Our Little Tough Guy

Our poor baby! After a morning home working, we finally got out of the house and headed to the pool. Caden's so proud of himself that he puts his head under all the way- loves to go swimming. I had just finished slathering the sunscreen (50 spf for my little white boys) and Caden split his chin open on the edge of the pool. He wasn't even in the pool a minute. Another injury- another scar. I think he has more crying and hurt photos than the other three boys combined. His bruises, bloodies and crashes keep us worried for what's next. No doubt, he's our fearless daredevil. Good thing he's the baby. If he was first, I'm sure we would have been turned in for child abuse by now!

This deep gash across his chin resulted in 5 stitches. Jim didn't do so well watching his little guy in pain. As they were stitching him up, Caden just cried, "It's burning, mom," " hold me dad". I'm usually the one who gets weak and can't handle hearing details or watching any kind of medical anything. Much to my delight, the doctor even asked today if I was a nurse- since I held myself together so well, I'm assuming! Jim's still in disbelief- I just laughed. He was too weak to defend himself.


He was upset as soon as we got to the clinic- he wanted to go back to the pool. Instead, he grabbed his bike the minute we arrived home. Crazy little guy.

Happy Birthday Uncle Seth!!

Very Hungry (and now dead) Caterpillars

Up until yesterday afternoon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of my favorite books. Cute little caterpillar eats through everything and he's still hungry...

With what was our garden still knee-deep in water, we switched our focus to our tomato and pepper plants in containers on our back deck. We've had to baby them and they've survived the hail, high winds, transplants and tons of rain that has come our way. We've pulled them in on stormy nights even to shelter them from any more abuse. They've started perking up now that the weather has calmed down- much to our excitement!

That is until yesterday when in the space of less than an hour- they were invaded and chewed up by the biggest caterpillars I've ever seen. They're huge and vicious! Poke them with a stick and they freak out wanting to attack. They blend in so well with the leaves, it's no wonder they chew through without being noticed. I'm furious and determined to kill them all. How are they getting on our back deck? That's what I'd like to know.

Our Little Swimmer

I couldn't resist- I thought this picture was so cute of my little guy.

Dripping Cones

If there is one place my little guys will fall asleep it's late in the afternoon while driving. Usually, the later the more likely. When they do, it makes bedtime horrible because they're not ready to go back to sleep. We're ready for them to be in bed at 7:30, but they're not! Generally, we do whatever we can to keep them awake if we see them starting to fade.

On our way home from the pool yesterday, ice cream cones were my way of keeping their eyes open! The first half of the way home, we were looking for McDonald's. The second half, their ice cream cones kept them busy. Worked well. It was another reminder to me of the stages that are passing with Caden being my last baby. Just last summer, I was still having to lick around Coleman's cone to keep it from dripping all over. He's somehow figured it out over the winter. Caden's was a mess, and no matter how many times you tell them to lick around the perimeter. They just don't get it. Why? Next summer, I have a feeling I'll have to buy my own cone- no more babies!

Beauty in the Clouds

I took these two pictures within the same hour. Crazy how our skies change so quick. I think the boys are a little excited these days I've taken more pictures of the sky than of them! It's just beautiful- even as it's still storming!

The Storm

Here are a couple of great shots our neighbors across the street took over our house last week as the storm was passing. We weren't the only crazy ones outside taking pictures!

So Tired

Usually when I'm a bit sleep deprived, the corner of my eye gets red and a little irritated. During my last two years of college, I don't think it never cleared up. It's a physical sign that I'm really tired. Now, it's a reminder of too many nights up with little guys. Boys who are MORE THAN old enough to sleep through the night! Again, we can't figure out how to get them to sleep better. Yesterday, I had a new sign telling me that I'm just a little tired after this long week...

While driving around, Jim at the wheel and me in the passenger seat, I looked down at my legs (propped up on the dashboard) only to realize that I only shaved one leg the previous night. One leg. I don't think I've ever done that before and it bothered me the rest of the day. Yikes- I think I'm losing it! I'm hoping this week is better in spite of Jim being forced in to 12-hr shifts for 14 straight days... again, gotta love the military. I still don't know how they can do it and expect loyalty and a high morale. It's horrible- I think we're on the count down to getting out. We'll see. I'll try not to do a "what I love about the military" post this week!

More Clouds

There's a break in the clouds today, however our road is a little washed out!

Wicked Clouds

We're starting to wonder when this severe weather season is going to end! Last night, after putting the little guys to bed, I decided to step out on our back porch to try to get some lightening pictures. Jim immediately looked at the sky and said, "those are pretty wicked clouds." He's a little more cautious than I am- goes without saying. A bolt of lightening actually scared me, and the thought crossed my mind that this is how people get struck by lightening. I got my pictures and within minutes we were waking up Coleman and Caden and heading down to our shelter (Thanks, Uncle Dana) to wait out the tornado that was spotted.

Surprisingly, our satellite (TV) didn't go out, so we cranked the volume up on the TV and listened to our meteorologists as they told exactly where the tornado touched down- only a few miles down the road. I don't think there is any damage, but it was a little too close for comfort!

Dark Clouds

We're still having severe weather... as they call it in Kansas and throughout the Midwest. Thunderstorms that shake our house, flashes of lightening that light up the sky and rain that keeps our backyard swamp nice and full! We had our first tornado warning over the weekend and actually went to our shelter. No damage here, but it was a little nerve wracking! I wasn't too nervous until Jim let me know it suddenly was calm outside (he could see out the peek hole). I didn't know if that was the calm before the storm... or what! Luckily, it had passed!

Melons

Until I met Jim, I don't think I ever met anyone that didn't like watermelon. I thought it was one of those foods that everyone loves. I was wrong- so wrong. Not only does Jim not like it, his mom and both brothers don't do melons either. No cantalope. No honeydew. I was even more shocked when Coleman turned it down as a baby. Could he have inherited this dislike from his daddy? It's definitely not from my side... we ALL love a juicy melon!

With summer here, I bought my first watermelon last week. Couldn't turn it down for just $3.99. Coleman acted excited as I was cutting it up. I was even more excited thinking that it was a fluke that he gagged and spit it out the last three summers that I've put it in front of him. He happily took his wedge out on the back porch to eat. I was about to let Jim know that his boys were ALL enjoying it until I realized that it was quickly handed off to Caden to eat. Oh well, three out of my four boys love it! It was yummy!!

Our Turtle

It's feeling very tropical in KS right now! While bracing for more severe weather this afternoon and tonight, we decided to mow (actually, I decided to have Ty mow) and clean up the yard a little. While cleaning up the leaves from my spent tulips, I found this little guy under a pile! We've seen a couple of turtles on the side of the road, but this is the first spotted in our yard. Maybe, he was drawn to our backyard swamp along with the ducks and mosquitoes! He provided some good afternoon entertainment!

Pool Time

More pool pictures... we just love the sun and the water! It was about 95 degrees yesterday- a great excuse to hang out poolside!

Caught!

Caught with his pants down... I'm learning, this is what little boys in the country do! Takes too much time to go inside to the bathroom. Caden and Coleman have no problem just dropping their drawers at any given time! I'm working with them to do it away from the road or out of sight of other people. It's a work in progress...

Pool side

The weather here is bizarre! We keep our weather radio next to our bed and after three weeks of severe weather alerts/warnings, it's been worth the money. The days have been hot and beautiful then thunderstorms with hail and crazy wind kick in at night. Yesterday was in the 90's- I just love it. We are trying to spend as much time as we can at the pool!