He is such a big helper!