4th of July Weekend

What a great weekend! Ben ended up taking Thursday afternoon off. We cleaned up the house and got ready for our guests on Friday. We had Ben's family over on Friday for a BBQ and homemade ice cream! The weather was beautiful, and it was timed perfectly. An hour after they left, it rained.

On Saturday morning, we hurried out the door and headed to Rexburg to attend the parade. Gavin loved the parade...
at least at first...

Here's why...

Hello, firetrucks! After a while it got long and little boring for him (and a little for me too!) But the great thing was/is they pass out chocolate milk, and as Ben said that's the reason for going.

After the parade we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Barnes for a BBQ. It's a fun tradition that they have every year! After enjoying scrumptious hamburgers, yummy food, delicious desserts, and enjoyable company, we headed home for the afternoon to let the boys take naps.

Once it got close to dark, we headed over to the Greenbelt for fireworks with the family. Kevin and Ann we're nice enough to stake a spot for all of us. Ben and I were a little worried about going to late night fireworks, but it turned out really well. Since we showed up only about an hour before the start, we didn't have to chase Gavin around too long. Xander ended up falling asleep before the start of the fireworks and slept through them all! And Gavin, who I was afraid would be terrified, kept asking and signing for "more, more." He ended up loving them!

The Enegizer Bunny's Batteries Finally Ran Out

Gavin is like the Energizer Bunny... he keeps going and going and going. He would much rather being playing than sleeping and often plays for at least an hour before falling asleep at night. Eventually though he crashes, and isn't it amazing! Really, how do kids do this? Have you ever noticed how kids can fall asleep mid-play in the most random positions? It takes me 20 minutes to fall asleep even after I'm comfortable!

Two Little Monkeys

I was busy in the kitchen, and I look over to find this...

Little monkey is already starting to follow suit. I'm in for a lot of trouble! The joy of being a mom to two little boys. ;)

Death by Chocolate in 5 Minutes or Less

DISCLAIMER: Dieters beware!
We are not liable if you break your diet. ;)

THE WEAPONS: A Large Microwave- safe Mug & the Microwave

THE RECIPE FOR DOOM:

4 T flour (or rice flour works for a gluten-free version)
4 T sugar
2 T cocoa
A pinch of salt
1 egg
3 T milk
3 T oil
3 T chocolate chips
A small splash of vanilla

Mix ALL ingredients together in the mug.

Cook on High for 2 1/2 minutes. The cake will "grow" out of the cup. It looks like it will spill over, but it does not.

Dump the cake out of the mug onto a plate. Cut, cool, and enjoy! Ben and I often share one because there is plenty to go around. I posted this at Ben's request, this is now one of his favorite ways to have a quick chocolate fix with little mess and little effort.

Any Suggestions?

On Saturday, Ben and I went to Wal-Mart and bought hair clippers. Gavin who was Mr. Shaggy Monster was in serious need of a haircut. THE REASON: he HATES having his haircut... from day one it's been this way. When he was little we tried to give him a style... now it just gets buzzed off. After a half hour of torture for all parties involved, Ben and I finally managed to finish... and yes, it took both Ben and I to manage getting it cut at all. So here is where I need suggestions... How do I get my kid not to hate and fear haircuts so much!? I've tried everything. We've given him candy/food (the magic of a sucker didn't work), we tried to let him watch tv/movies, we've bribed him with all kinds of toys and had people try to sit and play with him during it, and we have tried just about everything we can think of to make it a game and fun for him to no avail. I would love to give him a haircut more often, but I end up waiting as long as I possibly can because I end up frustrated and covered in hair, and Gavin ends up covered in hair, snot, and tears.

Isn't he cute with his little buzz cut!? I took this picture because he had gotten himself stuck this way in the highchair and couldn't get out by himself. It was pretty funny.

The Buggy Bug Crawl

Xander has started to get the crawl thing down now. He doesn't go very far yet at a time, but he slowly gets around. I thought I was pretty well baby-proofed, but I'm finding that there are lots of things that I have forgotten little hands get into. Here are a couple of videos of the little bug.