Kittens

We talked about it for a while and decided the get not one but two kittens. The man of the house was not a big fan of the idea and I feared that our dog would not get along with another cat, not to mention two. But my aunt had many kittens on her little farm and one more batch was dropped off to her after their mother was hit by a car. She bottle fed and house trained them so I thought it was good to take 'em in. We think they're about 10 or 12 weeks old. They had been held and played with by her grandkids enough that they are very friendly and sociable. In fact they've put up with a lot from Bennett...he's not the gentlest to say the least. I don't let him play alone with the kittens for fear he'll squash one or carry one around by the tail.
Paxton also chases them but is learning more quickly that the kittens will like him more if he isn't running around squealing at them. He does get little boy crazy sometimes playing with them but he handles them well and even wants to clean the litter box. If only that desire would last. The kittens have had a few names, including Oreo, Charcoal, Bo, Shaggy, and Fred. At present we call them Chico and Chica, one is a boy and one a girl. Paxton is holding Chico here.

This is an old chair from my parents that I fondly remember growing up. When my Dad said he was going to donate it to charity if I didn't take it, I decided to grab it. The kittens like the ties hanging from the cushions.

I pulled out the ole sewing machine and made a kitten bed. The zipper is in and functional but not the prettiest; my Mom who is an expert in sewing told me she didn't know how I did it (wrong basically). I laughed. Next is a window cushion and maybe some pillow shams for my bed. No zippers on those.

We're trying to hang on to every last warm day so we've been to the park and we walk to school most days. Although I'm ready for the vegetable garden to be done in terms of the work, I wish the mild weather would stick around so we can enjoy being outside without freezing. The light frost we had recently did zap some of the vines - mine were mostly dead anyway except the ornamental potato vine - but the rest of my plants were fine. We're still harvesting a few cobs of corn from a late batch and we have about 40 spaghetti squash that I'm doling out to everyone I can think of. Our cucumbers have been great this year and the raspberries are slowing down in production but taste the sweetest they've been the whole season. It seems the cool weather has that effect on them. Oh how I wish Grandpa Les was still here so I could tap into his gardening and fruit tree knowledge. I often think of him when I'm in the vegetable garden.

A couple days ago it was Bennett's nap time (although naps are sporadic lately) and he announced he was going to nap on is bear. And he did. I assumed he'd move over to his bed but he didn't and stayed there his whole nap.

August activities

August was busy but great. We did a few camping trips which I'll show below but the biggest event was Paxton's first day of Kindergarten. You can see he was happy to go (despite that cheesy forced smile all kids seem to learn somehow) and I was glad he wasn't too nervous at all. There were a few kids and moms crying but we thought it was a fun day. He likes school, let's hope that continues since there's at least 12 more years to go buddy!

Bennett rarely sits in his high chair anymore, he wants to be at the table like everyone else and he insists on choosing his utensils and plate. He is in the "do it by myself" stage and gets pretty upset when he doesn't get the chance. Even simple things like taking off his shoes - he HAS to do it.

This pic is from our trip to a nearby canyon where we had a good time. The boys like to ride their bikes a bit and we try to cook some dutch oven recipes. This one was chicken and rice. Our campsite was well shaded but well used.

The weather was beautiful, and it was so nice to gain some elevation for cooler, but still enjoyable temperatures.

Paxton has learned the skill of tying his shoes. He can do it by himself but needs to master how to make it tight....sooner or later he'll get there. Once again this photo is deceptive, making Bennett look HUGE and Paxton small. Although they are on opposite ends of their height and weight charts, Paxton is still quite a bit taller and maybe 7 pounds heavier : )

I wasn't thrilled to see Paxton with a giant bow saw but he did very well using it. If only he could stay in one spot long enough to get through a log...he could be our firewood guy.  But, then again, he probably shouldn't be handling an ax much either.

We camped in this area while these yellow flowers were at their peak - I think it's a bush called rabbit brush. Jared and Paxton took a drive near dusk one evening and spotted a cow moose and her calf as well as a porcupine.

I got brave and brought my camera on the canoe the morning we took it down to Currant Creek reservoir. It was calm, sunny weather and we could see nicely into the water.  Of course we didn't catch any fish.

This is the fishing pole Paxton got for Christmas last year. I think he'd like it better if he caught something besides lake moss but he takes after his dad.

Many evenings we enjoy being in our own back yard.  Bennett likes swinging a bat at balls on our tee and he loves having his picture taken.

Hopefully my kids remember me for doing something other than yard work. I do involve them from time to time but usually I am happy to do the weeding and deadheading while they play. The zinnias grown from seed this year have done well and I like how long the blooms last.

We decided to take Paxton to Timpanogos Cave. Bennett stayed with Grandma and we headed up for a morning hike. Paxton was good hiker, not complaining on the way up but tired on the way down. He didn't appreciate the group of kids with us who decided to scream when the tour guide turned off all the lights but he was brave about it all.  

Our Summer fun

While this doesn't count as swimming lessons, it's a step in the right direction! Since our HOT streaks of weather kept coming, I decided the boys and the dog needed this little splash pool. You can see Bennett KNOWS when he's on camera. He definitely likes getting other people wet, but Paxton is more of a good sport in getting splashed, dumped on, and otherwise drenched. Paxton has been a great big brother this last week, cheering Bennett up when he's grumpy, we think due to some molars coming in. I love how easily they are entertained, we've done lots of chalk drawing on the patio, kicking soccer balls and batting off the t-ball tee. The boys do like their bikes too, Bennett's getting better at gliding on his and Paxton's already a pro. The neighbors are all super sweet to our boys, especially the 10 year old girl who could soon be a great babysitter. She is cute with both of them and they like her just as much. Sorry Grandma, you need a break here and there even though we LOVE your willingness!

These goggles are Paxton's but, like everything else, Bennett claims them as his own. The two year old selfish stage is here.  He has plenty of words too to say what he wants.  We have had a couple success with toilet training but haven't abandoned diapers just yet. As long as Bennett is willing and happy about spending time in the oval office, we're game.

Paxton wants to show off his muscles, he definitely tries to do push-ups like daddy and helps Mom bring in the gallons of milk we buy each week. If only he was taller he could mow the lawn!

For the 24th we waited, and waited, for some fireworks we expected to see from a neighboring park but they never happened.  SO, in the meantime we did some of our own and I had fun getting these sparkler shots.

These are some pots from Jared's latest glaze fire. They were, as usual sort of an experiment, this time Jared mixed the glazes, one of semi-transparent and one was transparent.  My favorite pieces are the bowls that have dark and light clay combined.  The surfaces within those bowls are different too, the dark part has a more rough texture and the lighter area is totally smooth.

Here's a couple pics of one my my "hobbies", our yard and garden.  I knew I was planting too much too close together in terms of the vine plants, but I did it anyway.  The cantaloupe, pumpkin, and spaghetti squash plants are doing well along with some corn, swish chard, cucumbers, raspberries, blackberries, and peaches.  And of course one very vigorous zucchini plant that I can't keep up with.

Our Vacation

Jared took a week off of work so we planned a camping trip to the family favorite camping area. The boys loved it, we thought we all might get bored without Grandma/Grandpa on either side coming too but it was very relaxing and nice to go at a slow pace. We took bikes, baseball equipment, and our dog. This little hike was perfect for Bennett, it wasn't too far from camp either. We had our first experience running the trailer into a tree trying to make a tight turn. The tree and trailer were okay though.

The only part about camping that was less than ideal were the mosquitoes. We all came home with a few bites, even using repellant. But the temperatures were ideal during the day and chilly at night, perfect for a campfire.

 I don't know what it is with boys and sticks but they literally go hand in hand. And, there's always a BETTER stick in your brother's hand. Somehow. Thankfully no one got their eye poked out. We did see some of the fish who were spawning trying to jump up waterfalls and generally get up river however they could. It was interesting, and they were large fish.

Paxton was SURE he wanted to swim in a lake...we kept telling him he'd get too cold but we did let him wade in and see for himself just how cold the water is. Not exactly the giant swimming pool that he probably thought he'd get. He didn't get in past his knees before he said "sometimes I want to swim and sometimes I don't". This time he didn't. We did have the canoe and took the boys out in it; I didn't take the camera in the boat for fear our two year old, who loves to lean over the side, would tip the whole boat over.

Some of the days the wind kept us off the water but Jared had other ideas. He spent a little time harvesting his own clay to make pots. One of the pottery teachers at his work warned Jared that digging his own clay is a sign of things to come - long hair, a beard, and wearing tie-dye.

On the last of Jared's days off we decided to take Frontrunner and Trax up to the Arts Festival. The boys enjoyed both train rides and the festival was great. This photo shows our "friend" the trombone player who was waiting for his train too. He was a friendly kid who asked if his playing was bothering us. To the contrary, it was fun.

This was at the festival in the children's art yard where kids could paint a piece of cardboard that would later be used to assemble a monster. Paxton also got to play a trumpet in another booth.

This "spider web" was Bennett's favorite part. He liked to walk under it and was also fascinated with the "bugs and spiders" hanging from it. This was another project kids could work on and add their creations to. There was a booth selling peanut butter/jam sandwiches and milk for $2...that was too good to pass up for the boys.  They wouldn't appreciate spanakopita or  Peruvian food anyway.

This little staged scene included a couch, rug, lamp, table and walls which could ALL be drawn on with colors of the kids' choice. There was a sign posted "Do not try this at home" in front of the exhibit. No kidding. I don't think even the magic erasure could handle that job.

Since it was a warm day, the boys asked to splash in the fountain. When it was time to go, Bennett did NOT want to leave the water and had as close to a tantrum as we've ever seen. He does have a little temper showing up these days, as well as changing his mind waaaay to much.

But Bennett is also hilarious. One day he was interrogating Paxton at lunch with questions like, "Is this  mine?, Is that yours?, Can I have some?, Is this your shoulder? (while he grabs Paxton's shoulder). He's also a tease in more ways than one.  We've reached the awkward to-nap-or-not-to-nap stage. He will lay down, and mostly stay in his bed, but in it he is looking at books, playing with toys, singing, jumping up and down, you get the idea. And then when he doesn't nap he's falling asleep at dinner. Most of you have been there.

We (meaning Mom, the boys, and Grandma) were able to go to the Parade for Strawberry Days. I thought it would be too commercial, as some have become, but it really was great. Just the traditional kinds of entries, bands, high school and local dance groups, fire and police people and just a few politicians here and there.

The policemen on their motorcycles in this pic were definitely the boys' favorite, with the firetrucks (our city has a GIANT one) a close second. There was also a little group with bikes and a ramp that did flips and other tricks...my favorite.

And, we were lucky enough to run into good friends to sit by with a little shade too. When the candy was thrown out, Bennett eventually caught on to run and grab some...the group next to us was pretty quick though, and not the kids in it if you know what I mean. So we had a nice week, more of our style than taking giant trips to distant places. Someday we'll get to Disneyland : )