Gavin and his brain

So the other day Gavin and Lily were playing in the back yard waiting for their dad to take them to the pool. Somehow a frisbee got caught up on the patio covering that Jhonny put up a few weeks ago. Being the problem solver that he is, Gavin decided to pile up some furniture and climb up to get it. In doing so, he fell and scraped his arm and banged up his cheek bone pretty badly. Fortunately he didn't require a trip to the ER, although I'm not sure how he managed to escape worse. He got a pretty severe scolding from his dad who had already warned him against such activities before he actually suffered the natural consequences of his actions. Needless to say the kids didn't go to the pool.
Later that evening, as I was tucking my guy into bed with an icepack for his face, I was trying to help him see the flaws in his problem solving so that he wouldn't do this again with worse consequences. After explaining to him how he needed to come get me or his father in cases like this, I asked him what he would do next time. He began to brainstorm how he would secure the legs of the chair so they wouldn't fall next time he tried to climb up. "Seriously?" I asked, "Are you trying to tell me how you plan to do this again?" He nodded yes as he found refuge under his covers. Will he ever learn?

On another note, my friend had to tell me that today during choir practice Gavin was sitting behind her husband. Gavin couldn't let the opportunity go to let this brother know what was on his mind. "Your fat," he commented. The brother turned around and said, "Well, at least I'm not short." I'm afraid Gavin hasn't learned to filter his observations very well.

Last week while hanging out on a lazy summer day, Gavin was laying on his stomach and turned around to tell his leg to move. "Your leg wasn't listening to your brain so you had to tell it what to do out loud?" I commented. "Yeah," he said. "I don't like this brain of mine." I had to stop myself from laughing. "There is nothing wrong with your brain," I said as I grabbed him and gave him a big hug. That brain of his may get him into trouble, but it certainly keeps us entertained.

2 month milestones

Ammon turned two months this week. Despite the relatively little tummy time due to the fact that he loves being held and has many volunteers around here, he managed to get his head up and roll onto his back more than one time yesterday. I've been waiting for a look that was camera worthy and then decided to just capture him in all his glory. These are the many faces of Ammon that have us chuckling. I'm sure he'll grow out of this some day, but for my poor memory, I decided it needs to be posted for posterity.

First of all, Ammon has a concerned, worried look that he tends to have more than not. He's been looking like that since the day he was born. Once he knows who has him in his arms and he knows he is safe, the worried lines go away, only to return at all things new in his young life. I'm not quite sure where this worried, sometimes terrified look comes from. I hope he learns to feel less anxious about things. He is also a bit impatient. Especially when he's hungry. It doesn't take long for him to have a very angry demanding cry while he's waiting to be fed. I can't imagine where he inherited the impatience from. He quiets down quickly however as soon as the food is introduced.

So other than the worried lines and angry cries, this adorable little boy has warmed my heart right up. I don't mind just holding and staring at him. Today we had a little staring match which is a bit unusual for baby boys since they don't tend to make eye contact. I told him how much I love him and then I asked if he loved me. He gave me a toothless grin and a little coo. Since he's such a serious little man and doesn't smile that often, I'll take that as a yes!

Two more weeks and I have a feeling I won't get those moments very often. As much as I love my job and wouldn't trade it for any other in the world, my heart is breaking as I think of going back to work. How can I part with this little marvel? I don't know how mothers do it at six weeks. I will actually have gotten twelve before I go back, but it's still such a short time. I know he will be fine and he will adjust fine. All my kids have. It's just a cruel joke our society has created for us and it's just so not fair!

 Rolling over

 Weight: 10 lbs 6 oz. (25%), Length: 22 in (25%), Head: 40cm (75%). Amazing he can hold it up!

 Getting ready for church. Dad did his hair and applied the cologne!

 Not sure what is scaring him here. . .

 Lily insists on holding him. I hope he likes this.

 Little mama, Jess tries to comfort him, but he just wants one thing. . .

and there it is. Now he's happy.

San Antonio Temple, Seaworld, & Six Flags Summer Vacation 2012

This summer we spent a week in San Antonio. The first day started with a trip to Seaworld. It was beautiful, but then we got rained out and left for the hotel room. The next morning, we thought we would be inside with thunderstorms again, but the sun came out. So we headed back to Seaworld to finish our fun there. By Thursday, we finally made it to six flags. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. The rain later in the afternoon was a relief. Friday we checked out and headed home, but not before stopping at the temple followed by some shopping at the outlet mall in San Marcos. All in all, we learned to appreciate AC and home, but we had fun.

San Antonio Temple July 2012

Six Flags San Antonio 2012

Seaworld 2012

Cousin Birthday Party. . . oh and Happy 4th of July

Over Spring Break, Mandy and the kids came for a visit. The cousins had soo much fun playing together that we decided it needed to happen again. After some brainstorming of ideas we decided that since we are having a hard time getting together for every cousin's birthday with Mandy's weekend work schedule, that we would pick a day in the summer to celebrate ALL the cousin's birthdays. It just happened to work out that we chose the 4th of July as our day of gathering. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis even came out for the fun. Since everyone only got one gift each, we decided to make it more interesting by playing "heavy, heavy, hang". This is an old tradition in the Hemingway family that my mom passed on to us. We haven't really kept it up very well as none of our kids knew what that meant. Mandy and I had a great time teaching it and bumping heads! It goes like this: someone hangs the present over the reciever's head and everyone sings: "Heavy, heavy hang over they poor head, what do you wish this person with a bump on your head?" Then the reciever has to wish the giver something before they can open the gift. It was silly fun!

No birthday is complete without a birthday cake. This is a double layer cookie cake with chocolate and cream cheese frosting. Each cousin got a candle to blow out with their respective ages represented. It didn't last long. . .

Ammon and Grandpa hanging out on the couch doing what they do best.

After cake and presents, it was off to the park for the 4th of July festivities.

Day 2 of celebrations took us to the Rock N River where the kids played in the water. Not too many pics taken here since we were mostly having fun. Later that night, we finally remembered to do the piñata.

Just before the cousins left for home. We tried to gather them up one last time. I'm afraid eating the candy from the piñata was more popular than smiling for the camera.

We had a fabulous time with our Geserick cousins. It finally seemed like we started summer vacation!