The time I let the boys pick their haircut

Also known as the time I want to cry every time I look at Gavin.

But I want to be PLAYER GAVIN!

Barber Shop Brothers

I can't match their fades at home!

 

 

Home videos- End of Swimming & Start of Gymnastics!

After a year off of individual sports to focus on learning how to play as part of a team, we returned this winter to individual sports. Ethan returned and Gavin started swim lessons and individual gymnastics classes. (No mommies in gymnastics, I can watch both now!)

 

Here's how we ended with swim and started this week with gymnastics.

 

 

 

Bounty of baby gear

Loaded the car for the semi annual consignment sale. Goodbye diapers,  wipe warmers, and baby mat. Only big boys live here now.

They aren't any cheaper but at least they have less bulky stuff!

Update 3/9/15: I made $350 for all this stuff! 

The closest we'll give him to a baby brother

And he's happily changing his diaper.

Not pictured?  The body slams both brothers gleefully put the baby through 2 minutes later.

Weekday Warriors

You know those home improvement commercials that celebrate the "weekend warrior"?  Well I can't get ANYTHING accomplished on the weekend with both boys home solo. I have to save big jobs for when one is gone. And Gavin finally had school today.

Ethan did not, but I figured we'd give it a whirl.

Putting up a new backsplash in the kitchen went great, he was the cutest helper ever!  He encouraged me for three hours straight until Gavin returned. Telling me it wasn't crooked (when it was) and a mistake wasn't visible (when it really was). And even asking for hug breaks. I didn't realize how much he'd bask in the attention of having just the two of us doing an adult project.

Here's some previews of how it looks so far!

Basketball + Birthday Party = EASY Bedtime!!

Today was Ethan's basketball team's first game, with their Coach Chris as their fearless leader. Ethan's shirt says it all!

His Assistant Coach Gavin was never far from his side.

 

 

 

When it was game time and our turn to watch from the stands, I pulled out the big guns.

Daniel the Tiger.

Yeah...that didn't cut it. A couple tears seems to be a tradition every sports season's first game when Gavin has to go to the sidelines. :(

Ethan on the other hand had a ball! This seemed to be a sport that he REALLY enjoys!!

 

 

 

Great game Falcons! (As the coach's son, he got to pick the team name. Ethan's pick was the "Paragon Falcons" fastest animal land or sky.)

Afterwards was their buddy Thane's 6th birthday party!

 

With fun like Twister...

 

and a remote control car mash up!

After putting napless Gavin to sleep at 7pm, I went to check on Ethan.

Sound asleep by 7:30 with his superhero books.

Now I'm off to follow his lead, whew!

 

Gavin the Rhino Rescuer

We discovered a hero was amongst us many months ago.  NPR was playing in the car with a story on the rhino ivory trade. I didn't realize they were listening to the discussion of the conservationists efforts to save the rhinos from poachers. 
Until I heard Gavin exclaim from the backseat "I AM A WHINO WESCUER!!"

We didn't know what had been sparked by this little moment. He has created elaborate stories of how he's "wescued the winos in Abika."  He's sung lullabies to them out his bedroom window, watched out the windows on long drives to spot one in trouble, and is always ready to jump in a helicopter to rescue one in need.

I had to write a note to his new teacher to let her know of his secret identity so he wasn't met with a puzzled stare. 

I adore his imagination and theatrical commitment!

Gavin's First Day of (Pre)School!

Today our baby boy started his first day of school! He goes two days a week and gets to ride the big yellow school bus!

He chose his clothes, determined to start his academic career as a jock apparently! He called the look, "football boy."

We were able to convince him to leave the helmet at home.

 

When the bus came, he eagerly ran to it, "We're going to miss it!!"

Is it terrible I'm a little sad he wasn't?

His teacher sent me a text with this picture telling me no tears, all smiles at his first day of school!

 

Here's some pictures of his tour we took last week.

 

 

He participated in circle time without pause!

 

Here's the legendary dragon "Bella" he talks about nonstop.