It Takes a Village To Raise a Child...

When I was in Alabama, Papaw Dale said something that I haven't ever really thought of before... He said " It takes a village to raise a child"  I didn't really give it much thought until now, and boy was he right... I couldn't raise these boys myself.  They have Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Family Friends, Teachers, Doctors, and many others that contribute to the type of person that they are going to grow up to be.  It is our responsibility, as parents, to make sure that we surround them with the best of the best, and by golly, I think that we are on the right track.  I can already see how people are impacting them, and all good I might add!

They are learning unconditional love and comfort from their Grandma Tammy, and they are always getting something special from her, and she is responsible for teaching them compassion and sincerity.  Grandpa Monty always plays with them, and has a gentle way about him.  The boys look to him for comfort when they don't normally go to men for that, but he also plays rough with them at times, which they love!   He is teaching them that men can be tough, but can also have patients and be kind hearted. 

My parents take them fishing and crabbing and are responsible for teaching them to love the great outdoors, and how to love and respect nature.  Men should always know how to fend for themselves if needed :)

There Uncles... Wow, I don't think that these boys could have better men to look up to.  Tyler teaches them humor and lets them really have fun.  He gives them an environment to be silly where they feel like they can really express themselves. Ryan is someone that is the strong silent type, and teaches them reservation and control, but also has really long legs which makes a big lap for the boys to jump into.  Mitch...Mitch is going to be the one that Makes Mama and Daddy go BROKE!  He teaches them anything and everything about sports.  He comes over and plays with them, sometimes for hours!  Blake and Luke are already overly athletic.  I see $$$ in the future for select teams.

Kyle and I teach them boundaries and kindness.  We want our boys to be strong, but to also always be kind and understanding.  We let them dig in the dirt, run around bare-foot, play with worms, but most importantly, we just let them be themselves, and if anything, I hope what they take away from us is that we will always support them in whatever makes them happy.  We will always be there to listen without judgment, and we will always love them unconditionally... hopefully that is what they come out of this crazy house with :)

There are many other wonderful people in their lives that are guiding them into wonderful little men, and although, these boys fight with each other at times, they sometimes push and shove, and they can sure cause a ruckus... they also give each other hugs, Blake tells Luke that he loves him, and knows how to say he is sorry.  They have an amazing balance between toughness and sincerity that I can thank their ENTIRE family for contributing to them.  Witout my village supporting my family, introducing them to new things, loving them, caring for them, and inspiring them, I do not think that they would be as well rounded as they are.  These boys are sure lucky, and so are we for having such a great village helping us raise our children.  I could not get through a day without them!

Thanks Papaw Dale for such a great perspective!

HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY

It is no secret that my family is obsessed with hockey... We had been in the house all day because of the rain, and as soon as Kyle got home, Blake asks him to go play hockey in the garage. The man barely had time to change before he was out in the garage with the boys playing hockey while I finished up dinner, and when I went out there, this is what I found...

Kyle had made this hockey guy and a stand for him with all different places for Blake to aim and shoot. I thought it was pretty fun and creative!  Not too shabby for 20 minutes and some power tools!  Father of the year in my book :)

They all played with this guy until it was time for showers, and they had so much fun!  Blake started bawling hysterically when it was time to come in!

* just a little side note... Blake is now able to pick his own clothes, and on days where we are going places, I give him a little more guidance, but on days like today...lazy days...its all up to him.  Today, he picked pajamas to wear and the tops don't even match the bottoms, and when I asked him why he picked that, he says to me " well I like these pants and I like this shirt"  Well, I guess that's good enough for me :)

He is sliding after he shot the ball... yes, he made it!

Luke is starting to get in on the action!

I might as well get HOCKEY MOM on my license plate!

Daddy showing off his skills!!

Please excuse the mess in  my garage, we have a little remodeling/rearranging going on :)

Busy Busy Busy...

We have been out of our minds busy the last few weeks!  Birthdays, Fathers Day, Skating Lessons, Preschool shopping, and dog sitting :)  Finally starting to get the hang of all this, but my goodness gracious, we have been on the go like crazy!

Kyle turned 28... YAY, we are the same age now :) As a joke, the kids got Kyle this giant gummy bear for his birthday.  Kyle doesn't like cake, chocolate, pie, or ice cream, but the man loves his gummy bears!  I buy them at Costco, and he takes hand fulls out of the bag every day... I thought I would show these pictures to the dentist HAHA

Blake is doing really well at Ice Skating!  He cant wait to start playing hockey, but we keep telling him that he has to be really good at skating before he can be on a team... he is too young also, but next year, he will be chasing after the puck with all the other little guys!

We have been playing a lot outside, and I have managed to get both the boys on the same nap-time schedule!  VICTORY is mine!  I have about an hour and a half to myself everyday to fold laundry without someone pulling down my piles, and I usually get dinner started and today, I am blogging!!   We have really been taking advantage of this nice weather also, and letting those little buggers run out their energy as much as possible!!! 

Blake washing "his" car, daddy washing Mama's car, and Luke eating bubbles!!

Eating Soap!!

This is what I step over/around everyday in the kitchen!

Someone discovered ICE...Can't keep him out of it now!

They have their sweet moments!!!  

AND....We picked a preschool for Blake.  He will start at Cabin Kids in Buckley with Mrs. Barb in September... I absolutely loved meeting with them and I love the curriculum, and the setting.  I know Blake is going to learn so much there, and he is going to have so much fun!    Oh dear... my baby is starting preschool!  Where has the time gone??  I sure hope they are ready for this little guy!!!