MILK

So my parents are now back in Rapid City for the summer and we are all living together as one big happy family! They have been great about letting the kids run their roost, except when it comes to the milk. My dad only likes 2% milk and I only buy fat-free skim for our family. The kids quickly caught on to Grandpa's really good milk and help themselves to it regularly.

Or they did, until this morning:

 Olivia is the only on that can read so I'm not too sure how effective this is going to be. And even she was not going to take this sitting down. The next morning Grandpa found this:

The war of the milk is officially on.

DIAPER

We are having a little issue with Bennie boy keeping his diapers on. We find them all over the house when he's awake and tossed out of his crib when he's sleeping....in a soaking wet puddle of pee, mind you. He doesn't quite get how this is unacceptable. So I found some blue painters tape to reinforce the idea:

Some days it works better than others:

MEMORIAL DAY

Our Memorial Day this year was simple and oh so relaxing! We called some friends that morning, picked up some chicken on our way to the park and met up with them for a really nice afternoon. That evening we hot-tubbed and grilled with Grandma Joan and Grandpa Warren!

These two were thrilled that Grandma made them corn on the cob!

BEAR COUNTRY

We love this place. It's probably our favorite South Dakota tourist spot. It's a drive through park with all kinds of cool animals that roam around, often right next to the car! Today we visited with my parents, hoping to see the new baby bear cubs!

Checkin out the good in the gift shop...

WHAT?!

So this is what emerged from Olivia's bedroom this morning:

Seriously, is this kid homeless? What happened to my Livi Lou, the girl with the little blonde bob, dressed in polka dots and red patten-leather shoes? I was mortified when she confirmed that, yes, this was what she was planning on wearing to school. Agony. I realize that I can't dress her anymore. I also realize that she is getting big and coordinating outfits aren't exactly "her thing" anymore. But really, this? Not okay. Let's just say a little "intervention" took place and then we headed to school.....

ARMY

This is why I love little boys:

These two got dressed up to save the world from bad guys and to have lunch together outside under a tree!

I think it was Nick's two best buddies (& brothers) who have kept the "army" thing alive so long in our house. Their dad is a B-1 Bomber pilot serving overseas so they are all things military and have taught my boys a thing or two about survival!

MOVIE NITE

Tonight Nick and Livi and I went on a little date to the movies. They have been dying to see Monsters vs Aliens in 3D so that is what we saw, complete with popcorn and soda and candy. Isn't that the only way to see a movie? I don't even remember the last time we went to the movie theatre so we wanted to do it up right. It was so fun, sitting there with them as we tried to touch the images that jumped out of the screen at us! Nick was Mr. Chatty and talked throughout show while Liv was so enthralled that we could barely tear her away long enough for a potty break! It was a fun night. I love my little buddies.

MOTHER'S DAY

I love Mother's Day! The kids woke up early and were at the side of the bed bearing gifts just as I was opening my eyes. Nick actually ran in earlier to use our bathroom and on the way out whispered, "Happy Mother's Day!" The homemade cards, handpainted flower pot, gorgeous yellow tulips and yummy breakfast were just what this mommy needed. My family always makes me feel so special. Chris is so cute about helping the kids shop and cook and reminding them not to fight since "it's moms special day."

Today was extra special because my mom was here and we celebrated together. After my yummy breakfast, the kids and I made her breakfast and gave her the gifts and flowers we had for her. She is such a wonderful Mom and Grammie. Everything I am I learned from her. She is loving and generous and wise. She is smart and funny and has gone to the ends of the earth more than once to be at my side when I needed her. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes and I count her as one of my very best friends. I love you, Mom. Thanks for being the best mom in the world!
After church we came home and Chris grilled up a yummy dinner for all of us. He worked his heart out and it showed. He is getting to be a master in the kitchen. I may have to stop cooking all together! The kids and I watched a movie and napped while he cleaned up. Seriously, what a guy. I couldn't be the mom I am without his constant help and love!

I adore this little family. Every minute of every day, I think about them and want to be with them. My favorite time of the week is when we are all home together, talking and reading and having fun. My kids are beautiful and funny and full of life. They are so different from each other and I love it. I tell each one that they "are my favorite" because they are. I can't imagine my days without their smiles and whining and stories and tears. They are my life. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of the my most favorite photos of Nick

Liv and I at Girls Camp

Goof-ball Ben and I, stealing each other's gum

I WANT GA-POP!

Ben is learning how to stall. Every kid goes through it, at least in our house. Tonight he pulled out a doozie though, requesting my dad "Mr.-I-have-never-changed-a-diaper-ever" get him ready for bed. My dad was sweet to oblige...

BIKE RACE

Tonight I challenged Olivia to a bike race on the driveway. This is a big deal, considering that we have the steepest, longest, most grueling driveway in all of South Dakota. At first she refused to compete, knowing that many have died on the driveway trying to retrieve the garbage cans, but then changed her mind once Chris reminded her that my "bike skills" aren't great. (Let me defend myself by saying that I can ride, it's just sharp turns that I have a hard time with....)

Soon the race was on and we were both talking alot of chump smack. I was sure I had her beat...that skinny body was no match for my meaty legs. I was teasing her, calling her "toothpick" and trying to get in her head. Liv headed down first, but she slowed down too much and those long legs couldn't build enough speed to get her back up the hill. I was yelling, "C'mon toothpick, ride!! Go toothpick, go!!" She stopped in the middle of the hill. I was sure to be the champion of the driveway.

I strapped on her tiny bike helmut and squatted over her purple dirt bike. Down I went, a bit worried because her breaks really weren't as good as they should have been for and a hill like that. I turned the corner even slower than Liv did and ran over the grass when I over corrected. I was not going to lose! The family was at the top of the driveway, cheering me on. Then out of nowhere I hear, "GO PORK CHOP GO!! GO PORK CHOP GO!!" It was Nick. Where did he come up with THAT?!? Nevertheless, I started laughing so hard that I nearly fell off the bike.

Round two went a little better....I paced it just right and made it to the top of the hill. Liv did even better and finished at the top of the hill too but with much more momentum than I. "Toothpick" was declared the official winner of the driveway challenge.

Later Chris and I were talking and he asked, "Why were you calling yourself porkchop?" I informed him, very politely, that it was Nick, not I, who had come up with that nickname. That kid cracks me up. Guess he calls it like he sees it, huh?

LOST

Tonight was a big night in little Nick's life. He had gone to bed as usual and gotten up, as usual, but tonight he had a NEW excuse...."my tooth is loose!" Sure enough, one of his tiny bottom teeth was as wiggly as could be and ready to come out. I took him into the bathroom to work on it. He was so excited about losing his first tooth that he had a hard time focusing long enough to get it out! He HAD to do it himself. Below are some pictures I took of him as he worked on it in the mirror.
It's always so hard to get a good enough grip on those slimy little things! We finally figured out a good slip knot with the dental floss should do the trick. Nick couldn't bring himself to do it and just about backed out and took the floss off. I caught him off guard by asking him "Nick, How many stars are in the sky?" In the middle of his answer "About three million two-hundred and sixty-four," I counted to three really fast and gave a quick yank. Nick looked at me with this startled face and then realized what had happened when he saw his tooth dangling at the end of the floss. He started to shake and squeal he was SOOOO excited. The pictures below don't begin to capture his excitement. It was precious.
Nick claimed that "It didn't hurt at all!" and couldn't wait to show everyone in the family. He even tried to wake his sister up but no luck... she was out cold. He dictated a note to the tooth fairy and found a special little box for his tooth. In true Nick fashion, he managed to stay up a couple more hours since he was now "Waiting for the tooth fairy!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA!

We had a little "belated" birthday party for my dad when they returned from wintering in Arizona. It's always fun to party with the Smiths! I cooked his favorite meal: pork roast with potatoes and gravy and homemade carrot cake for dessert!

FORT

The kids worked all evening building this cool box fort. They begged to sleep in it and after a lifetime  just a few hours, they fell fast asleep. I couldn't resist taking pictures of it!

DO NOT ENTER! STRIKED BISSNESS