More Messes

Ellie never got into things when she was younger, but the boys sure do - especially Nathan! The other night Sam and I were outside working in the yard after the kids were in bed, and when we came in to check on them this is what we found:

That's the cake mix Ellie had picked out for her birthday. No, he's not sleeping. When he heard us coming, closing his eyes was his version of hiding from us. After that incident, I put a lock on the pantry door, hoping that would help.

Well, I forgot to close the door to the pantry when I got in the shower yesterday.... When I came out of the bathroom and went to check on the kids downstairs, Nathan was not down there like he was when I got in the shower... So I went searching.

I found this in the hallway outside his room:

And this inside his room:

This is his face when I brought in the vacuum so he could clean it up - completely un-phased.

We have our family rules hung up on the wall, and he knows that one of them is "if you make a mess, clean it up." But it doesn't really phase him to clean up his own messes. I think he likes to use the vacuum....

He is really trying my patience, but I keep repeating to myself, "It's just a phase. He will grow out of it." 

...And then I remember that I have two more boys after him... 🙈

Good thing I love them so stinking much!

Unplanned Time "In"

On Tuesday as we got into the car to take Ellie to school, I realized the car was dead. (The kids love to play with the lights and I forgot to check that they were off) Luckily school is only about a half mile away, so I got out the stroller for Jonah and the two big kids walked. Usually I would have been really frustrated that Ellie was going to be late, that the kids were walking slow, that our errands would have to be postponed, etc., but I decided that it didn't really matter too much. I mean, it's preschool, and being late one day is not going to be a problem. Besides, it was a beautiful morning. So the kids and I walked Ellie to school, and had a great time. (It did take almost an hour round trip because Nathan has short little legs... But that's ok!) On the way back Nathan told me everything inside his cute little brain, and pointed to anything remotely interesting for a 2-year-old boy.

When we got home we decided to make cinnamon sugar popcorn.

And I let the boys lick all of the sugar out of the bowl. They LOVED that!

Then we did puzzles and just hung out until Sam brought Ellie home after school and jumped the car for us. I was surprised at how well the boys cooperated doing the puzzle together. Usually Ellie takes over and tells everyone what they need to do.

I really enjoyed this time with my boys, even if it wasn't what I originally had planned for the morning! I think we will be having more "time in" while Ellie is in school instead of always running errands!

Double Trouble

A tale of two brothers, working together to destroy the book shelf:

The aftermath:

I'm sure this is only the beginning of the trouble these two will get into together!

And I have to admit, I think it's kind of cute. (for now...)