July

There are a few ways to keep Perry awake when he's tired and happy when he's crabby: screen time, playing outside with him, tubbies. As soon as he got out of the bath, though, he crashed on the floor. I tried.

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I made some Brazilian bread and sent John this picture before they flattened.

Silly boy. We had to put a bed guard up because he fell out of the crib one night and got a bloody nose.

If you pull your phone out, kids will come. 

That's a happy boy. He loves Trader Joe's because they have samples, and give kids stickers and a "yaw-yi-pop."

We went to visit baby Wes and the boys were loving it. Perry and Jonah especially love babies.

We love the Recycle bookstore. The boys like to read in the little chairs and find the cat. We usually follow up with a trip to the library where they can get as many books as they want.

It was half price happy hour, so we stopped at Starbucks nextdoor after and they shared a drink.

Another sweet little baby to snuggle.

Perry cannot get enough of her.

Even Scott took a turn.

We met up with my friends in Santa Cruz one day and went around downtown. They had a kids Waldo search in the stores that they loved.

Jonah's spa day at the dentist.

Little stinker will scale the bookshelves to find "blue one ipad."

Lunch time. Some days it feels like all I do is feed these kids.

We watched an episode of Nailed It on Netflix and decided to do a version ourselves.

I knew the boys would love it, but I mostly just wanted to eat cake.

Perry and I made each big brother a hot milk 9" cake.

They drew a picture of their design, then executed. They were both so pleased with the turnout and we all enjoyed eating them.

Our friends visited from Nebraska. Jonah made himself a bed next to the baby.

We tried chalk painting the driveway. It did not go well, but they had fun.

Sneaky boy found the ipad again. He loves watching this video of the Relief Society presidency dancing with giant heads of the bishopric from the ward talent show.

Kids.

Perry pretending to be a chicken was killing me.

While we were at Emma Prusch farm park there was a fire nearby and the smoke drove us out.

Jonah doesn't nap much any more, but occasionally an afternoon car ride does him in.

Peach season means a surprise pie for John.

It took me a minute to realize these weren't just random numbers. It's a birthday wish list of Lego kits.

Jonah wearing John's shirt. He thought he was hilarious.

Reading Scott's book in his Elsa dress.

They like playing dress-up, and princess dresses are the best for twirling.

Scott was conflicted at the baseball game. 

I usually give John tickets to a Cardinal's game for his birthday or Father's day for a date night, but I bought four this year. Hopefully we can do 5 next time and not need a babysitter. The view from the ramp at the game was beautiful.

We took the boys on the Coke slide, but Jonah was too short for the big one.

But he was just short enough to play at the kids hitting area. It was a short line, so he hit several home runs before Scott came down after the big slide.

A little afternoon tv time. Perry only watches for a few minutes unless it's Mickey Mouse.

Our Buy Nothing neighbor had extra tickets to see Counting Crows at Shoreline and gave us two of them. It was our first concert together.

We went to look for a new bed frame at a local furniture store that had childcare for 3+ and free beverages. It's my new favorite store. Perry liked trying out everything with us... and having both parents to himself.

Making himself at home in my recliner.

We had friends over one morning and the two year old couldn't stop tackling Jonah. He's so great about playing with little kids. He just patiently took the tackling and gently wrestled with him all morning. 

Backyard time. The girls wanted to sit on their laps so they could all fit. I think we exceeded the wagon weight max.

Double handed eating. All three boys like salad now, so I have to double the amount I used to make. Jonah usually finishes us off.

Showering after swim lessons is the best. They come home tired and clean, ready for bed.

Took my cute little cows to Chick fil a for our free dinner on cow appreciation day.

They loved cutting and taping their spots.

Sleeping on the way to the beach. At least it was early and they get their energy out there so they would still go to bed okay.

Beach day with friends.

Sweet boy

Trash truck!

Free slurpee day at 7-11. They're fans.

Perry is the fastest scooter in all the land.

"Coco" brownies during family movie night.

Sleeping twins

John's Sunday sourdough waffles are one of the highlights in Perry's week.

He steals my food even when he has the same exact thing in his bowl.

Scott is spending his summer reading. He would rather stay home than go out most days and he is burning through books.

Perry frequently earns himself a tubby.

We went to the park with a splash pad, which only Jonah went in, but they would've stayed and played in the sand forever. Or at least until lunch.

I took the boys to ihop for the first time for some 60 cent pancake stacks. We don't take them to restaurants very often, so the tip was worth the practice eating out.

I never understand how the kids can fall asleep just on the floor in the middle of doing something. They get it from their dad.

Swim lessons with Jen and Michael. They made more progress in a half hour one-on-one than in 4 weeks of community center group lessons last year. Scott is able to swim without floaties and Jonah is confident and learning the techniques that with some more practice he'll be swimming in no time.

Rick flew down to pack my dad up and drive him to Bellingham. He stayed the night before and the boys had an epic light saber fight. The boys kept asking where Cedric was, though.

When Perry is getting into mischief, Scott stops him or comes and gets me. Jonah not so much. 

We pet sat a bunny and guinea pig one week. They boys especially loved feeding them. I mimicked their eating to get Jonah to have raw carrots and he loves them now.

 The family was generous to thank the boys for caring for their pets, so they're a big step closer to their next Disney trip.