Spencer’s First Art

Spencer woke up while Alex and I were in the middle of Play-Doh fun, so we decided to let Spencer join us. He loves sitting in his high chair and watching us, but last week, he seemed very interested in participating. I loved watching Spencer with the Play-Doh – he just kept poking it until he decided he might want to eat it. Then, slowly, he’d raise a piece to his mouth, I’d say, “No,” and he’d lower it back down …. over and over again! Spencer also tried out the Color Wonder markers. Once again, he was having fun until he decided they might be tasty!

Looking very serious here.

Do you see that he BIT the marker tip?

I wonder if this will taste yummy?

Just Like Daddy

Lately, Alex wants to be just like Daddy. He also misses Daddy like crazy while he’s at work. Hmm, now that I think about it, Spencer is going through a Daddy phase as well. Daddy, are you giving them cookies behind my back?

Getting ready to head to Lowes.

Alex learned how to clean out the lawn mower.

The next weekend, both boys learned how to change the oil in our cars.

Build Your Own Boat Festival

On Saturday, we took the boys to the Build Your Own Boat Festival at the National White Water Center. It was a cooler, cloudy day – definitely not your typical Saturday in August – but it was perfect for playing outside for hours! We found a perfect place to watch the fun, just past the first rapids. Basically, groups of 1-4 people had to make their own boats out of materials that float, but aren’t sharp. Then they were judged on the boat staying in one piece and the riders staying in the boat through all the rapids. The very first boat flipped and flew apart on the first rapids, and sweet Alex was so concerned and asked to go home. It took a lot of convincing and proving that everyone was ok and were just playing a game! Here are some pictures of my favorite boats and the boys climbing in the kids’ climbing area.

The first boat capsized at the first rapids.

Alex was impressed by the truck boat.

Yes, that is OJ Simpson and his infamous white bronco …. right before the whole boat fell apart.

My favorite boat and the eventual winner.

Worried Alex and mesmerized Spencer.

Alex cheesing it up by the duck boat.

We went back to these climbing rocks 3 times!

Spencer had fun, too!

Come on, Spencer!

Another drool monster loving Daddy’s shoulders.

My Little Sharks

My cuties were playing outside when I realized they were both wearing their shark shirts!

I love their shark shirts!

I hope these two always love being brothers.

This was not the first time Spencer had seen bubbles, but it was the first time he tried to catch them.

Silly Alex was trying to eat the bubbles.

There are bubbles everywhere!

I can NOT keep that boy off the table!

Just Mommy & Spencer

So what did Spencer and I do while Alex was in school last week? Well, we did a lot of errands, checked out a new park, and enjoyed the playroom. I think Spencer was pretty confused though, because he often seemed like he was looking for Alex. I think he was also tired from all the time in the car. Thank goodness we’ll only be driving to and from preschool twice a week this year! (I did enjoy grocery shopping and errands with just one child!)

Spencer grabbed Alex’s magna-doodle for some art time while driving around.

Entertaining himself while I worked on a grocery list.

We checked out Jetton Park, which has a sandy play area on Lake Norman. He spent most of the time just pushing the stroller around.

I need to get this baby to the beach! So sad this is my only sand picture of Spencer.

Sheet Tents

The week before summer camp, we all had a bit of a summer cold. Add that to a couple of rainy days, and you have some crazy little boys! So … we made tents in the living room …. every day for 3 days. Tim and I have had our fill of tents for a while!

After a tent reincarnation, I was cleaning the kitchen and came back to find my children on top of the tent. They were having so much fun!

Such silly boys!

Summer Camp

Alex went to summer camp at his new preschool July 28-31 for 3 hours a day. I won’t lie – I was really nervous about this day coming! I even called his teacher, unsure about whether it was a good idea to send him to summer camp (4 days straight, 3 hours a day) when he hadn’t even officially started preschool. Miss Barrie gave me a “mommy pep-talk” and assured me he would be fine … and she was right! I think it helped that Miss Barrie ran straight to him when I brought him to the playground and gave him a huge hug, telling him, “Alex, I am so glad you are here! Let me show you the water table.” He didn’t even look back at me! Good thing, because I barely made it back to my car before busting into tears. Spencer and I drove across the street to Starbucks and enjoyed a coffee and yogurt after I collected myself.

I’m so proud of my big boy! He woke up each morning, anxious to go to school and excited to see his teachers. He learned all about water in camp – he seemed to enjoy the books and experiments the most. It was kind of hard asking a 3.5 year old all the details of his day, so we love that all the teachers at his school send emails to tell about the day. We are all so excited for him to start preschool in September (he will go Tuesday and Thursday mornings).

My backpack is heavy!

On the way to school the first day, Alex asked where I would be. I told him I would be shopping across the street. His response – “Ok, I just need to know where you are because I love you.” I LOVE that boy.

Showing me his boat (they learned they had to wrap it in foil for it to float).

Reading his new “congrats for finishing your first week of school” book.