Peek At The Creek

Another recent parks and recs event we attended in our community was called 'Peek At The Creek.'  It took place at our favorite local park.  A naturalist first discussed and introduced different creatures that live in creeks--frogs, snakes, lizards etc.  This time was followed by some crafts and then of course, creek time! They had nets available for the kids to catch small fish.


 

LEGOS

Hayden got involved with Legos around his 4th birthday.  They have certainly become a top-rate toy in our home!  I love the endless possibilities they provide to plan, create, problem solve and imagine.  Hayden has a big tub of legos with just generic pieces that allow him to build something from his imagination. Then, he also has half a dozen lego sets.  This includes a step-by-step picture instruction booklet and the necessary pieces to create something specific.  For example, a dump truck, race cars from the Cars movie, a racing boat etc.  I have organized each 'kit' into a large zip lock bag which contains the legos and instruction booklets.  Especially during Logan's nap, Hayden loves to pick a bag, dump out the pieces and follow the directions to build the intended result.  It is quite impressive how he can follow the instructions himself and build something with many pieces.

From Left: dog, giraffe, elephant and rhino

The other day Hayden designed and made the following animals from his imagination (not from a kit).  Ryan did the elephant trunk but Hayden created everything else.  I see Legos being in our future for years to come!

Annual Big Wheel Race

                                                                              Hayden & Logan with Mia

Saturday, August 6th was our neighborhood's 4th annual Big Wheel Race.  You might recall this post from last year when Ryan participated.  It is a family fun event that takes place down a large hill (street) in our development.  The street is closed to traffic for several hours while this takes place.  There are various 'classes' for which to register; from an unchanged child's big wheel to the super modified class in which parts, wheels etc. are altered--the designs can be quite unique.  There are races with just children although the majority of the races are for adults.  Money that is raised throughout the day all go towards a family within our neighborhood.  This year proceeds (which were over $2k) was divided between two families: one family who lost a young mother to breast cancer this spring, leaving behind a child and husband.  In the second family, the husband/father is fighting brain cancer. 

American flags in front of some homes are replaced for race week with a black and white checkered race flag.  Music is played, there is a score board to view and an announcer who commentates the events.  Ryan entered with the same big wheel as last year (he had hopes of getting much more creative but time didn't permit).  Hayden planned to compete but found the hill to look a bit daunting and suddenly changed his mind.  It is a terrific afternoon and the fun is capped off in the evening with an adult only block party!  We really love our neighborhood and how social/friendly/welcoming it has been.


                                                                              Preparing the Big Wheel

Ryan chance of winning is clearly limited by the lack of 'sophistication' of his bike.

                                                                   The day is very fun and comical.

                                                            Logan likes the looks of this one!

Hurry Up & Wait!

I am behind on my blogging.  It has been put on the back burner while I feed the nesting fury inside.  We are getting things crossed off my list, however I add to it as quickly as I eliminate.  I remember feeling the same way before the other two boys arrived.  This intense urge to complete every house project, clean every nook and cranny, stock up on items from the store...  Kind of a hypocritical notion really--the need to do more when you have less--less energy, less 'agility.' 
Anyway, the boys have been a part of preparing as fit and we are all feeling the excitement as we know baby brother will be here soon!  I hope to be done with the 'hurry up' part shortly and then bask in the 'wait.'

Pictures!

The last time we went to get pictures taken of the boys, Logan was 6 months and Hayden was 3!  Naturally, they are not deprived of being in front of my personal camera but we were wanting some great individual shots of them currently.  Recently, we had a friend (with a small photography business) take some pictures of the boys at our favorite local park.  Here are our favorites!

Ready, Set, Draw!

Logan really enjoys drawing pictures.  He is particular to markers and will sit for up to 30 minutes focused.  The placement of the different colors seems deliberate, despite their random appearance.  Just recently, Logan's pictures started to take a recognizable form--a football!


Notice the gray football under the purple lines.

Tomato Harvest

Just this week we had about 50 Roma tomatoes that were ready to be picked.  I used our favorite salsa recipe, including some hot peppers from a friend's garden, and ended up with 6 jars and still a surplus of tomatoes.  We've also enjoyed the fresh slices on pizza and sandwiches.

Captain Fisher

Hard to believe but August 10th marks the four year anniversary since Ryan's OTS (Officer Training School)  graduation.  In the last 4 years, Ryan has been a Supply Officer at the 819th  Global Support Squadron, Flight Commander at the 817th Global Mobility Squadron, deployed to Haiti and is now half-way through earning his graduate degree. 

Today the boys and I went to base for Ryan's promotion to Captain.  After reciting the oath of office, Ryan spoke a few words about the boys and I.  He presented Hayden and Logan each with a 'shiny' AFIT coin!  They were so pleased.  Logan immediately was trying to put it in his pocket!  It was a lovely surprise when he gave me some flowers after speaking some sweet words which certainly make a 3rd trimester, hormonal woman teary.  Later he told me he was going to present me with some Major rank (which is above a Captain) to show he knows wears the rank at home! ;)  Good man!

August also marks his 13th anniversary with the AF!!!

Congrats Ryan/Daddy!

     This fell in the middle of Logan's nap time, hence the sleepy gaze.

Logan is searching for his pocket to put his new coin inside.

Bugs & Butterflies!

Hayden & Mia worked well to complete this puzzle.  Logan just wanted to be part of the picture.

The most recent Parks & Rec activity we attended was called 'What's Under Your Feet.'  It was held at a local park with a beautiful butterfly garden.  The boys got to look at some bugs under a magnifine glass, make several bug crafts, observe a grasshopper, try to catch butterflies with nets and complete some bug puzzles.  At the end, the naturalist in charge released some butterflies.  It was a great way to spend an hour!

Flying Competition

Last weekend we took the boys to the Jet World Masters which was an international radio controlled flying competition.  The planes are jet engined and fly about 200 miles/hour.  They had toy airplanes for the kids which the boys continue to fly at home.  Hayden wrote his name on the sign-up list to have a turn with the airplane flying simulator.

Big Boy Room

Two weeks ago we transformed our guest room into a big boy room for Logan.  Like Hayden, he loved the crib!  Although capable, as proven by climbing skills exhibited in other parts of the house, neither climbed out of the crib.  We moved Hayden to a bed at 2.5 because of Logan and now needed to move Logan for the baby.
Nervous to make the change to not only a big bed, but also a whole new room, we had Logan help pick out his sheets and nightlight.  Although his first choice was Mickey Mouse sheets, we could not find them ANYWHERE for a double bed.  He happily settled with Lightening McQueen sheets and nightlight.  I don't have pictures of the whole room yet as we are still finalizing wall decor.  After staying up until midnight meticulously calculating sport ball decals on the wall, only to awake the next morning and discover they ALL fell to the floor, we are researching higher quality decals.

Thankfully, the transition was smooth and now each morning and after each nap he proudly exclaims, 'big boy room!'