Time off work

David took time off work of few weeks ago. Since gas prices or way too high, we decided staying in town was alright. There were some places we had not gone before as a family. One was Silver Lake Park. They have all sorts of things for the boys to climb on and play with. There was a semi-truck that Ben waited and waited to play in. Some boys were puppy dogging the truck. The moment Ben would start to go over there they would rush in and take the truck. We had a picnic lunch of sandwiches there by the river.

The next day we went to Quarry Hill. It is a nature preserve in the middle of town. There are hiking trails and also a small building with animals in it. The boys enjoyed looking at the fish, turtles, and snakes the had on display. We also went on a hike and went by a pond. They had a bridge we could walk over too. We couldn't go as far as we wanted to, there was construction on the trail. Ben and Gavin were both a little afraid of the machinery. We decided to go back different was then what we came. We found this cute brick wall that someone had built so that they could have level land to put the excavating machinery. We stayed and took lots of pictures.

Going to the store

I went grocery shopping with my kids. I normally am able to drag my husband along and we are able to contain the two of them together. Me being all by myself was HARD. We walked in Target and the first thing Ben saw was one of those monstrous carts for two kids. I really don't like pushing them, but I was able to strap both in and not have to chase either of them. The downside of it was that Gavin did not like Ben's legs where they were. He kept on screaming and pushing Ben's legs. Then both wanted to hold something. They wanted to check out the toys. No problem except it had already put cold stuff in the cart, so I didn't want to stay too long. We got to the toys and looked for a little while, but Ben had to use the bathroom. What frustrated me the most about that we I asked him about 5 or more times before we left to use the bathroom. He wanted to go back to the toys, but my cold stuff was getting warm and we had some more shopping to do. They hopped back in the cart. I buckled Gavin halfway in and he tried doing the rest which he ended up pinching his finger. He also hit Ben a few times. So I end up pushing two crying boys in the store. My patience has had it by then. We check out and get out to the car, where I still have to fit the food in the trunk. They didn't listen to me to stay in the cart until I was done. Ben wouldn't sit down in his seat and I accidentally hurt him while forcing him in his car seat. We get home and they don't go on the sidewalk like I asked ever so kindly. I was ready to put them in time out. We got to our apartment and they went directly in there beds while I got the rest of the groceries. I get so frustrated when I ask several times for them to do something and they will not listen. I really don't like to yell, but that is sometimes the only way I can get their attention. I guess one day they will have children, and then they can experience these same frustrations until then I'm sure I will have more frustrations and yelling.

Animal Puzzle

Gavin has figured out how to put our wooden alphabet animal puzzle together. It is quite funny to watch him. He finds the bag with the puzzle pieces in it and starts saying animals, animals. He can't open it on his own so his starts getting frustrated and screams and starts crying. I will open it for him. He pulls one animal out at a time and wants to know where it goes. I will point to the spot and he will turn it until he gets it in just right. He will pull out another piece and then want to know where that one goes. Some of the animals he knows exactly where they go and will automatically put them there. If I leave his side he screams and wants help. There are those select few animals that he can't ever get in by himself. The nightingale bird makes him crazy he will scream at it until I end up placing it in. He knows where it goes, but for whatever reason it just doesn't fit in like it should for him. Yesurday I had to pull him away from the puzzle to go get David. And again at night when we were ready for bed. I think he did the puzzle about 5 times yesturday. He has done it about twice so far today. He is just so determined to get it finish the puzzle. We have lost the elephant for now so when he puts the last pice in he points the the empty space and says, "uh-oh, uh-oh."

Lunch, Laughter, and Prayer

Ben is very quick to remind us to say a prayer. It drives mu nuts that he wants to choose who says it. Usually we just rotate, but Ben doesn't always remember, and it takes longer to argue about who is going to say the prayer then the prayer actually takes. Ben said it was Daddy's turn, but David was at work and could not say it. Ben ended up saying and it was very short.

Gavin decided he wasn't in the mood for eating. He just wanted to play with his food. Throwing it on the ground made Ben laugh. So Gavin did it again, and again, and again. He got mad when I took his food away. He ended up burping and making us all laugh. He is always making us laugh. He sure likes to get attention. He ended up pouring his water on his sandwich and then would not eat it because it was wet. It sure felt gross picking it up to throw it away.

Park Days

My ward, during the summer, has what they call park days. A different park around town is chosen and we go there and meet other mothers and kids there once a week. I go for the social interaction. I am in the primary and I really don't get to talk to other mothers all that often. We were one of the first to arrive. So I played with Ben and Gavin for a while. When it started to get more crowded with kids, I decided I shouldn't be climbing on the equipment anymore. That is when my shadows started. Yes shadow's menaing I have two little kids who did not want to leave my side. Even going to the park they need to be entertained by me. I thought the park would be my down time, but it doesn't always work out to be. Finally, people started to leave, and my shadows got off my lap and started playing. By this time we had gone through the snack I brought and all the water too (half being dumped on my lap by Gavin). Well naturally since they were away from me then we couldn't leave. They were playing with friends. Yeah!!! We went down the slide one final time. Yes I went too. Ben had a mishap that final time. I tried to catch him, but he had fallen and hurt his wrist for a while. I guess we're done with park days until next week. Hopefully it will go better.

Garden and Hail

Our garden is actually growing. The tomatoes have taken root. Cucumbers, zucchine and yellow squash are all coming up along with cilantro and basil. That is all we have planted, but I think it is an alright amount for our first garden.

Several days ago it had hailed. I had gone to the store and just pulled in when it started hailing. These stones were small, with an occasional ping-pong ball size hail. I was sitting in the car throughout this. It was pounding hard. Good thing the boys were inside with David. I think Ben would have started freaking out at how loud the hail hitting the car was. It was cool to watch, but I did not want to go inside while the storm was coming down.

We worried for a few days about our garden. I'm glad that our plants lived through the storm.