Swing Set, Fort, and Horsey Rides

We just inherited a swing set from some friends down the street who are moving! We told Cal about it by opening his blinds the next morning and saying, "Calvin, Look what is in our backyard!" He's been replaying this scene by going to the window, pointing, and saying, "Look at what in our backyard!"

I love that it is the old-school kind like I had growing up! Not big and colorful and complicated.

Calvin has been loving his "hwing." I'm sure the pretty grass under his feet will be gone soon. I'm still trying to come to terms with what this means for our yard. I know it is worth it. =)

Jack is content in his little swing. He loves it when we tickle his feet and legs as he swings toward us, but I'd say he tolerates or just likes the swinging motion in general.

Calvin likes the rickety slide, too. One of the two ladder posts rests on the ground, so the ladder swings a bit. Just adds to the charm of the set.

Ace introduced Calvin to the notion of making forts while she was here last week. From the outside it looks neat and tidy with pillows creating a little house inside. On the inside, there is every big and little toy and book Calvin can stuff inside. My personal nightmare. He loves it though, and I love that!

Jack has been walking while pushing the push-n-ride racer (under the table above). So sweet to see him walking around. He is really persistent. He gets stuck and works at it all by himself without getting frustrated for a while. I think he'll be walking independently pretty soon now.

Jack has also been taking horse rides on Dan. He can't get enough! I love the way he tries to bounce himself!

The Swimming Hole

It's been "pitty haut" here lately, as Cal would say. Mid to upper 90's most days. So, we are really thankful that the guys love the pool!

Jack spends a lot of his time splashing frantically. He tries to do this in the bathtub as well. I'm not so happy about it there.

He loves it when we pull him around in the water so he can chase toys. In the same instant that he catches his toy, he throws it again. Kind of funny that he never wants to actually hold it!

Ace was here this week, so Jack got a lot of one-on-one time in the pool. Now he is not so satisfied with his inflated boat. Hmmm.

Calvin has gotten a lot braver lately. He generally take a good 30 minutes to move past sitting on the steps. But then he has been willing to hold onto us with "one figger." Ace brought these water wings for Cal. He decided they were for his birthday. What a character!

Cal has been riding on Dan's back in the deep end. I know Calvin loves it, but I think Dan might even enjoy it more. =)

But the all-time favorite for both is this! I think Jack will be in on this action soon, too!

Five Little Monkeys

It is only appropriate that Calvin and Jack have been loving the book Five Little Monkeys lately. For better and for worse, our home has felt like a zoo these last couple weeks.

The "Better"

Two sweet little buddies who are constantly making me laugh!

Calvin has been building trains with cars, pillows, and everything else. His new favorite toy is an empty Kleenex box that he likes to fill the box with socks, wipes, and other small cloths. He's covered his truck train here with socks from his sock box.

Jack has been so playful! He laughs really hard when we say "A-bugga-bugga-bugga!" I love it when he laughs at his brother saying this! Here he was loving the laundry basket!

These wipes are perpetually in his hands. I think it is sweet, but they are all over the house and car now!

The Worse:

We've been having nap time battles with Calvin. Now that he has starting being destructive while out of bed, we'd had to enforce that he needs to stay in bed during nap time. I think we are finally on the right track, but after many days of no napping, lots of crying, some spanking, and missed trips to the pool, Calvin is staying in bed more.

It is so hard to be the enforcer when this sweet face greets me behind the door, but the battle now is because I didn't do it earlier. I've learned the hard way.

And, I guess this does not have to do with a zoo, but our friends Amanda and Ellis and their kids Mac and Corrie just moved to Virginia. Cal has been asking for them, and we all miss them! What a blessing to have them so close for 2 years!