Ode to dads

Dad’s get a bad reputation as being the carefree, sometime clueless parent.  They are the ones you wrestle with, let you eat ice cream for dinner and allow you to stay up way past bedtime.  At least that is how Hollywood tends to portray them.  They are never looked at to be able to hold their own with their own children.

Last week I had to head down to Texas suddenly, Scott took a week off work to hang with the boys to keep routines going.  I’m going to have to toot his horn because he was super Dad. He planned meals and stuck to them. He did major home improvement projects, painting a room and removing cabinets and hanging shelving.  He took the boys places, besides school.  He did all of that plus, got Thomas to eat more foods, start taking bottles, and the biggest of all, sleeping through the night.

I came home after a stressful week to a house that was clean, organized, full of groceries, and improved.  What more could a mom want?

Bates impromtu visit

The Bates came down last weekend and the boys could not have been happier to see their cousins.  They got some quality time and showed the Bates some of our favorite places.

On Friday, Nana and Grandpa Rob came over to make cookies and have pizza and movie night.  

On Saturday it was off to the zoo to explore.  They even had their first cousin sleep over.

On Sunday it was brunch at Aunt Michelle's restaurant and then some good byes.  The boys had a great weekend and are slowly catching up on sleep.  

Texas 2017

The boys and I spent about 3 weeks in Texas this summer.  My mom came up to St. Louis and hung out for a few days and then she helped me drive down with all the boys.  Scott stayed in St. Louis for work.  He joined us a little later so some family fun.  Here are the highlights of our trip.

My parents bought the boys some toys, baseball bat and ball and sleeping bags.

No trip to San Antonio is complete with out at least one trip to Alamo Cafe.  Clearly the boys share my love of the tortillas.

Lots of time just hanging out at Grammie and Papa John's house

And lots of trips to playgrounds.

The Holtzinger's watched the boys on a Saturday morning.  There were tears when they left.  I had to keep telling them that we would be back 2 more times.

 The one rainy day I let them play outside.

 More fun at the Holtzinger house.

 The boys learned all about cactus and that they can hurt.

 It was very hot while we were down there.

 We spent a little time with Zio Andrew.

 More swimming at the Holtzinger House.

 And BBQ!!