Paint!

We haven't been in the art room in awhile--or should I say I haven't. The boys and I went in there tonight to do a May Day project and as soon as I turned on the light I saw the mess!

Henry decided that he wanted to paint a couple of days ago so he helped himself. There was paint all over the floor and their table. He tried to clean it up, but it was still a total dried mess--with some toilet paper stuck in there!

He immediately showed me the picture he painted and he was so proud! He said he will ask next time and we cleaned it up. To be safe, the paint has now been put up high!

I am NOT the Mayor!

Yesterday was one of our most beloved days of the year. Opening Day for Cowtown!

My boys love everything about that place! We pretty much do the same stuff every time we go there, but that's kind of the way we like it!

This time we saw a quick draw competition, which was new and not just one, but two gunfights! The older two boys insist on covering their ears, but otherwise love the gun stuff. Josh, however, was not a fan of the gunfights. As soon as the big guns started firing he started screaming! He got back at them, though! He ran off with their bag of money after he got his picture taken with them!

We also got to watch a baseball game. That was fun. The boys picked teams to cheer for, but they weren't the least bit loyal to them.

Josh's favorite this time was the saloon girls. He was dancing like crazy! One of their numbers was "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain". I told Lucas to sing along, but he didn't think I was funny!

My boys always dress up for a trip to Cowtown. The cowboys are always jealous of Henry's very authentic green frog boots! They also tend to make fun of his hat--don't worry we all have a good time with it! Gigi gave him that hat to wear last year, but failed to tell us that even in the movies the cowboys who wear them get teased!

This time they all got a bit of teasing about their footwear, but several of them asked Henry if he was the mayor. He was so offended because obviously he was a Sheriff! When we were leaving we saw a man in a hat just like Henry's and a long black jacket. Henry did, in fact, look just like the mayor!

I'm guessing next time he'll wear chaps so he's not the dreaded mayor!

Fearless

Josh Oliver has now chipped both of his front teeth. Yet another semi-permanent injury to add to his list.

He chipped his right tooth back in November when he tripped down the two steps leading out into Amy's garage. It's a pretty bad chip and it was very traumatic for me! I know it's just a baby tooth, but he's still going to have it for several more years.

We aren't exactly sure how he chipped his left tooth. We noticed it within a day or two of doing it, but still have no idea. With his fearlessness, he really could have done it any number of ways. It at least isn't as bad as the other side.

The scar on his mouth is healing up quite nicely. You can still see it, but it at least blends in well.

He really makes me nervous. He has that terrible sense of fearlessness like Henry has, but he doesn't really escape the injuries the way Henry does. I don't know if he just doesn't have the quick reflexes to catch himself or if he doesn't have the good sense to even try! Either way, Josh has unfortunately taken after Grandpa J in that department.

I just pray he doesn't chip any permanent teeth and please no more scars on the face!

Horse Show

Today we went to watch Gillian and Gretchen in a horse show with Midas. We went with Gran and Papa, but we left Josh with Gigi--keeping him quiet and out of poop would have just been too much for me.

We watched Gretchen show Midas--he was in a bit of a mood--and then we had a couple of hours before it was Gillian's turn, so we ventured out into the rest of the Fairgrounds--there was a mini fair/fundraiser going on.

It took us a bit of walking around, but we finally found out where all of the action was. When we first got there we saw a tractor that was shuttling people around and a train for kids made out of plastic barrels. To the boys horror we made them look at all of our stuff before they got to do their stuff!

The whole time we were walking around Henry kept talking to random people about the tractor and the train. He would ask if they had ridden on it, or if they knew where it was at. He just doesn't have any hesitation about talking to people!

We finally took the tractor shuttle which dropped us off next to this huge slide. Henry immediately wanted to go down it and practically ran up the very scary stairs. Lucas, with his sensible hesitation, didn't want to, but Papa finally talked him into it. He was practically on his hands and knees going up the stairs--they were crazy scary. He went down with Papa and absolutely loved it! It usually ends up that way with him. I, on the other hand, did not love it!

Once we were done with the slide, the barrel train zoomed past us--seriously it was going fast. Henry frantically started running after it with his hand out yelling, "STOP! STOP THE TRAIN!" It was absolutely one of the funniest things to watch! We chased after it, Henry and Lucas were sprinting, trying to figure out where it stopped at, but we lost it. Henry kept stopping people and asking them if they knew where it went. At one point he stuck his hand out and made a guy on a golf cart stop for him. He asked him if he saw that train go by again, "could you please tell him to stop for me?!" The guy told him he would as long as Henry would wave at him when he got on it!

It was a fair agreement!

We finally found it and it was the greatest ride ever!

After a lot of walking we eventually made our way back to the horse show.

Midas was still acting up so Gillian didn't get to show him. That was really sad!. She did look really cute though! I didn't get a good picture of her, though. Midas' behavior did not mean a good mood for Gillian.

By the time we left we were all so exhausted. We did so much walking! We were also very dirty. Henry especially because he jumped in every mud puddle we passed on our journey! He did have on his rain boots at least!

Sometimes I think the dirtiest days are the best!

Keeping up with his Brothers

Ben had to work tonight, but he met us up at Marble Slab for some ice cream--all of the possibilities make that place almost overwhelming!

Luke and Henry both picked out their ice cream. I figured Josh could just share with me or Ben. When he saw that he didn't have his own cup, though, he was really upset. Ben tried to just give him his cup, but Josh wanted none of that! He knew it wasn't really his.

I ended up buying Josh his own. I can't really blame him for wanting it. He is two now and fully aware of what his brothers get.

It's just really hard for me to think of him as one of the big boys. I guess it's good that he knows how to assert himself.

Surf's Up!

I'm starting to feel like I'm raising a bunch of surfer boys. I can't even tell you how many times a day I hear the word "Sweeeet". Occasionally I get a "Dude".

It's a little bit annoying.

Thanks, Gigi!

*She says that word didn't come from her, but it did! She says it a lot when she's talking to the boys--especially when it involves the Wii!

Two Wheels

Today we decided to enjoy the nice weather and try out the boys on a two wheel bike. Ben had to work so it was just me and the three boys.

It didn't go over very well at first. Henry was appalled at the idea of taking off his training wheels. Luke seemed a little bit excited, but kept saying that he was just going to let Henry try today because he needed to work on his soccer skills!

Henry's turn was first. He seemed to do pretty good. I didn't really get close to letting go. He was a lot like he was on skates--not really focusing and wobbling from side to side. I think that's just the silliness in him! He didn't really care about doing it or not.

Lucas, who I thought would be really afraid of the falling part, did awesome! On our first run, he was so steady that I decided to let go and he went about a yard or so by himself! He was really excited about it! Each time I let go, he would go farther and farther. The last time he went about 4 or 5 yards. He never did fall, though. He wasn't very good at steering so when he got close to the edge of the bike path he would stop himself. We were both so amazed!

After a bit, we headed back to the car and I let the boys run to the top of the giant hill nearby. That was super exciting for them. Then we went to Wendy's and ate IN THE RESTAURANT! That's always a treat for them!

It was such a fun day! I can't wait for Ben to go with us and see all of their cool new tricks--plus we need a better photographer for when Luke is on the bike!