Catching up...

The boys

Silly kids

Here's a few pic's of the boys this weekend...some mischievous moments, some ornery, and lots of SILLY.  We took them up to the Primary school last night to let them ride their bikes and play on the playground.  They love being outside and running off all their energy.  When we got home we did haircuts, baths, and then they went to bed.  It was funny when I started getting out the clippers and stuff to do haircuts, as they all were fighting over who could go first!  It's never been a thing they WANT to do, so it's kind of strange how all of the sudden they like getting their hair cut.

We're all looking forward to a visit from the whole Ballew family this coming weekend. (especially our nephew Maven!)  This will be his first visit to our house!  The boys will be SO excited!

Levi's going to be home the next two days working on some chapters of his thesis paper.  Please pray that he gets a LOT of it done.  There doesn't seem to be much extra time to work on this, so hopefully the next two days will be very productive for him.   Clinicals are going very well and lately he has been assigned his own room, which is both exciting and scary for him all at the same time.  He's getting a great variety of cases, and really enjoys his work ---which we are so thankful for!

Fine Dining

Best little waiter in the world
The door man taking a nap today
Massage therapist Carson taking a snooze

Yesterday afternoon the boys were playing in their room and wanted me to come up and sit on the bed. Marcus told me he wanted to play restaurant and that I should sit there. He walked out of the room, with Cole opening and closing the door, and then back in with my "menu", which was a coloring book. Then he walked out of the room again, Cole opening and closing the door...about this time I realized that Cole was the door man. Carson didn't seem to have a role in the action until a little later. Marcus came back and asked if I was ready to order. I pointed at a picture of a chicken, told him I'd have the chicken nuggets. He didn't miss a beat, and asked me if I'd like fries with that. He also suggested chocolate milk and a sucker. I agreed that it sounded delicious and he went out of the room to place my order. On the way out he yelled back at me that it would be $90.91...and it would be 30 minutes... I figured this must be some fancy restaurant, nothing I'm accustomed to for sure... I laughed to myself thinking that these chicken nuggets would be the best I've ever tasted. While I waited a strange thing happened. Carson comes into the room, by way of the door man (Cole), bends down at my feet and starts rubbing my feet and legs. Then stands up and walks out. This happened about 4 times before my food finally came. Marcus brought me my food and told me to "enjoy". All in all it was a deliciously weird experience. (Massage + dinner = weird) The boys had a good time and seemed to be using imagination very well. Just for curiosity I ordered another meal at this same restaurant, and would you believe the price was $90.91 again...Somehow everything you order ends up being the same price. Must be a coincidence! :)

On the Mend

Leaving for church on Sunday
Marcus has his smile back
Carson found his smile too!
Cole is working on a smile! :)

It's been a rough past week and a half here with our whole family getting sick with colds. It started out with sore throats, headaches, fevers, and now seems to be turning into just a cough. We really didn't go anywhere, well Levi went to work everyday, but other than that we didn't do anything for about 8 days. Saturday we decided to break out of the house and take the boys on a picnic at the lake. It was a very needed time for everyone to run off some energy. :) Sunday we were able to go to church and it was so nice to actually see other people! Here are some pictures as the boys were starting to feel better. Have a great week!

Floor Manners

Dancing in their room this morning

Resourceful?


The boys getting "dressed up" by their girl cousins! :) (They were supposed to be kings)
King Carson

You know, it's kind of a relief it's Friday! :) We decided to kind of change our (the kids and I) weekly schedule. I had been taking them to the gym with me every morning and doing a 1 hr playgroup/nursery-like setting while I exercise, then one day a week I babysit in there. While I thought it would be fun for the boys and good to have some play time with other kids, there are also some down sides. It just doesn't seem like the right fit for our kids right now, and certainly has not seemed to benefit them as far as behavior goes. So, we're trying to figure out a new routine and make sure we are doing what's best for our kids...They are sure playing well at home together this morning, so I can already tell it's going to be a much better and less stressful day for Mommy! :)

They were sitting at the table this morning eating breakfast and were really goofing around, which is totally fine except it takes them FOREVER for them to eat. I asked Marcus if he would just settle down and eat his breakfast. He said, "Yeah Mom, and that is good table manners!" Then he told me how when he was done eating he was going to get down and play and he could act like a goofball then... and that would be called "floor manners". It's funny how kids reason things out, he makes me laugh every day! Here are some pictures I took this week. Enjoy!

A Whole Sentence

Do they look ornery or what?

The big brother
Silly guys



Carson
Marcus
Cole
The boys

This morning on the way home from the gym Carson was busy chattering away. He likes to point out things to his brothers, so he was saying, "Yook Cole" and pointing at things along the road. Then I heard him say his first sentence, "Yook Cole, there's kirekuk!" (A firetruck) He seems to be exploding with language which is really fun for all of us. I really think as he talks more and more Cole will start to catch on too. They are all three definitely at a very ornery stage right now, and while it too is fun, it is also pretty exhausting...but we're surviving. :) Here are a few pic's that I took this week. Have a GREAT Friday!

It's THAT time of year again...

Daddy and his little buddies

Mommy and the boys

The MEN

Cousins
Cooking up some barbque
Brothers

Yes, it's football season! On Saturday we had some family over for a cookout and Mizzou Football. It was a really fun evening and an exciting game too. We're hopeful for a great season. GO MIZZOU!!!

It's been a busy week, and we were so thankful for the three day weekend. Levi took Saturday and Sunday to just relax, but is going to get back to the books and paperwork today. We found out on Tuesday that Cole has allergies, so that really explains a lot since we've been here. He just has not acted like himself and has been very clingy, whiney, and we just knew he didn't feel good. He's on medicine now and looks like a different kid. He still isn't fully back to normal, but at least we know the medicine is helping. It's very interesting to me how when one of my boys is out of whack (to put it mildly), the other boys take advantage and do all the things they know they are not supposed to...it's been one of THOSE weeks! :) They all three had a good day yesterday though, behavior wise, so I'm praying we can start to get back on track this week.