One Fish, Two Fish, Big Fish, Scary Fish

Right before the kids and I took off for Texas at the end of July, Rodney and I packed up the mini and made a day trip to the Tennessee Aquarium.  The kids had a great time, but I'm not sure if it was the huge fish or the toys at the gift shop or the amazing chicken strips at the food court that they loved best.  Maybe it's fair to say they loved it all.

As usual, Heidi Sage and Rex took full advantage of all the services provided to them.  Not gonna lie, I would have paid somebody a thousand bucks to push me around that place.  If I didn't exceed the weight limit on the stroller, I might have kicked HS out of her seat and had Rodney push me.

And while Heidi Sage enjoyed the ride from the car into the aquarium, it wasn't long before she was up and narrating the. entire. tour.  She told us about everything.  Big fishies.  Wittle fishies.  Scawee shawks.  And even pointed out about 3,248 of 3,400 butterflies in the butterfly room.

Clinton mostly just cared about the sharks.  Thanks to his Uncle Brian, Clinton has very strange love-hate feelings towards sharks.  He thinks they're too awesome, but at the same time they kill people...and that makes them mean.

Heidi Sage soaked it all in.  And while she has a larger than life personality, seeing her standing in this window looking at the "OH-shen" reminds me how little she still is.

And while sharks were Clinton's highlight, he was interested in everything.  As we got to each creature he wanted us to read some facts to him about the animal.  He needed to know what kind of animal it was, what it ate (specifically what kinds of other animals it killed), where it lived, and how big it would get.  I enjoy his curiosity and appreciate his need to know...but after a few hundred animals, I just need him to be an observer...not a researcher.  ;-)

Heidi Sage wasn't sure about everything.  Some things were strange enough she felt the need to return to her seat and instruct me to keep moving.

...but then again, some things (like penguins) took a good 30 minutes to view.

Clinton really wished this turtle hadn't died millions of years ago...he wanted to meet it.

But he, of course, found lots of other things to meet face to face (through the glass).

We also had to take a few pictures just of us...with no fish.  Here's me and my "big boy".  I'm no longer allowed to call him my baby.  He gets a bit irate over it.

And here's Rex who pretty much looked like this the whole time because he's not really one for crying, moaning, or complaining.  Just happy to be here.  Just happy we remembered to bring him...not like we forget him a lot....in fact it was only once...and I realized it just as I pulled out of the driveway...he was alone for maybe 30 seconds...but I digress.

I'm pretty sure that's not the smile I was referring to when I asked you to say "CHEEEEZE"...but I guess it's still adorable even if it is a hurry-the-hell-up look.

Heidi Sage with her Daddy.

 And who do you think had the cutest bum at the aquarium?  That would be Heidi Sage.

Van Gogh and H2O

I find the summers to be exhausting.  Ever since I got pregnant with Clinton my body just can't quite handle heat the same...and it's flippin' hot!!  I also truly miss my preschool days when the kids get to be entertained by someone else for a while and I get a chance to breathe.  And the days are sooooooo long. So long.  My children seem to have an issue with their eyes being closed if there is even an ounce of sunlight.  With 5:30am sunrises and 9:00pm sunsets, I find myself with a lot of hours on my hands.

Even as close as my 3 kids are in age, it's still somewhat challenging to find activities that suit everyone.  Granted Rex is mostly content to just watch, but still it has to be an activity where I can find a place for him to watch.  And then it needs to be something that Clinton doesn't think is for babies, but Heidi Sage can still grasp.  Anyone now realize why I let my kids dig holes in the yard and make mud pies?

Anywho, we've been doing quite a bit of painting this summer.  Both of my big kids love it, and Rex enjoys the view.  The kids like to channel their inner "Van Gogh" and create masterpieces for me to "ooh and ahh" over.  

Heidi Sage likes to use as many colors and as many paint brushes as she can.  And as much paint as she can.  She, like her brother, doesn't believe in the "less is more" concept.  More is always more in our house...whether you're talking about cupcakes, toys, or paint...more is preferred.  But if you start talking about broccoli then maybe less (or none) is the top choice.

While Clinton also loves paint brushes, he does a lot of finger/hand painting as well.  His paintings usually end up with so much paint that the paper tears.  And if you look really close you can see the paint also on his torso and face.  This, my friends, is why we paint outside.

And as the big kids get their art groove on, Rex just sits back and chills...

...OR CHEERS!

Finished products.  Clinton's on the left, Heidi Sage's on the right.

Once the paintings are complete, some clean up is in order.  This is the part where I go turn on the sprinkler and let them run until I can't see a speck of paint on their little bodies.

They love it...and I avoid paint getting tracked in the house...and my grass gets watered.  So really, it's a win-win-win.

And while we've done a lot of fun things this summer, we're looking forward to the cooler breezes of fall.  And maybe some 7:00pm sunsets.  :-)

I Heart Boys, Too.

For as long as I could remember, I've been telling people I would be the mother of 4 girls.  No boys.

When Rodney and I met I stood strong by my claim.  As we neared our wedding day I sweetly reminded him of what his future would hold.  And a year and half later when we found out we were getting snuck in for an early ultrasound, I couldn't wait to see our little girl.

Only she wasn't...a girl.  She was a he.  And he was Clinton.  I remember sitting in shock.  And I called my mother and cried because I had no idea what I would do with a boy.

Now 2 boys later, it seems loving them is just as natural and joyful as loving a girl.  Imagine that.

There's less than four years between these two sweet boys, and I so hope they are close.  I already see how much they love playing together.  Clinton is so sweet and protective.  Rex is enamored.  They laugh together.  They scream in delight together.  And each of them seems deeply concerned when the other is crying.

When in a room together, you can often find them like this...

...and both are usually equally innocent...

...or not.

But boys will be boys.  And sometimes the girls will love it.  And sometimes....well, they've had enough.