Ah, naptime again…early today since the wee-beasties were all fighting and tired. They went down with no issues so I’m patting myself on the back for the good call. I got the front and back lawn mowed (and for those of you who know…the front lawn HAS to be push mowed per Dee so that was a labor of love) and an appt set up to take all the kids to Picture People and get a photo done. I think it’ll be nice to get one with all 4 kids in it, the boys and Alice (their “sister”). Last time we were there we got one with Levi and Alice and the photographer asked Levi if she was his girlfriend…he said, “that’s my sister” and looked at her oddly. It was great. We’ll see how today’s photo shoot goes, it’s always hit or miss but usually we get at least one keeper.

Got the laundry going, hoping to get some cleaning and stuff done today so that we can just have the weekend to relax with the boys. Thinking about taking them to see “Cars” tomorrow, they really do love going to the movies. It’s amazing it can hold their attention, but it usually does. The key is FOOD. If they have their juice and treats they are good to sit for awhile.

Got a cool surprise yesterday, a clothing voucher from DSHS for Levi for $300! So, I went shopping at Fred Meyers and got him tons of back to school clothes as well as a few things for the summer. It was really tough for me to spend that big a chunk of money on kid’s clothes all at one time, though since I NEVER do anything like that.

Well, the kids are slowing getting up here, so I gotta get ready to get pictures done. Wish me luck!

So we get the mail yesterday and in it was a credit card application for CARLOS STEPHEN FIELD-BENNETT. Amazing, they really try to start them young, huh? Needlesstosay, we didn’t apply for the card. Life’s sure interesting.

We’re getting ready to have a garage sale in a couple weeks (anyone who wants to join us feel free!). We have lot of things the boys have outgrown, and toys they don’t play with anymore so hoping they go to a good home.

Also getting ready for 4th of July…all are welcome to join us for our annual BBQ and to watch the Seattle fireworks from our backyard. Should be mellow and fun, everyone brings something to throw on the grill, whatever they want to drink and something to share….we kick back and eat and drink and play foosball until it gets dark. There’s always a ton of fireworks going off at the beach, too. It’s fun!

SO…we’re back from vacation and there is a ton to do. Laundry, putting bags and clothes away, putting groceries away, etc. Didn’t get to it today, I went to Silverdale to see about getting a portable nebulizer for Levi (didn’t happen) and then came home and went to a preschool meeting. Levi’s going to Wilkes next year, the bus is going to come and get him even. He’s really excited about it.

Came home and got all the boy’s shoes out, apparently Levi is now in a size 8, Carlos is in a 6 and Trey’s also in a 6. Hard to believe how fast they grow. So, it’s off to Ebay to find Levi some new shoes.

Trey wasn’t feeling up to par so Dee stayed home with him while I took the big boys out to watch some of the Little League playoffs. I was bummed out to see the Diamondbacks lose (we know a couple of kids on the team). The boys had so much fun playing around the field and getting a lollipop for a treat. Maybe someday we’ll bury the hatchet about little league and the boys will play. As of now, that’s still a fresh wound.

Oh…but speaking of sports, Levi and Alice are signed up for a gymnastics camp next week. How fun will that be!?

Here’s the link to more vacation photos (via Ofoto) if you want to see the rest!http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=64dzpuz.4u5lgw1j&x=1&y=-g3gb76

Well, we just got back from 3 days down at Ocean Shores. We all had a BLAST! There was lots of time at the beach, Carlos and Levi jumped over the waves (screaming “salta”…thank you Dora the Explorer for that) and Trey loved digging in the mud and letting the waves splash into him.

We stayed at the Polynesian with my folks and the boys, they had a great two bedroom suite that fit us all very well. The pool (although REALLY warm) was fun for all. Levi got a cool new swimsuit that has floaty things in it and he can now swim around the whole pool on his own. He felt new freedom and had such a great time motoring around the pool. Carlos liked hanging onto either Dee or my back and having us swim him around. He also took some time to sit on the pool steps with Nana and “wash” his swimsuit. Trey was just happy to be in the pool and splashing. The boys had so much fun seeing Nana and Papa every day, too!

We got to see Linda and the girls (boy have they grown) on Friday for lunch, then Linda, Scott and the girls came out and had Chinese food with us Saturday night and we saw them again on Sunday on our way home. It was great to spend some time with them and to see the girls. Pickle is really getting so grown up, she’s 4 now. Emma is just starting to crawl and looks SO much like Leila did at that age.

Got home and fed the boys, got them through the bath and let them play for awhile before bed. Took that a little while to settle down and go to sleep. I headed to Safeway and did the weekly shopping….and I saved a TON. Spent $46 and saved $205. That’s the best I’ve done on a weekly drip to Safeway. There were lots of baby bath products that ended up being free with coupons, but it was a good week all in all, got some fruits and veggies and meats, too.

I’ll post pictures of the weekend when I unpack the camera.

So, it’s 6/6/06…creepy! I’m such the superstitious type that it does have meaning for me. What I would love to do is to get a sitter and embrace the day by taking Dee to see the remake of “The Omen” but the final game of the Softball College World Series is tonight and we are not going to miss that! No way!

Levi (man that still is weird to type) is a mosquito magnet and got a bite right under his eye and it’s all swollen and red. It looks like a prize fighter, youch. He’s surely proud of his new bed and can’t stop talking about it. It’s worked out pretty great so far.

We went out to Casa Rojas last night, what a production. It was fun, Mary and Alice and Mary O’Connor all came. The boys were pretty good, but Trey started squealing toward the end and it was time to go. Got them home and had to deal with the bed changes but that went pretty smoothly.

Looks like the weather’s going to hold..thinking we’ll get out the bounce house and get them exhausted so Dee and I can sit back and watch the game in peace tonight, as the kids will be all worn out. One can dream, right?

Trey’s walking!!! It’s exciting, he’s so proud of himself and he’s really doing a great job getting himself around. He looks like a zombie, with his arms out for balance but for the most part he’s pretty stable. He also does the funniest thing…now when we watch Dora the Explorer at the song at the end Trey dances like it’s his job! If you stop by the house have us show you his moves, it’s hilarious.

ALso, we got a new loft bed for Levi! He’s fast asleep in it now and he seems really happy to be in a up high big boy bed. The cool part is, Carlos’ crib fits underneath! So, we don’t have to transition him into a big bed just yet. The crib still works for him so let’s not mess with something that works.

It’s late, busy day tomorrow with Jefferson and maybe Nate and Connor. I’m off…..

Just realized that I hadn’t posted pictures in awhile so I had to add these….

It’s been kind of a lazy day for us here…watched some Dora the Explorer in the morning then caught up with the Fisher clan and went out to the park to feed the ducks. They weren’t too hungry (although that didn’t stop the kids from throwing ALL the bread into the lake) but we did see some ducklings and the kids loved that. We were planning on going to the kid’s museum this afternoon, but by the time we got home from the park, had lunch and took a nap there just wasn’t time. Another day…

Looking forward to watching Primetime tonight about the Foster Care System. Don’t quite know what it’s going to be about but it’s always interesting to hear about the “system” and all.

Oh and the big news for the day for me…we got our new vacuum! I know, that’s a lame thing to get excited about but our old one broke, this was only $80 and it’s a great Bissell vacuum that has the coolest little light that tells if the carpet is clean or dirty. SWEET! Anyhow, got the front room vacuumed and it really pulled up a lot of dirt and we had just vacuumed. So, I’m happy!

We set up the bounce house yesterday (we bought it awhile back, great deal at Toys R Us) for the first time and the boys went wild! They bounce for 2 hours and got so tired…great purchase.

Levi’s new name is going great for him…he responds to Levi with no problems, we are really working to remember to call him that, though. It’s tough but I think we’ll get it here pretty soon. It’s tough since we have been calling him Dominic for the last 2 years!

Ok, just watched the GAYEST show…Deal or No Deal and I will not watch it again. The most flamboyany guy was on there and he was crying and almost fainting and kissing the Vanna White wannabes. It was sad but he left with $340,000.

I had to head out to Wallyworld tonight to go get some allergy meds. Seriously, this allergy season is kicking my booty. Hoping the stuff I got will take the edge off. It was a good trip, though, had some bonding time with Carlos if nothing else which was great.