Excuse me, waiter?

My days are full of the cutest boys in the world who sometimes say the funniest things. These are the ones I just HAVE to remember forever:

1. While fixing "ants on a log" with our lunch one day...

Tyler: No thanks, my celery pipe is full.

2. While eating his favorite dinner...

Justin: Nothing makes me more happy than food!

3. After handing him something he asked for...

Tyler: Thank you, Mommy!
Me: You're welcome, Sweetie.
Tyler: Say "You're Belcome"! "You're belcome" is a word in Spanish. :)

4. Justin, Tyler and I were eating dinner before soccer and talking about anticipating a ride on the "Howling Tornado" water slide at Great Wolf Lodge...

Tyler: I don't want to go on the "Halloween Tomato"!
Me: I don't want to go on the "Halloween Tomato" either. Sounds scary.

5. I was cleaning up lunch in the kitchen while Tyler was finishing up at the table. He taps me on the back...

Tyler: Excuse me, Mom. There's a fly in my water.
Me: Just swish it away, Ty.
Tyler: No. There's a fly in my water.
Me: Really?

There it was. A house fly in his cup. Dead. Eww. And I always thought the old "fly in my soup" complaint was just a joke!

Me: Way to go, Ty! You caught the fly!

(We had been trying to get rid of this particular fly for days. Tyler wouldn't drink from a cup without a lid for the rest of the day!!)

25

One energetic 2nd grader
+ One motivated Daddy keeping them going at a steady lop
= 25 laps at the school's FUN RUN fundraiser!
(That's about 3.5 miles!!!)





Now I have to pay up...way to go JUSTIN!

First Day

There's nothing like starting fresh. We are back in the swing of things with Justin in 2nd grade and Tyler in his 2nd year of preschool.



It was my turn to teach during the first week of preschool. We learned about Community Helpers. After writing a letter, we walked down the street to the mailbox and sent our letters on their way.



Lots to look forward to this year! Both boys look forward to each new day! And I look forward to hearing about their days...always.

So Crafty

Today at the bus stop waiting for Justin to arrive, I was chatting with two other moms on our street. You know, the usual...How was your weekend? etc., etc. I explained that I was helping to coordinate a Super Saturday craft day for the ladies at our church. So, I had spent most of the day on Saturday running errands to buy craft supplies and then finishing my project samples to show at church on Sunday.

One of the mom's asks, "So, are you crafty?" I hesitated. I mean, do YOU think I'm crafty? My sister, Heidi, is crafty. I'm trying to allow my craftiness to flow freely. Haha! "Well..." That was all I could say. But then I admitted that I don't have to actually be that "crafty person" when I can just look online and copy other crafter's awesome ideas. Actually it was just a great excuse to figure out how to do the projects I have had my eye on for a while now. Plus, vinyl letting is just fun stuff. My kind of crafting.

Our enrichment committee came up with 14 projects all together. I think it will be tough to decide between them. Here are some pictures of the projects I will be teaching:



Kari, you get credit for these ornaments...your monogrammed ones inspired me. :)



Here's a fun one for a teacher or visiting teaching gift:



This one I love. My cousin, Dixon Leavitt, is the artist and we will be applying vinyl lettering with the title.



You know, this is liberating for me. I think I actually CAN be crafty. So crafty. I never thought I could before. Funny. I'm already coming up with ideas for things I might tackle just for the fun of it. But not until Super Saturday has come and gone. I think I have my work cut out for me...

New Puppy

My boys BEG for a dog weekly. Sometimes daily. Sometimes hourly. I say I already have two kids to take care of...I don't need to add a puppy to house train to my life.

They are smart boys and immediately turned to begging for ANY pet. I tell them to go play with a friend and enjoy his/her pet dog, fish, cat or whatever they have. Still more begging for a dog. Justin is sure he can earn $100 for a dog. I told him we can't get a dog and if we ever do get a pet we have to start with something small...like a goldfish. He told this to my friend when he was playing with her son. I just laughed when she told me. Stickin' to my guns...that's what I do.

So, because I have to do SOMETHING pet-like to put a stop to all that begging, I'd like to introduce our "new puppy". Meet Scruffy. Yes, right here on the screen. This one seems more manageable to me. You can even help us take care of him by clicking on that red ball. Dogs love to chase balls. Maybe if I'm lucky he'll chase that ball right over to YOUR blog one day.

Post Update: The cyber pup was cute while he lasted...almost two weeks. Ha ha!I'm ready to let someone else enjoy him...ciao.

Gramma Wamma & Grampa Wampa (Tyler)

Grandma & Grandpa Guptill came out to Oregon for a visit last week. We kept them busy and had a blast!

And now for our TOP 5 ADVENTURES with G & G:

1. Soccer

Travis is helping to herd (I mean coach) Ty's team this year.


I just love how Brynlee and Justin are looking at each other. Cute cousins!


Our neighbors moved a few weeks ago and left their teeter-totter with us to take care of for a while. This is all anyone wants to do in our backyard anymore...

2. Cannon Beach




Travis' Mom and Nicki holding Brynlee's hands with Lance in the background.
Justin and his Titanic.
Travis and his Dad

***We interrupt this TOP 5 to bring you...bedtime. More to come tomorrow.***

Oregon Air Show

We had an awesome day at the Oregon International Air Show on Saturday!




We loved watching The Thunderbirds! Especially when they flew over our house and down our street during practice for the two days before the show.





We just couldn't resist the "Mega Slide"! O.K., Travis couldn't resist. :)



It was a lucky choice because as the boys hopped off the bouncy slide, a radio host stopped them for an interview.



I was so proud...my babies and their first interview. So cute. Here's how it went:

Radio Guy: What's your name?

Tyler: Tyler (whispered into the mic)

Radio Guy to Justin: What have you been doing today?

Justin: I don't know. (What?)

And that was it. Their big break and they froze. I had to laugh. Oh well, better luck next time Radio Dude!



Back to the show:



Tyler freaked out when the Robosaurus showed up. Justin and Travis were totally into the fire-breathing car-crushing dinosaur. Tyler...not so much. I had to take him over to play with the little Lego robots at the NASA booth.



Saved by The Thunderbirds! Tyler said it was his favorite part of the day. But they sure were L-O-U-D!




I just love this picture I just happened to snap of Justin punching the air while cheering on the jets.



Justin's dream come true: A Titanic bouncy slide. Too bad it was just for a private air show party. But he was so happy to just take a picture of it. :)



Hmmm...it was a good day! We'll be back next year for sure!

Calling All Soccer Players!

The field is green and ready to be TRAMPLED! Soccer season has arrived in Hillsboro! The boys had a great time tonight with 150 other kids and their teams for the first big practice of the year.



Justin was full-speed ahead for the whole hour of practice. All the time with a huge smile on his face. I loved it!



And look at this BIG boy! He's practically all grown up. I can't believe it. Where is my little guy? Tyler is so happy to be on his OWN team and have Dad as a coach. He was feeling like one lucky duck tonight!

Do the "Running Man"

Come on...I dare you. :)

No really, I just want to introduce to you MY running man. Maybe you already know him. He's a lean, mean, running machine.

Bye, Bye July!

Here's a quick glimpse of our trip to Utah this summer:


Tyler and Jason giggled for hours on grandpa's hammock. They were so cute in twinner Lightening McQueen swimming suits.