"The Dangerous Book for Boys" -- Who needs a book?

In the past two months, Gary has:

poured petroleum distillate lubricant all over himself and Sage(poison),

taken a hack saw to Samuel’s big inflatable ride-in ball,

sprinkled ant killer all over the sidewalk, himself and Sage(poison),

carved two holes in the kitchen wall with a screwdriver,

hammered blue pock marks over a large section of our recently refinished kitchen table with an ink pen,

tagged the lawnmower, Phillip, the garden shed, and the patio with pink paint(as you know),

was caught mid-swing on the roof of Chad's pick-up with hammer,

poured gasoline all over the garden shed,

poured gasoline all over the shop,

built a 10" fire ring out of gravel, filled it with sticks and talked Grandpa out of a lighter(Grandpa thought it didn't work. But it did.),

Sprayed down my bathroom with hairspray,

sprayed 40% deet Off (poison) all over the inside of the cab of Uncle Paul's pick-up, which bubbled the leather and stained the instrument pannel,

and yesterday, he threw this 1/8th of an inch thick, flat, yet sharp-edged end of a trampoline spring...

...through this. Samuel's hand.

Ow. This, at least, was an accident.

It seems every day we're looking at our home with new eyes, as "baby-proof" is not "Gary-proof." In his hands, everyday items become instruments of destruction, and things that are already instruments of destruction, are never out of reach of a 3-year-old on a mission. Constant supervision is the only thing that helps, but he made his chocolate mess today in under five minutes. After these incidents, Gary often says, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again." And he doesn't. He thinks of something new. I guess I need to learn to think like a 3-year-old and think of them first!

"All's fair..."

In our house, chocolate is for girls...

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...unless, of course, you're in need of a little war paint.

Birthday Festivities

It's not officially Lily's birthday 'till Tuesday,

but we've started the festivities early!

Here is the Birthday Witch!
Saturday, we had a pinata, and played Sardines,

ate birthday cake and icecream, and opened presents,

wore costumes and took pictures!

Lily pretty much planned her own party, and helped with everything from the invitations to the cake to the schedule of events. She is so responsible. She is an awesome student, she's enthusiastic about her piano, and she is such a big helper around here, which I, of course, appreciate very much. The little kids love playing with her, as she's patient and enjoys them. She forgives easily and appologizes quickly. She is always bringing home treats for the rest of the family, and she enjoys doing little things to make us smile. I sure love my Lily-girl. We are so blessed to have her in our family!

Happy Birthday Lily!

Dunes Day

I got the pictures off of Chad's phone!

Saturday we rode the ATVs with the Steeds to a big sand dune and spent time...

climbing,
sliding,

feeling the sand between our toes,

flying,rolling,

messin' around

stretching,

chillin',

and...?

On the way home, I noticed that Sage reminded me of someone.