Citrus Trees and Growing Boys

October 2014- Isaiah 4.5, Jonathan 3 years old

    The planter right outside our kitchen nook window has always been an eye-sore to me.  I was so happy to finally get around to making it beautiful and purchasing the lemon and cumquat trees I have ALWAYS wanted.  And once again, just the fact that I could complete this task with my boys in tow, just shows how far we have come.  We will happily be partaking of these lemons and cumquats for MANY, MANY years to come and I never want to forget the day they were successfully purchased and planted.

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

At the Nursery picking out my trees/plants

The boys are never one to pass up a coy pond.

Jonathan catching up to Isaiah in size this month!

One of my favorite boys with one of my favorite trees!

A Moment in Time

October 2014-Isaiah 4.5 years old, Jonathan 3 years old 

     It was actually at the Fair this year that I got the first weird feeling that I just might be pregnant.  I just felt "off."  Then when we were up at my parents house for Jonathan's third birthday, Jaime could not stop talking about my unusual eating habits (salad with smores) and my short fuse temperament. He was absolutely convinced I WAS pregnant.  So after our six hour drive back home we made ONE extra stop to the drug store before going home.  This is a picture of me and the boys waiting in the car while Jaime went in to buy a pregnancy test. Something told me to capture the moment:)
     Having had a miscarriage before having Isaiah, I'm always very hesitant to get my hopes up too soon before completing my first tri-mester, but Jaime and I were both ECSTATIC that evening when we got the positive result that we couldn't help but tell Isaiah and Jonathan.  They both were so receptive to the news that "we were going to have a baby and mommy has a baby in her tummy".  I have to say, I've been quite surprised.  I thought for the most part it would be in one ear and out the other (considering their ages and that they are two boys).  Quite the contrary.  
    Isaiah told his whole preschool class the following day.  They are constantly wanting to watch YOU Tube videos of how the baby is growing inside me.  They like to speak to my belly and give it kisses.  And Jonathan continually asks when and if the baby is going to "pop" out.  It has been the coolest thing sharing this experience with the two of them.  Besides Jaime and myself there is no question they are next in line for being the MOST excited for this BABY.

Jonathan at Three

Jonathan at THREE

   -He LOVES football.  Although he is part of a soccer league right now, he tells me everyday he wants to play football. He has to have his football jersey on like his dad every Sunday before the Cowboy game comes on.  If I've dressed him in a regular shirt and the Cowboy game comes on, he'll look down and say, "hey, where's my jersey?!?" He was been trained to say (by Jaime) his favorite player is #29 DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys running back).

    -He is still obsessed with Gordon (one of the trains from Thomas and Friends).  Most nights he has to grab it off his train table and sleep with it right by his side.  He also is still obsessed with his light blue blanket.  He can't nap or go to bed unless he has this particular blanket by his side.

-He can hold his own with Isaiah now.  He takes some serious punches and throw downs from his older bro, but he just bounces up and comes back for more.  *THESE TWO NEVER STOP WRESTLING WITH EACH OTHER.

-He can recite the PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE.  He loves going to preschool, especially on his "share day."  Every Wednesday he gets to take in one of his possessions to share with his class.  And every Wednesday he can not wait to get to school because it is his share day.  He loves being line leader, carpet sorter, or flag holder too.  He knows exactly where to look for his name in his classroom that tells him if he is one of those people for the day.  This is when I have to ask myself, "are you really three?"

-If he could eat pancakes everyday for breakfast he would.  Because I love this boy so much, I usually make them for him four times a week.  (Isaiah refuses to eat pancakes, he has to eat waffles...thank goodness for Eggos-lol).

-Jonathan is not a picky eater AT ALL.  He eats all his veggies and variety of meats given to him. Sushi (as in SASHIMI) and Thai Food are both his and Isaiah's favorite foods.

-Favorite color is BLUE.  He wants to be served on the blue plates and drinks in the blue cups.  Isaiah is always so great if I happen to forget and give the blue plate/cup to him.  Jonathan will go "Hey!??!"  And Isaiah just patiently passes the blue item to Jonathan.  I LOVE how well these two take care of EACH OTHER.

-Night time ritual, has to give his MOMMY and DADDY Eskimo kisses along with one of his juicy opened mouth kiss.

-His favorite things are still trains, helicopters and planes, Paw Patrol and football.

-His recent sayings:  "Of Course"  "What do you want to talk about?"  "You want to talk about football?"   "Can you do me a favor?"

-LOVES to be silly.  Always trying to crack jokes with Isaiah and be FUNNY.  They think they are soooo funny when they say "TORTILLAS."  Out of no where one of them will blurt "tortillas,"  and they just crack themselves up.

Being silly, "Hello?"

Jonathan's Third Birthday

October 2014-Isaiah 4.5 years old and Jonathan 3 years old 

    For Jonathan's third birthday we took a little family trip up to my parents house.  Jonathan requested to have a Spider man themed birthday party so my mom and I did what we could. Jonathan had a great time at his party, hitting the pinata, opening gifts, and blowing out his birthday candles. He turned three, but I swear I now have a four year old!?!  He is one advanced little three-year-old.

Pumpkin Patch 2014

    October 2014-Isaiah 4.5 years old and Jonathan 3 years old 

    This was our first year taking the boys to a pumpkin patch.  We went to visit my parents for Jonathan's third birthday and they happen to have a sensational pumpkin patch filled with all types of activities. I'll let the pictures do the talking.  But the pricey pumpkins was well worth the stimulating, fun-filled experience we had as a family that day.  

The Big Fresno Fair!

October 2014-Isaiah 4.5 years old and Jonathan 3 years old 

It's amazing how much fun I find myself having at the Fair each year now that I have children.  The boys can't get enough of the kiddie rides, pig races, horse rides, animal exhibits, and endless supply of fair food (their favorite is the chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream cone).   I don't even mind taking them more than one time.  It's been a great way to spend the warm October mornings and evenings on our days off with the boys.

Why do I love seeing my boys on horses so much!?!

SOCCER BEGINS

SEPTEMBER 2014-ISAIAH 4.5 years old, JohnJohn-almost 3 years old

     It is time already for the extracurricular activities to begin?  I thought I should give something a try now that the boys are getting older.  Although Jonathan kept telling me he wanted to play football, Isaiah wanted to try out soccer so I signed them up for a Fall Soccer league.  They loved it!  Jonathan was suppose to be in the "Mommy and Me" class (2-3 year old) but he was not having it.  He did not like me on the field with him.  "Go over there Mommy," he would say and point to the sidelines.  So, Jaime suggested I throw him into Isaiah's class (4-5 years) on the opposite field.  And wouldn't you know...he thrived.  Although he wasn't able to manage the obstacle course as easy as the older boys his enthusiasm and determination to tackle the course gave me and the Coach reassurance that he could manage the class.
    Isaiah is a speed demon.  He gets out on the soccer field and there is no stopping him.  He loves kicking the ball and racing after it.  We had so much fun taking the boys every Tuesday night and watching them work on their agility and soccer skills.

 

Eskimo Kisses with Sincere Wishes

September 2014
Isaiah 4.5 years old, Jonathan 2.75 years old

    As my two baby boys slip away, I am comforted by their innocence and sweetness.  This past summer Isaiah started paying me compliments. "'Mama, I like your dress,"  he tells me one evening as I'm taking him out of the car to go eat dinner at a restaurant.  Then, Isaiah surprised me as the three of us were patiently waiting to get our Jamba smoothies and theirs came up first, but Isaiah insisted on waiting until mine was ready too before he indulged.  Completely melted my heart.  When we go to our favorite frozen yogurt shop the tables have a mixture of chair colors at their tables and the boys are always sure to save me the pink one.  And now following suit, Jonathan says to me, "Mama, I like your toe nails," after I had just got home from a pedicure.  Every girl loves a compliment and some special attention, especially from the boys in her life.  I'm one lucky MAMA.