The start of our summer...

Ahhh summer.  Relaxing, quiet days spent in the sun, lemonade in hand, reading a smutty romance novel, and doing whatever I please.

Oh wait, I have kids. Never mind.

Up at 6:30 get breakfast and wish I had 6 more hands as I try to get it ready for Camber and myself.

Then if we are brave enough to venture out of the house it takes a good hour prep time to get us all dressed, teeth brushed, and ready (plus feed the baby). I'm exhausted before we even leave.

Then I hope no one has a meltdown or that I didn't forget snacks, or diapers, or a binky.

Then home for lunch (which is my least favorite time of the day). We are all hungry (hangry anyone), Brecken wants to be held, Camber needs fifteen different things once I sit down, we're all getting tired, the dog needs outside.  Whew!

Nap time: my saving grace.  A time of day to recharge (once I get them both to sleep that is!)

Then snack and playing (making a huge mess) until Daddy gets home (Thank God!)

Summers definitely look and sound very different from those pre-kids.  Somedays I think I would love to just sit in the sun and read a book!

But then I hear Camber's squeal as he sees the monkeys at the zoo chasing each other or as he snuggles up to me and says "Mine love you Mommy. Mine your buddy."

Or when I get to look down at Brecken's angelic face as he sleeps or when he gives Camber the sweetest smile (because he LOVES his brother) .  It's those times I know these summer days are the ones I'll miss.  The ones I'll cherish forever.

Even if I am sweating, covered in spit up, running around like a crazy, hot-mess.  These are the days a mama lives for.

Camber started Preschool this summer.  They have a summer program and we decided to have him go 2-3 days a week.  We thought it would help before a huge transition in the fall and also give him some time with friends as I knew we wouldn't be able to do as much this summer as we have in the past because of Baby Brecken. He couldn't wait for it to start! We even made a paper chain to count down the days and he asked everyday if it was time for him to go to preschool. He got a Lightning McQueen backpack and lunchbox and couldn't have been more excited!

Well we are a few weeks in and I'm so glad we started him this summer.  He has learned so much about just being at a preschool vs. an in-home daycare. He learned to sit for story time, raise his hand, that this is the month of June, and so much more!!

He is definitely a "shy guy," in the words of his teacher, but we know he is just soaking it all in.  Once he warms up and gets comfortable they better watch out.  Although he is always a great kid at daycare as he tells me, "Mine good boy!"  He saves all his naughty for mommy and daddy :-)

The other day when I dropped him off I got to meet three of his best buddies.  Liam, Hattie, and Bexley.  His teacher said that Camber and Hattie are the best of friends and they even hold hands on the playground (melt my heart!).  They went on a field trip the other day to an indoor sports place and Hattie grabbed Camber's hand and made him try the games that he was to shy to try on his own.  I love little Hattie already!

First day of preschool! So excited! And not a single tear, out of Camber anyway. 

Watermelon day at preschool

Happy Birthday Kelsey

We have taken on a slower pace on the days Camber is home from preschool. We occasionally go do something, but sometimes we just play at home.

Just chilling and eating his snack!

Playing with the washing machine box, because who doesn't love a cardboard box.

We have ventured to the zoo a couple of times.  My mom has gone with us (thank goodness) and Camber loves to show her all of the animals!

He loves the train

I can not get over how these two boys are already in love with each other. I knew having two boys they would be best friends, but I definitely thought the "newness" of Brecken would wear off for Camber and he wouldn't be very interested until he got a bit older.  Camber can't get enough of Brecken.  He is the most respectful and loving big brother.  He truly cares and adores him.  

And the feeling is mutual because Camber gets Brecken to give the biggest smiles.  Brecken loves watching what Camber is doing.  If Brecken is fussy or crying (which doesn't happen too often) we just have Camber talk to him and he calms right down (usually-unless he's really mad).

Camber has been talking about going to the new Cars 3 movie for weeks. On the Friday it came out we told him we would take him.  He literally asked all day long if it was time to go.  I kept telling him after nap and when Daddy got home. When Doug walked in the door his excitement couldn't be contained.  I had told him that Mimi was coming to watch Brecken because they don't let babies in the theatre and Camber was a little bit sad about that. He just didn't understand why Brecken wouldn't be allowed to come. Well we are getting ready to leave and Camber starts crying and won't get in his carseat.  He says that he won't leave without Brecken.  We asked what he wanted to do and he said "stay home with Brecken." We finally convinced him that Brecken would have fun without us and that we needed to head to the movie.  Camber enjoyed the movie (I think he liked the popcorn more) and was very excited to get home to his brother.  Such a sweet boy!

"Mine snuggle you brother"

Camber wasn't able to do the park picnic day at preschool so we had our own picnic at home on the floor in our dining room.  He was SO excited!

Doug and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.  We aren't quite sure are old enough to already be married for 8 years, but I guess that's what happens when you get older.  To celebrate we went to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert (while the boys stayed home with my Dad and De)

This annoying guy two rows in front of us had a little too much to drink.

Camber LOVES to play outside and it's already been SO hot this summer so we usually try to get out front early in the morning while it's still nice and shady. Sometimes (ok most of the time) he doesn't even change out of his pjs before heading out. Sorry neighbors. 

Camber on the left at SIX months, Brecken on the right at just under 3 months.  Brecken is a chunk!

Camber "helping" me with dishes.

Brecken likes to fall asleep after he eats and I want him to stay awake.  He was totally out while I was burping him. 

Our preschool does Donuts with Dad, but it wasn't Camber's day to go so I decided to recreate it at home! This kicked off Father's Day weekend.  On Father's Day Camber and Doug slept in until 9:30. Camber has NEVER slept that late, EVER! After the sleepy-heads got up we had breakfast (I made biscuits and gravy-YUM) and we played outside.  Doug and Camber did a little clean-up landscaping and then we headed over to my Aunt Doreen's for some swimming.  We came home and my mom and Mark stopped over for a few minutes on their way home.  I made homemade Orange Chicken and Eggrolls.  They were so good that we ended up ordering Chinese takeout.  Bummer!

Camber and Doug racing the remote control car

Brecken and I just watching

Another trip to the zoo!

Brecken looks so tiny in his pack n play.  This isn't even his full crib.



Brecken is already 3 months old! He has really changed in the last couple of weeks.  He holds his head up without any help and loves to look around at everything!  He loves his big brother and being outside! He is a great sleeper and is a little bit of a mama's boy!
He weighs in at a hefty 15 pounds!

Camber wanted to take pictures with Brecken and these were the ones we got. Ha!

Camber is standing off to the side getting Brecken to smile