smiles and beans

8/6-  Little Miss Smiley... so fun to have Myka interacting with us!!

Staring at Cainan...

It seems like she's gotten so long the last couple weeks!

Chatting with her brothers...

Hugs from Cainan...

Long skinny legs

I had a little bit of cooking to do this morning for my dad's big party tonight, so we got out the bean box to keep the boys entertained and within my sight!

Scooping and dumping is one of Cainan's favorite things to do!

Boaz likes cooking... he made a delicious bean soup. 

Boaz has a big VBS program in Grandpa's church tomorrow.  We played the cd a lot today to practice his songs.  Cainan is getting some of the words down, too!

first bottle attempt

8/5-  Fall is approaching... which means I'm going to get geared up and lead worship at our church & life will get busier.  I decided I need to start working with Myka on taking bottles for the approaching times when I need to be away from her.  Boaz helped with our first attempt today.  He took this job very seriously.   He's getting more interested in helping her out these days.

Myka did okay with her first bottle.  She managed to get a couple ounces down.  She didn't love it, but she didn't scream for hours either. 

We'll keep trying to get this bottle thing down... and Boaz may be my big helper making it happen!

He loves his baby sister!

Since it's been so hot, ice cream sounded like the perfect afternoon snack today.  I got creative and put sprinkles on the top of it... bad idea. 

Cainan needs some work on the proper way to eat a cone...

more vbs & a birthday party!

8/4-  This morning I was craving grits... yep-grits!!  My mom makes these fabulous garlic cheese grits that have been one of my favorite foods since I was little.  I often requested them for my birthday meal growing up, and she'll still make them for me today on special occasions.  Cainan and I were all prepared to do some grits cooking- but then I realized that we didn't have enough eggs or butter.  Bummer!  So we played a little game at the counter and I moved him on to the next activity.  (made the grits after a grocery store run a couple days later!)

After naps, we got to work on getting ready for Justin's birthday party.  I tried having the boys make cards for him, but that didn't sound like too much fun.  So- we opted for the wall sign which was really exciting!!  And now that I'm writing this post, I remember that I need to go wash the crayon off my wall!!  :)

Boaz is so focused...

Stretch Cainan!!

Quite the team...

The final product. 

Proud brothers...

Then we blew up some balloons for 'Justin.'    Pretty much we blew up balloons for them to play with!

Singing 'Happy Birthday'...  even Cainan attempted the song this time!  And he still tries to sing it now and then at random times!

Uncle Justin had lots of help with the candles!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Justin!  We love you!!

8/5-  Cainan is tanked.  Two mornings this week he had a morning nap.  We've had some late nights... and even without late nights, this kid plays so hard that he just gets worn out.   This morning before we took Boaz to Bible school, I walked into the boys' room to find this... Cainan fell asleep while playing with his balloon!

Cainan and I went a bit early to pick up Boaz from his last day of VBS.  We wanted to hear the good music!  Grandpa Bartlett prayed to end the week. 

Afterward, we got a picture with the Chef!!   Boaz talked about the Chef all week long and enjoyed cooking his snacks with her in the Bistro.

Grandpa was a bus driver named 'Justin Time' all week.  His catch phrase was something like... "I'll see you tomorrow.  I'll be right on course and just in time!"   Boaz thought it was hilarious that Grandpa was driving the bus and all week pretended to be the bus driver at home.  Except he always got the phrase wrong and called himself "Time Justin." 

The Bible verse of the week...  Boaz's version of it was "Show me your ways, O Lord.  Show me the paths, O Lord.  Show me the ways, O Lord...."  followed by lots and lots of 'O Lords.'   He currently pronounces Lord with a "w" sound at the beginning so it makes his quote extra cute!  :)

We were so thankful for the things that Boaz got to experience at VBS this week!

Vacation Bible School & Myka's smile!

8/2-  This week was a big one for Boaz.  He got to go to Vacation Bible School for the first time!  And even better, it was at Grandpa's church!  Here's Boaz meeting Cooper the dog for the first time. 

Hi, Cooper!!  Boaz had such a good time at VBS and came home with great stories each day about what he did.  Cooper and the Chef were highlights for him. 

We stayed to watch some of the opening session on Tuesday morning.  Here's Boaz walking in with his class. 

I felt a little like a mom who was sending her kid to school on the first day!  :)

The Chef greeting kids on Main Street.  Each day they learned about a parable and learned a key word to remember- gratitude, grace, faithfulness, etc. 

I actually think Cainan enjoyed this week just as much as Boaz.  Monday morning we played at home together for the morning and he was all smiles and giggles.  He's actually been going through a rough whine/cry phase right now, but I saw none of it without Boaz there!!  I think this week was just what the Dr. ordered for Cainan, too!   Today we went out to the pool and swam while Boaz was at VBS.  Cainan enjoyed jumping in and playing a new game we made up called 'Bonk it!'   Before we swam, I spent some time skimming the pool and  walked up to what I thought was a pinecone floating in the water- then it moved!!  Freaked me out.  I think this thing was a giant locust??  I don't know my bugs, but it was ugly and HUGE!!!

FINALLY- a picture of Myka smiling!!

8/3-  Cainan plays a 'funny' game (that I don't think is so funny) with me.  When he sees me carrying Myka toward the chair to feed her, he hops up in there first and giggles.  It was funny at first, but now it's getting old!  :)    I have to ask him a few times to move... sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't and I have to physically remove him!   Silly, Cainan!!

Cainan is really into magic tricks these days.  Things magically disappear under his shirt or behind his back.  Then when he reveals them, he shouts "Ta Da!!"   Or sometimes he'll yell, "Ah-prize!!"  (surprise)   The thing he likes to steal and hide the most currently is Myka's pacifier.  Eeww. 

Once again, we enjoyed some alone time together while Boaz was away.  Cainan helped me get out the playmat and hook up toys for Myka.  He sat here for the longest time smiling at her and showing her the toys. 

Tonight we tried to capture some more smiles on camera.  Smile for daddy!!

Come on, Myka...

There it is!!!

And back to staring at Dad...

I can't wait for these smiles to turn into giggles... it's coming soon!  You can tell that she is trying to talk and make little squeak noises.   Love this little girl!!