Water Fun

Recently we've had some water fun on the back deck. Luke loves playing with his water table, although he only does two things...

First, he pours water on the ground (and down his shirt, shorts, and shoes)

And second, he splashes. And splashes, and splashes.  (The smile says it all!)

Sunday

Sunday morning I stayed home from church with the boys while Creed went. At this point, I just didn't want to take the chance of one of them getting sick from being in the nursery. After Creed got home we went to the pool and met our neighbors, the Lathams. Caleb and Barrett had fun swimming, while Luke and Colin loved splashing around.

Creed and Grandpa went fishing Sunday evening, so we met cousin Ava at the splash park. It was a last minute trip, but we were so glad we went. Sunscreen wasn't necessary and we basically had the place to ourselves.

We laughed that this picture looks like a posed, prom picture, although hopefully they won't take their cousin to prom. ;)

Roasting Marshmallows

While we were at Lake Cumberland a few weeks ago, Caleb decided that he wanted to make a camp fire and have S'mores. So, Uncle Luke being the awesome uncle that he is, spent lots of time making a fire out of pretty damp wood, as it had rained the night before. Briana helped Caleb roast his marshmallows, and as you can imagine, he loved every second. He also made pretty tasty S'mores!

Just Like Brother

Luke watches Caleb so carefully and tries his best to mimic everything Caleb does. In his mind he is just as big as his big brother. Recently he has decided that he wants to eat whatever Caleb is eating. He wants to eat whole strawberries, popcorn, and fruit snacks, and passes on his scrambled eggs when Caleb gets a PopTart out of the pantry.

Luke is doing much better with a fork and every now and then can get a little food when using a spoon, although usually he spills it in his lap. The other day I peeled a peach for Caleb and Luke insisted on having his peach whole as well.

Luke also thought he was big stuff eating corn on the cob like everyone else, although I don't usually gnaw on the ends. :)

Sick- Again!

I have our pediatrician on speed dial.

I know the ladies that answer the phone, not by their name, but by the sound of their voice.

And, I'm sure they think, "Oh, it's Mrs. Fowler again."

Two weeks ago Luke had the stomach bug. Then a few days later he had a fever. It was a bummer spending the week indoors, but it was even worse seeing Luke so down. We got in lots of cuddles and he formed a serious attachment to his pacifier and blanket.

We went to Lake Cumberland this past weekend with Grandmom and Grandpa. Luke was fussy on the boat Saturday, but we assumed it was due to his lack of naps, the heat, and having to wear the infant life jacket. Wrong. That evening we realized he had a fever. I brought Luke home Sunday morning and the doctor confirmed Monday morning that he had an ear infection in both ears.

Monday we spent the day inside playing. I love Caleb's imagination and creativity...

Tuesday morning we were hit with this...

I noticed when getting Caleb dressed that he felt warm. Another fever in our house.

Thankfully, Luke seems fine now. He did break out in a rash yesterday afternoon, and due to concerns over a penicillin allergy, we are switching his medicine.

So, we will be spending at least another day indoors. Hopefully there is no secret TV police monitoring the amount of time my kids are watching Disney and Nick Jr...

Swimming

We love our neighborhood pool- it's very laid back, rarely crowded, and everyone is really nice and friendly. All the kids basically share each other's pool toys and seem to get along great. However, it feels like we haven't been much this summer because of vacation, Luke being sick, and the excessive heat. You know it's too hot outside when you don't even want to be at the pool.

BUT, last week we were able to go three days in a row, which the boys loved. Creed has been working a lot with Caleb on his swimming, and with all the practice he got last week, he's really taken off. I took this video on Thursday.

We are SO proud of him. It's crazy but a few hours after I took the video something clicked inside him and he started swimming with his head above water! Go Caleb!

This little guy was happy to watch his brother from the shade, enjoying a cup of ice.

Caleb just had to get a lemon Chill from the snack bar after all the swimming. He actually crawled up in the chair and said, "This is delightful."

Beating the Heat

Caleb got a snow cone machine for his birthday from Grandma and Grandaddy, and with the heat we've already had this summer, it's come in very handy!

Brody's Birthday Party

The Saturday after we got home from the lake we celebrated with Brody at his construction themed party. It was such a cute theme- orange cones, construction hats, and bulldozers galore! Brody even got to decorate his own cake with "dirt" (Oreos!)  His party happened to be on the hottest day we've had so far, so the water slide was a big hit too!

Caleb had a blast on the slide. (This was the same Nemo slide from Caleb's 3rd birthday!)

Having lunch with Barrett

All the kids- that's Luke with the hat covering his face!

Happy 4th Birthday, Brody!

They loved eating the "dirt" cake.

The Things He Says...

Caleb: Why do we have dogs?

Me: So they can be our friends.

Caleb: And for fun.

Me: Yep

Caleb: And so they'll eat the food we drop.

*****

Caleb, Uncle Luke, and Brianna (Uncle Luke's girlfriend) were in Grandma & Grandaddy's basement playing with the Christmas train.

Brianna to Caleb: What do you want for Christmas?

Caleb: A Brianna.

*****

Caleb's announcement at PeePaw's lake house: When I get grown up, my lake house is going to be in Virginia but my real house is going to be in Lexington.

Me: Why Lexington?

Caleb: So I can see Brianna. She's a pretty girl. She wears princess dresses.

(He was referring to her prom dresses.)

*****

Caleb: I sure like Daddy.

Me: I'm glad you do. Me too.

Caleb: And he looks good!



Luke Update

Luke hasn't had a fever since Friday, which is great. However, he still is having some stomach issues, much like he did at the start of last week. But, for the most part he is happy and is up and playing. Hoping this is gone soon!

The Science Center

A few weeks ago we met our neighborhood friends, the Lathams and Boltons, at The Science Center to let the boys play. The boys had fun in the KidZone, but the highlight was the new, traveling exhibit that the boys loved. (It's there through December!)

It's so awesome that our boys have such great friends that live so close! (Caleb, Barrett, and Brody all turned four within one month of each other, Luke and Colin are 6 weeks apart, and Jake will turn one this fall.)

Caleb, Barrett, & Brody moving the pipes around.

(You can see that Luke desperately wanted to be included!)

Luke and Colin (Barrett's little brother)

Grocery shopping for shapes (part of the new exhibit)

All 6 boys

Colin, Barrett, Brody, Jake, Caleb, and Luke

We finished the day with lunch at Subway. It's hard to believe that these boys are this big!

Our Week in Review

It's been one of those weeks around here.

On Monday we hung around the house and I was able to cross things (laundry, grocery, Target, etc.)off my to-do list, which was really long since we'd been out of town. The boys played and Luke found an opportunity to bother Caleb.

Luke kept leaning, Caleb kept scooting over.

Monday night it was obvious that Luke had a stomach bug, and it continued throughout the day Tuesday. We were able to get some prescription diaper cream (bless his heart!) and put him on a pretty bland diet. He loved the Gatoraide and ate his share of applesauce, mini-saltine crackers, and toasted rice cereal. He even liked the sticky rice I made him for lunch.

Drinking applesauce is waaaaay better!

Tuesday evening the grandparents watched Luke so I could get Caleb out of the house. We actually met his buddy, Barrett, at Chuck E Cheese. The boys ate pizza, watched the show, and played lots of games.

Wednesday morning Luke woke up and I knew right off that he felt warm. While he no longer was having stomach issues, I still wanted to get him checked at the doctor since he was running a fever.

The verdict: just a virus. (Is it bad that I want something to be wrong so we can treat it and move on?!!)

 Wednesday and Thursday were pretty crummy days for Luke. He basically ate ice, drank Gatoraide, ate crackers, and laid on me all day long. He ran a fever, was so cranky, wanted his passie and blankie, and even took a total of 5 hours worth of naps each day. So not normal Luke behavior!

Eating ice on the back deck

As of now, Friday evening, I think Luke is on the up and up. His energy level was up today and he even played with his toys. Hopefully he'll wake up fever free tomorrow!

All Good Things

All good things must come to an end, and that includes vacations. When our vacation started (without electricity) at the lake, none of us knew how long we'd actually be there. There were times, especially those sitting in the bathroom of the hotel waiting for Luke to fall asleep, when we were ready to pack up and head back home. But, I am SO glad we all stuck it out.

It was a really fun week, one that we'll always remember!

 This riding horse was actually Grandma Beth's when she was little, and we'll never forget Uncle Matt riding it like a wild man, which is why the wood extensions were put on the front! This little wild man had to give it a try too!

Caleb talked me into tubing with him. My lower back still regrets that I agreed.

One thing I tried this week that I loved was the wake skate. It's like a wake board without bindings- similar to a skate board, but larger. Since it doesn't have bindings, it doesn't hurt when you fall. (That's why I love it- I wasn't scared to try things!) It is pretty wiggly, but still a lot of fun.

Creed got air on the wake board!

Luke loved Elmer, PeePaw's prize elk.

(Beth named him after she had to hang him in her living room.)

Til next summer...

Our Fourth of July

On the 4th we got the kids bathed and in their pjs early so they could both watch the fireworks. We knew people all over the area would be shooting off fireworks, so we decided to watch them from the middle of the lake. Being out on the lake at sundown was so neat and so beautiful. The lake was like glass and we did have the best seat. There were fireworks in every direction you could look! Caleb had a huge grin on his face the entire time and Luke had a genuine look of confusion the entire time.

Luke and Uncle Matt

Before heading out on the water we let Caleb do some sparklers.

Ready for the show!

Look!