My Silly Boys

I had just given the boys a bath after playing outside with Holden in the mud (thanks for the sidewalk talk Whitney) and Lukas was getting his PJ's on. He had laid his underwear out so he could decide which ones he wanted to wear...Max grabbed a pair and wanted to be like his big brother. If only he were potty trained! Doesn't he look cute in his "qeens"? (that's how Max says Lightning McQueen).

Here is the underwear all laid out.

The same night as the underwear, Lukas was very insistant that he get Max's binkie. I just got done listening to Love and Logic CD's, so I wanted to give him choices and consequences. So I said, "Sure you can have a binkie, but boys your age that want binkies have to sleep in the garage." After about 10 minutes of whining he decided he wanted to sleep in the garage. I put him in the back of the CRV and gave him a flashlight and said, "Good night. I hope you don't get too hot out here and don't worry about the spiders, you can just use your flashlight b/c they don't like light." He was okay for a few minutes, but when I had to turn the garage light off he started to freak out. End of story, he gave me back the binkie and slept in his own bed and now we have no more problems with binkies!

Here are Lukas and Tommy riding their bikes. Lukas and Tommy would never stop playing if it weren't for us mean moms! Every morning when Lukas wakes up he asks me if he can go to Tommy's to play. And then if I say no, he'll ask about 10 more times during the day until I finally decide to let him. When they do play together, they like to ride bikes up and down our street (we only live about 8 houses apart). They said to each other one time, "Why do we go back and forth and back and forth?" They are good buddies. Even Max gets excited when he sees Tommy. We went for a walk/bike ride and I pulled Max in the wagon. I had to get something inside the house and found Lukas and Tommy in Tommy's backyard playing with the hose. Lukas was drenched. I asked what happened and Lukas said, "I poured the hose on my helmet so I wouldn't sweat so much." It was a hot day and he had the right idea! Then another time they were playing in our back yard and I went back to check on them...Lukas was peeing in our backyard and so was Tommy. They were 20 feet apart, but having a ball just peeing on the grass! Boys!!! Most of the time when Tommy comes over, he doesn't tell him mom and Lukas has done the same to me on several occassions. I'll just happen to look out the window and see Lukas running from Tommy's back to our house. Can you say T R O U B L E?

Dixon Family Reunion

We had our annual family reunion (on my mom's side) this weekend. We went to Heber Valley Camp and stayed in the cabins there. It was awesome. The cabins have plenty of room w/ bunk beds and electricity--that's my kind of camping! Pat couldn't come this time b/c of school and work. I took the boys and we had a blast. Lukas ran around with his cousins (mostly girls) and Max clung to my like a dryer sheet! I don't think I put him down once, besides when my aunt or cousin would rescue me and pry him off me so I could get dressed. We had a lot of fun around the campfire and on the challenge course and canoeing. Lukas even went on the zipline and wasn't even afraid! It was a beautiful place and only about an hour away.

Look how high the zipline is! Lukas was a little nervous, but he did it!

This is me climbing across the cables to get to the zipline...yikes!!

This is me going down the zipline!

Lukas on the canoe's with Nana and Papa

Max finally making friends with someone other than me!

Lukas and Ashlin helping out

What to eat for breakfast??

Every morning I struggle to eat breakfast. I'm not a huge fan of breakfast foods, so it's hard for me to want to cook every morning and it seems like everything is sweet (pancakes, waffles, crepes, yogurt, cereal). However, I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I want my kids to get a good, healthy breakfast. We are sick of oatmeal or scrambled eggs. And I'm finding my kids are p i c k y eaters. They won't eat pancakes drizzled in yummy syrup! Please share your ideas on breakfast with me. What do you eat? What do your kids like? What is quick and easy? How do you make breakfast every day and not eat the same things?

Lunch at Grandma's

We went to Pat's mom's house today for lunch (she makes the best Peruvian food...we had Lomo. Mmmmm Que Rico!). The kids played in her blow-up pool and had fun with their cousins (Gabriel and Ezekiel who are just a year apart). It's cute to see the boys play together. We're in trouble in a couple of years when they're older. (There are 5 grandsons and zero granddaughters on Pat's side)! Thanks Gma Sonia!

Wish List

If I could be worldly for just one minute...(Yeah, right. I am worldly ALL the time!) I was thinking of things I wish I could have. And I was thinking of that song "Wish List" by Pearl Jam. He wishes to be all these crazy things. Here's what I came up with:

• I wish I could be high maintenance. (Always be wearing make-up and looking perfect, always having my nails done, always having high-lights in my hair, always having a beautiful tan--fake of course, this white skin can't handle the sun, always having cute brand-named clothes to fit my perfect in-shape body). But instead I am lucky if I have time to shower and my budget does not include all those other self-indulgences. Maybe someone could secretly video tape my hideous outfits and get me on "What Not To Wear" so that I could have $5000 for a new wardrobe and make-over. I desperately need it. Anyone?

• I wish I could make-over our master bedroom. Can you say boring? It needs a whole lot of something. Same with the boys room. I guess money comes in handy for this. So it will be a while before it happens. But somewhere in the future, it will happen.

• I wish I could sing. I'm really lucky if I stay on key. Is singing well something that you are born with or can you develop it later in life? I think this isn't something that will ever fall in my "talents" category.

• I wish I could take a trip to Europe with my sister. Now this wish will come true...but we just have to wait for our kids to get older and our wallets to get fatter. But it's possible. Oooh, I can't wait!!!

• I wish I could have electrolysis. No hair on my legs or armpits ever again!!! That would be the best. I hate shaving.

• I wish chocolate, ice cream, sugar and anything sweet tasted horrible to me. If it did, I know for sure I'd shrink down to a size 4. It tastes sooooo good and I just have to have some.

Now I would like to add that I am grateful for what I do have. But a girl can dream can't she?! What do you wish for?

Boys Will Be Boys!

I've been meaning to post these pictures and forgot about them. Lukas and his little buddy Landon were playing on the slip-n-slide the other day in their little underwear! They were so funny. I'm sure when they are 17 and I show them these pictures they'll die of embarrassment. And I know if Landon's dad sees this picture, he'll be surprised to see his son at our house in his underwear! Sorry Jay! (I love how you can see Lukas' ribs in the top picture. I promise I feed him. Sadly, his diet consists of milk, popsicles, and pb & j sandwiches.)

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great Father's Day and it started early! We had a breakfast for Pat's dad at our house at 8 a.m. with Pat's two sisters and their families. Pat's mom came by after church to bring us some yummy food and visit. Then we went to my parents house for dinner with my brother and his family. Holidays are always busy for us b/c both our families are here and we have to share time. It usually always works out and it's such a blessing that we get to see and do fun things with our families. (I just wish we lived closer to Mindy. It's not complete without her and her family.) Happy Father's Day to the greatest Dads out there! :)

Time for an Update

It's been awhile since I wrote just about the boys, so for my journal/history sake, here's what the boys are up to:

LUKAS

Lukas is 3 1/2. He has just grown up over night! He is potty trained (finally). He talks and talks and talks. He is a bit sassy (aka "back-talker") and has his own idea of how he wants things done. He doesn't throw as many tantrums as I remember when he was 2. He loves playing on the computer and can do it all by himself. He loves watching Noggin and movies. He has endless energy. He runs over to Tommy's house at least once a day to see if he can play and we'd live in the pool if I'd say it was OK. Lukas likes to have things picked up and will straighten his toy room when I ask him to. He gets really hyper when his friends or cousins are around and it's hard to settle him down. He is still not the best eater, he loves milk and would still suck on a binkie if I let him (grrrr!). He amazes me everyday by the things he says or does. He is smart and growing so much. He always wants me to see how tall he is or measure him.

MAX

Max is 19 months. He toddles around, slapping his feet on the floor when he walks through the house. He says a lot of words and recognizes so many things. He likes to be held (especially by me when there is work to be done) and doesn't want to leave my sight. He has a special relationship with my dad (Papa) and immediately when he sees him, he'll go right to him. He won't do that with anyone else. He gets into everything and FAST! He falls a lot and gets hurt a lot, but is pretty tough and sometimes won't even cry. He is stubborn and wants what he wants, but is easily distracted. He likes what his brother likes...Buzz, Lighning McQueen and he really loves dinosaurs. He says, "di-saur" and then roars like one whenever he sees a picture of one. Max is fearless. When we're at the playground, he'll climb up high to get to the slide and then go down all by himself. He will run right into the street as soon as I let him outside!!! I have to have my eye on him at all times.

They both love popsicles, the playground and water. If there is any kind of water or puddle outside, they are both sucked to it like a magnet.

New Book Blog

I have fallen in love with reading again and wanted to keep track of the books I'm reading/have read. So...I have created a book blog for all you book lovers out there!! I will post about a book I've read and if you've read the book, leave your thoughts! Even if you haven't read the book, I want to hear what you have to say anyway! Also, please give me recommendations...that is the best way to choose my next book! I will post what I am currently reading and if you want to read with me, we can discuss our opinions and views! It will be fun! So, hit your local library and let's read together!!!!!!!!!!! http://findingtimetoread.blogspot.com/

Ode to Pat

Father's Day is coming up this weekend and I was just thinking what an amazing father Pat is to our boys! I wanted to honor him by telling him what I love best about him. This is for you Patricio! You're the best!

• You have an amazing attitude and outlook on life. You always seem to smile and find the funny side of things.
• You are a joker in every sense of the word. Always wanting to play tricks on people or get people to laugh or be entertained.
• You are so easy-going and never (well, almost never) freak out about things that should be a big deal.
• You like to have fun and be where the party is at!
• You are a softy. You don't have a mean bone in your body. (Except the one that likes to tease me).
• You are great with the kids and they love you!

Some things you might not know about PAT:

He doesn't drink soda (or anything carbonated).

He loves sour patch kids, lime popsicles (the real fruit kind) and anything sour.

He would play basketball every night if possible.

He is allergic to cats...some dogs, too, but he still wants to get a hypoallergenic dog one day.

He got his U.S. Citizenship 5 years ago...it was awesome! (He was born in Peru).

He loves books, bookstores, reading, newspapers, anything to do with fun facts, he's there!

He is a sucker for garage sales. Forget about it!

G A T O R A D E. Citrus Cooler was his favorite, but they discontinued it! Sad.

This boy can eat! And loves to. He has been known to say that "food brings the Spirit".

He has a big heart. He is willing to help anyone anytime and does with a cheerful attitude.

The Bachelorette

Pat gets me watching shows that I never thought I'd get into (Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares) and now the Bachelorette. I watched most of last season with Brad and was just heart broken at the end. How could he do that to Deanna? If he wasn't ready to commit, he shouldn't have done the show!! I understand he didn't feel like he could settle with either one, but still, he really broke so many hearts (including mine! I get way too into these shows). But I was excited when Deanna was the next Bachelorette b/c she is so beautiful and has so much to offer. I already have a few favorites and we'll see who gets to stick around, but my vote is for Jason, Jeremy or Graham. (Does anyone else think Graham looks like a younger Dr. House?)

Sad that I'm this into it. I know.