Proximity and Muse

Since August has no sports going on right now and is always with me, I find that he is my muse of late. I watch him and get to think of his brothers at his age. I get to spark off of his creativity while getting to see the way he thinks and hear how he feels. Unlike his older brothers who become a mystery to me now. I mean, don't get me wrong we talk and have connections. Still, children become less transparent as they age. August is always in close proximity to me, so our adventures are documented more thoroughly... 

This (picture below) was the first day Mitch watched August for us.

We went to our tax appointment. Yay...

 

August has shown a lot of interest in the anatomy torso that we have. So we took the time going over all of the body parts and assembling them. It was oddly fun.

Except that he keeps referring to it as "the dead guy".

 Putting the liver back in was the hardest. The intestines just do not fit like they should...

Here is one of his usually playtimes in the living room...

 

Then there was the day I had three papers to write and someone kept wanting me to play hide and seek...

How can I say no to a face like that?

While playing I spy, August noticed the awesome sunset outside...

 

More pics of August and his best bud here...

 

And of course, the always popular bathtime.

This time we were able to use a lot of our body paints and dinosaurs to have an epic battle over the faucet. I'll never forget how many dinosaurs were lost that day in the warm depth of the bath tub. They just didn't stand a chance against Augzilla...

 

Last, we tried to download an app to respond to some videos we got from uncle Max and aunt Rebecca...but, I have a windows phone and the app only takes funny pictures.

It was still fun.

Love this kid.

Valentine's Day 2015

What a great holiday to focus on love.

Not candy and cards, but really making a point to let others know you care and love them.

This year Brent and I decided to combine my birthday and Valentine's and go on a little trip...we just have to schedule it now. But, it is going to be very nice to get away. It's been too long!

Back to feeling the love.

My sweet friend Joleen, made the cute little Valentine above and handed it to me in class.

I had the opportunity to again, go to August's preschool party.

 First they played musical hearts.

August gets kind of anxious about these things, and he acts really weird.

This day he started walking in the circle and saying "boring"...

I had to make him realize this was not appropriate.

It is always fun watching 2-5 year olds figure out these kind of games.

 Then they played a kind of pin the tail donkey thing, where they pinned the heart in the bulls eye.

August's blind fold fell off, so he did end up "winning" this game.

Next, they passed out their Valentine's to each other...

As you can imagine this part takes a LONG time. Patience is a must.

Then we went and decorated cupcakes.

August was confused because there was only red sprinkles and at home I have a plethora of  sprinkles that usually come out!

Still, it was a yummy activity.

The last station was a Valentine for the parents. It incorporated their finger prints and a cute little poem about sticky fingers.

When we got home from his party he wanted to make me some hot chocolate...

So I came in and found him helping himself...

His heart was in the right place.

Cosmo was as confused as me...

Brayden had to make a Valentine container for his class party. 

We constructed this out of a shoe box. He made the scary face all on his own.

It is so him.

Too cute.

On ACTUAL V-day, Brent woke up and made us breakfast...and...

he made some angel food cupcakes!

This was interesting to wake up to.

Still, I love that he likes to get creative and dirty in the kitchen.

August was the only one who really wanted to decorate. 

The other two just wanted to eat...

After all the decorating the boys were finally able to enjoy Daddy's treat.

As for Valentines for the boys, August got a whole bunch of new markers and drawing pad. (which he filled in 3 days). Brayden got a real nice drawing journal, with some nice charcoal and graphite pencils. Mitch got a variety of Jerky. Brent thought that at this point in his life his stomach is the way to his heart! Haha...and it begins.

We had the idea of going on a nice bike ride, since the weather was in the 60's.

As we were outside I looked at the lawn and kind of deep sighed. There were still so many leaves. I had began raking a while ago, but then it snowed.

Now the yard was a leaf covered mushy mess.

So, Brent did the most amazing thing and ditched the bike ride to help me do this yard work. 

I usually do it by myself (with the boys reluctant help) it somehow gets done.

I was so happy that he wanted to do this.

So 13 bags of leaves and 2.5 hours later the yard was nice and clean!

Then Brent wanted to just "relax" for the rest of the day...

I have been working on this.

I controlled my compulsive urges to clean, and loafed with my guys.

They of course wrestled and dog piled each other...

All in all, I love every Valentines day. Especially since it is Brent and my anniversary of dating. So this makes 13 years! Whew...
I got Brent some of his favorite ice cream bars.
We snuggled and ate them celebrating.