Canal Days

We live near a tiny town that is named after part of the Erie Canal that runs through it.  Today we decided to take a bike ride on the path that runs next to the canal.

We happened to come at the perfect time because the kids were able to see the canal boat ride!  In this picture you can see the horses that are pulling the boat and the kids riding along the trail.

Here is the boat in the canal {part of the old Erie Canal.}

We had fun taking a spin on the trail.  It was beautiful weather, the sky was absolutely gorgeous and we had a great time and got a little exercise too.

Ava and her Dad were riding along chatting with each other.  Later Mike told me the conversation went a little something like this:

Ava:  Dad, Mommy is smarter than Carter, Carter is smarter than Ava and Ava is smarter than Dawson. 

Mike:  Ava, did you know one day you'll be smarter than me?

Ava:  I am smarter than you Dad.

I don't think we are going to have any problem with confidence with that one.

Today I was driving in the car with her, running errands and she noticed a billboard and said "Mommy I know that girl.  It's the Mona Lisa."

Sure enough, she was right.

So I must give it to her, she is a little smarty pants.

Oh, do I love this little baby.  He closed his eyes when I started to take a picture of him.   

Love you little Dawh-sin.

{That's how he has been saying his name lately, it's very cute.}

This little kid has been obsessed with the baf-room lately.  Whenever Ava goes, he must also check out the facilities.  A couple of times he has sat on the toliet and today he told me baf-room.  So I went and sat him on the toliet and sure enough, he went!  Maybe peer pressure will help me out a little?  Not that I'm even thinking about working on potty training yet, but if he asks, I'm going to take him!

Movie Night!

Snuggles on the couch

Movie night with my babies

Love it

A Weekend with the Grandparents

Thank you Meme and Bob-Bob for babysitting the crew this weekend.  It was so nice to see you guys and spend some time together.  Although the kids were thoroughly spoiled as you can see.....

While the kids were being baby sat they had a trip to Bob Evans for chocolate chip pancakes {sugar} and chocolate milk {sugar}.  They also went to target because Ava needed shiny pink cat ears.  And a pink poncho.  And pink arm warmers?  {I still have not figured out what those things are.}  And all kinds of other random things the kids picked up.

Including an optimus prime mask and Dora towel.  Now Meme and Bob Bob understand that if you make a trip to target, you MUST take a ride on the Shadle Train!  {Which is just the shopping cart that has the attachment on the front, the only configuration in which all three kids can ride.}  

Funny of the week:

Carter:  Mom we had a fire drill at school today.  But my teacher wouldn't give us a drill.  We just had to stand on the yellow line.  

Cue conversation explaining drill {the tool} and drill {practicing}.

Some Stories and Pictures

The same night we were visited by Batman, Ava wanted to sing Elmo's song for us.  La la la la, la la la la, Elmo's World.

My sweet little girl.  She is going through the three year old nightmare stage. Every. single. night.  I feel like I have a newborn in the house again.  I remember Carter was about this age when he insisted on sleeping with Ava.  But, Carter was scared going to sleep while Ava just wakes up in the middle of the night sobbing, unable to go back to sleep.  I'm sure it's just a stage she will grow out of, just like her brother.

I think he may be part Lion.  Dawson now carries Angel Baby around in his mouth.  I guess it leaves his hands free to play! 

Also, Daring Dawson strikes again.  Today he moved the computer desk chair over to the fridge and tried to climb the refrigerator by putting his feet in the ice dispenser tray and pulled up with his hands on the handle and door.  Luckily I was in the kitchen and watched this all take place.  He managed to pull himself up and stood there clinging to the fridge, unsure what to do next.  Then I took him down and said please never do that again!

Picture this:

Carter is laying down in the grass staring up at the sky.  He doesn't realize that I'm watching him and I see his hands clasped together and he is talking quietly to himself.  Then he does the sign of the cross and stands up.  I laughingly look at him and say "Were you praying?"  He was embarrassed and with a big smile on his face he said "No."

Carter, it's always ok to say a little prayer whenever you feel the need.  I must say there is nothing that makes you feel the need to talk to God than laying on summer time grass staring at a beautiful blue sky. 

Batman Bed time

We have had several spottings of Batman at our home lately.  He usually appears around bed time, suspiciously in Carter's batman pajamas.

He puts a halt to the bad guys.

He flies through the air.

He is Batman.

Camping Out Fun

This summer has been so busy and has completely sped by.  We have yet to take the kids camping, so we pitched a tent in Grandma and Grandbo's backyard.

Carter was incredibly frightened of camping out/extremely excited.  I wanted to sleep inside so I could hear Dawson, who was not invited to camp out with us.  But Carter insisted that he needed Daddy and Mommy to camp out with him or he would be too scared.  Secretly it always makes me happy when he chooses me when he is scared.  Otherwise, he is team Daddy all the way.

Ava was ambivalent about the idea of sleeping in a tent.  But in the middle of night she sprung up and shouted "That's it, I'm leaving."

Luckily I was able to bring her back to bed.  We are still laughing about that, although I think she just woke up scared and didn't know where she was.

Wait guys, why wasn't I invited?  Next summer, baby boy, next summer.

Thank you to Grandma who took care of Daring Dawson while I was camping out with the kids.  Apparently he woke up several times during the night and then was up for the day at 6:30.  Case in point why he has yet to go camping with us.

Labor Day Relaxation

This weekend we spent a little time with the extended family.  We had a relaxing time digging in the sand, flying kites, building fires, sitting around the fires and taking lawn mower rides.

Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality, cooking some wonderful meals and helping entertain and watch the crew.  These little escapes are nice, because they feel like mini-vacations.  As opposed to an actual vacation which feels like a lot of work!  

Coming up next:  pictures of our camp out!