a BUNCH of RANDOM thoughts

 {a MASTERPIECE made by Co and Brock. It's me.}

I've been jotting down a list of little THOUGHTS I've had or things I've been loving lately:

• Cohen has been into making "Masterpieces" of any kinds.
• Co coming up with extra funny rhymes throughout the day.
• I love how Brendon now jumps and can barely get off the ground.
•  Cohen hasn't had a scary dream in over two weeks. PLEASE bless it stays this way for awhile. He was having them at least 3 nights a week. Not fun for anyone, especially him.
• Brendon is still only saying a few words. He rarely will repeat things you ask him, not even sounds. Should I be concerned? Not sure. I'm trying to work with him more than usual, and even trying to make him say something before I give it to him, like I ask him to say "shoe" before I put his shoes on multiple times a day. He still loves wearing shoes around the house, like it's a game. Whoever's shoes are out, he'll wear.
• One day Co said "Mom, what's the worst part about taking a nap or going to bed?" I asked him where he heard that and he said "I taught to myself in my bed."
• Cohen has been extra polite lately, never missing a "Thank You" or "Sorry" when needed. I have been loving the way he apologizes to Brendon through each day when he knocks him over, etc. It helps Brendon not get so mad at him.
• While driving home from Young Womens tonight it was 8:00 pm and still 102 degrees outside. Not OK in my book. Please, Texas Summer, be over soon. At least give me some "cooler" eveings/nights. Thanks.
• This last Sunday, Brock and I had the most enjoyable "alone time" doing nothing but talking. We got on the subject of how I secretly have always wanted to be a cowgirl. How I would wear skinny jeans {not wranglers} and tuck them in my boots. How I would own a truck but only drive it to pull my horse around. And how my horse would be female, light brown with a cream main and tail, and he name would be Savannah {Savvy} or Katrian {Kate}. It was fun to get carried away in this silly conversation with my best friend. And I think may have enjoyed it even more than me. :)

IN TRAINING

 So...I'm training for a race.

I've been training for a few months.

The race in a half marathon.

I've been training with two of my friends {Diana Davidson & Cherine Monte} Diana and I are the only ones signed up, but I'm not sure she'll be able to run. She may have torn a muscle in her hip or has a stress fracture. So sad! She has been working so hard with me. We'll see what happens after a few doc appts and a few weeks.

Last Saturday we were planning on running 10 miles, but Diana's injury was hurting worse than ever so she decided not to run, so I went over to my friend Camee's clubhouse and ran 10 EXTREMELY long miles on a treadmill.

I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE.

Maybe the most boring this I have yet to do in my life.

Never have ran even close to that distance on a treadmill.

To my surprise, when I pulled up to our house I saw this sweet work of art on the driveway.

Made with love by my 3 boys.

They are my support group and motivation.

Nix's Baby Brother

 

{whatever keeps the boys entertained}

 I good friends the Philipp's welcomed a new baby into their family this past weekend. Baby Wattson. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures when we were visiting at the hospital. He made me very baby hungry for a few mins. Only a few! We were lucky enough to take big brother Nixon home with us for dinner {Costa Vida} and to play until the boys were worn out. Co and Nix literally played until 11:00 pm when Andy came to get him. I thought for sure when we put Toy Story on at 9:30 pm they for sure would both zonk out. Nope!

All three boys were so so good that night. Costa Vida was so yummy and actually really enjoyable with three little ones. We got some pretty funny stares with three very little kids.

 Best Buddies.

 Welcome into this world Baby Watts.

Can't wait to snuggle you next, and watch 

you grow up to wrestle with your darling big brother.

R A I N   S T O R M

 We LOVE the rain.

It cleans the earth, waters my lawn, cools this town down for a short period of time, and gives us a good excuse to have fun together and get WET in our clothes.

I, personally, am not a huge lover of thunder and lightning. I'm a scardy cat and my little Cohen is following in my footsteps so I'm trying REALLY hard to fake that it's GREAT and not TOO LOUD.

Brendon, Mr. Fearless, absolutely loves it.

Cohen = Melissa & Brendon = Brock

 Had so much fun riding bikes and scooters and our wagon on the rain, and jumping in puddles. Then the wind came and light struck WAY too close. So us and our shivering bodies {it was weird to feel that cold outside} ran into our safe house.

 Brendon couldn't take his eyes off of the street light and watching the rain fall in the light.

 SOAKED.

The Boys

 Brendon practicing his swing with Dad.

This kid will be outside for HOURS even in the hundred degree weather or rain. He can't get enough of the outdoors.

 Cohen on the other hand, if he's not in water, he can only last about 20 mins. While Brend is napping we like to eat a popsycle out back then come in and make masterpieces.

 Of course in his UNDIES. Can't keep clothes on this kid!

{just like his mama when she was little}

a few NOTES as of lately:

• Cohen's conversations on the phone lately have been very adult-ish. He will say things like "well, I better let you go. Actually I have one more thing to tell you..." or "Can you do me a favor when you get home..." My little teenager in a toddler body is what I keep calling him.
• We LOVE {sometimes hate when we're in a hurry} when the trains stop us. We love watching them wiz by and whistle, and it's a bonus when we are in range to see the huge light on the front of the train and the best part is waiting for the caboose to see what color it is so we can yell it out loud.
• Brendon can now open all the doors in our house, when unlocked. TROUBLE. Enough said.
• Cohen turned to me today and asked, "Mom, do monkeys have undies?" I replied "No." He then said "But they need to! They have to cover up their bums and peepees." 
• Cohen LOVES eating a whole apple WITHOUT cutting it.
• Brendon is learning very quickly that throwing a tantrum is NOT a good thing, and he will get nothing from it. And the fun begins! When I discipline him he looks at me like "what did you just do to me?" Sometimes the lip quivers {I HATE IT} and sometimes tears. But second child is WAY easier to be a stickler. Sorry Brend!
• Brendon has been wanting to wear his flip flops at all times. I usually have a comfy pair on when I'm walking around the house all day, so I'm wondering if that's where he got it from. Not sure! But he's funny. He will bring them to me and jabber the same thing {that sounds nothing like flip flops on} asking me to put them on. After they are on, he walks or runs away smiling from ear to ear.

OUCH!

 It was all my fault.

I was bringing the groceries in like I do every week...

I bring the boys in, get them situated in front of entertainment then rush out in the garage and bring in the food. Well, this time was different. I brought Brendon in while Cohen was still working on unbuckling his bottom buckle of his car seat, and I always have at least 10 seconds before Brendon is to the door and attempting to climb down the cement ledge into the garage. Again, this time was different. He ran to the door so fast and didn't even hesitate jumping off the ledge, that by the time I walked around the car with my arms full of bags he was in the garage and had pulled my bike on top of him. I dropped the food and rushed over thinking he had to have been extremely hurt and praying the bike didn't hit his head. There HAD to have been ANGELS holding the bike up a little because with Brendon sitting on the ground the bike was only pushing his back down a little {I have no clue how it missed his head! Doesn't make sense other than ANGELS} and he wasn't even crying really. Just scared and whining a little. I moved the bike and he got right up and went on his way. It wasn't until we were back inside that I saw a track of blood that was gushing out of his poor little foot.

 The chunk from his foot has healed very well. He was good to keep medicine and band-aids on it for the most part. And he was a trooper every time the sore got wet in the tub, but he was not happy. OUCH!

The magic of modern medicine and a snuggle from Bear.

Grammy and Papa Dee

 These are two of the cutest grandparents I know.

Brock's mom's parents had a two hour layover in Dallas on their way home to Utah from Boston so we gladly took the chance to go visit with them for a bit. The boys were hilarious and actually LOVED hanging out in the airport. They warmed up to Grammy and Pop really quick and they were both fascinated but the baggage claim area. Still to this day {this was a couple weeks ago} Cohen keeps saying "Dad, remember we need to take your tools to the airport to fix the escalator." It was broken when we were visiting and he was BUMMED. Grammy and Pop and surprises for all of us - books, cash, treats. Grammy handed me WAY too much cash and said "Go buy yourself a blouse." Melted my heart.

They are so sweet and generous.

They made all our day just by visiting and giving some hugs.

 Hoping to see you them again MUCH sooner than later.

HANDSOME.

 They make me SMILE and happy.

They test my patients and make me crazy.

They mostly make my world go round.

In a VERY VERY good way.

 Cohen 3 and Brendon 1

Cohen update:

-Make believe is his game these days, 

maybe because I'm ignoring him more. Just kidding ;)

-He is getting really good at sharing with Brendon. 

-Loves to spell, type and trace his name.
-His most used word lately is "Sure!"
-I love after Brock gets home and is relaxing for a min and says "Man, I wish I had someone that would take my shoes off for me...." Cohen RUNS right over and pulls them off.

-Loves to eat a little of everything on his plate, in one bite.

-Calls Kaylee his girlfriend. They hold hands and sit together in Nursery. And it starts...

-We drove to Walmart and saw rain clouds, Cohen hoped it would rain on us and our car when we came out from shopping....well his wish wasn't granted and we got the the car and while I was loading the groceries in he stood by the car and yelled "Heavenly Father, I want to it rain on my car RIGHT NOW!" So innocently and serious, turns to me and says, "Ok Mom, I told Heavenly Father."

Little guy with a HUGE amount of Faith.

Brendon update:

-He is making it clear he needs just as much attention as Cohen always, until now he's been fine without too much.

-He is trying hard to trick and tickle everyone.

-Is getting two new top teeth, and NOT feeling good from that. Has been having the EXTRA stinky mint green teething poop.

-His "Kitchen" temper is coming out more and more! But it's short lived in the moment....his happy boy side comes right back.
-Is extremely tough like his brother, and sorta has to be thanks to Co. When he gets hurt {on a daily basis} cries for a short period of time.
-When he's going to sleep is grabs his teddy bear's ear and rubs his eyelids with it.

   

 

monday night

 This year Brock has tests on Fridays instead of Mondays and life will be GOOD for that reason alone. This will mean he will have a weekend to BREATHE and play with us a little more. And do spontaneous things like we did last Monday night....

After dinner we got Frosty's and went to a brand new park up the road from us. {FYI- I colored my hair dark red/brown, but the sun in the pic above is making it WAY more red than it is.}

 Brock is a kid magnet.

The kids every where we go some how are drawn to him, then of course he plays hard and long with them, making them smile and encouraging them to compete in some game he makes up on the spot.

 Happy Monday.

**Note from Brock and I's date last weekend...

Just a few things I don't want to forget:

- Our burgers from Flip's that were as big as our heads that we finished with no problems, until after when the food was settling. {full up to my head}

- Feeling like a giddy school girl just walking with Brock while holding hands, he makes me feel so pretty.

- Brock finding me a coat in the Academy store to wear while we shopped/played because I was shivering cold.

- The way he raced around an isle with my hand in his, kissed me good and long, then us passing a manager while walking away.

He's the best date in this world.

End of Summer Break...

 Colleyville Splash Pad with our friends:

Kristen, Maddi & Sophia Montgomery

Camee, Ty, Kaylee & Jayce Montgomery

Abby & Olive Crandall 

 

 Rainbow pancakes for dinner

 The boys new favorite activity

that I love AND hate. They are entertained for a LONG time and laugh together AND use up a lot of energy. :) But I don't love my couches torn apart. So when I do let them, it's a lucky day.

 Play dates with friends

{Nixon Philipp & Bridger Webb}

 Playing in the hose, pool and sprinklers

Best summer toys EVER.

Summer is great. Fun. Memorable.

But FALL, could you PLEASE hurry up and get here????

My body is tired of producing and dripping sweat.

Thanks. 

a visit from NANA K

{Cont.}

On Pioneer Day, we had a bike parade and pine wood derby race with our ward at our church. It was so much fun! Cohen was thrilled to ride his decorated bike in the parade, but when it came time, he barely made it one lap then he rode up to me and said "Mom I'm done." Not sure if he just really wanted a Popsicle that all the finishers got, or was just tired. Maybe both? 

 Doughnuts and juice before the derby race...

 Brock put sweat & blood into this sweet car. Co picked the colors and number, and it's name is Money. Brock put coins under the car to weigh it down, so the name fit perfectly.

2nd place! Not bad at all.

This was the good start to our derby experience in our family.

 Sweet Ty and Co chit-chatting watching more races.

 Before taking Nana to the airport, we went to the mall to shop, play & eat. The boys LOVE throwing coins in the fountain.

 We LOVE our Nana K!

Thank you for the wonderful visit. 

a visit from NANA K

{Cont.}

Brendon's 1st Birthday Party Day

 Brendon was quite exited to open gifts. I think he has caught on from his brother especially.

He was spoiled with some really fun gifts.

 

 Cake made my Daddy, with a little help from Nana K.

 The friends LOVED the boys new rocket balloon shooter toy from Nana & Papa, everyone except Co. Ha! He was a little scared of the loud squeaking noise.

 Not quite sure what's going on....

 Did not want ANY cake or frosting in his mouth.

 Just wanted to play in it!

 BIG smile thanks to Vicki making him laugh!

 Happy Birthday to my 1 YEAR OLD!